Chapter 1 – 1: I’ve traveled through time? As the mighty King, I’ve traveled through time?

In a parallel world, on Sky Street in the Capital, on the 32nd floor of the Mixc Building.

“How’s it going, Brother Rui? Did you find a job yet?”

“Not yet. I’ve sent out several resumes but haven’t even gotten an interview. What about you, Yu? Did you find one?”

“I haven’t either. Brother Rui, do you think our company is really done for?”

“What do you think? How long has it been since we were paid? You know full well that President Xu spent all the money on breach of contract penalties. Not a single song copyright from before is left. How’s a singer supposed to get by if they can’t sing?”

Brother Rui said this, then cautiously glanced at a person with messy long hair sleeping on a nearby desk, a sneer appearing on his face.

“And to think she still hasn’t forgotten to keep a pretty boy. I reckon it won’t be long before she’s finished.”

“Hey, that’s not fair, Brother Rui! President Xu has been good to us. Don’t say that.”

“Yu, let me give you some straight advice. In the workplace, whatever kindness the boss shows is fake. We’re here to make money. No matter how nice they are, it’s useless if they don’t pay. Are you planning to work for her on an empty stomach?”

…

Listening to the noisy sounds around him, Chu Tian slowly opened his eyes, still groggy. He saw a tall figure leaning back in a chair, chatting with a chubby guy behind him.

He frowned, puzzled, when a flood of memories swept over him, making him lose consciousness once again.

When he awoke again, it was already dark outside. The once-bustling office desks around him were now empty; the only light came from an office at the far end.

Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?

After these three philosophical questions, Chu Tian’s thoughts gradually cleared.

At the same time, he realized a terrifying fact.

Did I transmigrate? Did I actually transmigrate?

After working hard for decades, just as I was about to take a holiday and enjoy life, you’re telling me I’ve transmigrated?

In his past life, as the last King of the new entertainment era to be recognized by the public, he was no fool—he had not only read transmigration novels and watched dramas but had also acted in them.

Yet, for it to happen to him was something he found hard to believe.

More importantly, in his previous life, he had risen from a young idol who debuted through a talent show to a top-tier celebrity, resolutely transforming himself into a powerhouse. Step by careful step, as if treading on thin ice, he had finally reached the throne of a King.

He had spent his lifetime dedicated to his work, avoiding under-the-table deals, the corrupting influence of capital, and backstabbing. He paid his taxes legally, engaged in charitable activities, shunned toxic fandom circles, watched his words and actions, and remained modest. Even upon reaching King status, he never forgot his roots, successfully evaded internet scandals, and never experienced a career-ending downfall.

He had finally resolved to act in one last movie before taking a well-deserved break. After all, he was getting older and needed to consider settling down. Despite having made so much money, he had never truly enjoyed it, nor had he taken the time to see the world.

But he never imagined that while the wish was beautiful, reality could be so cruel. He had been cautious all his life, but in the end, he couldn’t escape sudden death from overwork.

During the filming of a movie, after three consecutive all-nighters involving intense physical activities like wire-suspension stunts and underwater scenes, Chu Tian didn’t make it. He collapsed right in front of the camera.

It was fricking absurd!

However, that wasn’t the most absurd part. The most ridiculous thing was that, if he had to transmigrate, so be it, but he had ended up in the body of an unlucky guy—and at this moment, this unlucky fellow was mute.

Who was he supposed to complain to about this?

As Chu Tian sifted through this body’s memories, a profound sense of powerlessness washed over him.

The story of this body began eight years ago.

At that time, this world’s Chu Tian was in high school. His grades weren’t anything to boast about, but they were good enough for college.

In his second year of senior high, his father lost his job, and his mother was diagnosed with uremia. What was once an ordinary family suddenly faced one calamity after another. It was precisely at this time that he was scouted by Baise Entertainment Company to become a trainee.

Knowing that one could make money quickly in the entertainment industry, he resolutely gave up his studies to become a trainee, hoping to earn enough to pay for his mother’s treatment.

He was sixteen that year. Over a hundred other trainees were selected alongside him, among them a girl named Xu Qingqiu. They were assigned to a boy group and a girl group, respectively.

They met on their first day and quickly got to know each other, eventually becoming friends who helped each other out. Xu Qingqiu taught Chu Tian dancing, and he taught her singing. They learned from each other’s strengths and progressed together, secretly developing tender feelings for one another.

Until one day, the arrival of an unwelcome guest triggered a series of subsequent disasters.

Ye Zhonghuai, a shareholder of Baise Entertainment at the time, had a son named Ye Guang, who was notorious for his idleness and bad reputation.

One day, Ye Guang sneaked into the girl group’s dormitory, attempting to assault Xu Qingqiu. Luckily, they were preparing for the final group formation assessment, and Chu Tian had been invited to help Xu Qingqiu with her music. He happened to walk in on the scene.

In a fit of rage, Chu Tian injured Ye Guang. Feeling humiliated, Ye Guang believed Chu Tian had ruined his plans. Meanwhile, Chu Tian, driven by his budding affection and seeing the person he liked nearly harmed, was filled with intense hatred for Ye Guang.

From then on, the two became sworn enemies. Ye Guang openly targeted Chu Tian, while Chu Tian, lacking power and support, could only endure and yield.

Fortunately, the chairman at the time, Jiang Wangtao, sternly rebuked Ye Zhonghuai and Ye Guang, later explicitly banning Ye Guang from the company premises.

However, he also had many complaints about Chu Tian resorting to violence. After all, Ye Guang was a shareholder’s son. Did Chu Tian not consider the consequences of fighting him in front of so many people?

Consequently, Jiang Wangtao didn’t look kindly upon them either.

It was later discovered that Ye Guang had long since bribed the other members of the girl group in the dormitory; everyone knew, and they had deliberately betrayed Xu Qingqiu to him.

Feeling powerless, Jiang Wangtao also felt a degree of guilt towards Xu Qingqiu.

Under such circumstances, she naturally couldn’t remain in the girl group. To compensate her, the company bought her a song so she could debut as a solo artist.

Initially, no one held much hope, but to everyone’s surprise, Xu Qingqiu became an overnight sensation. Her fame skyrocketed uncontrollably, and in just two years, she went from an unknown to a popular singer, eventually being hailed as the ‘Queen.’

As for Chu Tian, he initially faced no issues. He had a solid foundation, top-notch looks, and excellent coordination, learning everything quickly. In terms of both basic skills and popularity, he was undoubtedly number one in the boy group. All its members looked up to him as their leader, and he was the clear choice for the center position upon debut.

Even if some were reluctant, it didn’t matter; his value as a future cash cow kept his position relatively stable.

But not long after the incident with Ye Guang, one day he drank a beverage handed to him by a teammate, and all his dreams were shattered on the spot.

His throat began to hurt and itch immediately after drinking it, and eventually, he completely lost his voice.

Everyone had a pretty clear idea of what had happened, but no one had proof. Fortunately, Chu Tian had been cautious enough to keep the bottle.

Sensing something was amiss, Chu Tian had no choice but to call the police and submit a portion of the remaining beverage for testing.

The results confirmed the presence of chemical substances; in plain language, he had been poisoned.

The police initiated an investigation, gathering evidence and searching for clues.

Coincidentally, just as the police began their investigation, Ye Guang suddenly went abroad to study. Although evidence eventually implicated Ye Guang in the poisoning—including surveillance footage and fingerprints on the beverage bottle—he was overseas and could not be brought back for questioning. The teammate who gave Chu Tian the drink initially confessed under duress that Ye Guang was behind it, but he quickly recanted his statement.

The case reached a deadlock. Due to his vocal condition, Chu Tian had to withdraw from the trainee program.

Misfortunes never come singly. While he was still reeling from this, his parents heard of his troubles and rushed to see him. Tragically, they lost control of their vehicle on the way, and it plunged into a river, killing them both.

He had to endure all these blows and return home to handle the funeral arrangements and their affairs.

During this time, Chairman Jiang Wangtao seized the opportunity to oust Ye Zhonghuai from the board of directors. To appease Chu Tian, Jiang Wangtao proposed an unconditional contract termination, paid him a sum in compensation, and allowed him to name an additional condition.

The so-called ‘unconditional’ termination meant Chu Tian was released without penalty—a term laughably presented as favorable to him. But what choice did he have? Against such powerful interests, a worthless trainee like him was merely a dispensable rag.

By then, Chu Tian’s heart had grown cold. He ultimately chose to have the company help him apply to university and cover his tuition for four years.

Fortunately, to keep his options open, he had taken time off during his trainee days to sit for the college entrance exams. His scores weren’t outstanding, but he passed. As a trainee, he still possessed a decent academic foundation, and since he was applying to the composition department, it merely meant an additional interview.

A year ago, Chu Tian graduated from university, completely severing ties with the company. However, being mute, no one wanted to hire him despite his good academic performance.

At this time, Xu Qingqiu, who had recently become the ‘Queen’ of music, far from looking down on him, warmly helped him. She invited him to join her newly established studio, insisting on supporting him even if he did nothing at all.

Perhaps due to the successive blows, or the difficult choice between self-esteem and survival, Chu Tian, seeing no hope in job hunting, had given up completely. He spent his days drinking heavily, a shadow of his former self, neither living like a human nor a ghost.

Until Xu Qingqiu forcefully dragged him into the studio, he continued to live aimlessly, merely drifting from one day to the next.

As for their relationship, that hazy, budding romance from before was never mentioned again. One felt he wasn’t worthy; the other harbored concerns in her heart.

Until this day, Chu Tian, having stayed up late playing games, overslept the next morning and never woke up again.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep