Chapter Eight: The Scoundrel!

When the song ended, Chen Fang took a brief rest and began to sing "Anhe Bridge." The melody of "Anhe Bridge" was simple. This time, Chen Fang handed over the task of guitar accompaniment to Pang Tong, so he could focus wholeheartedly on singing.

The crowd grew ever larger. At the very center, Chen Fang followed the rhythm of Pang Tong's guitar, clapping his hands to the beat. Some in the audience had watched the preliminary round of Starlight Path online, so this was their second time hearing "Anhe Bridge." More people, however, had stopped by chance, first hearing "Zebra, Zebra," then staying for the subsequent "Anhe Bridge."

Xi Yuanyuan and You Nianwei belonged to the latter group.

"Is there more original music?" Xi Yuanyuan's eyes shone with even greater delight. Still folk music! Still of such high quality! Who would have thought that two songs of this caliber could come from the same person, and that person was only a street musician...

A few minutes later, "Anhe Bridge" ended. Chen Fang coughed lightly, his voice strained from overuse throughout the day, now feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

The people around him did not disperse; they were waiting for Chen Fang to sing another song. But Pang Tong quietly informed Chen Fang that their earnings tonight had already exceeded a thousand.

Indeed! The power of the people is truly great.

Time to end the stream. No more singing.

Thinking this, Chen Fang stood up and announced loudly, "Everyone, Pang Tong and I will end our performance here tonight. We need to pack up and head home. Thank you all for listening!"

The most important thing now was to eat! Chen Fang had not eaten all day, and hunger was making him dizzy.

Hearing his words, those around him felt a pang of regret, hoping for one more song. But Chen Fang was simply too hungry and exhausted, only wishing for a hearty meal before going home to sleep.

Packing up their belongings, Chen Fang and Pang Tong thanked the crowd as they squeezed their way out.

"We've got money!" Chen Fang exclaimed joyfully.

It was the same feeling as when he had earned his first bucket of gold on Earth!

Pang Tong was equally excited, shouting, "We've got money!!"

A moment later, Pang Tong patted Chen Fang on the shoulder. "But that morin khuur, we really should get it back if we get the chance. It cost money, can't just leave it behind."

Chen Fang cast him a glance, his expression one of exasperated disappointment. "Look at you—how petty!"

Then, the two burst out laughing together.

Just then, a soft voice drifted from behind them.

"Being a street musician won't earn you much."

The sudden voice startled Chen Fang and Pang Tong. Turning around, they saw two graceful figures standing under the streetlights. The yellowish glow traced the contours of their flawless features, the interplay of light and shadow so perfect it felt unreal, like something out of an anime.

Pang Tong was utterly dumbstruck.

Chen Fang was momentarily confused. Weren't these the two women who had been standing in the front row listening earlier?

"Is there something you need?" Chen Fang asked with a gentle smile, gazing directly into their eyes.

Xi Yuanyuan marveled inwardly; Chen Fang's face left her awestruck every time she saw it. He was too handsome. As a talent manager for an entertainment company, she had met countless attractive male artists, yet Chen Fang's features and aura belonged to someone unforgettable at first sight.

The streetlight illuminated Chen Fang's slender form, lending him an unreal beauty as well.

Xi Yuanyuan stepped forward, stopping a meter away from Chen Fang. He could even smell her perfume—a scent both passionate and bold, matching her personality.

"My name is Xi Yuanyuan. I'm a talent manager at Future Stardom Entertainment Company," she said. "How should I address you?"

A talent manager?

This time, Chen Fang scrutinized her carefully. Had she not introduced herself as a manager, he would have mistaken her for an artist.

"Chen Fang. This is my brother, Pang Tong," he replied simply.

Xi Yuanyuan ignored Pang Tong, her eyes burning as she fixed her gaze on Chen Fang. "Mr. Chen Fang, being a street musician won't make you much money. Come with me."

"You want to keep me?" Chen Fang asked.

He should have said so sooner! If someone wanted to sponsor him, Chen Fang would have gladly dropped everything.

Xi Yuanyuan: ...

Beside her, You Nianwei burst out laughing, unable to contain herself. Unfortunately, her figure was lacking, so no matter how much she laughed, her chest barely moved.

Before Xi Yuanyuan could respond, You Nianwei looked at Chen Fang with interest. "Yuanyuan isn't interested in men. How about I sponsor you? I'm quite rich myself~"

Why not! Chen Fang wasn't picky. Though her figure left something to be desired, wealth trumped everything.

Just as Chen Fang was about to reply, Xi Yuanyuan shot You Nianwei a glare. "Quiet. Stay out of this. Don't cause trouble."

You Nianwei, intimidated by her friend, immediately pouted and retreated to the side, drawing circles on the ground to curse Yuanyuan to a lifetime without a man.

"Mr. Chen Fang, with your talent, you surely wouldn't want to be kept. You'd rather earn your living through hard work, wouldn't you?" Xi Yuanyuan steered the conversation back.

"No," Chen Fang replied. "I'd actually prefer to be kept."

Damn it! This dog of a man!

Xi Yuanyuan's face darkened.

If she didn't see his potential, she would have turned around and walked away at once.

Taking a deep breath, she stopped beating around the bush. "Mr. Chen Fang, are you interested in signing with an entertainment company and becoming a professional musician? I can recommend you."

In truth, Chen Fang had already guessed her purpose.

He knew clearly that he couldn't remain a street musician forever. Xi Yuanyuan was right—street musicians don't earn much. If he wanted to make real money, he had to sign with a company, officially debut, and enter the entertainment industry.

But Chen Fang was ambitious.

He didn't want to sign with a small company.

With his system and excellent qualities, he had to set his starting point higher to avoid many detours.

"Pangzi," Chen Fang called out to Pang Tong.

Pang Tong was puzzled—why call him now?

"Have you heard of Future Stardom Entertainment?" Chen Fang asked.

Pang Tong frowned and thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No."

So it must be a small company.

Not worth it!

Chen Fang worried that, having just crossed over, his original memories might not be clear, so he asked Pang Tong. Now it seemed his memories were accurate; there was nothing about Future Stardom in them.

Thinking this, Chen Fang turned to Xi Yuanyuan again. "I'll think about it."

It wouldn't be polite to reject her outright.

In the adult world, not following up is a form of refusal.

So Chen Fang decided to spare her dignity—once they parted, they'd go their separate ways as if they'd never met.

Xi Yuanyuan didn't push further, offering a kind reminder, "Those two songs you sang at the crossroads tonight—I suggest you record them professionally and secure the copyright quickly. Otherwise, if other versions start circulating online, dealing with copyright issues later will be troublesome."

Chen Fang thanked her with a smile.

He cared about this too.

The earlier you deal with copyright, the better.

But before handling copyright, he needed to record the songs in a professional studio—a troublesome task, since he didn't know where to find one with the right equipment.

Chen Fang didn't linger. Eating was now his top priority; even if the sky fell, he'd eat first. With a brief farewell, he left with Pang Tong.

Soon, Chen Fang's figure disappeared at the end of the street.

You Nianwei hesitated, wanting to speak.

Seeing this, Xi Yuanyuan said impatiently, "Say what you want to say."

You Nianwei pointed sadly in the direction Chen Fang had vanished. "Yuanyuan, you forgot to ask for his contact information..."

Xi Yuanyuan froze.

The key point was, Chen Fang hadn't asked for hers either.

In a flash, Xi Yuanyuan realized Chen Fang's promise to "think about it" was actually a polite refusal, not genuine consideration.

"Dog of a man!" Xi Yuanyuan finally couldn't hold back and cursed aloud.