Chapter One: The Opening Song Astonishes the Entire Audience!

Jiang Yun surveyed his surroundings as beams of light flickered around him. He realized he was at a concert venue.

"Wasn't I supposed to be at a celebration banquet?"

A surge of memories flooded his mind. It turned out the original owner of this body was also named Jiang Yun, a third-rate celebrity recently exposed for cheating.

Jiang Yun rubbed his temples, sorting through the information. This parallel world was similar to Earth, but it lacked many literary giants and superstar idols.

"Alright then. Since that's the case, I must become a groundbreaking superstar in this world."

"Ding! Detected the host's grand ambition. Beginning system binding."

A faint smile played at Jiang Yun's lips. A system! Finally, it had come.

Suddenly, an information panel appeared in his mind.

"Beep! Personal Information"

Host: Jiang Yun
Vocal Skills: A-level (Mediocre)
Acting: D-level (Even a child has more talent)
Directing: D-level (Can shoot low-budget indie films)
Popularity Value: 10,086

"System, what is the popularity value?"

"Popularity value is calculated from the number of fans the host has, the admiration they generate, along with the system's own calculations."

"The host can use popularity value to redeem items from the shop!"

Jiang Yun opened the shop panel and found it was filled with hit songs, all the chart-toppers from his previous life.

"Words Contradict the Heart," "Invisible Wings," "Love You For Ten Thousand Years," "Number One in the World," "Heartbroken Pacific."

There were also many internet viral songs, such as "Stepping on the River," "Song of the Pipa," and more.

Skills included S-level vocal mastery, S-level acting, S-level directing expertise, S-level dance proficiency, and so on.

Jiang Yun felt a surge of excitement. With these, he could rise to fame quickly.

"Host, please don't get too excited. This system will surely help you become a superstar of the era."

"System, why do I need to use popularity value to redeem songs? I can sing many of them myself."

"That's because every song produced by the system comes with complete accompaniment, lyrics, sheet music, and vocal techniques!"

Jiang Yun nodded in understanding.

"Excuse me, this fan? Hello, fan?"

Someone tugged at Jiang Yun's arm, snapping him back to reality. The female singer performing onstage was looking right at him, the spotlight fixed on him as well.

"Huh? What's going on?"

The female singer on stage introduced herself, "Fan, my name is Li Mengya. Welcome to my concert. You’ve been selected as our lucky audience member, and you’re invited up to sing a song."

Li Mengya turned to the audience and said, "Let’s give a big round of applause to welcome this fan to the stage!"

Jiang Yun’s eyes sparkled—he knew this was an opportunity, a chance to make others remember him.

He racked his brain. What song should he sing? It needed to be catchy and easy to remember, something that would stick with people.

After some thought, Jiang Yun made his decision.

"System, redeem 'Words Contradict the Heart.'"

"Ding! Congratulations, host. Redemption successful. 10,000 popularity value deducted."

A USB drive appeared in Jiang Yun’s hand out of thin air.

He walked toward the stage.

Li Mengya handed Jiang Yun the microphone. "What song will you be singing?"

She gestured for the backstage crew to prepare the song for Jiang Yun.

"I'm going to sing a song that's not available online," Jiang Yun replied.

Li Mengya was visibly surprised. "What song is that?"

"It's an original song of mine," Jiang Yun said calmly and confidently.

A stir swept through the audience. Someone recognized him.

"Isn’t that the third-rate celebrity who got caught cheating?"

A chorus of boos erupted.

"What a disgrace, coming to Li Mengya's concert."

Li Mengya, however, didn’t mock him. She maintained a polite smile, with no intention of exploiting Jiang Yun's notoriety.

Seeing her demeanor, Jiang Yun nodded to himself in approval of her character.

Li Mengya motioned for the audience to quiet down. "Now, let’s listen to Mr. Jiang Yun’s original song!"

Seeing their idol show such respect, the fans followed suit.

"The power of a true idol is incredible..." Jiang Yun sighed, handing the USB drive to a staff member.

Soon, the rhythm began.

Jiang Yun sang along with the beat: "Words contradict the heart in your affectionate promises, drifting away with the west wind into the distance."

The moment he opened his mouth, the crowd was stunned, almost falling to their knees in awe.

"Empty words and foolish dreams, my devoted reliance, like a flower withered and faded away."

"The spark that once ignited my passionate gaze, once lit up the brightest sky."

"Like thunder on a clear day, your heartless farewell came when I needed you most."

As the chorus arrived, Jiang Yun tapped his right leg and swayed to the rhythm: "So love and hate intertwine, and people wither away, afraid that these sorrows are without cause."

The drumbeat pounded, the rhythm fierce. Jiang Yun nodded in time: "So joy and sorrow rise and fall, and silence remains, just wait—these wounds will be free."

A wave of applause erupted as the chorus hit. The audience leaped to their feet, rising and sitting in waves like a tide.

"So love and hate intertwine, and people wither away, afraid that these sorrows are without cause."

"So joy and sorrow rise and fall, and silence remains, just wait—these wounds will be free."

When the song ended, Jiang Yun was drenched in sweat.

Thunderous applause broke out from the thousands of spectators.

One audience member, livestreaming on their phone, spoke passionately: "Guys, today I discovered a hidden gem of a singer! Want to see more about this singer?"

"Send gifts, everyone!"

"Past and Present" sent a rocket!

"Thank you, Past and Present, for the rocket!"

"Cool as the Wind" sent a rocket!

"Thank you, Cool as the Wind, for the rocket!"

"Thank you..."

The livestream's comment section was exploding.

"Isn’t that the third-rate celebrity who got caught cheating? Doesn’t look like it!"

"Don’t believe rumors—anyone who can write a song like that couldn’t possibly cheat!"

"From now on, he’s my idol."

"Exactly! My idol would never do such a thing. It’s a smear campaign, slander against our favorite!"

Jiang Yun observed the crowd’s reaction and nodded to himself in satisfaction. Now, he just had to wait for others to approach him for songs. If luck was on his side, he might even get an invitation to a variety show.

"System, open the personal information panel."

"Beep!"

Host: Jiang Yun
Vocal Skills: A-level (Mediocre)
Acting: D-level (Even a child has more talent)
Directing: D-level (Can shoot low-budget indie films)
Songs owned: "Words Contradict the Heart"
Popularity Value: 30,086

"System, why has my popularity value increased so much?"

"Host, secondary dissemination is also counted. It’s not limited to the live audience."