Chapter 9: Buy Buy Buy

Xiao Chi looked at him with mild surprise and pointed to himself. “You’re talking about me?”

“Is there anyone else here?” Wen Anran lifted his chin in impatience, casting a sidelong glance at him, the corners of his eyes carrying a hint of restrained arrogance. “What, are you planning to buy? We don’t accept installments here.”

Xiao Chi’s gaze shifted upward to the top of Wen Anran’s head, then met his eyes again, sincerely reminding him, “This size is more suitable for someone over 185 cm.”

“…What do you mean by that? Are you mocking me for being short?” Wen Anran immediately stood up straight, his eyes narrowing as if he had been stepped on.

Xiao Chi blinked in confusion. “I didn’t mean anything like that.”

The female shop assistant quickly stepped forward to smooth things over. “Mr. Wen, it won’t take long to get the stock. Or there are other ready-to-wear options here that might suit you…”

Ignoring her, Wen Anran paused for a moment, then smiled meaningfully, speaking slowly, “If you buy it right now, I’ll let you have it. How about that?”

Xiao Chi, completely unaware of the hidden mockery and malice in the words, shrugged indifferently, confidently reaching for the coat button. “Since you’re so insistent, I’ll take it.”

“Heh.” Wen Anran gave him a knowing look, scanning him up and down, as if his superiority had returned. “That’s more like it. Why pretend to be something you’re not? Why try to save face?”

Xiao Chi was completely puzzled, thinking to himself: He’s speaking Chinese, but why is this so complicated?

“Have you picked one?” Ji Chenxuan’s voice suddenly came from the door, and his footsteps grew closer.

Upon hearing that voice, Wen Anran quickly turned around, his eyes, full of charm, widened with unmasked surprise. He took off his sunglasses and walked briskly over, looking at Ji Chenxuan with a smile. “President Ji, I didn’t expect to run into you here. It’s been a while.”

Ji Chenxuan’s gaze swept over the man’s face. He seemed somewhat familiar, but couldn’t recall his name immediately—probably someone from the company.

His steps didn’t stop because of Wen Anran. He gave a polite nod, as if responding to any subordinate greeting him at the office.

The two brushed past each other, leaving Wen Anran’s outstretched hand awkwardly suspended in the air.

Xiao Chi’s sharp, deep-blue suit caught Ji Chenxuan’s full attention. He carefully observed him for a moment before turning his face away, pretending to be indifferent.

But when his gaze inadvertently drifted to the fitting mirror across from him, he saw a slim figure with a collar that was unbuttoned, showing part of the clavicle, the bones highlighted by the store’s white fluorescent lights.

Ji Chenxuan’s eyes immediately lingered, unwilling to look away.

“Is it the one you’re wearing?” Ji Chenxuan asked in a low voice.

“Not really.” Xiao Chi shook his head and nodded toward Wen Anran, “This guy really wants it. Even though he knows the size doesn’t fit, he still insists on getting it. I guess he must really like it. I felt kind of sorry for him, so I agreed to let him have it.”

Ji Chenxuan furrowed his brow in confusion.

“Insist on it? Feel sorry for him? Let him have it?”

What nonsense was this country bumpkin talking about?

Wen Anran suddenly turned around, his eyelids twitching with anger. The figures of the two of them standing so close to each other were imprinted in his pupils, and his expression shifted slightly—this country bumpkin actually knew Ji Chenxuan? What was their relationship?

Relatives? Impossible. A third-rate star being kept? Even more impossible!

Ji Chenxuan was famously known in high society for being clean-living, aloof, and indifferent. He never treated anyone with unnecessary kindness, and no rumors of scandal or gossip ever followed him.

There had even been some disbelieving, minor celebrities who tried to get close to him during a shoot, but Ji Chenxuan didn’t lose his temper in the moment. However, the very next day, she disappeared from all entertainment media outlets.

Since he started paying attention to Ji Chenxuan after signing with Huanyi, Wen Anran had been filled with suspicions, though his face remained impassive.

He calmly walked over to Ji Chenxuan’s side and gave a polite, humble smile. “Perhaps I didn’t express myself clearly. While I do like this set, since this gentleman got to it first, I must let him have it. After all, a gentleman always helps others complete their wishes. I’ll have to part with it. Anyway, the store has many other options…”

“Good.” Ji Chenxuan wasn’t interested in Wen Anran’s thoughts. He simply nodded at the female store assistant, who had been watching from the side, “Pack up all the clothes in his size, as well as accessories. I’ll send someone to pick them up later.”

Wen Anran’s smile instantly froze on his face.

The luxurious limited-edition bracelet on Ji Chenxuan’s wrist caused a series of enormous figures to flow through the cash register like water, as if it were an insignificant detail, not even worthy of a second glance from him. Even the female store assistant, who was used to seeing wealthy clients throwing money around, was taken aback.

Having spent a brief time in the world of high society, Xiao Chi had developed some understanding of money. He tugged at Ji Chenxuan’s sleeve, “Isn’t this too much? I won’t even wear it all.”

And besides, he couldn’t afford to give such an equivalent gift in return!

Ji Chenxuan briskly finished the transaction, glancing at him indifferently, “We don’t have time for you to try them on slowly. If you like anything else, pick it when we get back. Didn’t you choose a tie?”

Xiao Chi silently took the flashy pink tie from the female shop assistant.

Ji Chenxuan raised an eyebrow and dismissed him without mercy, “No sense of style.”

He scanned the tie display counter, and with a swift motion of his index finger, he selected a black silk tie with a diagonal pattern. “This one,” he declared decisively.

Xiao Chi held the brand-new tie, silently trying to tie it around his neck, adjusting it this way and that, but it felt uncomfortable no matter how he moved.

Ji Chenxuan helplessly pressed his lips together, stepping forward to take the tie, knotting it and straightening it with a smooth, practiced motion. As his fingers glided over the silk fabric, the soft and delicate texture sent a ripple of sensation through his chest.

The two were very close, with barely a sliver of space between them. Ji Chenxuan could even feel the warmth of the other person’s breath drifting over the tie.

Xiao Chi stared at Ji Chenxuan’s long, well-defined fingers. As his wrist turned, a graceful arc appeared, and Xiao Chi’s gaze followed the curve of the wrist upward, noting the sharp brow, the straight nose, and finally the coldly pressed lips that were usually reserved and expressionless.

Wen Anran had been staring at them, as if watching an absurd and comical pantomime. Ji Chenxuan was actually tying a tie for another man?!

If someone had told him this before today, he would have scoffed at the very idea.

But now, all he could feel inside was a storm of emotions, mixed with a wild sense of jealousy and absurdity.

Wen Anran observed for a while, his expression cooling. But then, a hidden smirk of satisfaction and expectation crept into his face—perhaps Ji Chenxuan was indeed like the rumors said, someone who liked handsome men. If such a nameless country bumpkin could get ahead simply because of his looks, then why couldn’t others do the same?

Wen Anran’s hostile gaze bore into Xiao Chi’s back. Xiao Chi felt uncomfortable under the scrutiny and suddenly stepped half a step forward, closing the tiny gap between them.

Ji Chenxuan, caught off guard, pressed both hands against Xiao Chi’s chest. The pounding of his heart under his palm sent a flush of warmth to his hand.

“What are you doing? Don’t move,” Ji Chenxuan said, his voice low.

Xiao Chi whispered, “Is it done yet? People are watching.”

Ji Chenxuan paused for a moment, then casually released his hands, taking a step back. “Done.”

Xiao Chi, now fully dressed in the formal attire, seemed to have a completely different aura about him. Ji Chenxuan couldn’t help but glance at him again before turning toward the door. “Let’s go, it’s getting late.”

Xiao Chi placed the pink tie on the counter and reminded the shop assistant once more, “Don’t forget to pack this one too.”

“Ah, yes…” The female assistant silently watched them leave, then, after a pause, suddenly realized there was still a major client in the store. “Mr. Wen, may I ask if you need any other styles of ready-made clothing?”

Wen Anran’s lips twitched as he put his sunglasses back on, concealing the brief flash of malice in his eyes. “Didn’t that President Ji already buy everything for his little lover?”

The assistant gently reminded him, “President Ji only purchased items in that gentleman’s size. We still have other options that may suit you…”

Wen Anran, as if a sensitive nerve had been touched, instantly darkened. No longer bothering to argue, he strode out without another word.

—

At the Beidu branch of the National Star Show Competition Selection Committee, in the Music Director’s office.

Li Mingxin, who had been napping on the sofa the entire day, groggily rolled over, only to fall off the edge of the sofa, his round belly making intimate contact with the floor. His nose nearly smashed flat.

The pain jolted him fully awake. Rubbing his unfortunate nose, he groggily got up from the cold floor and cursed as he returned to the sofa, only to realize his stomach was growling with hunger.

“That bitch Wan Baoluo, isn’t he going to wake me up? Not even calling me for dinner? It’s just missing one of her songs, what’s the big deal? He really has no humanity!”

Li Mingxin grumbled as he rummaged through the cabinet, pulling out a cup of instant noodles. He poured hot water over it and started slurping it down in large bites.

The only light in the office came from the corner of the desk, where a tiny USB drive lay quietly within its beam, almost as if it were staring back at him.

Feeling refreshed after his nap, Li Mingxin slurped his noodles, his ears free to wander. After a moment’s thought, he plugged in the USB drive and immediately skipped to the last track.

“I’ve listened to everything. Now I’m going to mock that Wan, hmph, serves her right for not calling me for dinner! Made me eat instant noodles instead!”

He pressed the play button, and as the intro started, a soft ice-blue light swelled from the transparent cube speakers.

Li Mingxin twirled his noodles with his chopsticks, nodding his head to the beat of the intro. “Heh, catchy melody.”

Half a minute later, the vocals blended in with the accompaniment, and in an instant, Li Mingxin’s eating motion froze. His chopsticks fell into the bowl of soup, splashing some of the broth onto his face.

But he didn’t bother to wipe it off. At this moment, all his attention was consumed by the song. He couldn’t bring himself to focus on any details around him. Not even the slightest background noise could distract him.

The voice was indescribable—unique, rich in texture, angelic and ethereal, smooth as a jewel, full of breath and effortless technique.

Li Mingxin listened intently, his breathing almost in sync with the rhythm. As the song built up, the powerful chorus, after a long crescendo, exploded at its peak, releasing an intense, cathartic energy that made his arms break out in goosebumps.

Slowly, Li Mingxin furrowed his brows, no longer caring about his noodles. He yanked out the USB drive and rushed like a bullet into the better soundproofed listening booth.

The listening booth was a sealed, soundproof space equipped with top-quality speakers and professional analytical equipment.

Li Mingxin pressed the replay button for the third time, reclining in the chair, closing his eyes, and listening. The oversized headphones enveloped most of his head, and the entire world disappeared except for this one song, this one voice, this captivating melody, this unforgettable tone.

The darkness in front of him felt like a universe of music. Among the countless meteors and planets, he found that one flickering star, shining brightly in the dark, resonating with him.

Li Mingxin could hardly describe the surprise he felt at this moment. It was like the voice he had dreamed of for years, one he thought he would never encounter again. And then, suddenly, it fell from the sky in an unexpected way, hitting him right on the head!

Although the initial awe had faded after listening a few more times and the song itself wasn’t perfect, as Wan Baoluo had said, perfect people perform at the Grammys, not at a newcomer’s audition.

“I’ve struck gold! I’ve really found a gem! I’ve uncovered a hidden treasure from the vast ocean! This year’s ratings are going to explode because of him—guaranteed!”