Volume One: Debut at the Pinnacle Chapter 27: Work Has Arrived

Lin Xi and the others looked at Chen Jing speechlessly. Wasn’t it said that, for an author, their works were like their own children? But this was how Chen Jing treated his “children.”

Lin Xi casually pulled out a few sheets of music, flipping through them. The more she read, the more astonished she became. She could tell that the quality of these songs was so high that any one of them could easily be the centerpiece of someone’s album.

Holding the sheet music in her hands, Lin Xi looked at Chen Jing in puzzlement. “Why haven’t you released these songs?”

Chen Jing shrugged. “Because I don’t need to yet. When I want a song, I can just take one out.”

Lin Xi rolled her eyes, not bothering to argue with him. “Still, you should at least register the copyrights early.” Then, turning to Lin Zitan, she added, “Zitan, take these songs to the company this afternoon and apply to register the copyrights.”

“Uh… all of them?” Lin Zitan glanced at the large box overflowing with manuscripts, looking troubled. This was a daunting task!

“All of them—wait, let me think…” Lin Xi considered for a moment. “Never mind, no need to take them all. Ah Jing, pick out a few songs as needed. Also, select the ones you’ll need for your first album and register those copyrights first. As for the rest, go buy a safe and store them there.”

Chen Jing scratched his head. “Is a safe really necessary? They’re just songs. Is someone really going to steal them?”

Lin Zitan slapped his arm, scolding, “Of course! If anyone knew you had a whole box of unpublished, unregistered songs, there’d be plenty of people wanting to steal them.”

“Alright then.” Chen Jing didn’t seem concerned. If someone did manage to steal them, he had a thousand ways to get them back. Besides, if all else failed, he could just write new ones; the little song library in his mind was inexhaustible.

Lin Xi continued, “What about those company artists? Do you have any songs you don’t plan to use that you can sell?”

“Let me see.” Chen Jing squatted down to rummage through the box. “Got it.” He pulled out several collections of sheet music.

He handed them to Lin Xi. “Here, these aren’t really suitable for me. They’re better for female singers.”

Lin Xi took the manuscripts, glancing through them. “I’ll just hand these over to the company and let them fight over them.”

Chen Jing nodded. “Sure, but let Sister Ruohan look at them first. If she needs any, give them to her.”

Since Lin Xi and the others interacted with Ling Ruohan often, they were quite familiar with her.

Lin Xi was surprised. “She’s asked you for more songs again?”

“Yeah. As soon as Aurora was released, she contacted me to ask for more. I couldn’t refuse, so I agreed. But I was busy recording ‘The Voice of Huaxia’ at the time, so I didn’t write anything for her. Let her check these out first. If she doesn’t like them, I’ll write new ones.”

“Oh, is it that you can’t refuse, or that you don’t want to refuse?” Lin Zitan teased from the side. “After all, Sister Ruohan is a great beauty. How could a certain wolf miss such a good chance to get closer to her?”

Lin Xi nodded in agreement.

Chen Jing was speechless. How did he become a wolf in their eyes? He was perfectly respectable! If they didn’t believe him, they could ask Ruoqing—he’d massaged her all night without taking advantage of her. She’d definitely blush and say nothing happened. Oh well, they didn’t know Ruoqing anyway.

Suddenly, Lin Xi remembered something and turned to Chen Jing. “By the way, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”

“Hm?” Chen Jing looked at her, puzzled.

“I have a friend who wants you to help her produce an album.”

Chen Jing was taken aback. “Huh?”

Lin Xi continued, “You remember the three members from the National Style Girls group I used to manage?”

Chen Jing nodded. “Yes—Li Manru, Xue Yue, and Mo Pingping.”

“Right, I’m talking about Xue Yue.” Lin Xi sighed. “After the group disbanded, Xue Yue still wanted to pursue a career in music, so she’s planning to prepare an album.”

Chen Jing asked, “Wouldn’t her company arrange that? Why come to me?”

Lin Xi shook her head. “Of course the company would arrange something, but resources are limited, and she’s unlikely to get much attention. Besides…” She looked at Chen Jing. “I suggested she ask you to produce her album. I believe that if anyone can help her, it’s you—not the company.”

Chen Jing smiled wryly. “She agreed? She trusts me that much? She doesn’t even know me.”

Lin Xi nodded. Lin Zitan grinned, “Xue Yue trusts Sister Lin Xi, not you, you wolf.”

“Uh, fine.” Chen Jing rubbed his nose.

Lin Xi decided, “Alright, I’ll set up a meeting this afternoon. You two can meet, discuss things, and see how to proceed.”

“Okay.”

Lin Xi then made a call to arrange the meeting for noon, which would also conveniently solve their lunch plans.

Originally, Chen Jing hadn’t planned to bring Mo Li along, since she was still recovering from injuries and traveling was inconvenient. But Mo Li clung to his neck, reluctant to stay home alone, and Lin Xi and the others agreed it wasn’t good to leave such a young child by herself. In the end, Chen Jing had no choice but to bring her along.

At a quiet restaurant in Xiang City, they agreed to meet. Chen Jing and his group arrived first and chose a peaceful corner.

Lin Xi ordered food, and after about ten minutes, Xue Yue arrived. She wore a white dress, her hair dyed a light golden hue, softly draped over her shoulders with gentle waves at the ends. With her delicate, natural beauty, she epitomized the classical grace of a traditional Chinese maiden—an aesthetic highly prized in Huaxia.

“Sorry to keep you waiting; there was a bit of traffic,” Xue Yue apologized politely.

“Xue Yue!” Lin Zitan rushed over, clinging to her arm with a sweet voice. “You’ve become even more beautiful!”

Xue Yue smiled, tapping Lin Zitan’s nose gently. “You always know just what to say.”

Chen Jing and Lin Xi stood as well. Lin Xi introduced them. “Xue Yue, let me introduce you—this is Chen Jing. You can call him Ah Jing. Chen Jing, this is Xue Yue—just call her Sister Xue Yue.” The last part was directed at Chen Jing.

“Hello, Sister Xue Yue. I’m finally meeting you in person. I’m your little fan,” Chen Jing said with a grin.

Lin Xi and Lin Zitan exchanged odd glances but didn’t expose him. Little fan? He hadn’t even known who Xue Yue was until they told him. Hmph, typical wolf, always smooth-talking when he sees a girl, Lin Xi muttered inwardly.

“Hello, Chen Jing.” Xue Yue was a bit embarrassed being called “sister” by him, her cheeks tinged red, but she smiled politely and shook his hand.

After everyone sat down again, Xue Yue noticed the little girl beside Chen Jing and asked with a smile, “This child is so cute. Is she your sister, Ah Jing?”

“No, Sister Xue Yue, this is Ah Jing’s daughter,” Lin Zitan answered first.

Xue Yue was incredulous. “What? How could that be? Chen—Ah Jing is so young, how could he have a daughter this big?”

Chen Jing just smiled, patting Mo Li’s head without explaining. “Yes, Mo Li is my daughter.”

Mo Li, sitting quietly, reached up to hold Chen Jing’s hand on her head, the corners of her otherwise expressionless lips lifting ever so slightly.

“Oh…” Xue Yue still found it hard to believe, but since she didn’t know Chen Jing well, she didn’t press the matter.

With everyone present, the dishes were served. Only after they’d eaten their fill did they get down to business.

Chen Jing asked, “Sister Xue Yue, what kind of singer do you want to be?”

Xue Yue thought for a moment, uncertain. “Well, personally, I prefer traditional Chinese-style songs. I think Huaxia’s ancient-style music has a lingering charm that makes people want to listen again and again.”

Chen Jing nodded in understanding. Lin Xi frowned and said, “Ancient-style songs aren’t really popular in the music scene right now. It’s better to go for something sweet or romantic.”

Xue Yue pursed her lips. She knew Lin Xi was right. For her first solo album, playing it safe was most important.

“That’s easy,” Chen Jing shrugged. “If you want ancient style, sweet songs, and love songs, just blend all three styles together.”

“Huh?” The three women turned to look at him. Lin Xi was the first to react, squinting her eyes at him, “Are you sure you can write songs in all these styles?”

Chen Jing spread his hands, “I can give it a try. I’ll bring the songs to the company tomorrow for you to review. If you’re satisfied, we can move forward.”

Lin Xi nodded. “Alright, we’ll see at the company tomorrow.”

Xue Yue agreed as well. She looked at Chen Jing, expressing her gratitude. “Thank you, Ah Jing. Others may not know, but I do—Aurora, which Ling Ruohan sang, was produced by you. And since Sister Lin Xi has such faith in you, I believe in your talent as well. You’re still competing on ‘The Voice of Huaxia’ and must be very busy, yet you’re still willing to help me write songs and produce an album. I really appreciate it.”

Chen Jing waved his hand dismissively, joking, “Don’t mention it. I’m about to work on my first album anyway, so I’ll use yours as practice.”

Lin Zitan snorted, “Sister Xue Yue, this guy isn’t busy at all. He just goes to the company to practice dancing every day and has plenty of free time. He already had time to help Ling Ruohan with arrangement and recording.”

Xue Yue shook her head, looking at Chen Jing sincerely. “Regardless, I’m truly grateful that you’re willing to produce an album for a washed-up singer like me, especially when your songs are so sought after.”

“Then it’s settled,” Chen Jing said, holding out his hand to Xue Yue with a bright smile. “Looking forward to working with you, my singer.”

Xue Yue extended her slender hand, smiling demurely. “Looking forward to working with you, composer.”