Chapter Nine: The Bet Agreement Triumphs!

As soon as "Lips Say No, Heart Says Yes" and "Heartbreak Pacific" were released, their play counts soared past ten million in an instant. Both songs shot straight to the top of the Hot Songs chart, vying for first place—one moment "Lips Say No, Heart Says Yes" was in the lead, the next, "Heartbreak Pacific" reclaimed the spot. "Rice Aroma" teetered on the edge but finally settled into third place.

"Wow! There's finally an audio version of 'Lips Say No, Heart Says Yes' and 'Heartbreak Pacific'! I used to only watch live recordings before."
"I'm so in love—I am definitely subscribing for a membership now."
"No way! The lyrics and composition for 'Rice Aroma' are by Jiang Yun too!"
"Let me check—it's true! Both lyrics and composition are by Jiang Yun!"
"It seems the only one who can surpass Jiang Yun is Jiang Yun himself!" That was the consensus among netizens.

In less than two hours, the play counts for both "Lips Say No, Heart Says Yes" and "Heartbreak Pacific" surpassed fifty million each, neck and neck at the top. Fifty million—what did that mean? Even top-tier singers rarely achieved such numbers! These songs could already be called classics.

The phone suddenly rang.

Jiang Yun glanced at the caller ID and saw it was Zhou Lun. A smile played on Jiang Yun's lips as he answered.

"Hello, Brother Zhou, what's up?" Jiang Yun greeted cheerfully.

"Ah—Jiang Yun, did you see the NetEase Hot Songs chart?"

"I did," Jiang Yun replied.

"I have to admit, I'm getting old—looks like my time is passing." Zhou Lun sighed heavily on the other end.

"Brother Zhou, that's not true. You still have a legion of loyal fans—true diehards. Unlike my fans, who are fickle and easily swayed." Jiang Yun mused, "My fans are just excited by something new for the moment. That's why they're so enthusiastic."

"Jiang Yun, you have a good attitude—not letting short-term achievements go to your head!" Zhou Lun said sincerely.

"Thank you for your praise, Brother Zhou! And I really have to thank you for helping me back when I was still unknown," Jiang Yun said with heartfelt emotion.

"No, no, it's your own talent. Even if I hadn’t recommended you for 'You’re So Talented,' you would have made a name for yourself. I just gave you a little more exposure, that's all," Zhou Lun replied.

Jiang Yun didn't dwell on the topic, but he made a mental note to remember this favor. "By the way, Brother Zhou, when are you holding your next concert? I'll come as a guest performer."

"Probably in the second half of the year, I haven't made any plans yet," Zhou Lun answered.

"Alright! Oh, and Brother Zhou, I have another song that would suit you perfectly. I'll give it to you for free!"

"That’s fantastic!" Zhou Lun asked, intrigued, "Which song is it?"

"Listen up, Brother Zhou. I’ll sing you a sample."

"Go ahead!"

Jiang Yun sang into the phone, "In this small town... the years drift gently by, pure courage, memories washed clean, I remember you, living proudly still..."

"Jiang Yun!" Zhou Lun was so moved he could barely speak. "Jiang Yun, that song—this song, I want it! It's perfect for me!"

"Don’t worry, Brother Zhou, I’ll save it for you!"

They chatted a while longer before hanging up.

Jiang Yun browsed his phone. Both songs had already surpassed fifty million plays, and that was just in two hours. Once word spread and time worked its magic, a hundred million plays would be a breeze.

Jiang Yun decided to stop paying attention to the numbers, lay down, and drifted off to sleep, letting things take their course.

He slept soundly and woke naturally, squinting at the dazzling sunlight outside his window. It had been a week since he’d arrived in this world, and he had already adapted.

The phone rang again.

Jiang Yun picked it up and saw that it was a call from the original owner’s mother.

He answered, "Mom!"

"Son, Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon. When are you coming home?" his mother, He Hui, asked.

Jiang Yun hesitated. Should he tell her her son had long vanished and he was just an impostor? That her real son was already gone? No, he couldn't say that.

He decided to live in the original’s place and be a good son to his parents.

"I’ll come back the day before the Mid-Autumn Festival," Jiang Yun replied.

"Alright, it's settled then."

The call ended. Jiang Yun picked up his phone to check the stats for his two songs.

The results were as expected—both songs had easily surpassed a hundred million plays.

Jiang Yun called He Yong.

"Hello, Mr. He? I’m sure you’ve seen the numbers by now," Jiang Yun said.

"I have, I have! Mr. Jiang, your popularity is truly soaring!"

Jiang Yun had no time for small talk. "Can you pay me my share of the copyright fees now?"

"I’m afraid not," He Yong replied.

"Why not?" Jiang Yun frowned.

"The contract you signed this month states that royalties will be paid next month."

"Alright then," Jiang Yun said, understanding.

A hundred million plays—easy.

There were still five days left before the finals of "You’re So Talented." Jiang Yun, bored with nothing to do, wondered how to pass the time.

His phone rang again. It was Li Mengya.

"Well, well, superstar, what’s up?" Jiang Yun teased.

"Here’s the thing..." Li Mengya began.

"Alright, I’ll come! Just tell me the time and place," Jiang Yun said.

"Tomorrow night at seven, Magic City Sports Arena. I’ll pick you up then!"

"Deal!"

Jiang Yun hung up, once again at a loss for how to occupy himself.

After some thought, he found a way to pass the time: writing web novels.

He turned on his computer and first browsed some of the entertainment news in this world. Then he opened several novel websites: Qidian Chinese Network, Penguin Chinese Network. After considering his options, he decided to serialize a novel online.

"System, open my personal panel!"

Host: Jiang Yun.
Singing skill: Grade A (mediocre)
Acting: Grade D (even children are more talented)
Directing ability: Grade D (can only make amateur low-budget films)
Owned songs: "Lips Say No, Heart Says Yes," "Crossing the Ocean to See You," "Rice Aroma," "Heartbreak Pacific."
Physical condition: Special Forces physique.
Skills: Master chef.
Popularity points: 1,003,086.

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, your popularity has reached one million. Reward: S-grade singing skill."

Jiang Yun felt a warmth in his throat, an indescribable comfort.

He continued browsing the items in the system shop, made his choices.

"System, exchange for 'Battle Horse Through the Sky' and S-grade hand speed."

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have successfully exchanged for 'Battle Horse Through the Sky,' costing 20,000 popularity points."

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have successfully exchanged for S-grade hand speed, costing 30,000 popularity points."

"Current remaining popularity: 953,086."

He opened the author section on Vertical and Horizontal Chinese Network and registered as a writer.

"Pen name..." Jiang Yun pondered.

"I’ll go with 'Cloud of That Night.'" He clicked confirm.

"Sorry, this pen name is already taken."

"Damn!" Jiang Yun cursed.

"Night Wind."

"Pen name already taken!"

"Damn!"

"Night Rain."

"Already taken!"

"Forget it, I’ll just pick something random." Jiang Yun slowly typed out "Willow Three Fish."

"Congratulations, registration successful!"

"Kind reminder: Dear author, you may now publish your work!"