Volume One, Chapter Twelve: Entanglement with the Ex

"I refuse, unless you promise not to move," Zhao Yiyi said, her face full of grievance.

"Me, not move? Impossible. If I don’t move at all, I might as well be a turtle," Jiang Yu replied bluntly.

A flicker of anger flashed across Zhao Yiyi’s eyes—how could Jiang Yu speak to her that way? But she forced herself to endure it.

"Jiang Yu, I came here today to ask for your help."

"That song, 'Barefaced,' it’s your original, isn’t it? Would you give me the rights to it?"

Before coming, Li Jiang had told her that "Barefaced" was a rare masterpiece—especially since it was written by Jiang Yu.

Given that Jiang Yu’s ex-girlfriend was her, even if the song wasn’t about her, the netizens would surely believe it was. Zhao Yiyi was about to make her debut and desperately needed publicity and buzz. If the 'leading lady' of "Barefaced" herself performed it, the attention would be unimaginable.

Knowing this, Zhao Yiyi returned to campus to find Jiang Yu. Unable to reach him, she had no choice but to wait for him on the night of graduation.

"I know what I’m asking is a lot. Don’t worry, I won’t take it for free. I’ll pay you the highest rate for a newcomer—ten thousand yuan. What do you think?"

"Your situation isn’t great now; you must be short on cash. This is a pretty good income."

Jiang Yu laughed in disbelief and glanced around, wondering if there was anyone he knew nearby—someone irritated enough these days to come over and give her a reality check.

What kind of person was this? She broke up with him without mercy, and now she shamelessly wanted the copyright from him?

Seeing Jiang Yu sneer, Zhao Yiyi’s expression grew awkward. "I can add another three thousand from my own pocket. That’s already a very generous offer."

"Idiot. Get lost."

Jiang Yu didn’t want to say another word to this woman. He brushed past her, ready to leave.

Seeing Jiang Yu about to walk away, Zhao Yiyi panicked and grabbed his hand again, pleading, "Jiang Yu, I’m begging you. This song is really important to me. I admit, I was wrong to you. Please, for the sake of our past, let me have this song."

"Don’t take kindness for granted. Our company could easily just take the song. I tried to get you this money!"

When persuasion failed, she turned to threats. Jiang Yu sneered.

"Truly, cockroaches and bedbugs—birds of a feather flock together."

"Jiang Yu, why are you still here? The performance’s about to start. Aren’t you going to get your makeup done?"

Just then, a pleasant voice reached their ears.

They turned to see Su Muyu. Dressed in her performance outfit, she looked even more captivating under the lights.

"I told you last time, we’re not seeing each other again." Jiang Yu shook off Zhao Yiyi’s hand. "And by the way, just because it’s flying in the sky doesn’t mean it’s a dragon—it could be an old bird. Goodbye."

Then he walked up to Su Muyu, smiled, and said, "Let’s go."

She nodded, and together they headed backstage.

Hearing those words, Zhao Yiyi’s face changed dramatically. She thought of her old chat logs with Jiang Yu, and as she watched him walk away, she could only shout after him.

"Jiang Yu, I’m begging you! I really need this song, please!"

"Wubba lubba dub dub…"

"What??" Watching Jiang Yu’s back, Zhao Yiyi’s face twisted with resentment. "I did nothing wrong. Even if a cockroach grows wings, it’s still a cockroach. Jiang Yu, you’ll regret this!"

But Jiang Yu acted as if he heard nothing at all.

Su Muyu, however, glanced back at the furious Zhao Yiyi, her tone calm. "You and her…"

Jiang Yu gave a helpless shrug. "That one tried to buy the copyright to 'Barefaced' for ten thousand yuan. What do you think—is she crazy?"

"She’s definitely crazy," Su Muyu agreed, nodding. "Your song is a rare gem in recent years. Even twenty times that amount would be a bargain."

"Such high praise?"

"It’s the truth."

They walked backstage together. Outside, it had been dim and quiet, but here, the place was packed.

Jiang Yu stopped in his tracks, consciously staying back. "I’ll wait a couple of minutes before going in."

Su Muyu knew what he meant and felt a warmth in her heart. She nodded and walked in ahead.

After all, she was the famous "nation’s little sister" online—a rising starlet—so squeezing into a crowd with everyone else was a bit much.

That’s why Su Ling had even arranged for a private makeup van to be parked here, at her own expense. The school had no objections, of course.

In the van, her personal stylist began working on her hair and makeup.

Su Muyu said, "Auntie, when Jiang Yu comes, let him wait in my van."

Su Ling smiled. "Got it."

Satisfied, Su Muyu started playing on her phone.

"Why does the female lead fall for someone else?" Su Ling looked over, puzzled, then laughed when she saw the phone. "You’re reading a novel now? Which martial arts story is it this time?"

"It’s not martial arts, it’s an immortal fantasy—xianxia. It’s just started, seems pretty good, but I don’t know why the author wrote the female lead falling for someone else. Qi Hao isn’t even the second male lead, so why?"

Su Muyu looked confused.

"Alright, alright, xianxia it is. Is it that novel 'Jade Dynasty'? The one with a historical fantasy romance? The author is interesting. What’s their name? If it gets popular, maybe we could adapt it to a TV series."

Su Ling picked up Su Muyu’s phone and glanced at the cover. Her amused smile turned to astonishment.

"Hotpot Flavor…?" Su Ling blushed. "What kind of name is that?"

...

Jiang Yu made his way backstage. As expected, it was crowded.

After all, this was the graduation gala of a top arts school—who knew if the next big star would emerge from here?

Backstage bustled not only with performers but also with all kinds of reporters.

"What are you doing here?"

Just as Jiang Yu was searching for a quiet corner, a figure blocked his way.

Jiang Yu was momentarily stunned. Was today an unlucky day? Why was someone getting in his way everywhere he went?

"Good dogs don’t block the road."

Wu Rui, his classmate and Zhao Yiyi’s roommate.

She’d also been signed by Li Jiang. To put it bluntly, she was his lackey. When Li Jiang was pursuing Zhao Yiyi, she’d been a loyal accomplice.

"Jiang Yu, Zhao Yiyi has officially announced she’s split from you, and you still dare attend the graduation gala?" Wu Rui spat, gritting her teeth.

The crowd around them instantly fell silent—no one expected such drama.

"None of your business," Jiang Yu replied casually, trying to step around her.

The crowd erupted—so bold! A slap in the face.

"Jiang Yu, let me tell you, Starlight Entertainment is the ceiling of the industry! You’ve offended Young Master Li—do you think you’ll get away unscathed?"

Wu Rui, seeing herself humiliated, immediately lashed out.

"The ceiling?" Jiang Yu turned back, looking her up and down.

"If they can keep someone like you, it’s not a ceiling—it’s a doghouse at best."

Wu Rui flushed with anger, wanting to curse him further, but at that moment a pleasant voice cut through the air.

"Jiang Yu, you’re here. Get in the car."