Chapter 101: Return to Yanjing

Compared to the media, netizens were far more lively and uninhibited.

“A pink piano, a pink girl, a shower of pink roses, a dream of pink love—such a magnificent stage! I was literally on my knees right then and there.” This was the reaction of a fan enchanted by the performance.

“I’ve been on my knees for two hours already. My girlfriend insisted I recreate that scene. Oh my god, I want to do it, but I have to be capable first!” This was a viewer watching the show with his girlfriend, caught in an unexpected plight.

“The poor guy upstairs, but I think many girls would want such a romantic scene. Lin Qihua is incredible—like an arrow piercing straight through the heart.” This was an analytical comment.

“Am I the only one who saw an absolute goddess? My heavens, just a few seconds of flute playing and she’s already become my goddess.” A newly minted fan of Lian Yuling.

“I’ve long regarded her as my goddess, far more beautiful than the so-called ‘Four Dan Actresses’ nowadays. And she barely wears any makeup—100% natural beauty.” This fan was very observant.

“A 360-degree front flip followed by a back somersault—someone please tell me the name and background of this goddess-level beauty!”

“Ha! Same here, asking too.”

“Same request +1.”

“Same request +2.”

“Same request +100.”

At this moment, an experienced fan stepped forward with an answer. “Let me reveal a little: this beauty has quite a background. Ten years ago, she was a sensation, earning the nickname ‘Purgatory Beauty.’ The industry had high hopes for her, which shows how unique she was. I remember her name is Lian Yuling, formerly a singer at Huayi. Then, for reasons unknown, she vanished from the music scene. Now, after ten years, she reappears before us. Back then, when I was younger, I was a hardcore fan of hers.” The words carried a deep sense of nostalgia and regret.

“What on earth happened? Such a stunning beauty, silent for ten years—it’s like a pearl cast into the shadows, a waste beyond words.”

“Strange thing is, besides the info just shared, there’s nothing else about her online. I sense something unusual here.”

“Have you noticed? Another singer from Huayi. It seems Huayi is always wrapped up in these kinds of stories. Lin Qihua, too, came from Huayi.”

“What big company doesn’t have some scandals? It’s normal, maybe even fortunate. Otherwise, would Lin Qihua have had such a breakout?”

“Exactly.”

“In short, Huayi has had more than its share of scandals recently. After Lin Qihua left, he exploded in popularity. Qin Lulu even broke contract to leave. Now this goddess-level artist resurfaces after a mysterious ten-year silence. How many skeletons does that company have in its closet?”

“Haha, isn’t that just how the entertainment industry works? We little people just watch the show. Why bother caring? Lin Qihua, if he hadn’t left Huayi, would just be an ordinary member in a group, maybe a captain at best, with no real control over his music. Now, things are great. I’m really looking forward to his next performance.”

“Guess what song he’ll sing next?”

“No need to guess—you definitely won’t get it right.”

“Right, just listen. He won’t disappoint.”

“Another song to play on repeat for days. Has anyone gone back to listen to his old tracks? Not a single one is disappointing.”

“I downloaded them long ago. Each song tells a story—heavy metal rock, soft rock, folk, love songs—all mastered. My favorite is ‘Love Is a Bullet of Happiness.’ It’s heart-wrenching, piercing right through the soul.”

“Besides the two competition songs, I love ‘Blue Lotus’ most. It yearns for freedom without restraint.”

“Hey, this thread’s gone off track. What about the goddess?”

“No info on her. Besides drooling over live photos, what else can we do? If she makes a comeback, I’ll definitely become a fan.”

The online chatter was vibrant and lively. The show “Singing Champion” provided endless topics and joy, bringing a touch of solace to the dull monotony of daily life.

Meanwhile, Lin Qihua, amidst the warm send-off from local fans, left Xiangzhou and flew back to Yanjing, returning to the familiar Galaxy Entertainment.

“It feels like a long time no see,” Lin Qihua smiled, gazing up at the company’s logo at the entrance.

“The mood must feel different,” Shen Manni said with a smile. Before leaving, everything was uncertain—success or failure would bring completely different consequences. But returning now, with unimaginable success achieved and the dark clouds over the company finally dispersing, naturally, the mood was very different.

“Welcome back.” Yu Fengqin and He Li waited on the top floor, greeting Lin Qihua with a warm embrace.

“Uh…” Lin Qihua stiffened, too startled to move. Yu Fengqin’s soft body gave him a peculiar rush.

“Ha ha, Sister Qin, you scared him! Looks like he’s afraid you’ll eat him up,” Shen Manni laughed heartily.

“He’s just excited,” Yu Fengqin finally released Lin Qihua and explained. “You have to know, the company’s situation now is drastically different from before—all thanks to Qihua’s efforts.”

“‘Explanation’ is just a cover-up,” He Li teased. “Sister Qin, your embrace is like a hungry tiger catching its prey. Qihua can’t escape your jaws.”

“Ha ha.” Everyone laughed until Lin Qihua begged them to drop the subject.

“When was the last time our company laughed so happily?” He Li sighed. “It’s all thanks to Qihua, our great contributor.”

“Don’t say that,” Lin Qihua scratched his head shyly. “It’s all because of everyone’s efforts.”

“Let me give you a rough update on the company,” He Li smiled. “First, about appearances. With Lei Jing, Xiao Xiao, and others making waves everywhere, our singers have gained considerable fame. Starshine Entertainment, realizing they can no longer suppress us, stopped exerting pressure. This has opened up many opportunities for our artists. Xiao Xiao just landed a jewelry endorsement, busy shooting ads and appearing in magazines. Lei Jing is thriving too; many magazines and brands interested in her new look have reached out for collaborations. Other acts, like the Vivi group and two newcomers, have seen their popularity soar and are now busy. The company’s long-standing problem of having no work for its artists is finally solved.”

“That’s only natural,” Lin Qihua nodded. “The market demands it. Starshine Entertainment can’t suppress every company. No matter how new they are or how much money they throw around, they can’t control the market. Before, our artists just weren’t famous enough. Now that their fame has risen, work follows naturally.”

“Exactly. The key is the artists’ talent. So early next year, we plan to launch several new talents to create a healthy cycle,” He Li agreed. “Lei Jing’s popularity is rising rapidly. Her fan base is growing sharply. Professional assessments say she has a strong chance to reach the top tier by year’s end. Xiao Xiao and others are solidly in the second tier.”

“Finally, a top-tier artist leading the way!” Everyone applauded warmly.