Sitting in front of the computer in the studio, I still didn't get it. Why the song I worked so hard to create was released by Shannon first?

I only created songs in my studio. So, I checked the footage of several monitors in the studio at double speed. I confirmed that in the past few months, besides me, no one had come in at all.

I followed the instructions online to check for computer viruses and other monitoring devices, but I found nothing.

My mind was in a mess, and I couldn't help but wonder.

Was I crazy? Shannon created the song, and I plagiarized her work?

Or since we were together so often, our inspiration became exactly the same?

I shook my head hard, trying to wake myself up a little. Looking at the completed song, I operated something casually.

The next day, Shannon released a new song, and I clicked to listen to it, feeling a chill all over my body.

Yesterday, I deliberately changed a word in the song, and the new song released by Shannon was exactly the version with the word I changed. I slowly put down my phone.

Finally, I confirmed that Shannon was the copycat.

But there was no surveillance at home. Yesterday, I was so anxious that I didn't even go out, and I didn't use any electronic devices. I even suspected that I had a bug on me, so I took a bath and didn't wear any jewelry. I slept alone in the second bedroom all night.

How did she copy me?

3

In order to find out the truth, I still released a song according to the original plan. However, this time I didn't announce it as a new song. Instead, I released an immature single from many years ago.

Less than ten minutes after it was released, I received countless malicious comments, almost identical to my previous life. They all accused me of plagiarism.

[Come on! Your best friend Shannon has already released this song. Who gave you the nerve to claim it as your original work?]

[You better be joking about promoting your song to your best friend, or I will find you disgusting.]

[Is the so-called music genius relying on plagiarism?]

Meanwhile, Shannon posted, too, just like in my previous life, proving that I did plagiarize her. She was heartbroken but willing to forgive me and give me another chance...

I instantly became the top trending topic.

News flooded the internet.

#Gina plagiarized#

#Copycats piss off#

#The road of the music genius' plagiarism has long been foreseen#

#Shannon is pitiful for being plagiarized by her best friend#

I just found it ridiculous and didn't respond. In my previous life, I found it strange that someone would accuse me of plagiarism so quickly after I released it. It turned out that Shannon deliberately bought an online army.

But public opinion quickly changed.

[Am I deaf? Shannon's song is a praise of love, and it is indeed a masterpiece, but Gina's song is obviously a joke she made. It's a song related to family affection that she posted years ago and didn't finish. How can they be the same?]

[I know Gina is more popular, but how is it possible for a tweet to become the top trending topic in less than half an hour?]

[Shannon actually accuses Gina herself? Did she really listen to the song or not?]

[Somehow I seem to smell a conspiracy.]

I smiled.

Shannon, how does it feel to have slandered me?

4

Shannon dared not say a word. She immediately deleted the tweet, and all those trending topics about me disappeared. She became the new trending topic.

#Shannon has good talent but bad character, always plagiarizing and scamming#

Shannon soon called me. I looked at the screen lighting up and then going dark, going dark, and then lighting up again, but I just wouldn't answer. She kept sending me messages on WhatsApp, but I didn't check them either.

I had known Shannon for several years. I became famous at a young age, and she was one of my fans. To be more precise, she was one of the most passionate ones. She would attend every fan gathering, write letters to me, collect data for me, and promote me.

Later, she graduated from the music academy and stood cautiously at my doorstep, saying, "Gina, I can finally stand behind you and not be your burden anymore."

I was always indifferent, so I didn't look happy or warm. I just coldly told her to keep going.

She was like a warm sun, coming to my house every day to greet me. Even if I was an ice cube, I'd be melted by her.

As Brian said, "Although she is not your blood relative, she treats you better than your family does."

She started as my fan, then my junior, then my friend, and then my bestie.

I helped her finish the words and change the lyrics, and I introduced resources and companies to her. Although she hadn't become very popular after debuting for a few years, she had taken on quite a few jobs with my help.

She used to be so good to me, and I used to be so sincere to her.

But now when I thought of her, all I could think of was that in my previous life when I desperately found her and asked her to explain to everyone what the truth was, she threw me on the ground and mocked me, "So, the high and mighty Gina will also kneel on the ground like a dog one day?"

5

Brian shook me, looking very anxious. "Gina, why didn't you post the song you told me about yesterday? Why did you suddenly change it at the last minute?"

My mind buzzed. Could it be Brian?

I quickly shook my head. That couldn't be. I only let Brian listen to the song yesterday. He couldn't have known in advance and told Shannon. In my previous life, Brian was the only person who helped me. I shouldn't suspect him.

Brian didn't notice anything unusual and continued, "The song you were supposed to post is exactly the same as Shannon's. Do you know something and deliberately changed the song to frame her?"

I shook my head. "I just thought the song wasn't very good and wanted to change it a bit, but I had promised the fans, so I released the previous unfinished version."

Brian clicked his tongue and walked to the door, letting Shannon in.

But Shannon didn't knock on the door!

As soon as Shannon came in, she immediately knelt down. "Gina, this is all a misunderstanding. You must think that I deliberately bought an online army and posted to harm you, but that's not true. It was all done by my team, I had no idea. If I had known, I would never have agreed."

I just looked at Shannon coldly. I even smiled, "It's funny. The song I was gonna post is exactly the same as the one you posted today."

Shannon stared at me for a while as if trying to see something unusual on my face. After a long time, she spoke, "Maybe it's just a coincidence. I... Well... It's just a misunderstanding. Can you help me clarify it? Everyone is pointing fingers at me now."

She sounded so righteous. How come I didn't realize before that Shannon was so disgusting?

Brian smiled and quickly helped Shannon up, "Shannon, don't worry. Gina will definitely help you. You are her best friend."

6

Suddenly, Brian's face overlapped with the one from my previous life.

In my previous life, when the media reporters blocked my door for an interview, Brian protected me in his arms and said desperately at the top of his lungs, "Even though Gina is at fault, you can't do this. No one is perfect. You should give her a chance."

Since my rebirth, I had always been concerned about the plagiarism matter, and I didn't realize that though it sounded like Brian was speaking up for me at that time, in a way, he was also admitting my guilt on my behalf.

Thinking of this, I nodded. "But how can I help you?"

Seeing that I had a calm expression, Brian breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "It's easy, Gina. You just need to admit that you plagiarized. Say that this unfinished piece of music you posted is also Shannon's work. That way, she won't be criticized."

Shannon looked at me expectantly. "Gina, only you can help me. If I'm labeled as a scammer, my life will be ruined."

I found it ridiculous and did not agree. I said, "Shannon, I have already posted this piece of music online a long time ago. This is just a slight addition. If I help you clarify now, it will only make things worse. So, I have come up with a solution for you that can make everyone forget about your scamming incident today."

Shannon looked at me blankly. "What is it?"

I took out a poster. "This is the National Original Music Production Competition. As long as you make a better new song, who will care about this?"

Shannon didn't answer and glanced at Brian, who immediately understood. "Gina, are you going to participate in this competition?"

I nodded. "Of course."

If I didn't, Shannon wouldn't.

If she didn't, how could I let her suffer and embarrass herself?

7

Shannon and Brian talked to me for a long time, but no matter what, I just wouldn't clarify. Instead, I forwarded a tweet, accusing Shannon of being biased and gullible and expressing my intention to participate in the competition.

Shannon had no choice but to leave with a grievance. Before leaving, she looked at Brian. The two of them exchanged affectionate glances as if no one else was present. How stupid was I before that I didn't notice the betrayal of my boyfriend and my best friend?

After Shannon left, Brian's expression changed again and again. Finally, he said affectedly, "Gina, I have faith in you. You will definitely win first place. I'm sure you'll nail it."

I looked at him mockingly. "If I win first place, how can Shannon prove her ability and cover up her scandal? I want to casually make a song so that she can win. In such a way, everyone will only remember her talent and forget about this embarrassing incident."

Brian had calmed down and realized that he said a lot of things he shouldn't have. He smiled awkwardly, "I just don't want you to regret it. After all, Shannon... Shannon is your best friend. You are so kind, and I'm sure you wouldn't want her to be criticized. But you still have to work hard. Don't slack off. Or you'll let down all your fans."