With her debut album achieving such dazzling success, You Mingyue quickly became the hottest new artist at Zongheng Entertainment. Invitations for variety shows and brand endorsements flooded in her direction.

Experiencing the taste of sudden fame for the first time, You Mingyue floated in a daze for several days before her emotions stabilized.

Half a month later, Zongheng Entertainment held a celebration banquet for You Mingyue. At the banquet, You Mingyue donned an extravagant goose yellow strapless gown and performed "Human World" live in front of the media, artists, and executives.

As the performance ended, the applause was unending.

"How about it? Our company really unearthed a treasure this time." Qin Tai, standing beside Huo Lan, boasted with a proud and smug smile.

The two of them standing together gave off a sense of rivalry, so it wasn’t surprising that the outside world thought they were on bad terms, mortal enemies even.

Huo Lan stared at You Mingyue on the stage, his lips tightly pressed together.

Seeing him silent, with such an inscrutable look, Qin Tai asked, "What’s up? Are you envious and jealous?"

Huo Lan shook his head and said, "There’s something I need to understand better. Excuse me." Handing his drink to Qin Tai, Huo Lan quickly turned and left.

Qin Tai chased after him, catching up with Huo Lan outside the banquet hall.

Grabbing Huo Lan’s arm, Qin Tai asked, "What happened?"

Trying to maintain his composure, Huo Lan lowered his voice and asked gravely, "Qin Tai, tell me the truth. Is this album entirely produced by your company and definitely an original work, right?"

The reason for his question was that Huo Lan had heard an incredibly similar tune on a cassette Xu Xingguang had given him!

When Huo Lan mentioned the word ’original,’ Qin Tai realized the seriousness of the issue.

"What’s going on?" Qin Tai told Huo Lan, "This album was fully supervised by Teacher Luo Muni. You know what level of expertise he possesses, right? He’s been in the industry for decades without ever getting tangled in a plagiarism scandal."

"I believe in his character."

Upon hearing this, Huo Lan nodded, "Teacher Luo is certainly above reproach."

But.

"What about that artist, You Mingyue?"

Qin Tai replied, "She’s the chosen Young Madam candidate of the Chu Family and is already engaged to Mr. Chu. She probably wouldn’t do something so unethical. Besides, this is her first album in her career, and she cherishes her reputation."

Huo Lan felt a sinking feeling.

If Luo Muni was above suspicion and this woman named You Mingyue was also clean, then the problem could only lie with Xu Xingguang.

But.

Could Xu Xingguang really be that kind of person?

Teacher Mo Yinshu had always maintained a spotless reputation, never engaging in plagiarism. Xu Xingguang, being both a musician and a young writer, would understand more than anyone the detrimental impact of plagiarizing and stealing other people’s work.

"I have matters at my company that need addressing, I will leave first."

Patted Qin Tai on the arm, and Huo Lan walked away.

Qin Tai stood there pondering for a moment before returning solo to the celebration hall.

The colleagues noticed him running out after Huo Lan and returning alone, holding Huo Lan’s glass with a sullen expression, instinctively thinking the two must’ve fought outside again.

Qin Tai handed the glass to a waiter, then looked up at You Mingyue, who was currently the center of attention, feeling puzzled.

You Mingyue, she, probably wouldn’t do anything to ruin her future and reputation, right?

*

After leaving the celebration banquet, Huo Lan called Xu Xingguang.

Xu Xingguang happened to be in the company, recording the last piano piece, with her phone outside the recording studio.

By the time she checked the call log, Huo Lan had already returned to the company. Just as she was putting on her coat to leave, she bumped into Huo Lan while going downstairs.

"Director Huo." Noticing the investigative and doubtful look in Huo Lan’s eyes, Xu Xingguang concluded something was amiss.

"You went to You Mingyue’s celebration banquet?" Huo Lan usually too busy to listen to a newcomer’s album, only realized the issue upon hearing "Human World" at the banquet today.

At Xu Xingguang’s remark, Huo Lan’s eyes flickered as he asked her, "You know?"

"Hmm." Nodding, she asked Huo Lan, "Coffee? My treat."

Huo Lan followed Xu Xingguang to the company café.

As she brewed coffee at the bar, ignoring the sharp, investigative gaze behind her, she said, "I did not plagiarize, nor do I disdain it. Whatever ability You Mingyue has, she’s not worthy enough for me to plagiarize."

Although he hadn’t seen the evidence, Huo Lan instinctively chose to believe Xu Xingguang.

Why?

Perhaps because she had a significant relationship with Lord Captain.

"Are you saying she plagiarized your work?"

"My work?" Xu Xingguang quipped with a playful smile, answering vaguely, "She did indeed plagiarize."

Huo Lan interpreted Xu Xingguang’s response to mean that You Mingyue did indeed plagiarize her work. "In the cassette you gave me last time, there was that ’Human World’ track. You specifically collaborated with our company to target her?"

With a slight smile, Xu Xingguang said, "I switched this album’s tracklist; the piece plagiarized by You Mingyue isn’t on my album."

With a pause, Xu Xingguang reflected, "I couldn’t bear to let my work be associated with plagiarism." Whether it’s being plagiarized or involved in it.

"So you’re just going to let this go?" Huo Lan thought that Xu Xingguang wasn’t someone easily bullied.

Just from her daring to flirt with Captain Huo and address him by name, Huo Lan believed she was quite formidable.

"Let it go?"

With coffee in hand, she walked over to Huo Lan.

Handing him the coffee, with an inscrutable smile, she said, "Don’t worry, plagiarists are always exposed eventually. Oh, by the way, I heard her wedding with Mr. Chu is approaching."

Huo Lan nodded, "Yes, I’ve heard that."

With an ’oh,’ she sat down, sipping coffee and started discussing work matters.

However, Huo Lan kept pondering over why Xu Xingguang abruptly mentioned You Mingyue’s wedding.

After their work chat ended and on the way home, Huo Lan suddenly realized Xu Xingguang’s true intent. She didn’t intend to expose You Mingyue just yet; she aimed to reveal everything on her wedding day!

Huo Lan’s heartbeat quickened.

Damn, attending front-row to such a major revelation was thrilling.

Yet he couldn’t share this with another person, not even Qin Tai.

After all, You Mingyue was Qin Tai’s cash cow.

He was eagerly anticipating watching Qin Tai’s reaction when his cash cow gets toppled.

It would be both enraged and adorable.