Chapter 1 Four Years of Silent Devotion, One Day the Whole World Knew of My Betrayal

"Lin Yu, I'm thirsty. Go buy me some water."

"Lin Yu, I want a new phone. Buy one for me."

"Lin Yu, I can't finish writing my song. Help me write it."

"Haven't I told you already? He's just a close friend, like a brother to me. We're only friends!"

"I had a bit too much to drink that night. What's wrong with me and my best friend getting a hotel room together?"

"He used protection, so why are you still making a fuss?"

"If you keep pestering me, I'll have my husband call the police!"

"You don't even deserve to have our child carry his surname!"

...

Under the dazzling spotlight, the crowd murmured below the stage, their jeers filling the air.

Startled awake from the nightmare, his head throbbed with pain.

Lin Yu opened his eyes, bewildered by everything before him.

Just seconds ago, he had been standing at death's door, unable to bear the blow of discovering that his ex-girlfriend, Xu Xiaoqian, had been unfaithful to him for ten years. Drunk and devastated, he had staggered into the street and was hit head-on by a truck.

In those final moments, his memories of the past decade flashed before him like a revolving lantern.

He had been with Xu Xiaoqian for ten years. They entered the Film and Television University together. For four years of college and after, he supported her dream of becoming a celebrity, never revealing their relationship to the public, tirelessly working behind the scenes, giving up even his own opportunity to enter the entertainment industry.

In the end, he realized he had been deceived for a decade!

Xu Xiaoqian used his support to reach the top, and then swiftly became pregnant with the child of Wu Zhen, the boss of her agency.

Upon learning the truth, Lin Yu, unwilling to accept it, ran after her—only to be struck dead by an oncoming truck.

It was only on the brink of death that he understood he had been nothing more than a stepping stone for the vain Xu Xiaoqian on her climb to the summit.

A pathetic fool who gave and lost everything for nothing.

"Lin Yu! I just don't get it—so many agents are here at the graduation gala, and you chose not to perform because of that woman? Are you really going to throw away your shot at the entertainment industry for her?"

"You've worked so hard for this dream, and now you're going to give it up for her? Do you have any idea how foolish that is?"

A fist crashed into Lin Yu's face, jarring his senses back to reality.

"Damn it! I just got a second chance at life and you punch me? Are you even human?!"

Staring at the man before him, Lin Yu blinked in surprise.

"Zhou Yang?"

Confused, he glanced around at his surroundings. This was behind the stage at the university's graduation ceremony, six years ago.

He had been reborn—here?!

To make sure he wasn't dreaming, Lin Yu pinched himself hard.

Zhou Yang, puzzled, his anger fading, asked, "What's wrong with you?"

"Could it be you've lost your mind over that girl?" Zhou Yang felt his forehead. "I knew nothing good would come from you being with her! You wouldn't listen to me back then. Remember how you pushed yourself day and night just to get into the art school? You barely ate or slept!"

"And then, as soon as you got in, you were bewitched by the school's most notorious gold-digging, manipulative Xu Xiaoqian. It's been four years—aren't you awake yet?"

"Did you hear that a few days ago, someone saw Xu Xiaoqian going to a hotel with an old man?"

"That woman only cares about money! Your relationship with her will never work out!"

"If you give up your spot in the graduation performance, you'll hardly have another shot at the entertainment industry."

"The people here tonight are some of the top agents in the city. Any one of them earns more in a month than you do running deliveries!"

"Will you take charge of your life? Stop obsessing over that scheming woman and wake up!"

"Tonight, the best agency in Binhai City is here, along with the legendary boss of Mengfei Agency, that formidable woman who rules the industry. If you catch her eye, you'll have all the chances you need to soar. Take this opportunity, okay? You still have time, and I can help you!"

"I still have an entry form. If you fill it out now and hand it in before the show ends, you can still get on stage. Don't be foolish any longer."

No fever. So why was he so out of it just now?

At last, Lin Yu understood.

He had been reborn.

Reborn to six years ago, the eve of his university graduation.

This graduation ceremony was indeed crucial; his choice to perform or not would determine his fate.

In his previous life, to support Xu Xiaoqian, he gave up his chance to perform, handing her the song he had written. That song caught the attention of Wu Zhen, the agent boss in the audience, who signed her on the spot.

But while Lin Yu waited backstage to celebrate with her, Xu Xiaoqian had already slipped away with Wu Zhen.

For the following ten years, Xu Xiaoqian flourished in the industry, fueled by the support and money Lin Yu provided behind the scenes.

During that time, she returned home less and less.

Ten years—an entire decade!

Only when she presented a pregnancy report and broke up with him did Lin Yu realize just how thoroughly he had been betrayed.

Now, reborn, Lin Yu was wide awake.

All those vows of love had been lies; his silent sacrifices had only paved the way for their success.

With his talent, if he had sung his own songs, wouldn't he have reached the top long ago?

Lin Yu's gaze turned cold and resolute.

This time, he would reclaim everything those two had stolen from him.

...

On stage at that moment, the melody Lin Yu had recently composed began to play.

Then, Xu Xiaoqian's singing voice drifted out.

Once, that gentle voice had enchanted him. Now, it grated harshly on his ears.

The thought of Xu Xiaoqian using him and discarding him turned his stomach.

Peeking through the curtain, he saw her relying on his song and her coquettish dance.

The greasy Wu Zhen, seated in the VIP section, could not tear his eyes away.

Those two wretched souls...

Suppressing his rage, Lin Yu made a decision.

"Brother Yang, help me get on the program."

As in his previous life, Zhou Yang was hosting the graduation ceremony. So when he found out Lin Yu had given the song to Xu Xiaoqian, he came to question him immediately.

Now, faced with Lin Yu's sudden request, Zhou Yang was taken aback.

"What are you up to?"

Lin Yu tore his eyes from Xu Xiaoqian on stage, a steely determination flashing in them.

"I'm making my debut."

...

In the VIP section below the stage, several agency bosses sat around a table, watching the performances.

Xu Xiaoqian's singing wasn't impressive, but the song was good—melodic, with heartfelt lyrics.

Her pretty face, bright and striking outfit, and suggestive dance moves...

Not just Wu Zhen; the other middle-aged men were equally riveted, lecherous smiles spreading across their faces.

She might not sing well, but she had assets worth cultivating.

For the powerful, elevating someone like her was child's play.

Indeed, Xu Xiaoqian would later trade her body for resources, gradually gaining some fame.

Beside a bespectacled middle-aged man sat a woman with a cool, elegant demeanor.

She looked no more than twenty, yet exuded the poise and intelligence of a corporate queen.

"Miss, are you interested in nurturing this female student?"