Hey everyone,
I've been thinking a lot lately about where to continue sharing my stories. After trying out other platforms, it feels like things just aren't working out the way I hoped. So, I'm seriously considering reopening my Patreon account again.
This time, though, I plan to keep things a little cleaner — I won't be uploading the spicy or R-rated chapters there anymore. I want to focus on storytelling, worldbuilding, and giving you all consistent updates without worrying about content restrictions.
What do you all think? Would you still be interested in supporting and reading on Patreon if I relaunch it that way?
Your feedback really matters to me — it'll help me decide the best direction to take moving forward.
Thank you all for sticking with me through everything. Your support means more than words can express. 💛
*****
{Chapter: 338 Many rivals in love!}
"The problem with Li Feifei's agency is actually quite simple to resolve," Lin Yuan said calmly, confidence in his voice.
"The reason most agencies hesitate when it comes to allowing their artists to take on endorsements isn't necessarily because they're worried about time constraints or scheduling conflicts. That's only what they say on the surface."
"In reality," he continued, "it all comes down to one thing—money. At the end of the day, what really matters is the talent fee. As long as the fee is high enough and Li Feifei herself agrees, the agency won't object. They'll fall in line without hesitation."
Yan Ruyue raised an eyebrow, her tone slightly skeptical. "So, you're planning to bring Li Feifei on board at a high cost? You do realize that for a top-tier celebrity like her, the talent fee would be astronomical. I've heard it can go up to ten or even twenty million. And lately, she's been fully booked with her concert tour. I remember she mentioned in an interview that she wasn't taking on any endorsements at the moment."
Her voice softened, but the message was clear. "If you really want to bring her in, I'm afraid you'll need to offer her agency a talent fee of at least fifty million… maybe even over a hundred million yuan."
"To spend that much on one endorsement," she added with a trace of hesitation, "seems… a little excessive, don't you think?"
Lin Yuan chuckled lightly. "You're right. When you look at it from a purely financial perspective, it does seem a bit extravagant. It's not exactly cost-effective to throw that much money at a single endorsement deal."
"But here's the thing," he said, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Money isn't what Li Feifei needs the most right now. What she really needs, more than anything else, is a good song."
"A good song?" Yan Ruyue asked, visibly confused.
Lin Yuan nodded. "Exactly. Right now, Li Feifei is locked in a silent battle with another top female singer—Sun Ruoying. Both of them are contending for the unofficial but highly prestigious title of the 'New Queen' of the Pop industry. I assume you've heard of that?"
"Yes, I've read about it in entertainment magazines," Yan Ruyue replied.
"Li Feifei is definitely more popular in terms of overall fanbase and media coverage," Lin Yuan explained, "but Sun Ruoying has her own strengths—she's younger, she went through rigorous professional training before her debut, and she has a slightly more refined musical background."
"In terms of raw numbers—songs released, album sales, critical reception—Sun Ruoying may actually have the edge," he continued. "So while Li Feifei dominates in popularity, the evaluation for the 'New Queen' title is handled by an independent, highly selective committee that values both strength and popularity."
"And that's where Li Feifei is struggling. She knows she needs a new masterpiece to secure her place. But she's run out of high-quality songs. That's why she's focusing on her concert tour—to maintain her popularity in the absence of new hits. But that's a temporary solution, and a risky one at that."
He looked at Yan Ruyue meaningfully. "What she really needs is one phenomenal song to cement her place and take the crown. If she gets that, both she and her agency will eagerly accept the endorsement offer. No amount of money can compare to what a breakthrough hit would do for her career right now."
Yan Ruyue's expression turned serious. She leaned back in her chair, deep in thought.
The logic made perfect sense.
When you looked at it analytically, everything Lin Yuan said matched up with Li Feifei's current situation. The concert tour, the lack of new material, the competition with Sun Ruoying—it all aligned.
More than money, what Li Feifei truly needed was a good song.
And if that was the case, then getting her to agree to endorse their product might not be difficult at all.
But one question still lingered in her mind: Where do you find such a song?
She looked at Lin Yuan, suddenly remembering his accomplishments in music.
She had heard Blue and White Porcelain several times, and it had left a deep impression.
Now she finally understood what Lin Yuan was getting at.
"You're saying… you'll offer her a new song? One that you wrote?" Yan Ruyue asked slowly, trying to confirm her suspicions.
Lin Yuan nodded with a slight smile. "That's right."
Yan Ruyue watched as Lin Yuan casually picked up his phone, seemingly preparing to call someone. Was he about to call Li Feifei?
Does he actually have a song ready?
She was taken aback. She had thought she understood Lin Yuan well—especially in the past when she resented him and believed he was nothing more than a spoiled, arrogant young master. Back then, she didn't care to learn more about him, and her opinion was fixed.
But now, everything had changed.
From medicine to music, from horse racing to stock investments, Lin Yuan had shown remarkable talent in every field he touched.
He had even helped uncover the hidden spy, Chen Qu.
Time after time, he had proven her assumptions wrong. No matter how many times she thought she had figured him out, Lin Yuan would reveal another side of himself that surprised her.
The way he dealt with Feng Dahai—clean, decisive, and efficient—was just another example.
And now, yet again, Lin Yuan was showing her a side she hadn't expected.
A songwriter. A strategist. A man with connections that extended into the entertainment industry itself.
Yan Ruyue didn't speak, but her gaze lingered on Lin Yuan for a long while.
The Lin Yuan she thought she knew… no longer existed.
He had become someone entirely unpredictable.
And perhaps, someone… irreplaceable.
Now, Lin Yuan was preparing to invite the top-tier celebrity, Li Feifei, to become the face of the company's product line—not through a mountain of money, but in exchange for something far more valuable to her at this stage in her career: a good song.
Time and time again, Lin Yuan displayed a sharp intellect and unshakable confidence that left Yan Ruyue quietly in awe. While others might scramble to chase trends or scramble behind the scenes for sponsorships, Lin Yuan was always several steps ahead—playing chess while others played checkers.
The truth was, Lin Yuan had already anticipated this moment long before it arrived.
From the very beginning, Lin Yuan had meticulously laid out his plan to obstruct Ye Feng's entry into the booming facial mask market, determined to sever any chance of him establishing a foothold or reaping the enormous profits the industry promised. This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision—it was a calculated maneuver, part of a larger and well-thought-out strategy that Lin Yuan had been patiently constructing behind the scenes.
Securing Li Feifei as not just a one-time spokesperson, but as the official face and long-term brand ambassador of the product line, was one of his most pivotal and deliberate moves. She wasn't just another pretty face—Li Feifei possessed an intoxicating blend of beauty, talent, and influence. With a staggering 93 on Lin Yuan's personal index—a private metric he used to evaluate worth and potential—she ranked among the elite. In terms of fame, charisma, and star power, she was regarded as this world's equivalent of Jennie from BLACKPINK: adored by fans, envied by peers, and constantly trending.
Her involvement wasn't merely for publicity—it was psychological warfare. By bringing her into his camp, Lin Yuan wasn't just securing market attention; he was making a statement. Every appearance she made, every product she endorsed, would serve to overshadow Ye Feng's efforts, tightening the noose before Ye Feng even realized a game had begun.
And to win Li Feifei over, Lin Yuan had something prepared—something powerful enough to shift her career trajectory. He had a song. Not just any song, but one he believed to be on par with Blue and White Porcelain, the groundbreaking hit that took the nation by storm.
Of course, the composition wasn't technically his own. It was another masterpiece from a world that this one had never known. A hidden gem, unheard and untouched, waiting for the right moment to shine.
Originally, Lin Yuan intended to release it later, at the peak of Li Feifei's desperation for a breakthrough piece. But with the sudden opportunity to infiltrate the beauty market, there was no harm in moving up the schedule.
Yan Ruyue, seated beside him, couldn't hide her curiosity. But Lin Yuan didn't offer an explanation. He simply picked up his phone and calmly dialed Li Feifei's number.
After a few rings, the line connected.
"Hello? Superstar Li?" Lin Yuan's voice was light, almost teasing.
A gentle laugh came from the other end of the line. "Is this Young Master Lin? Don't be so formal. Just call me Li Feifei," she said warmly.
Yan Ruyue blinked in surprise, her gaze drifting toward Lin Yuan. The tone between them was unexpectedly casual. There was a clear sense of familiarity in the way they spoke—more than just professional courtesy. It was subtle, but undeniable.
For a moment, she felt a pang of discomfort. Li Feifei was one of the most dazzling figures in the entertainment industry, and yet she sounded perfectly at ease with Lin Yuan. The intimacy in her tone hinted at a personal connection—something deeper than a typical business contact.
But then again, Yan Ruyue reminded herself, it wasn't all that strange. Lin Yuan was, after all, the heir of the powerful Lin family. In terms of wealth, status, and charm, he was already a celebrity in his own right. That Li Feifei had given him her personal number only proved that their relationship was far from ordinary.
Still... that didn't make it easier to accept.
First there was Chi Qian. Then Gui Qingtong. Now, even Li Feifei?
The growing list of potential rivals made her head spin.
As she inwardly struggled with her thoughts, Lin Yuan and Li Feifei exchanged a few pleasantries.
"Young Master Lin doesn't call me often," Li Feifei said with a soft chuckle. "So I assume there's something you need. Are you inviting me to dinner, or is this business?"
Lin Yuan smiled. "If I said I wanted to invite you to dinner, would you say yes?"
"Hm..." Li Feifei paused thoughtfully, then replied in a half-playful tone, "If it were anyone else, probably not. But for Young Master Lin... I might be willing to find the time. Though I suspect that's not your real reason for calling, is it?"
Despite her casual tone, there was sincerity behind her words.
Li Feifei rarely accepted invitations from powerful businessmen. She didn't dislike money—after all, it was a necessity in her industry—but she was proud and independent. She preferred to earn her wealth through her own talent and hard work.
Yet Lin Yuan was different.
Ever since he released Blue and White Porcelain, a song that had sent shockwaves through the music world, Li Feifei had taken a keen interest in him. If that song had been hers to sing, she could've outshone her biggest rival, Sun Ruoying, without question.
That was why she had kept Lin Yuan's contact number and why she was genuinely intrigued whenever he reached out.
Even now, she still remembered the last concert where Lin Yuan had unexpectedly stolen the spotlight with a single performance. It had left a lasting impression on her.
Yan Ruyue, who had been watching Lin Yuan with nervous eyes, couldn't help but grow anxious. Did he actually plan on having dinner with Li Feifei?
Yes, it might be normal for business meetings... but Yan Ruyue was still a woman. She couldn't help but imagine things, and the thought of Lin Yuan dining alone with Li Feifei made her stomach twist.
Still, she didn't say a word. She couldn't exactly stop him.
Just as she was bracing herself for Lin Yuan's reply, he responded—and to her surprise, it wasn't what she feared.
"I'm not asking you to dinner just yet," Lin Yuan said with a light chuckle. "Actually, I wanted to ask about your next concert—time and location."
Li Feifei smiled. "I knew it. You weren't really calling just to chat or invite me to dinner. But it's not impossible for me to invite you someday instead," she said playfully. "As for the concert, the next one is in Yanjing the day after tomorrow. It's a pretty important show, part of the final leg of my tour. It's sort of the climax of my momentum."
"I'm going head-to-head with Sun Ruoying," she added with a touch of pride.
Lin Yuan nodded slightly but then said something unexpected.
"This concert... is there any way to cancel it?" he asked suddenly.
Li Feifei was stunned. "Huh?"