CHAPTER 52: CHAPTER 48: CAUGHT SLACKING OFF AT WORK

Seeing her looking intently at the computer, Li Chunhua dropped her teasing demeanor, moved her chair behind Xu Qingqiu, and peered curiously over her shoulder.

"So Proud? What kind of name is that?"

Xu Qingqiu shook her head and first opened the lyric sheet to take a look.

"It must be a song about feelings," she murmured as she began to read the lyrics.

The more she read, the colder her expression became, and by the end, her eyes had unexpectedly welled with tears.

"What’s wrong, Qingqiu? Are you okay?" Li Chunhua asked, concerned.

"I’m fine. I want to sing this song."

"Huh? You haven’t even listened to it yet? Didn’t you say you wouldn’t sing?"

Li Chunhua looked at her, puzzled, then back at the computer. Unfortunately, the text on the screen was too small. She had only managed to read a few lines of the lyrics when Xu Qingqiu suddenly made her declaration.

"No, I have to sing it. This song."

What lyrics could make her change her mind so quickly? Li Chunhua wondered.

"Okay, if you want to sing, then sing. But aren’t original songs banned on the show? How will you sing it then?"

"Release a single!" Xu Qingqiu’s voice was still calm, yet anyone could hear the determination in her tone.

"It’s not impossible to release a single, but you haven’t even recorded your previous songs yet. Right now, only the live versions are available online. Aren’t you going to record studio versions of those first?"

"Those aren’t urgent. I want to sing this one first."

What kind of song has such power? How could she be so determined just from reading the lyrics? Is this song really that good?

"Why don’t we listen to it first, and then decide?" Li Chunhua still thought they should be more cautious. Xu Qingqiu’s decision was too sudden and rash. Releasing a single wasn’t that simple. The recording process alone required a lot of back-and-forth, not to mention promotion and a host of other tasks—it was a ton of work. How could she decide to sing it just like that?

Xu Qingqiu was also aware that her request was abrupt. At the same time, she was equally curious about the song’s arrangement. After all, she had only read the lyric sheet. While she had a rough idea of the melody, she hadn’t heard the actual arrangement yet.

"Alright, let’s listen to it first."

Zhou Yiyi had been watching from the side all along. She didn’t understand much of their discussion, only seeing her two superiors going back and forth. But now, hearing they were going to listen to music—that she understood. She quickly hurried over, curiously watching Xu Qingqiu click on a music file.

"Spending the whole night in restless thoughts, the night is truly kind"

"It keeps me from sleeping"

"Why do you always want to flee?"

"If this longing can’t be cured"

"It’s only my fault for not finding the antidote"

"You’ve never given me a signal of your love"

...

They had only listened to a small portion of the song when Li Chunhua instantly understood.

No wonder Xu Qingqiu had decided to sing it immediately after just reading the lyrics. This song was practically made for her.

She and Yiyi had been with Xu Qingqiu for several years; everyone knew about her feelings for Chu Tian.

They weren’t clear about what had happened a few days ago, but everyone had witnessed the effort Xu Qingqiu had poured into Chu Tian over the years.

Years had passed. Not only had there been no progress between them, but they actually seemed to be drifting further apart. Frankly, calling Chu Tian a dense blockhead wasn’t an exaggeration at all.

Why was Li Chunhua so cold towards Chu Tian?

The first reason was that Xu Qingqiu focused most of her attention on him, which always made Li Chunhua feel like her prized cabbage was being snatched by a pig. The other reason was Chu Tian’s utter unresponsiveness, like a block of wood. Li Chunhua only saw Xu Qingqiu putting in all the effort in a one-sided pursuit, while Chu Tian, that good-for-nothing, remained indifferent.

Is Xu Qingqiu not good enough, or what? What right does he have to look down on her?

Li Chunhua’s feelings were complicated. On one hand, she didn’t want Xu Qingqiu to like Chu Tian. On the other, she felt Chu Tian had no discernment, failing to appreciate such a wonderful girl.

Furthermore, Chu Tian always acted like he was just coasting through life, a hopeless case you couldn’t prop up, which was infuriating. The more time passed, the lower her opinion of him became, so naturally, she never gave him a pleasant look.

If Li Chunhua hadn’t known how deeply Xu Qingqiu was entangled, she would have intervened. But she worried it might trigger Xu Qingqiu’s rebellious streak, possibly even pushing their own relationship to a breaking point. That’s why she hadn’t acted. Otherwise, she would have driven Chu Tian away long ago.

Now that this song had appeared, Li Chunhua, who understood Xu Qingqiu best, immediately grasped why she was so insistent on singing this particular song.

It was simply too apt.

"Don’t be so proud"

"I might walk away at any time"

"You haven’t even held my hand yet"

"The night is too long; the moonlight will surely grow cold"

...

When the chorus came on, Li Chunhua’s eyes immediately lit up.

These lyrics are interesting. Is she planning to let go?

She looked at Xu Qingqiu’s expression, Does she also realize there’s no future for them and has decided to give up? Otherwise, she couldn’t possibly misunderstand the meaning of these lyrics, right? If that’s the case, then it’s actually a good thing!

The moment this possibility occurred to her, any previous thoughts of stopping Xu Qingqiu vanished. Li Chunhua eagerly said, "Let’s go with this song! I’ll contact them right away, and we’ll release this single next!"

What more is there to discuss? Her little cabbage has finally woken up and decided to let go! That useless bum can finally get lost! Why hesitate over such wonderful news? Of course, I support it! Wholeheartedly!

Of course, Li Chunhua had no idea this was all because of her earlier phone call.

Listening to this song, Xu Qingqiu’s mind was filled with what had happened in the car a few days ago.

Sister Hua had pressed him so much, yet Chu Tian would rather play dumb than give an answer. Does he really think I can’t let go of him? This song came at the perfect moment! You refuse to accept me? Fine! Then don’t be so proud. I can walk away at any time too!

It could be said this song arrived at the most opportune moment, striking a chord deep within her and making her desperate to sing it aloud.

As for whom she intended to sing it to, that was unclear. Whether she could truly walk away was also uncertain.

Xu Qingqiu didn’t dwell on her deepest feelings. Right now, what she wanted most was to sing this song, sing it for a certain someone.

I’ll let him see clearly that I’m not someone who can’t live without him!

Whether it was a warning or something else, she herself didn’t know.

Hearing Li Chunhua was willing to support her, Xu Qingqiu also breathed a sigh of relief.

I don’t know why Sister Hua changed her mind so quickly, but the outcome is good, isn’t it?

"Let’s go, Yiyi! We need to practice too. I want to master this song quickly and then record it!"

Since Sister Hua had agreed and already started preparations, she needed to hurry as well.

Holding the USB drive and leading Yiyi out, she casually glanced into the office.

Her gaze fell on Chu Tian. Seeing him staring intently at his computer screen, Xu Qingqiu frowned unconsciously. Then, as if compelled by some unseen force, she walked over to him.

When she stood behind Chu Tian and saw what was on his screen, she instantly fumed.

"Reading novels during work hours, are we? Nothing better to do?"

"Hmm? Ah?"

Hearing a voice suddenly speak from above, Chu Tian instinctively looked up. He saw his boss, hair disheveled and face furious, glaring down at him.

Damn! This top-down angle is terrifying! Chu Tian visibly shuddered. If it weren’t for the bright office lights, I’d have thought it was the girl from The Ring!

To cover his embarrassment, he gave an awkward laugh and casually blurted out, "Um... Boss, your double chin is... quite prominent, huh," while swiftly closing the webpage on his computer.

"What did you say? Who has a double chin?!"