And now, even after all these years, viewers still found themselves drawn back into that feverish era. An era where every word could shake the literary world and an era where a single mistake could become a stain carried for life.
The barrage of comments continued to flood.
"Ye definitely helped Little Shuying shape this role, but don't forget, Little Shuying was born to play the role!"
"The child Ying Zheng she portrayed is still the gold standard for historical dramas. Nobody has surpassed her!"
"Ye may have discovered her talent, but he probably never realized that playing Ying Zheng was only the most ordinary of her gifts!"
By now, most viewers had reached the same conclusion. Just as a honey badger would rise to the top no matter which wilderness it was thrown into, Little Shuying's true talent was exactly that. Fearless. Unstoppable.
On stage, Yu Shuying nodded calmly as she met everyone's gaze. "After portraying young Ying Zheng, I gradually began participating in various high-level literary competitions. At the same time, I released some original songs and took on several other acting roles."
She paused briefly. "But that man never once praised me, not even a single sentence. And the 20,000 Yuan earned from acting the role... I gave every cent to him."
(Note: 20,000 Yuan is about 3,000 Dollars.)
The audience instantly erupted. 20,000 Yuan in those days was no small amount.
"What did he spend it on?"
"So he really was using Little Shuying to make money?"
The Commentator Nana subconsciously blurted out the question before catching herself. The more she listened, the more confused she became. When Yu Ye had devoted himself to teaching the child, was it truly out of love? Or had it all been for money?
"What about the income from your later appearances?" Nana asked.
"Most of it went to him as well." Shuying's voice remained calm. "After I became an adult, I stopped giving him money except for monthly living expenses."
She spoke without resentment because she believed she had done everything she should. Over the years, she had given him more than enough financial support, and she had fulfilled every obligation she believed a daughter should fulfill.
Yet as these memories replayed before her eyes, she suddenly realized something. Perhaps what connected them wasn't merely the kindness of raising her, nor was it merely education; there was something deeper hidden beneath it all.
Unfortunately, before she could continue thinking, Xuejian spoke. "You did well."
His tone was unusually solemn. "You gave him a tremendous amount of money. Whether people admit it or not, education played a role. But this version is mostly your own talent. No adult can simply transform an ordinary child into that."
Several guests immediately nodded in agreement.
"That's right."
"She gave far more than enough."
"The support alone is already admirable."
"A child who reaches this level has fulfilled every responsibility."
"After Little Shuying became famous, she earned a fortune. If anything, that man was probably secretly spending her money."
At that moment, the program team displayed Shuying's achievements from that period.
At age seven, the release of The Great Qin Empire shocked the nation.
A school debate competition centered on traditional culture stunned both audiences and literary circles alike.
She entered a competition and became an overnight sensation.
One achievement after another flashed across the screen, and each more astonishing than the last.
Even Nana couldn't help wondering: Exactly how much money had Shuying earned over the years?
The more she thought about it, the more suspicious Yu Ye appeared. Perhaps he had indeed invested effort. But maybe all of Little Shuying's earnings had ultimately been spent on medical bills or wasted elsewhere.
Meanwhile, in the final row of seats.
Ye's trembling hands slowly reached into his jacket, and he carefully removed two bank cards. One card bore Shuying's name, and the other carried two simple words: Retirement Fund.
The first card contained every cent Shuying had earned from age six to eighteen. Untouched and not a single cent missing.
The second card contained every monthly support she had sent him after becoming an adult, which was also untouched. Not one withdrawal and not one transfer.
Listening to the increasingly hostile voices around him, Ye suddenly felt chilly and a bone-deep numbness spread through his body.
Yet the playback continued relentlessly. And soon, the scene shifted back to the past.
When Little Shuying was seven years and three months old, the Great Qin Empire had just premiered. The little girl sat excitedly before an old second-hand television. The moment she saw herself appear on screen and the moment she heard those domineering lines, an overwhelming sense of pride flooded her heart.
She puffed out her chest triumphantly and turned toward the man beside her, who was wrapping dumplings. "I'M THE MAIN CHARACTER! Not a supporting role!"
Beside her, Ye calmly wrapped dumplings filled with chives and eggs. Without even looking up, he replied casually, "Do you think you wrote those lines yourself?"
Little Shuying froze, and Ye continued. "Can you write dialogue like that? Can you create those famous speeches yourself?"
The little girl immediately fell silent. A few moments later, however, she remembered something important. "I want to learn piano! I earned 20,000 Yuan."
"I want to use my money to learn piano!" She glared at him angrily.
"No money." Ye's answer was blunt.
"Where's my money?"
"Spent." His tone remained lazy and indifferent.
Without another word, Little Shuying stormed out of the house. She grabbed a jump rope and ran into the residential courtyard.
Back in the present, Yu Shuying stared at the footage and her eyes reddened. "I remember this. This happened before I finally learned piano. Because I couldn't afford lessons, I spent months secretly listening outside classrooms and watching other students practice. I didn't get the chance to study until I won a prize in a writing competition."
Her voice trembled slightly. "All because he refused to give me the piano tuition. That was money I'd earned after filming for half a month."
Even now, the grievance remained fresh. During those years, she had desperately listened through classroom windows. She observed professionals. She watched classmates. She memorized every movement of their fingers.
The audience's eyes gradually turned red. After all, Yu Shuying's later masterpieces were known throughout the country.
From Dream Wedding.
To Every Thought Is the Galaxy.
To Flowers Bloom in the South City.
To Starry Sky.
Each work demonstrated astonishing musical talent.
Only now did everyone realize how difficult her path to music had been.
The screen split into two scenes.
Outside, Little Shuying furiously skipped rope to vent her frustration.
Inside, Ye finished wrapping the dumplings and sat before the television. The moment his daughter appeared on screen, his eyes lit up. Warmth. Pride. Joy. All of it surfaced at once. He clapped like an excited father, and his eyes even grew moist with tears. The expression was completely different from the indifference he had shown moments earlier.
Only when Little Shuying's scenes ended did the teenage Ying Zheng appear. The role was played by a handsome young actor from a wealthy family. His delivery was smooth as he recited the lines about unifying the Six Kingdoms.
Yu Ye watched silently, then shook his head. "You're not as good as her."
The words stunned everyone.
Back on stage, Xuejian frowned. That actor had been personally selected by him. He was his own nephew. He was handsome and well-trained while also highly praised at the same time. Even the audience comments back then had been overwhelmingly positive.
For a brief moment, Xuejian inwardly scoffed. What arrogance.
Yet the next second, he froze, because Tao, the male commentator, suddenly exclaimed.
On the screen, Yu Ye had changed completely. He was no longer simply watching the show; he was acting and performing every scene himself.
For perhaps the first time, viewers witnessed Yu Ye's true self.
His eyes sharpened, and his posture straightened. The ordinary man disappeared, and what remained was someone entirely different. Despite the worn clothes, despite the shabby room, an inexpressible aura of nobility erupted from him. It was as if a figure had stepped directly out of history. His gaze carried loneliness. Distance. Authority. Madness.
At that moment, Yu Ye no longer resembled an ordinary person; he resembled an emperor.
"A-are you really...?" Shuying gasped. For the first time in the entire broadcast, genuine shock appeared on her face. Because the man before her was terrifying.
When Yu Ye truly portrayed Ying Zheng, an overwhelming imperial aura burst from the depths of his soul. Cold yet proud. Lonely yet magnificent. Rebellious. Ambitious. Unyielding. The temperament seemed capable of suppressing an entire era.
The audience couldn't help but envision the King sweeping across the Six Kingdoms.
A ruler whose sword pointed toward the heavens.
A ruler before whom countless heroes willingly bowed.
Inside the television, the teenage Ying Zheng looked handsome and refined.
Outside the television, Yu Ye radiated the presence of a genuine emperor.
The difference was impossible to ignore.
One appeared noble, and the other appeared destined to conquer nations.
The young actor portrayed an educated prince while Yu Ye portrayed Ying Zheng himself.
His messy hair could not conceal his majesty. His worn clothing could not hide his imperial bearing. Every glance carried ambition, and every movement carried authority.
Even after more than ten years, a simple recording was enough to leave countless viewers speechless.
The atmosphere in the studio turned deathly silent. At this moment, everyone shared the same thought. The Ying Zheng portrayed by Yu Ye possessed only one unmistakable quality: he looked like a king capable of overturning the Six Kingdoms and unifying the world.