Chapter 19: Was Su Bai Not the Original Singer of "Scales of Heaven and Earth"?

"Hey, miss, you can't come in without permission! You're not allowed in!"

Bang! The door was kicked open.

Su Bai, Zhang Mingke, and Song Liang all turned in unison to face the unexpected intruder.

Liu Siyuan stormed in, her voice seething with anger. "Song Liang, what gives you the right to finalize the Palace Museum's promotional song without approval?"

"Did you consult any experts?"

"Did you convene a general meeting?"

Suddenly, Liu Siyuan caught sight of Su Bai standing nearby.

She shouted furiously, "Well, Song Liang, you keep insisting you've got no personal ties to this Su Bai."

"You claim his performance was a mere accident."

"Then why does he keep turning up in your office?"

"What exactly are you scheming together?"

"Is all of this some elaborate collusion?"

"You chase after attention and traffic however you want. I don't care."

"But don't think you can trample over me, Liu Siyuan!"

"Let me make it clear—if the finalized song isn't Xu Mingkun's, Star Moon Media will pay me fifty million for breach of contract!"

Her words stunned everyone present.

Zhang Mingke stared at Song Liang in confusion, unsure of this woman's identity—her arrogance was staggering.

With a bitter smile, Song Liang explained to Zhang Mingke, "She's Star Moon Media's strategic partner."

"All our external performances are organized and sponsored by her company."

"They have the right to recommend actors and singers first!"

"But it's only a recommendation."

Zhang Mingke's expression turned odd. "So what about this Xu Mingkun? Isn't it just a recommendation right? How does it tie into the final decision?"

Song Liang could only sigh helplessly.

Back when Star Moon Media faced a crisis and nearly broke its funding chain, Liu Siyuan's Huisi Capital stepped in to save them.

The founder of Star Moon Media, at the time, promised Liu Siyuan that every year, Huisi Capital would be granted one decisive slot.

If Star Moon Media reneged, it would be a breach of contract.

There was nothing Song Liang could do about this—it was a decision made by the company's top management.

He was merely the deputy director for the event.

Upon hearing Song Liang's explanation, Zhang Mingke's temper flared instantly.

"This is nonsense! We're choosing a song for the Palace Museum. This represents the nation's image!"

"How can it be so cavalier—just because a capital group says so?"

He glared at Liu Siyuan, his anger unrestrained. "'Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth' is my decision!"

Liu Siyuan, noticing Zhang Mingke's distinguished air, guessed he must be the head of cultural promotion for the Palace Museum—Zhang Mingke.

But Xu Mingkun was not only her personal asset; he was her wildly profitable machine.

She absolutely could not let go of Xu Mingkun!

The commercial value he brought her was nearly as immense as Star Moon Media itself.

There was no helping it—it was an era ruled by popularity.

Xu Mingkun's power to convert fame into profit was terrifying.

If she could make him the ambassador for Palace Museum culture, his value would skyrocket even further.

At that point, the benefit would surpass what Star Moon Media could offer.

Even knowing the man before her was the Palace Museum's head, she could only feign ignorance.

"Ha! Where did this old man come from?"

"You think your word alone settles it? Who do you think you are?"

"Get out!"

Liu Siyuan left no room for compromise.

Long accustomed to the entertainment world, she understood one principle well: once you start out on opposing sides, reconciliation is unlikely.

Even if it were possible, both parties would have to make concessions.

If she made any concessions, she feared the promotional slot would be snatched away.

So, in an instant, Liu Siyuan made her decision.

If she was to offend, she would offend thoroughly.

Besides using Star Moon Media's influence to crush her opponent, there was another way to win:

Let someone else replace the current decision-maker.

Now, Zhang Mingke called the shots—but tomorrow, someone else could.

In the capital circle, she had seen such things countless times.

Zhang Mingke hadn't expected this woman to be so brash, spewing insults without restraint.

"Heh, Song Liang, your office's security seems awfully poor."

"How can you let stray dogs in to bite people at will?"

"In that case, let's find somewhere else."

He knew there was no point arguing with her.

With that, he turned to leave.

"Old man, who are you calling names?"

"What, you two crooks can't stand a little criticism?"

"You plotted everything ahead of time, then ran the show yourself! Quite the scheme!"

"I bet your 'Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth' was ready long ago!"

"And you pushed your own guy to perform in this flashy manner. Do you believe I won't keep submitting complaints to see if you can hold onto your position?"

Zhang Mingke, intending to leave, suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He could ignore the insults, but not the slander.

"Liu Siyuan, if you're going to speak, bring evidence—not bark like a dog!"

"You claim we conspired together—where's your proof?"

Liu Siyuan sneered.

"You really think you acted so well that I can't find evidence?"

"I want to ask Mr. Su Bai!"

"You say 'Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth' is your original work, that you wrote both lyrics and melody."

"Well, I want to ask: you grew up in an orphanage, never had a chance to learn music."

"Even after making a little money and scraping by on the fringes for a few years, you never received any musical training!"

"So I ask you—can an amateur, never professionally trained, write such a classic song?"

"Can an amateur, never professionally trained, compose such exquisite music?"

"Should I bring in some reporters right now, fetch a piano, and have you play for everyone?"

At Liu Siyuan's words, Zhang Mingke and Song Liang both widened their eyes, staring at Su Bai.

They had only been surprised that a food delivery worker could sing so beautifully.

They hadn't considered whether Su Bai had received any musical training.

But one thing they firmly believed:

Without years of songwriting and composition experience, no one could produce such outstanding work.

If Liu Siyuan dared say this, she must have investigated.

She wasn't just making things up.

So, what was the truth behind 'The Lonely Brave' and 'Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth'?

Were these songs created by someone else, never published, and then given to Su Bai?

If so, Su Bai's claim of originality would have terrible consequences.

For a moment, the two men felt a storm brewing within.