Chapter 0011: It’s Trending! The Director Calls Again!
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As Lin Yi gazed at the three songs on his desk, he suddenly remembered something: it seemed he had never registered his earlier songs.
To be safe, Lin Yi found a law firm online and commissioned a lawyer to handle the song registrations.
That way, if any copyright disputes arose, they would be easier to resolve.
After thinking it over for a while, Lin Yi decided to put “Foam,” “No Meeting Again,” and “Against the War” on hold for the time being.
Several days passed just like that.
During those days, the Nirvana in Fire production team steadily intensified its promotional campaign, appearing on variety shows, buying advertisements, and taking part in interviews.
Posters for Nirvana in Fire could be seen everywhere, on every street and in every alley.
On the posters, Hu Ge’s portrayal of Mei Changsu was refined and scholarly, with a handsome, delicate face. Beside him was a poem:
“Across the mortal world, he mirrors frost and snow;
A hidden fragrance drifts where river melodies flow.
He knows the roads trodden by heroes everywhere;
In Jiangzuo, all bow to Plum Gentleman fair.”
The figure described in the poem was none other than Mei Changsu, the Plum Gentleman.
In his previous life, Nirvana in Fire had begun with low ratings before steadily rising. Lin Yi had no idea whether it would follow the same trajectory this time.
The show’s success had little to do with Lin Yi.
If there was one thing connecting him to it, it was the series’ theme songs.
For promotional purposes, Director Li Xue had assigned the two songs to Hu Ge and Liu Tao to perform.
Both songs entered the top ten of Kugo Music’s New Song Chart.
The lyricist and composer soon became the subject of considerable discussion.
“Who is Lin Yi? Is he a newcomer? I’ve never even heard of him.”
“I don’t know. I don’t think I’ve heard of him either.”
“Lin Yi? I do have a classmate named Lin Yi. I wonder if it’s him. But it probably isn’t—he’s only eighteen this year!”
…
Some curious onlookers, with nothing better to do, began searching for someone named Lin Yi. They looked on Kugo—nothing. Baidu—nothing. Weibo—nothing!
How strange!
It was as though this lyricist had appeared out of nowhere overnight.
It was not only curious spectators who began looking for Lin Yi. People in the traditional-style music scene also started searching for him of their own accord.
There was no other reason. The two songs were simply too good. Just reading the lyrics gave one the feeling that an intense ancient elegance was rushing toward them. Within the traditional-style music genre, these songs could be considered classics.
Lin Yi naturally saw the comments online, but he did not take them to heart. Society was intensely realistic and cruel. Once the excitement passed, who would remember you?
That was why celebrities fought desperately to get onto the trending lists.
What did trending searches represent? Attention! Fame!
With attention came advertisements and scripts. Even during negotiations, one could hold one’s head a little higher and say, “See that? I have more than ten million followers.”
Lin Yi did not want to bother with any of that.
But someone else certainly did.
After spending so much money, the goal was naturally to build up the buzz.
Ring ring ring~
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“Come on, Against the War, Against the War is here, the ace is going wild…”
It was Lin Yi’s own recording of “Against the War.” He had recorded it five or six times, and the song’s high notes had nearly sent him to meet the King of Hell.
This was not a song that just anyone could handle.
By the time he reached that section, he was practically out of breath.
“Hello, Director Li Xue.” Lin Yi answered the phone and spoke.
After Director Li Xue had called him the previous time, Lin Yi had saved his number. Without doing so, he would not have known who was calling and would have had to ask the caller’s name—impolite and awkward.
“Lin Yi, you need to get your identity verified on Weibo. You’re the lyricist for Nirvana in Fire’s theme songs. How could the show’s promotion do without you? If your leg weren’t injured, I’d take you around to all the variety shows myself and let everyone see the pride of heaven that you are!” Director Li Xue spoke with a mixture of sincerity and jest.
At first, he had indeed intended to bring Lin Yi along for promotional appearances, but after considering Lin Yi’s physical condition, he abandoned the idea.
Who could have expected that, the moment the theme songs “Old Beauty” and “When the Wind Rises” were released, they would sweep forward relentlessly and charge straight into the top ten of Kugo’s New Song Chart?
Although the New Song Chart was not as influential as the main Top Chart, making the top ten was still a great honor for a new song.
The top ten meant exposure, and exposure meant listeners.
With fans promoting the songs and the songs themselves proving their quality, the performers, lyricist, and composer all became famous along with them.
The curiosity was even greater when the lyricist and composer were the same person.
And so, the topic “Who wrote and composed ‘Old Beauty’ and ‘When the Wind Rises’?” made it onto the trending list.
How could Director Li Xue possibly sit still?
That was why he had called Lin Yi.
“Weibo verification?” Lin Yi thought about it for a moment before agreeing.
It would benefit him, after all.
When he sold his songs, he would be able to ask for a somewhat higher price.
After going through a series of procedures, Lin Yi finally completed the verification.
He sent Director Li Xue a message. A while later, Lin Yi noticed that people on Weibo were tagging him.
He opened the link.
Liu Tao, Hu Ge, Wang Kai, Wu Lei, Kong Sheng!
Familiar names appeared before Lin Yi.
Not long after Director Li Xue tagged him, Lin Yi’s follower count began climbing rapidly.
Remembering Director Li Xue’s request, Lin Yi typed out several lines:
“You won’t lose anything by watching Nirvana in Fire, but if you skip it, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. Please show Nirvana in Fire plenty of support! Let the flowers rain!”
Shortly after posting it, Lin Yi received a flood of comments.
“First!”
“Second! I want to lose out—my mother always tells me that suffering a loss is a blessing.”
“Master Lin Yi, is that really you? I love the songs you wrote! Could you write a few more?”
“Plus one.”
“Lin Yi, the songs you write are wonderful!”
“Lin Yi, I also have a classmate named Lin Yi. I wonder whether you’re one of my classmates. I’ll ask him sometime.”
…
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Seeing so many messages made Lin Yi’s scalp prickle. He switched off his notifications.
Whew!
He really was not used to being “cared about” by so many people.
Lin Yi exhaled a breath of stale air, then quietly lay in the living room watching a rerun of Happy Camp.
“No, this won’t do! I’ve been lying around at home for days. I’m practically growing mold. I need to find something to do!”
Lin Yi felt that he could not keep sinking like this. He had spent the past few days doing nothing at home and was bored out of his mind.
If his movements had not been so restricted, he would have gone out to spend time with Niu Junjie long ago.
Earlier, when he had gone to the hospital to visit his father, his mother had mercilessly driven him away and even told him not to come again, since it would only waste money on transportation.
Hmm!
A sudden flash of inspiration crossed Lin Yi’s mind. He had an idea: writing online fiction!
However, to write, he would need to buy a computer.
Wait—didn’t Niu Junjie have a laptop at home? Lin Yi had no idea whether he still used it.
With that thought, Lin Yi immediately called Niu Junjie.
“Hello!”
“Do you still use that laptop at your place?” Lin Yi asked directly.
“Which one?”
“The one we used to play games on together.”
“Oh, that one? I haven’t used it in ages. What? You need it?”
“Exactly! I need to use it.”
“All right! I’ll bring it over later.”
“Good.”
A little over an hour later, Niu Junjie arrived at the door carrying the computer.
“What do you need a computer for?” Niu Junjie asked as soon as he entered.
“I was bored. I’ve been cooped up at home with nothing to do, so I thought I’d play on the computer.”
“Fine. Oh, right—here’s a wireless network card. I bought it for you when I passed through the shopping district.”
“Thanks!”
“Thanks for what? Don’t be so polite with me. Are we still brothers? Be careful, or I’ll bury you.”
Lin Yi: …
(To be continued.)