Volume Two: Shadows of the Past Chapter Twenty-One: Why Hesitate? Take Action!

Seeing how Huang Wenhao’s assistant was so shy she couldn’t even lift her head to look at him, Chen Jing felt a pang of guilt inside. At first, in the heat of the moment, he hadn’t noticed anything unusual, but now, all of a sudden, Chen Jing found himself terribly embarrassed. If only he’d left earlier, he thought helplessly—why did he have to interrupt their good moment?

“Heh, thank you for gracing us with your presence, Chen,” Huang Wenhao joked as Chen Jing entered, attempting to ease the awkwardness in the room.

Chen Jing responded with a smile, “Not at all. I’ve been wanting to see you for ages, Wenhao, but you know how it is—I’ve been swamped with shooting the MV for my album.”

“I get it, I get it,” Huang Wenhao nodded, then gestured to the woman beside him. “Let me introduce you, Chen. This is my assistant and secretary, Li Xinru. She’s also my beloved. We’ve already registered our marriage in private. But as you know, for artists like us, we can’t make our marriage public. It would have a huge impact on our careers.”

Huang Wenhao explained not only for fear that Chen Jing might think ill of his character, but also to offer a bit of sincerity, to show that he valued Chen Jing’s opinion. To him, Chen Jing was someone worth befriending.

This revelation startled Chen Jing; he’d never imagined Huang Wenhao was already married. Good grief, so they’re a married couple! Now he felt even more guilty. Flustered, he could only stammer out a compliment, “Ah, so you’re my sister-in-law! What a surprise. Wenhao, you’re truly blessed to have married someone like her.”

“Chen, you deserve the award,” Li Xinru replied warmly. “Wenhao and I have been childhood sweethearts. To marry someone like him is the greatest fortune of my life.”

Wenhao was moved as well. Grasping Li Xinru’s hands, he said tenderly, “No, Xinru, meeting you was when I used up all the luck of my life. You are the person I love most in this world.” And with that, he drew her into his arms.

Chen Jing was speechless.

At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to cover his face and flee. Watching the affectionate couple, his single heart felt as if it had been struck a thousand times over.

Fine, you’ve got your marriage certificate—you win. We singles are just third wheels here, out of place and in the way.

He grumbled inwardly, and seeing the couple ever more enraptured, he had not the slightest doubt that, were he not present, they might well lose themselves entirely in each other.

Unable to endure any longer, Chen Jing pretended to cough.

“Ahem, ahem!”

Startled by the sound, Li Xinru snapped out of her daze, pushed away from Huang Wenhao in embarrassment, and, too shy to speak to Chen Jing, hurried out of the office with her head down.

“Ah, sorry about that, Chen. My wife and I got a little carried away,” Huang Wenhao said with a sheepish laugh, though inside he was immensely pleased. For lovers and spouses, after all, flaunting their affection was a particular joy.

Ha—no matter how talented you are, you can’t compare to me, with my beautiful wife, he boasted to himself.

Chen Jing could hardly stand this insufferable display. Smiling slyly, he interjected, “So, about that song you wanted?”

“Ah? Yes, of course! Absolutely!” Huang Wenhao snapped back to attention, nodding vigorously. After all, Chen Jing was here to give him a song; he couldn’t afford to make his benefactor uncomfortable.

Chen Jing shook his head helplessly. He really was envious—envious that others could walk together in love, while his own romantic life was fraught with disappointment and longing.

Still, envy was all he felt. There was no jealousy or resentment. In his heart, he truly wished for all lovers to find happiness, and witnessing others in bliss, he could only offer his sincere blessings.

Without delay, Huang Wenhao voiced his request, “So, about the song, Chen, if possible, I’d love a love song. Of course, if not, I’m happy with something else—”

Before he could finish, Chen Jing handed him a notebook.

“What’s this?” Huang Wenhao asked, taking it curiously.

“I wrote a love song. See if it suits you,” Chen Jing explained.

“Oh! So you’ve already written one for me,” Huang Wenhao said gratefully.

Chen Jing nodded, not denying it—he couldn’t exactly admit he’d just pulled it from his stash of songs. Well, not exactly at random; he’d chosen it with some care.

Taking the notebook, Huang Wenhao read the title on the cover: “Desolate Sands, Cold Isle.”

“‘Desolate Sands, Cold Isle’? Is that the title?” he asked, a little puzzled. It sounded… well, artistic, he supposed. He couldn’t quite bring himself to say it was odd.

“That’s right,” Chen Jing replied with a nod.

Perhaps this is just the kind of creativity one expects from a musical genius, Huang Wenhao thought, keeping his expression neutral as he opened the songbook and began to read.

A long silence followed. Sensing that Huang Wenhao had finished, Chen Jing finally asked, “Well? Wenhao, are you happy with it?”

Startled from his reverie, Huang Wenhao’s face lit up with excitement. “I’m more than satisfied—this is damn perfect! It’s been ages since I’ve found a song that suits me so well. Chen Jing, are you sure this song is for me? No, you have to let me have it—name your terms, anything you want, and I’ll agree!” As he spoke, he clutched Chen Jing’s arm, shaking him with enthusiasm.

Chen Jing, shaken by his exuberance, could only laugh wryly and urge, “Relax, Wenhao. Don’t worry; the song is yours. No one else is getting it.”

“Thank you, Chen. If you ever need anything from me, just say the word,” Huang Wenhao said, clutching the notebook tightly, his joy unmistakable.

Chen Jing waved it off. “It’s nothing really. But I do have one condition.”

Hearing this, Huang Wenhao grew serious. “Name it.”

“When you release the song, whether as a single or part of an album, I hope you’ll discuss the release date with me first. I just want to make sure our songs don’t come out the same week and split the attention. I trust my songs as much as you do yours, and I’d rather we don’t compete for the spotlight. Wouldn’t you like to break a few more records?” Chen Jing said with a laugh.

Huang Wenhao was a little surprised. “That’s it? Nothing else?”

“That’s all,” Chen Jing smiled. “I’m confident in my work too, you know.”

“Haha! That’s music to my ears. You have my word,” Huang Wenhao replied, laughing heartily.

“Oh, and one more thing.” Chen Jing suddenly remembered something, his expression turning serious.

“What else is there, Chen?” Huang Wenhao asked, mirroring his seriousness.

They looked at each other solemnly until Chen Jing broke into a grin. “Wenhao, don’t call me ‘Chen’ anymore. It feels strange. Just call me Jing from now on.”

“Uh…” Huang Wenhao hadn’t expected that. Laughing, he shook his head. “Jing, you really are something. Alright, from now on, call on your brother Wenhao whenever you need.”

Huang Wenhao understood—this was Chen Jing’s way of extending a hand in friendship. From this moment, they were truly friends.

“Well, the song is delivered. I won’t keep you from your work any longer. And one more thing, Wenhao: you and your wife are a perfect match. I wish you a lifetime of happiness together,” Chen Jing said sincerely.

“Haha! I’ll take that blessing.”

Once Chen Jing had left, Li Xinru returned. Seeing the excitement on Huang Wenhao’s face, she asked with a smile, “So, Wenhao, did you get the song from Chen Jing?”

“Xinru!” Unable to contain his delight, Huang Wenhao picked her up and spun her around.

“What are you doing? Why are you so happy?” Leaning against his chest, Xinru shared in his happiness. From his demeanor, she knew at once that he’d gotten a truly great song.

Setting her down, Huang Wenhao beamed, “Jing gave me a wonderful song—a truly incredible song. I absolutely love it.”

“Jing? Weren’t you telling me to call him Mr. Chen or Chen before?”

“It’s fine. From now on, he’s Jing. We’re friends now.”

“Oh.” Xinru nodded, a little confused. She could never quite understand how men’s friendships could blossom so quickly.

“Is the song really that good?” she asked, eyeing the notebook in his hand.

Huang Wenhao nodded emphatically, “Trust me, this song will definitely become another one of my signature works—maybe even more famous.”

“Really?” Xinru looked at her man with joy.

“Of course!”

“That’s wonderful.” Overcome with excitement, Xinru hugged Huang Wenhao, resting her face on his shoulder. No matter what, she always believed in him unconditionally.

In the midst of this warm moment, Huang Wenhao leaned close, nibbling her earlobe as he whispered, “Xinru, close the office door.”

“What for?” she asked, blushing, though she knew perfectly well what he was thinking.

“Why not? Let’s pick up where we left off.”

“You’re awful…”

The office door closed once more, and inside, the rest was left unspoken.