Villainous Singer (9)
In the time that followed, Song Xuyi approached things from Lin Ruyu’s perspective. To stimulate Lin Ruyu’s interest in learning, she developed various peculiar robots that she thought might attract Lin Ruyu’s attention, such as scalp massage robots, companion chatbots, feeding robots, and other such inventions.
The more they interacted, the more Song Xuyi realized how incredibly intelligent Lin Ruyu was. Many concepts only needed to be taught once before Lin Ruyu could master them. Song Xuyi finally understood why Luo Xi had been so hung up about Lin Ruyu not studying robotics: given Lin Ruyu’s natural talents, she could have made remarkable achievements in the robotics industry, instead of being dragged around by her agency like a mascot [or: lucky charm] performing everywhere.
As time flowed on, Song Xuyi and Lin Ruyu gradually became familiar with each other. Lin Ruyu showed a completely different, relaxed side when with Song Xuyi. The more they interacted, the less Song Xuyi felt any prejudice towards Lin Ruyu. In fact, the more they connected, the more Song Xuyi felt indignant about Lin Ruyu’s situation: although Lin Ruyu was Bilin Star’s most beloved singer with countless fans, it all came at the cost of her being incredibly busy. Most of their communication happened at midnight, and often when they connected, Lin Ruyu had just come off stage, sometimes still in full makeup.
Lin Ruyu was so busy she barely had time to touch ground [Jiǎo bù zhān dì 腳不沾地 – Idiom meaning extremely busy], only able to return to Kelin Academy for one or two days each month. Her coursework fell far behind, yet even when Lin Ruyu didn’t show up, the academy always gave her the highest grades for every test, seemingly indulging her constant performances.
Lin Ruyu was not yet of legal age and should have been in a crucial period of absorbing knowledge and establishing her “three views” [Sān Guān 三觀 – Worldview, values, and outlook on life]. Given her intelligence, she should have had excellent prospects. Moreover, Song Xuyi felt that Lin Ruyu didn’t dislike studying; her attitude towards learning was extremely proper. Whenever Song Xuyi contacted her, she would respond immediately upon seeing the message. Yet now, Lin Ruyu’s cultural and moral education was being neglected, as she had become the company’s “money tree” [Yáo Qián Shù 搖錢樹 – Cash cow/source of income], performing everywhere while abandoning her studies. The more Song Xuyi interacted with her, the more it pained her heart.
Song Xuyi couldn’t help thinking this way because, during their time together, Lin Ruyu seemed far too trusting: she believed everything Song Xuyi said completely, often looking at her with sparkling eyes, and eagerly sending money to Song Xuyi after each lesson, with the amounts increasing over time…
In just one year of their association, the money Lin Ruyu had sent to Song Xuyi exceeded the expenses of a middle-class family on Bilin Star. When Song Xuyi once asked about Lin Ruyu’s income, Lin Ruyu didn’t hide anything and casually mentioned a number that left Song Xuyi “clicking her tongue in amazement” [zǎ shé 咋舌 – Expression of shock or surprise]. The figure was incredibly shocking! Especially considering that Lin Ruyu only received a one-to-nine split with her agency – if Lin Ruyu’s ten percent share was this much, one could imagine how much money the agency was squeezing from her.
The agency had made so much money from Lin Ruyu yet showed no regard for her personal development. Song Xuyi couldn’t help feeling resentful on Lin Ruyu’s behalf. This resentment gradually turned into sympathy. When meeting with Lin Ruyu, Song Xuyi would unconsciously recommend some uplifting books and casually share life lessons, hoping Lin Ruyu would develop some crisis awareness and start planning for her future…
However, the results weren’t as expected. Whenever Song Xuyi worriedly planned for Lin Ruyu’s future, hoping she would “be vigilant in times of peace” [jū ān sī wēi 居安思危 – Idiom meaning to be prepared for danger in times of peace], Lin Ruyu would just look at Song Xuyi with her beautiful eyes, smiling pleasantly: “It’s okay, I believe Xuyi won’t abandon me when I’m in danger.”
Song Xuyi felt utterly helpless, but thinking carefully, because of Lin Ruyu’s beautiful face and captivating voice, probably no one in the world would want to hurt her. Her life had likely been sheltered, which was why she couldn’t develop any sense of wariness towards others.
Thinking this way, Song Xuyi resigned herself to becoming a “miser” [shǒu cái nú 守財奴 – Derogatory term for someone who hoards money], saving all the money Lin Ruyu sent her to return it when needed in the future.
That year, Song Xuyi’s academic performance improved significantly, jumping from average to the top three in class. However, no one was happy for her: classmates began looking at her with strange eyes, and during subsequent studies, even teachers started circling around her, deliberately finding fault…
At first, Song Xuyi didn’t notice this targeting until Luo Xi told her about the recent school gossip. Only then did she learn that rumors were spreading in the academy about her cheating, claiming it was impossible to achieve such good results otherwise.
The people of Bilin Star had actually noticed Song Xuyi’s efforts, but in their impression, people from Ruoshui Star were always stupid, and they simply couldn’t believe Song Xuyi could achieve such results through hard work.
Discrimination and prejudice had become deeply ingrained.
Although the people of Bilin Star appeared very friendly in daily life, when someone from Ruoshui Star showed abilities beyond their expectations, they would face subtle targeting from Bilin Star people.
This wasn’t just Song Xuyi’s personal experience; other outstanding Ruoshui Star people on Bilin Star had suffered similar treatment to varying degrees.
This subtle discrimination had permeated throughout Bilin Star. To achieve success in such an environment required not only doubled efforts but also unwavering mental fortitude.
However, most of those sent to Bilin Star were children, and many of them lacked such resilient mindsets. In this environment, facing the vast differences between the two planets, it was easy for them to lose themselves.
In Song Xuyi’s second year on Bilin Star, she heard news of a Ruoshui Star girl who had reached Bilin Star’s marriageable age voluntarily giving up her Ruoshui Star citizenship, planning to drop out of school to marry someone from Bilin Star.
This news dropped like a heavy stone in the hearts of all Ruoshui Star people. Although everyone vaguely understood such things would happen eventually, when it actually appeared before their eyes, people still instinctively felt uncomfortable.
To Song Xuyi’s surprise, Lin Ruyu, who had been performing abroad, rushed back specifically after hearing this news.
She stood leaning against the entrance of the hall, looking much like when Song Xuyi first met her, though she appeared somewhat taller and more refined. Those eyes that usually looked at everything with casual indifference and carried a hint of a smile now lacked their usual mirth, appearing dark and deep like a bottomless abyss.
“…I’m sorry!”
The dropout girl, carrying her packed luggage, passed by Lin Ruyu and suddenly trembled, speaking in a low voice. Seemingly afraid to look at Lin Ruyu, she kept her head down as she walked past and got into her fiancé’s car.
Lin Ruyu hadn’t said a word, yet Song Xuyi somehow felt that Lin Ruyu seemed very sad. This sadness wasn’t limited to Lin Ruyu alone; because of this incident, the entire Ruoshui Star community was shrouded in an eerie depression.
Song Xuyi heard older students tell the story between Lin Ruyu and the dropout girl: that girl had come to Bilin Star in the same batch as Lin Ruyu. Back then, after returning from applying to the robotics research department, Lin Ruyu saw that Bilin Star people were withholding the girl’s nutrition supplements. Lin Ruyu gave her own supplements to that girl, and then somehow never returned to the robotics department, instead becoming a singer…
It was only after Lin Ruyu’s rapid rise to fame that the treatment of Ruoshui Star people on Bilin Star gradually improved.
Hearing these words and thinking about Lin Ruyu’s attitude, Song Xuyi realized she might have misunderstood something—
When Lin Ruyu gave up robotics research to become a singer, was it really just because singers were more popular?
She had originally thought Lin Ruyu would want to stay on Bilin Star after gaining status and wealth, but judging from Lin Ruyu’s current attitude, she didn’t seem to have such plans.
If Lin Ruyu had truly given up her original dream to become a singer just to help these Ruoshui Star children live better lives, seeing a student under her protection now abandon their dreams must be extremely painful for her…
Shortly after the dropout girl left, Song Xuyi saw Lin Ruyu’s manager.
Lin Ruyu had left a message for her manager saying she needed to rest for a while, then disappeared. The manager couldn’t find her anywhere and was sweating with anxiety.
Due to Lin Ruyu’s fame spreading, her manager’s status had risen like “rising water lifting a boat” [shuǐ zhǎng chuán gāo 水漲船高 – Idiom meaning one’s status rises with another’s success]. Seeing the manager’s anxious state, many Bilin Star people who wanted to curry favor with the manager helped search, and even some Ruoshui Star people joined the search…
Song Xuyi, however, walked past these searching people and headed outside.
She went straight to the small playground, and sure enough, found Lin Ruyu sitting in the shadows. Lin Ruyu’s condition wasn’t as bad as Song Xuyi had imagined; she seemed to be in a daze, staring blankly at the sky. When she saw Song Xuyi approach, she turned and gave her a smile.
Seeing Lin Ruyu’s smiling face, Song Xuyi felt relieved.
She sat beside Lin Ruyu, having originally prepared many comforting words, but upon seeing Lin Ruyu’s expression, Song Xuyi suddenly found herself unable to say anything…
Instead, it was Lin Ruyu who started making casual conversation with Song Xuyi.
“Your father will become a Guardian soon. He’ll probably want you to stay on Bilin Star. Do you still plan to go back?”
“My father always told me to master the technology before going back…” Hearing Lin Ruyu mention Song Yi, something seemed to flash through Song Xuyi’s mind, but the feeling vanished instantly. Song Xuyi blinked and decided to tell Lin Ruyu her true intentions: “I’ve never thought about not going back.”
“But I can’t go back for now,” Lin Ruyu turned her head, staring motionlessly at Song Xuyi, pressing her lips together: “Can’t you stay on Bilin Star with me? I’ll treat you well…”
“You will go back,” Song Xuyi interrupted her words, moving closer to Lin Ruyu and looking directly into her eyes: “We will all go back.”
“Trust me, I will take you home.”
LP: Re-translated on January 20, 2025
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