She Died Once

Chapter 11: Small Wizards Seeing Big Wizards

Everyone had thought that the scandal between Lin Fengying and Sang Jiyue had torn away the last layer of the entertainment industry's shameful facade, but Sang Yu Studio released another video that further exposed the dirtiness of the circle.

The video, only five minutes and twenty-one seconds long, was filmed in a golden field of rapeseed flowers.

Sang ShuoNian was sitting with a guitar, surrounded by a group of lanky children and a few employees from Sang Yu Studio.

“I promised you guys the last time I was here that I would bring you a new song, so I spent about three months writing it. I hope you enjoy it.”

She plucked the strings, and a light, soulful melody resonated through the fields.

“If the mountains answer, if the leaves listen to me, if I pass through the warm sun, if the wind blows away my despondency…”

“If through ten thousand floods, if pain will turn into hymns, if birds of prey carry the fruit of hope, if you come and touch me…”

“I am the long wind that cuts through, the fire of the blazing sun, presuming to strike down the years, recognizing that white and black can emerge together…”

The autumn wind in the fields was gentle, and it caused the strings to hum. But for a few moments, it reflected the relief in Sang ShuoNian's heart. She was the gentle, smiling young girl, as though nothing was wrong, even though she seemed fragile and ready to collapse at any moment. But by the end of the song, she was still sitting there, full of health, as though the breaking point had been an illusion.

“Evening Sister, what’s the name of this song?” One of the children cautiously approached Sang ShuoNian, admiration written all over her face.

Sang ShuoNian raised her hand and gently touched the girl's head. “This song is called Beyond the Mountains. I hope you can step out of this hunched land and see the spring flowers, autumn leaves, and winter snows beyond the mountains. I hope you can journey through ten thousand floods to find your stunning shadow. There is always hope for the young, and you are the fire that keeps growing.”

These mountain children, barely twelve or thirteen years old, knew little about the world beyond the mountains, but they understood that Sang ShuoNian was the hope that waited for them outside.

She embodied all gentleness, worthy of their journey through countless mountains to embrace her.

“Evening Sister, will you sing Beyond the Mountains for us when we meet next time?”

Seeing the children’s expectant gazes, Sang ShuoNian smiled softly. “Of course, next time we meet, I’ll bring you not just Beyond the Mountains but also some new songs.”

The video ended abruptly, the final freeze frame showing the children surrounding Sang ShuoNian, begging her to sing Beyond the Mountains again. Sang ShuoNian smiled gently, her patience seemingly endless.

[I'm calm, I’m really calm right now… I just want to know, why did the song that Sang ShuoNian sang in April become Cheng Feng’s hit in July?]

[So Cheng Feng’s hit song was copied from Sang ShuoNian’s Beyond the Mountains? He didn’t even bother to change a single word! Just because Sang ShuoNian isn’t involved in music?]

[I've always felt that Cheng Feng’s singing was out of place, like he was apologizing for the lyrics. After hearing Sang ShuoNian sing it, I realize why. Cheng Feng is just moaning with no heart behind it, while Sang ShuoNian actually met those children in the mountains. She truly wants them to break free from their confines and see the world outside. She wants them to embrace the earth, not remain stuck in a small space!]

[What should I do? I'm so sad! How do I tell those children that their Sister Evening will never be able to sing Beyond the Mountains again... That was the last time they’d hear Sang ShuoNian sing…]

While the Moon Forum wasn’t as popular as the entertainment industry’s fan culture, Cheng Feng's name had been getting a lot of attention, as he was the new heavenly king.

As soon as the plagiarism scandal appeared, it quickly made its way to the hot search list.

The controversy over the Heavenly King’s plagiarism overshadowed other celebrity scandals, and just as the internet was in turmoil, Sang Yu Studio released a second video at Wen Han’s behest.

This video was half an hour long, starting with footage from Echo Music Company, where Cheng Feng was based.

“Brother Feng, do we really have to go this far?” Cheng Feng’s manager seemed hesitant. “Sang ShuoNian is still part of the Sang family. If we hurt her, it’s unlikely that the Sang family will let us off the hook to save face!”

“Impossible!” Cheng Feng waved his hand dismissively. “Sang ShuoNian has already broken ties with the Sang family. They despise her. Besides, all I want is for her to never be able to sing again. It’s not like I want her life.”

After hearing Cheng Feng’s harsh words, the manager finally felt a bit relieved.

The reason Cheng Feng had become such a big hit was because he had gotten his hands on the demo of the song Sang ShuoNian had created. This meant that if Sang ShuoNian wanted to enter the music industry in the future, she could easily be overshadowed.

But if Sang ShuoNian's voice was ruined, she could never sing again, and no one would believe that someone who couldn’t even open her mouth could have written such excellent lyrics and music.

“But Brother Feng, if Sang ShuoNian really goes to the mountain this week to see those children, and the fire starts... Will she protect those kids without caring for herself?” The manager seemed skeptical. “If she escapes, all our efforts will be for nothing. And if she’s found, we could be in big trouble.”

Cheng Feng, however, showed no concern, crossing his legs leisurely. “Don’t worry. Someone like Sang ShuoNian is so kind to the point of stupidity. If she cared about herself, she wouldn’t have come to this point today. Just follow the plan I told you. There won’t be any problems.”

The scene shifted, showing a fire in Liangshan.

Sang ShuoNian was trapped in a grass hut by a burning beam, having shielded a girl from the flames. The villagers, who had been bribed, led the rescuers the wrong way. By the time they managed to rescue Sang ShuoNian, she had already been unconscious for a long time.

Wen Han and the others waited outside the emergency room for sixteen hours. Sang ShuoNian was only just out of life-threatening danger.

This fire cost Sang ShuoNian her vocal cords. From now on, it would be nearly impossible for her to sing an entire song again.

The final scene of the video showed Sang ShuoNian lying in a hospital bed, her tears flowing uncontrollably as she looked at the pathology report.

[This is intentional homicide, right? At the very least, it’s intentional injury! Kill him!]

[Why did you do this to her? Someone, tell me why!]

[I can’t watch this anymore. What did Sang ShuoNian do wrong? Why does everyone want to ruin her? Is it wrong to be kind? Do you have to sink into despair just to be accepted?]

[You see, even without Sang Jiyue, so many still want to see her fail. Don’t empathize with Sang ShuoNian, or you’ll only face endless despair!]

Talent is the very reason she became a target. The original intention in the world is often met with destruction. The more you stand out, the more you will be trampled.