Beijing's early summer carried a faint warmth, softened by a breeze that drifted lazily through the quiet courtyard outside the music studio. Inside, however, the atmosphere was anything but calm.
The moment Luo Zheng stepped into the studio owned by Zhang Yadong, he could already feel the subtle tension of creativity lingering in the air—like an unfinished melody waiting to be completed.
For someone like Zhang Yadong, this place wasn't just a workspace.
It was a battlefield.
A sanctuary.
A place where hits were born.
After all, this was the man who had once crafted albums for the legendary Faye Wong, a figure who stood at the very peak of the Chinese music industry.
That alone explained why Huo Wenxi had insisted on bringing Luo Zheng here.
After a brief greeting, Zhang Yadong didn't linger.
He arranged for Luo Zheng, Liu Yan, and Jane Zhang to sit in the lounge area, personally poured tea, apologized twice for the delay—and then disappeared back into the recording booth.
The professionalism was obvious.
So was the pressure.
No one rushed him.
They waited.
One cup of tea.
Then another.
Time passed quietly.
Until—
The door opened again.
Zhang Yadong returned.
And this time, he wasn't alone.
Beside him stood a man with a calm expression and an unmistakable artistic aura.
The moment she saw him, Jane Zhang's eyes lit up instantly.
"Teacher Piao Shu!"
Her voice carried both excitement and disbelief.
Pu Shu.
A name that needed no introduction.
Back in 2000, his song Birch Forest had swept across the country like a quiet storm, earning him widespread recognition after appearing on the Spring Festival Gala.
For countless aspiring singers, he wasn't just successful.
He was a symbol.
A direction.
A dream.
Jane Zhang was no exception.
Pu Shu nodded politely, his response simple.
"Hello."
Then his gaze shifted toward Luo Zheng.
Zhang Yadong quickly stepped in to make introductions.
"President Luo, this is my good friend, Pu Shu—an exceptional musician."
"And this is President Luo, the head of Marvel in the U.S. and Blue Whale Entertainment here."
There was no arrogance in Luo Zheng's reaction.
He stood up naturally and extended his hand.
"Nice to meet you."
A simple gesture.
But sincere.
Unlike Zhang Yadong, whose reputation for complicated personal life was well known, Pu Shu was someone Luo Zheng genuinely respected.
A creator.
A true artist.
After the usual exchange—autographs, photos, a bit of light conversation—the group settled down.
Tea steamed gently between them.
And soon, the conversation began.
Interestingly, Pu Shu spoke very little.
He mostly listened.
The real exchange happened between Luo Zheng and Zhang Yadong.
And as it continued, one thing became increasingly clear—
Zhang Yadong was smart.
Very smart.
His words carried just the right amount of admiration.
Not excessive.
Not obvious.
But enough to create comfort.
To build closeness.
Even Luo Zheng, who had seen all kinds of people, had to admit—
"This guy knows how to talk."
No wonder even someone like Gao Yuanyuan had once been deeply drawn to him.
"President Luo," Zhang Yadong finally said, leaning forward slightly, "could I take a look at the rest of your songs?"
Luo Zheng raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't Manager Huo send everything?"
Zhang Yadong coughed lightly, a rare hint of embarrassment showing.
"She only sent two at the time. I… might have agreed a bit too quickly after hearing them."
Pu Shu's expression changed subtly.
"Two songs… and he already agreed?"
That meant only one thing.
Those songs were strong.
Very strong.
Luo Zheng didn't say anything more.
He simply glanced at Liu Yan.
Understanding immediately, she opened her bag and took out a folder, handing it over.
Zhang Yadong accepted it eagerly.
Pu Shu leaned closer.
Both men lowered their heads.
And began to read.
At first, there was silence.
Then—
A soft hum.
A finger tapping lightly against the table.
Another rhythm.
Another note.
Time passed.
Ten minutes.
Fifteen.
When they finally looked up—
Their expressions had completely changed.
"Hits," Zhang Yadong said without hesitation.
"All of them."
His voice carried real excitement now.
"Every single one could be a title track."
"If these are released together… this album could become legendary."
Even Pu Shu, usually reserved, nodded slowly.
He didn't speak much.
But the look in his eyes said enough.
Shock.
Respect.
Recognition.
Jane Zhang sat frozen.
Her heart pounded uncontrollably.
These weren't ordinary compliments.
These were words from two of the most respected musicians in the industry.
And they were talking about songs—
Written by the man sitting right beside her.
She turned to look at Luo Zheng.
Her eyes were filled with something deeper now.
Not just admiration.
Something closer to awe.
Luo Zheng, however, only smiled lightly.
"You're overpraising me," he said casually.
"Writing songs is just a hobby."
A hobby.
If anyone else had said that, it would've sounded arrogant.
But from him—
It somehow felt natural.
"Let's start recording," he added.
Practical.
Direct.
Zhang Yadong quickly regained his composure.
"Right. Recording first."
He stood up, leading the way.
Pu Shu followed without hesitation.
Whatever his original plans were—
They were no longer important.
Inside the recording booth, Jane Zhang finished her soundcheck.
When she stepped out, her expression carried a trace of nervousness.
Luo Zheng noticed immediately.
He reached out and gently patted her head.
"Relax," he said with a smile.
"Your foundation is solid."
"And with them here, you'll do just fine."
Before Zhang Yadong could speak, Pu Shu beat him to it.
He looked at Jane Zhang seriously.
"Your tone is good. Your control needs work."
"But your high notes… are special."
Zhang Yadong nodded quickly.
"Yes, yes. That's your strongest point."
"We should focus on that."
That was when something clicked in Luo Zheng's mind.
A memory.
A title.
"Dolphin Princess."
He turned to Zhang Yadong.
"I want to add a 30-second dolphin vocal section into the album."
"Is that possible?"
Zhang Yadong paused.
Thinking.
Then he looked at Jane Zhang.
"I believe it is."
"Are you willing to try?"
"I am."
Her answer came without hesitation.
Firm.
Certain.
"Good," Zhang Yadong said, energized again.
"Then we start with that."
And just like that—
The real work began.
With the professionals busy, Luo Zheng and Liu Yan quietly left the studio.
The rest of the day…
He did nothing important.
No meetings.
No business.
Just—
Time.
Time spent outside.
Walking.
Talking.
Even dragging Liu Yan into a series of random activities until she was completely exhausted.
By the evening, she had changed into a simple tracksuit, her hair tied into a ponytail.
The usual elegance replaced by something lighter.
Younger.
More alive.
Luo Zheng even bought her a baseball outfit—
And made a very obvious suggestion about when she should wear it.
Liu Yan rolled her eyes.
But said nothing.
When they returned to the studio that evening—
Something unexpected awaited.
The moment Luo Zheng stepped inside—
He saw her.
A woman sitting quietly on the sofa.
Elegant.
Calm.
Beautiful in a way that didn't need effort.
Gao Yuanyuan.
His eyes lit up instantly.
Without even thinking, he let go of Liu Yan's hand and walked forward.
Behind him—
Liu Yan's expression darkened.
"Scumbag," she muttered under her breath.
Gao Yuanyuan turned at the sound of footsteps.
And froze.
For a brief moment—
She forgot to breathe.
"Is… someone like this real?" she thought.
That face.
Those eyes.
Deep.
Quiet.
As if they carried stories no one else could see.
"Hello," Luo Zheng said gently.
"Are Teacher Yadong and the others still busy?"
His voice pulled her back to reality.
"Yes… they're not done yet."
She lowered her gaze slightly.
"I'm waiting too."
Luo Zheng smiled faintly.
"Oh? Then Teacher Yadong is quite lucky."
"To have such a beautiful girlfriend waiting for him."
The words came casually.
But her reaction—
Was anything but.
"I'm not!" she said quickly.
Flustered.
Almost panicked.
"He has a family."
Luo Zheng paused.
Then—
Smiled.
Slowly.
Meaningfully.
"I see."
If that's the case…
Then there's no problem at all.
Not even a little.