Chapter 10: Are You Insulting Me, the Wealthy Woman?

Shona Li had been feeling quite troubled lately.

As the entertainment director of NFA, she had gained a modest reputation within Shangnan City’s nightlife scene. The bars she managed often grew increasingly popular over time. Several moderately well-known artists had even emerged under her guidance. As a result, she had cultivated some connections in the entertainment industry.

However, a new bar named "ST" had recently opened on Zhongshan Road. The owner behind it was the son of Yan Yude, a real estate tycoon in Shangnan City, with deep ties and vast financial resources. From the moment ST launched, it rapidly established itself on Zhongshan Road with explosive performances, sultry service, and a high-end social network, posing fierce competition to NFA.

ST came on strong.

Yet NFA was no low-tier establishment. Having been firmly rooted in the scene for years, it boasted a distinct advantage in the quality of its performances.

Therefore, even though ST attracted a batch of clientele with its alluring, cool-looking women, NFA’s business remained largely unaffected. The only noticeable difference was a slight reduction in the queue outside. But that was nothing unusual—money rarely all goes to just one place.

Thus, the backers behind NFA remained rather unbothered.

But ST played dirty.

Recently, they had begun spending lavishly to poach performers from NFA’s team. Of the two key artists under Shona’s management, one female singer had taken leave for health reasons. The other, a male vocalist, had been approached by ST through a headhunter, offered double his current salary, and had his breach of contract penalty fully covered.

The male singer did not immediately jump ship; instead, he seized the opportunity to demand a raise from Shona.

Known as the “Nightlife Queen,” Shona was by no means one to indulge such demands. While following the usual cost-saving procedures, she actively sought replacements for the male singer.

Now, Shona had two candidates in mind but still felt something was missing.

The reason she valued that male singer so highly was that he was a rare creative singer-songwriter. His self-composed songs not only suited him perfectly but also allowed for powerful emotional delivery, bringing a constant freshness to the nightclub’s stage.

However, in the past few days of auditions, Shona had yet to find any singer with genuine compositional talent.

If all else failed, she would have to hire professional songwriters to craft custom pieces.

Below the stage, Lu Yao watched the performances intently.

Most contestants sang covers. There were some who performed their own compositions, but songwriting and arranging were technical crafts. This was not an era dominated by vocational rap artists.

So, those performing their own works were merely touching.

Soon, it was Lu Yao’s turn.

Though he considered himself gifted, compared to seasoned professionals, his talent was just enough to keep pace, not to stand out.

To shine, he had to bring something different.

Though lacking in songwriting talent, he knew how to imitate.

Before stepping onstage, Lu Yao had already chosen the song he wanted to perform.

Onstage, he introduced himself: “Hello judges, I’m contestant number 25. The piece I’m performing is my own composition titled ‘How Much I Want to Embrace You.’”

In the audience, Shona Li, her platinum hair stark against her cold expression, remained impassive. The earlier, clumsy original songs had nearly exhausted her patience, yet she conducted the auditions with professionalism.

Undeterred by the crowd’s reaction, Lu Yao began to sing a cappella:

“How much I want to embrace you, through times of mountains and rivers apart.”

“The crowd like the sea marks the distance between us, but it’s okay to be late~”

His voice carried a natural reverb, his tone rising and falling through the microphone and speakers, filling the spacious, dimly lit bar.

Even without accompaniment, the deep, melodious tune was captivating.

Shona, who had been leaning back on the sofa, suddenly raised her eyes, surprised at Lu Yao on stage.

Beautiful! Catchy!

These were the essential qualities of a good song.

At last, the candidate she had sought for so long appeared before her eyes...

“How much I want to comfort you, in a story with no ending.”

“Dreams swirling endlessly, are we all equally afraid of losing~”

As Lu Yao settled into the performance, the low, lingering melody felt like a prose poem quietly echoing through the bar.

The catchy tune and poetic lyrics drew everyone in—audience and auditionees alike—into silent, attentive listening.

After humming a brief melody, Lu Yao continued singing:

“It feels like dark clouds dwell within my body, even with the lights on, there’s a sense of oppression.”

“Maybe no matter how regretful or sorrowful, the yearning still cannot reach you!”

At this point, memories from his past life flashed through Lu Yao’s mind like a revolving lantern. The regrets and sorrows transformed into a soaring vocal climax:

“I fear empty joy! I fear hoping for you only to find it’s not you!”

“I have no ambitions nor am I willful, memories tug at the tides of longing for you~”

From the gentle, narrative opening to the sudden emotional burst, his powerful voice pierced through the eardrums and straight into the hearts of the listeners.

Regret.

Sorrow.

To remember but never return...

The strength hidden beneath the lyrics and melody gave Shona goosebumps.

This was a great song!

Absolutely!

But such a brilliant piece appeared so effortlessly before her?

Shona even subconsciously questioned whether she was still in a bar or at some music audition.

She immediately sat upright from the sofa.

When Lu Yao finished, she eagerly rose and asked him onstage, "Did you really write this song yourself?"

Of course not.

He had copied it.

But having studied abroad in the future, Lu Yao brazenly answered, “Yes.”

Shona took a deep breath. “Not bad. Come with me.”

The other auditioning singers were naturally handled by her assistant.

Once in the director’s office on the bar’s third floor, Shona had Lu Yao sit before her desk, while she perched atop it, looking down at him.

Handsome appearance!

Good physique too.

Just a bit thin.

If he could build some muscle, that would be a killer combination.

While Shona appraised him, Lu Yao’s phone suddenly rang.

He checked—it was Sister Wang calling: “What are you doing?”

Lu Yao silently apologized to the entertainment director beside him, then quickly replied, “I’m at an audition, I’ll call you back later.”

Sister Wang: “??? What’s going on, brother?! You weren’t here for so long and now you’re at an audition?! Are you insulting me, your rich benefactor?!”