Chapter 0008: Submitting the Theme Song for *Nirvana in Fire*

“Around 650 points,” Lin Yi said after a moment of contemplation.

In truth, by his own estimate, he believed he had scored over 700 on this college entrance exam, but he thought it best not to disappoint Niu. After all, Niu had come all this way to see him, and it wouldn’t be right to leave him feeling let down.

“650 points??? Damn, that’s awesome!” Niu Junjie jumped up from the sofa, shouting.

“This time, the exam didn’t break me. I didn’t dare to hope for too much, just to pass the first-tier cutoff.”

“Was it difficult?” Lin Yi bit into an apple casually. “I thought it was pretty easy.”

“Are you even human?” Niu rolled his eyes helplessly as he lay back on the sofa. “My classmates said it was tough, especially the math section. Some of them didn’t even finish all the questions before handing in their papers.”

“That’s normal, isn’t it?” Lin Yi took another big bite of the crisp, sweet apple. “There’s always a few math problems left undone.”

“Sigh! Enough said, it just makes me sad,” Niu sighed, not wanting to dwell on the topic. The more they talked, the more it stung. He was starting to doubt his own intelligence.

“Dinner’s ready!” Wang Xin called as she brought the dishes to the table.

The meal was simple but appetizing: braised pork, roast duck, radish soup, and stir-fried loofah with green peppers.

The dinner was warm and comforting.

After the meal, Niu Junjie chatted with Lin Yi about life plans and future dreams before saying his goodbyes.

Once Niu had left, Lin Yi lay on the sofa and glanced at the watch on his arm. “Mom, how late will Dad be working? It’s almost ten-thirty now, but he’s not back yet.”

“I don’t know. I’ll call him,” Wang Xin said, pulling out her phone. Just as she was about to dial, an unknown number rang in.

With a puzzled look, Wang Xin answered the call.

“Sis-in-law, something terrible has happened! Brother Lin is in trouble! He’s currently in the hospital receiving emergency care. Hurry over! Haiyuan Hospital!”

Snap!

Wang Xin dropped her phone onto the floor.

The call hit her like a bolt from the blue, leaving her stunned.

Her husband was in trouble?

Wang Xin hurriedly picked up the phone, swiftly returned to her room, and came out holding a bag.

“Son, stay home and behave. Mom has to go out for a bit.”

“Mom!” Lin Yi looked at his mother with a heavy heart. “What’s wrong with Dad? Did something happen?”

“Don’t think too much. Stay home and don’t worry. Your dad’s fine. I’m going out now.”

Lin Yi wanted to say more, but the door slammed shut behind her.

The house fell silent.

Lin Yi stared quietly at the closed door, his eyes blurring with tears.

After a long while, Lin Yi, leaning on a cane, slowly made his way back to his room.

At this moment, he had to do something.

He spread out a sheet of paper, gripped a pen, closed his eyes, and tried to recall the theme song from *Nirvana in Fire*.

There were three pieces intertwined in *Nirvana in Fire*: “Old Beauty,” “When the Wind Rises,” and “Crimson Blood.”

As a man, he held a strong admiration for Brother Hu.

In *Nirvana in Fire*, Hu Ge’s portrayal of Mei Changsu was deeply memorable.

Thanks to this series, Hu Ge’s career soared to new heights.

There were many classic lines from Mei Changsu that stayed with Lin Yi:

“Since I have survived, I will not live in vain.”

“Only friends betray—you never get the chance to be ‘betrayed’ or ‘sold out’ by enemies.”

“My existence never brought her happiness before; at least from now on, I won’t be the source of her misfortune. If I can do that, I am glad.”

“To deal with them, you must be even more ruthless. Use whatever means necessary; one misstep and our grand cause will be doomed.”

Phew!

Though the world had changed, some things remained constant. *Nirvana in Fire* was still starring Hu Ge, directed by Li Xue and Kong Sheng.

After much reflection, Lin Yi regained his composure, looked at the pristine paper, and slowly wrote the title: *When the Wind Rises*.

Then he began writing the lyrics:

“Storms unfold in shifting clouds,
Chaos stirs the troubled waves,
Whose heart still bears the crimson blood?
A blazing fire seeks peace anew.
A wise sword borrows farewell from beauty,
Unwilling to extend the remaining years.
The imperial palace stands tall with grandeur,
A steadfast heart vows to shatter the long night.
The ancient red bow hangs empty on the wall,
The journey looks endless, yet iron armor chills still...”

“Not bad,” Lin Yi nodded in satisfaction.

After hesitating a while longer, to be safe, he also wrote down the lyrics for *Old Beauty*.

He found the official website and sent the songs to the official email. Lin Yi exhaled deeply—now the fate of these songs was in the hands of destiny.

He hoped these songs would capture the director’s discerning eye, just as they had in his previous life.

After all, the theme song for *Nirvana in Fire* had once fetched a staggering 500,000 yuan!

A serious premium indeed.

Lin Yi glanced out the window. The night was dark and windy, with occasional dog barks echoing in the distance.

“I wonder how Dad’s doing…” Lin Yi propped his chin on his hand, his face shadowed with worry as his thoughts drifted far away.

He desperately needed money.

With money, his parents could live in a better home; with money, they wouldn’t have to work so hard; with money, they wouldn’t have to worry about him.

That night, Lin Yi pondered deeply.

He was no longer a child. He had experienced the harshness and cruelty of society.

In today’s world, a person’s worth isn’t measured by their contributions, but by their wealth, influence, and social status.

As the saying goes, society mocks poverty, not vice.

In this relentless world, no one escapes.

He was a worldly man—naturally, he was no exception.

To roam the world wielding a sword, one must first have money.

“I’m going to sleep. No more overthinking. Tomorrow, I’ll go see Dad at the hospital.”

Early the next morning, after washing up and calling his mother for the hospital address, Lin Yi hurried off.

Meanwhile, at the *Nirvana in Fire* theme song team:

“I’m losing my mind! Is there not a single good song? It’s like fishing for gold in the ocean—there’s nothing to catch, not even a turtle!” one staffer complained.

“Keep looking! Maybe there’s still a great song out there,” another encouraged.

“What’s there to see? These are all whiny, meaningless songs that don’t meet the director’s requirements. Some even sneak in English lyrics—I’m speechless. It’s a period drama! Suddenly an English line pops up. If you’re not embarrassed, I am!”

“Actually, a top lyricist submitted songs to Director Li Xue, but he rejected them as unsuitable.”

“Really? Even a top lyricist couldn’t satisfy him?”

“Really! I heard Director Li asked over a dozen lyricists, including Gao Jin and Lin Xi.”

“No way! Even their songs didn’t make the cut?”

“Who knows.”

“If they can’t do it… does anyone stand a chance?”

“You can’t say that. Haven’t you heard the saying, ‘Masters dwell among the common folk’? Maybe there really is a song that fits the director’s vision.”

“I’d say the odds are slim.”

“Or…”

Suddenly, one editor reviewing the submissions fell silent, staring intently at an email.

Bold and majestic!

Completely fitting the director’s criteria!

“What’s up?” a colleague peeked over, curious.

“I told you!” Li Cheng exclaimed excitedly, rising from his seat and slapping the editor’s shoulder with enthusiasm. “Masters dwell among the common folk!”

With that, he dashed out, shouting, “Director! Director! I found the perfect song for you!”

(Characters and storylines are fictional; please do not draw parallels in real life *^O^*)