Chapter 9: I Considered You a Brother, Yet You Threw Me into the Pool

Page 1/3

Kotoba's small mouth kept moving as her eyes sparkled with anticipation, waiting for a response.

"Actually, I don’t really know much either. Simply put, with my current level of fame, I can’t reach people at their level." That was true—Tang Xu was somewhat known, but only a little. In the entertainment industry, many have a modest reputation.

They resembled dust floating in the air, only visible under the sunlight.

“You’re an actor suddenly wanting to sing? Isn’t that a bit too big a leap?”

Recalling the past, Tang Xu clearly wanted to share. Some memories that sounded painful became sweet like candy in his mouth.

“I actually debuted through a talent show. A few years ago, ‘Happy China’s Voice’ exploded in popularity. When the second year’s auditions came around, I couldn’t resist signing up. Luckily, I ranked fifth nationwide that year. Sounds unbelievable, right? Fifth place, something I never dared to dream of, yet it landed on someone as unknown as me.”

He thought it was the start of success, but it turned out to be a ticket straight to hell.

The agency’s negligence meant most of the planned promotions and rewards never happened. It was a hellish beginning. When Tang Xu wanted to leave, he was told he had to pay an exorbitant breach of contract fee.

“At that time, someone with a fragile mindset actually climbed a building and jumped off.” A vibrant life was extinguished just like that. It didn’t seem to cause much stir in the eyes of capitalists.

“As for me? I was okay. What else could I do? Jump off like him? In the end, you gain nothing and get smeared with countless insults.”

Even if it sparked public opinion, people would eventually forget with time.

Later, only two paths lay before him.

Either pay the penalty and leave, or obey the agency’s arrangements.

“They’re terrifying! Like a gluttonous monster, constantly sucking dry whatever useful they can from us. They sign so many people; those who don't obey get blacklisted. No work means no pay, and you can’t take other gigs. Whose youth can withstand such wear and tear? In the end, we are forced to compromise and assimilate into people like them. The lucky ones who get famous can at least fight back a bit, but trying to leave such a predatory company means either dying or being stripped bare. For those like us stuck in the middle, it all ends in nothing.”

He once thought dreams meant freedom, but in the end, dreams bound his freedom.

In this era where money reigns supreme, how many can resist the temptation to become famous overnight?

And those standing atop the pyramid, beneath their splendid clothes, hide countless scars.

“I’ve been desperately taking on all sorts of small roles these years, saving some money. I thought even if I don’t get my big break, after my contract ends, I could open a small shop in a second- or third-tier city and sing sometimes. Life wouldn’t be so bad. But alas…”

Misfortune chooses those already suffering.

“You’re signed to Morning Star Entertainment?”

At the mention of Morning Star, Tang Xu grew excited. His fists pressed on the wooden table, eyes reddening.

“Morning Star should have gone bankrupt ages ago. It shouldn’t even exist in this world. Han Lu deserves a terrible fate; the whole company, from top to bottom, inside and out, is rotten.”

Enough already, stop cursing. Hearing this, Kotoba felt as if she was being scolded too.

She walked over to the shelf and took down a microphone.

Page 2/3

“Here, this is the microphone you wanted.”

Tang Xu picked it up, touched it with some joy, then sadly put it down again.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s not what I want. This isn’t quite right for me.”

“What then suits you?” Kotoba pulled out many different microphones from the sample collection, all various styles. “These are all top sellers on the market, but still none catch your eye?”

None at all.

Tang Xu examined each one; indeed, they were all fine. But none gave him that impulsive feeling the moment he held it.

“It’s hard to describe, more like a feeling!” After so long, he wanted to find the old version of himself. Maybe the young one, maybe the one full of drive. “Maybe I’m no longer qualified to have it now.”

In Kotoba’s eyes, she wouldn’t allow such a word.

“Leave it to me.”

Before she finished speaking, Tang Xu was ushered out. Standing in the cold wind, he shivered, chilled to the bone.

“How can you feel cold after you’re dead?”

“That’s because your last breath hasn’t left yet.”

A voice suddenly echoed through the courtyard, making him jump forward twice in fright.

What the—? Turning around, a robot stood behind him. In the dim courtyard, it was quite eerie.

Golden Nugget blinked and then blurted out something astonishing. “Ghost, you scared me! Waaah…”

Tang Xu was speechless. What kind of thing was this? Dirty words and all.

“Are you a real robot or a fake one?”

A very good question, and it stumped Golden Nugget.

“Ah, that’s a tough one. My head might sprout a brain. Maybe you should ask the person who created me?”

True enough, he hadn’t really looked. The environment was tranquil and quaint, with every piece of furniture valuable. From start to finish, he’d only seen Kotoba, a dog, and a robot with a clipped voice.

“Is the person who created you Kotoba?”

“Nope.”

“Then who?”

“He Wenrui.”

Page 3/3

“Where is he?”

“In the grave.”

...

That was like stabbing a knife in the butt, opening his eyes wide.

Seeing Tang Xu silent, the robot wiggled its chubby body and rubbed against his pants leg.

“How did you die?”

Maybe he had bottled up too much before and had no one to share with—now talking to a robot, he could let it all out. Sitting on a bench in the yard, he began.

“Accidentally fell from a building.”

“That’s really careless!”

Tang Xu took a deep breath, telling himself not to argue with a silly robot. It was the only one who could listen now.

“What does death feel like?”

The robot had never died, so it didn’t know.

“Probably like your battery running out!”

Why so silent? What happened to your persistent curiosity? Tang Xu looked again—this robot was so ridiculous! When did it set out a tray of melon seeds and watermelon? The shells were scattered almost all over.

“You…”

Golden Nugget burst into tears, truly heartbroken, eyes brimming with water ready to flow out. “Kotoba really wants to kill me. She’s always trying to take out my battery. I declare I’m running away from home.”

The situation was getting stranger—this robot had more drama than him. Tang Xu got up to comfort it but tripped over the fruit tray on the ground, flying forward and falling into the pond, startling a flock of goldfish quietly munching on the surface.

After struggling to stand in the chaotic pond, Golden Nugget shouted that it was going in to save him. Just as Tang Xu’s head surfaced, he was pushed back underwater by the heavy Golden Nugget.

Almost died at the bottom of the pond.

I took you as a brother, and you kicked me into the pond.