Chapter 25 You've Been Hiding Your True Abilities Quite Well

Lin Yu unconsciously projected all the experiences from his previous life onto the scene before him. The thought of his ex-girlfriend Xu Xiaoqian’s cold, heartless face made him all the more eager to start anew. That terrifying, contorted expression appeared before his eyes, and Lin Yu’s face turned ashen.

Silence...

It lasted until Qiu Shishang broke it: “That was a fantastic performance!”

He applauded, and everyone present followed suit, except for Ji Ya, who stared blankly at Lin Yu as if meeting him for the first time. The shock on her face was beyond words.

Lin Yu emerged from the depths of pain, bowed deeply with sincere respect, and thanked everyone present. Taking a deep breath, he steadied his emotions. His gaze returned to its usual sunny, handsome demeanor.

Lin Yu had originally planned to sing “Decency”—a hit from his graduation ball that would surely be well-received at this event. But then he recalled this was a dating show; performing such a sorrowful song would only make others uncomfortable. So he gambled on a new song. Although it was prepared at the last minute, the atmosphere after his performance of “Love Song” was so electric that he was certain he’d made the right bet.

Lin Jia cast a meaningful glance at Lin Yu. She had assumed he was just another newcomer, only to be pleasantly surprised.

“Tonight’s exhibition match ends here for now,” she announced. “Thank you all for your heartfelt performances. Please take a moment to rest and wait. In half an hour, the show’s app will open voting among all the judges to decide tonight’s winner. Each person has one vote—make it count.”

After Lin Jia finished speaking, Lin Yu was the first to leave. He needed time to steady himself, and besides, he wasn’t particularly familiar with these celebrities; there was no reason to linger. Rather than engage in superficial small talk, he’d much rather go upstairs and play games.

Si Shaozhe watched Lin Yu’s retreating figure, his eyes darkening. For the first time, he felt threatened by someone not because of looks, but because of originality. The key issue was Lin Yu’s ability to create his own material.

He had never heard “Love Song” before—it was completely new. Compared to the songs arranged by his agency, it was simply overwhelming. Now his biggest worry was that Lin Yu might have powerful backing. If that were true, combined with Lin Yu’s talent, would there still be a place for Si Shaozhe in this circle?

Ji Ya stood in the living room, gazing up at Lin Yu as he reached the door to his room on the second floor. She had intended to go up and ask him what was going on—how he suddenly produced a new song with such impact. But she hesitated and sat on the sofa, deep in thought.

Though she had only known him for a month, Lin Yu’s performance on the show was unexpectedly mature. He paid attention to details that even she hadn’t considered. This sudden new song was likely part of Lin Yu’s premeditated plan. When everyone thought he was incapable, he stunned them all. It was a delightful surprise.

In this chaotic industry, only those with independent ideas can stand firm. Society is like this—everyone schemes against everyone else. Without a bit of cunning, it’s hard to survive in the circle. Lin Yu’s performance made Ji Ya feel a sense of relief.

Just broadcasting this “Love Song” would surely attract a considerable number of fans. He had gambled correctly.

Bai Yichu stood beside Ji Ya, glanced at her scrutinizing gaze toward Lin Yu, and said nothing more. But inwardly, her feelings toward Lin Yu were much the same as everyone else’s. What kind of setbacks had Lin Yu experienced to create and sing such a sorrowful love song?

While everyone speculated, Lin Yu had already returned to his room and was comfortably stretched out, leisurely opening a game. As soon as he launched Arthur’s Glory, a song flashed through his mind. The surprise came so quickly—just before the performance, he was still agonizing over what to sing, and now he suddenly had three songs ready for backup.

Now, even if another show started right away, he had nothing to fear. Lin Yu was silent for a moment, then his mood soared. With three songs in reserve—none yet composed in this era’s entertainment world—he would be the original artist as long as he performed them first.

Any one of these three songs could secure him a lifetime free from worry about food and clothing. He felt a pang of guilt for the original creators from his previous life; what should have belonged to them now fell into his hands. But the entertainment industry is a battlefield—without ruthlessness, how can one stand at the summit?

Given the current situation, he ought to celebrate by racking up a dozen kills with Little Luban in the game. He now felt confident and stopped worrying. Reclining on the edge of the bed, propped up on the comfortable mattress, he was in high spirits as he opened Arthur’s Glory, only to realize it was just the S13 season.

At this stage, Arthur’s Glory was in its “beating up cavemen” era: anyone with a bit of skill could rule the game. Let alone Lin Yu, who in his previous life, amid daily hustle, found entertainment only in Arthur’s Glory. Even playing occasionally, his exceptional gaming talent took him to Glory King in just a month, and he pushed several jungle heroes to the top ranks of the national server!

Back then, countless fangirls chased after him, sweetly calling him “Jungle King, please carry me!” Lin Yu frowned, realizing how much he had missed out because of Xu Xiaoqian in his previous life.

His old account was definitely inaccessible, so Lin Yu had to register anew. At the naming screen, he pondered briefly, then entered:

[Little Prince of 700 Points]

The name carried deep meaning. While others joked about “Seven Times a Night,” for a young man like him, it was nothing. Lin Yu just wanted to make a mischievous joke—he hadn’t expected everything he did would be broadcast live...

“Wow, Seven Times a Night?”

“This name, tsk tsk, really meaningful!”

“So Brother Yu is a silent type—this ‘deeply affectionate’ persona is all fake. What man isn’t a little spicy?”

“Folks, I like this artist! I’m following!”

“To be honest, this kid hides it well! What other surprises does he have for us? Bring them all out!”

“Where’s his contact info? Website? Stop talking—share it now!”

“Everybody pay attention: Brother Yu is the boss of all spicy types!”

“...”