Chapter 39: War of Words

Li He watched Jiang Qi trembling as she scrolled through the short video comments, and as expected, they were full of hostility.

A fresh wave of negative emotions flooded in... On the surface, Li He remained calm as water, but inside, he was blooming with delight. His appetite improved, and he ate the six-yuan cafeteria dinner with gusto.

While Li He was enjoying his meal, He Luo had lost his appetite.

He was about to be infuriated by his own 'fans'.

You people are supposed to be my fans, yet you don't support me and even think it's normal for other fans to attack me... He Luo stared at the accounts claiming to be his fans, leaving comments that shattered his composure.

What kind of fans are these? They're all just anti-fans, aren't they?

The more He Luo read, the angrier he became, his eyes practically spitting fire. These people were blinded, unable to see reality.

Scrolling through the comments, He Luo suddenly sensed something was off. Why were so many accounts not only criticizing him but also raising 'Jabe' up in comparison?

“Old Li, did you buy bots to clean up your image?” He Luo complained, feeling left out of the cleansing campaign.

Clean up?

Li He was momentarily stunned.

How could he possibly want to clear his name? He wished the whole world would drag him through the mud, each person contributing negative emotions so Li He could leech off everyone.

No, he could leech off two worlds.

He Luo handed his phone to Li He, who glanced at the comments under the 'He Luoluo' account with a puzzled expression:

【Nothing wrong with it】: "Teacher Jabe is really having a hard time. Both songs he wrote have been tortured by these two."

【Early Bird】: "Feeling sorry for Teacher Jabe."

【Rain on the Wutong at Midnight】: "I suspect Teacher Jabe released the chopped version lyrics because of a contractual obligation with these two. Otherwise, with his character, he would never do such a thing."

Damn!

Li He was dumbfounded.

What kind of bizarre logic did these netizens have? Truly astonishing!

“This wasn't my doing, I would never spend money to buy bots and clean up my image.” Who would be so bored as to pay for that?

Self-sabotage is more my style.

Then Li He said candidly, “These are the netizens’ genuine thoughts, shameless... He Luo, you really misunderstand me. You’re my childhood friend, yet you know me less than strangers online.”

He He spoke with such heartfelt anguish, almost in tears, that He Luo nearly believed him—believed his best friend was a great guy, while he himself was the shameless villain, guilty of terrible crimes.

Once a person abandons shame, there’s nothing you can do... He Luo marveled at his friend’s thick skin—bulletproof.

“You really are shameless.”

He Luo almost wanted to ask if he could be taught how to do that, for he wished to learn.

...

Jiang Qi's short video shot to the top, dominating the top three spots on the short video trending list in less than an hour.

#He Luoluo 2.0 is here#

#Jiang Qi’s debut album lead single ‘Bubble’ released early#

#He Luoluo and Jiang Qi’s PY deal#

Similarly, over half of the top five trending topics on Weibo belonged to Jiang Qi.

#Chopped version of ‘Bubble’—so good you’ll want to break up#

#He Luoluo 2.0 is here#

#If you hate him, let him listen to the chopped version#

#What has Jiang Qi been through#

On the thirteenth spot of the Weibo trending topics, a newly rising topic appeared:

#Poor Teacher Jabe#

He Luo felt like punching someone. Their imagination was running wild, flying out of the galaxy.

If this keeps up, wouldn’t they say Jabe saved the galaxy in a previous life?

He Luo was speechless. Clearly, the rotten idea had come from Li He, yet now he was the only one left out.

This doesn’t make sense.

While He Luo questioned his existence, Jiang Qi and ‘Bubble’ quickly exploded in popularity.

With Shengshi Entertainment behind her, the spread of the chopped version of ‘Bubble’ was much faster than the previous ‘Melancholy’.

From the release of the chopped version at six in the afternoon to midnight, the entire internet’s discussion had reached the level of ‘Melancholy’ after a day and night of natural fermentation.

As Jiang Qi soared in popularity, thanks to the chopped version, He Luoluo was mentioned again.

And promptly, he was roasted once more.

Shengshi Entertainment.

Liu Kang, the head of the singers’ division, was in great spirits, even lounging on the massage chair for half an hour during his lunch break.

“Do you have Jabe’s contact info?” Liu Kang asked Deng Qin.

Deng Qin shook her head. “I don’t. ‘Bubble’ was a song Jiang Qi invited herself.”

Meaning, the contact was with Jiang Qi, not her.

Liu Kang pondered, then said, “Ask Jiang Qi to probe his intentions, convey Shengshi’s goodwill. If possible, I hope Jabe can sign with Shengshi.”

He didn’t say to directly ask for the contact info—since Jiang Qi didn’t offer it from the start, it meant Jabe didn’t want to give it.

“Alright.”

Deng Qin smiled. “When Jiang Qi returned last time, she said Jabe was a really nice guy, very easy to talk to, no airs at all, very genial.”

“We have a good chance of signing him.”

Liu Kang nodded, letting the topic drop, and asked, “Did Jiang Qi meet He Luoluo in Spring City?”

Deng Qin replied, “Teacher Jabe and He Luoluo are close friends, probably knew each other since childhood. Their bond is strong.”

Known each other since childhood...

Liu Kang immediately said, “Since we don’t have Teacher Jabe’s contact, and he doesn’t reply to Weibo or short video messages, let’s find He Luoluo, and send him private messages on both platforms.”

At this, Deng Qin’s expression turned odd. “He Luoluo did reply to the private message, but his answer was ambiguous, saying he’d consider. Then I used another account saying I was from Tangren Company, and he replied the same—he’d consider.”

Is this shopping for groceries, comparing prices everywhere?

Liu Kang pinched his temples, exhausted. “Keep an eye on Jabe for me. I can’t spare the time lately.”

His eyes were dark, clearly suffering from sleepless nights.

“Is it ‘Guardian’? Are they still unsatisfied with the theme song?” Deng Qin asked.

The film ‘Guardian’ was Shengshi’s opening move into the film industry, with investments in the hundreds of millions.

Shengshi placed enormous importance on this movie, pouring all company resources into it, granting whatever was needed.

“That’s right, ‘Guardian’.”

Liu Kang forced a smile; he hadn’t slept properly for several nights because of it.

Deng Qin was astonished. “Still not enough? We’ve produced five theme songs already, even got the song queen to sing, yet they’re not satisfied. What more do they want?”

She had thought the song queen’s involvement would settle the issue, but the director still wasn’t happy.

“‘Guardian’ is too important for the company. Everything must be perfect; after all, it’s our debut in the film industry. A good start is crucial.”

Liu Kang waved his hand. “Just keep a close eye on Jabe. Don’t let him get signed by another company.”

The first person Shengshi had contact with was Li He, which basically meant they had the advantage. If Jabe ended up signing elsewhere, it would be a slap in the face.

Plus, a top-tier lyricist-composer is coveted by every company.

A platinum lyricist-composer can create several top singers for a company.

But a top singer is just one top singer.

...

The explosive popularity of the chopped version of ‘Bubble’ was a boon for Shengshi Entertainment, but a disaster for other companies, especially those with singers releasing songs in June.

On the third day after Jiang Qi released the chopped version of ‘Bubble’, a new voice appeared online.

Weibo:

【No Ban】: “Jiang Qi is already in full chart-slaying mode. Why is there no news from Yin Mengna, who debuted in February as well?”

【Qi Qi Together】: “Don’t just compare anyone to our Jiang Qi. As everyone knows, there’s only one rookie king in February—and that’s Jiang Qi Qizi.”

【Little Dummy】: “True, Yin Mengna’s ability, popularity, and looks are all inferior to Jiang Qi.”

【Omnipotent】: “Actually, I find Yin Mengna okay, she’s not without talent, but still a bit behind Jiang Qi.”

【Ella Fang】: “Didn’t Yin Mengna always claim she’s just as strong as Jiang Qi? Now that Jiang Qi is dominating the charts, where are you, @Yin Mengna?”

【I’m the Scapegoat】: “Careful up there, Yin Mengna is petty. If you tag her, watch out for a lawyer’s warning.”

【I’m the Best】: “Yin Mengna doesn’t dare show up. She can talk big, but if she goes head-to-head with Jiang Qi, she fears embarrassment and ruining her image.”

This sentiment spread quickly, soon climbing to eighth on the trending list.

#Jiang Qi challenges, Yin Mengna too timid to respond#

#Both debuted as February rookie kings, who is stronger?#

#Yin Mengna is scared#

Now, Yin Mengna’s fans wouldn’t take it lying down. Defending their idol was every fan’s ‘duty’.

【Mengna】: “Our Mengna doesn’t need to compare to anyone. She’s the best.”

【Nana】: “Ignore these trolls. They only yap online. If they’re so tough, let’s see them act wild in real life.”

【Nana’s the prettiest】: “Jiang Qi’s fans are so disgusting, such low standards. Like kindergarten brats. If the fans are like this, Jiang Qi’s character can’t be much better.”

【Mengmeng】: “With Jiang Qi’s looks, only the blind would be her fan.”

Yin Mengna’s fans fought valiantly, holding their own against overwhelming odds.

...

Soon, Jiang Qi’s fans, brimming with fury, arrived at the battlefield, launching their assault.

【Qi Qi’s the prettiest】: “You must have vision problems. I suggest you see a doctor and get an ophthalmology appointment.”

【Jiang Qi’s number one fanboy】: “Who is Yin Mengna, anyway? Can someone tell me? Never heard of her.”

【Jiang Qi is my wife】: “Everyone, don’t respond. Don’t let a certain Mengna leech our hype.”

【I’m Jiang Qi’s husband】: “I agree with the above. Yin Mengna is resorting to self-sabotage for attention, but since she isn’t talented, the more she does, the more irrelevant she’ll become.”

The two sides clashed fiercely. Weibo, short video platforms, forums, tieba... everywhere, fans from both camps were locked in battle.

【Little Bird】: “I broke up with my girlfriend because she likes Yin Mengna. I doubt her taste; it might affect our future kids.”

The onlookers were thoroughly entertained.

Li He sat cross-legged on his newly bought desk chair in the dorm, munching on sunflower seeds, watching the flame war between Jiang Qi’s and Yin Mengna’s fans.

“Damn, this person’s really blind,” Xu Teng behind him suddenly cursed.

The chubby roommate poked his round head out from the upper bunk, curious. “Who pissed off Teng-ge? Tell me, let me enjoy it.”

Li He discreetly pricked up his gossipy ears, but didn’t turn around.

“Get lost.”

Xu Teng laughed and cursed, “Some idiot actually said Yin Mengna is prettier than Jiang Qi. Damn, blind as a bat.”

Damn... Li He listened for nothing, retracted his keen ears, and continued to watch the online battle.

The disappointed chubby roommate lay back in bed, returning to the world of anime.

Xu Teng was caught in a tough fight; the opponent was strong and he struggled to hold his own.

Soon, reinforcements arrived. Xu Teng and his teammate started a two-on-one brawl.

“No matter how good you are at cursing, you only have one mouth.” Xu Teng felt confident again.

Then he left the battle zone, planning a solo fight, but was quickly overwhelmed and began calling for help.

Brothers Entertainment.

Yin Mengna was furious. If not for her assistant holding her back, she would have lashed out on Weibo.

What’s wrong with these people? I just took a beauty nap and woke up to a changed world.

Though the assistant stopped Yin Mengna from posting with her verified account, she grabbed her phone and used an alt to battle the trolls.

The assistant watched, blood boiling, secretly amazed that the elegant Yin Mengna could curse so ferociously.

After a fierce fight, Yin Mengna conceded defeat—there were simply too many enemies, and she couldn’t handle them all.

At that moment.

Yin Mengna was filled with grievance; why was everyone attacking her? She knew she had talent, but others refused to see it.

She wanted to vent, to cry, to confide in someone.

The assistant was still cheering her on, but suddenly the mood shifted and the assistant couldn’t keep up with Yin Mengna’s change.

After ten seconds, the assistant asked worriedly, “Nana, don’t mind those trolls. They only seek attention online; in real life, they’re nothing.”

She thought Yin Mengna was upset by the haters—after all, debuting alongside Jiang Qi in February had always been painful.

Yin Mengna shook her head and handed back the phone. “I didn’t expect Jiang Qi to release the chopped version; she’s got guts.”

She remembered that when He Luoluo released the chopped version of ‘Melancholy’, Jiang Qi was the first to comment and urge for updates.

Now, Jiang Qi had released her own chopped version.

What does this mean? Do all dragon-slaying heroes eventually become dragons themselves?

Actually, Yin Mengna was tempted. She wanted to release a chopped version, too.

After being tested by He Luoluo and Jiang Qi, the chopped version proved surprisingly effective.

Though there were many critics, the attention never waned, and paid downloads soared after the full version was released.

“Do you think I should record a chopped version and post it on the short video platform?” Yin Mengna sought her assistant’s opinion.

The assistant hemmed and hawed, unable to give a clear answer—this wasn’t something a mere assistant could decide.

Sometimes even offering advice was risky, since you could be blamed later.

Not getting the answer she wanted, Yin Mengna took the phone and prepared to call her agent. This situation needed the agent’s input.

The assistant was too cautious; only the agent could be shaken for an answer.

——

(Post first, edit later)