Chapter 15: The Inevitable Chosen One’s BGM! (Please Keep Reading)

[Male Artist Skill Panel]
Name: Su Mu
Height: 183 cm
Attractiveness: Idol-level (exceptional)
Strength: 1.1
Speed: 1.1
Endurance: 1.1
Cognitive Power: 1.1
Skill Points: 2.52
[Speech (Proficient) Mastery lv2: 23/50]
[Script (Proficient) Mastery lv2: 15/50]
[High Note (Proficient) Mastery Lv2: 21/50]
Task Blind Box: 0
Work Blind Box: 0
Talent Blind Box: 1
Skill Blind Box: 0
Item Blind Box: 1
Attribute Blind Box: 0
...

When Su Mu woke, it was already the next morning.
Perhaps he had been too exhausted.
He had slept for almost twenty hours straight.
As soon as he opened his eyes, the stats from the male artist panel flashed through his mind.
He glanced over them briefly.
The task rewards had been credited.
Previously, he had 0.52 skill points; with the 2.0 skill points from the task reward, it now totaled exactly 2.52.
There were also two blind box rewards—one for talent, the other for items.
Su Mu was quite looking forward to opening them.
The last time he opened a task blind box, it had been a pleasant surprise.
Who knew what good things might be inside these two?

But before he could start opening boxes, a knock sounded at the door.
Helplessly, he had to put it aside for now and get up to answer.
Qian Jida and Xiao Ju burst in, breakfast in hand, their expressions distinctly odd, as if hiding something.
Su Mu looked at them in puzzlement, “What’s with those faces so early in the morning?”
Qian Jida cleared his throat, then said gravely, “Su Mu, you’re finally awake? Something’s happened, something big!”
Su Mu paused, “Did you get someone pregnant?”
Qian Jida: “Get lost!”
Su Mu: “So was it Xiao Ju’s idol who got someone pregnant?”
Xiao Ju: “Get lost!”
Su Mu: “Then what could be so serious?”
Qian Jida suddenly couldn’t help laughing, “Check the trending searches—your new song is blowing up! Overnight, shares and plays have already exceeded two hundred thousand!”
At that, Su Mu hastily pulled out his phone and opened Weibo.
There were several posts @-ing him.
Weibo: Su Mu V @ Liu Yadong Records V / Excellent single…
Su Mu V @ Li Xinjie V / Sharing the latest single…
Ning Yuyan V @ Su Mu V / Hotly streaming…
[Single: “Listen”]
[Lyrics: Su Mu]
[Composer: Su Mu]
[Production: Liu Yadong & Su Mu]
[Plays: 9999+]
Three people had helped him repost the song.
The numbers really weren’t bad at all.
Of course, it couldn’t compare to those top-tier stars releasing new tracks.

But with this momentum, the song showed great potential to become a hit.
At this rate, in a few days, plays could easily reach a million!
Checking the trending topics, Su Mu saw his name right there.
He had been a frequent presence on the list these past two weeks.
Trending #1: Wei Daxun officially responds to rumors of a marriage proposal to a certain actress.
Trending #2: CBA Semifinals
Trending #3: Director Zhang’s team announces: theme song submissions heating up!
Trending #4: Su Mu’s single “Listen” is truly amazing!
Trending #5: Su Mu spotted at Capital Airport—auditioning?
Trending #6: Ning Yuyan reshares Su Mu’s new song!
Trending #7: Liu Yadong, Li Xinjie reshare “Listen”
Trending #: …
[Comment: Wow! Ning Yuyan actually reshared Su Mu’s new song!
Comment: Wasn’t Su Mu going to audition? Or did he go to work on a new song with Liu Yadong?
Comment: I get it! Director Zhang’s looking for a theme song, and Su Mu just dropped a new single—could it be tailor-made for the new show? I knew it! The song is fantastic!
Comment: I hereby declare: this theme song must be “Listen”!
Comment: Damn! Judging by this, Su Mu will definitely join the cast. The song’s good, but as for his acting…
Will he even make it?]

Reading the trending topics and online commentary, Su Mu couldn’t help clicking his tongue in amazement.
Anyone with a sense for publicity or online gossip could tell what was going on.
No matter how good his song was, one trending topic would have sufficed.
But today, topics four, five, six, and seven—all four keywords were trending.
It was obvious someone was behind the scenes, buying up several trending slots.
There was no need to guess: this was Qian Jida’s handiwork.
Su Mu turned to Qian Jida, “Boss Qian, if the wine is good, the alley will never be too deep. I have faith in my single. If it’s good, the fans will click it on their own. Did you really need to buy so many spots?”
He truly wasn’t trying to be humble—he just felt bad about all the money spent on trending topics.
Qian Jida looked at him with exasperation, “Su Mu, could you use that little brain of yours just a bit more?
Do you really think I bought trending spots just to boost your play count?
Look at trending topic three—Director Zhang’s team is recruiting theme song submissions for the new drama!
Honestly, you really are fate’s chosen one. Sometimes I think you were born for this industry.
Did you notice? Their announcement coincided almost exactly with your single’s release!
So I put your song’s trending topic right alongside theirs. What do you think the public will believe?
They’ll assume your single was written for the new drama!
If the audience assumes from the outset that your song is the theme, then Director Zhang might just use it.
And if he uses your theme song, wouldn’t that mean he’d use you too?
When you go to audition, would landing a role be difficult?
The timing couldn’t be better!
And as your ace agent, I seized the opportunity perfectly!”

At that,
Qian Jida eloquently laid out his marketing strategy.
Su Mu took it in stride, but Xiao Ju beside him looked at Qian Jida with open admiration.
Xiao Ju: “Boss Qian, you’re awesome!”
Su Mu rolled his eyes but said nothing more.
In truth, he’d had the same plan in mind for some time.
From the moment the task was issued, he’d realized that the theme song angle might earn him extra points.
And Su Mu was confident.
As long as Director Zhang heard “Listen,” he was sure to choose it.
After all, in his previous life, this song had been the official BGM for “Frenzy.”
Throughout Gao Qiqiang’s rise and fall, this very song had marked every pivotal moment.
Anyone who understood the characters and story of “Frenzy” would be hooked after hearing it.
...

Capital City.

Huayi Film & TV Investment Tower.

As one of the country’s leading film and television investment groups, Huayi had at one time nearly cemented its dominance in the industry.
Though with the rise of the internet and the emergence of new competitors, the market had become more fragmented,
Huayi’s deep foundation still gave it formidable influence.
It was home to many celebrated actors and directors.
Director Zhang—real name Zhang Huaimo—was one of Huayi’s longtime collaborators.

Inside the main conference room,
A group of production staff were seated.
To one side sat Ning Yuyan, right next to Director Zhang.
The room was silent.
On the table, a laptop was playing a song. Everyone listened intently.

“Hear the pain in your breath—”
“Hear the wildness in your heartbeat—”
“I wish…”
“Hear you…”
“Till the end of time!”

It was none other than Su Mu’s song, “Listen.”

The music ended.
The conference room remained silent for a long while.
Everyone seemed transfixed by the song’s stirring melody, unable to snap out of it.
There was no denying—it was addictive.

Director Zhang narrowed his eyes, saying nothing at first.
But in his mind, he was already pairing the song with his script’s characters and storylines.
He couldn’t explain it, but after only one listen, it felt as if this song and his script were destined for each other.
This drama—no other BGM would do!

Abruptly, Director Zhang looked at Ning Yuyan. “Who sings this?”
Ning Yuyan smiled, “What do you think, Director? Didn’t I say it was good?”
Zhang nodded. “It’s excellent. Tell me who it is—I want the team to secure the rights.”
Ning Yuyan’s eyes glinted.
One listen and he’s convinced?
Could Su Mu really have that much talent?
She hadn’t expected Director Zhang to want the song after just one play.

In truth, there was a reason she’d added Su Mu as a friend and tried to help promote his song.
Ning Yuyan replied, “It’s Su Mu’s song.”
Director Zhang was taken aback. “Su Mu? It’s his?”
She nodded, “Yes, it’s his latest single.”
Director Zhang nodded slowly, “Didn’t expect—his acting may be lacking, but this song is quite something. I was going to brush off his audition, but now, I think I’ll meet him after all.”

...

Half an hour later.

Ning Yuyan left the Huayi Film & TV Investment Tower and got into her camper van.
She took out her phone and dialed a number.
A melodious voice quickly answered.
“Yanyan, how did it go? Did he—oh, I mean, did Director Zhang agree?”
Ning Yuyan replied, “Believe it or not, that kid really has some skill. Director Zhang decided to give him a chance, though mostly for the sake of that new song. Anyway, as long as he doesn’t mess up, joining the cast shouldn’t be a problem.”
“That’s wonderful! Thank you, Yanyan. When you’re free, let me treat you to a meal and a shopping spree. I’ll book the whole mall so you can shop to your heart’s content!”
Ning Yuyan chuckled helplessly, “Don’t be ridiculous, that’s not necessary. I didn’t really do anything. The main thing is that Director Zhang liked his new song.
I’ll be joining the production soon and will be busy. That meal will have to wait a while.”
“In that case… how about I come visit you on set and bring you some treats?”
Ning Yuyan smiled, “Hmph, I bet you’re not really coming to see me.”
“No, not at all…”