Chapter 48: Jiang Yan Pays a Visit

[Lu Yuanqing: @Luo Zhe, I agree with the first half of your sentence, but the second half is wrong!]
[Lu Yuanqing: Not everyone will necessarily like a good song!]
[Lu Yuanqing: But I must admit, this composer is truly remarkable!]
[Lu Yuanqing: Someone from our company tried for the Newcomer Chart this month, but was utterly crushed!]
[Lu Yuanqing: I listened to those two songs; losing was justified!]
Su Chen was still wondering how to reply when the big shot spoke up!

On this point, Su Chen shared the same view as Lu Yuanqing.
He just hadn’t expected that this superstar would also pay attention to him.
As expected, after hearing Lu Yuanqing’s words, Luo Zhe didn’t press the issue further.

[Luo Zhe: If Brother Qing approves, then they must be incredible!]
[Luo Zhe: I heard it’s a new composer too. If I could write such a song, I could die without regrets!]
[Jiang Jing: Pah! Take that back right now, don’t jinx yourself with such talk!]

The lively banter in the group was normal; they were all friends, and no one would hold a real grudge over a few sharp words.

[Ji Xiangyang: I know this person. He also has a song called “The Prose Poem My Father Wrote,” right?]
[Ji Xiangyang: That song moved me to tears, and our TV station is planning to invite Qu An’an to perform it for an upcoming show!]

Su Chen’s heart stirred.

[Su Chen: @Ji Xiangyang, what program is it?]
[Ji Xiangyang: You might not have heard of it, it’s a show called “Music, Hear Me Out.”]

Ji Xiangyang was a host at Zhejiang South TV; coming from him, it was probably true.
Qu An’an had just debuted and needed more exposure.
She couldn’t keep releasing new songs nonstop.
So appearing on a show was the best option.

After chatting for a while longer, Luo Zhe turned to gossip.

[Luo Zhe: Who do you think this composer is? They always kept a low profile, and now they burst onto the scene with a bang!]
[Luo Zhe: They also wrote the theme song “White Fox” for “Strange Tales!”]
[Jiang Jing: What? “White Fox” was written by them? I’m going to look it up!]

A few minutes later.

[Jiang Jing: Oh my god, it really is them!]
[Jiang Jing: “White Fox” is my favorite song!]
[Jiang Jing: What about Jiang Yan? Wasn’t she looking for a new song? Can we get this person to write one for her?]
[Lu Yuanqing: Keep dreaming. This composer is a company treasure—protected like gold. No way they’d let other artists have them!]

The usually lively Jiang Yan hadn’t said a word in the group all day.
But with the heated discussion, no one noticed.

Su Chen bantered a bit in the group, then turned off the chat.
Around four in the afternoon, he packed up and headed home.
Since being promoted to senior composer, the clock-in rules had become much more relaxed.
Plus, with his privileges, he didn’t need to spend too much time at the office.

He hadn’t grown up in Jiangcheng and had different eating habits.
Although merging memories had helped somewhat, he still couldn’t quite adapt to the spicy food.
Recently, he’d gotten used to making his own congee after work.

He finished grocery shopping and returned to his apartment complex around five.
Just as he was about to enter the building, someone called his name from behind.

“Su Chen!”

He turned around in surprise and saw a tall woman standing up from a stone bench in the garden by the building entrance.

It was Jiang Yan!

Why was she here?
And how had she found his place?
Su Chen looked at her as if he’d seen a ghost.

“What are you staring at?”
“What do you want?”
“I want to!”

Su Chen blurted it out and immediately regretted it. Lately, his mouth was getting him into more and more trouble.
Jiang Yan, however, just gave him a sly, half-smiling look, deliberately glancing him up and down.
With a teasing tone, she said, “Then aren’t you going to open the door for me?”
“I’ve been waiting long enough!”

Flustered, Su Chen hurriedly brought Jiang Yan upstairs and opened the door.
She quickly slipped past him into the living room, grabbed an apple from the coffee table, and sprawled comfortably on the sofa, chomping away like a boss.

Damn! This woman had no sense of honor at all!
Had she already forgotten what she’d just said?

“What made you come here today?”
“And why didn’t you let me know in advance?”
As he put the groceries in the kitchen, Su Chen turned back to ask her.

“I just got back to Jiangcheng today. Came straight here from the airport.”
“I tried messaging and calling you on the way, but you didn’t answer!”
“So I just showed up!”

Su Chen rolled his eyes. Was that even what he was asking?

“You have your own place—why come to mine?”
“Did you forget what happened last time, when we got caught on camera?”

Jiang Yan just grinned.

“I came to recharge!”
“Recharge?”

Su Chen’s heart skipped a beat, his blood rushing.
Was she talking about that kind of recharge?

Jiang Yan didn’t notice his reaction and explained,
“Things have been a bit hectic lately, and I’m stressed.”
“Your place has a nice vibe.”

So she was using his place as a haven from the world!

Su Chen didn’t press for details—he didn’t really know her that well anyway.
Counting it up, they’d only met once, and spent a night together—
And nothing even happened that night.
It only brought him trouble!

It was only after he was added to the celebrity chat group “We’re All Grade-Schoolers” that they stayed in touch at all.
Now Jiang Yan acted like an old friend, clinging to his place.

Who could he even complain to?

“So what about tonight? Planning to stay here?”
“My, you’re already thinking about tonight?”
Jiang Yan blinked at Su Chen, her gaze making his heart skip.

But he wasn’t about to be outdone, and shot back,
“You could always have some more wine, and I’ll take some glamorous photos for you!”
“Do you have a death wish?”

Jiang Yan instantly bristled.
That was her dark past!
Especially since she’d blacked out that night—just thinking about it made her want to disappear from the face of the earth.

The mention of blacking out suddenly made Jiang Yan jump.
She sprang off the sofa, rushed over to Su Chen, and twisted his waist in mock threat:
“Did you take any pictures of me that night?”

Su Chen caught a whiff of her perfume as she pinned him to the door in a rather suggestive pose, her hand tickling his waist.
They could both feel the heat between them.
The air grew heavy, the only sound their breathing.

After a long moment, Su Chen spoke:
“Why would I take pictures of you? Am I crazy?”
“Really didn’t?”
“Why would I lie?”
“Good.”

Maybe the atmosphere was too charged—they both felt awkward, and the conversation ended quickly.
Jiang Yan didn’t press the issue any further.
Su Chen went back to the kitchen.
Jiang Yan leaned against the kitchen doorframe, smiling.

“I didn’t expect you to know how to cook!”
“Don’t bother, it’s too much trouble. Let me take you out for dinner!”
“You helped me a lot last time, and I haven’t even thanked you properly.”
“That’s mainly why I came over—I wanted to treat you to a meal!”

She paused, then added,
“I’ve got something to do tonight, so I can’t stay late.”

Su Chen gave her a sidelong glance.
“Forget it.”
“No point running around. You might get spotted again and not even finish your meal.”
“I just bought groceries—it’s easier to eat in.”

Jiang Yan wanted to argue, but Su Chen put down the peeler and waved her away.
Seeing this, Jiang Yan didn’t insist.
Since that’s how it was, she’d just make it up to him next time!