Big Sweetie Rises! She’s Building My Royal Harem in the Tang Dynasty!
Chapter 24 - "If You Rise, Don’t Forget Me!" Rekindling the Flame with an Ex!

Chapter 24: “If You Rise, Don’t Forget Me!” Rekindling the Flame with an Ex!

The next day, a little past five in the afternoon.

Shen Lang and Tian Jing left the Joy of Life set together, flying straight back to Beijing.

Tian Jing had work to attend to, and Shen Lang had to return to school. As a member of the Beijing Film Academy’s Class of 2015, he was now in his second semester of junior year, with just one year left before graduation.

“Xiao Lang, remember to think of me~”

After a goodbye kiss, Tian Jing watched Shen Lang walk into the academy before telling her driver to leave. She had her own busy schedule to deal with.

As Shen Lang stepped onto campus, watching the students coming and going, he sighed at how fast university life passed.

“Xiao Lang, look at you—quietly becoming a singer! You hid it well!”

The moment he entered, he ran into his female classmate Wang Zixuan and a few other girls who were just heading out.

“Xiao Lang, when did you learn to compose? How come we never knew?”

“Weren’t you just acting? How did you suddenly become a singer?”

“Xiao Lang, if you rise, don’t forget us!”

Looking at the energetic students around him, Shen Lang realized he was still young—still a college student. No wonder Tian Jing had emphasized his “student” identity last night.

Last night’s roleplay had Tian Jing playing the student—complete with a maid outfit.

Shen Lang had temporarily taken on the role of her generous sponsor.

Shaking his head to dispel those distracting thoughts, he asked, “Zixuan, where are you all headed?”

“We’re going shopping… Oh! We could use someone to carry our bags—Xiao Lang, you in?”

“No way!” Shen Lang quickly refused. “I just got back. I still need to check in with my professors. If I don’t, they might fail me in the finals.”

“See you tomorrow, then~” Wang Zixuan and the others waved before walking off.

After they left, Shen Lang went to report to his professors, officially ending his leave. He also mentioned that after the Qingming Festival, he’d need another long break—this time to join the The Untamed production.

Shen Lang was playing the male lead, Wei Wuxian, which meant a much heavier shooting schedule. Even if the crew allowed him time off, it’d only be for a day or two—nothing longer.

As he stepped out of the professor’s office, he ran into his ex-girlfriend.

Yes, his ex-girlfriend.

“Ziyi, long time no see. How’ve you been?”

Shen Lang was the first to greet her.

Meng Ziyi—she was one of the girlfriends Shen Lang had dated in college before his past-life memories awakened.

“Xiao Lang, congrats—you’re famous now~”

Meng Ziyi smiled, though it looked a little forced.

“Free tonight?” Shen Lang asked.

Meng Ziyi smirked. “What, asking me out?”

“Even though we broke up, you’re still my senior. Can’t I treat my senior to a meal?”

“Fine. Since you’re being so sincere, I’ll reluctantly agree. But… just so you know, we’re history now!”

If you hadn’t added that last part, I might’ve believed you.

History?

Sorry, but Shen Lang didn’t see it that way.

After chatting a bit, they agreed to meet at the school gate later. Shen Lang first headed back to his dorm to unpack.

His roommates immediately teased him about his sudden fame, joking that he’d better not forget them now that he’d made it. They suggested dinner together, but Shen Lang had to decline, saying he already had plans. They all groaned, accusing him of ditching friends for girls.

After some banter, Shen Lang left to meet Meng Ziyi at the gate.

Once together, they walked side by side.

Meng Ziyi chattered away:

“Xiao Lang, when did you learn to sing?”

“Back when we were together, you were just as tone-deaf as me—wait, no, you were tone-deaf! I can actually sing pretty well~”

The moment singing came up, Meng Ziyi refused to admit any lack of skill.

She even suggested, “Xiao Lang, after dinner, let’s find a karaoke place. I’ll prove that a musical prodigy like me can’t possibly lose to a tone-deaf guy like you!”

Shen Lang: “…”

Damn, is she really this confident?

Meng Ziyi’s singing was so off-key that every song became her original version. Where did she get this confidence?

Even Fish Leong wouldn’t dare give her that much “Courage.”

They grabbed a quick dinner nearby—Meng Ziyi insisted on finishing early so they could get to karaoke faster.

Thirty minutes later, they were in a private karaoke room.

*”I’m singing ‘Under the Sea’!!!'”

The moment they entered, Meng Ziyi announced loudly, “I love the version you did with Phoenix Legend—it’s so warm and uplifting~”

As she spoke, she immediately queued up the song.

Listening to Meng Ziyi’s rendition, Shen Lang watched with an amused smile. Truly a tone-deaf queen, radiating pure confidence.

“If you believe it, you’re the diva.”

—Meng Ziyi’s life motto, perfectly describing her current state.

Most people only dare to claim they’re singing legends in the shower.

But Meng Ziyi?

She was always in diva mode.

“How was that?”

After finishing the verse (or what she thought was the verse), Meng Ziyi grinned.

“Ziyi, you’re amazing.”

“Damn right!”

She accepted the praise without detecting any sarcasm.

“Come on, duet with me! Don’t just sit there~”

She shoved the second mic at him, insisting they sing together.

Mid-duet, she actually accused him of going off-key and not keeping up.

Shen Lang: “…”

I’m the original artist, and I’m off-key?

Classic Meng Ziyi.

After finishing “Under the Sea,” she even had the nerve to critique his singing, saying he needed more practice if he wanted to make it as a vocalist.

Sis, I’ve already got two concert invites.

“Ziyi, maybe you could teach me?”

“Fine, I’ll reluctantly take you on as my student.”

With that, she queued up “Secrets of Winter,” asking if he knew it. If not, she’d personally guide him.

She didn’t stop there—she added “Let the Rain Pour Down,” “Fruits of Summer,” and “Love Like Fire” to the playlist.

Shen Lang: “…”

Can we just skip to the next part?

He didn’t want to endure this karaoke torture any longer.

…