Chapter Thirty-Two: The Fifth Ring

"The main reason I came to see you today is..."
"You want me to write a song for you!"
"A song?" Jiang Yun was only slightly surprised. Thanks to his clear logic, Jiang Yun had already filtered several possible answers, and writing a song was one of them.
He didn't expect he'd guessed right. Jiang Yun's surprise came from having accurately deduced Yue Yun's purpose.
"What kind of song do you want?" Jiang Yun asked.
"You can customize it?" Yue Yun thought for a moment. "Ideally, the kind of song that would make me break out of my current circle!"
Jiang Yun lifted his head, pondering, though in reality he was communicating with the system.
"System, open my profile panel!"
"Beep!"
Host: Jiang Yun.
Vocal ability: S grade (enough to carry a grand concert)
Acting: D+ grade (you're more talented than a child)
Directing: D grade (can shoot low-budget indie films)
Skills: Soldier's physique, skilled in cooking, proficient at piano, S-grade hand speed, clear logic.
Songs: "Words Don't Match the Heart," "Crossing the Sea to See You," "Fragrant Rice," "Heartbroken Pacific," "Become Rich," "One Night in Summer Capital," "Blue and White Porcelain," "Flying Free," "Little Apple," "Brightest Star in the Night Sky"
Piano piece: "Canon"
Props: Three S-grade acting experience cards, one single-use hacker experience card (expired).
Popularity value: 1,653,086
"System, why has my popularity value increased so much again?"
"Host, ongoing buzz also counts!"
Jiang Yun nodded inwardly, then began searching for a song in his music library.
After a while, Jiang Yun's eyes lit up. He finally found a song suitable for Yue Yun.
In his previous life, this song was a sensation across the country, loved by everyone regardless of age or gender.
"System, redeem 'Fifth Ring.'"
"Ding! 50,000 popularity value deducted. Congratulations, host, redemption successful!"
"Current popularity value: 1,603,086."
"Jiang Yun? Jiang Yun?"
"Ah?" Jiang Yun snapped back to reality. "Sorry, I was just thinking about what kind of song would suit you!"
"Were you composing on the spot?" Yue Yun asked.
Jiang Yun responded with a smile.
"Let me sing a demo for you. See what you think!"
"Alright!" Yue Yun nodded.
"Yo, yo!"
Rap? Yue Yun frowned.

"I drive my car onto Fifth Ring,
I drive my car onto Fifth Ring,
Quick, drive my car onto Fifth Ring,
No matter what,
I just want to get on Fifth Ring."
This song seems so ordinary! Yue Yun frowned.
But then, Jiang Yun's voice shifted.
"Ah~~ Fifth Ring, you have one more ring than Fourth.
Ah~~ Fifth Ring, you have one less than Sixth.
One day, you'll build to Seventh Ring,
When you reach Seventh, what then? You have two more rings than Fifth."
"Pfft—"
Yue Yun burst into laughter like a pig. "This song is just too addictive. I can't take it, it's killing me! So catchy!"
"What do you think?" Jiang Yun stopped singing.
"It's kind of crazy, but to be honest, it's just alright!" Yue Yun said.
"That's because I sang it. If you sing it, the effect will be completely different!" Jiang Yun took a sip of tea. "Don't believe me? Try it!"
"Alright, I'll give it a go!" Yue Yun sang, "Ah~~ Fifth Ring, you have one more ring than Fourth."
"Huh? You know, it really is! What's going on?"
Jiang Yun smiled without a word. The truth was, this song suited Yue Yun perfectly.
Yue Yun's unique voice, with its strong regional accent, was perfectly matched for this song.
"Jiang Yun, I want this one. How much do you want for the copyright?"
"I'll let you decide."
Before yesterday, the two had been strangers. Jiang Yun wasn't generous enough to just give it away, but he also wasn't sure what price was appropriate. So he let Yue Yun decide.
Yue Yun tilted his head and pondered for a moment. "I heard that when King Zhou Lun commissioned a song from you, he paid 500,000 for the copyright. I'm not as famous as him, but I can't go lower than 500,000..."
Yue Yun said, "Though I'm not as big as he is, I can also afford 500,000. I'll buy the performance rights to this song for 500,000. Your bank card..."
Jiang Yun was stunned. He hadn't expected Yue Yun to be so straightforward. Jiang Yun decided not to be coy. "6217 xxxx..."
"Beep beep!"
Jiang Yun's phone rang. He picked it up and saw a bank notification for the transfer.
After receiving the payment, Jiang Yun found pen and paper in his room and began writing the score and lyrics.
Yue Yun held the A4 sheet, clicking his tongue in admiration. "Talent really is different. A single sheet of paper can sell for 500,000."
Jiang Yun smiled quietly. Yue Yun didn't disturb him further, and left the room.
Neither Yue Yun nor Jiang Yun knew that their every action had been recorded by cameras.
In the mountain village, the sound of roosters crowing signaled the next morning.
Guan Tong, Ouyang Na, and Yue Yun pulled their suitcases. He Ling was also dragging a suitcase.

When Jiang Yun arrived, his gear was especially simple, unlike He Ling and the others, who seemed to be on vacation.
Jiang Yun's luggage was minimal, just a few clothes in a backpack.
They walked to the fork in the road, where several Cadillacs were parked.
"Congratulations to us for completing the first episode of 'Longed-for Life' Season One. Let's say our final farewells!" said the director.
Everyone hugged.
When it was Yue Yun and Jiang Yun's turn, the two exchanged a smile.
Ouyang Na climbed into her car, stuck her head out the window, and waved. "Teacher He, Jiang Yun, goodbye!"
"Goodbye!"
"Bye-bye!"
"Look at that Na Na, forgetting about Guan Tong and me!" Yue Yun complained.
Guan Tong also got into her car, bidding farewell to everyone.
"Bye-bye!"
"Goodbye!"
After Yue Yun drove off, only Jiang Yun and He Ling were left.
The two hugged, then parted ways.
"Vroom vroom!"
Jiang Yun sat on the plane, watching clusters of white clouds outside the window, his mood completely different from when he arrived.
Jiang Yun sighed, "These past two days have been exhausting! When I get back, I need a good, long sleep!"
Jiang Yun sat in the cabin and quickly drifted into a deep sleep.
When he woke up, the plane had already landed in the Magic City.
After disembarking, Li Mengya was waiting at the airport exit in her Beetle.
Jiang Yun opened the yellow Beetle's door and got in the passenger seat.
"How was it? Smooth?"
"It was fine. A few hiccups, but pretty smooth!" Jiang Yun yawned.
"What happened? Tell me."
"Teacher Huang Kang twisted his ankle, so I took over cooking for him!" Jiang Yun briefly recounted the situation.
"You can cook?!" Li Mengya's attention was immediately drawn to the cooking part.
"...," Jiang Yun was speechless. Her focus was truly different from others. Shouldn't she care more about the twisted ankle?
"No way! I absolutely must try your cooking!"
"I..." Jiang Yun almost wanted to slap himself. Why did he have to mention cooking out of the blue?
...