Chapter Thirty-Four: I Simply Love the Thrill of Getting Things for Free

Love is something even dogs avoid. Family and friendship are far more moving than romantic love. Yet, such songs are rarely created. Especially in the entertainment landscape of China, everyone is accustomed to lyrics that revolve around love and passion. Now, suddenly hearing this song "As You Wish," everyone in the recording studio was engulfed by a deep and inescapable shock—only now did they realize how deafeningly powerful familial love, etched by the passage of time, could be.

The piano surged with passion, a far cry from its earlier gentleness. If the first part of the song narrated history with a calm and unadorned voice, then from the second part onwards, it became a grand and magnificent poem. It was a pity, though; there was only the piano as accompaniment. If other instruments had joined in, the song’s momentum would have soared to its absolute peak. Nevertheless, Chen Fang’s emotional delivery compensated for the lack of accompaniment. His expression, the movement of his fingers on the keys, the clarity of every lyric—gone was the former ethereal lightness, replaced by a profound gravity.

An Tinghan gazed in a daze at Chen Fang’s profile. Usually, his lips always wore a faint smile, his demeanor carefree and unrestrained. But now, Chen Fang’s aura was utterly transformed. One could see both deep respect for the song and an eruption of emotion in him.

“He will definitely become a sensation!” An Tinghan thought inexplicably.

Chen Fang was so fully immersed in his performance—something ninety-nine percent of singers could never achieve. At least, An Tinghan knew she couldn’t.

The song neared its end.

"I will see the world you never saw,
Write the verses you never wrote,
The moon on the horizon, the thoughts in my heart,
You are forever by my side,
I promise you a lifetime of clarity,
As radiant as your youthful face."

For the final two lines, Chen Fang’s voice returned to tranquility—indeed, his tone was even lower than at the very beginning. The singing faded away, but the piano lingered. Each key danced and fell under his hands, until the last note settled into everyone’s ears and the recording studio was truly silent at last.

Chen Fang took a sip from the water beside him. To be honest, singing this song was quite stressful. The main worry was not doing it justice. After all, his voice didn’t really suit the song, and with so few instruments, the arrangement felt insufficient. He gulped down a big mouthful of cold water, then turned to the others. “It’s done.”

At his words, An Tinghan snapped out of her reverie. The rest did, too.

The executives of Future Star were barely able to conceal their excitement and elation. They had signed a soon-to-be superstar with just a B-level contract—a huge win!

Tong Qin sighed. Such an outstanding talent! And yet, he’d been snatched away by Future Star.

The next moment, An Tinghan grabbed Chen Fang’s arm, her expression earnest and unreserved. “Chen Fang, come to Dream Builder. I’ll pay your penalty fee—and I’ll give you a B-level contract, just the same!”

Chen Fang was taken aback. Everyone else was stunned as well. Poaching talent was one thing, but at least do it behind their backs! To do it to someone’s face—how was it any different from cheating in front of a spouse?

“Queen An, this is a bit much, isn’t it?” Before anyone else could speak, Xi Yuanyuan strode to Chen Fang’s other side, pulling him closer to herself with a look of displeasure.

Xi Yuanyuan narrowed her eyes. Had she known, she wouldn’t have let Chen Fang write a song for her. Now he was in the spotlight, and who knew when he might be poached.

An Tinghan ignored Xi Yuanyuan and turned to Tong Qin. “Aunt Tong, I should have the right to decide what I just said, right?”

“Yes,” Tong Qin nodded. An Tinghan was their diva, the pillar of Dream Builder. If she spoke up, Dream Builder would cover the penalty fee and offer a B-level contract.

Hearing this, An Tinghan looked intently at Chen Fang. Although it wasn’t exactly gracious to poach someone in public, the thought of leaving Chen Fang here made her uneasy. The opinions of others didn’t matter—neither Qian Youlai nor Xi Yuanyuan could decide Chen Fang’s fate. If he was willing, he could become a Dream Builder artist tomorrow.

“Chen Fang, come to Dream Builder,” she urged sincerely.

Chen Fang gave a helpless smile. Beside him, Xi Yuanyuan’s grip on his arm tightened, betraying her anxiety. If Chen Fang really decided to leave, there was no way to keep him. The penalty fee for a B-level contract was nothing—if Chen Fang couldn’t pay it, An Tinghan certainly could.

He glanced at Xi Yuanyuan, who was trying to appear relaxed.

“I want to stay with Future Star,” he replied.

Xi Yuanyuan’s tense posture immediately eased, and a smile played at her lips. At least this scoundrel still had a conscience.

An Tinghan was baffled. Dream Builder was the industry leader, far superior to Future Star. “May I ask why?”

“No particular reason,” Chen Fang said with a smile. “If I must give one, maybe it’s that I want to work with Xi Yuanyuan. When I’m bored, I can tease her a bit.”

The next second, he felt a pinch at his waist. Chen Fang pretended not to notice.

An Tinghan frowned. Tease Xi Yuanyuan? Was Chen Fang a flirt? That couldn’t be—if he were, he’d have more reason to join Dream Builder, since teasing a diva would be far more interesting. Her mind conjured up a few inappropriate images, and she quickly shook her head. This was no time for such thoughts. “All right then.”

Tong Qin was disappointed too. She shared An Tinghan’s feelings; if she could have poached him, it would have been ideal. After all, Dream Builder and Future Star were fundamentally competitors. But if Chen Fang was unwilling, there was nothing more to be done.

Tong Qin left her email address. Before long, she and An Tinghan left Future Star. As for the sheet music and lyrics for “As You Wish,” Chen Fang would send them via email.

He glanced at the time—it was already six in the evening. The afternoon had flown by.

“I’m heading out,” he said with a wave. These days, every evening he would have a long, animated phone call with Ji Mei. In fact, he had planned to go see her, but she wasn’t in the capital. There had been some changes to the third round of "Starlight Road" auditions, and the production team had called Ji Mei back to headquarters.

It was worth noting that Ji Mei was getting bolder. Every phone call, their conversations grew more and more suggestive, making Chen Fang’s blood boil. Yet she was never home, leaving him feeling frustrated.

“Maybe I’ll invite Fatty out for dinner?” he thought as he went downstairs. But no, Pang Tong was finally making progress with his diet—couldn’t tempt him now. In the end, Chen Fang had no choice but to go eat alone.

Lost in thought, he suddenly heard a familiar voice. “Where are you headed?”

“Out for dinner,” he replied without thinking.

“Shall we go together?” the voice asked again.

Chen Fang snapped back to reality and turned around. Xi Yuanyuan’s wine-red hair was impossible to miss, bold and striking, her perfume filling the air.

“No...” He was about to refuse when she cut him off. “My treat.”

Well, why didn’t you say so earlier? If you’re buying, then let’s go together. It wasn’t that Chen Fang minded a few dollars for a meal, but the simple pleasure of getting a free one was hard to resist.