Chapter 4

"破茧成蝶," this song was recently created by An Minxuan. Since the creation time was not long, and both the lyrics and melody were already completed, An Minxuan was able to record the song without a score. Of course, this was not possible without the help of Yu Yongzhen. After all, it had been five years since he last touched the equipment in the studio, and he was a bit rusty. Moreover, piano accompaniment was needed.

Songs are condensed stories. Although An Minxuan had not touched music for five years, he realized that only by bringing a story into a song could it touch people's hearts. And "破茧成蝶" (Breaking the Cocoon to Become a Butterfly) was just such a song.

The entire song was created based on An Minxuan's own experiences. It expressed his youthful arrogance and overbearing attitude, and later, his realization that there were always people better than him, leading him to收敛起骄傲自负的性格, understand the vastness of the world, and learn to be humble and courteous, rather than arrogant and self-satisfied.

As Yu Yongzhen listened to An Minxuan's singing, he was so engrossed in the world painted by An Minxuan's voice that he didn't have time to evaluate it. He seemed to see An Minxuan's former arrogance and how he was later humbled by someone even more talented.

"Very good." Only after the entire song ended did Yu Yongzhen come back to his senses, looking at An Minxuan in shock and praising him.

Originally, Yu Yongzhen thought that after five years without touching music, An Minxuan would be very rusty, both in his creative abilities and singing skills. Even if An Minxuan had a once-in-a-century musical talent, it would still be the case. But he was wrong, and he was wrong by a lot.

"Hehe, teacher, I wonder if there are any parts of the song that need to be modified?" An Minxuan did not show the same arrogance as he did in the past but humbly asked.

"Hmm, there are indeed a few places that need to be modified." Yu Yongzhen was no longer surprised by An Minxuan's change. After listening to the song, he understood An Minxuan's mindset.

"Please, teacher, give me your guidance." An Minxuan said sincerely.

Yu Yongzhen, of course, was not stingy. He pointed out An Minxuan's shortcomings in the song and told him how to improve. An Minxuan listened attentively and occasionally offered his own views. Even with his talent, the fact that he had not touched music for five years was undeniable.

"Alas, it's a pity that you can't return." After the discussion, Yu Yongzhen sighed again.

"There's nothing to be pitied about." An Minxuan said with a smile. "I was already mostly forgotten. More time won't do any harm. I can still deepen my understanding of music under your guidance."

"Minxuan, I have to say, there's really nothing more I can teach you." Yu Yongzhen said awkwardly. "I can only point out a few of your shortcomings."

"Your experience is enough for me to learn for a long time." An Minxuan said. "All my skills were taught by you."

"Um, the company is about to launch a new boy group. I was originally supposed to be the producer, but after you came back, I realized that you would be the most suitable person for the job." Yu Yongzhen said. "Your age makes you better suited to capture the current trends."

"But, I'm not capable." An Minxuan said worriedly. "I heard from the teacher that this group is to make up for the loss of H.O.T. and Shinhwa. I'm afraid that I might cause it to fail."

"You can do it." Yu Yongzhen said. "I'll talk to Lee Soo-man. You will be fully responsible for the debut song of this group. Of course, I will assist you. Don't worry, just do your best."

"Thank you, teacher." An Minxuan felt relieved and even more moved. Yu Yongzhen's personal assistance was a gesture that words could not express.

"Go on, go on." Yu Yongzhen waved his hand. "You haven't been back to the company for a long time. You must miss some places. Go take a look around, but don't disturb me while I listen to music."

"Then, teacher, I'll take my leave." An Minxuan had a place he wanted to go. Seeing this, he did not hesitate and said goodbye.

Leaving the studio, An Minxuan did not wander around aimlessly but walked straight to the small, narrow practice room that used to belong to him.

Now, all the trainees in S.M. Entertainment knew that there was a practice room in the company that held special significance. It was the practice room where H.O.T., Shinhwa, and SES trained before their debuts. Entering this room meant that one was confirmed to debut. However, they did not know that the most important practice room in S.M. was not that one, but the one that now belonged to BoA and once belonged to An Minxuan. Those who entered this room were the most valued talents in the company.

Gently pushing open the door of the practice room, An Minxuan looked at the posters on the wall and couldn't help but smile. The only poster in this room was his. Even BoA did not have the privilege to hang her poster here, which showed An Minxuan's status in Lee Soo-man's heart.

Looking at each poster, An Minxuan finally stopped and gazed at the one in front of him with nostalgia.

This poster was taken at the Golden Disc Awards when he won two major awards. In the photo, An Minxuan looked cold, holding the two awards, seemingly unimpressed, as if it was a matter of course.

"Ha," even An Minxuan found it amusing to see this poster. Back then, he was truly arrogant.

"Who are you?" An Minxuan shook his head, sighing at his past naivety. A voice scolded him, "Don't you know this is BoA's practice room? No one else is allowed to enter."

An Minxuan turned around to see a girl of about 15 or 16 years old. He asked, "Why can't others enter?"

"Because someone said that entering here requires great strength." The girl said with a look of admiration.

"Is that so?" An Minxuan smiled and said, "Actually, entering here is very easy. Just push the door open."

"Who are you?" The girl, who clearly admired BoA, remained surprisingly calm despite An Minxuan's seemingly disrespectful words.

"I'm an artist in the company." An Minxuan looked at the girl curiously. This girl was not simple. At such a young age, she could suppress her anger, which was more impressive than he was at her age.

"Liar, I've been a trainee in the company for years. How come I don't recognize you?" The girl asked with a cold laugh.

"Because when you became a trainee, I was serving in the military." An Minxuan explained.

"Tsk, you're only a few years older than me. That's impossible." The girl said disbelievingly. "Do you think you're fooling a three-year-old?"

Indeed, no one would believe such a story.

"Then, who do you think I am?" An Minxuan asked calmly.

"Who knows who you are, maybe some..." The girl was about to insult him when she suddenly saw the poster behind him. She looked at An Minxuan and immediately covered her mouth.

"What's wrong?" An Minxuan asked, puzzled by the girl's sudden shock.

"Hello, senior." The girl was not stupid. From the poster, she knew who the person in front of her was. She had heard about the legend of An Minxuan in S.M. Entertainment, and the person in front of her was clearly An Minxuan. The company had always said that An Minxuan had served in the military at the age of 15, which seemed to be true.

"Oh, you don't doubt me anymore?" An Minxuan understood that his identity had been recognized.

"Sorry, senior." The girl apologized hurriedly. She knew from her seniors that An Minxuan was not an easy person to get along with.

"It's okay." An Minxuan shook his head, not minding. "Go practice. Let me be alone for a while."

"Yes, senior." The girl was eager to leave this place of trouble and ran away as soon as An Minxuan spoke, as if he were a terrifying figure.

An Minxuan did not pay attention to the girl's reaction. He guessed that his story would spread in S.M. Entertainment, and the rumors would not be good. After all, he had sown the seeds of his own fate, and if he had to blame anyone, it would be himself.

Leaving the practice room, An Minxuan went to the practice room where H.O.T. and others used to train. As he approached the door, he heard the sounds of practice inside.

"It seems someone is practicing." An Minxuan smiled and waited at the door, not wanting to disturb their practice.

Who knew he would wait for an hour. It wasn't until an hour later that the music from the practice room stopped.

"Hello, senior." An Minxuan pushed the door open and saw five young men, about his age, lying on the ground. They quickly stood up and greeted him.

"Um, are you about to debut?" An Minxuan guessed that this group was likely the new boy group the company was about to launch.

"Yes, senior." The five were indeed the new group S.M. Entertainment was about to launch, named TVXQ, with members Jung Yunho, Kim Jaejoong, Park Yoochun, Kim Junsu, and Shim Changmin.

"Um, very good." An Minxuan praised them. From the fact that he had waited for an hour at the door, he was confident in this group.

"Thank you, senior." Jung Yunho and the others thanked him. Although they did not know who the person in front of them was, they called him "senior" without hesitation. They knew that this person must have already debuted as an artist, but they wondered which company he belonged to.