Chapter 129: Strong to the Point of Unresistible

Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, Cheng Chen walked into the recording booth.

"Good morning, Teacher Cheng."

"Welcome, Heavenly King Cheng, to our recording studio."

"Hahaha, Heavenly King, haven't you released a new song lately? Our ears are in for a treat—we're excited!"

As Cheng Chen entered the studio, the staff greeted him warmly.

This scene left several people outside the booth deeply surprised.

Wang Fei and Li Ming, in particular, marveled at Cheng Chen's immense drawing power.

This recording studio was well-known in Jingcheng.

Sometimes, top-tier singers like Wang Fei and Li Ming would come here to record.

The staff had long grown accustomed to these celebrities.

Just earlier, when Li Ming entered to record, the staff had merely offered polite greetings.

But no one had ever been treated with such fervent enthusiasm as Cheng Chen.

At this moment, Cheng Chen's popularity and momentum carried the vibe of a future-generation "little fresh meat."

His fans were highly loyal and his influence strong, yet unlike future NC fans, he retained a touch of reason and lacked their frenzy.

He never provoked conflicts or deliberately played the "one fan outweighs ten haters" game…

Meanwhile, Dongzi watched Cheng Chen's reception and felt an inexplicable unease.

Especially when he saw Xu Cainv's eyes locked intently on Cheng Chen inside the booth, his jealousy surged unnaturally.

Fuck…

Cheng Chen put on his headphones and handed the newly written melody to the studio staff.

It was just a demo, so no need for excessive polish.

Cheng Chen took a deep breath, slowly closed his eyes, and softly sang:

"Enchanted by your eyes, the Milky Way leaves traces behind.

Through the cracks of time, it still truthfully draws my path…"

After about half an hour, Cheng Chen stepped out of the booth holding the demo.

"How was it? How was it?"

Xu Cainv rushed out first, eagerly asking.

Cheng Chen nodded and looked at Ye Weixin.

"Director Ye, listen—does this capture the feeling you wanted?"

Ye Weixin pressed play, and Cheng Chen's slightly deep voice immediately filled the room.

"Enchanted by your eyes, the Milky Way leaves traces behind…"

…

"How much farther must I go to enter your heart?

How much longer until I can draw near you?

So close, yet that person remains unreachable…

Still waiting to meet you…"

When the song ended, Cheng Chen was about to ask Ye Weixin's opinion.

But the room fell utterly silent.

He looked up and saw Ye Weixin's eyes, hidden behind his glasses, brimming with deep emotion.

An indescribable feeling lingered within them.

People like Wang Fei and Xu Cainv, the artistic types, now had red-rimmed eyes and were already wiping away tears.

Both were passionate souls who threw themselves into love, their romantic nerves highly sensitive.

Their tears now were likely triggered by personal memories, the song merging with their inner feelings.

There was no helping it—artistic girls' devotion to love was this overwhelming!

Even Dongzi, who had always disliked Cheng Chen, fell silent.

Cheng Chen's song was far superior to his own meticulously prepared one, and far more fitting for "Big City, Small Matters."

What troubled him most was that Cheng Chen had written and recorded this song after merely reading the script.

From lyrics and melody to the finished demo, less than an hour had passed.

This… this was fucking terrifying!

Zhang Yadong stared at Cheng Chen, dazed, as if facing a dark overlord ruling the music world.

When an opponent's strength was beyond reach, one dared not even entertain the thought of comparison.

It was only those at the same level—or slightly better than ordinary people—who stirred envy, resentment, and jealousy.

Such people are the ones who attract others' hatred, envy, and jealousy...

"Wait till your silver glow fills the sky, wait till seasons blur and merge, before daring to say I'm lost…"

"These lyrics are perfect—love makes one forget age, forget time. What's the song called?"

After sighing in awe, Ye Weixin asked Cheng Chen.

Cheng Chen replied:

"'Mercury Memory.'"

Ye Weixin frowned.

"Why call it that?"

Everyone else turned their gaze toward Cheng Chen, their curiosity about the song's title intense.

Cheng Chen pondered briefly, then said:

"Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun among the eight planets.

Even though it is the closest, it cannot break free from its orbit, nor can it draw any nearer to the Sun."

Thinking of this, Cheng Chen paused, then quoted a popular comment from a music app:

"In astronomy, escape velocity is the speed needed for an object to break free from a planet's gravity; Mercury's escape velocity is 4.435 km/s.

'My Healing Game'

But that doesn't mean escaping… I'm willing, and I hope you draw me into your orbit."

After hearing Cheng Chen's explanation, everyone remained silent for a long while, their eyes sparkling with admiration and awe.

Brilliant. This explanation.

Cheng Chen skillfully used Mercury's orbital dance around the Sun to metaphorize the distant-yet-close emotional ties between people.

The meaning hidden in this song is precisely the emotion Zhou Qian feels toward Xiao Yue in the film.

Wanting to draw near, yet unable to; wanting to take the initiative, yet hoping for passivity.

Xu Cainv's gaze toward Cheng Chen held not only reverence but also a faint heat.

Writing a song with celestial bodies—utterly romantic to the extreme, both rational and emotional.

It leaves listeners forever haunted by a quiet sorrow and regret.

In fact, in its original timeline, this song "Mercury's Memory" immediately shot to the top of every major music chart upon release.

Its popularity remained high, with countless film and TV montages adopting it as background music.

Its exquisite, beautiful lyrics and melancholy melody.

Instantly conquered many young people, who kept it on endless repeat.

Many burst into tears the first time they heard it, weeping uncontrollably.

It became one of the essential songs for urban youth in their emo moments.

"This song is perfect—let's use it. We'll buy this song. But Cheng Chen… you must sing it yourself."

Ye Weixin said to Cheng Chen.

At these words, Zhang Yadong's eyes nearly blazed with fire.

His meticulously prepared song had not been chosen; instead, it was replaced by Cheng Chen's impromptu performance.

How could he not be furious?

Though furious inside, he showed no sign on his face.

After all, everyone present was a giant of the entertainment industry; he wouldn't lower his emotional IQ by venting his discontent.

"I also feel Cheng Chen's song has more feeling. Though I haven't read the film's script,

for music centered on love, Cheng Chen's song is undoubtedly this year's masterpiece."

Xu Cainv openly expressed her admiration, her eyes fixed on Cheng Chen as she praised him.

But Cheng Chen did not respond to her expectation; instead, he turned to Ye Weixin and said:

"No problem. When do you need the song, Director Ye?"

"As soon as possible."

The filming of "A Small Big City" has entered its final stage; after all shooting is complete, post-production editing will begin.

If Cheng Chen's "Mercury's Memory" is released sooner, they can start editing sooner.

…

In the car, Ye Weixin watched the receding backs of Cheng Chen, Xu Cainv, and Zhang Yadong, and sighed:

"This trip was worth it."

"Indeed. That singer named Cheng Chen is incredibly talented—no wonder he's been the most talked-about singer in recent years."

Li Ming nodded beside him.

"By the way, Leon, I didn't ask you to sing this song. You don't blame me, do you?"

Ye Weixin said to Li Ming beside him.

Li Ming smiled slightly and said:

"Director Ye, you're joking. He's the composer and lyricist of 'Mercury's Memory,' and he's also a singer with tremendous talent.

He singing 'Mercury's Memory' will surely bring more emotion than I could. I'm fine with it."

Ye Weixin nodded. He had originally invited Li Ming to be the theme song singer.

But then Cheng Chen appeared out of nowhere; considering the song's maximum potential, he had changed his mind and chosen Cheng Chen to perform.

This was normal, but Li Ming was one of the Four Heavenly Kings, with considerable influence in Gang Sheng.

He feared Li Ming might feel uneasy if he didn't explain.

And Wang Fei…

Seeing Ye Weixin's gaze land on her, Wang Fei sensed his thought and smiled:

"Director Ye, I'm fine too. Though I recommended Zhang Yadong to you, the final decision was yours.

Even though his song wasn't chosen, as you just said—this trip was worth it."

She had collaborated with Zhang Yadong for a long time and was deeply impressed by his talent.

That's why she recommended him to Ye Weixin, hoping to help him connect with a Gang Sheng director.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yadong's long-prepared song was overtaken by Cheng Chen, making him a stepping stone for someone else.

Wang Fei said she was fine, but inside, she still felt uneasy.

She blamed Zhang Yadong for his lack of ambition, and blamed Cheng Chen for stealing the spotlight and making her lose face in front of everyone.

…

"Both of you, let's stop here. I'm heading back. Goodbye."

Cheng Chen stood at the street corner, smiling as he spoke to Zhang Yadong and Xu Cainv.

"Cheng Chen, do you have time later? How about having dinner together? I still have so many questions I want to ask you."

Xu Cainv looked at Cheng Chen with the eager hope of a young girl.

"Uh..."

Cheng Chen had no desire to entangle himself further; he'd already gotten lucky with the unexpected offer for a film theme song.

Besides, there was a jealous rival right beside him, nearly exploding with rage.

Cheng Chen wasn't blind—he'd long sensed Zhang Yadong's hostility.

It was time to quit while ahead.

"I've got a pile of company matters to handle after I get back. Let's leave it at that. We'll make plans another time. Bye."

Cheng Chen gave them a slight smile, then turned and walked away.

"Hey... at least leave me your contact info?"

Watching Cheng Chen's retreating figure, Xu Cainv's face flushed with disappointment. She said:

"Yadong, I feel like he's been avoiding me. Did I scare him off?"

Zhang Yadong:???

After shaking off Xu Cainv, Cheng Chen immediately returned to the company and got to work.

First, he had Su Qingya contact the cast and crew of "Big City, Little Things" to finalize the theme song contract.

Then he resumed his usual busy schedule—though there wasn't much to do, mostly unfinished endorsements and commercial performances.

He also needed to find time to practice singing and prepare for the year-end concert.

Since Wang Tianxiao had assured him the review would pass, he didn't need to worry about those matters—he could focus on practicing.

About ten days later, good news arrived from Japan.

The 26-year-old director Ning Hao wrote and directed the film "Incense."

It won the Best Film Award at the 4th Tokyo Ginza Yingzhan.

The film portrayed the everyday lives of common people in Jin Sheng, delicately depicting a young monk's efforts to restore a collapsed Buddha statue.

Finally, he shone brightly.

Ning Hao shot the film with a digital camera in his hometown of Jin Sheng.

The actors in the film were not professionals, yet they delivered performances that were perfectly apt.

Japanese media exhausted every possible compliment in their praise of the film.

Cheng Chen, far away in China, was delighted for Ning Hao and his team.

The first thing Ning Hao did upon returning from Japan was to rush to Jingcheng to thank Cheng Chen.

Although he had seen Cheng Chen's video materials and media descriptions and knew his age,

when Ning Hao first laid eyes on Cheng Chen, he was secretly astonished for a long while.

This guy... looked way too young.

And yet it was this young man before him who had funded their trip to Japan.

Gave them the chance to make a name for themselves in Tokyo.

"Director Ning, how does it feel to win the award?"

Cheng Chen sat on the sofa, smiling warmly at the visibly nervous Ning Hao.

Ning Hao frowned, clearly thinking hard about Cheng Chen's question, then said:

"Incredible!"

Winning the award felt incredible!

Ning Hao's works were mostly black comedies, often exposing shocking, disturbing truths.

But he used humor to defuse the heaviness, leaving audiences laughing—then feeling even more pained inside.

Yet in person, he was a cheerful, humorous man.

On one show, he was asked by the host "Lollipop" if he seemed similar in style to Bo Ge.

Ning Hao replied:

"Really? I think I'm way better-looking than him."

He was born into an ordinary family in Jin Sheng; his father was a steelworker.

His father had hoped Ning Hao would go into business with him.

But later, Ning Hao ran away.

Sometimes he wore a thick gold chain around his neck.

A hint of the other life he might have had.

At this point, he had not yet developed the carefree, humorous personality he would later become known for.

Yet from his answer to Cheng Chen's question, it was clear some people are born with humor.

Cheng Chen didn't beat around the bush—he cut straight to the point:

"Now that you've made a name for yourself in Tokyo with 'Incense,' you'll probably go on to win awards in Gang Sheng next."

Given the quality of 'Incense,' winning is likely easy—but those are all past achievements now."

Have you thought about making another film?"

Hearing Cheng Chen's words, Ning Hao was surprised by Cheng Chen's high praise for "Incense."

But even more, he felt his heart surge at Cheng Chen's final sentence.

Make another film?

He knew Cheng Chen had money.

Obviously, a Heavenly King who swept across Asia and broke into Europe and America couldn't possibly be without money?

Cheng Chen's words also signaled his intent to invest in Ning Hao's next film.

Ning Hao's face flushed red and said:

"I… actually have a script right now. Have you seen Guy Ritchie's Liang Gan Yan Qiang?"

Cheng Chen's heart stirred; he thought to himself, looks like Shi Tou is going crazy!

Ning Hao greatly admired Guy Ritchie's Liang Gan Yan Qiang.

In fact, even when Ning Hao was in college, the draft for Crazy Stone already had its rudimentary form.

Back then, Ning Hao had temporarily named it Zuan Shi.

And Fengkuang de Shitou was born from Guy Ritchie's Liang Gan Yan Qiang…

……

——————Extra Notes——————

Thank you to Seal and Han Qing for your monthly tickets and rewards; thank you to Long Hun for your monthly ticket support.

The book finally has a Helmsman—thank you again, Han Qing!

Also thank you all for your recommendation and vote support!