The press releases for Lu Keke were flying everywhere. Of course, while the public enjoyed the gossip, they also used their brains. They couldn't just believe everything they heard and demanded that Lu Keke provide evidence. Words alone were not enough; why should they believe her?
Lu Keke, having steeled herself, was prepared. They had bribed an obscure composer, who then released a video.
"Hello everyone, I am Ling Xiao, the author of 'Crimson Butterfly.' I am here today to defend my rights because... I am very sure that the song 'Phoenix Soaring Through the Nine Heavens' is not my work. Here, I demand that the other party issue a public apology!"
"I have already instructed a law firm to file a lawsuit. I will not tolerate such defamation of my character."
Lu Keke was determined. For God to want to destroy someone, He must first drive them mad! She had her relatives investigate; the author of 'Crimson Butterfly' had never appeared in public before, which was why she dared to do this. Moreover, even if the truth came out, she had paid the young composer, and could later claim that the composer herself was desperate for fame! However, once Lin Mu Ci and the others were dragged into a lawsuit, regardless of the truth, their group would be finished. No one would listen to their explanations. No matter how they looked at it, Era Girls would be ruined. And she had merely found someone to expose them. It was a sure win, which was why she was so fearless.
Yang Wei Yang was shocked when she saw the video. She even wondered if it was true that 'Phoenix Soaring Through the Nine Heavens' was not the work of Ling Xiao, the genius author of 'Crimson Butterfly.' The other party sounded so serious and convincing. She felt uneasy and considered asking her manager, Ye Tong Tong. But Lin Mu Ci merely glanced at the screen and stated with certainty, "She's a fake."
"She's not Ling Xiao at all."
Yang Wei Yang looked at Lin Mu Ci, perplexed. "How could that be? She's publicly speaking out, practically showing her ID to report them. How could she not be Ling Xiao? Xiao Ci, are you sure? Have you met the real Ling Xiao? But that's impossible, Ling Xiao disappeared five years ago!"
Lin Mu Ci's tone was resolute. "Of course, I'm sure."
"She's not the real one." For someone to accuse others was one thing, but to accuse her... wasn't that ridiculous? 'Crimson Butterfly' was written by her! Ling Xiao was one of her pen names back then. It was her alter ego! Lin Mu Ci snorted. "Just wait and see, they'll be finished sooner or later."
As she was speaking to Yang Wei Yang, her phone rang. Lin Mu Ci answered, and Ling Qian He's clear and melodious voice reached her ears. "Do you need my help?"
"Wife?" It was better if he didn't call her "wife" at the end. After he called her that, Lin Mu Ci became even more unwilling to speak to him. She hung up the phone!
On the other end, Ling Qian He was slightly surprised, then reached up to stroke his chin. Oops. It seemed... he had angered his wife!
...
'Phoenix Soaring Through the Nine Heavens' continued its global surge in popularity, especially Yang Wei Yang's rap part, which was a complete killing part! The rap sparked a craze, with countries all over learning it. A quick scroll on short video platforms would reveal countless renditions of Yang Wei Yang's baby-voiced rap!
"Hahaha, Yang Wei Yang has really made herself proud this time!"
"I thought she was cute and soft, but she can also be a cool older sister. If that's the case, I think she can completely win over Xiao Ci, hehe."
"This song is truly amazing! Family, I can't hold back any longer. Phoenix rebirth, I'm obsessed with this concept this time. The strength of these four women is incredible; they always surprise people!"
"Having Yang Wei Yang rap was a stroke of genius. This song is so powerful, how was it made so perfect?"
"Damn these four women, I love them to death. Xiao Ci is definitely the true core, the soul of Era Girls!"
Everyone was full of praise. However, regarding the accusations, they also felt that if they had indeed impersonated the legendary composer Ling Xiao to release a song, an apology was indeed warranted. But Lin Mu Ci's attitude was extremely firm! On her own social media platform, she directly posted, "We have not impersonated anyone. I am 100% certain that our song is a new work by Ling Xiao, the author of 'Crimson Butterfly.'"
"We will absolutely not lie to our fans."
People were a little puzzled. "Xiao Ci's confidence is so strong... it shouldn't be fake. Is there some misunderstanding here?"
"I think so too, maybe there's a misunderstanding. Otherwise... there wouldn't be such a tense atmosphere, such confrontation. It should be easily resolved."
"Even if this song isn't Ling Xiao's work, it's still a top-tier masterpiece. The music critics have gone crazy, giving such high scores. That's undeniable, right?"
Everyone felt there was some misunderstanding, but the situation remained at a stalemate. What no one expected was that the person who would break the deadlock would be Ling Qian He. During a program interview, he publicly stated, "Era Girls' new song was indeed written by Ling Xiao. I can guarantee it."
"I will stake my reputation in the entertainment industry to prove the authenticity of this matter."
The reporters immediately erupted, feeling as though they had heard incredible breaking news, and stared at him with wide eyes. "Really?"
"Are you sure?"
Ling Qian He nodded. "It's true."
The reporters were still puzzled as to why Ling Qian He would get involved in this controversy. Moreover, his tone was too certain. It was as if he had seen the composer write the song. "How can you be so sure? How did you achieve such certainty? We're not trying to be difficult, but you know, Ling Xiao herself publicly stated that the song wasn't hers... What do you think about this? As the genius composer who won the Best Composer and Lyricist award with 'Crimson Butterfly' back then, she has no reason to lie..."
Ling Qian He showed no mercy. "Because she's fake."
"I know who the real Ling Xiao is."
"'Phoenix Soaring Through the Nine Heavens' was written by her. I saw her write it."
Yang Wei Yang, watching Ling Qian He's interview, was dumbfounded. She was practicing the choreography for a new song in the practice room, clinging to Lin Mu Ci's arm and shaking her vigorously. "Xiao Ci, Xiao Ci, Tutor Ling says he knows Ling Xiao! He even said he saw her write 'Phoenix Soaring Through the Nine Heavens'..."
"Is that true?"
Lin Mu Ci rolled her eyes in exasperation. "It's fake!"
"He's lying! The truth is not what he says— he never saw it firsthand!" Hmph! Ling Qian He is indeed a lying scoundrel! However, seeing as he was getting revenge for her, she would tolerate it.
Ling Qian He's clarification was a decisive blow. He personally declared that the young composer who came forward was fake, and his fans naturally went to investigate the other party's identity. They discovered that she could indeed not be Ling Xiao, as her past works lacked inspiration and were very crude.
Of course, the true fatal blow was a conversation between her and a staff member from Lu Keke's team.
"Don't worry, I'll definitely ruin Era Girls this time!"
"The real Ling Xiao won't appear. As long as I impersonate Ling Xiao, I can make them utterly disgraced!"
"This act of impersonating a composer will make them unable to hold their heads up in the music industry forever, nailed to the pillar of shame!"
She thought it was a brilliant plan, but the one nailed to the pillar of shame became herself, and Lu Keke's team was also questioned. Lu Keke was forced to issue a statement. "This is the individual action of a temporary worker; our Sweet Dream team had no prior knowledge of this."
"We have already dismissed this self-righteous staff member!" However, such words did not gain public acceptance or trust. People continued to mock her, taunting her.
"How shameless! To find someone to impersonate a composer?"
"She thought no one would speak up for Xiao Ci and the others, since the composer never appeared in public before. She calculated everything, but never expected Ling Qian He to know the composer Ling Xiao, and Ling Qian He said he saw the composer write the song firsthand..."
"Hey, wait a minute, I've found the key point."
"What's the relationship between Brother Qian He and the composer? How could he see the composer write the song?"
"In other words, is the reason this composer cannot appear publicly related to Brother Qian He? Is she someone close to him?" This speculation immediately piqued everyone's interest.
"It's possible!"
"Hey? It feels like we've discovered a shocking secret!" Everyone became excited and eagerly discussed the gossip online. Yang Wei Yang herself was engrossed in scrolling through forums, discussing animatedly with Han Jiu Zhen and Ou Ruo La.
"Do you think it might be Qian He's manager, Chen Fei?"
"Given how smug Brother Qian He is, he must know the composer."
"And Brother Qian He is also quite good at writing songs, perhaps his songwriting skills were honed by this genius composer?" The more they thought about it, the more they felt it must be true!
"Absolutely." Lin Mu Ci, standing aside, had a blank expression, her stomach aching from holding back laughter. She wondered how astonished her group members would be if they knew she was the real "Ling Xiao." Only she could understand everyone's strengths and write the most suitable lyrics and melodies for them! And only she would specifically arrange suitable baby-voiced raps for Yang Wei Yang, whose singing skills were not as strong, allowing her to become a huge hit this time and no longer feel like a burden to the entire team. Era Girls, flying high together, no one gets left behind!