Chapter 60: Dongzi, Don't Blame Brother

In the living room, Gao Yuanyuan sat on the sofa, lost and dazed.

The sky had gone dark, and the room was pitch black.

Cheng Chen, like a demon hidden in the night sky, murmured:

"Cheating happens either zero times or countless times. Once a person cheats, they'll keep making the same mistake.

Because once they've tasted the sweetness, they won't rein themselves in at the brink."

Cheng Chen wasn't exactly slandering Dongzi—after all, in his previous life, Dongzi had a glorious 'love history' on record.

Even if Gao Yuanyuan didn't break up with him now, when the media exposed him in 2005, she would be the one who got hurt.

Rather than waiting three years to exit the stage in sorrow, it was better for Cheng Chen to give her a clean break from this love right now.

"But we…"

"There is no 'but'!"

Cheng Chen coldly cut off Gao Yuanyuan.

"Don't think that leaving someone is like a warrior severing his own arm—brutally cutting off an important part of your life.

When this is long behind you and you look back, you'll slowly realize that, although the severance was tragic, the letting go was painful, and the parting was heartbreaking—

at least you won't spend every day in anxiety. If a man can abandon his family and children after achieving success, if he can cheat on you with other women while dating you, what future do you two even have? Expect him to turn over a new leaf? Don't be naive…"

Cheng Chen's words sobered Gao Yuanyuan considerably. She sat on the sofa, looked up at the man standing before her, and said word by word:

"So you think we should break up?"

After everything that's been said, how can a question like that still come out of your mouth?

Cheng Chen wondered.

"A man like that—don't break up and keep him around for New Year's?"

"Pfft—!"

In the pitch-dark room, Gao Yuanyuan suddenly burst out laughing.

The neon lights from outside the window shone into the room. On her pure face, tear tracks still lingered, and the charm of that sudden smile made Cheng Chen's heart waver.

Goodness, this woman's lethality is a bit too strong!

Still, crying one moment and laughing the next—what kind of look is that? To put it in Cheng Chen's Hui Sheng hometown dialect:

Two-faced!

"So, what's your plan now? Break up?"

Cheng Chen asked directly.

Hearing Cheng Chen's words, Gao Yuanyuan felt a little dazed.

She knew she was the kind of person who lost all sense when in love, never caring about principles. Once she fell in love, she'd pour all her energy and thoughts into the romance and her lover.

The past sweetness and beauty flashed through her mind like slides, while the anxiety, depression, and disappointment of the past six months kept haunting her.

But after this failed romance, she finally took a fresh look at herself and knew more clearly what she wanted and what kind of person suited her better.

Perhaps, just as Cheng Chen had said:

A warrior severing his own arm is tragic indeed, but should a man like that be kept around for New Year's?

"Mm…"

In the room, Gao Yuanyuan answered Cheng Chen with her head lowered.

As if she'd used up all her strength, her body naturally fell back, and she turned her head to look at the flickering neon outside the window…

"Dongzi, don't blame me. You were the one who screwed Brother over first."

Getting Gao Yuanyuan's affirmative answer, Cheng Chen thought to himself.

……

After soothing Gao Yuanyuan, Cheng Chen tidied up the room he'd previously promised her, then went out to buy some bedding.

In the evening, Cheng Chen cooked a few dishes. Although Gao Yuanyuan had little appetite, she still praised his cooking.

Thus, the two began their cohabitation. As for how long Gao Yuanyuan would stay at his place, Cheng Chen didn't deliberately inquire.

Coming home every day to a fair-skinned, beautiful, long-legged goddess greeting you—easy on the eyes too…

At night, Cheng Chen logged onto his blog again.

Looking at the plain, rough interface, Cheng Chen felt a pang of frustration.

In 2002, many major internet sites were still in the exploratory stage.

Having complete features and surviving was already good enough—who had time to worry about user experience?

Of course, Cheng Chen was viewing the present through the lens of a future life. Netizens of this era could still accept it, happily spamming posts to their hearts' content.

"Can't get the boss's new album—so upset."

"Not only is the new album unavailable, the old albums are sold out too. Tianhai, oh Tianhai, you're the stumbling block on the boss's road to success!"

"Scalpers have jacked up the boss's album prices several times over. I couldn't hold back today and spent my living money on one. Waaah… it's only the start of the month, how am I gonna get through this!"

Cheng Chen's blog had already been flooded by fans and become a place for exchange.

To be fair, other celebrities had also opened blogs, but their comment sections were desolate—nothing like the uproar and bustle on Cheng Chen's.

People from entertainment forums also browsed his blog regularly, and whenever they found fun posts they'd repost them to the forums. It was safe to say Cheng Chen's blog had become the information hub for fans following him.

This further strengthened Cheng Chen's resolve to take over China Blog.

Internet users were growing several-fold every year. Controlling online public opinion would absolutely be a major weapon in the future!

While Cheng Chen was still helping Gao Yuanyuan through her heartbreak, the outside world was in an uproar over Beijing Television Station's announcement of co-hosting the Singer Competition with China Yinyuehui.

"Beijing Television Station joins hands with China Yinyuehui—the Singer Competition is definitely the biggest surprise of 2002!"

"No age limit, no talent requirement, no barriers—Beijing Television Station opens a new era of talent shows. This is the victory of the grassroots!"

"Exclusive: This singer actually revealed that the Singer Competition champion has already been decided!"

Ever since the official announcement, promotional pieces for "Singer Competition" have been flying everywhere, and audiences across the entire Jingcheng region are looking forward to this music talent show.

Along with the opening of "Singer Competition," the release of Cheng Chen's new album also became the entertainment reporters' headline of September.

What's worth mentioning is that the partner of "Singer Competition," China Yinyuehui, can be said to be Cheng Chen's old rival, and the outside world is also speculating whether Cheng Chen will participate in this competition, after all, there are no thresholds whatsoever.

Fans were also asking Cheng Chen's stance in his blog's comment section.

Seeing this, Cheng Chen skillfully tapped away at his keyboard:

""Singer Competition"? I'm very happy to go and have some fun!"

The moment the blog post was published, it drew the attention of many people.

"Is the boss going to be on TV? Awesome!"

"The boss's looks-fan sends congratulations!"

"Ahhhhh I'm dead, why does the competition have to be during the start of school, I want to watch the boss!"

"Spread the word! The boss is going to beat down singers from all walks of life — let's ask the people participating in "Singer Competition", are you panicking or not!"

"Looking forward to the boss singing new songs on "Singer Competition"!!!"

The news of Cheng Chen's participation in "Singer Competition" spread rapidly, and many singers fell silent upon seeing this name.

Damn! Are you even letting people live? You're already a famous singer, an album sales king — have you no shame!

The singers preparing to participate fell silent, while Cheng Chen's fans cheered.

In this atmosphere of some rejoicing and some worrying, the open auditions of "Singer Competition" kicked off……