Chapter 76: I Wrote a Song for Her

The praised female reporter looked a little embarrassed.

“Mr. Su Chen, could you explain to us?” she asked.

Su Chen smiled and nodded.

“We were just...” He was about to say they were discussing the script, but then remembered Jiang Yan was a singer. Quickly, he changed his words: “We were discussing issues concerning Jiang Yan’s new album.”

But as soon as Su Chen finished, there was a snicker.

A sharp-faced, monkey-like reporter laughed out loud. “You’re just an ordinary person. Do you even understand music theory?”

Su Chen fixed him with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “You’re quick to take offense the moment I mention professionalism. If you really knew your field, you’d know what I studied. A composition major who doesn’t know music theory? Please, think before you speak.”

By now, some of Su Chen’s personal information had already been dug up online. A companion nearby quickly pulled out his phone to check Su Chen’s credentials, then gave a subtle nod to the sharp-faced reporter. The reporter could only sit down awkwardly.

“Mr. Su Chen, I mean no offense,” the female reporter continued. “According to reports, Jiang Yan was drunk that night. Can you explain how you researched her new album together?”

She watched Su Chen’s face carefully, almost as if afraid he’d be angry.

But Su Chen just chuckled. “This was a private matter. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t want to explain—just like last time. However, since everyone’s curious, I’ll briefly recount what happened.”

“Here’s the situation. Perhaps you don’t know, but Jiang Yan is a classmate of my mentor. Because of her new album, my teacher asked me to write her a song. For this, Jiang Yan flew all the way to River City to discuss the album with me.”

“While we were having dinner, we finalized our collaboration. Jiang Yan was so happy she drank a bit too much. Seeing she was alone and not entirely safe, I took her back to my residential community.”

Su Chen glanced at the female reporter. “Let me clarify—I didn’t let Jiang Yan spend the night at my place. I arranged for her to stay at my neighbor’s home, where there’s another girl. The two of them shared a room.”

Listening to Su Chen’s fabrication, Jiang Yan was at a loss for words. Even she, the person involved, nearly believed it. Yet, how were they supposed to explain the songwriting? One lie upon another.

“Can you tell us which song it is?” Sure enough, a reporter quickly seized on the song issue.

Su Chen smiled faintly. “That’s a secret for now. I want everyone to be surprised.”

The reporter was not satisfied and pressed on. “Then how do you explain your meeting at the hotel?”

Su Chen shot him an indifferent look. “I flew to the capital this time because Jiang Yan invited me to this press conference. Upon arrival, I checked into a hotel. Jiang Yan visited me, her composer, and invited me to dinner. Is that so unreasonable? Who could have expected that something so simple and pleasant would be twisted into this by certain people?”

He sighed, feigning regret.

The crowd in the audience shifted uncomfortably. Su Chen’s explanation was plausible. Something still seemed off, but he could justify every part. No one could find a loophole, and there was no evidence against him. The reporters could only lament their bad luck.

“Heh, I’ll be waiting to see what song you can write! Let’s hope your music is as sharp as your tongue!” The sharp-faced reporter didn’t believe a word Su Chen said, but if he wanted to expose Su Chen, he’d have to do it through the song. He didn’t believe an unknown nobody could write anything worthwhile. If Su Chen failed to deliver a song, then it would prove today’s words were all lies.

Su Chen glanced at him coolly. “As you wish.”

The rest of the press conference proceeded with routine activities. Su Chen didn’t participate, instead staying backstage with Jiang Yan.

Su Chen’s answers had been a rollercoaster, leaving Jiang Yan deeply unsettled. At least the matter had been smoothed over for now. There might still be doubters, but without evidence, it didn’t matter much. The only trouble was Su Chen’s mention of the song during the conference.

“Don’t worry, Su Chen. I’ll take care of this,” Jiang Yan said.

“Hm?” Su Chen was a little surprised, not quite understanding her meaning.

But before he could reply, Jiang Yan continued, “Didn’t I tell you before? Things are settled with Li Qingshan. He’ll compose the final track for my album. I’ll find a way to have him credit it to you and tie up this whole affair.”

Su Chen could only shake his head helplessly. “You don’t need to...”

Before he could finish, someone from the company called Jiang Yan away. As she left, she tossed a final word to Su Chen: “It’s settled.”

-------------------------------------

The video of Su Chen at the press conference quickly spread across the internet.

“Wow, this Su Chen is so cocky? Daring to talk back to reporters like that?”

“These reporters are too wimpy. If it were me, I’d throw a flying kick!”

“Keyboard warriors always think they’re invincible online—try kicking him in real life!”

“But seriously, these reporters really showed their true colors. They bully the weak and fear the strong.”

“Su Chen, you’re messing with my goddess! I’ll never forgive you!”

...

The online discussion was heated. Even though Su Chen had smoothed things over, there were always doubters.

“Ha! You expect me to believe they were discussing the new album?”

“She went back to his place, and you expect us to believe they didn’t stay together? Do you take us for fools?”

“There’s no way a man would bring Jiang Yan home and do nothing!”

“Some people just like to talk nonsense without evidence. I believe Su Chen!”

...

But above all, the main focus was on whether Su Chen could actually write a song.

After all, there was little point in rehashing the rest. But Su Chen writing a song—that piqued everyone’s curiosity.

An unknown man writing for the pop diva—what a dramatic contrast.

“What do you think, can Su Chen really write a song?”

“I doubt it. Do you know the standard for top-tier singers? Why would they hire an amateur?”

“That’s the flaw right there. Out of so many composers, why Jiang Yan specifically pick Su Chen?”

“If Su Chen actually writes a song, I’ll eat my hat upside-down!”

“I’ll grab a front-row seat and wait for the show!”

...

After a day’s fermenting, the hype around Su Chen writing a song for the pop diva reached new heights. Everyone following the story was waiting for one thing: the final result.