Chapter 70: On What Basis?
Half an hour later.
Shi Luoyin turned back with a troubled look at Lin Zimo.
"Tired... sore."
"Together."
With a flick of Lin Zimo's God's Hand.
Shi Luoyin finished right away.
A fragrant breeze swept in, leaving her refreshed, light as a cloud, with a soaring spirit.
…
Just as the two were about to dive into the next phase of intimate exchange.
Shi Luoyin's phone rang.
Lin Zimo paused his movements and asked, "Your phone's ringing. Want to pick it up?"
Shi Luoyin slumped in discomfort.
"Nah, let it stop on its own. They'll give up if no one answers. Let's keep going..."
But the caller on the other end showed no signs of quitting, ringing nonstop if ignored.
By the third ring, Shi Luoyin knew she had to take it.
The two separated reluctantly. Shi Luoyin grabbed her phone and saw it was her manager Li Yan and assistant Zhou Li calling repeatedly.
Seeing them reaching out gave her a bad feeling. She quickly answered Li Yan's call.
"Hey, Yan-jie, what's up?"
"Luoyin, that song Luoshui we paid top dollar for Wang Zhuo to write, the one set for your album in two days—it's suddenly leaked early on all the major music platforms." Li Yan got straight to the point on the line.
"Word is Wang Zhuo gambled up debts, sold the copyright multiple times after us, including to others. Now he's vanished with the cash. Get to the company for a meeting ASAP. We can't let the album flop in two days..."
"Got it, Yan-jie. Heading back now."
Shi Luoyin grasped the gravity, her mood shattered. She hung up and looked anxiously at Lin Zimo, her voice trembling.
"Lin Zimo, sorry, emergency. Gotta rush back to Kyohai City."
She'd poured her heart into this album for so long; a last-minute snag was devastating.
"Don't panic. I'll go with you. Change clothes, hit the airport now. Book tickets en route."
Lin Zimo gripped her hand reassuringly.
On the way, Shi Luoyin explained to Lin Zimo.
She used to write her own songs, but inspiration had dried up the last three years, so she'd hired outsiders.
Lin Zimo listened, then inspiration struck.
He recalled this parallel world's Blue Star entertainment scene mirrored Earth's but lacked its megastars.
He pulled up his phone to check—no Jay Chou, no Fish Leong or G.E.M., no Meng Meiqi...
So what topped the charts here?
Curious, Lin Zimo opened a music app, scrolled to the hot songs list, and hit play.
"Chicken, 'cause you're too pretty baby, just 'cause you're too pretty baby..."
"Let's meow like cats together, meow meow meow meow meow..."
"I always cram last minute, cram last minute..."
…Just the openings of the top three had Lin Zimo's brows furrowing deep enough to crush a fly.
What the hell???
These were Blue Star's hottest hits? Had he tapped the wrong list?
Lin Zimo double-checked the rankings in disbelief, then quit the app in exasperation.
The industry's booming here, sure, but traffic rules all. Chasing virality over quality meant most output was trash.
Seeing Shi Luoyin slumped in frustration, Lin Zimo stroked her head comfortingly.
"Don't worry. Your album will be fine."
Earth had endless bangers; he'd "borrow" one for her, and she'd dominate the charts.
"Mm." Shi Luoyin forced a smile, leaning her head on his shoulder, figuring it was just reassurance.
Soon, they arrived at Era Entertainment's building.
Manager Li Yan and assistant Zhou Li spotted Shi Luoyin and rushed over anxiously. "Luoyin, you're back!"
Then they noticed Lin Zimo beside her—his handsome face and standout aura left them stunned for seconds.
Li Yan wore a white silk blouse tucked into fitted black pants that hugged her figure perfectly.
Her collar dipped just enough to reveal collarbone and neck, a subtle sexy touch drawing eyes to her striking features.
Black strappy heels elongated her silhouette.
Li Yan snapped out of it after a beat, ushering Shi Luoyin to the conference room.
Lin Zimo's hand stayed in Shi Luoyin's, so he tagged along.
Entering the room, all eyes locked on them.
Shi Luoyin in her short dress was her usual sweet stunner, stealing the spotlight.
The guy beside her? Sharp casual fit—no obvious luxury label, but top-tier fabric and cut.
Handsome face, tall build, killer vibe—who was he?
Insanely hot! New idol? They'd remember a face like that.
Shi Luoyin held Lin Zimo's hand casually. "This is my boyfriend, Lin Zimo."
Jaws dropped in shock.
When did Shi Luoyin snag a boyfriend? No one knew!
In the crowd, a burly suited man glared daggers at Lin Zimo.
Shi Luoyin's bodyguard, Lin Biao.
Three years guarding her, he'd secretly pined.
She'd turned down every guy, staying single—he'd joyfully protected his goddess from afar, dreaming she'd notice him someday.
But now? She'd picked some pretty boy.
He ground his molars, plotting a quiet lesson. Not just anyone could claim his goddess.
…
Lin Zimo clocked Lin Biao's hostility but played it cool.
He sat calmly as Shi Luoyin pulled him to the table.
Then Li Yan eyed Shi Luoyin's smooth face, puzzled. "Luoyin, what'd you eat? Wipe your image—stuff on your mouth."
She dabbed a wet wipe at Shi Luoyin's lip.
Shi Luoyin flinched, recalling their hotel... sofa... session. Her heart skipped!
Lin Zimo flashed back to the same, freezing.
"Thump-thump-thump—"
Shi Luoyin's pulse raced wildly, about to burst free.
Her socked toes curled tight against the floor in panic.
After the album news, she'd rushed out unwashed...
Oh god! She'd traveled like this—car, plane!
Help! Now everyone saw!
What to do?!
Her mind blanked, body rigid as stone, thoughts a tangled mess.
Social death. She wanted off this planet, words failing her.
Lin Zimo spoke evenly. "Luoyin panicked over the album, skipped meals. Grabbed yogurt on the road—must've smeared then."
Focus shifted from her lip... back to the crisis.
But Lin Biao eyed Lin Zimo, fists clenched, eyes blazing.
Idiots bought the yogurt bullshit.
As a man, he knew exactly what it was.
This pretty boy defiled his goddess.
He wouldn't let him off...
Li Yan nodded at Lin Zimo. "Meeting time. Zhou Li, dinner for Luoyin and them, night snacks for all."
"Got it." Zhou Li stepped out to order from a fancy spot.
Others dove into album fixes.
Shi Luoyin exhaled quietly, sneaking a glance at Lin Zimo, pinching his waist.
All your fault, big bad egg!
Spraying nonsense!
Lucky for the mask, or you'd have killed me.
Not A-list yet, but pap pics would scream:
【Shock! Sweet singer Shi Luoyin with mystery man, face smeared with... stuff!】
【Goddess Shi Luoyin sports white stain on lip—what went down with the guy?!】
Headlines, hot search—instant doom.
Lin Zimo caught her naughty hand, feigning innocence.
I got spooked too.
You slurped so eagerly; couldn't help it.
Shi Luoyin withdrew, chugging water—mouth still felt off.
…
Lin Zimo knew her bio.
Child star at 3: self-written hits like Pillowtime Fairy Tale, Little Bug Flies, Tiny Frog Hops went viral.
"Genius girl."
Album at 8: Invisible Wings, First Dream, Hello Tomorrow made her a goddess icon.
Now, three years later—a botched album would wreck her.
In the room, grim discussion raged.
"Luoyin's album had 10 tracks planned, but Wang Zhuo's three are copyright poison. Down to seven usable."
"Seven ain't enough. We hyped 10 online—can't slap our own face."
"Rush new songs, rush production. Album needs 10 tracks."
"Time's tight—who'd write now? Paid or not, quality's iffy."
…
Debate stalled, silence fell.
"I'll write for Luoyin."
Lin Zimo's deep, smooth voice shattered the quiet.
The words exploded like a bomb.
Gasps, whispers, incredulous stares.
Entertainment world's full of hot talented guys, but songwriting? Talent and spark.
Lin Zimo's looks and build screamed model, but music chops? Nah, just a pretty boy showboating.
Shock turned to subtle sneers. Heh, face-for-cash gigolo writing for Luoyin? Laughable.
With that face and skill, he'd be huge already.
What clown is this?
…
"You write songs?" Shi Luoyin gaped at him softly.
Her rental boyfriend reqs mentioned music nice-to-have, but songwriting? He seemed serious.
"A bit. Should be fine for you." Lin Zimo downplayed.
Li Yan sized him up, hopeful. "Lin Zimo, right? Written anything before?"
"Nope." Honest—none original, but he'd port one.
Li Yan's face fell, icy. "Then what makes you think you can write for Luoyin? Your looks?"
Arrogant kid. She was pissed; he was joking?
Shi Luoyin, knowing him better, defended. "He's handsome, sure, but maybe he really can."
Sneers rippled. This guy? Write songs?
Lin Biao smirked inwardly, venting a bit, bellowing. "Lin Zimo, this is a meeting—not playtime. Disrupt again, and you're done."
Shi Luoyin bristled. "Who you threatening, Lin Biao? He's not disrupting."
Lin Biao fumed at her protectiveness. "Not disrupting? Prove you write songs! Hiding behind a woman ain't manly."
If alone, he'd smash that face.
Shi Luoyin flared to retort—no one badmouthed her Lin Zimo.
But Lin Zimo cut in. "Fine. Talk's cheap. I'll prove it."
Room hushed, eyes on him like a circus act.
Shi Luoyin fretted alone.
He squeezed her hand: Relax.
Li Yan eyed his calm, hopeful again. "How? Compose live? Music room's got instruments."
Lin Zimo shook his head. "Thanks, but no need. I compose without 'em."
Li Yan soured—shouldn't have hoped.
Stunned silence; stares bored in.
Lin Zimo ignored the mix of curiosity, doubt, mockery.
Grabbed cups to his spot, snagged two pens from a holder.
Tapped cups and table for pitch.
Clinks drew murmurs, eye-rolls, smirks.
Lin Biao scoffed. Monkey entertaining them.
Lin Zimo scanned the disdain, unfazed.
Met Shi Luoyin's worry—then surprise, touched.
She knew music.
He'd tuned up, lounged back lazily.
Pens danced on cups and table.
"Ding-ding-dong-dong..."
Beautiful melody flowed like cool stream water, drawing ears.
Unexpected tune, like a stunning encounter.
Notes—nature's gifts, sculpted into symphony.
Fluid rhythm, peaks and valleys, clear and moving as mountain brook.
Realizing Lin Zimo tapped it lazily on cups?
All dumbfounded!
A bit? Billions of bits!
Lin Zimo unleashed system skill All Things Playable, nailing Jay Chou's Flower Sea intro with elegant flair.
Just the prelude floored them.
Gentle, touching—like spring breeze over riverside blooms under sun.
Beside him, Shi Luoyin propped her chin, staring at his face.
Playing Lin Zimo: eyes downcast, flawless handsome profile glowing under lights, magnetic aura.
She drowned in the tune, vision blooming:
A heartbroken guy recalls etched love.
Girl's silhouette in flower sea, romantic memories, sweet reunions—yet can't return to loving days.
Regret for lost love, learns to cherish post-split, steps forward sadly into tomorrow.
Piece ended; reverie lingered.
Shi Luoyin teared up, moved.
"Lin Zimo, never heard this. Who composed it?"
Li Yan buzzed, urgent. Shocked by cup-table magic, but composer mattered—technique was flex; she needed songs.
Years in the biz: never heard it. Masterwork!
Lin Zimo smiled. "Of course not. Just made it."
Earth was home; sharing home stuff as his? Fair.
"What!? You just... created it?!" Li Yan gawked.
20-ish kid, instant masterpiece? Prodigy!
Others snapped to, gasping in awe.