Chapter 42

After understanding what the neighbor Old Wang meant, Huo Wen’an returned to the live stream and replied to Pink Memories: [The internet is not a place beyond the law. Defamation and slandering someone’s reputation is a crime. Please apologize, or else you’ll have to spare some time to deal with the legal notice.]

Seeing Huo Wen’an’s message, Pink Memories found it amusing and said: [Laughing my ass off, acting even during a live stream, using terms like ’your gracious self’, you’ve watched too many TV dramas. Sending a legal notice, huh? I’m waiting for your legal notice!]

Feeling unsatisfied, Pink Memories immediately took a screenshot of Huo Wen’an’s harsh words and posted it on Weibo using a secondary account, saying: [Hahaha, laughing my ass off, everyone come see the pretentious folks on Douyin.]

Right after posting on his friend circle, he heard someone open the door and come in.

"Xu Yue, the agent wants us to go over there for a bit."

In real life, Pink Memories is a relatively famous singer named Xu Yue, who signed with Zongheng Entertainment Company three months ago.

Along with him, two other singers with good potential and a talented pianist graduate from the music academy also signed in at the same time.

This period has been the company’s assessment period given to them. During this period, the company shapes their persona and manages popularity. After the assessment period, the artist with the best popularity and reputation will get the chance to release an album.

This is a tempting condition for any newcomer.

The male who informed him to meet the agent was named Zhang Zhixing; he joined the Zongheng Entertainment Company as an artist at the same time as Xu Yue, and they are roommates in the same dormitory, as well as competitors.

Xu Yue quickly turned off his phone and went to the company with Zhang Zhixing. They met another newly signed artist, Lü Xingxing, downstairs.

After meeting, Xu Yue asked Lü Xingxing, "Where’s the talented pianist?"

The four of them weren’t familiar, and being competitors, they hadn’t even exchanged phone numbers. They only knew the pianist’s name was You Mingyue.

Lü Xingxing shook her head and said, "She’s not staying in the dormitory; I don’t know what’s happening."

While talking, they saw a Maybach driving toward the company entrance.

The car stopped, and a middle-aged driver wearing a dark gray suit and white gloves got out first.

He walked to the car’s rear, opened the door, and bent down to say to the woman inside, "Miss You, we’ve arrived."

A woman in a purple-pink long windbreaker stepped out of the Maybach. Her cascading black hair and flawless face appeared both delicate and innocent.

Lü Xingxing recognized her, expressing complex emotions, "It’s You Mingyue."

On the signing day, Lü Xingxing had seen You Mingyue before, but she didn’t appear as striking as she did today.

Her being able to ride in a Maybach indicated her backing was not ordinary.

An artist signing with a new entertainment company who fails to seize the spotlight immediately faces a long deep trough period. Some may wait their whole life without gaining fame.

With someone like her in the picture, the chance of releasing an album seems slim.

Xu Yue and the others instantly realized the grim situation; their faces turned solemn, and their gazes at You Mingyue hid hostility.

"Hello," You Mingyue walked gracefully toward the three and greeted them proactively.

Lü Xingxing and the others snapped back to reality, forced smiles and exchanged pleasantries with her.

Though they might have thoughts against her in their hearts, they dared not easily offend the mysterious-backed You Mingyue.

The four entered the elevator together, watching the slowly rising floors, and You Mingyue suddenly said, "That’s my boyfriend’s car; my family can’t afford such a car."

Xu Yue and the others didn’t expect You Mingyue to bring this up openly, nor did they expect her to be so candid.

The three exchanged glances and remained silent.

You Mingyue showed a complex expression again and said, "My family is ordinary, and my boyfriend’s family doesn’t acknowledge me, even strictly forbidding my boyfriend from helping me in my career."

After pausing briefly, You Mingyue added, "If I pose a threat to you all, it must not be because of my boyfriend’s background, but rather my own capabilities."

After hearing that, Xu Yue and the others naturally wouldn’t believe it easily.

Exiting the elevator, the three walked ahead, leaving You Mingyue behind. Where they couldn’t see, You Mingyue showed a frustrated expression.

Earlier this morning, Chu Zimu had taken You Mingyue to the Chu Family, formally visiting Chairman Chu and Mrs. Chu.

The meeting went smoothly, with Chairman Chu and Mrs. Chu treating her generously with lunch and handed her a thick envelope afterwards.

You Mingyue clutched the envelope, feeling quite delighted internally, thinking that Chu Zimu’s parents genuinely accepted her.

Little did she know, before the envelope even warmed in her grasp, the beautiful yet calculating Mrs. Chu bluntly expressed her disdain and contempt for You Mingyue, saying, "Be honest, I look down on your family background and where you grew up. I fundamentally don’t accept you. However, my son likes you, and I don’t want to be a malicious mother or vicious mother-in-law, so I choose to respect both of you."

She continued, "Giving you a meeting envelope was not a sign of our acceptance, just not wanting to make it difficult for my son. If you want to gain our recognition, you’ll need to demonstrate convincing capabilities."

"I know you signed a contract with Zongheng Entertainment Company, and I’ve informed people at the company not to give you any advantages in your work."

Upon hearing this, You Mingyue’s heart turned cold.

Mrs. Chu gave her hope after giving her a metaphorical slap, saying, "You Mingyue, if you can achieve dazzling success on your own merits and become a highly praised and accepted piano star, I will fulfill you both and permit you to marry into the Chu Family."

"After all, our Chu Family’s daughter-in-law can’t just be a trophy wife. These statements, I’ve also told Zimu, and he has confidence in you, agreeing to our stance."

"I hope you won’t disappoint Zimu."

Faced with the aggressive Mrs. Chu, You Mingyue couldn’t lose her temper but had to respond maturely, saying, "I’ll do my best. Thank you, Aunt, for giving me this opportunity."

While staying at the Chu Family, You Mingyue managed to remain calm. But once she got into the car, she fell apart entirely.

During this period, You Mingyue focused all her attention on Chu Zimu, believing that by gaining his approval and meeting his parents, she’d be able to enter the Chu Family’s esteemed gates.

As a result, she cooperated very casually with the company’s arrangements.

Little did she expect Mrs. Chu would be so dominant and deliberately mean to her.

If she’d known, she should have actively cooperated with the company’s promotions and boosted her own popularity.

Realizing she might not win and won’t get the chance to release an album, potentially facing years of downturn, left You Mingyue agitated.

At this point, she couldn’t help but recall what Xu Xingguang had told her that night. Indeed, relying on oneself is better than depending on others.

Yet, You Mingyue didn’t appreciate Xu Xingguang’s advice, instead feeling Xu Xingguang was a Crow’s Mouth, always hitting the mark.