My Landlord is an Idol Singer - Chapter 187

Cheng Mengxi seemed to have already come to terms with it. Gu Zhinan’s talent wasn’t limited to writing books, he was also a poet, and a musician. She was now convinced that Gu Zhinan was that Frog; the resemblance was simply too strong.

What she hadn’t expected was that his singing could also be so beautiful. After hearing the news, she went back to watch Gu Zhinan’s performances from the first two episodes, and the one that had just ended, the third.

Each time was better than the last.

“The book signing for Legend of Sword and Fairy was originally planned for the end of this month, but it looks like you won’t have time. So tomorrow, I’ll contact Chinese Publishing and we’ll stick to the original schedule, after Masked Singer finishes.”

Hearing Cheng Mengxi’s words, Gu Zhinan felt a pang of guilt. It seemed like all matters regarding his book’s publication were being handled by her, while he was nothing more than a hands-off shopkeeper, not bothering with anything.

“Thank you, Chief Editor.” Gu Zhinan spoke sincerely. Compared to Cheng Mengying, this older-sister type editor was much better. Cheng Mengying was just a rebellious brat!

“No need to thank me. Just don’t let Legend of Sword and Fairy fall behind. I really love this book. And didn’t you say there would be a sequel? I hope you’ll still publish it on Chinese LitNet. I know **** will definitely be watching your next work, but I hope you’ll stay with us.”

(Note: The author really named it as **** it was done on purpose, I don’t know why either. ^^;)

Cheng Mengxi spoke earnestly. With the talents Gu Zhinan had displayed, he obviously wouldn’t remain confined to just writing in the future. They couldn’t keep him forever. But if they could hold onto him even a little, that was already something.

“Alright. Even if ChineseNet doesn’t want me, I’ll stick around anyway.” Gu Zhinan smiled.

“You like Xia An’ge?”

The sudden shift in topic caught Gu Zhinan off guard. That familiar vibe again? “Why do you say that?”

“In the third round, you refused to pick any guest singer. Instead, you wrote Xia Ange’s name three times in three different ways. That’s pretty romantic, Young Master Gu. Not even choosing Wang Yuyan, just Xia An’ge.” Cheng Mengxi sounded as if she were teasing him.

“I only know her. She’s my songwriting partner, and we work well together.”

“Oh, so you really are the Sun-and-Moon Frog. ‘Hand clasping the bright moon, plucking down the stars, there’s no one like me in the world!’ Impressive!”

Damn! Between people, there was simply no trust! Gu Zhinan was once again outmaneuvered by this sharp, worldly-wise woman.

“Alright, alright. Whoever you like is your own business. I don’t care. Just do your best.” Having confirmed for herself that Gu Zhinan was indeed the Frog, Cheng Mengxi had achieved her goal. Without chatting further, she quickly hung up, so quickly that Gu Zhinan didn’t even get the chance to speak again.

He sat there, a bit stunned. Why wouldn’t she give him the chance to explain? A woman’s heart was always impossible to guess.

Cheng Mengxi stared at her phone in silence, lost in thought. This little brother was becoming harder and harder to see through. They had only met a few times, yet it already felt as though they were very familiar. Fate was truly strange.

Hangzhou TV, it was 10 PM, just after the recording of Masked Singer’s third episode. In the backstage lounge, Xia An’ge endured the pain in her ankle while facing a round of reporters’ interviews.

The questions were all the same. 

“Why did you choose the Frog contestant?”

“The Frog wrote your name three times in a row, what’s your take on that?”

“How do you plan to collaborate? Also, is the Frog actually Gu Zhinan, the lyricist-composer for your two albums, the author of Legend of Sword and Fairy, and that straight-laced guy?”

To all this, Xia An’ge only gave brief answers. For the sake of the show’s secrecy, she couldn’t reveal anything, even though she already knew who “Frog” really was. She was only doing these interviews because the production team required it.

Ruan Ying and Cheng Mengying were watching closely. Seeing Xia An’ge frown from time to time, they knew she could barely endure the pain in her ankle anymore, never mind that she had already been standing for nearly fifteen minutes.

The reporters’ questions were shallow and pointless, some even intrusive enough to nearly ask for her ID number. In the end, they directly brought up her history with Starlight Entertainment.

Some particularly bold reporters even asked about her current relationship with Yue Wen and other Starlight artists, and what her future plans were. After all, Xia An’ge was considered one of the breakout singers of the year.

Not knowing how to respond, Xia An’ge chose silence. For questions she didn’t want to answer, she simply wouldn’t. At Starlight, she had never gotten along with Yue Wen’s faction. As for everyone else, she treated them simply as colleagues.

Finally, Cheng Mengying and Ruan Ying stepped in to cut off the questions and escorted Xia An’ge back to the lounge arranged by the show. Ruan Ying left to fetch a medical kit, while Cheng Mengying went to contact the driver. The plan was to have Ruan Ying treat Xia An’ge’s ankle and then head straight back to the hotel.

Left alone in the lounge, Xia An’ge sat on the sofa, brows furrowed. She regretted things a little, but at least the next episode was still a week away, enough time for her ankle to heal so she wouldn’t drag Gu Zhinan down.

Just as she was lost in thought, the door opened. Xia An’ge instinctively looked up. But it wasn’t Ruan Ying or Cheng Mengying who came in. It was Wang Yuyan.

She entered gracefully, smiling when she saw Xia An’ge sitting on the sofa, her beautiful peach-blossom eyes holding a hint of curiosity. She sat down opposite Xia An’ge before speaking.

“I just wanted to catch up. Since our brief chat at the Chinese New Songs Chart, I don’t think we’ve spoken since before we debuted.”

Wang Yuyan smiled kindly, as though reminiscing.

“It’s been nearly three years. Yan went to Taiwan, and now it’s just the two of us left in the mainland. Everyone else has drifted away.”

“Mm.” Xia An’ge’s reply was quiet, her expression unchanged. Only the occasional sharp pain in her ankle made her frown involuntarily.

“I just didn’t expect you to join such a small company, and even be sidelined for so long. But things are better now.”

“I didn’t expect it either.” Xia An’ge stared at the ripples in the glass of water on the table, lost in memory.

Back during the competition, one of her teachers had persuaded her to sign with Starlight Entertainment early, claiming that while Starlight wasn’t as big as the long-established entertainment companies, with the teacher’s support she would still get good treatment.

Only later did she realize her teacher had never even been at Starlight. But now she no longer regrets it. If she had the chance to choose again, she still would. Because that choice had led her to meet him, the deadpan straight man, Gu Zhinan.

As she thought of him, Xia An’ge’s cold features softened with a fleeting smile, before another jolt of pain from her ankle made her frown again. Wang Yuyan didn’t know what was behind her expressions. She only chuckled softly.

“Actually, catching up was just one reason I came. The other is—” She blinked playfully at Xia Ange. “I’m once again officially inviting you to join Dynasty Entertainment. You’d receive the treatment of a top-tier singer, with resources no less than mine.”

Wang Yuyan had debuted three years ago, and by a year and a half in, she was already among the top-tier singers, surrounded by countless accolades. Dynasty Entertainment had invested heavily in her.

Xia An’ge’s delicate face showed surprise, while Wang Yuyan’s expression was nothing but sincere. Three years ago, during Happy Girls Voice, Wang Yuyan had already invited her once. At the time, she had just signed with Starlight, otherwise she might have agreed.

Dynasty Entertainment. Wang Yuyan.

Wang Yuyan, the darling of heaven. Xia An’ge hadn’t realized it until much later, only at the finals did she learn the truth.

Seeing that Xia An’ge didn’t answer, Wang Yuyan wasn’t in a rush. She stood, gave Xia An’ge a warm smile, and said, “Think about it carefully. Joining Dynasty Entertainment, being a top singer would only be the starting point. The real dream is becoming an international superstar, recognized worldwide.”

“Thank you.” Xia An’ge nodded, indicating she would seriously consider it.

Wang Yuyan left, but not before giving Xia An’ge her private number. Once her contract expired, if she made up her mind, she could call.

Left alone in the lounge, Xia Ange sat in silence, her thoughts churning.