Volume One: Rising to the Peak from the Start Chapter 28: Too Fast, I Didn’t Even Feel It

Early the next morning, Chen Jing arrived at the company carrying several notebooks. As soon as he stepped into Lin Xi’s office, he found Xueyue already seated in a chair, though Lin Xi herself was absent.

A bit surprised, Chen Jing greeted her, “Good morning, Sister Xueyue.”

Xueyue smiled and nodded in response, “Good morning, Ah Jing.” Her eyes were inevitably drawn to the notebooks in his hands.

Chen Jing chuckled and handed one over to her. “Here are the songs. Take a look first.”

“Alright.” Xueyue accepted the notebook with a touch of excitement and began to read it carefully.

She started with the first notebook, noting the words “Title Track” on its cover. She guessed this must be the main song Chen Jing had written for her album.

Opening the cover, three words caught her eye: “The Crimson Wish.”

“The Crimson Wish…” Xueyue softly murmured the title, then turned the page to study the sheet music within.

“Carving blossoms in hand,
The blade’s edge winding a thousand turns into art,
A tower of renown and virtue,
A home by the bridge’s side,
…”

Following the notes, Xueyue began to sing quietly. As she sang, her eyes grew ever brighter.

When she finally finished reading through the score and set the notebook aside, Chen Jing smiled and asked, “So, what do you think?”

Xueyue didn’t answer right away. Instead, she hugged the notebook to her chest and bowed deeply to Chen Jing.

Startled, Chen Jing hurried to help her up. “Hey! Sister Xueyue, what are you doing?”

Looking at him earnestly, Xueyue replied, “Thank you, Ah Jing. Thank you for being willing to help me at a time like this.”

She knew perfectly well—after seeing the songs Chen Jing brought—that he was wholeheartedly trying to help her. How could she not be grateful to someone who supported her so selflessly? She had been left out in the cold at the company for quite some time. Unlike Li Manru, who was willing to lower her standards to cozy up to the executives, or Xu Xingyao, who was always so smooth and sociable, once the group “Maiden of Ancient Style” disbanded and Lin Xi was no longer their manager, Xueyue lost access to the company’s resources.

Chen Jing gave a wry smile and shook his head. “Don’t say that. Since I promised to help you with your album, I’ll do my best. Even if it weren’t for Sister Lin Xi’s request, as your fan alone, I couldn’t refuse.”

Seeing the sincerity in his expression, Xueyue suddenly thought of something and couldn’t help but laugh softly.

“Uh…” Chen Jing was puzzled by her sudden laughter. Had he said something too theatrical?

“Zitan told me,” Xueyue said, covering her mouth with a smile, “that you didn’t know who I was until she told you.”

Hearing that, Chen Jing sheepishly rubbed his nose. Now he’d been found out. He’d have to find time to have a word with that little imp Zitan—she really couldn’t keep anything to herself.

“Achoo!” Out in the hallway, Zitan sneezed abruptly. She touched her nose, found nothing amiss, and went back to work—unaware that someone was quietly thinking of her.

Watching Chen Jing squirm awkwardly, unsure what to do, Xueyue beamed. “But I don’t mind having a little fan like you.” She shook the notebook in her hand. “It’s a great feeling to have a fan write songs just for you.”

Chen Jing couldn’t help but laugh—he never expected the usually serious Xueyue to have such a playful side.

He smiled, “Go through the rest of the songs, too. If there are any you don’t want or don’t understand, just let me know. Once you’ve practiced enough, we’ll start recording.”

Xueyue nodded. “Alright. I’ll be counting on you.”

After leaving Lin Xi’s office, Chen Jing returned to his own to fetch another stack of notebooks—next, he was headed to see Ling Ruohan.

He’d originally planned to have Zitan deliver the songs to Ling Ruohan, but after thinking it over last night, he decided to go himself. He was more familiar with his own work, and it would be easier for Ling Ruohan to share her thoughts directly.

At the time, Lin Zitan had shot him a sideways look and muttered, “Why make up so many excuses? You just want an opportunity to show off in front of a beautiful woman.”

Heh, Chen Jing wasn’t about to admit that.

Arriving at Ling Ruohan’s office, Chen Jing knocked on the door.

After a moment, a voice replied, “Come in.”

He entered to find Wang Li speaking with Ling Ruohan.

“Ah Jing, you’re here!” Ling Ruohan’s face lit up the moment she saw him.

Chen Jing greeted them with a smile, “Ruohan, Sister Li, good morning.”

Wang Li gave him a nod of acknowledgment, then left the office, closing the door behind her.

Once Wang Li had gone, Ling Ruohan teased him, “How is it you have time for me today, Mr. Busy? Normally, it’s impossible to get you to meet up.”

Chen Jing grinned and sat across from her. “I just finished recording ‘The Voice of Huaxia.’ Don’t be upset, the first thing I did when I got back was come see you.”

“Hmph, at least you have a conscience.” Perhaps realizing her tone was a bit too intimate, Ling Ruohan pointed at the notebooks in his hands. “What are those?”

Chen Jing replied, “Songs I wrote. Didn’t you ask me for songs before? Here, pick whichever ones you like.” He handed her the notebooks.

Ling Ruohan’s eyes lit up. She took them eagerly. “All of these?”

“Yes, all of them,” Chen Jing explained. “Pick your favorites. The rest I’ll hand over to the company. Other artists have been asking for songs, so I’ll just submit a few for my quota.”

Ling Ruohan laughed, “Looks like you’re getting more popular by the day. I should reserve VIP access—let me have first pick before you hand anything to the company.”

Chen Jing shrugged, “Sure. Just let me know what you want, I’ll write it for you.”

Ling Ruohan giggled, “I’ll hold you to that. From now on, you’re my personal composer.”

She then began to read through the notebooks, while Chen Jing quietly waited without interrupting.

When she’d finished going through all the songs, Ling Ruohan closed the notebook, took a deep breath, and looked at Chen Jing a bit bashfully. “Ah Jing, can I ask you something?”

Chen Jing looked at her, puzzled. “What is it?”

“How about… you give me all of them? I want every single one.” Ling Ruohan looked at him sheepishly.

Chen Jing was speechless. So she wanted to scoop up everything.

“You’re not even going to pick?”

Ling Ruohan replied with conviction, “No need to choose. I’m sure I want them all.”

Chen Jing could only give a wry smile. “There are ten songs here! At least leave me a few to hand in to the company.”

Ling Ruohan hesitated, then said in a small voice, “How about I give you one to submit?”

Chen Jing rolled his eyes. What good is just one?

With no other choice, Ling Ruohan pouted, “Two, then. But no more. I want the rest for my next album.”

Chen Jing sighed, “Eight songs for one album? Why not just have me write an entire album for you?”

At that, Ling Ruohan’s eyes sparkled and she clapped her hands. “Exactly! Why didn’t I think of that?” She turned to Chen Jing, her voice honeyed. “Ah Jing…”

Chen Jing knew exactly what she was getting at and quickly held up a hand, “Hold it. I was only joking. You really want me to produce a whole album for you?”

“Why not?”

“It’s just not possible.” Was she kidding? He was already committed to producing an album for someone else—how could he possibly take on another? What about his own album?

“Oh, come on, help me out.” Seeing his reluctance, Ling Ruohan deployed her tried-and-true tactic: pouting and pleading, something she’d learned worked well on Chen Jing.

He rolled his eyes and avoided looking at her. Not this time—he really didn’t have the time.

“Just one album, please? I’m finally getting close to breaking into the top ranks. If my next album flops, I’ll be right back where I started.” Her eyes shimmered as if she might cry. “I won’t trust anyone else to handle it—I only want you, Ah Jing.”

Chen Jing felt a pang of helplessness. “But I really don’t have time. Besides participating in ‘The Voice of Huaxia,’ I’ve already agreed to produce an album for someone else.”

Hearing that someone had beaten her to it, Ling Ruohan dropped the act and asked, riled, “Who? Who snatched my Ah Jing away?”

Chen Jing rolled his eyes. “Sister Xi asked me last night to produce an album for Xueyue, and I agreed.”

“Xueyue? She was Sister Xi’s artist, right? I remember her—she’s a good girl. Fine, then.” Ling Ruohan sighed.

Chen Jing thought she’d given up, but she turned back and said, “No matter. I’ll wait until you’ve finished her album, then you can help me.”

He was exasperated. “After I finish hers, I’ll be working on my own debut album.”

“Then I’ll wait for you to finish your own. If anything else comes up, I’ll wait until you’re free. I just want you to promise you’ll help with my next album. I just released one, so there’s no rush—I can wait.”

Seeing her on the verge of tears, Chen Jing gave in. “Alright, alright. Once I’ve finished with Xueyue and my own album, I’ll help you with yours.”

“Yay! I knew you were the best and kindest to your big sister.” Ling Ruohan leapt up with delight and planted a kiss on his cheek.

Seeing Chen Jing’s stunned look, Ling Ruohan blushed, feigning composure. “That’s your reward from your big sister, Ah Jing.”

“Uh…” Chen Jing touched the spot she’d kissed, glanced at her rosy lips, and swallowed. “Ruohan…”

“Yes?” she asked, puzzled.

“It was so quick I didn’t feel it. How about… you reward me one more time?”

(A tribute to: INQU Poetry’s “The Crimson Wish”)