Chapter 28: An Act?

With the theme song for *Fleet of Time* finalized, Director Zhang Yibo was in high spirits, downing several glasses of Gujing Gong liquor.

Clinking glasses and swirling smoke filled the room. Zhang Yibo was so immersed in the atmosphere that he could hardly pull himself away.

"Lin Yi, which university are you planning to apply to?" Li Xue asked across the table.

"Xiang University."

"Why? Are Peking University and Tsinghua University not good enough?" Li Xue asked, looking puzzled.

"Peking and Tsinghua are great, but for me, Xiang University is a better fit. It’s more convenient for me to go home."

"How can a great man give up a bright future for the sake of family matters?" Li Xue said, sounding indignant.

"I’m no great man. Didn't Confucius say, 'While parents are alive, one should not travel far'? I don’t have any grand ambitions in this life. I just want to earn a little money, take good care of my parents, and live out my days in peace and stability," Lin Yi replied sincerely.

Li Xue swirled his glass, his eyes flickering for a moment before he said slowly, "Lin Yi, if your thoughts were reported by the media, it would certainly spark public debate again."

"I’ll walk my own path and let others talk. If I had to listen to everyone's opinion, would it still be my life? What is the point of living like a puppet?" Lin Yi replied with calm composure.

Li Xue savored the words for a moment and then burst into laughter. "That’s true! A puppet-like existence is better off ended. Come, let’s have a drink!"

Clang!

Lin Yi didn't dare to be as reckless as before and chug it all in one go. He took a small sip and slowly set the glass down. Since Li Xue already knew he wasn't accustomed to such strong spirits, he wouldn't hold it against him.

As the drinking progressed, Lin Yi gradually grew more familiar with everyone present. At this time, Eddie Peng was still just a moderately successful actor, not yet the heartthrob who would become famous throughout the country and the Asia-Pacific region.

"Lin Yi, you’re a genius!" Peng, sitting next to Lin Yi, said with an expression of admiration.

"I wouldn't call myself a genius. I’m just an ordinary person," Lin Yi said, not letting their praise go to his head. He had a clear sense of his own worth.

"Lin Yi, can I get your contact information?" Peng asked.

"Sure!" Lin Yi agreed readily. There was no reason to refuse a request from a heartthrob who could threaten his own good looks!

"Let’s all exchange contact information," Director Zhang said generously upon seeing this.

By the end of the meal, Lin Yi had added several new contacts to his phone.

As he was leaving, Zhang Yibo called him back. "Xiao Lin, I have some things I’d like to discuss with you privately."

"Alright." Lin Yi stopped and returned to the table. Seeing this, Li Xue smiled slightly and stepped out of the inn to wait for him.

"Why do you think the director kept Lin Yi behind?" Ni Ni looked back, asking Zhang Zixuan with curiosity.

"How would I know? Why don't you go ask the director yourself?" Zhang Zixuan replied irritably; she was just as curious as anyone else.

"They're probably discussing the details of the song. Curiosity killed the cat; it's better not to pry," Zheng Kai advised kindly. Having spent many years in the entertainment industry, he knew exactly how it worked. It wasn't uncommon for artists who were overly curious, gossipy, or loose-lipped to be blacklisted.

"Brother Kai is right. Let's not gossip," Eddie Peng added.

"Mm," Ni Ni nodded.

"Xiao Lin, I’m buying this song from you. There is 1.1 million in this card," Zhang Yibo said, pulling a card from his bag and sliding it toward Lin Yi.

"Brother Zhang, that’s too much," Lin Yi quickly declined. Although he loved money, he believed in taking only what was reasonable. In his mind, *Fleet of Time* was worth at most 500,000.

"Take it if I tell you to!" Zhang Yibo glared at him, feigning anger. Lin Yi couldn't resist the director’s force and had to watch as he slid the card into his pocket.

"What do you think about singing this song yourself?" Zhang Yibo continued.

"Me? Singing it?" Lin Yi was taken aback. After pondering for a moment, he shook his head. "I don’t think I can."

"Why? You wrote it, didn't you? Wouldn't it be perfect for you to perform it?" Zhang Yibo asked with a puzzled look.

"Even though I wrote it, I can't capture the essence. The emotions in this song are quite delicate. I feel a female singer would add more depth and better convey the feelings the film intends to express," Lin Yi explained earnestly. He had heard many versions of *Fleet of Time*, but Faye Wong’s was the most beautiful and evocative. She had a way of making listeners feel as though they were living through the emotions of the song.

Hearing the explanation, Zhang Yibo nodded. Since Lin Yi was the creator, his opinion carried the most weight. If he said it wasn't a good fit, then it truly wasn't. It was a pity; if Lin Yi had sung it, the film would have surely generated even more buzz.

"Then which female singer do you think would be best for this song?" Zhang Yibo asked.

"Faye Wong!" Lin Yi replied without hesitation.

"Faye Wong?" Zhang Yibo frowned. She was a legendary diva. Would she agree to sing this? That was a tough challenge.

"I’ll give it a try," Zhang Yibo said after thinking it over.

"Lin Yi, do you have any interest in acting?"

"Acting? No, I’m not cut out for that," Lin Yi quickly waved his hands in refusal.

"How do you know if you don't try?"

"I really don’t..."

*Ring, ring, ring!*

"Hello? Yes, it's me. What? I'm on my way!" Zhang Yibo answered the phone, his expression shifting to one of urgency as he hurried out. "Lin Yi, it's settled then. I'll call you later."

Lin Yi watched Zhang Yibo’s retreating figure with a helpless expression. What was all this? He hadn't even agreed! How could it be settled already?

"So, what did Old Zhang want with you?" Li Xue asked with a smile as Lin Yi emerged.

"He wants me to act," Lin Yi said with a long face.

"That's a good thing! Why the sour expression?"

"I don't know how to act. Besides, I don't want to be famous. I just want to earn enough to keep my family comfortable."

"You can learn. Other people would kill for such an opportunity! And who has ever complained about having too much money? Even Jack Ma from Alibaba doesn't complain about having too much, yet here you are."

Lin Yi: "That may be, but..."

Li Xue: "But nothing! There aren't that many 'buts' in life!"

Lin Yi: "..."

The car drove slowly toward the city center, arriving at a luxury hotel. Once stopped, Li Xue and Lin Yi stepped out, followed by Li Xue’s assistant, while a security guard stepped forward to park the vehicle.

"Lin Yi, stay here for a few days. If you want, you can go out and have some fun. Old Zhang will call you in a couple of days." Li Xue paused, then added, "By the way, these are the clothes and shoes I had my assistant pick up for you."

Li Xue took a suitcase from his assistant and handed it to Lin Yi.

"Brother Li, this is too much," Lin Yi said, feeling embarrassed.

"Oh, it didn't cost much. Just take it."

"Then thank you, Brother Li."

"I'm off. Call me if you need anything."

"Yes, thank you."