Chapter 1

"President Zhou, Director Fang, here are the fifteen songs I composed for JEY's new album. Please take a look."

At the Starfish Records office, Han Jing respectfully handed over the songs he had painstakingly created.

His hands stretched forward, the sleeves pulled back, revealing a patch of burn scars, pitted and shocking to see.

Director Fang turned away in disgust, but President Zhou took the songs with a smile, "Wow! Ah Jing, you really have talent. You finished the songs so quickly."

"President Zhou, I also drafted a promotional and marketing plan for JEY's new album. Here is the concept for the MV, and here is the promotional copy..." Han Jing said, handing over another stack of documents.

"Good, good, good! I always said you are the company's greatest asset. With you, I can rest easy as the boss." President Zhou nodded in approval.

"President Zhou, about the album you promised to produce for me..." Han Jing hesitated, probing.

"I'm already arranging it, don't worry. Ah Jing, you are a rare talent. JEY's success today is all thanks to you, the 'unsung hero.' Rest assured, the company will not let you down." President Zhou laughed loudly.

"Thank you, President Zhou, thank you." Han Jing's face turned red with excitement.

"Alright, you can go now." President Zhou pointed to the door.

Han Jing bowed to President Zhou and Director Fang, then left the office respectfully. Back in his small studio, Han Jing realized he had forgotten to submit the dance design and hurriedly rushed back with it.

Standing outside President Zhou's office, Han Jing was about to knock when he heard President Zhou and Director Fang talking inside. The door was slightly ajar, so their voices were clearly audible.

Director Fang asked, "President Zhou, do you really plan to produce an album for Han Jing? He's been disfigured by burns, looking like a monster. If he goes on stage to sing, he'll scare people to death."

"I was just saying that to keep him in line, to make him write more songs for the company. You know how talented he is. JEY's rise to the top of the music industry is all thanks to him. It's laughable that those foolish fans think JEY is a talented songwriter. If they knew these great songs were written by a monster, they wouldn't be so excited anymore," President Zhou laughed.

"What if he finds out the company won't produce his album? What if he causes trouble?" Director Fang asked warily.

"What can he do? He says he wrote those songs, but what proof does he have? Who would believe a monster?" President Zhou sneered, "Besides, the media are our friends. We can turn it around, saying he's maliciously seeking attention and trying to extort money. We'll send him to prison for a couple of years. Then he won't dare cause any more trouble."

"President Zhou, you are brilliant!" Director Fang cackled.

Han Jing's eyes turned red as he felt an unprecedented sense of humiliation. All these years of hard work, and he had only been used.

Enraged, Han Jing clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his flesh, the pain only making him more agitated.

...

In the dead of night, Han Jing returned to the company. Moments later, a fire began to rage.

The recording studio, dance room, music library, and offices—all worth millions—were burned to the ground. Contracts worth hundreds of millions were destroyed, and thousands of songs in the music library were reduced to ashes...

Seeing the raging fire, Han Jing couldn't help but laugh with satisfaction.

"Han Jing, what are you doing? You actually set the place on fire? Catch him!" President Zhou and Director Fang, drawn by the flames, pointed at Han Jing and shouted.

Han Jing looked at them with a cold smile, "If it weren't for me, this company wouldn't be what it is today. Now I'm burning it all down. You are ungrateful and deceitful. Now it's your turn to taste the bitter consequences." With that, he laughed maniacally and walked into the fire, which quickly engulfed him...

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