Chapter 106: The Scheme, Part 4

“Because Mingcheng Films suddenly replaced someone,” Song Wan just began to speak, and Zhou Qi didn’t hesitate to tell her the answer.

Now, not only Song Wan, but even the well-informed Gao Xiang was left speechless. “Replaced? You had already chosen the actor for the second male lead?”

Zhou Qi nodded. “At first, a newcomer came to audition. I thought their acting was pretty good, so I kept them on.”

Who would have thought that the newcomer was an artist signed by Qin Fei? Who knew such disgusting things would follow? It was simply...

Song Wan’s eyes flickered, her gaze laced with sarcasm. “Who knows whether that newcomer signed the management contract with Qin Fei before the audition results were announced, or if Qin Fei only signed the contract after the results came out?”

Qin Fei wasn’t exactly innocent of these tricks.

“That can’t be true, right?” Zhou Qi frowned, unwilling to believe Qin Fei would stoop to such tactics.

After all, Qin Fei was fairly reputable—one of the top agents at Mingcheng Films. There was no need to deceive a newcomer just to secure a role...

If what Song Wan said was true, the entire matter would take on a completely different nature.

Song Wan’s eyes shifted as she immediately understood their concerns. She forced a smile, but her eyes revealed unmistakable contempt. “I know an actor named Ji Youning.” She turned her head to look at Gao Xiang. “You should know her, Gao Jie.”

Gao Xiang raised an eyebrow and nodded in recognition.

After all, Ji Youning was one of the few industry friends Song Wan got along with well enough to inquire about their character. So it was plausible.

Song Wan’s smile quickly faded. “When Ji Youning first entered the entertainment industry, her song ‘Twin Flowers’ caused quite a stir within certain circles, especially among the proud producers in the industry. Each of them praised her highly.”

“‘Twin Flowers’?” Gao Xiang’s eyes immediately widened like saucers.

Song Wan was surprised to see Gao Xiang so visibly shaken. She nodded. “Yes, ‘Twin Flowers,’ by Ji Youning.”

“But the original singer and lyricist-composer of ‘Twin Flowers’ was named Youning...” Gao Xiang stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realizing something.

“Ji Youning agreed?” Zhou Qi, sharp as ever, quickly caught on but couldn’t help doubting the veracity.

How foolish was this Ji Youning, to give her own work to someone else?

Though Zhou Qi didn’t know Ji Youning personally, he was familiar with ‘Twin Flowers’ because a friend had once used it as the theme song for a film, which had received great acclaim.

But he remembered the singer at that time was named Qi Bing.

Song Wan shrugged, her eyelids drooping slightly, masking the emotions in her eyes. “Because Ji Youning was still a newcomer with an ordinary appearance, even with a good voice and decent songwriting skills, no agent or agency would sign her.”

Zhou Qi and Gao Xiang exchanged glances, both frowning in unison.

Gao Xiang was definitely more qualified to speak on this matter than anyone else. “I’m an agent. I won’t say much about artists who have been elevated to godlike status—there are always at least ten of those. But among those who haven’t reached such heights but occupy first or second-tier positions... at least five of them lack conventional looks but have real talent.”

Indeed, even Gao Xiang couldn’t deny that without good looks, survival in the entertainment world was tough, and climbing higher required ten times the effort.

But the fact that ‘Twin Flowers’ remained deeply etched in Gao Xiang’s memory spoke volumes about the song’s quality.

It also demonstrated the caliber of the artist named Ji Youning.

Gao Xiang looked at Song Wan. “Honestly, if I didn’t know you well enough, I’d think you were joking.”

Song Wan looked at Gao Xiang, puzzled.

“Yes, a beautiful face is the best pass into the entertainment industry, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only criterion.” Gao Xiang frowned, her expression serious. “If ‘Twin Flowers’ was truly written, composed, and sung by Ji Youning herself, and she just came to me with proof, I would have signed her immediately.”

Song Wan was stunned. She turned to Zhou Qi, who nodded.

But Song Wan...

“But at the time... Ji Youning said when she recommended herself to various major agencies, no one was willing to sign her.” Song Wan’s brows knitted tightly.

If it hadn’t been this way, when Qin Fei offered to sign her later, she wouldn’t have been so overjoyed as to overlook the contract details and end up utterly betrayed.

Song Wan’s appearance in her previous life was considered delicate and pretty, but Ji Youning’s was a little less so.

If Song Wan had been a minor beauty among ordinary people, Ji Youning’s looks could only be described as average.

She told Gao Xiang this, who couldn’t help but be momentarily stunned. “So, which agencies did Ji Youning try to join at the time?”

“Jingwei, Ruoli, Song Dynasty... probably those few,” Song Wan replied, though her memory was vague due to the passage of time.

“Hah—” Gao Xiang didn’t know what to say. She looked at Song Wan with a hint of pity—not for Song Wan, but for Ji Youning.

“I didn’t expect you to be so perceptive yet still somewhat idealistic.” Gao Xiang sighed. “The agencies you mentioned... they aren’t even as prestigious as Mingcheng Films. Those you can’t remember are probably even less reputable.”

Song Wan was first taken aback, then suddenly furious. “Qin Fei!”

Gao Xiang sighed again, realizing Song Wan had grasped the crucial point.

After Ji Youning’s brief rise, she was surely targeted by Qin Fei, who then sent word to others. That’s why, despite her talent and potential, no one dared to sign her.

But Ji Youning was insecure herself, afraid to approach the truly major agencies, and in the end, fell straight into the trap Qin Fei set.

Once a person is pushed to despair, all it takes is a glimmer of hope to yield multiplied returns.

Moreover, Ji Youning was clearly just a green newcomer, utterly unprepared for these industry tricks. Being exploited seemed inevitable.

“What happened next?” Zhou Qi asked, curious.

Song Wan gave a bitter smile, her hatred for Qin Fei growing deeper, even surpassing her grudge against Tang Su.

“Qin Fei used the contract to cheat Ji Youning. Hidden among a stack of management agreements was a copyright transfer contract. Ji Youning didn’t pay attention and signed everything.”

The result was well-known—

That strikingly beautiful singer, with a voice somewhat similar to Ji Youning’s, Qi Bing, became the original singer of ‘Twin Flowers.’

Though she still had some dignity, claiming she only contributed a small part to the song and that the true lyricist and composer were others.

Even now, Qi Bing had long since vanished without a trace.

“After that, Qin Fei shelved Ji Youning for three years to keep the matter under wraps.” Three years on, the heat around ‘Twin Flowers’ had died down; there was no chance for Ji Youning to make a comeback.

“Did Ji Youning create any other songs?” Gao Xiang’s gaze was enigmatic.

She remembered Ji Youning, though active as a singer, was not officially recognized as an original songwriter...

Song Wan neither confirmed nor denied.

She just said, “That incident was almost devastating for Ji Youning. Later, because she became friends with me, Song Wan, she also became a target of Qin Fei and Tang Su. No matter how hard she tried, despite her exceptional voice, she only ever reached third-tier status.”

Gao Xiang fell into thought. Song Wan didn’t pay much attention.

Recounting the past weighed heavily on her heart, making it impossible to focus on others.

Zhou Qi brought the conversation back to where it started. “So, you mean Qin Fei’s actions this time were probably premeditated?”

“I think...” She wanted to say a hundred percent, but considering Qin Fei’s current situation, she hesitated.

Qin Fei shouldn’t be arrogant enough to repeat the same old tricks now, right?

“Never mind, it doesn’t concern us much anyway...”

Before Zhou Qi could finish, the assistant director rushed into the lounge. “Bad news! Han Sen went on Weibo and started spouting nonsense. Now thousands of fans have flooded the official Weibo page of the ‘Starlight’ drama, hurling abuse...”