Chapter 73

During lunch, Yang Jingxing received a call from Gan Kaicheng, who said that Duan Liying had finished recording "Xiguang" and wanted to meet Yang Jingxing in the evening at the Huángyīng Bar. Yang Jingxing asked Yu Xinting if she wanted to go, and she readily agreed. Then Yang Jingxing spent the afternoon in Room 402, while Yu Xinting stayed in the dorm, watching movies and playing online with An Xin.

Yang Jingxing called Tao Meng, who really wanted to come but unfortunately had a family dinner that evening and asked Yang Jingxing to change the time. Of course, this was not possible.

Tao Meng asked, "So who are you planning to bring?"

Yang Jingxing replied, "Just the same people as last time."

Tao Meng was dissatisfied, "It's not their business... but it wouldn't be right not to bring them. Forget it."

After dinner at six, they went to Huángyīng. Yu Xinting dressed up, wearing a short down jacket, boots, and jeans, the same style as when Yang Jingxing first met her.

This time, there was no need for Qi Qingsuo to pick them up. Yang Jingxing and Yu Xinting walked into Huángyīng themselves, where there weren't many people yet. Qi Qingsuo hadn't arrived, only Qi Dawei was there. He greeted them and said he had listened to the song and thought it was very good.

Yang Jingxing discussed with Qi Dawei, saying that he knew a girl who sang well and wanted her to try out at the bar. Qi Dawei was very generous and said she could come and let him listen to her. He was also looking for a younger singer, as there were many young customers in the bar, and Aunt Ran didn't seem to resonate with them much.

After a while, Qi Qingsuo arrived. Surprisingly, she had changed her style today, wearing a very feminine long coat, bright red, paired with tight pants and low-heeled shoes. Nian Qing was also there, looking quite androgynous today, as if she had switched roles with Qi Qingsuo.

Qi Qingsuo happily told Nian Qing, "I won!"

Nian Qing, admitting defeat, shouted, "I like action movies, I like romance movies the most." There were only a few people around, and none of them even looked at her.

Qi Qingsuo was dissatisfied, "That's not good enough!"

Yu Xinting was interested, "What?"

Qi Qingsuo said, "I bet he would bring you, and the loser has to admit they like romance action movies!"

Yu Xinting didn't understand, "Oh... we all came last time."

Qi Qingsuo looked at Yang Jingxing, "I didn't misjudge you."

Yang Jingxing said, "Whether I bring you or not, it's the same."

Qi Qingsuo grabbed Nian Qing, "No, you have to admit that you brought me!"

Nian Qing was angry, "Aren't you blushing! I'm just a blank sheet of paper that you've stained."

Yang Jingxing said, "Let's leave the rest of the white paper alone."

Yu Xinting joined the conversation, "This afternoon, An Xin and I watched a horror movie called 'Red Night,' it was really scary."

Qi Qingsuo said, "Red Night? That's deep!"

Yu Xinting chuckled, "I'm the one who changes social trends, fascinates thousands of girls, and improves the cultural level of young people, a suave and handsome prankster."

The four of them sat at a table, drinking some beer and drinks. At 7:30, Gan Kaicheng arrived first, greeted Yang Jingxing, and then went to chat with others.

Duan Liying was very punctual, arriving at 8, accompanied by a younger female assistant. Duan Liying must be around forty now, and her current attire was much more dignified than when she was younger, but her face had aged a lot.

Duan Liying didn't care about her status and called out as soon as she entered, "Old Gan, where are you?"

Gan Kaicheng, still bouncing around, led Duan Liying to Yang Jingxing, who had already stood up, "This is him."

Yang Jingxing extended his hand from a distance, "Sister Duan, hello."

Duan Liying lightly shook Yang Jingxing's hand, "Sit down, everyone... let me introduce this young beauty."

Yang Jingxing said, "This is my classmate, Yu Xinting."

Yu Xinting was embarrassed, "Hello."

Duan Liying chuckled, "This is my assistant, Qiu Rongzhen... two glasses of wine."

Duan Liying knew Qi Qingsuo and Nian Qing, though they didn't seem very familiar, she was quite warm. Duan Liying mostly chatted with Yang Jingxing, asking some casual questions about his age, where he was from, and what songs he had written.

Duan Liying seemed quite honored to sing the debut work of an unknown composer, saying, "I haven't released a new song in two years, but I really like this one. Old Gan knows me, and he was the first to find me."

Yang Jingxing said, "Thank you."

Duan Liying added, "My old rule, a token of appreciation..." As she spoke, her assistant opened her bag, took out a thick envelope, and placed it in front of Yang Jingxing.

Duan Liying said, "Take it!"

Yang Jingxing chuckled, "I can't accept this."

Gan Kaicheng said, "It's just a small token from Old Duan, take it with peace of mind... the company has its rules, but Old Duan is very generous."

Yang Jingxing didn't hesitate, "Thank you, Sister Duan."

Duan Liying said, "I treat everyone equally, whether they are rich or poor. In 2003, I sang 'Fengxue,' and I delivered the money to Lin Guozong's home, even though he was still inside."

Qi Qingsuo asked, "Is he out now?"

Duan Liying said, "I haven't seen him in a long time."

Gan Kaicheng said, "He got out last year, and I think he went back to his hometown."

Qi Qingsuo asked Yang Jingxing, "Do you know Lin Guozong?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I've heard his songs."

Duan Liying said, "He was sentenced to six years but got out after four, thanks to the help of his friends."

Yu Xinting looked surprised, looking at Yang Jingxing and Qi Qingsuo, seemingly wanting to know more.

Then, Duan Liying had her assistant bring a CD to Yang Jingxing, letting him listen to the finished version of "Xiguang." The melody hadn't changed, and the lyrics had only minor adjustments. For the arrangement, Yang Jingxing's ideas were used, but with many changes. There was no guzheng or timpani, but the strings were the main focus.

After listening carefully to the entire song, Yang Jingxing took off his headphones and said to Duan Liying, "I think I should double the money and give it back to Sister Duan."

Duan Liying chuckled, "What do you mean?"

Yang Jingxing said, "You sang it so well!" and handed the headphones to Yu Xinting.

Duan Liying said, "Here, cheers, it was a pleasure working together."

After Yu Xinting listened, she looked at Yang Jingxing with admiration, "It's so beautiful."

Qi Qingsuo snatched the headphones.

Duan Liying said, "I'll sing this at the end-of-month gala. At first, they made me so angry, but then I thought about it. My child is old enough to buy soy sauce, and I haven't released a new song in years, so a lifetime achievement award is fine."

Yang Jingxing said, "It's a mid-career achievement award."

Duan Liying chuckled, "Right, let them change it... we are indeed getting old, and the future is yours. Work hard, and if you need help, find me or Old Gan, don't be shy."

Yang Jingxing was encouraged, "I'm even more motivated now."

After Qi Qingsuo finished listening, she passed the headphones to Nian Qing, saying, "It's not the song, it's the singing!"

Duan Liying didn't need to be modest, "My voice was in good condition those days, and I finished recording in three days, very smoothly... that chorus, it really felt special, I can't believe a young person wrote it... here, brother, a toast to you."

Yang Jingxing was flustered, "Sister Duan, I'll toast to you. I'll drink, you drink at your leisure."

Two men and women in their thirties suddenly came to greet them. The man confirmed, "Duan Liying... hello, I really like your songs!"

Duan Liying chuckled, "Thank you."

"Can we take a photo together?" the woman was also excited.

Duan Liying declined, "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't put on makeup today, maybe another time."

The fans didn't persist, said some well-wishes, and left.

Duan Liying then talked to Yu Xinting, "Young beauty, come, let's have a drink."

Yu Xinting was embarrassed, "I'll toast to you... I also like your songs."

The CD played through, and everyone said it was good. Yang Jingxing asked, "Can I take the CD? The lyricist also wants to listen."

Duan Liying hesitated for a moment, "Take it, but don't let it out... I heard Tao Meng is also a young beauty, why didn't she come today?"

Yang Jingxing said, "She wanted to come, but she was busy."

Duan Liying said, "No problem, there's always a chance."

Around 9, Duan Liying was ready to leave and paid for everyone's bills. The group thanked her and saw her off at the door. Then Qi Qingsuo was curious about how much money was in the envelope.

Yang Jingxing opened it and saw two stacks of new bills, about 20,000 yuan. Yu Xinting was excited, rubbing her hands, "Such new money."

Yang Jingxing gave her the money, "Help me count it."

Yu Xinting was sensible, "There are many people, let's count it later."

Yang Jingxing said, "Put it in your bag."

Yu Xinting did as she was told and held the bag to her chest.

Nian Qing said, "You all seem so calm seeing a big star."

Yu Xinting was now excited, "I wanted an autograph, but I was too shy. She's different from TV, more fun."

Qi Qingsuo said to Yang Jingxing, "It seems she wants you to work with her in the future."

Yang Jingxing said, "When you're in someone's debt, you're soft."

Yu Xinting was surprised, "Ah, isn't this the money for the last song?"

After chatting for a while, Yang Jingxing and Yu Xinting were ready to leave. Nian Qing followed, "Take me a part of the way, it's on the way."

In the car, Yu Xinting couldn't wait, "I'll count the money."

Yang Jingxing said, "Sure. I'll drive slowly."

Yu Xinting opened the envelope, took out the two stacks of new bills, carefully removed the seal, and laid them out on the seat between her and Nian Qing, "One, two, three, four..."

There were indeed 100 bills. After Yu Xinting organized the first stack, she continued to count the second, which was also 100.

"20,000!" Yu Xinting was satisfied, "The most money I've ever seen at once was when my family bought a piano in junior high, about 60,00