Chapter Twenty-Six: Do You Have Some Kind of Peculiar Preference?

In the eyes of those in the industry, it seemed that Future Stardom had gone mad. Offering a newcomer a B-level contract was clearly a sign of desperation.

“A B-level contract?” An Tinghan’s beautiful eyes widened in astonishment.

When she first debuted and signed with Dream Entertainment, she had only received a C-level contract.

“The news must be accurate,” Aunt Tong replied, nodding.

Future Stardom had once been a leading force in the entertainment world, but after a slew of negative scandals, it slowly faded into obscurity. If Chen Fang really joined Future Stardom, the company would likely spare no effort in pouring resources into him.

Perhaps, they might actually produce a superstar.

In that instant, An Tinghan’s interest in Chen Fang grew even stronger.

“Is Chen Fang’s music available on any platforms? I want to listen.” An Tinghan asked.

“Q Cloud Music. Search for Chen Fang,” Aunt Tong replied softly.

With a few quick taps, An Tinghan found three original songs.

“Let’s start with ‘Anhe Bridge’,” she said, her finger gently pressing play.

The prelude of ‘Anhe Bridge’ drifted out, the melody of the hand drum and guitar carrying a somber, oppressive tone—but given that it was a folk song, it wasn’t surprising.

As the song progressed, the shock in An Tinghan’s eyes became more pronounced.

A few minutes later, her expression grew complicated. “Is he really a street singer?”

The lyrics weren’t complex, but the emotion within them, coupled with Chen Fang’s voice, struck directly at the heart.

Immediately after, An Tinghan listened to ‘Zebra, Zebra’ and ‘Confession Balloon’.

In the living room, she sat in silence for a long time.

“I think Future Stardom made the right bet,” she said quietly. “Chen Fang deserves a B-level contract.”

Purely in terms of debut performance, Chen Fang was far superior to her.

Aunt Tong, too, was silent for a long time before suddenly speaking, “Do you think we still have a chance if we try to approach Chen Fang now, intercept him midway?”

An Tinghan shook her head. “Not likely.”

“If Future Stardom has already decided to hold a press conference tomorrow, it means Chen Fang has signed with them. If we want to intercept him, we’d have to compensate Future Stardom a huge sum, and to convince Chen Fang to join Dream, the contract couldn’t be lower than B-level. Do you think the company would agree?”

No... They wouldn’t.

The price was too steep! Even if Chen Fang had great potential, sacrificing so much for a newcomer was simply not worthwhile for a top entertainment company.

Aunt Tong sighed.

There was nothing to be done.

Truthfully—

She was quite interested in Chen Fang. For a gold-star agent like Aunt Tong, it was more satisfying to nurture new talent than to manage already-famous artists. But unfortunately, Future Stardom moved too quickly.

With that thought, Aunt Tong stopped pondering over Chen Fang and continued browsing the trending topics.

Meanwhile, An Tinghan replayed those three songs over and over, listening more than a dozen times until her eyes suddenly brightened. She grabbed Aunt Tong’s arm, “Aunt Tong, what if Chen Fang wrote a song for me?”

Aunt Tong paused, surprised. Thinking it over, it didn’t seem impossible.

Chen Fang’s ability to compose original music was extraordinary; the quality of the three online originals alone was astonishing. Especially ‘Rice Fragrance’—rumored to have been written in just a week.

“I think it’s doable,” Aunt Tong said, “But I’m worried he might not agree.”

Now Chen Fang belonged to Future Stardom, while An Tinghan was the top star of Dream. Strictly speaking, they were competitors.

Of course, in terms of status, An Tinghan was leagues ahead of Chen Fang.

An Tinghan smiled easily. “A B-level contract offers considerable autonomy. Composing for artists from other companies shouldn’t be an issue. Besides, if word got out that I asked Chen Fang to write a song, Future Stardom would be thrilled.”

It was true. An Tinghan was a diva—the real top star in the industry. To be associated with her would be a boon for Future Stardom.

Aunt Tong pondered. “Are you so sure Chen Fang will write a song for you?”

An Tinghan’s confidence grew. “Chen Fang is my fan. He not only likes my videos, but follows me too. My charm is irresistible.”

Aunt Tong laughed. Although An Tinghan could be a bit narcissistic, she had every right to be.

“I’ll try to contact Chen Fang then. No requirements for genre or style?”

Aunt Tong stood, preparing to leave.

Seeing this, An Tinghan resumed snacking and returned to the television, planning to practice yoga.

Her perfect figure was entirely owed to her inability to gain weight, no matter how much she ate.

On her phone, Chen Fang’s songs continued to play.

...

The next day.

Chen Fang left home in a suit that didn’t quite fit.

Outside, Xi Yuanyuan stood tall in a long dress, sunglasses perched on her face, exuding a cold, aloof aura.

“Let’s go,” she said.

Chen Fang tugged at his sleeve.

He’d grown taller again—previously at 183cm, but after drinking two bottles of vitality tonic, he’d shot up to 188cm. The suit was clearly a bit small now.

Xi Yuanyuan herself wasn’t short, but now had to look up to meet Chen Fang’s gaze.

“You could walk the handsome route now,” Xi Yuanyuan sighed. Who could resist a tall, handsome young man?

Chen Fang’s lips curled in a smile. “What, regretting you didn’t keep me?”

Xi Yuanyuan: ...

This man’s words were still so unpredictable.

Yet, keeping such a young man didn’t sound entirely unappealing.

The thought flashed through Xi Yuanyuan’s mind, but she quickly shook her head. She was a proper person—how could she dabble in those under-the-table rules?

“You’re still young,” Xi Yuanyuan said.

Chen Fang considered it. She was only two years older than him.

The next moment, Xi Yuanyuan’s gaze swept over Chen Fang’s lower body, her smile suddenly deep and enigmatic.

Chen Fang burst out laughing.

So that’s what she meant—not age.

Since that was the case, Chen Fang wasn’t shy either, his gaze drifting to Xi Yuanyuan’s chest. “Same to you.”

Xi Yuanyuan’s face darkened.

In this life, what she hated most was others calling her flat-chested!

But wait—other men always noticed her face first. Why did Chen Fang always look at her chest?

With this realization, Xi Yuanyuan grew alert, arms crossed protectively over her chest. “You don’t have any odd fetishes, do you?”

Chen Fang was taken aback.

He’d seen men obsessed with big sizes—chasing after E, F, G cups.

But he’d never met anyone fixated on small ones.

Chen Fang scrutinized Xi Yuanyuan for a moment, then sighed, “Let’s get going, or we’ll be late.”

Forget it! No need to wound this woman’s fragile heart.

“What kind of look is that!?”

“You dog!”

Xi Yuanyuan felt utterly insulted.

Chen Fang climbed into her car, the interior decked out in adorable pink.

Unexpectedly, beneath Xi Yuanyuan’s fiery and passionate personality lurked a girlish heart.

She slammed the car door, fastened her seatbelt, and glared at Chen Fang in the passenger seat.

No! The more she thought about it, the angrier she got! She wanted to pin this man down and give him a good beating!