Chapter 13: The Sting of Slapping One’s Own Face

Song Liang never expected Li Xiguang to act so swiftly. After arriving in the metropolis, Li hadn't contacted him at all and had instead summoned all the reporters directly. Before Song Liang could even react, he was pulled into the meeting.

“Hello, friends from the press. I am Li Xiguang, the chief director of the Palace Cultural Promotion Song Collection Gala,” Li began. “And the gentleman who just took his seat? He is the deputy chief director for this event, as well as the director for the metropolis division.”

“Next, the two of us will report the results of the song collection to everyone!”

“If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. We will answer everything truthfully and without reservation. Isn’t that right, Director Song?”

Song Liang, uncertain what Li Xiguang was up to, could only force himself to nod in agreement before the reporters.

A reporter seated in the center glanced at Li Xiguang, who gave an almost imperceptible nod.

“I have a question for Director Song,” the reporter said. “Yesterday, the internet was abuzz with rumors that the delivery man only made it onto the stage thanks to your special favor. Is this true?”

Song Liang thought to himself, as expected, this press conference was orchestrated specifically against him.

“First, let me address everyone’s question: Su Bai’s performance was indeed a last-minute addition,” he replied. “However, I must clarify that it wasn’t as the reporter just suggested, through any backdoor arrangement. I simply happened to hear him humming the song while delivering food and felt it was perfectly in line with our theme for the song collection. I asked him to sing it in full, and then gave him the opportunity to perform on stage.”

“A good song shouldn’t be buried, should it?”

The reporter persisted, pressing further, “Then may I ask Chief Director Li Xiguang, was Director Song’s approach compliant? Does it not suggest he was seeking personal gain?”

Li Xiguang cleared his throat and smiled broadly. “First, I commend Director Song for his approach: discovering good songs requires adaptability. We must seize every opportunity to spot promising talent!”

Hearing this, Song Liang was surprised—had this man changed his ways? It didn’t seem likely.

Then Li Xiguang continued, “However, Director Song’s method was improper; he shouldn’t have privately arranged for the delivery man to perform directly on stage. He could have reported it to the company, and let the company arrange the performance. As for why Director Song didn’t inform anyone and made the arrangement himself, perhaps he had his own concerns. After all, no one knows what kind of relationship they have in private.”

“Nowadays, too many people disguise themselves as delivery workers just to put on a show and create hype.”

“But I, Li Xiguang, can assure everyone that at Star Moon Media, we will resolutely put an end to such practices in the future.”

“Every gala, every talent show will guarantee fairness and impartiality!”

As soon as Li Xiguang finished, there was an uproar among the reporters. His meaning was unmistakable: he was openly accusing Song Liang of seeking personal gain.

Rumor had it that the two directors were at odds, and now it was clear their conflict had reached a boiling point.

Song Liang’s expression grew ugly. He couldn't retaliate in front of the reporters.

Just then, Su Bai, who had just arrived, heard the exchange and felt his anger rising.

“Excuse me, sir. I am Su Bai, the delivery man who sang ‘Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth.’ May I ask on what grounds you claim that people are posing as delivery men to put on a show and create hype?”

“As an official representative of Star Moon Media, I don’t think you should make baseless accusations.”

All the reporters instantly turned their cameras toward Su Bai, eagerly awaiting the unfolding drama.

“If a song becomes popular by accident, that’s something worth promoting,” Li Xiguang replied, “but for someone to appear so coincidentally on a national stage, it inevitably suggests a publicity stunt. As far as I know, another delivery man is far more trustworthy. I’ve already reached a preliminary agreement with him, and I can call him right now!”

“His actions have been recognized by the national armed police. Thanks to his song, the police cracked a major long-standing fraud case!”

As Li Xiguang finished, everyone looked at him with strange expressions.

Li Xiguang thought he had earned their approval.

He pulled out his phone. “Friends from the press, I can call this courier right now and show you the difference between two delivery men.”

Xia Xiaohe, watching backstage, was stunned. Did Vice Director Li not realize Su Bai was the same delivery man who sang ‘The Lonely Warrior’?

She could already imagine the scene when the call went through.

Li Xiguang cast a provocative glance at Song Liang and Su Bai, then dialed the number for the ‘The Lonely Warrior’ delivery man.

Ring—ring—

As Li Xiguang’s call connected, Su Bai’s phone rang.

At this point, Su Bai realized that the person who had just criticized him was none other than the Li Xiguang who had contacted him before.

Fate truly works in mysterious ways—how ironic!

Su Bai looked at Li Xiguang with a peculiar expression, switched his phone to silent, but didn’t hang up.

Seeing the call unanswered, Li Xiguang sneered, “No manners at all—coming to such an important occasion and not even silencing his phone!”

He muttered, “Why isn’t he picking up?”

“I’m not answering because I don’t want to embarrass you,” Su Bai replied.

Li Xiguang laughed loudly, “Ha! You think I’m talking to you? I’m talking to—”

Su Bai pressed the answer button. “Hello, Vice Director Li, do you still think I’m just seeking publicity?”

Li Xiguang stared at Su Bai in disbelief, then at his phone, utterly shocked.

Impossible—how could they be the same person?

Two songs with completely different styles, both sung by Su Bai, the delivery man standing before him?

“I don’t understand—both are new songs, both never publicly performed. One was sung for anonymous police officers, the other for a national audience. Is the difference truly so great?”

“Can Su Bai only sing in secret, never openly?”

“And you accused me of using the song collection stage for a publicity stunt, to gain profit.”

“Well, let me make it clear now, in front of all the reporters.”

“If the Palace Cultural Promotion needs ‘Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth,’ I am willing to donate it to the country free of charge!”

“I won’t earn a single penny from this song!”

“I hope that satisfies you, Vice President Li, Chief Director Li.”

As Su Bai spoke, Li Xiguang’s face turned red then pale, feeling as though he had slapped himself hard.

He had thought this would be a press conference to denounce Song Liang; unexpectedly, it had become his own slaughterhouse.

How ironic—he had thoroughly embarrassed himself!