Chapter 44: Only Three Days Left
Xu Mingkun stood obsequiously behind Liu Siyen, kneading her shoulders with both hands.
“Sister Yen, what a stroke of genius!”
“You have no idea, I was on the verge of a breakdown at the time. I wasn’t sure I could finish playing that piece!”
“Who could have expected that Su Bai would just leave halfway through!”
“I was so puzzled then, but now I see it was your doing, Sister Yen!”
“And you know, once he left, my state of mind instantly improved!”
“My performance in the latter half was the best I’ve ever given!”
Liu Siyen narrowed her eyes, relishing the service from a top-tier celebrity. The psychological satisfaction she felt surpassed any physical pleasure.
Here was someone everyone else would kill to flatter, now bowing to her.
Hahaha, so what if you’re young and beautiful? So what if you’re charming and radiant? In the end, you all serve me, Liu Siyen!
“Sister Yen, what about the song contest for the Palace Museum’s cultural campaign?”
Liu Siyen, who had been enjoying her massage with closed eyes, suddenly opened them wide.
“Kun, one must learn contentment.”
“The best I can do is remove your greatest obstacle!”
“If I hadn’t intervened, they’d already be preparing the promotional film for ‘Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth’!”
“But as for who the Palace Museum ultimately selects, that’s beyond my reach.”
Xu Mingkun nodded hurriedly in agreement.
Liu Siyen was his trump card now.
He obeyed her, whatever she said.
Liu Siyen extended her right hand, stroking the slender fingers on her shoulder.
“Kun, you have to be patient!”
“Let things ferment for two or three days before we make a statement.”
“That way, we can also clear ourselves of suspicion, can’t we?”
“People shouldn’t be too greedy in their gains.”
With that, she pulled Xu Mingkun from behind, pressing him to the floor.
In a near-commanding tone, she said, “Massage my feet.”
Xu Mingkun’s head snapped up, disbelief written all over his handsome face.
Massage her feet?
He even wondered if he’d misheard.
But seeing Liu Siyen’s resolute gaze, whatever protest he might have voiced was swallowed.
In silence, he used the hands praised by countless young women to knead her feet, one motion at a time.
Liu Siyen watched the scene, lighting a slim cigarette and curling her lips into a wild smile.
Her gaze lingered on Xu Mingkun’s faintly visible abs, and some emotion seemed to seize her heart.
She bent forward, tapping his handsome face with her hand.
“Come, Kun, it’s time for our midday rest.”
...
In the cultural promotion office of the Palace Museum in Yan Capital, four or five people sat together.
Zhang Mingke took the last seat, visibly agitated.
“Our Palace Museum is one of the most representative cultural monuments left to us by Great Xia. Its promotional campaign should be equally emblematic!”
“At the very least, it should demonstrate our cultural heritage!”
“‘Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth’ fits our intended message both in its conception and its widespread appeal.”
“Since that’s the case, why create obstacles for ourselves?”
“If it’s about the performer, then we might as well select someone from the national team.”
“Why hold a nationwide song contest?”
“Now the song is chosen, but we’re nitpicking the performer. What’s the point of this contest?”
When Zhang Mingke finished speaking, everyone in the room fell silent.
After a moment, Director Hu, seated at the head, finally spoke.
“Mingke, we’re here to discuss—don’t get so worked up!”
“We’re not saying ‘Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth’ is a bad song—it’s excellent. We all agree.”
“But you know, in our country, people first think of the singer when they hear a song.”
“Imagine, once our Palace Museum selects ‘Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth’ for our campaign song, everyone will associate it with the performer Su Bai—a man who only knows how to flee from trouble.”
“Or even if he had his reasons, there’s too much controversy surrounding him!”
“Where there’s controversy, there’s risk!”
“If more negative news surfaces about him, what will people think of our Palace Museum?”
“The Palace Museum, as a legacy monument of Great Xia, can’t afford a single blemish!”
“That’s why our principle is: the singer we choose must be flawless!”
Director Hu finished, and the others nodded in agreement.
“Yes, Director Hu is right!”
“Better safe than sorry—we shouldn’t take bold risks!”
Watching everyone echo Director Hu, Zhang Mingke felt a wave of helplessness.
Trying to discuss culture, heritage, and history with people obsessed only with safety, not innovation or progress—whatever he said would be wasted.
Because they only had one argument: Su Bai carried too much controversy.
Who doesn’t carry risk?
Can you guarantee that anyone you pick now won’t ever be embroiled in controversy in the future?
That reasoning was laughable.
But Zhang Mingke loved ‘Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth’ so much, he wasn’t ready to give up.
“Su Bai, the creator of ‘Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth,’ I’ve met him—he’s an outstanding young man!”
“Besides, even the national armed police headquarters in Magic City highly recommends him—what are you doubting?”
“Is it just because he left the press conference unexpectedly?”
“You saw how anxious he looked after checking his phone—surely he had something urgent to attend to!”
Director Hu and the others merely smiled and shook their heads.
“Mingke, it’s not about our approval.”
“It’s about the approval of the entire nation!”
“If the whole country accepts Su Bai, then so will we!”
Zhang Mingke was at a loss—what does nationwide acceptance even mean?
Should they poll every citizen, asking if they approve of Su Bai?
What an absurd notion.
“So Director Hu, if Su Bai clarifies the reason for his sudden departure and wins public approval, can we use ‘Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth’?”
Director Hu nodded.
“That’s one way to look at it. But it’s not a guarantee—it just means the song will have equal footing to compete with the others.”
“But Mingke, we don’t have much time!”
“The Palace Museum’s 600th anniversary is approaching fast, and we still need time to film the promo.”
“So Su Bai has, at most, three days left!”
Seeing Mingke’s anxious face, eager to say more, Director Hu waved his hand, cutting him off.
“That’s enough for today. Mingke, these three days are already a great concession to you.”
“You needn’t say anything more.”
As the others left the office one by one, Zhang Mingke slumped helplessly into his chair.
Three days—how could it be possible?
Does Su Bai still have a chance?