Chapter Nine: Envy, Jealousy, and Resentment—What Can You Do About It?

Chapter Nine: To Those Consumed by Envy—Bite Me if You Dare

The composer of Yang Xin’er’s new song was none other than Zhang Le, a fact that came as a surprise to many and led to speculation that their recent rumors were simply another publicity stunt. However, considering Yang Xin’er had just released an album, there was no urgent need to debut new songs, much less rely on gossip for promotion.

Yang Xin’er’s popularity was at its peak; she had no need for rumors to boost her fame. Her entry into the music world had already drawn extensive attention.

Thus, perhaps the four love songs Zhang Le wrote for Yang Xin’er could yield some clues.

Was it possible that Zhang Le had won the goddess’s heart simply by composing a few love songs? Many entertained this thought, and their curiosity about the four songs was insatiable.

If that were true, just imagine how moving those love songs must be, to win the heart of a goddess.

The media barraged her with questions, but Yang Xin’er did not answer directly. Instead, she said, “No matter how much I praise the songs, it would still sound like self-promotion. So here, I’ll choose one to sing. It’s not my favorite among the four, but it best expresses what I want to say. I present to everyone the song ‘Courage’.”

Yang Xin’er didn’t answer their questions, and the reporters didn’t press further. The venue grew silent, for it was not yet time for the Q&A.

As the music began, everyone in the hall was captivated.

“At last, I’ve made this decision. I don’t care what others say, as long as you’re certain too. I’m willing to follow you to the ends of the earth. I know none of this is easy. My heart keeps reassuring itself, persuading myself. My greatest fear is that you’ll suddenly say you want to give up. Love truly needs courage to face all the gossip, but as long as you give me a look of affirmation, my love has meaning. We both need courage to believe that we’ll be together…”

Listening to Yang Xin’er’s performance, it seemed everyone found the answer they were seeking. Without doubt, this was a good song—and also a confession of love.

“At last, I’ve made this decision”—the nature of the decision was self-evident, made clear by the lyrics that followed. “I’m willing to follow you to the ends of the earth”—who was “you”? That too was obvious.

They really were together! The goddess was in love! The goddess was about to marry! And her partner was a nobody with nothing to his name.

An underdog turning the tables and marrying a wealthy beauty—what a story!

But all this was just conjecture, however confident they felt. Until Yang Xin’er gave a direct answer, all interpretations were hers to control, and the outcome was uncertain. The media’s anticipation scratched at their hearts like a persistent itch—they desperately needed answers.

“There are so many questions, I don’t even know who to answer first.” After singing, Yang Xin’er faced a noisy crowd; the impatient reporters could no longer contain themselves.

“Miss Yang Xin’er, are you truly with Zhang Le? What led you to make such a decision?” a reporter asked.

“Yes! We are together,” Yang Xin’er replied without hesitation. “Because of our careers, making this decision required more courage than it would for ordinary people. Love requires courage—if you lose it out of fear, there’s no turning back, only regret! I love him, and he loves me! If you love someone, you should love bravely. Celebrities are people too; we deserve our own love.”

“From the beginning, we never intended to hide it. We want to be like normal people—openly walking side by side, without worrying about being discovered. I hope for everyone’s blessings, but I don’t expect them. No matter how fierce the coming storm, I’ll face it calmly—because I am not alone!”

“Miss Yang Xin’er, what is it about Zhang Le that attracts you?”

“When did you and Zhang Le start seeing each other, and how long have you been together?”

…

Yang Xin’er’s new song launch caused a huge sensation, immediately topping headlines across major media outlets.

The uproar was not due to the quality of her four new songs, but because of her romance with Zhang Le.

Yang Xin’er was only twenty-two, a superstar at her zenith. To publicly admit a relationship at this point was, to many in the industry, utterly incomprehensible—almost self-destructive. Especially since she had always presented herself as pure and innocent.

Furthermore, her romantic partner seemed to have nothing to recommend him—or so it seemed to the public.

Young, with no background, no previous achievements—dating, even marrying such a person, wasn’t this a recipe for disaster?

Yang Xin’er’s confession broke countless hearts, but many admired her courage to love. Some fans supported her, of course, but the majority found it hard to accept. Some could tolerate her being in love, but not with someone like Zhang Le.

Of course, not everyone dismissed Zhang Le.

At the new song launch, Yang Xin’er’s admission of her relationship caused the most stir, but the four new songs also attracted much attention. Naturally, the love songs written and composed by Zhang Le, her boyfriend, aroused immense curiosity.

“Courage” needed no further explanation—many present had already heard it at the launch. For a song to inspire Yang Xin’er to risk everything and openly acknowledge her relationship with Zhang Le, without ever thinking of hiding it, its power was clear.

Yet, what surprised people most was that the song’s biggest fans turned out to be students. After its release, early romances mushroomed across campuses. According to rumor, the song was even banned in certain universities.

At the press conference, Yang Xin’er stated that “Courage” was not her favorite of the four. Naturally, the other three songs sparked even more curiosity. Which of the remaining three was her favorite? This question ignited heated debate online.

Some believed her favorite must be “You’re the Only One I Care About”—a song that transcended time and space, warming and moving the hearts of all who heard it, conquering listeners with its intoxicating tenderness.

“Let time slip by, you’re the only one I care about”—what a moving lyric.

Others argued that her favorite was “The Most Romantic Thing,” a delicate and gentle love song. The prelude was a lazy, warm blend of strings and piano—casual and relaxing, like afternoon sunlight, pleasant and languid.

Listening to it, one’s mind conjures romantic scenes: sitting back to back with your beloved, listening to music, talking about dreams. What could be more delightful? What in the world could be more romantic than growing old together with the one you love?

Still, some contended that her favorite had to be “At Least I Still Have You,” because its lyrics clearly touched Yang Xin’er’s vulnerable side. Especially the lines, “It wasn’t easy for us, we’re not free to choose”—wasn’t that the true portrayal of Yang Xin’er and Zhang Le’s relationship?

Everyone saw what they wanted to see, and though fans argued endlessly, no one could bring themselves to criticize any of the four songs.

In a short time, the four songs shot to the top of online search rankings, occupying the top four spots on major music charts.

These songs also earned praise from many musicians.

But no matter how classic the four songs Zhang Le had written, the number of people slandering him skyrocketed.

“There are so many people cursing you online, and some of it is pretty nasty—calling you a gold digger, a pretty boy and worse. Doesn’t it make you angry?” Feng Lei looked at Zhang Le, puzzled.

Zhang Le glanced at his few friends, chuckled, and replied, “Why should I be angry? Whether they call me a gold digger or a pretty boy, it only proves one thing—that I’m good-looking!”

“But you can’t just let them curse you like that! Some are even insulting your female relatives going back eighteen generations. You should at least respond!” Feng Lei insisted.

“If a dog bites you, are you going to bite it back?” Zhang Le shook his head dismissively.

“If you can’t bite it back, shouldn’t you at least beat the dog to vent your anger?” Feng Lei retorted. “Besides, your silence just makes things worse—they’re now going after your girlfriend online. As a man, can you really just stand by and watch your woman become their target? Are you really going to hide behind her? That’s not like you. As a man, you should stand at the front and take the heat…”

Feng Lei rambled on, clearly just trying to stir things up and goad Zhang Le into fighting back for his own amusement.

Zhang Le frowned, then picked up his phone and posted a single message:

What’s mine is mine; what’s not mine will be mine too! To those consumed by envy, bite me if you dare!