"I really…" Chen Xiaoxi raised her head to look at Zhang Yichen, uncertainty flickering in her eyes."Was it… okay?"
Zhang Yichen stepped closer and gently patted her shoulder. His voice was soft but firm.
"It wasn't just okay. It was excellent. Your performance just now showed how well you understand and control this song."
A trace of joy flashed across Chen Xiaoxi's eyes, but it quickly turned into hesitation.
"But… the operatic part still doesn't feel natural. It feels like something's missing…"
Zhang Yichen smiled slightly, encouragement evident in his gaze.
"Don't worry. Operatic singing takes time to refine. You've already done very well. Now you just need to practice more and find your own feeling."
Chen Xiaoxi took a deep breath.
Her fingers gently brushed the edge of the sheet music, as if feeling the pulse of the notes themselves.
Her gaze lingered on the score for a long time, as though engraving it deep into her mind.
"I'll work hard," she said quietly, her voice steady and resolute, like a vow born from her heart.
Zhang Yichen looked at her with warmth and trust in his eyes.
He reached out and gently held her hand. The warmth of his touch made her heart beat faster.
"Xiaoxi, you can definitely do it."
Held in his grasp, Chen Xiaoxi felt that warmth flow into her, calming her emotions.
She lifted her head and met his gaze. Gratitude shimmered in her eyes.
"Thank you, Ah-Chen. Without you, I don't know if I could've held on this long."
Zhang Yichen shook his head gently, a faint smile curving his lips.
"Don't say such silly things. We're family. No matter what happens, I'll always be by your side."
Her eyes reddened slightly, but she blinked quickly, suppressing the emotion.
Her fingers tightened around his hand.
"I know. And I'll always stay by your side too."
Their eyes met in silence.
It was as if an invisible bond connected them tightly together.
The room grew quiet, filled only with the sound of their breathing—the air thick with warmth and unspoken understanding.
After a while, Chen Xiaoxi released his hand and returned her attention to the sheet music.
"I want to try again. This time, I'll focus more on the operatic part."
Once she started, she practiced nonstop until dinner.
Even after dinner, she wanted to continue.
But Zhang Yichen stopped her.
Too much of anything could be harmful.
The next day, the press conference began to gain traction online.
As expected, the top ten trending topics were all related to Zhang Yichen and Chen Xiaoxi.
Especially Zhang Yichen—he alone occupied five of the top trending spots.
#Zhang Yichen Wants to Become the King of Singers—Confidence or Arrogance?#
#Zhang Yichen Imitates Ah Hua and Gangzi—What Is His Goal?#
#Zhang Yichen Declares: 200 New Songs in 200 Days#
#Zhang Yichen Announces His Songs Can Be Covered for Free#
#Zhang Yichen Donates Over 40 Million Yuan#
#Chen Xiaoxi's Depression Suspected to Be Caused by Exploitation from Former Company#
…
From these trending topics alone, Zhang Yichen's objective had essentially been achieved.
He had successfully diverted public attention onto himself.
At the same time, he had cast suspicion and pressure onto Chen Xiaoxi's former company.
Now, all that remained was for Ah Hua and Gangzi to contact him.
He didn't have to wait long.
Just after breakfast, the Heavenly King Ah Hua—known throughout the industry as a tireless workhorse—called him personally.
"Hello, Mr. Zhang. This is Ah Hua."
Zhang Yichen answered, hearing that familiar, magnetic voice through the phone.
"Brother Hua, hello. This is Zhang Yichen."
His tone was respectful, though a faint smile unconsciously formed on his lips.
With Ah Hua's status in the entertainment industry, someone like Zhang Yichen was still insignificant.
Normally, sending an agent to contact him would already be considered respectful.
He hadn't expected Ah Hua to call personally.
"We're all friends!" Ah Hua laughed heartily.
"I heard you're planning to become the King of Singers—and release one new song every day. That's no small matter. Of course I have to look after the younger generation."
"Thank you for your concern, Brother Hua," Zhang Yichen replied sincerely.
"I really do intend to do it. I hope to bring new vitality to Blue Star's music scene."
"It's good for young people to have ambition," Ah Hua said approvingly.
Zhang Yichen could sense the probing behind his words, but he answered calmly.
"Promoting the development of Blue Star music is our responsibility."
"Well said!" Ah Hua laughed.
"I like young people like you."
After some probing, Ah Hua finally got to the point.
"I heard you have a song that would suit me?"
"A song?" Zhang Yichen raised a brow slightly, a faint smile appearing.
"Not just one. An entire album. I wonder if Brother Hua would be interested."
Creating an album for Ah Hua was part of Zhang Yichen's larger plan for the Spring Festival Gala.
He intended to use this album to draw Ah Hua to Binhai.
This was what real networking looked like.
"An entire album?" Ah Hua paused, his tone becoming more serious.
"If you say so, then I'm all ears."
"Alright. I'll send you the demos."
Zhang Yichen spoke without hesitation.
"Good. I'll be waiting."
After hanging up, Zhang Yichen added Ah Hua on Green Bubble and sent him demo recordings of nine songs.
Moments later, his phone rang again.
It was Ah Hua.
"Brother Zhang!"
The form of address had changed—from "Mr. Zhang" to "Brother Zhang."
It was clear Ah Hua now truly recognized him.
Excitement filled Ah Hua's voice.
"The more I listen to these songs, the more I like them. They feel tailor-made for me!"
Zhang Yichen chuckled modestly.
"You flatter me, Brother Hua. I just felt these songs suited you."
"No, no—not at all!" Ah Hua interrupted quickly.
"I want all of them. Let's discuss the details when I arrive in Sichuan this afternoon."
"This afternoon?" Zhang Yichen's eyes flickered with surprise, though his tone remained calm.
"Alright. I'll pick you up at the airport."
After confirming the time, they hung up.
Truthfully, Zhang Yichen had known these songs would attract Ah Hua.
But he hadn't expected him to be this eager.
He couldn't even wait a single day.
But that was fine.
If Ah Hua arrived this afternoon—
Tomorrow, the headlines would belong to Zhang Yichen once again.