Volume One: Debut at the Pinnacle Chapter Forty-Six: The Moment the Prelude Sounds

In a certain underground chamber, the atmosphere was tranquil, with people moving back and forth, all wearing uniforms emblazoned with the unmistakable emblem of Pandora’s Box.

“You’re saying the last message was lost in Xiang City?”

A slightly cool female voice came from inside a hidden room. Shifting the view, one could see several people gathered inside, deep in discussion. One of them, cloaked and hooded, was the one who had just spoken.

“Yes, that night our agent sent word that they were on the verge of capturing Test Subject No. 18. But then, the signal abruptly cut off. The last transmission showed the location was a factory in Xiang City. We sent people to investigate—there were clear signs of someone cleaning up the scene. Before we could look into it thoroughly, the Imperial Dynasty’s people discovered our presence. They pursued us relentlessly, and over half our team didn’t make it back. With Imperial interference, we dared not act rashly.” The local head of Pandora hurried to explain.

“The Dynasty again—always the Dynasty!” The woman beneath the cloak sounded especially angry, but she knew she couldn’t blame these external operatives. After all, the Dynasty had intervened, and these outsiders hardly had any espers among them—they couldn’t possibly go up against the Dynasty.

After a brief pause for thought, the cloaked figure continued, “Test Subject 18 is a high-priority target ordered to be brought back. No matter the Dynasty’s involvement, we cannot give up. Send more people to Xiang City. Search within a five-kilometer radius of that factory where the signal disappeared. If you detect any trace of esper activity, report immediately.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Once everyone had withdrawn and the door was securely shut, the cloaked figure was left alone. She pulled back her hood, revealing a face of seductive beauty.

She licked her alluring red lips, her voice now sultry, “The Dynasty… Heh, I wonder if I’ll cross paths with you, Ice Emperor…”

Early the next morning, Chen Jing arrived at the company and went straight to find Yuan Mengru.

“Good morning, Sister Mengru!” Chen Jing greeted her with a smile.

Whenever a woman was older than him but not a blood relative, Chen Jing always called her “Sister.” He firmly believed no woman liked to be called old.

“Oh? Chen Jing, you’re here.” Yuan Mengru looked up and saw him enter, sighing helplessly, “Didn’t I tell you to call me Teacher Yuan? Why are you calling me ‘Sister’ again?” Though her words scolded him, her tone unconsciously carried a trace of delight.

Chen Jing spread his hands and replied without hesitation, “That’s only when there are outsiders, Teacher Yuan! When it’s just us, I have to call you Sister Mengru! Anyway, you’re still so young—you look just like my sister, so the name fits.”

Yuan Mengru pretended to scold, “Smooth talker.” She truly didn’t know what to do with Chen Jing’s thick-skinned banter.

She glanced at the notebook in his hand and smiled, “You never come without a reason. So, what brings you here today?”

“No one knows me better than you, Sister Mengru!”

“Spare me the flattery.” Yuan Mengru rolled her eyes, but it was a knowing, intellectual gesture.

“Heh.” Chen Jing grinned and handed her the notebook. “I’m working on the arrangement for this song, but no matter how I try, I just can’t get the effect I want in certain sections. I wanted your opinion, Sister Mengru.”

Yuan Mengru accepted the sheet music and asked, “Is this the song you plan to perform in the final round of Voice of China?”

Seeing Chen Jing nod, she didn’t ask any more questions but began to read the notebook with care.

After reading, Yuan Mengru set the score down. Instead of speaking right away, she thought for a moment, then looked at Chen Jing with a puzzled expression. “You want to perform a rap song in the finals?”

“Is there a problem?”

She shook her head and explained, “No matter how popular they get, rap songs never spread or endure like other genres. Even if it’s a hit, people will forget it quickly. So I’d suggest, if you have other works, choose something that isn’t rap.”

Chen Jing understood what she meant. She wasn’t saying the song was bad—just that rap songs were too easily forgotten, only trending for a moment. What he needed now was a signature piece that would cement his reputation in the music world.

He agreed with her reasoning, but this song was different—he believed in it. He replied firmly, “This song is different.”

“Oh?” Yuan Mengru looked at him with curiosity.

Chen Jing shook his head. “True, there’s rap in it, but only as an accent. The main theme is the chorus. The chorus melody carries the soul of the whole piece.”

Yuan Mengru pondered, lightly furrowing her brow as she studied the score.

Chen Jing smiled. “Trust me, Sister Mengru—this song will break new ground.”

Seeing his confident smile, Yuan Mengru was infected by his enthusiasm. She smiled and shook her head. “If you’re so sure, then go for it. I support you.”

Perhaps it was impossible for others, but for Chen Jing, it seemed there was limitless possibility. In that moment, she felt certain he could do it.

For the rest of the morning, Yuan Mengru cleared her schedule to listen attentively as Chen Jing explained the problems in his arrangement. After discussing all morning, Chen Jing, looking inspired, hurried off to the recording studio. After a whole afternoon of adjustments, he finally achieved the effect he had been seeking.

He let out a sigh of relief and looked back at those behind him. Lin Xi and Lin Zitan were present, as was Ling Ruohan. After finishing their classes, Yuan Mengru and Li Qingwei also hurried over.

It was their first time seeing Chen Jing rack his brains so intensely for a song. With his previous works, he had always seemed confident and relaxed, finishing recordings without much effort. By contrast, this song was clearly different. They were all eager to know what the finished arrangement would sound like.

Chen Jing smiled at them. “Come on! Let’s try out the final version.”

With that, he entered the recording booth. The arrangement was done—it was time for the first take.

He put on his headphones and signaled the sound engineer to start. Instantly, the introduction of a song from his previous life, so familiar it was like second nature, played through the headphones. Chen Jing felt a wave of comfort and satisfaction—he had succeeded.

As the intro played, everyone outside the booth stared at Chen Jing in astonishment.

“Boss, this song—damn, it’s amazing!”

Lin Xi pondered in silence, saying nothing.

Ling Ruohan was already hugging Lin Zitan in excitement.

Through the glass, Yuan Mengru watched Chen Jing pour his soul into the performance, and felt a surge of pride. She had been right to believe in him.

That evening, when Chen Jing returned to the apartment, Zhang Jingzhi was still teaching Molly to read. Only when he came in did Zhang Jingzhi wrap up the lesson and begin gathering her things to leave.

“It’s late, Sister Jingzhi. Let me walk you home,” Chen Jing offered with a smile once she was ready.

“There’s no need, I’ll be fine on my own.” Though she actually wanted him to walk her, Zhang Jingzhi declined out of politeness.

Chen Jing shook his head. “It’s no trouble—it’s not far.” Then, patting Molly on the head, he said, “Molly, be good and wait for me at home, okay? I’ll just walk your teacher back and be right back.”

Molly nodded sensibly.

Zhang Jingzhi wanted to refuse again, but suddenly, she found herself attuned to Chen Jing’s feelings. After a moment’s hesitation, she let it go. After all, her home really wasn’t far—it wouldn’t take much of his time.

Chen Jing patted Molly’s head again, locked the door carefully, and left with Zhang Jingzhi.

On the way back to her place, neither of them spoke. Zhang Jingzhi was nervous, unsure what to say, while Chen Jing felt no need for conversation.

“Um… I watched your performance on Voice of China last night,” Zhang Jingzhi finally summoned the courage to break the silence. “You sang beautifully. Li Qingwei didn’t lose unfairly, hehe.” Once she started talking, her nerves eased.

Chen Jing smiled and nodded. “As long as you liked it, Sister Jingzhi.”

“Speaking of last night’s episode, was there really something shady about Gu Tao’s elimination?” she asked hesitantly. “Uh, if you’re not comfortable talking about it, never mind.”

“It’s fine,” Chen Jing said, shaking his head. “There was definitely some backstage manipulation. On the day of the show, the producers made Gu Tao switch songs at the last minute. After his performance, Su Tingting led a wave of criticism against him. So yes, Gu Tao’s elimination was really unfortunate.”

Hearing this, Zhang Jingzhi huffed indignantly. “Hmph, so even Voice of China is full of dirty tricks.” She grew concerned and looked at Chen Jing. “Will you face the same thing in the finals?”

Chen Jing smiled. “Don’t worry. I’m signed with Jingrun—they can’t pull any underhanded moves against me.”

Zhang Jingzhi breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. Then you’re sure to be the champion!”

“Oh? You have that much faith in me, Sister Jingzhi?”

“Of course! You—Chen Jing—are a musical genius. None of those other nobodies can compare.” She nearly said “my Chen Jing,” which left her cheeks a little flushed.