"Should we hold an Asia concert?"
[Brother Jiu, hurry and hold a concert, I'd rather lose ten pounds than miss it!]
Looking at more than two hundred thousand likes in just a couple of hours, Chu Zhi felt the enthusiasm of Little Fruits and began to think seriously.
"Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Seoul, Bangkok, Hanoi, Moscow… tickets for these cities will definitely sell out. But eight years of concerts…"
As he pondered, a familiar notification rang in his mind. He had unlocked an achievement. No smoking, no drinking, but the carbohydrate achievement was still far off. What was this?
He checked mentally. Turned out it was for "appearing bare-faced in public once*700," which gave him nine personality coins.
Ever since the system patched the 'Face King' achievement line, the definition of "once" and "public" had become vague. Chu Zhi, even as Emperor Beast, hadn't cared much. Now it finally triggered.
"I've been here for more than three years, over a thousand days. Almost every day I have an itinerary, yet only seven hundred counts? This standard is too strict."
Leaving that aside, Chu Zhi checked his balance. After deducting the personality coins frozen by the customization coupon, he still had thirty left.
Earlier he had tried to negotiate with the system brother in his heart about buying an album customization coupon—it failed. The system only offered strange items for sale.
Meanwhile, Chu Zhi tried to find a loophole, searching the mall for strange items that didn't raise luck, but there were none.
Even bizarre things like Bird of Paradise and Doppelgänger Salamanders had appeared, but nothing useful now.
He could only rely on luck and the system's help. Chu Zhi took a deep breath.
This time he went big. He opened four boxes in a row—the boldest move in three years.
If not for the coupon freezing ten coins, Emperor Beast would have opened six. Truly, lotteries ruin lives. Blind boxes bankrupt families.
The prize pool was too long to list, but the main things he got were:
[French Mastery]
[Selected Poems of Yeats]
[Album Customization Coupon*1]
[Special Grand Prize: Music Package].
The good news was that Chu Zhi drew the prize he wanted.
The bad news was, aside from the coupon, the rest weren't immediately useful.
But still, the music package counted as a jackpot.
"One hundred years from now, will people call me a linguist?" Chu Zhi muttered, accepting French mastery. It came with an overwhelming amount of knowledge.
As said before, the system's 'language mastery' always included cultural context, which was why Chu Zhi dared to translate Selected Plays of Bai Pu by himself.
He had also tried to publish Flowers in the Mirror, thinking it would be popular, but it failed.
"William Yeats," Chu Zhi whispered. "A very famous poet. His poem When You Are Old was even adapted into a song."
Gaining insight into Yeats' work, Chu Zhi realized these poems had to be used carefully. Some of Yeats' early poems brimmed with romance and fantasy:
🎵 Come away, O human child,
To the waters and the wild,
With a faery, hand in hand.
For the world's more full of weeping
Than you can understand. 🎵
But Yeats' later works reflected strong Irish national themes.
"Not a loss, not a loss. Who wouldn't want to be a linguist?
Everyone does.
Language is humanity's greatest barrier. In peaceful times, most people want to chat with foreigners. If I can speak five languages, even if I quit music, I could live as a translator."
Just like that, Chu Zhi's dissatisfaction with the draw faded. His mood became content.
Since he drew a new language, he had to use it. He planned to translate some of his poetry collections into French.
Writing poetry and translating it himself—whether on Earth or in this parallel world, no poet had done that before. Chu Zhi would be the first.
Translation wasn't easy. Simply translating meaning wasn't enough, the mood and artistic conception had to be conveyed too. Emperor Beast estimated it would take him about two weeks.
At three in the morning, it was time to sleep. Chu Zhi's schedule was disciplined. The moment the clock struck, he put down his phone. For modern youth, this was rare.
Take the internet writer Xiao Maomi as an example: "Ten more minutes then sleep," "Let me just finish this episode," "Let me round it up to the next hour." Just like mortals clinging to worldly desires, unable to put the phone down.
The next day, a fresh twenty-four hours. Emperor Beast started work with energy. First task, a street photoshoot.
"Chu Jiu-yé, look a little sharper."
"Good, don't move from this angle. Just hold still. Almost done."
"This angle is perfect. Today's street shoot is legendary."
Photographer Chen Shu scurried around, clicking away.
With Chu Zhi's looks, any angle would work. But Chen Shu wanted "the beauty of harmony between man and nature." In plain words, he wanted Chu Zhi to look even more handsome. Which made it troublesome.
"Old Chen, are you done yet?" Chu Zhi asked. The shoot was scheduled for only an hour. He had to attend the tenth anniversary of Taiyang Chuanhe in Beijing.
"Okay, these shots will definitely become wallpapers for many Little Fruits," Chen Shu said with confidence.
Chu Zhi wasn't surprised, changed clothes, and prepared for the airport. For a celebrity, no road was more familiar than the one to the airport.
At nine thirty, his phone rang.
"Have you sobered up yet?" was the first thing Chu Zhi when he received the call from him.
"I caught a cold last night, so I drank a little to sweat it out. That's why I was dizzy," Su Shangbai explained.
"No wonder…" Chu Zhi nodded solemnly. "No wonder you seemed off from the first drink. Turns out the cold wasn't healed."
"A cold not healed means no more drinking," Su Shangbai said seriously.
He refused to admit his low tolerance. Chu Zhi found it amusing. What excuse would he use next time? Stomach problems? In truth, Emperor Beast thought "Su Weiyu" (Unhealed Su) sounded nice.
Since Chu Zhi had treated yesterday, Su Shangbai wanted to return the favor today. But Chu Zhi had work, so they couldn't align schedules.
After hanging up, Su Shangbai stared at his phone, thoughtful.
"Brother Jiu probably doesn't believe me. He must think I'm just weak with alcohol."
Even though Chu Zhi's tone and expression had been sincere, Su Shangbai's instincts told him he wasn't believed.
"I really did catch a cold three months ago, it's still lingering. It weakens my tolerance." He sighed. "I'll have to prove myself next time."
He couldn't stay in China for long. His sugar business was rooted in Southeast Asia. Outwardly honest, inwardly cunning.
The sugar trade in Asia had three giants: Singapore's Sugar King, Indonesia's Cilarcao family, and Su Shangbai representing the Chinese faction.
Two years ago, the three allied and toppled Thailand's cane sugar market, shattering families. Then Su Shangbai turned and pushed the others into war. Never peaceful.
Su Shangbai was a predator. To him, partners were just prey for the next bite. Business was kill or be killed.
But this time, the young Bai might overreach. Youth was always too hot-blooded…
August would not be ordinary. Not for Asia, nor the global sugar trade.
Nor for Chu Zhi. His calendar was suddenly full of unexpected events.
Piled meetings from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and even a sudden session with the Publicity Department. Chu Zhi was baffled at the notifications.
Arriving in Beijing, he finally understood. He had been chosen for the National Day parade floats. And not just any float—he would stand on the top tier.
The event was October 1st, yet they held meetings in August. Such long-term planning was the Chinese government's way.
Many celebrities could join the parade. The hall was filled with over seventy people.
But only eight would stand on the first tier of the floats.
Eight people representing the entire Chinese arts circle. Actors, directors, singers, opera vocalists, dancers, including Hong Kong stars. Parade or military review, both symbolized strength and unity.
Chu Zhi looked around. Most were senior figures.
He spotted some familiar faces. Li Weiwén, the lyric tenor he had befriended at the St. Petersburg Cultural Forum. And director Wang Anyi, whom he had just collaborated with.
All had deep backgrounds, fame, and powerful works.
Chu Zhi greeted politely. "Uncle Li, long time no see."
"At the second International Cultural Forum, you were a main guest. I listened to you sing 'Katyusha'—a fine song," Li Weiwén said. "I have some Russian friends eager to exchange music with you."
When they learned Chu Zhi would also be on the first tier, both Li Weiwén and Wang Anyi were surprised. The government valued seniority. To be given such honor, one had to far surpass expectations.
Aside from Chu Zhi, there wasn't a single representative under fifty.
"Xiao Chu, we just parted from the crew not long ago," Wang Anyi greeted.
"Aunt Wang, do you think our film has a chance in Venice?" Chu Zhi asked curiously. "You're a regular at festivals. Any predictions?"
"How could anyone predict? Depends on the jury's tastes," Wang Anyi said casually. "If they favor this style, we win. Otherwise, no."
"Talking now is pointless. In a few weeks we'll know." Then Wang added, "Stay after the meeting. I'll introduce you to the seniors."
Clearly, Director Wang was willing to guide Chu Zhi. He often said "Xiao Chu's acting talent is average, I don't recommend he act," yet here she was, opening doors.
The guest list already showed the hierarchy. Film outweighed music. There were far more actors than singers or vocalists.
Whether or not Chu Zhi pursued acting further, two hours later, thanks to Wang Anyi's introductions, he quickly entered the circle.
"This is Chu Zhi, the lead in my new film. Yes, he's a famous singer too. His acting is… passable."
"Old Jun, meet my lead actor. Call him Xiao Jiu."
"He won't go full-time into film, but he's a good kid."
…
Wang Anyi looked fierce and spoke sharply, but she treated Chu Zhi as a genuine junior.
That night, Wang's dinner gathering also included Chu Zhi.
By mid-August, employees at Aiguo Company suggested that since the last Chinese-style album was Chu Ci: Ode to the Orange Tree, the new one should be Chu Ci: Nine Songs instead of Still Chu Ci.
It made sense. Xiao Jiu's songs, so Chu Zhi agreed immediately.
He also swapped one track. Instead of Orchid Pavilion Preface, he added Wànjiāng.
This kept diversity by including opera vocals. It also gave him a backup. If needed in the future, Orchid Pavilion Preface could still shine as a fresh masterpiece.
As Emperor Beast, he always prepared carefully. He took being an idol seriously.
The lineup of Chu Ci: Nine Songs would be a royal flush even on Earth.
Since Chu Zhi pioneered the new Chinese style and topped the charts with a single album, he had set a peak others would struggle to surpass.
"Reject it."
"Push the schedule back. If the client can wait, fine. If not, drop it."
"Apologies, your brand changed the dates suddenly. Our time is fixed by contract."
Under Manager Niu's command, the advertising and business teams declined many offers.
The reduced schedule was to record the "Mountain Album." Chu Zhi couldn't split himself in two. He insisted on producing his own music. If he could do it himself, he would never hand it to others. With his current skills, fourteen out of fifteen tracks were easy. Only Moonlight required three takes.
It took half a month. A bit slow for him, but compared to other singers, it was like pigs flying to heaven.
"Sister Niu, I'll finish the post-production after I return from Italy," Chu Zhi said. He still wanted to refine the cover and posters.
Manager Niu Jiangxue nodded. She never interfered in music matters, her job was to ease his burdens.
Niu was calm. But Mama-fan Wang Yuan was not.
"I can't wait for Xiao Jiu to release this album! Just the demos already make me love it," she said excitedly.
Lucky draw master Li Guixun agreed. "That Last Night the Insects Sang Relentlessly—I never thought Jiu-yé would adapt Yue Fei's Xiao Zhongshan. To take ancient poetry and compose songs from it, truly his reading wasn't in vain."
"In my opinion, this album is even better than the last. When I heard The Swordsman, I got goosebumps," Qi Qiu said.
Old Qian added, "I want to release The General's Command and Compendium of Materia Medica as singles in South Korea. With this album, Jiu-yé will ascend the throne of legends. No one can call him inexperienced again."
"Forget it. That might spark international disputes. Don't stir trouble," Niu Jiangxue warned.
"Alright, alright. The album isn't even out yet, let's not celebrate too early. Do your jobs properly," Fei Ge clapped, cutting off the praise.
Immediately, Old Qian, Niu, and the others looked awkward. No wonder Fei Ge had no friends—he always killed the mood. But he wasn't wrong.
Meanwhile, the center of discussion, Chu Zhi, was already at Venice Marco Polo Airport, joining the Shiyi Lang crew.
===
Chu Zhi own company is called Ai Guǒ 爱果- Literally translated as Love Fruit