Recently, Fang Wencheng’s life hadn’t been going well.

Since Xie Ruhe had stepped back from the spotlight to focus on creating music, most singers or record companies had been approaching them directly. Fang Wencheng generally helped handle copyright matters for him, something he hadn’t done in quite a while.

Xie Ruhe had said “Just find someone,” which probably meant his requirements weren’t high.

But Fang Wencheng didn’t dare treat this as a small matter. After careful selection, he recommended several popular female singers to him, all of whom Xie Ruhe rejected.

In the end, Xie Ruhe even became angry, mocking him: “So obedient? You did just find anyone?”

Fang Wencheng was at his wit’s end.

As for Ji Xinghuai’s suggestion to arrange more meetings between Xie Ruhe and Shu Nian, although Fang Wencheng didn’t quite understand it, he considered implementing it. He had never done such a thing before and found it somewhat difficult, but he was sincerely making plans.

Shu Nian was a voice actress.

Fang Wencheng had roughly understood her schedule: she arrived at the studio at noon every day and left at midnight. She either ate in the studio or at home. She had almost no other recreational activities.

Her life was monotonous and regular.

This shared a common point with Xie Ruhe’s profession.

Both made the studio their home; they would spend most of their lives in recording studios.

Having found this connection, Fang Wencheng became excited, believing he could use it as an entry point to create opportunities for them to “accidentally” meet, making it seem natural and not awkward.

After planning for several days, Fang Wencheng suddenly realized it was completely useless.

Since the day of the audition, after returning from the recording studio in the northern part of the city, Xie Ruhe no longer went out. Fang Wencheng couldn’t think of any reason to make him go out, because he had a private recording studio at home.

He did his rehabilitation at home and worked at home too. He even refused to go to the hospital for occasional check-ups that he used to attend. His meaning was very clear.

He didn’t want to go out.

Fang Wencheng decided to give up and took the initiative to call Ji Xinghuai. He explained Xie Ruhe’s recent state and very shamefully admitted his incompetence.

After pondering for a moment, Ji Xinghuai asked, “How did Ah-He meet Shu Nian before?”

Fang Wencheng said, “Huajing was selecting a voice actress for the female supporting role and held an audition. Young Master requested that the theme song he wrote be sung by the voice actress for the female supporting role, so he attended too.”

Ji Xinghuai cut straight to the point: “Then why not have Shu Nian sing this song?”

Fang Wencheng was shocked, his voice stuttering: “That’s not quite appropriate. Miss Shu’s singing… isn’t very good.”

“Isn’t that even better?” Ji Xinghuai said. “Let Ah-He teach her hands-on.”

Fang Wencheng tried hard to persuade him: “Young Master probably thinks Miss Shu is unsuitable and doesn’t particularly like singing, so he didn’t plan to choose her.”

“This child…” Ji Xinghuai sighed. “I thought he had long forgotten about that Shu Nian girl, only now to learn he’s remembered her all along. He’s not even that old, yet he overthinks everything.”

“…”

“First find another singer. If it doesn’t work out, we can switch later,” Ji Xinghuai said. “I’m already seventy, I won’t live much longer. If he gets angry, blame me.”

“Mr. Ji…”

“I just want to see…” Ji Xinghuai interrupted him, murmuring, “I want to see my grandson’s life improve.”

Shu Nian no longer held any hope for this audition. It was obvious that the singing portion alone would eliminate her. Moreover, after she finished her audition, Xie Ruhe seemed like he couldn’t bear to listen anymore and directly left the recording studio.

Recalling his earlier comment, “You sang well,” Shu Nian even subjectively imagined a sarcastic tone.

Her mood worsened because of this too.

Shu Nian wanted to tell Xie Ruhe that he wasn’t the only one who could be unhappy.

In their few encounters since reuniting, his emotions were constantly fluctuating. Occasionally his attitude toward her was good, then in the next moment, he would turn cold.

If being around her was so uncomfortable, then it would be better to act as if they didn’t know each other.

Shu Nian wanted to put this matter out of her mind, but she kept recalling the image of that person in the control room who mimicked her singing that day. His mouth opening and closing, seemingly passionate and expressive, openly mocking her.

Shu Nian felt extremely embarrassed.

As if stubbornly opposing someone, Shu Nian began listening to music.

Her room, which had always remained quiet like a small cage, now resonated with several distinct children’s songs at night. Besides the daily vocal exercises, if she had extra time, Shu Nian would also practice some singing techniques.

She spent half an hour each day practicing the same song, working on it word by word.

After recording, she compared it with the original.

This went on for about a week.

Yesterday, Shu Nian arrived home in the early morning. After washing up, by the time she lay in bed, it was already two in the morning. Her sleep had never been great; living a frequently inverted day-night lifestyle, she always had to lie in bed for a long time before falling asleep.

The next day at ten in the morning, Shu Nian received a call from Li Qing.

At that time, Shu Nian hadn’t yet woken up and was in a half-asleep state. Without checking the caller ID, she answered the phone groggily, her voice slightly hoarse: “Hello.”

“Shu Nian, this is Li Qing.” Li Qing shared some good news with her. “The results from that audition are out, and you’ve been selected. Remember to clear your schedule; recording starts on January 20th.”

“…” Shu Nian thought she had misheard. “What?”

“The audition results—you passed.” Li Qing laughed. “Also, you don’t need to sing that theme song; the production team will find someone else. So don’t worry about that.”

Because of this unexpected news, for a moment, Shu Nian thought she was dreaming. Coming back to her senses, she quickly nodded: “Okay, thank you, Director.”

After hanging up, Shu Nian was still in a daze.

She didn’t have to sing.

This feeling was like accidentally losing a torn banknote, assuming it would never be found, but then discovering it in the washing machine after doing laundry one day.

Even the torn corner had returned.

Shu Nian’s mood improved as she got up to wash. Probably due to lack of sleep, she had no appetite for food. After gulping down a large glass of water, she returned to her room.

Then, she received another call.

It was an unfamiliar number from Ruchuan.

Shu Nian hesitantly answered: “Hello, who is this?”

A stranger’s voice came from the other end: “Hello, is this Miss Shu Nian?”

“Yes.”

“Miss Shu, I am Teacher Ah-He’s assistant, Fang Wencheng.” Fang Wencheng’s voice was gentle. “It’s like this: because we need to deliver the finished song to Huajing by the end of this month, to ensure we have enough time, we need to start recording the day after tomorrow. Would you be able to arrange time for this?”

Shu Nian was caught off guard: “But… but Director Li just told me I don’t need to sing.”

“That’s true. We originally planned to find another singer, but couldn’t find a suitable one,” Fang Wencheng said. “In the end, we still chose you.”

Shu Nian reminded him: “You must have the wrong person. My singing isn’t good.”

Fang Wencheng patiently replied: “No, it’s you.”

“You shouldn’t choose me,” Shu Nian said seriously. “I’ll slow down progress, and the result might not be usable. If it’s needed by the end of the month, there are only three weeks left now.”

“It’s okay,” Fang Wencheng said. “Recording a song normally only takes an hour or two.”

“…” Shu Nian doubted he had understood what she meant.

“There’s plenty of time now. If after practice the results are still not satisfactory, we’ll consider replacing you. But for now, we prioritize having you sing, so it can perfectly match the film.”

Shu Nian felt somewhat perplexed but didn’t know how to refuse.

“…Alright.”

“Also, Teacher Ah-He usually records songs in his studio, so we might trouble you to make the trip. I’ll send you an address shortly.”

Shu Nian asked: “Where is this recording studio?”

Fang Wencheng answered straightforwardly: “At Teacher Ah-He’s home.”

Shu Nian’s expression froze.

Seemingly sensing her hesitation, Fang Wencheng’s voice carried an apologetic tone: “I’m sorry for the inconvenience. Because Teacher Ah-He has difficulty walking, he generally arranges his work at home.”

Hearing this, Shu Nian no longer refused: “Okay, I’ll be there on time.”

Following the address and time Fang Wencheng provided, Shu Nian arrived punctually at Rhine Riverside Garden, a high-end residential complex located in the city center. Fang Wencheng was already waiting for her at the entrance.

As soon as she arrived, Shu Nian recognized Fang Wencheng.

He was the person who had pushed Xie Ruhe’s wheelchair that day, and also the one who had mimicked her singing in the control room.

Shu Nian’s eyes flickered slightly as she walked over.

Fang Wencheng looked at her, gave a smile, and introduced himself again: “Miss Shu, I am Teacher Ah-He’s assistant, my name is Fang Wencheng.”

Shu Nian nodded: “Hello, I’m Shu Nian.”

“Let’s go up now.”

“Okay.”

Xie Ruhe lived on the sixteenth floor.

Fang Wencheng led her up, and they entered the door one after another, standing in the entryway to change shoes.

Shu Nian rarely visited other people’s homes and now felt awkward. She was somewhat nervous, always worried that something unpleasant might happen. She pinched her sleeve and pressed her lips together without making a sound.

Fang Wencheng led Shu Nian into the living room.

The living room didn’t have many extra items, mostly just basic furniture. As soon as they entered, they could see Xie Ruhe. He was sitting beside the sofa, wearing loose clothing, holding a guitar in his arms, playing with his eyes lowered, looking casual and silent.

Fang Wencheng hadn’t mentioned this matter to Xie Ruhe before. He hadn’t expected him to be in the living room and now felt particularly nervous: “Teacher Ah-He, I’ve brought the singer you specified.”

He had indeed heard the footsteps of two people.

Xie Ruhe didn’t even look up, his voice carrying a chill: “Then you can show him out now.”

Fang Wencheng forced himself to continue: “It’s Shu—”

Xie Ruhe was in an extremely bad mood today and directly interrupted his words: “When did I specify a singer?”

“…”

“You didn’t even tell me in advance.” Xie Ruhe strummed the guitar strings and curled his lips into a slight smile. “Is my place a garbage dump? You bring anyone here?”

Silence for a few seconds.

Fang Wencheng felt the situation was truly awkward and turned to look at Shu Nian with an apologetic expression: “I’m sorry, Teacher Ah-He isn’t in a good mood today. Let me take you back.”

Shu Nian felt somewhat embarrassed but managed to say: “It’s fine.”

In the next moment, the sound of the guitar stopped.

Xie Ruhe suddenly looked up.