This Star Only Wants More Money - Chapter 12

Translator: Diviner

Inside a coffee shop at the corner of Luohe City’s central square, a man and a woman sat by the window.

Xu Feng finished the last bit of his coffee in one gulp while looking at Lin Shenghuan, who sat across from him wearing casual clothes and with her hair loosely styled.

“That’s pretty much the whole story. Their ultimate goal is to forcibly sign me and get my copyright. The money isn’t even that important anymore.”

“And besides, didn’t you ask me to get into the top five? I’ve done that perfectly without disappointing you.”

Just moments ago, this woman had been storming in, looking like she wouldn’t rest until she got an explanation.

Finally, she seemed to have calmed down.

Lin Shenghuan slightly lowered her head, using the small spoon in her hand to symbolically scoop a bit of the nearly melted mousse on the table.

After a long pause, she fixed her gaze on Xu Feng and asked, “Are you completely decided? You know the consequences of making such a decision, right?”

Getting into the top five was just something Lin Shenghuan had casually mentioned—she hadn’t really taken it seriously. She certainly didn’t believe anyone would truly have no interest in the championship just because she said to aim for the top five.

Xu Feng set down his coffee cup. “Sister Huan, I’m not someone who makes decisions on a whim.”

“But can you endure all kinds of slander from the media, endure malicious attacks on your work, and endure…”

Lin Shenghuan’s voice gradually softened and slowed, her gaze blankly fixed on Xu Feng as he set down his coffee cup as if it were a wine glass.

Xu Feng chuckled and looked at this elegant beauty, who was outwardly cool but inwardly warm and passionate, and reminded her, “Sister Huan, didn’t you go through all this too?”

Currently, Lin Shenghuan had a partnership with her agency, but this cooperation only came after she became famous. When it came to profit-sharing and other operations, Lin Shenghuan had significant autonomy.

It was a partnership, not subordination.

But before that, it hadn’t been smooth sailing for her.

“…That’s right.”

Lin Shenghuan didn’t try to persuade him further; she didn’t even mention how much the show meant to her, things that had nothing to do with Xu Feng.

She simply said, “Well, I wish you a bright future… Let’s work together again if there’s a chance.”

Lin Shenghuan didn’t even intend to mention how much this show mattered to her.

She had never compromised with the “seniors” when she was starting out, and she certainly didn’t need any compromises from her juniors on her path to the top.

If this path is blocked, then she’ll find another.

“Thank you for your kind words! Oh, and Sister Huan, don’t act rashly and withdraw from the show with me.”

With that, Xu Feng smiled and said goodbye to Lin Shenghuan, turning to leave the coffee shop.

It wasn’t until he had walked over twenty meters away that Lin Shenghuan finally averted her gaze from him.

She scooped another bite of mousse and muttered softly, “You quit the show so effortlessly, leaving me with no contestants… Fine, if the production team is targeting me, then I’ll stir up trouble in the competition!”

No one will have an easy time in the upcoming top-five showdown!

…

The sweltering heat of August made the air feel stifling and unbearable as it hit Xu Feng’s face. He wanted to quickly hail a cab and return home, but as soon as he took out his phone, he saw a new friend request on WeChat. The note read “Dai Mingli.”

Xu Feng accepted the friend request, but before he could send his first message, Dai Mingli eagerly sent a long voice message.

“Brother Xu Feng, I just got off the plane. Congratulations on getting first place! When you become a big star, I’ll be bragging about it everywhere… You were in such a hurry yesterday that I had to ask some contacts to get your information.”

“Seriously, your performance yesterday was amazing. I have a feeling that I’ll be hearing your song everywhere in the coming days.”

After getting off the plane and reconnecting his phone to the network, Dai Mingli received a message from an acquaintance and managed to add Xu Feng on WeChat.

As Xu Feng opened the car door for a ride-hailing service, he casually asked, “What are you planning to do next?”

“Huh?” Dai Mingli hadn’t expected Xu Feng to ask him this question—Xu Feng wasn’t exactly cold, but he always had a bit of an unapproachable aura. He rarely talked about others’ affairs and focused mainly on his own.

In the world of singing, where talent reigns supreme, Xu Feng had indeed demonstrated creativity and strength worthy of respect.

If things went smoothly, just by virtue of this one song and Xu Feng’s growing popularity, he would likely become a second-tier singer.

And a second-tier singer would already be qualified to be a judge on Tomorrow’s God of Song!

Now he was asking about his plans?

Wasn’t that an honor in itself?

Dai Mingli didn’t even bother retrieving his luggage at the baggage claim. He grabbed his phone and began passionately sharing his future plans, “I’ve managed to gain some popularity this time, but my songs are too niche and might not really catch on… I’m thinking of moving to a bar here…”

Xu Feng wasn’t here to listen to this and interrupted him, saying, “I think the most important thing for you right now isn’t to think about those things but to quickly book a flight.”

Dai Mingli was momentarily confused. “Brother Xu Feng, I just got off the plane and am looking for my luggage.”

“Oh, I know,” Xu Feng replied with a hint of mischief, enjoying his relaxed state of mind. He deliberately left a little suspense, “I mean, you should buy a ticket back to Luohe City now.”

Dai Mingli was almost dumbfounded. “Why do I have to go back?”

Was this what it meant to think like a strong person, something an ordinary person couldn’t quickly comprehend?

Xu Feng said slowly, “Because I quit the competition.”

Not wanting to seem too slow-witted in front of a big shot, Dai Mingli replied without thinking, “Oh, I see… Wait, what?! You quit the competition?! Why?!”

Quit the competition?

A first place that was practically set in stone, and he quit!

This was an unimaginable fortune, something countless people would give anything for but still miss, only to have Xu Feng casually say, “I quit.”

The tone was as light as if he had just thrown away a bag of trash.

Xu Feng spoke as if it were a matter of course, “Because my goal was to get into the top five, and now that I’ve achieved that, why stay any longer?”

Dai Mingli, “…”

That’s supposed to be a reason? Mr. Xu, who are you trying to fool?

Xu Feng reminded him, “And you seem to have forgotten that you were ranked first among the eliminated contestants. After I quit, who do you think will take my place?”

After this message was sent, the WeChat chat box remained silent for a full ten seconds.

“Holy crap!!!”

Dai Mingli grabbed his luggage, not even bothering to pull up the handle, and sprinted towards the arrival gate as fast as he could. Then, without stopping, he bolted towards the ticket counter.

He had spent all his savings and had the hopes of his entire circle on his shoulders when he entered the competition. Though his performance was decent, he couldn’t afford to miss out on such a huge opportunity for exposure. He had to seize it!

This was the top five!

At the arrival gate, a few people were holding up “Dai Mingli” signs, looking around expectantly.

Being in the top six of such a large stage was a great encouragement for their small circle. Winning the championship was never in their wildest dreams.

From getting on television to achieving the top ten, and then having a chance to reach the top eight…

All the way through, it at least brought their niche music into the public eye.

The people who came to pick him up were genuinely excited, not just putting on a show.

However, Dai Mingli didn’t even glance back; he kept running for his life.

“Hey, Brother Dai, where are you going? Our car’s not that way!”

“Things have changed! I made it to the top five, and I have to get back to Luohe City!” Dai Mingli’s voice echoed in the terminal as he ran, “And remember, whenever you see Xu Feng, show him respect. Call him Brother—he’s our benefactor!”

…

Xu Feng returned home and picked up his phone to browse entertainment news online, looking for any potential commissions.

If there was no invisible hand in the market, then Xu Feng would become that hand!

Opening his phone, he saw a lot of information about himself on various platforms.

The latest episode of the variety show had just aired, and overnight Xu Feng had become the top trending topic.

Nowadays, the image of a deeply affectionate man was ranked even below that of a dog. It was people like Xu Feng with his sigma persona who garnered more admiration online.

Standing on a stage under everyone’s gaze, singing Ugly Monster for his ex-girlfriend, and then outperforming everyone to take first place—who wouldn’t be excited by this storyline?

Within just one night, passionate netizens had dug up most of Xu Feng’s history.

Scrolling casually, Xu Feng suddenly noticed a post with hundreds of thousands of shares and thousands of comments.

Most importantly, the account that posted this seemed very familiar…

“Uh, isn’t this my own account? Why are there so many comments under this announcement of my withdrawal?”