Chapter 23: Maybe It's Best Not to Sing Outside
Fang Chen's instincts as an entertainment industry veteran kicked in. He quickly took out his phone and started recording. He searched his memory for the song but was sure he had never heard it before.
Unfortunately, by the time he hit record, the song was already near the chorus. The dim lighting made it hard to capture anything clearly, so he could only capture a blurry shot of the woman's graceful figure, which made him feel deeply regretful.
Shen Xi was completely lost in the music, blending seamlessly with the quiet night.
“I’ve always forgotten to say… how deeply I was moved—”
As she reached the chorus, there was a brief half-second pause, like the stillness before a storm.
Then, her voice grew stronger, emotions surging forward like a flood bursting through a dam.
“I know… you still love me.”
“Even though… we’ve both accepted the reason we had to part.”
“You know how much this hurts me.”
“So even at the end, you still smiled and told me to stay strong.”
By now, the villa’s staff had all stopped working, gathering nearby. A few sentimental maids covered their mouths, eyes glistening with tears.
Each lyric tugged at the pain and longing buried deep in their hearts. Only those who have loved truly understand.
“I know you still can’t let me go.”
“That’s why… when you left, you closed your eyes… and didn’t look back…”
Before she could finish the song, Shen Xi suddenly felt a cold gaze lock onto her.
Her voice cut off instantly.
She instinctively turned around, scanning the darkness for the owner of that intense stare.
Then, she saw him.
Not far away, Gu Hanling stood there silently.
For a split second, their eyes met, and the coldness in his gaze pierced through her like a blade.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Why did it feel like she had done something wrong?
Feeling uneasy, she quickly looked away, secretly wondering, Wait… is singing not allowed in the villa?
Fang Chen was no fool, he could tell something was off. Without hesitation, he approached Butler Wang, pretending to discuss the documents they had come for.
The other villa staff also scattered like startled birds, not daring to listen any longer or even glance in that direction, as if they feared their very lives were at stake.
Within seconds, a hundred-meter radius around the two of them became an empty vacuum.
Shen Xi could hear Gu Hanling's footsteps approaching.
She forced a smile and greeted him.
“Big brother… you’re back.”
Now that he was up close, she could finally see his face clearly.
His expression was as calm and composed as always, even carrying a polite, gentlemanly smile.
Had she imagined that icy stare just now?
“Mm.”
Then, his next words caught her off guard.
“Was that song written for Shi Jingyan?”
Shen Xi hesitated.
Why did he say “written” instead of “sung”?
And why would he think this song was for that crazy male lead?
But she had to stay in character, so she bit her lip and reluctantly nodded.
“…Yes.”
Gu Hanling's expression turned even colder.
“Didn’t expect you to be so talented. And so… devoted.”
His tone was unreadable. Then, he added, “But from now on, just sing at home. For everyone’s sake, maybe avoid singing outside.”
“???”
Without another word, Gu Hanling turned and left, leaving Shen Xi completely confused. He left out the part about singing outside bringing a bunch of annoying people…
Shen Xi had the wrong idea about Gu Hanling's meaning. She frowned slightly, feeling a sudden wave of self-doubt.
Was my singing really that bad?
Meanwhile, Fang Chen had already sent the short recording to his executive group chat.
[Check immediately, confirm whether this song is an original.]
Within seconds, the chat exploded with responses.
[On it!]
[Received]
Of course, the executives wouldn’t investigate this themselves. They outsourced the task down the chain. More and more people got the message.
For extra caution, Fang Chen turned to Butler Wang.
“Mr. Wang, who’s that woman singing on the lawn?”
“Oh, that’s President Gu’s wife.”
“!!!”
Fang Chen's heart skipped a beat. Without hesitation, he grabbed his phone and sent an urgent message to the executive group chat.
[DO NOT SHARE THIS!!! Delete everything you saved!!]
[Understood!]
[On it!]
And just like that, the order was passed down through layers of staff...
That night, after washing up early, Shen Xi changed into her pajamas and returned to her bedroom.
She still remembered the Butler’s warning. Not to make any noise while her "big brother" was sleeping.
Recalling what the man had said earlier, Shen Xi used her phone to look up relevant information.
An hour later.
“Forget running an ad design company!”
Shen Xi was pleasantly surprised by what she found. Many of the world-class jewelry designers she had studied before didn’t even exist in this world.
The entertainment industry only had the currently popular songs, movies, and dramas. Basically, whatever was mentioned in the original storyline.
The further back she looked, the fewer classic songs she could find.
By the time she checked the golden era of Chinese pop from the early 2000s, almost nothing existed.
“No wonder they thought I wrote that song.”
Excited, she rolled around on the bed a few times before calming down, staring at the ceiling with a sigh.
Movies and TV dramas were out of the question. Not to mention anything else, just the funding alone would be impossible.
As for world-class jewelry design, she didn’t have much stored in her memory. Using that knowledge on everyday jewelry would be like using a cannon to kill a mosquito. High-end designs required opportunity and connections.
But being a singer… now that was a real possibility.
She wasn’t a professional, but in her past life, listening to music had been a cheap and easy pastime. She knew plenty of classic hits.
“But the problem is… Big Brother said I sing terribly.”
She thought she sounded fine, was she just being too full of herself?
Gu Hanling was always surrounded by elite figures from different industries. His taste and standards were definitely worth considering.
Still feeling doubtful, Shen Xi closed her eyes, deep in thought. Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.
…………………………………
Late at Night.
Butler Wang heard movement in the villa’s living room.
His heart tensed. Who would be so reckless as to disturb the master’s rest at this hour?
But when he went downstairs, he was shocked. It was Gu Hanling himself.
“Sir, why are you drinking? You’re allergic to alcohol!”
Butler Wang’s face was filled with concern. What was wrong with his usually composed master?
Gu Hanling swirled the red liquid in his wine glass, his eyes carrying a hint of complexity.
“A little won’t hurt. Go rest, I’m just not sleepy.”
His voice was slightly hoarse.
Butler Wang hesitated before carefully suggesting,
“Perhaps… I could ask Madam to keep you company?”
Gu Hanling’s hand, holding the wine glass, paused for a second.
He glanced at the Butler, then shook his head and took a small sip.
Having served the Gu family for generations, Butler Wang immediately picked up on something.
But he knew his master’s personality well. Some things were better left unsaid.
“Then please, sir, just this one glass. No more after that.”
Gu Hanling gave a slight nod.
Still worried, Butler Wang withdrew but didn’t go far. He stayed nearby, ready in case he was needed.
……………………………………
The Next Morning.
Feeling refreshed, Shen Xi stepped out of her room in her pajamas.
She had no idea where she had tossed her slippers last night, so she simply walked barefoot. Humming a little tune, she headed toward the dining room.
“Ding-ding dang-dang~ dong-dong dang-dang~ Lucky Baby~”
“Eh?”
As she entered, she saw Gu Hanling already sitting there, quietly eating breakfast.
His posture was as straight as ever, his movements graceful.
But, beneath his eyes, there were faint dark circles.
Shen Xi tilted her head.
“Big Brother, did you get into a fight last night??”