CHAPTER 111: CHAPTER 107: WHAT KIND OF PERSON DO YOU SAY YOUMENG IS?

The next morning, Chu Tian, who had yet to wake up, was roused by Xu Qingqiu and driven straight to the recording studio.

"Qingqiu, do we really have to be this early?"

"What do you mean early? It’s already past six o’clock. Sister Hua has almost finished negotiating the distribution channels; we need to hurry up and get the album recorded."

"This is an album, not a head of cabbage; it doesn’t grow overnight. Why are you in such a hurry?"

Chu Tian slumped into a second-row seat, the picture of dejection. He lay there with his eyes closed, refusing to accept the reality of waking up so early.

Beside him, Xu Qingqiu said while applying her makeup, "I didn’t want it to be this way either. The earnings from our song this month had just come in, and I was thinking we could take it slow. But then Youmeng suddenly showed up, wanting to take their share."

"If it were later, I’d be much more relaxed. But if we split it now, the company won’t have much money left. If I don’t hurry, we might not even be able to produce this album!"

Great, so it all comes back to me again?

Chu Tian leaned back against the seat with his eyes closed, feeling utterly hopeless, unsure of what to say.

Just then, Xu Qingqiu’s phone rang.

"Hello, Sister Hua, what’s up?"

"Qingqiu, don’t go to record the song just yet. Come to the studio first."

"Why? Is something wrong?"

"Not exactly. A new song has appeared. It’s from Youmeng."

"Youmeng? The one from Unlimited Entertainment?"

"No, it’s like before. It just appeared directly in your office. Never mind that for now; we’ll talk when you get here."

In the car, long after the call had ended, Xu Qingqiu still sat there holding her phone, looking completely stunned.

"What’s wrong? You look like you’ve lost your wits over a phone call. What happened?"

Chu Tian had heard the name ’Youmeng’ and probably guessed what was happening, but he still had to feign ignorance.

"Oh, it’s nothing... Yiyi, don’t go to the recording studio. Drive to our main studio first," Xu Qingqiu said, snapping back to reality. She subconsciously shook her head, then, realizing Chu Tian was next to her, hesitated for a moment before leaning in close to him and whispering, "Chu Tian, do you know this Youmeng person?"

"Youmeng? Of course. Aren’t they the one who’s been writing songs for you? What about them?"

"Oh, it’s not that... I mean, do you know who this person *actually* is?"

"How would I know that? They’re the one who’s always writing songs for you, aren’t they? If even you don’t know, how could I?"

Xu Qingqiu looked at Chu Tian’s perfectly earnest expression. It didn’t seem fake, and the tiny sliver of hope in her heart instantly vanished.

She lowered her head, crestfallen, and began to confide in him.

"This Youmeng just appeared one day—well, not ’appeared’ in person, because they’ve never shown their face. One day, a USB drive just materialized on my office desk...

"You know, my office door has a password lock. Anyone who doesn’t know the password can’t get in.

"Unless..."

Chu Tian listened with great interest as she recounted the trivial matter with dramatic flair; he hadn’t realized she had such a knack for storytelling. So, he decided to play along.

"Unless what?"

"Unless this person is an expert lockpick, like in the movies! You know, a few quick moves, and POP! The door opens!"

’A few quick moves’? What is this, a spy flick or sci-fi?

Chu Tian stared, dumbfounded. Xu Qingqiu was dead serious, and his jaw dropped so low you could have fit a walnut in his mouth.

"Are you sure? They’re a songwriter, after all, and the songs they’ve given you are high quality, right? What kind of VIP are you that someone would need to learn high-tech B&E skills just to deliver a song to you?"

It wasn’t the ’few quick moves’ part that bothered him. It was how he’d somehow been turned into a master thief. Was that really necessary?

"Ah? That’s true. Then why would they do it?"

"Why what? You think cracking a password lock is that simple? Locksmiths would go out of business! Is it something just anyone can learn?"

"Then how did they get in? They couldn’t have used the password, could they?"

"And why not?"

"But my password isn’t obvious or anything. I use..."

"You use what?"

"I use..."

Xu Qingqiu’s eyes started to dart around inexplicably. Chu Tian, who already knew everything, feigned ignorance and kept pressing, inwardly roaring with laughter. Her furtive little expression was just too amusing.

He’d never imagined there was this kind of fun to be had.

"Oh, that’s not important! Even if they knew it, it’s fine. But why do you think they’d send me songs?"

Seeing her blush, Chu Tian didn’t have the heart to push her too hard and decided to play along. "What do you think the reason is? They see your talent? They’re a fan? Or maybe they’re trying to stick up for you?"

"Huh? That can’t be it, right? My fans can just say so openly. What talent? There are many better than me. Why me, specifically?"

"Then it couldn’t be someone who’s interested in you, could it?"

Chu Tian casually threw out the tease, not expecting Xu Qingqiu to be so startled.

"Ah? No way! Then what do I do?"

"You can’t be serious? You actually believe that?"

Chu Tian gave her a bewildered look. How come I never noticed she was a bit narcissistic before?

He completely missed the mischievous glint that flashed in Xu Qingqiu’s eyes.

She blinked and pressed on, "Chu Tian, help me think. Could they really have a thing for me? Is this Youmeng some lonely old gentleman? Or a dignified, well-read scholar?"

"Do you think they could be a coal tycoon? Portly and chubby?"

"Chu Tian? What kind of person do you think they are? Is it really what I’m thinking?"

Chu Tian turned his head away, clearly indicating he didn’t want to talk.

Seeing his reaction, Xu Qingqiu couldn’t hold it in any longer. She gripped the armrest of his seat for support, laughing so hard she could barely breathe.

"Hahaha, that’s hilarious! Serves you right for teasing me! What are *you* so afraid of?"

"Why aren’t you talking? Are you upset?"

You’re being too mean! Chu Tian wanted to shout, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it. It was too humiliating; his pride couldn’t take it.

Fortunately, they were arriving at the studio. He quickly said, "We’re almost there. Stop laughing! You’ll laugh so hard your makeup will run."

"Ah? Really?"

"Kidding!"

"You’re awful!"

The two of them bickered playfully as they got out of the car and headed straight for the elevator. They left Yiyi behind, pouting resentfully, to park the car. After gathering their things, she had to run, gasping for breath, to catch up.

「...」

"We’re here. Can you let go of my collar now?"

Standing at the studio entrance, Chu Tian stared hopelessly at the delicate, fair hand gripping his collar. He simply couldn’t fathom how a girl could be so strong.

"Hmph! Next time you spout nonsense, I’ll twist your ears!"

With a smug tilt of her chin, Xu Qingqiu strode haughtily out of the elevator. She left behind a speechless Chu Tian, and Yiyi, who pursed her lips—pretending she hadn’t seen a thing—followed at an unhurried pace.