"Take a look at the mobile version of 'Amuse'!"
Before Chen Xiaoxi could calm herself, Zhang Yichen handed her his phone.
"Ah? Okay!" she blinked, took the phone, and opened the 'Amuse' app.
"This…"
Seeing the videos identical to those on the laptop, her eyes widened in shock.
"Try swiping up and down on the screen!" Yichen gestured lightly.
"Oh, okay!" Xiaoxi nodded quickly and swiped.
The next second, the video switched to another. Another swipe — a new video appeared.
"Tap the plus sign at the bottom," Yichen gestured again.
"Oh! Got it!"
Following his instructions, she tapped the plus icon. This time, the camera activated. The lens focused on her tired face, faint traces of sleepless nights visible at the corners of her eyes.
"Oh no! I look awful!"
Seeing herself so worn and haggard on screen, Chen Xiaoxi couldn't help but exclaim.
"Wow? The camera has so many features?"
Her attention was quickly captured by the options: beauty filters, effects, and presets — everything looked incredibly professional.
Remembering Yichen's videos, she instinctively tapped the beauty filter. Smooth skin, whitening, slimming…
Chen Xiaoxi couldn't resist trying it out. With a few adjustments, her dull, yellowish complexion on screen became smooth and radiant. Even her dark circles disappeared, leaving her glowing with near-perfect beauty.
"Wow…" she gasped quietly, eyes reflecting surprise and amazement.
"Record a video and try it out!" Yichen leaned back on the sofa, hands behind his head, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"…Alright."
Xiaoxi hesitated for a moment, fingers hovering over the screen, then finally pressed record.
It was her first time filming a video. Perhaps because of nerves, seeing herself glowing on screen, she fell silent.
"Nervous?"
Seeing her hesitation, Yichen placed the sheet music for Invisible Wings in front of her, then pulled a guitar from under the sofa and handed it to her.
"Accompany yourself and sing."
"Okay!"
Chen Xiaoxi took a deep breath, her dark eyes settling on the sheet music. Her fingers lightly strummed the strings, and a gentle, flowing melody began to emerge.
"Every time,
I stay strong while wandering alone,
Every time,
Even when hurt,
My tears don't show."
Her voice was low and emotive, each line carrying the weight of her heart.
"I know,
I have invisible wings,
Carrying me,
Flying over despair."
Her voice seemed to weave a spell, pulling the listener into her world. Each note, each pause, perfectly captured the soul of the song.
Yichen listened silently, admiration flickering in his eyes.
"At last, I see
All dreams blossom,
Youth in pursuit,
Voices resonate."
"Finally, I soar,
Looking with my heart, fearless,
Wherever the wind blows,
I'll fly as far as I can."
Her fingers danced across the strings, her voice rising in an exhilarating release, carrying the tension of withheld emotions.
"…I know,
I have invisible wings,
Carrying me,
Giving me hope."
As the last note faded, the room fell into a brief, profound silence. Xiaoxi's fingers lingered on the strings, her breathing slightly uneven, her expression a mix of satisfaction and uncertainty.
"How… was it?" she asked, looking at Yichen with a blend of anticipation and nervousness.
"Your skill hasn't diminished one bit," Yichen said, giving her a thumbs-up.
Night deepened outside, moonlight filtering through the sheer curtains, casting a gentle glow across the floor. Xiaoxi's fingers still trembled lightly on the strings, as if she hadn't fully left the emotions of the performance behind.
"Do you really think… I sang okay?"
Her throat tightened, as though an invisible hand pressed against it, making each breath cautious.
Yichen didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stood and walked over to the bed, silently watching the sleeping baby.
"You sing with more depth than before."
After a long pause, his voice, low and gentle, finally broke the silence.
"Before, your voice was like a clear spring — pure and clean. But now…" He paused, then turned to face her directly.
"Now, it's like the deep sea — calm, yet with a power that pulls you in and won't let go."
Chen Xiaoxi's heart skipped a beat, struck as if by something unseen. She lowered her gaze, avoiding his eyes, and whispered,
"Maybe… it's because I've lived through more."
She never imagined that young as he was, Zhang Yichen could understand her singing so deeply. He… was surprisingly perceptive.
A ripple of emotion stirred within her. But she couldn't help feeling unworthy. He was talented, destined for greatness — an eagle's fledgling, bound to soar one day. And she… she was just a washed-up singer, four years older than him, no longer in her prime.
Silence returned to the room, broken only by the ticking clock.
"Wah… wah…"
After some time, the baby on the bed let out a weak cry, shattering the quiet.
"The baby must be hungry."
Reflexively, Xiaoxi rose, hurried to the crib, gently lifted the child, and began feeding, seemingly forgetting Yichen entirely.
Yichen stood awkwardly, unsure whether to leave or stay.
"This… I'll go get some fresh air. You feed the baby, then take a shower and rest!"
He fled the room, embarrassed beyond belief. Two lifetimes combined, and he'd never encountered a scene like this.
"Hehe… silly!" Xiaoxi, hearing the door click shut, felt a slight sense of relief. Looking down at the baby in her arms, a gentle smile tugged at her lips.
The little one greedily sucked, tiny hands flailing as if trying to grasp something.
"Good, take your time." Xiaoxi murmured softly, stroking the baby's silky hair, her eyes filled with warmth and tenderness. Moonlight poured over her, highlighting her slightly weary yet still graceful figure.
Her thoughts drifted back to moments earlier — Yichen's gaze, his words, his praise, and his hasty retreat.
"Does he really understand me?" she whispered, voice barely audible.
Downstairs, Yichen took a deep breath, trying to steady the storm in his chest. The scene lingered in his mind, replaying vividly — the gentle profile of Xiaoxi feeding the child, the soft glow of maternal love almost suffocating in its intensity.
"This… is so awkward," he muttered quietly, brushing his fingers across his nose as if it could hide his inner turmoil.
"What am I so flustered about?" he asked himself. "It's just feeding a baby… why am I so clumsy?"
"Forget it. Stop overthinking."
He shook his head, forcing the feelings down. Women were mysterious creatures. It was summer — who knew how many showers a day were necessary? Even so, most women still took forever in the bathroom.
By the time he returned, over an hour had passed. Fortunately, he had come back at just the right moment. Xiaoxi had finished her shower. Her wet hair fell casually over her shoulders, and a loose bathrobe clung lightly to her frame, steam curling around her.
The scene made Zhang Yichen's heart race uncontrollably.