Eldest Senior Sister Became a Sensation After Being Blacklisted Online - Chapter 26

As expected, Gong Lin immediately stood up from his chair the moment Song Cheng opened her mouth. After just two lines of lyrics, Ba Yu’s hand, which had been resting at his side, clenched into a fist. If he had a gavel in front of him, he would have slammed it down decisively.

After Song Cheng passed the audition, Ba Yu quickly finalized the recording schedule with her, setting it for three days later.

With the collaboration settled, Song Cheng and Liu Zimang had no intention of lingering. After bidding farewell to Ba Yu, they turned to leave. But before they could take another step, Gong Lin’s voice rang out: “Idol!”

Hearing the call, Song Cheng and Liu Zimang stopped and turned to see Gong Lin jogging toward them.

Gong Lin rubbed his hands together nervously and blurted out, “Idol, can I help you write lyrics?” He thumped his chest. “My lyrics are pretty good! Chief Producer Ba even said they were decent, right? Chief Producer Ba?”

Ba Yu: “……”

Could he really say no?

He had been scheming for days to poach Gong Lin for Audio-Visual Entertainment. Now, before he could even make his move, the duck had flown away on its own.

Liu Zimang turned to Song Cheng, deferring to her wishes.

Song Cheng considered for a moment, a slight smile curving her lips. “Alright.”

Yang Qiong had mentioned earlier that day that if Song Cheng was serious about pursuing a music career, her first step should be releasing an album. However, Song Cheng wasn’t skilled at songwriting, so Yang Qiong promised to keep an eye out for suitable collaborators. She repeatedly emphasized that if Song Cheng found a lyricist whose style aligned with her own, she should treat them well and avoid throwing tantrums.

Gong Lin’s song, both lyrically and melodically, resonated deeply with Song Cheng. Since Gong Lin was also eager to collaborate, why would she refuse?

Gong Lin clenched his fist and pumped it downward. “Yes!”

“Pleasure doing business with you!” Song Cheng extended her hand, but withdrew it before their hands could actually touch. “I promised someone I’d maintain a professional distance.”

Ba Yu: “……”

Professional distance applied to handshakes too?

Gong Lin: “……”

Whatever the idol says is right.

Snapping out of her daze, Liu Zimang cleared her throat, her ear tips flushing slightly, though she feigned composure. “Welcome! Find some time to come to Phoenix Sky Entertainment to sign the contract. If you have any objections to the terms, feel free to raise them directly.”

“Okay, thank you,” Song Cheng replied.

Turning back to Ba Yu, Song Cheng said, “Goodbye,” before leaving the audition room with Liu Zimang following closely behind.

As they exited the elevator into the lobby, reporters who had been staking out Audio-Visual Entertainment swarmed forward like bees, breaking through the human barrier formed by three security guards and surrounding the pair.

Faced with a barrage of microphones and the glare of cameras, Song Cheng frowned slightly and shielded Liu Zimang behind her.

“Song Cheng, were you here for an audition?”

“Song Cheng, netizens are saying you’re bound to fail this audition. What was the final result?”

“Best Actress Liu, why did you choose Song Cheng to sing the theme song for your upcoming film?”

“Best Actress Liu, are you transitioning to behind-the-scenes work to start grooming new talent?”

“Best Actress Liu, is bringing Song Cheng in for this audition a strategy to boost the reputation of your newly acquired Phoenix Sky Entertainment?”

Faced with the barrage of questions, Song Cheng’s brow furrowed deeply, her hand instinctively reaching for her waist. These people are so annoying.

I just want to swat them away.

As she pondered which path to take to escape, her sleeve was tugged. Glancing sideways, she saw Liu Zimang shaking her head.

Reluctantly, she withdrew her hand and glared at the reporter who was shoving a microphone into her face. “I have reason to believe you’re provoking me.”

Sensing her anger, the reporter hastily stepped back, but the reporters behind her blocked her retreat. She lowered her camera. “This is my job.”

Song Cheng immediately retorted, “Well said. Interviewing is your job, not mine. So please move aside.”

As her words rang out, the security captain, who had been rushing toward them, arrived with nearly ten guards. They swiftly and efficiently dispersed the reporters.

Unwilling to leave empty-handed, the reporters raised their cameras, snapping photos of Song Cheng and Liu Zimang as they retreated.

Zhao Q, arriving late, urgently squeezed through the crowd of reporters to reach Song Cheng. “Sister Liu, it was my oversight. I’m sorry.”

Liu Zimang glanced up at Song Cheng, noticing her tense expression, and tugged at her sleeve. “You need to get used to this. If you let these reporters get under your skin every time, you’ll end up as puffed up as a pufferfish.”

With that, she turned to Zhao Q, who looked genuinely remorseful. “Another call from home?”

Liu Zimang had always known about Zhao Q’s family situation. As the eldest son, he had parents who favored boys. To support their sons, they forced Zhao Q to drop out of school despite his excellent grades and sent him out to work as a minor.

Before meeting her, Zhao Q had only been able to find odd jobs due to his lack of education. Yet he never complained, remaining remarkably resilient. It was fate that brought them together. They met on set during a drama shoot, where Zhao Q was working as a stuntman for the first time. The temperamental female lead accused him of injuring her, leading to a reprimand from the assistant director. Perhaps it was the look of injustice in Zhao Q’s eyes that moved her, prompting her to ask Zhang Yux to investigate his circumstances.

Knowing Zhao Q was skilled in martial arts, she asked Zhang Yux to inquire if he would be willing to work for her. Zhao Q became her assistant. Later, learning that Zhao Q’s family frequently demanded money from him, which he always complied with out of fear, she decided to have him take on a second role as her driver, earning him an additional salary.

Zhao Q lowered his head and murmured, “Mm.”

Seeing the reporters being driven outside by security, Liu Zimang seized the opportunity to take Song Cheng’s hand and walk toward the exit while the guards were still present.

After a few steps, realizing her mistake, she quickly released Song Cheng’s hand and nonchalantly got into the car with him.

Ring, ring, ring…

She pulled out her phone and saw “Younger Brother” flashing on the screen. Without hesitation, she answered the call.

“Sis, if Mom calls and asks you to come home, don’t go. This afternoon, Uncle came over and actually suggested you marry that Huang guy. He’s completely lost it.”

Hearing the word “marry,” Song Cheng immediately turned to Liu Zimang, his gaze piercing. “Who are you going to marry?”

“Sis, who’s with you?” Liu Zhongyuan asked.

Liu Zimang covered the microphone with her hand and lowered her voice. “You misheard. I’m not getting married.” If it’s not you, I’ll never marry anyone in this lifetime.

She didn’t voice the second half of her thought, nor was it the right time to say it.

Song Cheng, still uneasy, leaned forward and snatched the phone from Liu Zimang’s hand. “Who did you say she’s marrying?”

“You… you’re Song Cheng?” Liu Zhongyuan paused. “You’re the one who broke that scumbag’s leg yesterday?”

“Mm-hmm,” Song Cheng replied, sidestepping Liu Zimang’s outstretched hand. “Send me the address. I’ll talk to your mother.”

How could Liu Zimang marry that scumbag?

Glancing at Liu Zimang, who was glaring at her, she added, “Never mind. I’ll have your sister guide me.”

With that, she instructed Zhao Q, who was driving, “Head to the Liu Family residence.”

“What authority do you have to talk to my mother?” Liu Zimang demanded.

Song Cheng met Liu Zimang’s glittering gaze. “What authority do you want me to have?”

Liu Zimang turned away, her voice tinged with nervousness. “If you can’t even figure that out, you shouldn’t go at all.”

At that moment, her nervousness outweighed her anger. If her younger brother’s words could truly make Song Cheng say what she longed to hear, she could forgive her mother’s actions.

Song Cheng’s lips parted slightly, but the words “You’re mine” caught in her throat, refusing to be uttered.

Hearing no response, Liu Zimang clenched her hands in her lap, biting her lower lip. “Zhao Q, take me home.”

“No, to the Liu Family,” Song Cheng countered, reaching out to grasp Liu Zimang’s hand. “I… I like you.”

When she learned Liu Zimang was to be married, an unprecedented panic had seized her. It was then she realized that her excuses about returning to the cultivation world causing Liu Zimang pain were nothing but lies she used to avoid facing her true feelings.

She couldn’t bear to give Liu Zimang to another, nor could she stand by and watch Liu Zimang love someone else.

The mere thought of it ignited a fierce jealousy and possessiveness within her.

So what if Liu Zimang couldn’t cultivate? If Song Cheng could find a way back to the cultivation world, she would find a way to help Liu Zimang cultivate as well.

And if that failed, she would stay here with Liu Zimang. What did it matter where they lived? At worst, they would live a few years less.

At that moment, Liu Zimang felt her heart stop, even forgetting to breathe. Suppressing her overwhelming joy, she feigned confusion. “What did you say? I didn’t hear you.”

Song Cheng angrily pried open Liu Zimang’s hand and poked her palm with a finger. “I like you. I want to be with you. I don’t want you to marry anyone else.”

“But how can two girls…”

Before she could finish, Song Cheng abruptly stood up, cutting her off.

Song Cheng gazed down at the girl beneath her, who was pretending to be clueless despite knowing full well what was happening. She reached out and pinched Liu Zimang’s delicate nose. “Stop talking nonsense. You’ve been teasing me every day, changing your tactics to flirt with me. Now you want to back out? Too late.”

Liu Zimang’s smile widened uncontrollably. She wrapped her arms around Song Cheng’s neck, tugged her closer, and without hesitation, tilted her head back and kissed Song Cheng’s lips.

Song Cheng’s mind went blank. She let the girl beneath her run wild. By the time she regained her senses, Liu Zimang had already pried open her teeth, her tongue chasing and playing with Song Cheng’s.

She wanted to teach this heart-stirring girl a lesson, but the exhaustion gripping her body made her afraid to move. Her hand, resting on the seat back, clenched tighter and tighter. In just a few blinks, beads of sweat dotted her forehead.

Liu Zimang finally noticed something was wrong with Song Cheng. She immediately stopped what she was doing and looked at her with concern. “Song Cheng, what’s wrong?” Before Song Cheng could answer, Liu Zimang instructed Zhao Q, who was focused on the road, “Turn around and go to the hospital.”

Song Cheng took several deep breaths, leaned back against the seat, and said softly, “No need. Just continue to the Liu Family.”

Anticipating what Liu Zimang would say, she immediately raised her hand. “I’m fine. I’ll be okay in a moment.” Before she finished speaking, she began circulating her internal energy to regulate her breathing.

Damn it, you bastard heavens! Can you be any more cruel? she cursed inwardly.

After venting her anger, she resolved to hang Shen Gu from a tree branch the moment she returned. He won’t come down until he figures out a solution, even if he dries out in the wind!

Liu Zimang shared Song Cheng’s conflicted emotions. She sat stiffly in her seat, turning to stare intently at Song Cheng, unable to understand what was wrong with her.

When did Song Cheng’s condition start? she wondered. It seems like it was after I liked that post. Recalling this, she immediately pulled out her phone and texted Zhang Yux, asking her to find contact information for the Song Family.

If Song Cheng won’t tell me, her family surely will.

Zhang Yux replied almost instantly: Auntie, can you be a little more discreet? You could have gotten intimate with Song Cheng in private. Why choose a public place?

Immediately following the message came a photo.

The background made it easy to recognize the location: outside the music studio at Phoenix Sky Entertainment. The photo showed her and Song Cheng locked in a passionate kiss.

If it had been a blurry side profile, Zhang Yux wouldn’t have made such a fuss. But the photographer was skilled, capturing clear facial features of both her and Song Cheng. And… it was actually quite a beautiful shot.

She paused, long-pressing the photo to save it to her album. Then she typed: Find their contact information and send it to me immediately.

After sending the message, she tossed her phone aside and turned to look at Song Cheng.

She wasn’t worried about the photo being leaked. Since Zhang Yux had sent it, it was clear the other party was motivated by money.

Dealing with money was simple enough—a bribe would silence them. As for whether they might hold back a copy, Zhang Yux wouldn’t give them the chance.

Sensing her concern, Song Cheng, who was feeling slightly better, opened her eyes. “Don’t worry. It’s all over now, right?”

“But what exactly is wrong with your health?” Liu Zimang pressed.

Meeting her gaze, Song Cheng sighed helplessly. “My health issues are complicated. But don’t worry, I’m already looking for a permanent solution. I’ll be fine soon.”

“Song Cheng, is this how you’re going to brush me off?” Liu Zimang asked, her face tight with tension.

Song Cheng turned her head away, her hand clenching at her side. “When the time is right, I’ll tell you everything.”

A flicker of regret crossed her eyes. She had acted impulsively; she should have waited until her body was stronger before confessing her feelings.

How could she tell Ziman now?

Tell her she was a soul who had lived for decades, whose physical vulnerabilities had surfaced due to the loss of true q? That if she couldn’t resolve this issue, she might become a true ghost?

Wouldn’t that terrify her?

Liu Zimang sighed and turned her head away, pressing her lips together in silence. Instinct told her that whatever Song Cheng was hiding was crucial.

But Song Cheng wouldn’t speak, and she couldn’t force her. She didn’t want to jeopardize their fragile connection, which had only recently grown closer.

If Song Cheng wouldn’t tell her, she would investigate herself. And if she couldn’t find answers, she would wait. She refused to believe Song Cheng could keep this secret from her forever.

The car stopped, and Song Cheng stepped out first, moving aside to offer her hand to help Liu Zimang alight.

Liu Zimang couldn’t match Song Cheng’s composure. The thought that they had only just confirmed their relationship, and that Song Cheng was here to defend her, filled her with nervous anticipation.

Sensing her tension, Song Cheng squeezed her hand reassuringly. “I’ll handle everything.”

“Please be careful with your words later,” Liu Zimang whispered. “No matter how unreasonable she is, she’s still my mother.”

Song Cheng nodded. “I will.”

Crossing the courtyard, they entered the main hall.

Liu Tianhong, who had been sipping tea inside, had heard that Liu Zimang had brought a woman home. He was already guessing it might be Song Cheng when he saw her walking toward him, hand in hand with his granddaughter.

Song Cheng stopped in the middle of the hall, meeting Liu Tianhong’s anxious gaze with composure. “Good day, Old Master Liu.”

Liu Tianhong hastily set down his teacup and rose from his chair. “Good day, Master Song,” he said, gesturing for her to sit. “Please, have a seat.” As he spoke, he glanced at Liu Zimang, his eyes questioning Song Cheng’s purpose.

Liu Zimang understood his unspoken query. Whether out of spite or nervousness, she remained silent.

Song Cheng, observing this exchange, cut straight to the chase. “I came because I heard you’re planning to marry Ziman to that cripple who broke his leg yesterday.”

Liu Tianhong seized on the key word and immediately denied it. “Absolutely not! There’s no such thing.”

Ever since hearing about the events at yesterday’s banquet, he had been kicking himself for missing it. If he had been there, he would never have given that old fox Xu Jinrong the chance to play peacemaker. He would have personally broken both legs of that Huang bastard.

“Do they think they can just covet someone from the Liu Family?”

Yet, he gleaned two crucial insights from this incident. First, his granddaughter held immense importance to Song Cheng, and any insult against her would not be tolerated. Second, both the Zhang and Xu families had firmly declared their allegiance, standing resolutely by Song Cheng’s side.

This meant that three of Lingnan’s Five Great Ancient Martial Families had already aligned with Song Cheng. As for the remaining two, while he remained uncertain about the Chen Family, he was confident that the Wang Family—given his understanding of Old Ghost Wang—would also side with Song Cheng.

With four of the Ancient Martial Arts Families rallying to protect Song Cheng, the Huang Family’s commercial influence, however vast, could never reach her.

Having already declared irreconcilable enmity with the Huang Family, how could he possibly humiliate himself by allowing his granddaughter to marry that Huang Family cur?

At this, Liu Zimang’s eyes flickered, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

She had always believed her grandfather wanted her to marry into the Huang Family. Now, it seemed the pressure came from her maternal grandfather’s side.

“The Liu Family had a guest today,” Song Cheng remarked casually, though a chilling glint flashed in her eyes. “The guest spoke with Ziman’s mother for a long time.”

She had assumed Zimang’s unhappiness at the Liu Family stemmed from her grandfather, Liu Tianhong’s, old-fashioned ways. Now, it seemed the entire Liu Family was problematic.

How could a mother marry her daughter off to such a scoundrel?

Her anger flared, and she straightened her back, determined to conceal her exhaustion. “I want to have a serious talk with Ziman’s mother.”

Liu Tianhong immediately signaled Liu Zitong, who had just approached, to fetch Xiao Qiong.

Sensing Song Cheng’s fury, he quickly reassured her, “Don’t worry. No one can marry Ziman off without my approval. The Xiao Family has no right to decide the marriage of a member of the Liu Family.”

Though strict with the younger generation, Liu Tianhong understood that marriage was a lifelong commitment. Unless there were exceptional circumstances, he never interfered in their marital affairs. As long as the young couple was willing and the partner was reliable, he would turn a blind eye.

Liu Zitong soon brought Xiao Qiong to the hall. Throughout the journey, Xiao Qiong had been pressing Liu Zitong about why Old Master Liu had summoned her. But the moment she saw her daughter, she immediately understood: Ziman must have gotten into trouble again.

She strode forward, reaching out to pull her daughter away, but her hand closed on empty air before she could touch Liu Zimang.

Only then did she notice Song Cheng standing beside Liu Zimang. Uncertain of Song Cheng’s identity, she gave a slight nod and asked, “Zimang, who is this beside you?”

“My name is Song Cheng. I asked you here to tell you that I was the one who broke Young Master Huang’s leg,” Song Cheng said, pressing Liu Zimang into a chair with a reassuring glance.

“What? You…” Xiao Qiong’s eyes widened, her composure shattering. She lunged forward and grabbed Liu Zimang’s hand. “Why are you associating with such a dangerous person? If she could take Young Master Huang’s leg yesterday, she could take your life tomorrow!”

Song Cheng instinctively reached out, but seeing Liu Zimang’s slight frown, she immediately withdrew her hand. Her cold gaze locked onto Xiao Qiong’s grip on Liu Zimang’s arm. “Let go of her.”

“I don’t care who you are,” Xiao Qiong declared firmly. “I will never allow my daughter to be with a dangerous person like you.”

Liu Zimang didn’t want Xiao Qiong to misunderstand Song Cheng, but before she could explain, Liu Tianhong’s furious voice boomed in her ears: “What nonsense are you spouting? You only know Master Song took that Hu’s leg, but do you know why she did it? It was all to protect Ziman and uphold the Liu Family’s honor!”

Liu Tianhong strode forward. “Release Ziman immediately! You’re being too rough.”

Hearing this, Xiao Qiong immediately let go of Liu Zimang’s hand, staring at her in disbelief. “Is what your grandfather said true?”

Liu Zimang nodded, then hesitated before saying, “Mom, don’t disappoint me.”

Those few words struck Xiao Qiong like a boulder. She stumbled back several steps, muttering, “No… I didn’t know.”

“From now on, don’t listen to just one side of the story. Think before you act,” Liu Tianhong said, his voice laced with disappointment. His third daughter-in-law was otherwise perfect, but she was too easily swayed and too soft-hearted.

Liu Zimang turned away in disappointment and walked to Song Cheng, tugging at her sleeve. “Song Cheng, let’s go.”

Having secured Liu Tianhong’s assurance, Xiao Qiong, the instigator of the conflict, seemed to regret her actions. With her objective achieved, Song Cheng saw no reason to remain any longer. She immediately bid farewell to Liu Tianhong and left the Liu Family estate with Liu Zimang.

Meanwhile, online discussions about Song Cheng were reaching a fever pitch. The catalyst was Audio-Visual Entertainment’s announcement that their highly anticipated production, Ning’an, would premiere in two months.

The news sent the internet into a frenzy.

Why announce this now, just after Song Cheng visited Audio-Visual Entertainment? Doesn’t this confirm she’s singing the theme song for Ning’an?

Audio-Visual Entertainment, you’re ruthless! My face is still stinging from your slap.

I knew there’d be a twist wherever Song Cheng goes! Hahaha, how do those who tried to bury her feel now? Does your face hurt? Is it swollen?

I swear, if I ever join the hate train against Song Cheng again, I’ll be a dog! Song Cheng, you’re my idol from now on!

Phew… I almost said Song Cheng’s songs were terrible. Good thing I listened to her music first, or I’d be looking like a pig’s head right now.

Confirmed: Song Cheng is this year’s dark horse in the entertainment industry. Her momentum is unstoppable!

Song Cheng remained unaware of the online frenzy. After escorting Liu Zimang home, she finally returned to her own residence.

The first thing she did upon arriving was confront Shen Gu, who was already on edge, as if facing a formidable enemy. Shen Gu spoke first, “The divination is still unclear, but from the fragments revealed, it’s evident that resolving your physical ailment is connected to the Five Great Clans of Lingnan. However, determining which clan’s ancestral martial arts technique holds the key to your cure requires further investigation.”

“What’s the point of saying that? It’s as good as saying nothing!” Song Cheng gritted her teeth.

Twice today, she had faltered in front of Liu Zimang. What must Liu Zimang think of her now?

“No, it’s useful! It’s useful!” Shen Gu’s eyes darted around frantically as he racked his brain. Suddenly, he exclaimed, “I’ve got it! It’s the Xu Clan! It must be the Xu Clan!”