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Chapter 43: Love Experience
In the movie, the protagonist and antagonist were having an intense fight. Xiao Chi, feeling bored, decided to stop watching. He reached out to Ji Chenxuan and showed him a bracelet on his wrist: “Look, I had someone custom-make this for me. The one you gave me before broke and couldn’t be fixed.”
Ji Chenxuan took it, handling it in his hands. The bracelet had a silver metal texture, a simple pattern, and was light and small. The inner side was clearly engraved with two letters, “C.”
He smirked slightly, gently rubbing the engraving, and asked knowingly, “Why these letters?”
Xiao Chi answered naturally, “It’s my name.”
Ji Chenxuan raised his tone slightly, “What about the other one?”
Xiao Chi’s large, dark eyes circled around, “It’s my stage name.”
Ji Chenxuan’s smile gradually faded. He couldn’t help but ask, “What about me?”
As if he had anticipated this question, Xiao Chi grinned, his eyes shining darkly like they were infused with light: “My stage name is taken from your name.”
“…” That smile was both adorable and irritating, making Ji Chenxuan’s teeth itch. He felt like he could just swallow this guy whole, bones and all.
Without saying a word, he shoved the bracelet into his pocket, just like when he had casually taken Xiao Chi’s handmade teddy bear. He did it with ease and skill: “I’m keeping it.”
“???” Xiao Chi was left stunned, completely caught off guard by his actions.
Ji Chenxuan found his dazed look amusing. He held back a smile and pursed his lips: “This alloy one looks too cheap. Tomorrow, I’ll get you a new and better one.”
—
The next day, Xiao Chi indeed received the new terminal Ji Chenxuan sent.
Opening the blue velvet gift box, inside was an exquisite platinum bracelet with a hollow twin-star design. Under the light, it even faintly reflected pink hues. Inside, just like the previous one, were the engraved letters “C.”
Xiao Chi couldn’t stop admiring it, touching it repeatedly: “It’s beautiful!”
Ji Chenxuan put it on his wrist and sternly reminded him, “This time, don’t lose it again.”
—
Wutong University, Department of Music, Beidu
Liu Bing drove through the campus and stopped in front of the faculty dormitory building. The surroundings were peaceful and quiet. The building was old, covered with lush ivy that swayed in the wind, creating a sea of green.
“Is this the place?” Liu Bing got out of the car and looked up at the outdated, old-fashioned electronic door with a frown. “It doesn’t seem like a musician’s place.”
The visit surprised Shao Jingfeng and his wife, who quickly invited them in and poured tea.
Liu Bing discreetly observed the surroundings. The house was quite spacious, neither luxurious nor shabby. The furnishings exuded elegance and simplicity. The living room was spotless, and the balcony was filled with countless flower pots and plants. Two bird cages hung from above, and a large orange tabby cat lay underneath, basking in the sunlight with its belly exposed.
Shao Jingfeng led them to the study, where a classical upright piano stood. The entire wall was covered with music sheet drafts, family photos, and concert pictures. In the corner, there was a towering pile of manuscript paper, almost as high as a person.
When they sat down, a golden retriever obediently picked up a pair of slippers and placed them in front of them.
Xiao Chi curiously looked around and patted the golden retriever’s head. “So this is where musicians live…”
Shao Jingfeng laughed heartily. “I’m just a teacher, nothing more. I only hold an honorary position in the association. The house is a bit messy, so please don’t laugh.”
Liu Bing sighed. “President Shao, you really live an enviable life, like a hermit in a paradise.”
Shao Jingfeng adjusted his black-rimmed glasses, smiling gently. “Everyone has their own way of life. I just chose the lazy route. By the way, I should have gone to thank you, but you two came all the way here. I’m ashamed. You must be here for Rong Shan, right?”
Liu Bing and Xiao Chi exchanged a glance and nodded. “Yes, there was a bit of trouble with what happened that day…”
Shao Jingfeng took a music box from the upright piano, opened it, and to their surprise, the transformed version of Xiao Chi’s song “Farewell to the Past” played from inside.
“My daughter really likes it,” Shao Jingfeng said. “We’ve seen it on TV. I was also planning to contact our association’s journalists to clarify what happened that day. But since you’re here, I assume you have your own plans?”
Liu Bing’s eyes lit up with surprise. “Thank you so much, President Shao. Actually, Xiao Chen has a very rare opportunity to audition for the endorsement of the Tianyu Group’s holographic online game project. I had arranged to discuss the theme song collaboration with Master Rong Shan, but there was a sudden change. He backed out and, to make things worse, hinted in the media that our artist was being arrogant and lacked attitude, running off to collaborate with a popular rising star. This has put us in a very passive position, and with the audition approaching, we can’t even find anyone to collaborate with now.”
Shao Jingfeng nodded thoughtfully and said, “So, aside from clarifying the attitude issue, the more pressing matter is the production of the audition song, right?”
Liu Bing straightened his posture, looking earnestly at him. “I know President Shao has been retired for many years and no longer takes on commercial collaborations, but this time, we still hope you’ll help us out.”
He glanced at Xiao Chi, who sat quietly beside him, following his repeated instructions to stay silent.
“My artist is very talented and has great potential. While he can write his own songs and his abilities are more than enough for platforms like Star Show, when faced with someone like Master Rong Shan, an influential figure in the music industry, he has no advantage. It’s just not fair. This endorsement opportunity is too important for a newcomer…”
Xiao Chi didn’t expect Liu Bing to praise him so sincerely in front of others. He blinked his large, sparkling eyes, then immediately straightened up, sitting neatly with his knees together, like a good student receiving an award.
Liu Bing cleared his throat, then pulled out all the persuasion he could muster: “Although I don’t know what sort of past you and Master Rong Shan have, it’s been many years. You’ve been living a modest life while he’s enjoyed great success in the music world. I really feel for you. With your ability, I don’t think compensation matters to you. If you have any requests, feel free to ask. As long as we at Huanyi can do it, whether or not we win the endorsement, our sincerity will remain unchanged.”
Shao Jingfeng smiled. “I’ve publicly stated many years ago that I no longer take on commercial work. Money is not an issue for me. Even now, I won’t go against my principles.”
Liu Bing, with a dry throat, licked his parched lips. He didn’t even bother with his tea anymore and pushed for the last time: “Couldn’t you make an exception just this once? Or maybe, you could listen to Xiao Chen’s songs first? His voice and his singing skills, I’m sure you’d like them…”
Shao Jingfeng laughed heartily. He picked up a stack of papers from the piano stand and handed them to them.
“This is…” Liu Bing and Xiao Chi looked down to find that the papers were the songs Xiao Chi had performed in the Star Show competition, full of notes and revisions. The insights were sharp, and there were even different versions and rearrangements.
Shao Jingfeng took a sip of tea and smiled kindly. “Although I’ve retired from commercial work, helping as a friend and giving some advice is not a problem. Besides, Mr. Xiao is my daughter’s savior. I’ve been thinking of how to repay this favor. We don’t need to exchange formalities.”
Liu Bing was stunned, unable to believe what he was hearing. His eyes widened in disbelief. “President Shao, you really… No, no, we can’t let you do this for nothing…”
Shao Jingfeng raised one hand, motioning for him to stop. Then, he turned to Xiao Chi. “I’ve been teaching at Wutong University’s music department for many years, used to facing students. I’ve taught many, and I must admit, your talent is outstanding. Writing songs for such a voice, how could I be losing out? And you don’t need to call me ‘President.’ Just call me ‘Teacher.’“
Xiao Chi stared blankly at him, not quite understanding what he meant. Liu Bing nudged him sharply with his elbow. “Stop spacing out, call him ‘Teacher.’“
Xiao Chi, realizing what he meant, quickly complied: “Teacher!”
Xiao Chi, having unintentionally accepted a teacher, didn’t feel much about it, but Liu Bing, on the other hand, was beaming with excitement, as if he were the student.
“I rarely watch variety shows like those talent competitions, but after meeting you, I went looking for some, and I’m really impressed by the new generation of talent,” said Liu Bing.
Shao Jingfeng sat beside Xiao Chi, holding a tablet and electronic pen, which contained several singing videos of Xiao Chi from the internet, with detailed annotations and analysis beneath each one.
Shao Jingfeng tapped through the videos one by one and showed them to him. “I think you’ve had systematic vocal training. From your singing, I can clearly feel how effortlessly you handle vocal techniques. Your vocal range is also very wide, which is rare at your age.”
Xiao Chi nodded without any modesty. “I pretty much know all of that.”
Shao Jingfeng unexpectedly looked up at him. Liu Bing, standing nearby, covered half his face in embarrassment. When would this guy ever stop boasting?
Fortunately, Shao Jingfeng only smiled and wasn’t angry. He shook his head. “However, your shortcomings are as obvious as your strengths. You’re too young, and your voice lacks the depth of experience. Fortunately, you know how to highlight your strengths and avoid your weaknesses. The songs you choose are all lively, passionate, and highlight your technique. But if you were to sing something more lyrical or introspective, it would amplify your shortcomings.”
“There are some music critics who say that your voice lacks emotion and soul. Although their words are harsh, they’re not entirely without reason.”
“However, don’t worry too much. Some people are innately sensitive, with rich emotions, while others have simpler thoughts. As time passes, and life experiences accumulate, these things will naturally change.”
“By the way, from what I know, the game The Celestial Fairy has a grand, majestic world view, with a love-focused main storyline. The game’s background is in a fantasy setting, which clearly doesn’t align with the rock and pop style you excel in. If you want to stand out in the theme song audition, you’ll need to change to a musical style that suits the game itself, and lyrical music is your weakness.”
“Of course, there’s a chance for you to make it in the audition, but if you want to go further in music, relying on just these skills will not be enough.”
Xiao Chi puffed his cheeks, looking somewhat unconvinced. Shao Jingfeng laughed and took out a box of treasured old songs from the cabinet.
“These are all songs by world-class musicians, and each one comes with my personal insights and reflections. Take them home and listen to them. Some songs’ emotional impact can be compensated for by technique, but others cannot. From today on, you need to consciously tap into the emotions within you.”
“Emotions within me?” Xiao Chi grabbed his hair in frustration. “How do I tap into that?”
Shao Jingfeng looked at him. “What about your parents, family, close friends, or a lover? Surely you must have one of those?”
“…” But he didn’t have any of those. What was he supposed to do?
Xiao Chi silently held the box of old songs, falling into deep thought.
AI had granted him exceptional learning ability, but no program could teach him how to learn human emotions.
—
At the Ji Residence.
Xiao Chi had been learning with Shao Jingfeng at the Shao family home until the evening, when he finally returned to the lakeside villa.
When Ji Chenxuan entered, the stereo in the living room was playing a soothing, melodic classic. Xiao Chi was lying on the couch, listening, and sighing heavily.
“What’s wrong?” Ji Chenxuan gave him a strange look.
Xiao Chi glanced at him from beneath his lashes, then rolled over, turned his head away, and continued sighing.
“???” Ji Chenxuan was confused. He sat down next to him and cautiously asked, “Was today not going well? Did someone bully you?”
With someone to confide in, Xiao Chi suddenly turned around and presented Shao Jingfeng’s treasured box to Ji Chenxuan, his face full of frustration as he exclaimed, “They’re all bullying me!”
Ji Chenxuan looked down, amused, and tried to hold back a smile. “Could it be… you’ve been… hit hard?”
“…”
Xiao Chi lowered his head, feeling dejected, caught in self-doubt, thinking, I actually have things I can’t learn, and even ate one less bowl of dinner because of it.
Ji Chenxuan asked, but he didn’t respond, silently leaning against the window, like a child trying to fake sorrow by forcing a new rhyme, sighing at the moon as if doing so would help him dig out complex inner emotions from his blank mind.
Ji Chenxuan couldn’t help but be both amused and exasperated.
Until nightfall.
Half-asleep, Ji Chenxuan kept sensing something around him swaying back and forth.
He groggily opened his eyes and saw a dark shadow crouched at the edge of the bed. In the pitch-black night, two little points of light blinked. He was so startled that he immediately woke up, quickly turning on the bedside lamp—
Xiao Chi’s fluffy head was lying on the bed, his dark, glimmering eyes fixed on him.
“Xiao Chi?! What are you doing here in the middle of the night?” Ji Chenxuan’s chest heaved, almost frightened out of his wits.
Without hesitation, Xiao Chi crawled up onto the bed, his pupils brimming with intense curiosity. “I’ve been thinking about it for a long time, but I still can’t figure it out. What does being in love feel like?”
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JustMeow18[Translator]
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