Chapter 43: Keep the Benefits Within the Family
Since Chen Hui was also off work the next day, she stayed at Chen Chen and Tian Siyi's place and chatted with them all evening. Most of what they talked about was what had happened during military training.
That night, Chen Hui ordered some barbecue and beer, and the three of them ate and talked together.
When Chen Hui heard that Tian Siyi had been framed, she immediately jumped to her feet in anger.
She only sat back down after hearing that the person responsible had already been punished.
The next morning, Chen Chen unusually did not wake up early. Instead, Tian Siyi was the first one up.
She pushed open the bedroom door and looked at Chen Chen and Chen Hui, who were both sleeping soundly. She rubbed her forehead helplessly.
Honestly, these two siblings... They know they can't drink much, yet they still drank so much. Why can't they be like me? I don't drink alcohol at all. I just eat the barbecue.
Tian Siyi didn't know how to cook, so she ordered takeout for them before leaving. Then she went back to leading gold-farming groups to make money.
Ever since Boss Hang had added her as a friend, he often chatted with her. He didn't have any special intentions, they simply exchanged tips about the game.
It was almost lunchtime when Chen Hui finally woke up. After eating something, she walked behind Tian Siyi and watched her play.
"You should really learn how to cook instead of always eating takeout."
Tian Siyi glanced at her and grinned.
"Who said I always eat takeout? Doesn't your little brother cook for me?"
"What about after you get married?"
"I'll just find a husband who knows how to cook."
The corners of Chen Hui's mouth lifted into a smile.
"So, what do you think of my little brother?"
Tian Siyi didn't answer right away. She waited until she finished the match she was playing before turning around.
"What are you trying to do? Are you in such a hurry to advertise your own little brother?"
"He's old enough to have a girlfriend by now."
"Aren't you still single yourself? How can you lecture him?"
"Stop changing the subject. Just tell me what you think."
"Actually, your little brother is excellent. He's handsome, dependable, serious and responsible, and he's an amazing cook. You really don't need to worry about him not finding a girlfriend."
Chen Hui hadn't expected that the usually straightforward Tian Siyi would start avoiding the question when the topic turned to romance.
So she changed her approach and asked teasingly, "So, are you saying you're not good enough for him?"
Tian Siyi let out a cold laugh.
"As if! I'm one of the school's goddesses now. My classmates are even saying they'll vote me to the number one spot on the campus goddess ranking. I can sing well, I'm pretty, and I'm kind. Why wouldn't I be good enough for him?"
"You're really not embarrassed to praise yourself like that in front of other people."
Tian Siyi crossed one leg over the other, rested both arms on the chair's armrests, and sat in an arrogant pose.
"I'm only telling the truth. What's there to be embarrassed about?"
"So, do you think my little brother isn't good enough for you?"
"No. These days people believe in the freedom to choose who they love. Even parents don't pressure their children to get married this much. Why is his older sister so involved?"
"As the oldest sister, I'm like his mother. Don't you know that?"
"Actually, if I were going to date someone, your little brother would definitely be the first person I'd consider," Tian Siyi said after playing with a lock of hair by her ear. She hesitated for a moment before continuing. "We know each other well, and he's such a great person. Besides, there's a saying, 'Don't let the benefits go to outsiders.' Since I'm this pretty, I can't just let someone else have all the luck. But... you know your brother. He's never going to chase after me."
"Now that you mention it... you're right. Thinking about it, this is partly my fault..."
Setting aside the fact that Chen Chen knew Tian Siyi had once been a boy, which probably wouldn't bother him anyway, Chen Chen cared too much about following rules. As long as he believed that a romance between an artist and their manager would affect their work, he would never let their relationship go beyond artist and manager.
As for why Chen Chen cared so much about rules...
"Oh? Is there a story behind that?" Tian Siyi asked curiously.
Chen Hui smiled calmly.
"It's nothing. Looking back, I probably shouldn't have made him your manager."
At first, she thought Tian Siyi's special situation made Chen Chen the perfect choice. He already knew everything about her, and Chen Chen also needed a talented artist to gain experience as a manager. Tian Siyi happened to be the perfect fit.
So, everything naturally fell into place, and they became an artist and her manager.
But the more Chen Hui looked at Tian Siyi as a girl, the more she liked her.
Whenever Chen Chen and Tian Siyi stood together, they looked like the perfect couple. A talented young man and a beautiful young woman. They seemed made for each other. It would be such a waste if they never ended up together.
Tian Siyi lightly kicked Chen Hui's leg and laughed.
"What are you doing? Are you really that eager to match us up?"
"I've watched both of you grow up. If the two of you got together, I'd feel the most at ease."
She was also worried that the two of them might choose the wrong person someday. Especially after learning that Chen Chen had once liked Zhou Jiajia, she became even more concerned.
And now that Tian Siyi had become so beautiful, Chen Hui felt that whoever dated her would be getting a huge advantage.
If someone is going to be that lucky, it might as well be my own little brother.
"Maybe I'll find an even better boyfriend. And maybe he'll find an even better..."
She paused.
"...No, actually, there's no one better than me."
Looking at Tian Siyi's completely serious expression, Chen Hui couldn't help bursting into laughter.
She pressed gently on Tian Siyi's head and teased,
"How can you be so shameless?"
Tian Siyi rolled her eyes at her and puffed out her cheeks.
"What's that supposed to mean? I'm being serious."
"Fine. Confidence is a good thing. Just don't become arrogant."
"Don't worry. I know that pride comes before a fall."
Chen Hui nodded, then became serious.
"Over the next month, you'll have two important challenges. One is auditioning for the theme song of the new Star Dome Adventure expansion. The other is the Freshman Top Ten Singers competition at your school."
Tian Siyi asked,
"If I get a good result in the Top Ten Singers competition first, it'll help with my theme song audition too, right?"
"Of course," Chen Hui replied. "You know how much attention the music competitions at Mujiang Conservatory of Music receive."
Mujiang Conservatory of Music was different from an ordinary university. Every music competition there attracted a lot of attention from people in the music industry.
The annual Freshman Top Ten Singers competition attracted even more attention.
As long as someone performed well, even if they didn't win a prize, they could still be noticed and signed by a talent agency. It was also a great chance to become more well known, gain fans, and create more opportunities to work with others.
The last time, Tian Siyi had won first place.
Unfortunately, not long after that, her accident happened.
Back then, compared with the other students, she had started both her academic studies and music training later than most. Chen Hui also hoped she could spend more time improving herself before moving forward.
Tian Siyi nodded in understanding.
"I'll do my best."
"And stop spending all your time playing games just to earn that little bit of money. Write more songs instead. Your voice has changed now, so your music style should change too."
"I know."
Chen Hui continued,
"Your voice is very sweet now. It gives people the feeling of a first love, so you can sing cute love songs. But your vocal range is also very wide. Your high notes are powerful, and you have a lot of technical skill, so you can also try bold, inspiring songs. In short, you need to highlight your strengths and make the most of them. Finding your own style is very important because it will decide what kind of audience you'll have in the future."
"Mm, I understand."
"I won't say anything more. We've already talked about all of this before. Just do your best. I won't disturb you anymore."