Chapter 006: An Inauspicious Start and the Heartbroken Girl Seeking Death

Ten days later.

With Su Yun’s meticulous care, Le Xiaotian not only fully recovered but even began to show signs of improvement. Mentally, the sudden shift in identity and the rapid progression of their relationship both found a smooth buffer.

Three days ago, Le Xiaotian formally notified Lotus Television that he would be returning to work. He spent time familiarizing himself with the work environment, the new and curious equipment, and his colleagues, making all the necessary preparations before resuming his duties.

It was now eight in the evening, just one hour before the official broadcast. Once he realized his opponent was All-Star Music Globe, Le Xiaotian gained a new sense of urgency regarding time. He started frantically cramming every bit of knowledge he could, constantly recharging himself.

For example, he was currently studying the full score of an orchestral piece. He had already mapped out his plan to reshape the music world.

First, he would definitely start solo, focusing on popular genres with the widest audience appeal, such as pop, rock, country, and so on.

Second, he would eventually need to lead an ensemble, breaking into genres with massive orchestrations like symphonic, epic, classical, and new age.

Third, after building up his reputation and skills through broadcasting, he would finally take the real stage—live performances in front of a face-to-face audience.

He would sweep through wedding venues, birthday parties, bars, lounges, academies, concert halls, opera houses, public squares—everywhere, conquering them all, taking his music across the globe, and dominating the Music Globe!

While Le Xiaotian was mapping out his ambitious path, a knock sounded at his door. “Xiaotian, Director Tang is here.”

He quickly put away the full score of “Victory,” and said calmly, “Come in.”

The door opened to reveal Zhao Dezhu, Li Hongmei, and others, with a portly, middle-aged man taking the lead.

Director Tang stepped forward and extended his right hand. “Haha, so the genius really does outshine us all. I’ve long heard that you’re a musical prodigy, Xiaotian, and today I finally see it for myself.”

Le Xiaotian shook his hand with a friendly smile. “You’re being too generous, Director Tang. If you keep praising me, I’ll get conceited.”

“Haha! Geniuses are supposed to be proud. Only mediocrities have nothing to be proud of.” With a hearty laugh, Director Tang’s expression shifted swiftly. “So, how are your preparations? Need to go over anything once more?”

Old fox. With a faint smile, Le Xiaotian replied calmly, “No need. I’m just waiting for the broadcast.”

Director Tang gave an awkward chuckle. “Then I won’t disturb you. Carry on, carry on.”

After the group left, Le Xiaotian returned to studying his music scores.

Outside the room, several of Lotus Television’s hosts couldn’t help but indulge their gossiping spirits.

“What do you think is Le Xiaotian’s background? He’s got quite the air about him. Is he from the capital?”

“The capital? That’s all you ever think about. I heard he’s from Film Nation, a Fama citizen.”

“Film Nation? Please. I heard he’s a performer with thirty-two nationalities and fluent in a hundred sixty-eight languages.”

“Performer? What do you think this is, a movie script? His origin is a complete mystery. The higher-ups can’t even trace it.”

As their colleagues’ stories grew more and more fantastical, Huang Qiang sneered coldly. “All this is just talk. Don’t let the management’s attitude fool you. In the end, it all comes down to ability. We’ll see if he’s a dragon or a worm soon enough.”

“That’s right. Hosting a singer’s program is the pinnacle of the industry. The standards are extremely high. Who knows if he’s up to it.”

“I actually hope he is. If so, we can finally dethrone Blue Cang from the capital, break into the international scene, and make a real name for ourselves.”

“You guys really don’t get this profession. Why are there so few famous singer-hosts? Because if you have the talent to be a star singer, you can be wildly popular, and the same goes for hosts. The origin of this profession is supposedly the creation of a mad artist.”

“That’s true. Only a lunatic, or someone with unspeakable motives, would become a singer-host.”

“This is just the higher-ups wanting to play at a high level—nothing better to do with their time.”

“Shhh, keep your voice down! Want to get us all in trouble? Quick, grab a stool. I bet a hundred he’ll fail tonight.”

While the hosts gossiped and waited for the show, Le Xiaotian appeared completely unbothered, as if nothing was amiss.

Time slipped by quickly.

With ten minutes to air, the studio grew busy—equipment checks, tuning instruments, everything happening at once.

Soon enough, Le Xiaotian was alone in the broadcasting room.

When the clock struck nine, under the watchful eyes of Director Tang, Li Hongmei, Zhao Dezhu, and others in the control room, Le Xiaotian began his broadcast.

A good host should understand a basic truth: even without facing the audience directly, your body language and emotions are conveyed through your voice.

Thus, Le Xiaotian wore a gentle smile, his tone tinged with a subtle gravity, “Good evening, listeners. I am Le Xiaotian, your host for ‘Xiaotian’s Song Request Station.’ You can call me Brother Xiaotian, or even Ziyang. Tonight’s program is one that Lotus Television has prepared for a long time, and as you all know…”

As Le Xiaotian began his customary introduction, Director Tang, Li Hongmei, and the others outside were tense with anxiety.

In Beihai, the local broadcasting station had ceased to be a rival years ago. Within Fama, only Blue Cang Television from the capital remained a worthy opponent—a station that had already eclipsed the former Capital Broadcasting. Tonight’s program was considered a duel between the nation’s two top stations; the true king would be revealed by night’s end.

While nerves ran high, Le Xiaotian took his first call. “Hello, congratulations on being the first listener of ‘Xiaotian’s Song Request Station.’ What song would you like to hear?”

A calm female voice came through. “Is this Brother Xiaotian? Hello, I don’t know how I managed to get through, and I don’t really want to know. I just want to ask: is love always this sorrowful? Is there any point in me going on?”

Stunned—everyone was caught off guard.

After a brief moment of shock, Director Tang recovered first, his tone exceedingly serious. “Find out immediately who let that call through!”

As soon as he spoke, a wave of unease welled up inside him, and he even began to suspect what had happened. After all, not just anyone could get through on a live broadcast, especially for a flagship show like this.

Before he could follow the thread of his suspicion, an urgent voice from another host burst through the door. “Bad news, Director! Blue Cang made their move! They have a live orchestra—an orchestra!”

Director Tang’s heart plummeted. Blue Cang, you despicable lot!

Unaware of the brewing chaos, Le Xiaotian was momentarily at a loss.

Seriously? My very first show as Brother Xiaotian, and I’m already faced with such a thorny problem?

Then he smiled and said, “If you don’t feel like going on, perhaps you wouldn’t mind sharing your story with me? Or, maybe listen to my song and think about it afterwards. Surely you can spare just a little more time?”

Pfft!

Director Tang and dozens of Lotus Television staff nearly coughed up blood. Good grief, is that really how you console someone? It’s over. It’s all over.