After listening to “Lin Shuwen’s” performance, Lin Shuyue couldn’t even be bothered to think about whether the song could be selected anymore.
What she needed to think about now was how to get Lin Shuwen herself to sing this song.
After all, compared to some veteran singers in the music industry, Lin Shuwen’s credentials really weren’t much to look at.
And the entertainment industry is exactly the kind of circle that places great importance on seniority.
However, Lin Shuwen was the creator of this song, so she definitely had her own unique understanding of the emotions embedded in it. On top of that, this video could directly showcase Lin Shuwen’s impressive singing ability. Compared to those veterans, Lin Shuwen was not the least bit inferior when it came to vocal skill.
If you looked at it from these two angles, Lin Shuwen’s advantages were actually quite obvious.
If all else failed, Lin Shuyue could still ask her uncle and aunt to step in and fight for it.
Lin Shuyue’s uncle — Lin Shuwen’s father, Lin Haizhou — was a nationally recognized expert in virus research. With his help, this matter would be as good as settled.
“Wenwen, if I take this song, do I need to give your company a heads-up?” Lin Shuyue asked.
“Just let Sister Shan know. The copyright to my songs is all in my hands. It’s the revenue split that gives the company 60%.”
“Your company didn’t ask for your copyright?”
Luo Ming had asked Lin Shuwen this question before too, and here’s how Lin Shuwen had answered: “How could they! On paper, my song copyrights are with Sister Shan’s studio, and Sister Shan’s studio is affiliated under the company.
But in reality, Sister Shan hasn’t taken my song copyrights. And it’s not just me — the other artists in the studio are the same. Sister Shan hasn’t taken any of their copyrights either.
Of course, the revenue still has to be split with the company according to the contract standards.
Take my song ‘Light Years Away’ from last month, for example. Barring any surprises, the company settles accounts between the 10th and 15th of each month, so my share should be transferred sometime between January 10th and 15th.
At the time, Penguin bought exclusive playback rights for one year for 1 million yuan outright. Calculating by proportion, I’d get 400,000. After the company deducts taxes, they transfer the money to Sister Shan, and Sister Shan transfers it to me.”
Now Luo Ming relayed what Lin Shuwen had told him, word for word, to Lin Shuyue.
“Sister Shan doesn’t take a cut?” Lin Shuyue pressed further.
“She doesn’t. Sister Shan’s studio gets dividends from the company — 0.5% of revenue share each year. Plus Sister Shan herself has company shares, about 2.1%. When you add it all up, Sister Shan actually earns quite a bit. There’s absolutely no need for her to squeeze us.”
“So that’s how it is. Sounds like your manager is pretty decent! She doesn’t squeeze you dry and actually lets you artists earn something too.
In my years at CCTV, I’ve heard plenty of stories about managers and companies teaming up to squeeze artists dry.”
“Sister Shan really is a good person. Wenwen was lucky to meet Sister Shan when she entered the industry.” Luo Ming didn’t say the second half of that sentence out loud — he just sighed inwardly.
“Ring ring~” The sudden sound of a phone ringing interrupted Luo Ming’s thoughts.
He looked down and saw it was Sister Shan calling. Speak of the devil.
Luo Ming picked up the phone, and Sister Shan’s slightly excited voice came through the receiver: “Wenwen, I’ve got good news to tell you!”
“What good news?”
“The celebrity charity gala this Saturday sent you an invitation.”
“Uh, Sister Shan, what’s this charity gala about?”
“You don’t know?”
“I don’t know!” Luo Ming really didn’t know, and Lin Shuwen hadn’t mentioned this to him either!
“Let me put it this way! This charity gala is a collective fundraising event in the industry. The attendees are mainly famous directors in the circle and the stars those directors invite.
The directors our company sent brought Mr. Zhu’s precious trainees to show their faces. Originally you wouldn’t have been able to attend, but Director Zhu specifically had someone send you an invitation.”
Luo Ming was a bit surprised after hearing Sister Shan’s words. He hadn’t expected Director Zhu to actually invite him.
But honestly speaking, Luo Ming didn’t really want to go.
A charity gala — sounds nice, but isn’t it just meeting a few people, having a meal together, and then donating money?
Donating money this way — is it really charity, or just seeking attention?
“Wenwen, why aren’t you saying anything?”
“Uh, nothing. Sister Shan, I just don’t really want to go.”
“You don’t want to go, but you have to. Director Zhu specifically invited you — you can’t slap him in the face. Plus, this is a rare opportunity to expand your connections. It’s very important for your future development. I’ve even ordered your gown already.”
After saying that, before Luo Ming could even get a word in, Sister Shan hung up directly.
“Got work?” Lin Shuyue asked after Luo Ming put down his phone.
“Yeah, Saturday — January 4th — Sister Shan wants me to attend some charity gala.”
“Saturday? Charity gala?” Lin Shuyue thought for a moment and then said: “There does seem to be a charity gala like that. It’s apparently the first Saturday of January every year.”
“You know about it too, sis?”
“Of course! This charity gala raises quite a bit of money every year!”
“Sis, even you — someone who’s at most half an industry insider — know about it. Looks like I really have no choice but to go this time.” Luo Ming said with a helpless expression.
The next day, Sister Shan had someone deliver a gown.
Luo Ming was stunned for a moment when he saw the gown. The style was actually quite conservative — just the most common strapless evening gown.
But its color scheme gave Luo Ming a feeling of absolute stunning beauty. The color gradually deepened from top to bottom into a starry-sky hue.
Luo Ming thought about what Lin Shuwen would look like wearing this dress, and suddenly he became interested in this charity gala.
Chen Junmiao first checked the gown’s measurements, then took a measuring tape and gestured all over Luo Ming.
“Sister Wen, you’re 50kg now — a tiny bit chubby. Wearing this gown, there might be some flab showing around your underarms, and your lower abdomen won’t be quite flat. Lose another half a kilo!” Chen Junmiao said.
“Huh? Lose more?”
“Yeah, otherwise it won’t look good.”
On the second day of the new year, 2014, just as Luo Ming’s lower abdomen stopped hurting, he was forced to switch careers and become a rabbit — starting on grass-eating plus running.
Lin Shuyue and the Chen sisters served as his cheerleading squad, waving flags and shouting encouragement from the sidelines.
On the evening of January 3rd, Luo Ming stood on the electronic scale, and Chen Junmiao nodded in satisfaction at the 49.3kg reading.
Then she took a tape measure and measured “Lin Shuwen’s” waist, a smile spreading across her face.
The next day, Luo Ming got up bright and early.
Not that Luo Ming needed to start makeup early — it was that Lin Shuyue was heading back to the capital, and Luo Ming was seeing her off.
“Next time we meet should be around Chinese New Year. You’ll go back for the New Year, right?” Lin Shuyue asked.
“If there’s no work scheduled, I’ll definitely go back.” Luo Ming didn’t commit fully — who knew whether Lin Shuwen actually wanted to go back or not?
Lin Shuyue smiled at that and gave “Lin Shuwen” a hug, then got out of the car.
Watching Lin Shuyue’s retreating figure, Luo Ming felt a bit melancholy.
He was the eldest in his family and had never thought about what it would feel like to have an older sister.
Even though Lin Shuyue wasn’t really his sister, he had experienced Lin Shuyue’s care through Lin Shuwen’s identity.
He genuinely felt that having an older sister was pretty nice, and he was somewhat reluctant to see Lin Shuyue leave.
“Sister Wen, let’s head back! We should start getting ready soon.” Chen Junmiao’s words interrupted Luo Ming’s thoughts.
Luo Ming nodded and said to Chen Sichu: “Chuchu, drive.”
Back home, Chen Junmiao and Luo Ming went to the walk-in closet together.
Lin Shuwen’s walk-in closet was converted from a study, only 9 square meters, but it was absolutely packed with clothes, bags, and shoes. And there was such a big floor-to-ceiling mirror — clothes, bags, and jewelry both inside and outside the mirror’s reflection. One glance and Luo Ming felt dizzy.
“Sister Wen, take off your clothes! Let’s start coordinating.” Chen Junmiao said while rummaging for suitable jewelry and bags.
“Huh?”
“Sister Wen, what’s wrong? Any problem?”
“N-no, nothing.” After saying that, Luo Ming thought to himself: “This isn’t what I wanted to see — circumstances forced it.”
Then Luo Ming did as Chen Junmiao said.
“Sister Wen, go stand in front of the mirror!”
Luo Ming took a small step forward and to the right, standing in the exact center of the mirror.
Chen Junmiao first found a black seamless shaping panty. This kind of underwear could prevent panty lines from showing and also prevent fat from accumulating in the lower body from sitting too long, which would distort the shape of the gown.
Then there was the rt.
Luo Ming knew how to put on the former, but the latter completely baffled him.
This thing doesn’t have straps — won’t it fall off?
“Sister Wen, why are you still spacing out! Get moving!” Chen Junmiao said as she picked up the rt and helped “Lin Shuwen” put it on.
Luo Ming tried jumping, and it really didn’t fall off!
“Chuchu, bring the gown in!” Chen Junmiao called out toward the door.
A moment later, Chen Sichu brought in the gradient starry-sky gown.
The two sisters worked together to help “Lin Shuwen” change into the gown.
Then came the selection of other accessories.
“Sis, Sister Wen’s gown has a darker color. Shouldn’t we use accessories with more texture?” Chen Sichu said as she held up a string of pearl necklace against “Lin Shuwen’s” neck.
“We do need something with more texture, but pearls won’t work. Pearls don’t suit Sister Wen’s age.”
“What about this K-gold necklace?”
“Not bad. Sister Wen, what do you think?”
Luo Ming didn’t say anything and just picked up the necklace and put it on.
“Not good — the color’s too pink. It doesn’t match the gown.”
After a lot of fiddling around, Chen Junmiao finally settled on a platinum necklace about as thick as cotton thread.
As for hairpins, earrings, and other accessories, Chen Junmiao didn’t even bother asking Luo Ming’s opinion — she decided everything herself.
Then came the shoes. This kind of evening gown usually pairs with high-heeled strappy sandals or decorative high heels that match the gown well.
If the toes would be exposed, then the pedicure would need to be coordinated with the facial and hand makeup.
But it was January now, so they definitely wouldn’t choose sandal-type footwear.
Chen Junmiao ultimately chose a pair of black high heels in a fairly common style.
At times like this, black never goes wrong.
Next was the bag. Lin Shuwen didn’t have many bags — not much to choose from. Chen Junmiao directly picked the most expensive one.
This bag was made from black patent leather, velvet, and metallic thread blend materials, crafted through inlay and weaving techniques. One look and you knew it wasn’t cheap. As for the effect — well, the bag overall was black.
Again, black never goes wrong.
And with that, the outfit change was complete!
“Click~” Luo Ming took a selfie in the mirror and sent the photo to Lin Shuwen.
Lin Shuwen replied in seconds: “This gown is really nice.”
“It’s pretty tiring to wear though.”
“Normal! Every time I go to these events it’s torture for me. Good thing you’re the one going this time, hehe.”
“Hehe your ghost.” Luo Ming couldn’t help but roast back.
“Then haha?”
“Go go go!”
After sending the message, Luo Ming turned off his phone.
In the evening, Sister Shan drove over to pick up “Lin Shuwen.”
It wouldn’t be appropriate to show up in a nanny van for an occasion like this, so Sister Shan came to pick her up personally.
Sister Shan’s car was a Mercedes — Luo Ming didn’t catch which model.
“When we get to the venue, Miaomiao and Chuchu, you two go in through the back of the banquet hall first. I’ll drop your Sister Wen off at the main entrance — there are media photographers there, so she can show her face.” Sister Shan said.
Chen Junmiao nodded with full confidence: “With Sister Wen dressed up so gorgeously today, she’ll definitely outshine everyone!”
“Absolutely. I acknowledge Sister Wen’s looks.”
“You don’t acknowledge my makeup skills?”
“Uh, let me rephrase. I acknowledge Sister Wen’s looks and my dear cousin’s makeup skills.”
Sister Shan ignored the two sisters bickering. She dropped them off at the back door, then drove around to the main entrance.
At the main entrance, there were several cars ahead of them. They had to wait for the directors and stars in those cars to get out before it was their turn.
Sister Shan stopped the car and said to Luo Ming: “Wenwen, you’re up. Get out!”
Luo Ming nodded, took off the down jacket draped over her, and pushed open the car door.
As the door opened, a gust of cold wind happened to blow past, and Luo Ming shivered.
Now this was truly “beautiful but freezing.”
Luo Ming fought the urge to pull the door shut and stepped out of the car.
In the reporters’ lenses, a pair of jade-like feet emerged first from the black Mercedes, stepping onto strappy black high heels. They made the delicate feet look even more slender, white as fine porcelain. The seven-centimeter heels lifted the feet into a graceful arc.
The reporters were instantly captivated by this sight. Their lenses focused on the car door, wanting to see just how stunning the owner of these feet was.
The shoes touched the ground, and a vast sea of stars suddenly poured out from the car. A slender wrist rested on the car’s edge, and the person inside lowered her head as she stepped down from the door. When she stood steady, she finally raised her head.
Ten thousand lights converged. A vast river of stars lifted her up.
What a beauty this was!
A strapless gown outlined Lin Shuwen’s perfect collarbone, making her swan-like neck look even longer. Her hair was piled high, fixed with a star-shaped hairpin fully encrusted with diamonds. The ends of her long earrings still carried two slender crescent moons. Her waist was cinched, making her slender waist look like it could be held in one hand.
The most stunning part of the entire gown was its starry-sky color that gradually deepened from top to bottom — as if the entire vast galaxy had been worn on her body.
On the wide skirt, tens of thousands of tiny crystals were attached. As the person moved, the skirt glittered brilliantly, like a sea of stars at night.
The grander the gown, the more it needed the wearer’s aura to dominate it. And Lin Shuwen’s face — quite clearly — outshone this entire sea of stars, making the whole starry expanse nothing but her foil.
“One glance topples a city, a second glance topples a nation. That poem was written about her, wasn’t it!” a reporter murmured to himself.
“Her looks are really too stunning.”
“When Nuwa was creating humans, did she treat her like a figurine? Otherwise how could she be this beautiful.”
The reporters chattered among themselves, their equipment never stopping. The flashbulbs kept flashing, and Luo Ming felt like there were light spots in front of his eyes.
