Simon remained silent for a long time after hearing Janet's "suggestion."
After waiting for a moment, Janet blinked her big eyes. "Why aren't you saying anything?"
"I'm thinking..." Simon replied seriously, "if you've finally reached your limit and are secretly plotting to kill me, now you just need an excuse."
Janet squinted her eyes in amusement and bit Simon's ear lightly, then whispered next to it, "Well, you little brat, are you going to change?"
"Nope."
"Aww..." Janet playfully nibbled at Simon's ear again, like a small mouse, before softening her voice. "Little brat, the fact that you could say what you did earlier shows you still care about me. That's enough for me. Honestly, from the very beginning, I knew what kind of person you were. I never expected you to change."
"Oh."
Janet suddenly switched to a stern tone. "But you made me really angry."
"Hmm?"
"I could see through you a long time ago, but you're still doubting me. You're the kind of person who doesn't believe in people, who subconsciously thinks it's impossible for a wife to tolerate her husband having other women."
Simon said nothing.
Janet pulled Simon's head close, the two of them cheek to cheek. She continued, "Of course, I wish you were mine alone, little brat. But I also know that if I had demanded that from the start, I wouldn't have become your wife. And from what you just said, I'm certain once again that no woman can take you away from me. As for the rest, I can't be bothered to care."
As she spoke, Janet turned her head and kissed Simon on the cheek. "You know, humanity has enforced monogamy for less than a hundred years, and it's not even fully adopted globally. For thousands of years before that, this wasn't the norm. So I genuinely don't mind. If a man as exceptional as mine had only one woman, that would be the real embarrassment."
Simon quietly listened to Janet's words and nodded. "I understand."
Janet gave him a look, urging him to share his thoughts. "Well?"
Simon flipped them over, putting Janet on top of him, and gazed into her beautiful eyes. "You don't love me that deeply. You just want to possess me."
Janet pretended to be angry and bit him again.
After a brief playful tussle, they settled down. Janet rested her head on Simon's chest, wrapped securely in his strong arms. The sense of safety made her unconsciously rub her small hand on him. "Little brat, what are you thinking?"
Simon replied in Chinese, "情深不寿."
Janet's Chinese skills were good enough to read Dream of the Red Chamber, but she couldn't grasp the meaning of this phrase. She hesitated, unsure even of the specific words. "What does that mean?"
"Feelings that are too deep and passionate don't last."
Janet pinched Simon immediately. "I'm not that obsessively attached to you."
Simon patted her waist soothingly. "Exactly, that's why it'll last. Life is long compared to emotions. Accompanying each other, going through ups and downs—before you know it, years will pass. Then we'll find ourselves inseparable. You'll be a part of me, and I'll be a part of you. One day, perhaps, we'll quietly pass away together. That's probably the most romantic thing."
As Simon described this, Janet's earlier stirrings of emotion subsided. She seemed lost in a distant fantasy about such a day far into the future. Suddenly, she said, "Little brat, it's been a long time since you sang for me."
"Do you want to hear a Chinese song? I've always thought Chinese is incredibly beautiful."
"Sure."
Simon sat up, carrying Janet along since she clung to him. Together, they moved to the corner of the glass-walled room, where a piano stood. He placed her on the bench, sat down himself, and picked up a blank music sheet beside the piano. Quickly, he began sketching a melody from memory.
Janet rested her head on Simon's shoulder, pressing random keys in rhythm with the notes he was writing.
After finishing the score, Simon hesitated briefly before starting to write lyrics.
Janet hummed along as she read, her initial mischief giving way to admiration as she realized the song perfectly captured Simon's earlier reflections.
Time passed as they worked on the song. By the time Simon returned home, it was already 7 p.m. Although summer days were long, the evening had fallen during their little musical interlude by the piano.
Ten minutes later, the villa's corner was bathed in dimness. Then, a few clear piano notes broke the silence, followed by a gentle male voice singing in perfect Mandarin.
...
Wandering past countless shop windows, staying in countless inns, only then realizing that parting isn't so unfair.
Is love meant to be browsed or treasured, so that every day becomes unforgettable?
How many hardships have I endured, how many tears have I shed, to understand that sorrow is love's legacy?
Roaming across twin beds, changing beliefs, only then to exchange rings resolutely.
...
Helen, who had been preparing dinner, paused when she heard the song and walked over, intrigued. Her proficiency in Mandarin had improved during her time with Simon, so she understood the poignant lyrics. Standing by the piano, she felt her eyes moisten, touched by the heartfelt performance.
Janet noticed Helen and pulled her closer. Together, the three of them sat by the piano—Janet and Helen flanking Simon.
The song reached its conclusion:
...
Memories are like moonlight, unreachable. Grasp them, and they turn dark.
Let the shadows vanish in the brightness.
Sunlight flows over us, as all our transgressions are forgiven.
Love keeps moving forward. To reach eternity, one needs immense courage.
...
Don't be disappointed. Bittersweet journeys pave the way to the most beautiful ordinary life.
...
As the final note faded, the light had completely disappeared.
Aria, the Indian maid, stood quietly in the distance. She had intended to turn on the lights but hesitated. Though she didn't understand Mandarin, the song's emotional resonance left her deeply moved.
The three by the piano stayed close for a while. Simon finally broke the silence. "How was it?"
Resting her head on his shoulder, Janet teasingly said, "I feel like hitting you."
"Uh..."
Simon turned to Helen for comfort, but she too leaned on him and playfully agreed. "Me too."
Feeling wronged, Simon glanced at Aria in the corner for help, but Janet quickly redirected his attention. "Little brat, play it again."
"How about dinner first?"
"Play it again!"
"As you wish."
After several repetitions, they finally went to eat.
Later, Janet declared that the song would be released as Simon Westeros's latest single. He would perform it himself, and the music video would bear the signature tag "For Janet."
Simon began to formulate new ideas.
Since there was now Love's Transference, why not create Love Call Transfer as a follow-up?
This aligned with his ongoing plans to revitalize the Chinese film market. In addition to producing game-changers like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero, lighter urban comedies like Love Call Transfer could resonate with audiences. Such projects were cost-effective and offered fresh experiences to Chinese viewers.
Simon also envisioned this effort as a way to strengthen Daenerys Entertainment's presence in China. A translated song could launch a new singer, while a film project could sign promising talent, paving the way for a broader entry into China's entertainment industry.
The next day was Friday, July 26.
In the morning, Simon convened a meeting to outline his plans.
Meanwhile, the weekly box office data for North America arrived on his desk.
On July 19, with the Olympic Games underway, only one major release hit theaters—MGM's Phenomenon, starring John Travolta.
The film, about a kind-hearted car mechanic struck by lightning and gaining supernatural abilities, grossed $24.67 million in its opening weekend, claiming the top spot at the box office.
The second spot went to Eddie Murphy's The Nutty Professor, which earned $21.16 million in its second week, bringing its total to $60.17 million.
With no heavyweight competitors on the horizon, long-running hits like Spectre and Sleepy Hollow were poised for extended box office success.
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!]
[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]
[+100 PowerStones = +1 Chapter] [+5 Reviews = +1 Chapter]