Chapter Four: Courage

Chapter Four: Courage

After leaving Zhang Le’s apartment, Sister Wen did not go straight to Yang Xin’er. Instead, she headed to the company to find Yuan Dong, the renowned music producer under their label.

“Mr. Yuan, what do you think of these songs?”

A moment later, Sister Wen noticed Yuan Dong’s slightly agitated expression and asked.

“They’re classics!” Yuan Dong replied.

“Which one?” Sister Wen asked again, uncertain.

“All four!” Yuan Dong exclaimed at once. “Any one of these four songs could be the lead single on an album. Songs like these are rare treasures nowadays. I can’t believe Xiao Lü brought four at once. I wonder which musician, or perhaps which musicians, wrote them?”

“He didn’t study music,” Sister Wen sighed. At that moment, the turmoil in her heart had settled, replaced by a sense of helplessness.

Yuan Dong was puzzled by Lü Wen’s expression but didn’t press further. He was still reeling from the revelation hidden in her words.

A person wrote four such classic love songs and didn’t even come from a musical background—if that’s true, then geniuses really do exist in this world.

“Oh! If possible, I’d like to meet him. If we could bring him into the company, that would be ideal,” Yuan Dong said with a smile.

“Ha! You’ve taken a liking to him, Mr. Yuan?” Sister Wen asked with a chuckle.

“Of course! This person is truly talented. Talented people are hard to come by.” Yuan Dong glanced at Lü Wen, then continued, “Who do you plan to give these four songs to?”

Lü Wen managed Yang Xin’er, but Xin’er was not her only singer.

“Who else could it be? All four were written for Xin’er,” Sister Wen replied, shaking her head.

Yang Xin’er wasn’t the most famous artist under Lü Wen’s management. Although the company was now planning to promote her heavily and help her become a triple threat in film, television, and music, she was still a newcomer in the music world, far from being on par with the reigning queens. Lü Wen even had a diva-level singer under her wing.

“These songs do suit her voice. If I’m not mistaken, she just finished promoting her new album and is on break for the next two days, right?” Yuan Dong asked, and upon seeing Lü Wen nod, he proposed, “Why not have her come in and try them out? The recording studio happens to be free today, and so am I.”

“Great!” Lü Wen’s eyes lit up as she agreed.

When Yang Xin’er received Lü Wen’s call, she was listening to the three songs Zhang Le had sent her on repeat. She was moved, but conflicted, unable to make up her mind. The choice between love and dreams takes courage.

Upon receiving the call, she immediately rushed to the company. She needed to keep herself busy so she wouldn’t dwell on the dilemma.

If she didn’t think about it, she wouldn’t be conflicted.

“Xiao Lü found four great songs for you. Get familiar with them first. We’ll try them out, then work on the arrangements. Let’s see if we can get them recorded in the next few days. They might even give your new album sales a boost!” Yuan Dong handed over the sheets with a smile as soon as Yang Xin’er arrived.

Without hesitation, Yang Xin’er took them. It wasn’t often that a song received Yuan Dong’s approval.

“‘I Only Care About You’? A love song!” Just by reading the title, Yang Xin’er guessed its style. Skipping the sheet music, she went straight to the lyrics, and immediately felt touched. The song was not complicated—almost straightforward. Yet within that simplicity flowed a deep, intoxicating tenderness.

“If I hadn’t met you
Where would I be?
How would my days pass?
Would I have learned to cherish life?
Perhaps I’d meet someone else
Live an ordinary life
But I don’t know
If love would be as sweet as honey

As time rushes by
I only care about you
Willingly drawn to your presence
How often in life do we find a soulmate?
Even losing the strength to live would not matter…”

So I beg you
Don’t let me leave you
Without you, I can’t feel…”

Humming the melody, Yang Xin’er felt warmed by the song’s gentle message.

Whoever wrote this must have truly loved someone deeply.

If this is a classic love song, what about the other three?

Yang Xin’er couldn’t resist looking at the next song.

“‘At Least I Still Have You’—another love song?”

I’m afraid time will run out, so I want to hold you
Until I see wrinkles on your face,
Traces of the years
Until I’m sure you’re real
Until I have no more strength
For you, I’m willing
Even if I can’t move, I’ll still watch you
Until your hair grows white
Until my vision blurs
Until I can’t breathe
So we’ll never be apart

If I could give up the whole world
At least I’d still have you, worth cherishing
And with you here,
It’s a miracle of life
Maybe I could forget the whole world
But I never want to lose news of you
The mole in your palm,
I always remember where it is
We’ve come so far
Yet we’re not in control of ourselves
I’m afraid time will move too fast
And I won’t see you enough
I’m afraid time will move too slow
And I’ll worry night and day about losing you
I wish we could grow old overnight
And never be apart

If I could give up the whole world…

“I wish we could grow old overnight, and never be apart! Who will stay with me till I’m old, and love me to the end? Will he?” This time, Yang Xin’er didn’t study the sheet after reading the lyrics; she just lingered in the powerful emotion, a figure flashing in her mind.

After a moment’s silence, Yang Xin’er moved on to the third song.

“‘The Most Romantic Thing’—is this another love song?”

Sitting back-to-back on the carpet,
Listening to music, sharing dreams,
“I” hope “you” will grow gentler,
“You” hope “I” will hold you in my heart,
“I” want to give “you” a romantic dream,
Thank you for bringing me to paradise,
Even if it takes a lifetime to fulfill,
As long as “you” say it, “I” will always remember,
The most romantic thing I can think of
Is growing old with you,
Collecting bits and pieces of laughter along the way,
To reminisce together someday rocking in chairs,
What I can think of as the most romantic thing
Is growing old with you,
Until we’re too old to go anywhere,
And “I” still hold “you” as my dearest treasure.

Reading this, Yang Xin’er frowned, feeling a bit awkward. However, Yuan Dong smiled and explained, “If a male singer sings ‘The Most Romantic Thing’, the lyrics work perfectly. For you, just swap some of the ‘I’ and ‘you’ in a few places—I’ve marked them below.”

Yang Xin’er immediately understood.

“The most romantic thing I can think of is growing old with the one I love, collecting every little laugh along the way, to reminisce together someday… To grow old with someone you love—perhaps that truly is the most romantic thing.” That thought crossed Yang Xin’er’s mind.

Every girl dreams of romance, and Yang Xin’er was no exception. Seeing this song, she couldn’t help but imagine it. And once again, that person’s figure appeared in her mind.

She shook her head, trying to banish the image, and picked up the fourth song.

After reading the fourth song’s lyrics, Yang Xin’er suddenly had a feeling and looked at Lü Wen. “Sister Wen, who wrote these four songs?”

“Haven’t you guessed already?” Lü Wen replied with a wry smile.

“It’s really him?” Yang Xin’er’s eyes widened, shining with resolve.

“Yes,” Lü Wen nodded. “I went to see him today, and he gave me these four songs.”

As soon as she heard this, Yang Xin’er turned and ran out—in the blink of an eye, she was gone.

“Huh? Where’s she going?” Yuan Dong asked in confusion, looking at Lü Wen.

“Ah! This decision truly takes courage,” Lü Wen sighed.

Things were indeed developing in the direction she’d hoped to avoid.