Chapter 30: Brainwashed by This Song

Clickbait thrives on the internet precisely because of the insatiable curiosity and hunger for novelty among netizens. Thus, when Su Chen’s fans began spreading the song "Old Driver, Take Me Along" in such a bizarre manner, its viral success became inevitable. After their calculated efforts, it would have been impossible for it not to take off.

Driven by expectation and curiosity, users clicked on the video. The moment the music began, many felt like smashing their phones. What on earth was this nonsense? I’ve already taken off my pants, and this is what you show me? It was like putting on a disc labeled *Peach Mature* only to find *Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf* playing instead—anyone would find that infuriating.

"I have no grudge against you, so why do you have to do this to me?"
"Can we still play nice? Where is the basic trust between people?"
"I'm so pissed off! What kind of trash song is this?"
"But honestly, this song is incredible. It’s so catchy."

It wasn't just about trolling; the song was genuinely difficult for the public to process. Why was this track so abstract, ridiculous, and yet so addictive? They had been tricked into clicking, but the demonic melody lingered, worming its way into their brains. It was like a haunting refrain; even after closing the video, the "Old Driver, Take Me Along" hook kept echoing in their ears. Many even found themselves humming it uncontrollably, a testament to its powerful earworm potential.

Just like that, "Old Driver, Take Me Along" swept across Douyin with its hypnotic, addictive charm. Within half a day, the follower count for the alt account "Difficult Affection" skyrocketed past fifty thousand! The video itself bizarrely surpassed ten million views with over two hundred and fifty thousand comments, becoming a bona fide viral sensation.

"I’m terrified to laugh because I can actually sing it!"
"My roommate told me to get out and listen to it elsewhere. She’s being unreasonable—it’s clearly such a good song!"
"I actually listened to the whole thing. It gets more addictive the more you hear it. I still can't understand why."
"Did you get on the bus in the end, oh so-called 'Old Driver'?"
"I'm nine years old and I love this song. Am I normal?"
"Help, my two-year-old daughter is already singing this."

In a large classroom at the Jiangzhou Conservatory of Music, a group of students proudly announced to their peers that the song had been recorded in the school studio with their assistance. As they had predicted, the "divine song" had indeed gone viral, in the most absurd way possible. The students were shocked, yet could not stop heaping praise upon it.

"Wow, this song has pioneered a new genre of pop music—the first abstract track!"
"This is a whole new track, a true masterpiece!"
"Who is the creator? You must introduce us to this genius!"
"I am ready to hail him as my life mentor. He’s given me endless inspiration; I’ve finally found a direction for my own work."

"Hey, don't be so surprised. This is just the beginning!" Jia Qian hummed with a proud pout. "Brother Chen has another song he hasn't released yet called *People Like Me*. That one will truly make your jaws drop!" If "Old Driver, Take Me Along" was a bizarre, addictive appetizer, then *People Like Me* was the breathtaking main course.

"Is that song in this style too? I’m so excited!"
"Exactly! If Brother Chen comes to our school next time, you must let us know!"
"I have a song I’d love to discuss with Brother Chen; I’m sure I’d learn so much."

Meanwhile, in his bedroom, Su Chen watched his "Irritation Points" climb steadily and burst into laughter. There are no useless rewards, only hosts who haven't found the right way to use them—with the exception of *Pure Heart, Chasing the Entertainment Circle*, of course! At this rate, he would accumulate hundreds of thousands of points in just a few days.

As he daydreamed, he received a WeChat message. He opened it to find it was from Lin Yueyao.

Lin Yueyao: "My issue is resolved. Thank you, Su Chen!"

Su Chen smiled helplessly and replied: "How did it end? Did your cousin finally write you an IOU?"

Lin Yueyao: "No, she threw a huge tantrum and then just left."

This came as no surprise to Su Chen; the woman clearly had ulterior motives.

Su Chen: "That’s normal. She was just throwing a fit because she didn't get what she wanted!"

Lin Yueyao: "I know, it’s just that I feel a bit uncomfortable. We were so close when we were kids, and now it’s come to this..."

Su Chen understood her sadness. Young girls always placed too much weight on these so-called friendships and familial bonds. But as you walk further in life and see more, you realize that the people you truly care about, and who care about you in return, are very few. Those few people are your whole world. As for the rest, let them do as they please—it has nothing to do with you.

After a moment of contemplation, Su Chen replied: "Remember, not everything in life goes according to plan. You want it all, but you have to leave room for others to live, right?"

Lin Yueyao: "..."

Looking at the message, Lin Yueyao’s face flushed; she felt like she’d been teased, though she had no proof. Just as she was about to fire back a righteous response, Su Chen sent an audio file. Curious, she tapped it.

Su Chen: "I know you're upset. Trust me, this original song of mine will definitely soothe your wounded heart!"

Lin Yueyao paused. He could write songs? Really? Driven by curiosity, she opened the file, and the demonic melody immediately invaded her brain.

[Received Irritation Points from Lin Yueyao: +645]

Lin Yueyao: "This is the song you said would soothe my wounded heart? Thanks a lot!"

Receiving the points, Su Chen laughed heartily. National Goddess or not, in his eyes, she was just a tool to extract Irritation Points.

After the chat ended, Lin Yueyao listened to the song again and couldn't help but laugh in frustration. What kind of ghostly song was this? It was terrible! Yet, she didn't notice that after talking to Su Chen, the regret and sadness in her heart had completely vanished.

The next day, Lin Yueyao subconsciously started humming: "Old driver, take me along, I need to go to the bathroom..."

"What?" Su Yueying, who was heading to the film set with her, stopped and asked, confused, "Why are you going to the bathroom?"

"No," Lin Yueyao said, her ears turning slightly red as she pouted, "I don't need to go to the bathroom. It’s a song Su Chen wrote; it’s just so terrible!"

"If it's so terrible, why are you singing it?" Su Yueying glanced at her, feeling a spark of interest. She remembered when she had approached Su Chen, he had thought she was there to sign him as an artist. Could he actually have some creative talent?

After listening to *Old Driver, Take Me Along*, Su Yueying fell silent. After a long while, she murmured: "Don't listen to this kind of music... it'll rot your brain."

"Oh, I know..." Lin Yueyao stuck out her tongue, acting as if she didn't care at all.