Dejectedly, Chu Tian slumped into the chair. Still unwilling to give up, he opened his mouth.
"Ugh... ah..."
He tried to utter a few sounds. A noise did escape, but it was as grating as fingernails on glass. The simple effort made his face flush red.
So it's still no good, huh?
Wincing from the discomfort, Chu Tian could only turn his attention back to the system.
It seems I still have to rely on it, he thought, though I have no idea what this system is thinking.
Wait! I can't sing myself, but that doesn't mean others can't sing, right?
Suddenly realizing something, Chu Tian hurriedly scanned the system's introduction. As expected, it was still just a single, simple sentence.
However, on the right side of the introduction, he stumbled upon a consultation window. It didn't offer a direct chat but had built-in template answers for common questions.
He tried asking, "System, can the works be performed by others?"
"..."
No response? I'll try asking differently.
"Can the items be used by others?"
"..."
He thought for a moment, then asked again, "What are the ways to increase Reputation Points?"
This time, there was finally a response. A series of explanations popped up as he posed the question.
After a brief glance, the gist was that the impact generated by the release of the host's works would eventually convert into Reputation Points.
The more people influenced, the higher the Reputation Points. Furthermore, the impact of different works could be stacked. This meant that if the same person experienced multiple works, each would generate Reputation Points.
The introduction didn't specify that the works had to be performed by the host himself.
Right, he suddenly remembered seeing options like variety shows, films, novels, and so on before. Take movies, for example. If I write the script, and others direct or act in it, it wouldn't make sense for me not to earn Reputation Points.
In that case, songs are the same. If I write the lyrics and compose the music, and someone else sings it, wouldn't I also gain Reputation Points?
At this realization, his eyes lit up.
Well, isn't this convenient? I can't sing, but I have a 'tool person'—Qingqiu, what a perfect 'tool person' she is!
She was a Queen, sang beautifully, and was strikingly attractive. Crucially, she already had a fan base. Earning Reputation Points through her would be a breeze!
He could manage writing songs himself. After all, from his previous life, he knew countless classic songs by heart, whether his own or others'.
Even composing wasn't an issue for him. Of course, his compositions wouldn't be superb, but they'd be at least passable.
But this is about Reputation Points right now, isn't it? My own compositions don't grant Reputation Points; I'll have to find a solution through the system.
Besides, he'd just heard about the difficulties Xu Qingqiu was facing. She was, after all, his benefactor. If he had the ability to help, he definitely would.
Isn't this a perfect opportunity?
I'll earn Reputation Points, Xu Qingqiu will get new works, and she might even make a comeback. It's a win-win!
Chu Tian couldn't help but give himself a mental thumbs-up. He extracted the iridescent USB drive from his mind and toyed with it proudly in his hand.
But soon, another thought struck him.
Wait, if I just go out like this, won't I expose myself?
Secrets have a way of getting out. Once a leak starts, it will only grow, like a flood.
As I release more and more works, how many people will covet a Song Daddy of my caliber?
Once the news gets out, all sorts of pervasive connections will come swarming.
And Xu Qingqiu still has to navigate the industry. Should she keep it a secret? If she doesn't, she'll offend people. But if she does spill the beans, won't that just create more trouble for me?
Wouldn't that just drag me back into that laborious life? Absolutely not.
His only goal was to earn enough Reputation Points to exchange for some medicine to treat his throat; he had no intention of re-entering the entertainment industry.
The mere thought of being forced to face all sorts of influential figures and having to grit his teeth while writing songs for them made him shiver.
No way! I can't expose myself.
So, what should I do?
Glancing at the empty company office, he tiptoed to Xu Qingqiu's office door, intending to slip inside.
Hmm? It's locked?
He looked down. It was a fingerprint lock? No, a password can open it too!
What's the password?
In my memory, Xu Qingqiu likes to use her birthday as her password. Should I try guessing?
"1124"
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
Nope, not that one. Strange.
As I recall, Xu Qingqiu is terrible with numbers; she can't even remember her own phone number. The only number she reliably remembers is her birth date. If it's not her birthday, what else could it be?
He tried a few more combinations, all of which failed.
Chu Tian wracked his brain, cycling through various possible numeric combinations.
Finally, after unconsciously keying in a string of numbers:
BEEP!
Huh? It opened?
What did I just enter? Was it 0813?
What number is that?
Oh, right! That's my birthday!
Wait a minute! The password is *my* birthday? What on earth?
Well, not *his* birthday exactly. More accurately, it was the birthday of his current self in this life, August 13th. His birthday in his previous life was July 9th, so it didn't register immediately.
Even though the door was open, Chu Tian stood frozen in the doorway, a whirlwind of complex emotions stirring within him.
If it hadn't been for that incident a few years ago, calling them a 'golden couple' wouldn't have been an exaggeration.
They were both selected at sixteen, reported to Baise Entertainment on the same day, arrived through the gates in the same car, shared the same diligence and hobbies, and were both equally outstanding.
They had spent over a year toiling together, sharing their sweat and tears, and in their daily lives, there was nothing they couldn't talk about.