Chapter 63: Ethereal

"Then they gave you a direct pass, saying you don't need to go to any future auditions?"

At Cheng Chen's home, Wang Tianxiao asked in surprise.

"Yeah, they all said that—what can I do?"

Cheng Chen shrugged.

He never expected this outcome; he'd originally planned to leverage the Singer Competition's popularity to sell more albums.

But they just outright barred him from entering.

Then again, Cheng Chen is a max-level player entering a newbie village—it'd be a total massacre!

Better to give him a direct promotion channel and let him fight those with real strength!

"By the way, how are the album sales doing?"

Cheng Chen handed Wang Tianxiao the peeled apple and asked.

Wang Tianxiao took the apple, bit into it, and exclaimed excitedly:

"Excellent—the album launched on September 1st, and as of yesterday, exactly one week later, sales have already surpassed 100,000 copies; all other singers' albums from the same period have been crushed by yours."

"And these numbers keep rising nonstop—do you know which song is the most popular?"

Wang Tianxiao asked.

"Definitely 'The Lone Warrior.'"

Cheng Chen answered matter-of-factly.

"Right—this song's lyrics are straightforward and simple, the melody is incredibly catchy, and you'd never guess: elementary school kids are now spreading your song like wildfire."

"I have a female friend who teaches music—she complains to me every day that kids won't learn nursery rhymes, but when they sing 'The Lone Warrior,' they all turn red-faced and sing with full passion—you never imagined you'd written a children's song, huh? Hahaha!"

Cheng Chen awkwardly rubbed his nose—it was indeed something he never anticipated.

"Since you're free from now on, start accompanying me on promotions—variety shows, media interviews, radio campaigns—we'll go through them all and aim for the top spot on the Annual Album Gold List this year."

Wang Tianxiao clenched his fist, speaking with grand ambition.

Cheng Chen thought it over—he really couldn't keep being a lazy fish forever.

The exposure from the Singer Competition mattered, but it was mostly about pride—he wanted to reclaim the buzz those old guys from Huaxia Yinyuehui had stolen from him.

Still, right now, album sales clearly mattered more.

"Fine, tell me anytime what the company needs me to do."

Cheng Chen nodded.

"Alright, I'll start scheduling appearances when I get back… uh, what about Yuanyuan—has she always been like this?"

Wang Tianxiao glanced at the closed door of the inner room, concerned.

Since their last heart-to-heart conversation and decision to break up, Gao Yuanyuan had locked herself in her room.

She didn't work, didn't go out; when it was mealtime, Cheng Chen left food outside her door.

Only at night could Cheng Chen stay in her room for a while, keeping her company and chatting to ease her boredom.

"Emotional wounds can't be healed overnight—she needs time to heal herself."

Cheng Chen sighed helplessly.

"But this can't go on forever…"

Suddenly she eyed Cheng Chen warily and said:

"I'm warning you, kid—I don't mind Yuanyuan staying here, but don't take advantage of her vulnerability!"

"Where do you get that idea? Do you really think I'm that kind of person?"

Cheng Chen retorted.

"I think you are! You've got those peach blossom eyes—your romantic luck never stops; Yuanyuan can't handle your antics!"

Wang Tianxiao stared at Cheng Chen, speaking slowly and deliberately.

"Fine, I won't argue with you—think whatever you want."

Cheng Chen sighed helplessly.

"Hmph!"

…

Three days later, at a certain mall.

Cheng Chen was holding his first offline autograph session.

It was the weekend, and a long line quickly formed.

An autograph session is when a celebrity signs their works for fans in a public setting.

The biggest advantage of holding an autograph session is not only that it brings idols closer to fans,

but also that it's a crucial promotional tool.

Someone like Cheng Chen, who always hid at home, had long been eagerly awaited by fans for an autograph event.

So as soon as the news dropped, fans waited anxiously for this day.

"Sir, hello! I'm your fan—I, I'll keep supporting you, until you die… oh no, until you grow old… uh, that's not right either…"

The first in line was a little girl, nervous and stumbling over her words, nearly in tears!

Cheng Chen smiled and encouraged her:

"Don't be nervous—I understand what you mean. How old are you this year?"

"Sixteen."

"Sixteen? Still in high school, right?"

"Yes!"

"Then you'd better work hard at your studies."

Seeing the girl gradually relax, Cheng Chen wrote on her album:

"The harder you work, the luckier you get—Cheng Chen."

"Thank you."

Looking at Cheng Chen's message, the girl nearly burst into tears; she bowed deeply to him before running off.

The second, third, fourth…

Building on the first girl's experience, Cheng Chen would smile and chat with fans for a few words.

Though brief, seeing fans leave with pure joy gave Cheng Chen a sense of accomplishment.

Slowly, he had become the person he once dreamed of being as a child.

The fans had been queuing tirelessly, and Cheng Chen had already signed nearly two hundred albums; his elbow ached.

Yet he did not cut corners—he continued writing messages, signing, and patiently chatting with each one.

After all, these people were his supporters; they had spent real money.

In any era, if you want others to spend a penny on you, you must work hard enough to earn that penny.

What other singers or celebrities thought didn't matter to Cheng Chen—but when fans bought his album, they expected services like autographs.

Whenever possible, Cheng Chen never refused fans' reasonable requests for autographs or photos.

This signing event lasted from morning until night and was undeniably a great success.

And Cheng Chen's elbow had now become too sore to lift.

Fortunately, the next signing was scheduled for a week later, giving Cheng Chen a moment to rest.

……

That night, Cheng Chen returned home and rummaged through the medicine cabinet for Safflower Oil to rub on his wrist.

But the moment he touched his skin, he winced in pain.

It wasn't just pain—it was the dull, swollen ache from overexertion; his entire hand felt limp.

But Safflower Oil only worked if rubbed into the affected area until the medicine penetrated the skin.

Just as Cheng Chen decided to give himself a break, a pair of pale, slender hands took the Safflower Oil.

"Sis, you're still awake? Have you eaten? I'll make you something—hiss~"

Cheng Chen was about to stand up when Gao Yuanyuan pulled him back.

She had just finished bathing; her hair was damp, and she wore a brand-new white shirt—still bearing Cheng Chen's unremoved tag.

Gao Yuanyuan knelt before Cheng Chen, dipped her fingers in the oil, and gently spread it across his wrist.

The cool tips glided over his skin; the ache and fatigue seemed to vanish in that moment.

What remained was only tender care and a lingering, intoxicating atmosphere drifting through the room…

Gao Yuanyuan's pure face was focused and careful; a faint fragrance from her body continually drifted toward him.

Cheng Chen suddenly felt a dryness in his throat…

……