Chapter 79 Finalizing Matters

Jiang Yan had been in the industry for eight years. From her obscure beginnings, she had made her way step by steady step to where she stood today, each advance hard-won and earned. When she first entered the business, she was naïve and bewildered, singing and releasing songs like every other aspiring singer, mostly propelled forward by others rather than her own ambition. She never dared to dream of reaching greater heights.

As she gradually gained some fame, desires began to stir within her heart, though they were dreams she only allowed herself to entertain in the deep hours of the night—fantasies she would quickly extinguish by morning. At last, she had joined the ranks of top-tier singers. The public’s recognition followed, and some even began to call her the "Little Diva." Only then did she dare to associate the word "Diva" with herself, though even then, she kept such plans private. In public, whenever the media brought up the idea, she always responded with humility, insisting she still had a long way to go.

Yet Su Chen’s new song seemed to ignite something within her that she had long kept suppressed. She stood rooted to the spot, silent for a long while before finally speaking.

"Isn't this name a bit too ostentatious?"

Su Chen shrugged, withholding any comment, but Li Qingshan, who had been silent, could not hold back.

"Why should it be considered ostentatious?" he said. "What singer doesn’t aim for that very position? Daring to dream and daring to act—there’s nothing wrong with that!"

Jiang Yan turned to Su Chen, only to find him watching her with a calm, unreadable expression—offering neither approval nor objection. She hesitated for a moment, then seemed to come to a decision. She nodded firmly.

"Then let’s give it a try!"

Li Qingshan’s eyes flickered with approval at her words. After that, he and Jiang Yan went over the song several more times, studying it closely. With each review, Li Qingshan grew more and more astonished.

"Kid, you sure this isn’t a song you had lying around from before?" Although he had watched Su Chen compose the piece, he still found it hard to believe and asked again for reassurance.

"If I said I just wrote it, would you believe me?" Su Chen couldn’t resist teasing him.

To his surprise, Li Qingshan looked at him seriously. "I do believe you." Though he’d never met anyone with such talent before, he knew true genius existed in the world. After what he’d just witnessed, Su Chen now fell into that category in his eyes, and his gaze grew even more complex.

"So you’re capable of writing such excellent songs, yet you still accompany Jiang Yan here. Was it just to watch an old man make a fool of himself?"

Su Chen was momentarily lost for words. He couldn’t exactly say that Jiang Yan had never believed he could write a song of such quality. He glanced sideways at Jiang Yan, whose eyes darted away in embarrassment, suddenly aware that her repeated rejections of Su Chen now seemed rather shortsighted. She was about to explain herself when Li Qingshan let out a cold snort.

"Hmph! Even if you can write a song like this, don’t expect this old man to apologize!"

Su Chen was speechless. This old man really knew how to add drama. Had he ever asked for an apology? Just as he was about to retort, Li Qingshan abruptly changed the topic.

"But I have an idea—could I take the lead in recording the accompaniment for this song?"

What was he up to now?

"Really? That would be wonderful! Thank you so much!" Jiang Yan exclaimed in delight at his offer. This was a rare and exceptional song—even though Li Qingshan hadn’t composed it, if he were to record the accompaniment, it would be a dream come true for her.

Although Li Qingshan was known as a composer, he had previously worked as a music director at an entertainment company and was extremely skilled in recording. After transitioning to full-time composition, he even kept a team of musicians on payroll to record accompaniments for his works. Many of his previous songs had their accompaniments recorded personally under his supervision—perhaps to protect his songs from being ruined by others, or perhaps out of pure passion.

Since Jiang Yan agreed, Su Chen had no objection either. Having someone else handle the accompaniment was a relief. Li Qingshan, seeing Su Chen’s tacit approval, became visibly excited.

They chatted a while longer before Jiang Yan suddenly remembered something. "Teacher Li, about 'Cicada Unaware of Snow'... could—"

She didn’t even finish before Li Qingshan’s eyes widened. "Don’t even think about that song. Was one humiliation not enough? Do you want me to be shamed again on the October Billboard?"

Jiang Yan and Su Chen exchanged glances, recalling what Jiang Yan had said on the way over—the rumors about Li Qingshan’s eccentric temper were evidently well-founded. He could turn on a dime, acting like a child. Since he was so adamant, Jiang Yan didn’t insist. She had already gained a great song today and felt more than satisfied.

The group then discussed the remaining details. Though Li Qingshan still didn’t seem entirely pleased with Su Chen, his attitude had grown much warmer. At last, everything was settled: Jiang Yan purchased the song for 500,000 yuan, with an agreement to give Su Chen a 20% share of the future earnings. Li Qingshan would oversee the entire recording process.

Su Chen spent two more days exploring the capital before his trip finally came to an end.

—

"Su Chen?"

"Why would he be hanging around with Jiang Yan?"

Xi Siyuan frowned deeply. She had never expected that Jiang Yan’s rumored companion would turn out to be Su Chen. The two had seemed to have nothing in common, yet here they were, suddenly intersecting in ways she could not grasp.

Since running into Su Chen and Lü Yuanqing at the Forest Retreat, things had taken a turn for the bizarre. Lü Yuanqing and Jiang Yan were both top figures in the entertainment industry, while Su Chen, in her memory, was just an ordinary student whose academic prospects had been ruined. How had he suddenly ended up writing songs for Jiang Yan?

She admitted that Su Chen had some talent, but it was only ever within the confines of school. The songs he wrote before would never have received a second glance at an entertainment company. What kind of scheme was this group involved in?

"You know him well—do you really think he could write anything good?" Zhou Yuyan asked quietly beside her.

Xi Siyuan paused. "No, I don’t."

"Then what are you worried about?" Zhou Yuyan spread her hands. "If he can’t write a good song for Jiang Yan, isn’t that better for us? And from what I’ve heard, the song Li Qingshan was supposed to give Jiang Yan has also fallen through. Isn’t that exactly what we wanted?"

"Once you overshadow Jiang Yan on the October Billboard, your popularity will reach new heights. You’ll be able to step on her to rise to the top—it’s only a matter of time before you break into the first tier."

Xi Siyuan nodded, though her expression remained grim. Despite Zhou Yuyan’s reassurances, she couldn’t shake an inexplicable sense of unease—a feeling that things were slipping out of her control. She hated that sensation. Yet, at this point, there was nothing else she could do. She nodded lightly.

"Let’s leave it at that for now."