Chapter 59

"Head to Fengdao District." After getting in the car, she gave a brief instruction and then closed her eyes, letting out a long breath as the car started.

"That's my own fault, I guess." The image of her son's smiling face flashed in her mind, his indifferent attitude far from superficial.

"Ever since I began to understand the world, you and father have always taught me one thing: to think carefully about the consequences before making a decision." He said this with a smile, yet there was a hidden arrogance, something even he might not have noticed. "In other words, if I have the resolve to bear all the consequences, I can do anything I want."

"But some consequences, you think you've considered, but in reality, they might far exceed your expectations." As a mother, she said this.

So her son spread his hands: "That's why I said it's my own fault."

"As the child grows, they become harder to discipline." In the car, Mizuko opened her eyes and sighed again. "So, my son, what do you really think is important? And..."

Her voice lowered: "Do you really understand your own thoughts?"

Some things, some aspects, a child might not be aware of, but a mother certainly would.

Then, after a moment, Mizuko muttered: "It would have been better if it were a daughter."

Leaving aside Mizuko's worries and frustration, after her mother left, Li Xu returned to the house. The awkward atmosphere hadn't changed much. Deng Lijun and Shuang Lin had both sat down again, but they looked at each other awkwardly, not saying much.

It had to be said, the mother was really skilled. With one sentence, she had separated Deng Lijun and Shuang Lin. Unfortunately, she didn't know Lin Fengjiao very well. Just a little pressure and some benefits or care, and she wouldn't resist anymore.

But for Lin Qingxia, it was indeed a severe blow. You could see the caution in her eyes when she looked at Deng Lijun. Unfortunately, she didn't show much in front of her mother.

When Mizuko looked at her and Lin Fengjiao with a scrutinizing gaze, Lin Qingxia just stood there, somewhat shrinking, saying nothing.

Of course, the number of people who could stand up to their mother's presence could be counted on one hand, and Lin Qingxia, who refused to accept reality, was not among them. However, seeing her now subconsciously staying close to Lin Fengjiao, it was hard to predict her reaction once Lin Fengjiao accepted her fate.

"Alright, now it's over. Tell me your thoughts, Bridgette?" Li Xu sat down in front of Lin Qingxia. "What do you think of the game?"

"Ah?" Lin Qingxia looked at him blankly, completely unable to adapt to his abrupt change of topic, as if the previous events never happened.

But after Lin Fengjiao tugged at her, she finally reacted, stammering: "It... it's pretty good, quite... quite fun."

"Since you both think the game is good, it definitely has a future. Very good." Li Xu said, still not paying attention to Lin Qingxia's attitude. "Alright, once we finish Teresa's song, we'll go to America and find you an English teacher."

"I don't need an English teacher." Perhaps stung by her mother's words, and seeing that Li Xu, though not letting them go, was being quite reasonable, Lin Qingxia rarely spoke up.

For some reason, Lin Fengjiao didn't stop her this time, lowering her eyes and occasionally stealing a glance at him.

You're being too obvious with your probing, Li Xu thought. But the other one didn't even realize she was being used, which was... well, he didn't know what to say.

He raised an eyebrow, about to speak, when Yamaguchi Momoe walked over again, taking small steps. "Young Master."

"What is it?" Li Xu looked at her, slightly surprised.

Yamaguchi Momoe immediately knelt down, bowing deeply. "I am deeply grateful for your care, Young Master."

Got it! Li Xu smiled and nodded. "Do you like it?"

"Momoe likes it very much." Yamaguchi Momoe replied from her kneeling position.

"Good, have them arrange it for your farewell concert, to be played last." Li Xu glanced at the women, including Deng Lijun, who were already stunned. "You may rise."

"Yes, Young Master." Yamaguchi Momoe stood up, bowed deeply again, and quickly left the living room.

"Alright, I'll find you the best English teacher." After watching her leave, Li Xu said to Shuang Lin again. This time, Lin Qingxia didn't refuse.

It had to be said, Yamaguchi Momoe was quite clever, or at least had good judgment, knowing when to come out and help him.

Of course, this was also because the song was indeed of high quality. After all, "Another Side of Goodbye" was her farewell song in another timeline, perfectly fitting her mood of retiring.

Moreover, about to be separated from her lover forever and serving an irresistible young master, never to be together again, she could resonate deeply with the lyrics.

No matter how unwilling, resentful, or even angry she felt, she still had some gratitude towards Li Xu for giving her this song—so she was a masochist.

Oh, and those... trainings also played a significant role, completely eroding her already weak resistance, making her fully accept her fate.

Then, naturally, it was Stockholm Syndrome, just like now.

So that night, Li Xu rewarded Yamaguchi Momoe well in bed, her screams almost piercing the roof. Yamaguchi Momoe was very cooperative, doing her best to make Li Xu enjoy himself thoroughly, even after she had "fallen," still murmuring "Young Master" until she fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, even with the excellent soundproofing in the room, which ensured that no one outside would hear even if Li Xu tortured his maid to death, both Deng Lijun and Shuang Lin couldn't help but blush when they met.

After all, no matter how lowly Yamaguchi Momoe acted, the alluring charm that came from being thoroughly satisfied couldn't be hidden.

Deng Lijun felt this the most deeply. After all, during those few days in Taiwan, she had tasted this flavor deeply, so she looked at Li Xu with a resentful gaze all day, even during music discussions in the studio.

So that night, Li Xu comforted her well, not much worse than Yamaguchi Momoe. Unfortunately, their time in Japan was short, and although Deng Lijun and Yamaguchi Momoe knew each other, they were only nodding acquaintances, otherwise, they could have tried a two-on-one.

"Don't worry, I've found the best studio. Finish these two songs well in Japan. After the concert, take a few months off, don't work too hard. I want you to sing into the 21st century." When it was time to leave Japan, Li Xu instructed Deng Lijun.

"I understand." Deng Lijun replied, lowering her eyes like Yamaguchi Momoe.

Then, Li Xu pondered for a moment: "I was planning to tell you this later, but now I think it's not too early."

He looked into her eyes and said seriously: "You know, I'm not short of money, and if I'm not short of money, neither are you. Don't rush, I'm not trying to measure everything with money. My point is, since we're not short of money, you can take your time releasing songs and albums, spending more time... playing with music."

"Playing with music?" Deng Lijun was a bit confused.

"Although I've asked this question many times, I'll ask it again. Do you like singing? Do you love singing, Teresa?" Li Xu asked.

"Yes, I do!" Deng Lijun didn't hesitate, just like before, but then she sighed, "What else can I do besides singing?"

"Then, for a singer who loves singing, isn't it interesting to constantly try new styles, challenge your own singing techniques and skills?" Li Xu guided her.

"Of course, but the record company..." Deng Lijun started but then closed her mouth.

If she were still under the control of the record company, it would be very difficult to do so. Unless her songs started to lose popularity and she had to change to attract listeners, it would be extremely hard to release an experimental album.

Although Deng Lijun had a substantial fortune from her best-selling albums, especially those in Japan, she could record an experimental album, but doing it multiple times would be impossible.

However, if someone was willing to spend a fortune to start a record company for her to play with?

"But I just re-signed with PolyGram..." Deng Lijun said weakly.

"Just buy out the contract, it's just a matter of notifying PolyGram." Li Xu said casually.

When he first contacted Polydor in Japan, the executives of PolyGram already knew Deng Lijun's situation—PolyGram and Polydor were different names for the same company, translated as Polydor in the 1980s and PolyGram in the 1990s.

PolyGram knew Li Xu's identity, so buying out the contract was just a matter of a phone call.

He had been planning to do this for a long time. If he didn't change anything after being reborn, it would be too boring. Since he decided to let Deng Lijun live past 1995 and give her more glory and honor, he might as well go all the way.

For example... let me think, ah, if this little cutie sang "William's Castle" or "Double Section Staff," that would be a very interesting scene.

"But..." Deng Lijun was clearly tempted.

"Don't rush, what you need to do now is finish your Cantonese album. You have plenty of time to think about it slowly." Li Xu didn't push.

He knew what she was hesitating about, mainly the issue of being kept. In the past, she might have insisted, but after Lin Fengjiao and Lin Qingxia were... well, sent over by Wang Chuanpu, the government wouldn't do such a thing, right?

In any case, the wall in Deng Lijun's heart had been cracked open, and the rest was just a matter of time.

After saying goodbye, Li Xu had Yamaguchi Momoe and the servants load the luggage into the car, and then he took Shuang Lin to Narita Airport, boarding the 747 to fly back to San Francisco.

---

End of the chapter.