Chapter 3: Undercurrents

Earth’s Department of External Communications.

In the office reserved for the Deputy Minister, Cen Lan’s personal terminal was playing the wildly popular “Cycle.” When the piece ended, it began again from the start. Cen Lan opened two files; though she had read them countless times, she still scrutinized them once more, line by line.

[Feng Jingyu

Gender: Female

Age: 20

Occupation: Nurse

Network ID: Autumn Whisper

Orphan raised in the welfare institute, one of the founders of the secret forum Secret Garden. Suspected of possessing a highly effective method of cultural dissemination.

By chance, she met Yu Huaiyin, the most gifted member in the history of the renowned Yu musical family, and became his partner.]

[Yu Huaiyin

Gender: Male

Age: 28

Occupation: Musician

The Yu family’s most treasured musical genius, possessing unparalleled talent in composition and singing. Three months ago, he disguised himself and performed in a street park, where he met Feng Jingyu. The two hit it off immediately and began working together, with Feng Jingyu promoting Yu Huaiyin’s music as his partner.]

“Yu family… Yu Huaiyin…” Cen Lan stared at Yu Huaiyin’s photograph for a long time, then chuckled softly. “After all these years, he’s still the same as ever.”

Her work terminal vibrated, reminding her that the meeting would begin in ten minutes.

Cen Lan turned off the music and rose, heading for the conference room.

What awaited her was a tough battle.

·

Inside the conference room, representatives from all major regions of Earth had already gathered.

After entering, Cen Lan swept her gaze around the room before taking her seat.

Once everyone’s presence was confirmed, the Minister spoke. “I trust everyone is aware of the topic for today’s meeting. Regarding the phenomenon created by Feng Jingyu and Yu Huaiyin, what are your thoughts?”

The Northern representative shrugged. “What else is there to say? Isn’t this exactly the kind of talent we’ve been searching for to break through our barriers?”

“I agree with the Northern representative,” said the Europa representative. “Clearly, we need people like this. The question is, what should we do? After all, this is a matter of both risk and opportunity. We need to keep the variables within an acceptable range.”

Cen Lan spoke slowly, “I believe we should give our full support.”

“Full support?” The Northern representative’s face hardened. “Deputy Minister Cen, isn’t that a bit much? Oh, right, she is from Huaxia after all.”

“Northern representative, my suggestion has nothing to do with her being from Huaxia. It’s because Feng Jingyu is the only person in all these years to have broken through the cultural blockade. Her methods are clearly effective and capable of producing lasting impact.” Cen Lan looked around the room. “For years, we’ve tried everything to export our culture. Though there have been a few successes, none have made much of a splash. Yet the positive effects brought by ‘Cycle’ are still ongoing. Discussions about Earth on the StarNet have increased by one hundred percent, and the content is not limited to Huaxia alone. Before we’ve even taken action, we’ve already garnered this level of attention. If we give our full support, the potential returns are beyond measure.”

The Aurum representative immediately chimed in, “Earth has been marginalized for far too long. The Interstellar Federation may not have openly objected to our refusal to implement the emotion monitoring devices, but their actions have made their attitude clear.”

“Those bastards in the Interstellar Federation look down on us, plain and simple! They claim the emotion monitoring devices are to regulate our emotional fluctuations, but in reality, they’re just surveillance tools! So what if they’re long-lived?” The Jadeite representative slammed a fist on the table, his anger plain for all to see.

The other representatives’ expressions were equally grim. The emotion monitoring device was clearly the greatest humiliation suffered by Earth’s government.

The Desert representative coughed and said, “On the matter of the emotion monitoring device, the Huaxia representative stood up for Earth. So I agree with Deputy Minister Cen—we should give Feng Jingyu our full support.”

The Azure representative, who had remained silent until now, spoke up, “Deputy Minister Cen, Earth’s culture is more than just Huaxia.”

“I’m well aware of the concerns of all the representatives.” Cen Lan’s tone was measured. “We can treat Feng Jingyu’s operation as a pilot project, summarize a successful model, and then roll it out to other regions. As for the resources needed to support Feng Jingyu, Huaxia will take full responsibility. However, if we require assistance, I hope the representatives present will lend a hand.” Cen Lan presented her plan calmly and unhurriedly, her thorough consideration making it clear she had long since thought it through.

“Huaxia will take full responsibility?” The Northern representative looked at Cen Lan with a hint of amusement. “As expected of Deputy Minister Cen. OK, I have no objection to this proposal.”

“It’s a good proposal,” said the Aurum representative, “but Deputy Minister Cen, how exactly do we implement this successful model, and what would count as success for Feng Jingyu?”

“Feng Jingyu once said she would make Yu Huaiyin’s music resound throughout the stars. That is the goal she set for herself, and we can use it as a milestone. Specifically, for Yu Huaiyin’s ‘Cycle’ to reach the top ten of the Interstellar Music Chart. How about that?”

Everyone present was visibly surprised. The Interstellar Music Chart was the most fiercely contested ranking in all the star systems, with countless new songs rising and falling on it every day. Making it into the top 1,000 was already the mark of a major star system; the Milky Way’s own music chart was nothing in comparison. Did Cen Lan truly believe “Cycle” could break into the top ten? Did she have such faith in Feng Jingyu’s abilities?

Even the Desert representative’s voice faltered. “Deputy Minister Cen, are you… are you certain?”

“Certain,” Cen Lan replied without the slightest hesitation.

The Europa representative smiled at that. “Since Deputy Minister Cen has said so, then once ‘Cycle’ enters the top ten, I believe our think tank should be able to summarize Feng Jingyu’s successful model. I agree with Deputy Minister Cen’s proposal.”

“I have no objection either,” said the Northern representative. “But I must say, this goal sounds like pure fantasy. Deputy Minister Cen, I hope your intuition is as sharp as your political instincts.”

Perhaps it was the audacity of Cen Lan’s goal that stunned them, but the other representatives all voted in favor as well.

·

When it was clear there were no further objections, the Minister spoke again. “Since everyone is in agreement, let’s move on to the next topic: how should we approach Feng Jingyu? She grew up an orphan in a welfare institute and is highly guarded toward outsiders. What kind of person should we send to gain her trust?”

The Desert representative suggested, “A young woman like her surely needs someone to guide her—a steady, middle-aged man, perhaps? Someone who can give her advice in life and let her feel a father’s love.”

Cen Lan’s brows knit together, but before she could speak, the other representatives all voiced their agreement.

“I object!” Cen Lan raised her voice slightly. “Feng Jingyu is a mentally mature adult. Her series of strategic moves clearly demonstrates an extraordinary mind. Someone like her doesn’t need a guide in life, but a reliable partner—a comrade who can clear away all obstacles for her. I believe I am the most suitable person to approach her.”

The Jadeite representative countered, “Deputy Minister Cen, forgive my bluntness, but Feng Jingyu is a twenty-year-old young woman. There’s a considerable age gap between you and her. If she can’t accept a middle-aged man, why would she accept you?”

“What she needs is a mature partner, not someone who looks down on her. The very word ‘guide’ is full of the arrogance of those in power. Tell me, if it were you, could you accept an outsider pointing fingers at your work?”

The room fell silent.

The Europa representative, also a woman, nodded to Cen Lan and spoke. “Deputy Minister Cen’s objection is well-founded. Between women, there is a natural and unbreakable alliance.”

“Oh, girls help girls. Fine, fine, since Deputy Minister Cen has volunteered herself, what else can we say?” The Northern representative raised a hand. “Agreed.”

The remaining representatives also agreed to let Cen Lan approach Feng Jingyu herself.

Cen Lan exhaled slowly. Though this battle had been hard-fought, her victory was a beautiful one.