Chapter 42: The wildly popular online novel, "Treading Mountains and Rivers"

The dazzling disco balls above the bar swayed brightly, splashing colorful lights onto the stage. Shi Shi, like an out-of-place rabbit, leaped into a world of ferocious beasts.

She greeted everyone generously on stage: "Hello everyone, I am Shi Shi. I will be performing a song called 'Treading Mountains and Rivers' for you."

This once wildly popular online song from her past life had dominated countless charts. Most importantly, it wasn't too difficult; Chengcheng could definitely sing it without a problem. If all else failed, she could just get the audio fixed. She only cared about selling the song; the rest was none of her concern.

She borrowed the band's electric guitar and began to sing.

"The autumn wind and setting sun sink into the long river, how many boats sail through the misty rain."

Jagged rocks pierce the sky, stirring up countless flames of war.

Having traversed countless mountains and rivers, to whom does the world now fall?

"Parting and reunion lasts only a few decades."

After singing the first few lines, Qu Wen began to regret her decision. She had initially thought Shi Shi was just a behind-the-scenes figure who occasionally gained some popularity through variety shows. She hadn't taken her seriously, otherwise she wouldn't have bossed her around so easily. Unexpectedly, this song actually suited Cheng Cheng quite well. It seemed that finding Song Ming was the right decision.

"Sister Song, are you really not considering going back to Qunxing?"

Song Ming didn't mince words: "You don't need to test me. I'm completely disillusioned with Qunxing. I'm quite happy here now. The work pace is slow, which suits my retirement lifestyle. I also have time to take care of the kids, unlike before when I was swamped with work."

Qunxing is an old company with many legacy issues. She used to be so busy it practically took up 24 hours a day. But she earned a lot back then. Unlike now, her annual salary at Shi Shi's is only a few hundred thousand yuan. It's not even as much as she used to earn in a month. But she doesn't live off her annual salary. The main source of income at Shi Shi's company is profit sharing.

"This song is great, I like it. I'll offer a million to buy the whole song." Qu Wen seemed generous, but that wasn't the case. What she meant by "buying the whole song" was that she would also get the copyright to the song.

Song Ming knew all too well that the most valuable thing about songs was the copyright; only copyright was a golden goose that could generate a continuous stream of wealth. She shook her head: "1 million is fine, but only for the performance rights of this song."

"Sister Song, isn't that a bit unfair? As far as I know, Shishi is still a newcomer, and her industry price is at most 300,000."

The initiative was in their hands. Song Ming was not afraid at all: "In the songwriting industry, the work speaks for itself. As long as her song is worth the money, what does status matter? If you really want to spend a lot of money to find someone with a high status, why come to us?"

In fact, Qu Wen had already approached two top-tier artists. But they ignored him. The reason is simple: given the same hit song with the potential to instantly go viral, wouldn't they give it to a second-tier or first-tier singer? Or perhaps to a has-been singer for a comeback? They all sell their songs for the same price anyway. There's no need to use their good work to promote a nobody.

Song Ming and Qu Wen were both well aware of this.

"For your sake, I'll only raise it to 500,000 at most."

"Wenwen, after all these years, you're still the same as before. What face do I have in front of you?"

"600,000."

Song Ming stopped responding, picked up the soda water on the table and took a sip, a gesture that served as a buffer: "There's still a part to this song, take your time thinking about it, no rush."

The implication was that there was no room for negotiation.

The second floor of the bar features semi-open booths. Guests sitting on the second floor can clearly see the live music performances on the first floor.

"Brother Yanting, look! It's Shi Shi!" Zhao Xiao exclaimed excitedly.

Gu Yanting had also seen it. He was going to handle a divorce case for someone. The couple were well-known entrepreneurs in the business circle and had interacted with Zhao Xiao's family before. He came to inquire about the situation.

Then we saw Shi Shi fly onto the stage like a light butterfly.

"The wind swept away the broken cavalry and tore apart their armor, staining the vast yellow sands with blood."

Amidst laughter and conversation, who can remain?

After he finished singing a DJ version of "Treading Mountains and Rivers," the entire venue was buzzing with excitement.

"One more! One more!"

The few people upstairs and downstairs asked Shi Shi to sing another poem.

Having achieved her goal, Shi Shi returned to her seat.

"Well, have you made up your mind?" Song Ming gave her final ultimatum. After listening to the song, she was completely relieved. Even if Qu Wen didn't buy it, there would be plenty of people vying for it.

"The price you offered is fine. Deal."

Song Ming and Shi Shi exchanged a glance and simultaneously raised their glasses: "Then let's toast to a pleasant cooperation."

Shi Shi had a truly exhausting day. She said goodbye to the other three at the bar entrance and prepared to take a taxi home.

"Little lion?"

Shi Shi turned around and saw Zhao Xiao and Gu Yanting.

"What a coincidence, what are you doing here?"

"My cousin and I came to discuss some business. We saw you performing. Do you have a new piece to release?"

"No, it was sold to someone else."

Zhao Xiao felt a slight, strange feeling. He knew Shi Shi ran a company, and although she still had the same face, he just felt that the girl from college was drifting further and further away from him.

"If you need anything, just let me know. Isn't all this hard work to support my old classmate?" Zhao Xiao said casually.

"Great, does that mean I can be a freeloader?"

"I couldn't ask for more. It's too late, let me take you home. I'm worried about you going home alone. You won't refuse me again, will you?" Zhao Xiao was referring to the time he was rejected at the last class reunion.

Shi Shi smiled outwardly, but inwardly she was cursing. Zhang Yumin was a crazy woman, and she didn't want to get entangled with her.

"Okay, then Attorney Gu, let's go together. Another day of having two women on either side of me, a domineering CEO and a celibate lawyer. I'll be laughing in my dreams tonight."

Domineering CEO Zhao Xiao: ... ...

Abstinent Lawyer Gu Yanting: ... ...

"Get in the car, Shi Shi, who's both beautiful and talented, and my abstinent cousin. Hahahaha!" Zhao Xiao opened the passenger door and looked at Shi Shi. Gu Yanting walked past Shi Shi and slammed the car door shut.

"Drive carefully, Mr. Zhao." She then glared at him.

Zhao Xiao: My cousin is still so vengeful.

Shi Shi breathed a sigh of relief and sat in the back row with Gu Yanting. Zhao Xiao tried to find topics to chat with Shi Shi about the whole way, but Gu Yanting's icy aura was enough to freeze the car.

When Shi Shi arrived home, Zhao Xiao didn't rush to start the car. He picked up a cigarette, lit it, and put it in his mouth. His eyes, through his glasses and through the hazy smoke, looked at Gu Yanting.

"If I didn't know you were a celibate lawyer, I would have thought you were jealous and that's why you ruined my chance to chat with Shi Shi." He spoke very softly, almost as if he were joking. His casual attitude made it seem like he was really joking.

Gu Yanting knew that Zhao Xiao wouldn't joke like that.

"So what if I am, so what if I am not?" Gu Yanting knew that Zhao Xiao would find out if he pursued Shi Shi, so he might as well tell her himself rather than be discovered.

However, he hasn't made up his mind yet... After all, he's only interested, not really into it.

Hearing him say that, Zhao Xiao's face turned sour: "We've always had similar tastes since we were kids, I never thought we'd like the same type of woman."