Chapter 2

"Your new song will be released on time at noon today."

"Don't be nervous. With the quality of this song, you'll definitely win Best Creator at this year's Music Awards!"

My agent Johnston patted my shoulder, and I gasped for air as if waking from a nightmare.

Looking at the familiar living room and the bewildered Johnston in front of me, I finally realized I had been reborn on the day of the new song's release.

"You've worked hard staying up late to write songs these past few days. I won't schedule any announcements for you. Get some good rest."

"Wait!"

I called out to Johnston, who had reached the door, my eyes fixed on the wall clock.

The second hand ticked forward. When the minute hand pointed to 10, I opened my phone and found Simons' Twitter.

Just like in my previous life, he posted a music website link with the caption: "Original solo single 'Sunshine in the Ruins' awaiting your listening."

Opening the link, a male voice flowed from my phone.

"What's going on? Isn't this your new song!"

Johnston stepped forward and grabbed my phone. "The melody, the lyrics—they're all the same. This is your original work. How could Simons publish it early!"

"Could it be someone from the recording studio who stole the song? Wait, I'll have someone investigate right now!"

I stopped Johnston. "Cancel the new song release with the company!"

In my past life, because I released the exact same single as Simons, I was branded a plagiarist.

To clear my name, I posted my creative process, but no one cared.

"Plagiarism is plagiarism—doing it but not daring to admit it!"

"Now you're even faking the process to prove yourself. That must have been exhausting to write, huh?"

"Plagiarists deserve to have their whole families die! Support Simons in defending his rights. Sue him until he's bankrupt!"

My agent Johnston and the recording studio teachers spoke up for me, but they were also cursed out by netizens.

At that time, my girlfriend Julia, who had won Best Actress, went live.

During the livestream, my girlfriend who had always refused to make our relationship public openly declared her love for Simons and strongly condemned my plagiarism.

In an instant, I was utterly devastated!

I had clearly played my new song for her in advance. To protect Simons, she actually backstabbed me, her legitimate boyfriend!

Following her lead, the fans' anger surged. They flooded my social media, cursing me endlessly.

Singers and actors I had worked with avoided me like the plague, eager to distance themselves from me.

If anyone didn't publicly condemn me, they would be attacked by masses of fans.

As they wished, I was blacklisted from the industry, expelled from the professional association, and even my previous awards were revoked.

Under public pressure, my management company terminated my contract.

From that point on, whenever Simons released a song, I would be dragged out and viciously cursed.

Netizens sent me funeral wreaths and created death photo edits. Some even came to my house to throw paint.

Years of cyberbullying gave me depression.

My parents spent their entire fortune trying to clear my name, but were burned to death by crazed fans.

On the day Simons' original song won the Music Award, I leaped from a high-rise building.

What I never expected was that when I opened my eyes again, I had been reborn.

Heaven gave me a chance to start over. This time, I had to figure out what was really going on.