Volume One: Rising to the Peak Upon Debut Chapter Nine: Come, Take Off Your Clothes

"You were able to answer every question on this test by teaching yourself? You..." Yuan Mengru found herself speechless. To be honest, even her own doctoral students would struggle to get everything right on this exam, especially that final question about the future trends in popular music. There was no definitive answer to a question like that, but after reading Chen Jing’s essay, Yuan Mengru hadn’t hesitated for a second before awarding him full marks—it was simply too impressive.

Chen Jing pondered for a moment, uncertainty in his voice. “Well... maybe it’s because I’ve studied a lot, and my knowledge is quite broad.”

“Alright,” Yuan Mengru shook her head, reluctantly accepting Chen Jing’s explanation. She set the test aside and said, “Your foundation is much stronger than I expected. There's no need to start from the basics with you. Here's what we’ll do: let’s have a conversation so I can see which areas you might still need to work on.”

Chen Jing nodded. This was exactly what he wanted.

In the office, Lin Xi finished handling the last matters concerning the National Style Girls. She slouched lazily in her chair, lost in thought. Another group had disbanded—it seemed that no matter how famous the artists she nurtured became, she could never keep them in the end. But perhaps this time would be different?

A knock at the door pulled her from her reverie. Adjusting her demeanor, she said coolly, “Come in.”

“Xi, it’s me.” Chen Jing stepped inside.

Lin Xi was taken aback. “Back so soon? Has Ms. Yuan already left for the day?”

“Yes, it’s already half past eleven.” Chen Jing pointed to his watch.

“I see.” Lin Xi realized it was later than she’d thought—she’d probably been zoning out for too long.

“How did your lesson with Ms. Yuan go?” Lin Xi asked.

“Pretty well. I really enjoyed discussing music with her,” Chen Jing replied cheerfully.

“Oh, that’s good.” Lin Xi assumed by “discussing,” he meant seeking advice, so she didn’t press further. She simply reminded him, “Be respectful to Ms. Yuan. She’s taught students everywhere in the music industry—her standing is higher than you might imagine. Build a good relationship with her, and even if your path isn’t entirely smooth, you’ll at least face fewer obstacles.”

Chen Jing nodded indifferently, “I will.” He intended to act naturally, doing what he should without unnecessary flattery.

“Alright, you can head back for now. Come by in the afternoon; I’ll take you to dance training and arrange a personalized fitness plan for you.” Lin Xi didn’t push the matter. After all, it was Chen Jing’s own abilities that would ultimately speak for him.

“Okay.”

Chen Jing had just left when Lin Xi’s phone started to ring. Glancing at the caller ID—Ms. Yuan—her eyebrows rose. She waited two seconds before answering.

“Hello, is this President Lin?”

“Yes, Ms. Yuan. Is there something I can help you with?”

There was a slight pause before Yuan Mengru asked, “It’s nothing major. I just wanted to confirm—Chen Jing really is just a new artist at your company?”

Lin Xi’s eyes flickered; as expected, the call was about Chen Jing. “Yes, I signed him just yesterday.” Then, cautiously, she added, “Did he do anything to offend you? If so, I apologize on his behalf. He’s still young—”

“No, not at all. He’s excellent,” Yuan Mengru quickly clarified, then sighed helplessly. “In fact, he’s a little too good.”

Lin Xi: “Hmm?”

“It’s just that his grasp of music theory is already so strong, there’s really nothing left for me to teach him.”

“Excuse me?” Lin Xi was stunned.

Yuan Mengru gave a wry smile. “Honestly, if I didn’t know your character, I’d suspect you’d sent a ringer just to embarrass me.”

Lin Xi hurried to reassure her. “Of course not. Did he do something unusual?”

“You know how I always give my trainees an exam at the end of their training?”

Lin Xi nodded. “Yes, I know.”

“This morning, to assess his level, I gave him the last exam as a test. In less than an hour, he scored full marks,” Yuan Mengru still sounded incredulous.

“What!” Lin Xi’s brow furrowed. “Did he copy the answers?”

Yuan Mengru replied with a bitter laugh, “That’s what I can’t figure out—I’m certain he didn’t. Afterwards, we discussed a lot about music, and to be honest, it was a thoroughly enjoyable exchange.”

To have a lively discussion with a doctoral supervisor in music—the answer was obvious.

“How is that possible?” Lin Xi found it hard to believe.

“He’s just that remarkable. That’s why I called, to find out more about his background. Did he graduate from a top music conservatory?”

Lin Xi pulled up Chen Jing’s résumé on her computer, scrutinized it carefully, and shook her head. “No. According to his file, he joined the army right after high school and only returned last year. It’s all officially stamped—there’s no way it’s fake.”

Yuan Mengru breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. “Then that must be it—he wasn’t fooling me.”

Lin Xi was puzzled. “What do you mean?”

“When I asked him how he managed a perfect score, do you know what he said?” Yuan Mengru laughed before Lin Xi could answer. “He said he was self-taught. Yes, self-taught.”

Lin Xi was left speechless.

After the call, Lin Xi pulled up Chen Jing’s contact info on her phone, but her finger hovered uncertainly. She thought for a moment, then turned off her phone. She’d wait until he came in that afternoon—no rush.

In the afternoon, when Chen Jing arrived at the company, he found that Lin Xi wasn’t there, so he went to the dance studio with Lin Zitan instead.

“The dance studio and the gym are on the same floor. Actually, the dance studio is inside the gym,” Lin Zitan explained. Without Lin Xi around, she was quite chatty, introducing Chen Jing to various aspects of the company. He soon realized she had a penchant for gossip as she leaned in to whisper about which male star was rumored with which actress, or which female star was supposedly being kept by a wealthy boss—she chattered on incessantly.

Chen Jing listened quietly, responding now and then. He didn’t find her annoying; rather, he thought this was just how a young woman should be.

Despite Lin Zitan and Chen Jing being about the same age, Chen Jing, with two lives’ worth of experience, was probably closer to her father’s age when combined. So he regarded Lin Zitan the way an elder might regard a younger relative.

Lin Zitan herself felt odd—she usually didn’t talk so much to people she barely knew, but with Chen Jing, she felt an urge to draw closer. It wasn’t that she was attracted to him romantically; she just thought he was a great guy—handsome, talented, and, in the days they’d spent together, easy to get along with. Moreover, the way Chen Jing looked at her was different: there was none of that predatory male gaze she despised, but something more like... a fatherly look? As reluctant as she was to admit it, it really did resemble the way her own father looked at her.

“Here we are—this is our company’s gym,” Lin Zitan announced proudly as they entered. “It’s a pretty nice gym—only company people can use it, mostly the stars. Regular employees are only allowed in during scheduled times.” She pointed inside. “The dance studio is in there, reserved for the stars. Regular employees aren’t allowed in, so as not to disrupt rehearsals.”

Chen Jing glanced around. The gym was spacious, with all the necessary equipment. Since it was work hours, it wasn’t crowded—just a few people, likely stars, working out.

Those present gave Chen Jing and Lin Zitan only a passing glance before returning to their routines.

“Come on, let’s get the trainer to assess your physique and set up your fitness plan.” Seeing Chen Jing hesitate, Lin Zitan tugged his sleeve, leading him toward the trainers’ lounge near the locker room.

They were about to knock when the door opened and someone stepped out.

“Ah, Sister Xueyao! I was just looking for you!” Lin Zitan exclaimed, rushing over with a beaming smile.

Qin Xueyao, catching Lin Zitan’s enthusiastic embrace, shook her head indulgently. “You rascal, aren’t you afraid of hurting yourself? Let go, you’re squashing me.” She patted Lin Zitan on the rear for emphasis.

“Hey, what are you doing, Sister Xueyao?” Lin Zitan protested, retaliating by reaching for Qin Xueyao’s backside as well, the two of them playfully tussling as if no one else was there.

While they goofed around, Chen Jing took the opportunity to size up Qin Xueyao. She stood about 170 cm tall, her hair pulled into a ponytail, wearing tight purple leggings and a matching sports bra. Her physique was athletic and shapely, with a toned waist and defined abs—a figure any man might dream of. Chen Jing discreetly wiped his mouth. Don’t misunderstand—everyone appreciates beauty. He was simply admiring her with no unsavory thoughts.

Qin Xueyao finally pried Lin Zitan’s hands from her waist and turned to Chen Jing. “Is this the new signing Lin brought in?”

All business now, Lin Zitan quickly introduced them. “Yes—this is Chen Jing.”

Qin Xueyao stepped up and realized she was still a head shorter. Gesturing, she remarked, “So tall—must be at least 1.9 meters?”

Chen Jing nodded, “One ninety-two.”

“Impressive,” Qin Xueyao praised. “Stretch out your arms for me.”

Chen Jing obliged, spreading his arms.

Qin Xueyao took a step back to assess him, then nodded approvingly. “Good—your arms don’t look scrawny when extended. You’ve got a decent build; you shouldn’t need too complex a regimen to get a great physique.”

Since Chen Jing was wearing a loose T-shirt, she couldn’t fully assess his body. Qin Xueyao said briskly, “Take your shirt off. I need to measure your physique.”

Chen Jing was surprised. “Take off my shirt? Here?”