Su Yunjin!

"Yunjin, whatever you hear outside, don't take it to heart. Those people just love a spectacle and can't resist making a fuss. What do they know? They're all keyboard warriors these days, saying whatever comes to mind. Don't let those comments affect your mood."

In the lobby of Lushi Entertainment, Su Yunjin was browsing through online comments when the producer's voice sounded at her ear. She looked up, intending to comfort him, but the next moment, she was struck speechless.

The producer, who appeared to be in his early forties, stood before her with an anxious, almost guilty air, like a schoolboy caught in the act. If it had been any other unknown rookie, being treated so cautiously by the producer of a popular show right at the start of one’s career would have been a heady thrill.

But Su Yunjin was no ordinary artist.

She was the sole heir of the Seven Peaks Sect.

The seven grandmasters who’d raised her each possessed extraordinary skills. For as long as she could remember, those who came to the mountain seeking their help acted just like this producer: the slightest furrow of her brow and they would tremble in fear.

As a child, she’d found it amusing. But as she grew older and learned more about the ways of the world, she came to dislike such relationships.

So, ten years ago, at the age of twelve, she left the mountain under the pretext of studying.

While boarding at school, she would sneak off to internet cafes, using the web as her cover, and became an online singer.

The beginning was tough.

But the rigorous training from her seven elders had imbued her with more than just skills—her capacity to learn far exceeded that of most people. Thanks to this advantage, it took her only three weeks to compose "I.SYOY," a DJ track that took the internet by storm.

In the years that followed, she gradually shifted away from DJ music, writing all sorts of songs—ancient style, catchy earworms, even some deliberately rustic tunes. It’s no exaggeration to say that she had tried her hand at every genre now popular in the music scene, and always with remarkable results.

Especially the songs she wrote that leaned into a folksy style—these remained popular favorites for the seniors dancing in public squares even to this day.

At her peak, her music topped charts worldwide.

Yet, to avoid her elders discovering she was moonlighting, she’d been careful to keep her identity a secret for ten years. For others, that might be difficult, but having grown up on the mountain, Su Yunjin cared little for fame or fortune. Besides, her Taoist upbringing had instilled in her a deep-rooted belief in non-contention; she had no interest in competing for gain.

If not for concern that her fans might be misled, she probably wouldn’t even have registered her microblog account. Even after registration, she’d never posted a single update or revealed anything about herself.

After graduating from university, she returned to the mountain, intending to inherit the legacy of her elders.

Who could have predicted that at this time, this very producer would seek her out, saying that a talent show called "Spotlight Girl Group" was in need of a C-position mentor—a role meant for someone representing intangible cultural heritage. He hoped she would accept.

Given the status of Seven Peaks, Su Yunjin thought for sure her elders would refuse. Yet, somehow, this Zhang Zhichang convinced them otherwise. So when she returned from gathering herbs on the mountain, she found herself dispatched to take on the role of C-position mentor.

Though things hadn’t gone as she’d expected, Su Yunjin chose to honor her elders' wishes and descend the mountain.

And that brings us to the scene just now, which was simple enough.

Yesterday, the mentor lineup for "Spotlight Girl Group" was revealed. Previously, the front-runner for the C-position mentor was an artist named Morning Dew. She’d debuted only six months ago, yet already earned the title of "Little Diva." With a massive fanbase, her supporters had repeatedly campaigned for her on the official website.

But to everyone’s shock, the final reveal was an unknown newcomer—Su Yunjin herself—which caused a sensation across the entire nation.

Entertainment media rushed to report the news.

For Morning Dew’s fans, the thought that an unknown had stolen her opportunity was nothing short of a grave insult.

They immediately launched a campaign online. First, Morning Dew’s diehard supporters bombarded the show's official channels with questions; then the trolls piled on, accusing Su Yunjin of getting ahead through improper means. Some even spread rumors of an affair between her and the producer.

Their efforts paid off: soon, the hashtag “Su Yunjin Out of Spotlight Girl Group” was trending.

The article she’d just read was titled, “Exposing the Scheming Su Yunjin—How She Shamelessly Stole Resources from Little Diva Morning Dew.” It featured several staged photos, taken at the crew’s request, and launched into a vivid tirade about her supposed scheming.

If she weren’t herself, she might almost have believed it.

Yet, Su Yunjin was utterly indifferent. Not only did her Taoist practice keep her detached from fame and fortune, but back when she’d first started as an online singer, things had been far from smooth. She’d been viciously attacked, especially during chart battles, which once provoked a war between two fanbases.

At the worst of it, she’d even received death threats.

Though that affair had eventually faded away, compared to what she’d faced a decade ago, today’s online vitriol was child’s play.

With a faint smile, Su Yunjin said, "Producer Zhang, you needn’t worry so much. Since I’m participating as an intangible heritage representative, I’ll accept whatever comes with it. These rumors won’t trouble me."

"Good, good. But don’t worry, Yunjin—when I have time, I’ll deal with these matters myself. That Morning Dew, I won’t let her off easily!"

While soothing Su Yunjin, Zhang Zhichang already had Morning Dew marked as persona non grata in his heart. Never mind the slander from her team—the fact that this brainless woman had linked him with Su Yunjin was unforgivable!

All those rumors about an affair, about "sleeping her way to the top"—damn it, they were trying to destroy him!

Forget the Seven Peaks Sect behind this young lady—even just the Lu family, especially Old Master Lu’s hopes for his future daughter-in-law, would never let him off if there were such rumors!

He’d been nothing but careful around Su Yunjin, terrified of overstepping the slightest boundary. Now, thanks to Morning Dew’s team, he was being accused of impropriety—wasn’t this pushing him into the fire?

That woman had no place left in showbiz.

"Have you confirmed that it was Morning Dew’s doing?" Su Yunjin asked calmly, unmoved by Zhang Zhichang’s declaration.

"Well..."

"If you haven’t confirmed it yet, don’t blame a single artist," she replied, seeing through his hesitation.

Having just left the mountain and been thrust into the center of this storm, Zhang Zhichang was naturally on edge, given her identity as the sole heir of Seven Peaks. In the entertainment industry, it was impossible to know whether this wasn’t just a publicity stunt or someone using her as a talking point.

So his reaction was understandable.

But while reading those reports, she’d also looked up Morning Dew’s information. Despite her reputation as a "Little Diva" after six months in the industry, she was still only a contracted artist, without her own studio.

In other words, she was likely just a pawn.

Since they were both at the mercy of others, Su Yunjin saw no need to hold a grudge, let alone take the blame. After all, no matter what Zhang Zhichang did, the public would assume she was behind it. The more attention they gave the rumors, the more gossip would spread.

Better to ignore it and let it fade away.

Zhang Zhichang hadn’t expected Su Yunjin to be so magnanimous. Just as he was about to say more, a staff member approached.

"Mr. Zhang, the meeting room is ready."