Chapter 111: Yu, You're a Real Piece of Work

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"Tang, are you saying you want to challenge the showdown stage for the 'Yandere' project?" the host confirmed.

Tang Zhichu smiled. "Not really a challenge—more like guarding it."

Someone hooted, followed by screams and applause.

Challenge or guard—what's the difference, really?

For those who just wanted to watch the drama, the more challengers, the more exciting it got.

But the looks people cast at Tang Zhichu shifted slightly. This guy seemed a little petty.

Same in the first episode, same in this one.

Whenever anyone dared to touch the Wildfire Alliance, he seemed ready to step in.

Shen Jianxin was already used to it. He glanced at Qiu Zhen from the Star Alliance not far away and thought to himself, Why'd you have to go and provoke him?

Qiu Zhen, for his part, was fine with it. He just found everyone's surprise a bit baffling—wasn't challenging perfectly normal?

The one who felt it most keenly was Min Min from the Star Alliance. She'd been doing just fine going head-to-head with Yun Miao. Sure, there was pressure, but not to the point where she felt she couldn't compete.

Qiu Zhen stood up. Hey, looked like the situation was turning in their favor.

But then Tang Zhichu stood up too.

Min Min had the urge to cry. She'd seen both of Tang Zhichu's stages—one song beat Pu Jingshi, the other beat her own mentor. It was terrifying.

At this point, all she could do was grit her teeth and pump herself up.

"Excellent! Tang Zhichu, the second challenger for the 'Yandere' stage. Anyone else?"

Quite a few people shook their heads, with expressions that said, Don't call on us, don't call on us—whoever wants to go up can go up.

"Two of the Three Sons of Tianhe, plus Tang Zhichu—this episode already has a top-tier lineup. Who'd be willing to take that risk?"

"Tang Zhichu is seriously unreal—three episodes in a row!"

"That's why you don't become a challenger. The whole setup is kind of provocative to begin with."

"Just watch this episode. Brother Zhen's pretty strong too."

...

That night, Tang Zhichu was alone in his room working on an arrangement. He'd picked a song with a heavy, oppressive intensity.

Halfway through, he wondered—was this really a good idea? Would people think it was too targeted?

So he pulled out his phone.

A moment later, a WeChat message went out.

"Are you close with those people from your company—the ones in that Three Sons of Tianhe thing?"

"Why are you asking? I don't have any scandals, you know!" Chen Siyang replied.

"No, I just want to know if you're close or not."

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"How could I be close to them? They're like the top artists in the company. Oh, by the way, He Shuyuan and Qiu Zhen apparently signed up for that music variety show on Penguin Video."

"I know. Good, that puts my mind at ease."

"Puts your mind at ease about what?"

Tang Zhichu didn't reply. He cleared his throat. Ever since he'd come to this world, apart from vocal practice, he hadn't really let this voice of his loose.

Yu Hua had reached a graceful reconciliation with Wang Xiaoyan, but Tang Zhichu wasn't naive enough to think it was really just a song that did it.

It was an unspoken understanding. What Yu Hua valued was the person—the one who wrote that song.

So Tang Zhichu knew he couldn't stay low-key. Otherwise, certain people would start to take notice.

The more low-key he was, the harder it'd be to get by on this show. The more high-profile he was, the more Yu Hua would look after him.

He went back to his arrangement, but his phone buzzed again.

A message from Chen Siyang.

"Oh right, that music show actually contacted me too. Sister Yu asked if I had any thoughts about putting out a single. If I did, I could go on the show—even cut the line, apparently. The head director personally contacted me, hehe!"

Tang Zhichu froze, then after a long moment cursed, "Yu Hua, you sneaky bastard!"

"So... do you want to go?"

"I kind of do. I heard that show has tons of amazing musicians. Think about it—when would I ever get a chance like this normally? And I wouldn't even have to pay for it myself, plus I'd get to sing good songs. It's just that I can't get away right now."

"Then just focus on one thing at a time. Don't overwork yourself. No need for that. Your career—take it slow."

"Whoa, is that you caring about me?"

"Isn't that obvious?"

Chen Siyang didn't reply with words. Instead, she sent a flurry of photos.

The background was a green screen. A girl suspended by wires, dressed in ancient robes, her skirts drifting in the air, her bearing ethereal as a celestial being.

Tang Zhichu felt a little dazed. The photos reminded him of that white-robed, drifting Sword Maiden from his past life.

Chen Siyang was truly beautiful. When she was serious, she had a cool edge to her, but she also belonged to the subtle-beauty type—striking, yet without any sharpness.

He had to admit, Liu Yu's choice of role for her was spot on. She was too gorgeous.

Tang Zhichu replied with a deadpan meme. Chen Siyang responded with a string of question marks.

"Beautiful. I feel like I'm watching my own daughter grow up!"

"Thanks a lot!"

...

The next day, at 9:30 in the evening, Tang Zhichu walked out of the recording studio.

This time, even he could feel a hint of exhaustion. The song he'd chosen was hard on the voice.

Downstairs, several people were gathered around eating. They saw Tang Zhichu and waved him over.

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Yun Miao stood up, giving Tang Zhichu his seat, then pulled another stool over from the side.

These were all songwriters working in the building, gathered together for a meal.

"Sit. Brother Xi got one for you too. We saw you were working on your song, so we didn't call you." Yun Miao said.

Tang Zhichu nodded, sat down beside Yun Miao, and opened a boxed meal.

Everyone had been chatting about their own creative progress, but now that Tang Zhichu—the one who'd already finished—came over, they all fell silent.

Meanwhile, Bai Xiwei, not far away, pushed a container over. "There's fruit here."

"Thanks."

Tang Zhichu ate as he swept his gaze around from the corner of his eye. He didn't see He Shuyuan—he was probably still working on his song.

Tang Zhichu didn't care whether there were guests around; he was still the first one in the recording studio every day.

"Tang, you know why we're all eating here? It's because of you. You're too intense—you start producing at noon the very next day without fail. Now nobody in the creative building even goes to the cafeteria anymore." Bai Xiwei complained.

She was there to deliver meals to the singers in her alliance.

Tang Zhichu smiled. "Isn't it saving everyone time? Once we get through the process, everyone's more relaxed."

Several people looked up at Tang Zhichu but said nothing.

They were probably all silently thanking him.

Qiu Zhen glanced at Tang Zhichu several times. He didn't know him well enough to strike up a conversation, but his food grew less and less appetizing. He stood up. "I'm full. Heading upstairs."

Seeing Qiu Zhen leave, the other songwriters quickly got up too and headed upstairs one after another.

Yun Miao also sped up, pushing all his uneaten dishes toward Tang Zhichu. "I'm full too!"

In the end, only Bai Xiwei and Tang Zhichu were left.

After cleaning up, the two walked together toward the dormitory area.

Partway there, Bai Xiwei glanced at Tang Zhichu several times, as if she wanted to say something but held back.

Tang Zhichu couldn't help but laugh. "Sister Wei, if you've got something to say, just say it."

Bai Xiwei opened her mouth again, then said, "Never mind. It's nothing."

"..."

They walked a bit further before Bai Xiwei spoke. "Look, from the creative building to the dorms is about a kilometer or so. If you walk fast, eight or nine minutes will get you there. Walk slower, and twenty minutes works too. Hurrying gets you tired; walking slow still gets you to the dorms, but you feel comfortable along the way."

Tang Zhichu paused in his steps and said, "Thank you."

Bai Xiwei shook her head. "As long as you don't mind me speaking out of turn for someone I barely know."

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