SEC Chapter 54: Reward - *The Smiling, Proud Wanderer*
Chapter 54: Reward - *The Smiling, Proud Wanderer*
Back in the dormitory, Jiang Bai tiptoed onto his bed, hid under the mosquito net, and grinned from ear to ear.
Double happiness!
Not only did they get to play "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" for free, they also got a direct pass.
Most importantly, I don't need to participate in any regional competitions, and I don't need to cross-dress again!
In a great mood and full of energy.
Jiang Bai opened his phone and skillfully accessed the world's largest online novel website—Red Tomato Chinese Website.
Register an account.
Pen name: Li Taibai.
Since the poem uses this name, Jiang Bai plans to use it in his novel as well.
Click on "Author Zone" to create a new book—"The Smiling, Proud Wanderer".
Synopsis: Heroes rise and fall with the times; once you enter the world of martial arts, time flies by.
In this parallel world, traditional martial arts have long since declined.
What's popular now are fantasy, cultivation novels, and all sorts of mindless, enjoyable stories.
Wuxia?
That's the epitome of failure; even dogs wouldn't watch it!
But Jiang Bai remained completely calm.
Jin Yong's writing skills are no joke.
That's someone who can turn martial arts into literature!
Linghu Chong's dashing demeanor, Dongfang Bubai's domineering presence, Ren Yingying's deep affection...
In a world lacking entertainment, this is absolutely a game-changer!
"System, transfer text!"
Jiang Bai's mind raced.
The complete text of "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" in my mind appeared automatically in the document, just like copying and pasting.
He didn't even need to type anything; it was all ready-made in txt format.
"Cool!"
Jiang Bai sent up the first 30,000 words all at once.
"I will post 10,000 words every day from now on, and finish the series in three months."
"You can earn royalties, gain popularity points, and still be a hands-off boss."
"This is what life is like when you're just lying down and doing nothing!"
Click Publish.
Approved.
Jiang Bai looked at the brand-new book title and nodded in satisfaction.
Just then.
The system in my mind suddenly went berserk, beeping wildly.
[Ding! Popularity points +1!]
[Ding! Popularity points +1!]
[Ding! Popularity points +100!]
……
The popularity value, which was originally hovering around 10,000, skyrocketed like a rocket.
It broke through 15,000 in the blink of an eye!
And it's still rushing toward the 20,000 mark at an alarming speed!
"Holy crap?"
Jiang Bai was startled.
"It's already trending?"
"The novel 'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer' has only been released for a few minutes, and there's already such a big reaction?"
"Wait a minute, new books shouldn't be arriving in the warehouse this quickly, right?"
Jiang Bai keenly sensed that something was wrong.
The surge in popularity is too dramatic; it doesn't seem like something a newly registered novel account could generate.
There must be another reason!
He quickly switched from the novel website to Weibo.
He understood after just one glance at the trending topics list.
The top trending topic: #Yu Zheng's new drama "Beauty's Rival in Palace" official character photos announced#
Second on the trending list: #MostBeautifulZhangYan#
Third on the trending list: #I need all the information about this woman in three minutes#
"The case is solved."
Jiang Bai's lips twitched.
I clicked in and took a look.
Good guy.
Yu Zheng, that old fox, is indeed a marketing genius.
In the nine-grid Weibo post he made, the first eight pictures were beautiful photos of big-name celebrities like Yang Mi and Lin Xinru, or close-ups of exquisite costumes and props.
Only the ninth one.
It was placed in the most conspicuous corner.
This is a promotional photo of Jiang Bai!
In the photo.
Empress Zhang Yan wore a bright red wedding dress and a phoenix crown.
But she didn't laugh.
Instead, she tilted her head slightly, gazing out the window with a blank and sorrowful look in her eyes.
That face was exquisitely beautiful.
That desolation after the fading of prosperity, that broken feeling of being surrounded by bustling activity yet experiencing extreme loneliness.
Even through a screen, it can send shivers down your spine!
The comment section below has gone completely crazy.
"Holy crap! Who's in the last picture?!"
"Oh my god! Is this Empress Zhang Yan? I'm so happy I could cry!"
"This face... am I seeing things? She looks even better than Yang Mi!"
"This sense of fragmentation is amazing! This is exactly the Zhang Yan, the Flower Goddess I've always imagined!"
"A newcomer? A complete novice? Yu Zheng has really struck gold this time!"
Netizens showered the internet with compliments.
Jiang Bai stared at the photo, momentarily stunned.
"Am I that good-looking?"
"This photo editor is really ruthless; they even smoothed out the pores."
but.
Looking at the soaring popularity score in the system, Jiang Bai still honestly smiled.
Despite the criticism, they really did make money.
This wave of traffic is so satisfying!
……
A luxury mansion in Kyoto.
Yu Zheng lay on the bed, scrolling through Weibo comments, laughing like a 300-pound child.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
"It exploded! It really exploded!"
"I knew it!"
"If we release this photo, it will absolutely blow up the entire internet!"
"Jiang Bai, Jiang Bai, you are truly my lucky star!"
He was feeling quite pleased with himself.
Suddenly I saw a comment with a rapidly increasing number of likes:
"Hey? Don't you guys think this actress who plays Zhang Yan looks familiar?"
"Holy crap! I remember now! The audition for 'The Voice of China' the day before yesterday! That girl in the white dress who sang sweet songs!"
"Yes, yes, yes! It's her! Although the style is different, the face is definitely the same person!"
"What are you talking about? The actress who plays Zhang Yan can sing?!"
Yu Zheng was taken aback.
The Voice?
Sing?
Jiang Bai... can sing?
And she even participated in a talent show?
"Really?"
Yu Zheng's curiosity was instantly piqued.
He immediately switched to WeChat, found Jiang Bai's profile picture, and sent him a message.
Yu Zheng: "Jiang Bai, are you asleep?"
Yu Zheng: "Someone online said you went to participate in 'The Voice of China'? Is it true?"
……
In the dormitory.
My phone vibrated.
Jiang Bai glanced at the message, then at the comparison photos that had already been unearthed on Weibo.
He sighed helplessly.
Are all netizens today reincarnations of Leeuwenhoek?
How could you recognize that?
He didn't intend to hide it, since he would be appearing on television later.
Jiang Bai: "Yes, I went."
Jiang Bai: "I've got nothing to do, let's go have some fun."
Yu Zheng replied instantly, sending a series of shocked emojis:
Yu Zheng: "Holy crap? You can sing?"
Yu Zheng: "I didn't realize you were so versatile!"
Yu Zheng: "How did it go? Did you pass? The auditions are a mixed bag, you didn't get bullied, did you?"
Looking at Yu Zheng's worried tone, like that of an old father.
Jiang Bai smiled and typed a reply:
"I wasn't bullied."
"I just sang one song randomly."
"Then……"
"The director gave me a pass, so I can go directly to the national blind auditions next week."
On the other end of WeChat.
Yu Zheng, who was drinking water, suddenly sprayed water all over the screen.
A fast pass?!
Is that something you can get just by singing a few songs?
He knew Wang Dazhong, the chief director of "The Voice of China". He was the newly appointed chief director and was known for his high standards and bad temper.
They actually gave them a Jiangbai Express Pass?
What does this mean?
This means that Jiang Bai is not only beautiful and talented in acting, but also a professional singer!
"This is more like finding a treasure than actually finding one..."
"This is like finding a nuclear bomb!"
Yu was so excited that his hands were shaking.
If "Beauty's Rival in Palace" airs in the future, and Jiang Bai becomes a big hit on "The Voice of China", then...
That's a double dose of popularity!
That's a royal flush!
Yu Zheng quickly replied:
"Awesome!"
"Jiang Bai, listen to me!"
"Sing your best! Strive to get into the top eight, or even the championship!"
"Our entire crew will campaign for you when the time comes!"
"If you become famous, our show will be even more successful!"
Jiang Bai looked at the message and replied with an "OK" gesture.
But in my heart I was thinking:
champion?
forget it.
I'm just going there to gain some popularity.
I ran away after singing "Love You".
As for the next few rounds...
"The champion... 'Ten Years'... the king of pop's song..."
What should I do? He's so smitten!
"Ten Years" is worth ten million views!
It's not a song by a diva, but "Ten Years" sung by a superstar!
"How about... we sing a few rounds... just to gain popularity points?"
Jiang Bai clutched his head in pain, his face contorted.
When will this life of cross-dressing ever end?!