Chapter 73: Ultimately, the Secret Was Revealed

For three whole days, the entire internet was abuzz with heated arguments. Su Bai and Xu Mingkun’s fans were locked in fierce debate, each side holding firmly to their own version of the truth. The war of words seemed poised to spiral back into the vicious cycle of insults that had marked the early days of the conflict. Even the release of Su Bai’s new song, “The Lone Brave,” was drowned out amidst the clamor.

But then, a single announcement from the Shanghai police brought all the noise to an abrupt halt.

The bulletin read: According to our investigation, the recent incident in which Su Bai’s fans were accused of attacking Xu Mingkun was, in fact, premeditated and orchestrated in advance by Liu Siyan in collusion with Xu Mingkun. The individuals known as “Feng Ge at the Star-Chaser Scene” and others were hired by Liu Siyan. At present, Liu Siyan, Xu Mingkun, and Feng Ge have all been taken into custody. Furthermore, the mastermind behind the recent kidnapping case involving Su Bai’s family has also been identified—it is none other than Liu Siyan and Xu Mingkun. The two are also under investigation for additional crimes. Further developments will be announced on this account.

The moment this announcement was made public, the internet was thrown into an uproar. The fans who had previously rallied behind Xu Mingkun fell instantly silent.

“My mind is in chaos right now. How could it be like this?”
“I’ve devoted three years to following this star. Is this really the kind of person he is?”
“I don’t even know what to say… Su Bai, I’m sorry. We wronged you.”
“Su Bai, after enduring so much, why didn’t you explain yourself?”

Under these comments, countless netizens erupted.

“How many times has Su Bai explained himself? Did any of you listen?”
“During his live streams, he pleaded with everyone not to be deceived by those with ill intentions, not to let troublemakers exploit the situation!”
“And what did you say then? That Su Bai was desperately trying to distance himself!”
“Can you even imagine how much Su Bai has suffered? Or how much we, his fans, have suffered?”
“He tried so hard to warn everyone, fearing you’d be duped, yet all he got in return was ruthless mockery!”

For a time, the internet was awash in the sounds of sorrow and regret. It was as if these netizens themselves were the ones who had been wronged and slandered, the ones who had borne the brunt of endless grievances.

Yet one comment stood out: “Shouldn’t we be happy instead?”
“Why is it that every video now is laced with such sadness?”
“It’s just too much!”
“Yes, we’ve suffered too much!”

At that moment, a well-known socialite posted on Douyin.

“Since everyone is feeling down, let me share a song by Su Bai himself to lift your spirits! Especially for all the female fans—your special treat is here.”

People were puzzled. Could it be that Su Bai had released a song especially for his female fans? Why hadn’t it surfaced online before? Their curiosity was piqued.

As the video began, familiar faces appeared: socialites, supermodels, celebrities, even the latest starlets. Each woman was exquisitely made up, draped in elegant clothing and adorned with high-end accessories, each a dazzling beauty, stunning enough to take one’s breath away.

Everyone marveled—no wonder she was a famous socialite; the company she kept was indeed of the highest caliber.

But then, as the camera lingered, all expressions froze.

There stood a girl in the plainest of dresses, her face untouched by makeup, devoid of any accessories, yet she was as pure as a lotus emerging from water, fresh and unworldly. Simply by standing there, she became the very focal point of the scene.

So beautiful—so incredibly beautiful that no one could believe she was real.

“You are a goddess descended to the mortal realm,
Where in this world can one find such beauty?
A face to make flowers blush and the moon hide,
Softly scented with rouge.
Who, on this perfect night, will join you
In drinking the white moonlight?”

The familiar voice rang out, as if waking them from a dream. They had just been searching for words to describe this ethereal girl in the video, when a captivating melody swept over them, and they suddenly understood: a goddess descended to the human world. Nowhere on earth could one find such beauty—so fitting, so true.

Everything fell seamlessly into place: the song matched the person, the person embodied the song.

A beauty to make flowers shy and the moon retreat, with a delicate fragrance of rouge. So beautiful, it was as if her gentle smile had seeped into their souls.

“You are a goddess descended to the mortal world,
Where in this dusty world can one find such untainted grace?
Like fish sinking, birds alighting, adorned in flowing silks,
The sound of the zither resounding.
May I pledge a lifetime to you,
To grow old together with silver hair.
The wind is gentle, the peach blossoms fragrant,
Butterflies everywhere in pairs,
You glance back and tug at my heartstrings,
A memory that will never fade.”

The audience couldn’t help but burst into applause.

A beauty to shame the moon and flowers, to make fish sink and birds alight.
A perfect night, white moonlight, the music of the zither in the air.
Graceful as a lotus by the water, a gentle smile that stirs the heart!
What a goddess, what a lady untouched by the dust of the world!

When the song ended, the camera finally shifted to the one who had sung with such emotion—Su Bai himself.

Smiling, Su Bai said, “This song, ‘Goddess Descends’, is dedicated to Ms. Yang Mengke here tonight, and to all the ladies present!”

As his words fell, the hall erupted into thunderous applause and excited cheers.

The video ended there.

Netizens found themselves unable to shake free from the spell the performance had cast.

“That girl in the video—is her name Yang Mengke? She’s so beautiful!”
“She truly looks like a fairy come down to earth!”
“Now I understand why people say that sometimes, when someone simply stands there, it’s as if you’re looking at a painting.”
“Picture it: by the pond, in the spring breeze, a pale green dress, and that girl’s gentle, backward glance with a smile!”
“Wow! Just wow! Such a beautiful image in my mind!”
“Incredible, especially with Su Bai’s ‘Goddess Descends’ as the soundtrack—simply perfect!”
“But come on, aren’t you all curious? What’s the relationship between Su Bai and this girl called Yang Mengke?”
“This seems to be the first time Su Bai has ever sung a song for a girl, right?”

This single question sent a fresh wave of speculation surging across the internet.

Was Su Bai pursuing that goddess-like girl? Or were they already a couple? The way the girl smiled at the end—it really did look like her heart had been moved.

No doubt about it, this socialite’s move was brilliant. Su Bai’s fans, who had just moments before been enveloped in sorrow, were now completely captivated by “Goddess Descends.” While marveling at Su Bai’s musical genius, they were also abuzz with gossip about his romantic life, all guessing at the true relationship between Su Bai and the mysterious girl.

Meanwhile, in a luxurious castle abroad, a young man immersed in a red wine bath suddenly sat bolt upright. Staring at the girl in the video, his eyes narrowed.

“Yang Mengke isn’t dead!”
“And her presence is even more enchanting than before!”

Though Yang Mengke’s temperament and appearance now differed greatly from before, and most would never connect her with her past self, the young man was stunned when he heard Su Bai call her by that name in the video.

Others might not know, but he did. Over a year ago, the girl who supposedly perished in the fire—Yang Meng—her real name was Yang Mengke. This was the result of his long investigation.

He, too, had always believed Yang Meng was dead. Who could have guessed she had survived, undergone plastic surgery, and emerged even more beautiful than before—surpassing her past self by far.

A certain thought surged rapidly in his heart.

The thing Su Bai feared most had finally happened: Yang Mengke’s identity had been exposed at last.