Chapter 116: The Advance Begins

"Xiaotong, you sang so beautifully." As the last note faded, Lin Yin's voice was a little hoarse, her eyes red. She couldn't help but step forward and embrace Su Tong tightly.

Yang Feifei also moved closer, wanting to hug Su Tong, but hesitated.

"Hmm, no one else can capture that feeling the way you do. I used to think the performer was secondary to the song itself, but now I realize the singer is what truly defines the quality of a song," Yang Feifei admitted, feeling a pang of guilt for how poorly she had treated Su Tong before.

"Haha, why the tears? Such a beautiful song—where’s the applause?" Su Tong lifted his hands from the piano keys. The moment he spoke, all the negative emotions around him vanished, and everyone felt the return of the ever-optimistic Su Tong.

"Clap, clap, clap…"

Not the sound of something else, but applause. Sister Yaya was already clapping at the doorway.

Soon, several women, including Xiaoyu and Xiaoxiao, joined in the applause.

"Haha, I love the sound of clapping the most," Su Tong said with satisfaction.

Yang Feifei nearly stepped on him playfully but stopped when she saw Xiaoyu and Xiaoxiao nearby.

"Dinner’s ready," Sister Yaya finally announced.

Everyone quickly left the room.

"Yinyin, how do you feel? After hearing me sing, are you scared to try, or more interested?" During dinner, Su Tong asked as he served Xiaoxiao some food.

"Beating you is out of the question, but I never aimed to compete with you. So I’ll still want to sing this song. Xiaotong, if you perform it live or record it, you’ll surely shock the world," Lin Yin said earnestly. She didn’t want to monopolize the song; she wanted Su Tong to share it.

"Haha, it’s not that exaggerated. Although I feel it deeply, many people don’t understand music—they just listen casually. Like calligraphers whose work few recognize globally but are highly praised within the industry. It’s too detached from the everyday, not very practical," Su Tong said modestly, a rare humility from him.

"Your song appeals to both refined and popular tastes. No need to be modest now. Good things should be shared. I support Yin Yin’s suggestion—it's best if you sing it. Later, you can give Yin Yin the rights to cover it," Yang Feifei said. Art belongs to the world, and Su Tong’s perfect rendition of “The Older, The Lonelier” deserved to be heard by all.

"We’ll see. I’ll keep the copyright and still sing it myself later. Let Yin Yin sing it first," Su Tong replied.

Just then, Sister Yaya spoke, exciting both Lin Yin and Su Tong: "After the Shen family’s sabotage last time, which injured Dalong, our Yang family gained some benefits. Feifei’s retirement remains unchanged, continuing to study for eight months. The Yang family will openly support Xiaotong and Lin Yin’s careers."

"Really?" Lin Yin was overjoyed. She had thought she might have to change paths, but with Su Tong writing songs for her and the Yang family backing her entrance into the film industry, everything looked different.

"Hehe, with the Yang family introducing you, Yin Yin, you don’t have to worry about any unsavory 'rules' anymore," Yang Feifei said happily, then warned, "Yin Yin, once you join the crew, don’t try to curry favor with anyone. Just stick to the script. Some actresses who play the game with directors get more roles, but it’s a gamble—you might end up with nothing. And I’m telling you, once you start playing that game, it’s addictive and destructive. Don’t go down that path, or we won’t be sisters anymore. I’m just speaking frankly."

Yang Feifei, a former child star, had seen the sordid side of film crews and worried Lin Yin might fall prey, whether passively or actively.

Falling from grace, after all, is merely a different lifestyle, often unaccepted by society—much like homosexuality, which has long been debated but is now generally understood as just a different view of love, not moral decay.

"Feifei, teach me more. I really don’t know much," Lin Yin said quickly, trying to flatter her by serving her food.

"There’s not much to teach. Just hold fast to your principles and don’t forget your original intentions. The rest comes with life experience—you’ll understand as you go," Yang Feifei replied with the air of a big sister.

After Yang Feifei finished, Sister Yaya looked at Su Tong: "Xiaotong, your fame is growing. If you want, you can appear on reality shows or as a concert guest. For film and TV, you’ll only get minor roles with little screen time."

Su Tong had hesitated before to quickly enter the chaotic entertainment world, but now, with no worries thanks to the system, and seeing Yang Feifei’s luxurious villa and the hopeful eyes of Xiaoyu and Xiaoxiao, plus Gao Litong’s mother’s social ambitions, he realized he had to work hard.

Even the Buddha competes for a single incense stick; people strive for a breath of dignity.

"Sister Yaya, I have a verbal agreement with Sister Xin. She’s my manager. I don’t really know much—would it be wrong to bypass her?" Su Tong said awkwardly.

Sister Yaya nodded: "I’ll have someone contact her. She’ll decide which shows and events you attend. If she’s not fit for this job in the future, I’ll ask her to step down."

That very night, someone from the Yang family contacted Zhang Xin.

Zhang Xin was surprised. First, Su Tong suddenly agreed to officially enter the entertainment industry, despite wanting to wait two more years. Second, she felt she wasn’t doing a good job as his manager. Usually, managers arrange appearances, but now Su Tong was seeking out gigs himself.

"Xiaotong, you’re really entering the entertainment world?" Zhang Xin called, her voice full of excitement, as if a dream had come true.

"Yes, Sister Xin. Actually, I finished four years’ worth of university courses in my first year; just practice and exams remain. Now, after some provocation, I’m not waiting anymore. Haha, especially since I suddenly became famous at school, and the principal supports me building my fame bigger. Taking leave won’t be a problem, and the finals will be just a formality—even if I fail, it’s okay," Su Tong said confidently, full of youthful vigor.

"Great!" Zhang Xin seemed reborn. This was the life she wanted. "Su Tong, just focus on charging ahead. I’ll invest all my savings to set up a studio for you. I have many plans—developing merchandise, opening an online store... some female streamers make billions annually on our platform..."

Tonight, Zhang Xin sounded nothing like a woman in her thirties, but like a young girl, full of chatter.

Some are born for music, some for film, some for power, and some for the people.

Obsessed individuals more easily achieve societal success—though in any field, many bones are crushed for one general’s glory, and failures far outnumber winners.

"Sister Xin, after the National Day holiday, do we have confirmed appearances?" Su Tong asked.