Just because I wrote "Zhu Xian," the school beauty sent me razor blades.

The elevator goes directly to the fourth floor.

Fei Zhao pushed open the door to the karaoke room, where quite a few people were already seated.

Lin Yuan glanced at it.

A rough estimate suggests there are at least a dozen people.

They were all young women, dressed very differently, but they had one thing in common—

The way they looked at Fei Zhao was with the respect and caution that a working professional would show when facing their boss.

Fei Zhao walked up to the crowd and looked around.

"Is everyone here?"

The female assistant beside him nodded: "Mr. Fei, all the female singers who could make it, from A-list to below, are here."

"good."

Fei Zhao pointed to Lin Yuan beside him.

"Let me introduce you. This is Lin Yuan, the composer for our Tianxing August Star Cloud Chart."

The words fell.

The karaoke room was silent for a full three seconds.

Then, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, ripples spread out in layers.

Everyone looked at each other, their eyes all falling on Lin Yuan.

His eyes were filled with disbelief.

A young man who looks like he's just turned 18, wearing a T-shirt and jeans, and carrying a half-full cup of soy milk?

The composer who topped the August Star Chart?

Are you kidding me?

People were whispering among themselves.

Some people frowned and shook their heads.

Some people even gave the impression that they thought, "Has the company gone mad?"

Lin Yuan stood there, his expression calm, and he even seemed to want to laugh.

He understands that look all too well.

Just like when he first published "Zhu Xian" on Hongqiezi Literature Network, the comment section was full of doubts such as "A newcomer writing Xianxia? Is it even readable?"

The results of it?

Now, those who question him are constantly shouting in the comments section, "Old bastard, update quickly!"

The "it smells so good" principle will never go out of style.

Fei Zhao seemed to have anticipated this reaction; her expression remained unchanged, and she simply added:

"The song has been finalized, and he wrote it. If anyone has any objections, please contact me privately."

These words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing most of the whispers in the karaoke room.

But there are always people who disagree.

"Mr. Fei."

A cool, clear female voice rang out from the other end of the karaoke room.

Lin Yuan looked in the direction of the sound.

The speaker was a woman.

She looked to be in her late twenties, with delicate features, impeccable makeup, and a Chanel suit, exuding an aura of "I am a big brand".

She tilted her chin slightly, her gaze falling on Lin Yuan with undisguised scrutiny and doubt.

Fei Zhao looked at Lin Yuan, his tone calm: "This is Shen Wei. A top-tier singer, five years into her career, three albums, two of which were in the top ten of the year's hottest songs."

Shen Wei looked at Fei Zhao and spoke, her tone neither humble nor arrogant, yet revealing a hidden sharpness.

"President Fei, you should know better than I how important the August Star Chart is to me. This year is crucial for me to win 'Best Female Singer,' and this song has to be of the highest quality."

She turned her head, her gaze falling on Lin Yuan once again.

"I'm not targeting anyone in particular. But this... kid, it seems like he can't even use music production software properly, can he?"

The karaoke room was completely silent.

Everyone held their breath.

"President Fei," she said, turning her gaze directly to Fei Zhao instead of Lin Yuan, "my stance is very clear. If the composer vying for the August charts is this kind of young man with an unknown background, then I have no intention of participating."

"The company either needs to find a new senior composer, or I'm not participating in this month's Star Chart."

The air in the karaoke room seemed to freeze.

All eyes were on Fei Zhao.

Lin Yuan also looked at Fei Zhao.

He wanted to know how this woman would handle it.

Is it a compromise?

Or should we confront them head-on?

Fei Zhao remained expressionless, looking calmly at Shen Wei.

She didn't speak immediately.

He simply looked at the other person with an almost indifferent gaze.

There was no anger, no anxiety, not even a ripple in his eyes.

It's like watching a child throwing a tantrum.

three seconds.

Five seconds.

ten seconds.

Shen Wei's expression began to look somewhat unnatural.

She was certain that Fei Zhao would try to keep her.

After all, she is a top-tier singer and a key candidate for the August charts.

Fei Zhao would never give up her, his cash cow, for a young man of unknown origin.

But Fei Zhao's reaction was completely beyond her expectations.

"good."

Fei Zhao finally spoke.

There is only one word.

Clean and efficient.

"You don't have to participate."

Shen Wei was stunned.

"Mr. Fei, you—"

"Shen Wei, I respect your choice." Fei Zhao's tone was as calm as stating the weather, "But the company has its own arrangements. Tianxing Entertainment will definitely participate in the August Star Chart Awards. If you don't sing, someone else will."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the other people in the karaoke room.

As for the 'senior composer' you mentioned—

Fei Zhao's lips curled up slightly, revealing a smile that was hard to decipher.

"Do you want a 'high-level composer' like Chu Nan, who's made a complete fool of himself by switching jobs so many times?"

Shen Wei's expression changed.

The news that Chu Nan had switched jobs to Starway Entertainment had already spread throughout the industry.

Of course she knew.

But she didn't expect that Fei Zhao would tear off this fig leaf in front of so many people.

"Mr. Fei, I—"

"Turn right after you exit. Don't bother seeing me out." Fei Zhao withdrew his gaze, no longer looking at her. "Take care of yourself."

Shen Wei stood frozen in place, her face alternating between pale and flushed.

Only one thought was racing through her mind—how dare Fei Zhao? Did she really dare to let her go? Tianxing Entertainment was aiming for the August charts; without her, a top-tier singer, to support them, what would they have to compete with?

But when she met Fei Zhao's cold eyes, all her confidence deflated like a balloon punctured by a needle.

She gritted her teeth, her lips, painted with delicate lipstick, trembling slightly. She wanted to argue further, but swallowed her words back under the other person's cold gaze.

Continuing to cause trouble will only bring shame upon oneself.

She grabbed her bag from her shoulder, her knuckles turning white from the effort. As she turned, her high heels slipped on the floor, and she awkwardly grabbed the doorframe to steady herself before slamming the door shut and leaving.

With a "bang".

The door to the karaoke room rattled loudly.

The remaining people looked at each other, not daring to utter a sound.

Lin Yuan stood aside and silently gave Fei Zhao a thumbs up.

This woman is ruthless.

He was initially worried that Fei Zhao would compromise because of Shen Wei's status.

In hindsight, he had been overthinking it.

Fei Zhao is the kind of person who only cares about results.

Whoever blocks the way, get out of here.

Whether you're a top-tier or second-tier star, whether you're a superstar or a superstar.

"Alright." Fei Zhao clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention back. "Now, let's re-screen the candidates."

She looked at Lin Yuan.

"You choose the singer."

"Everyone, audition."