"I've already finished making the accompaniments."
Zhang Yichen pulled out his laptop, opened a folder, and clicked on one of the files.
"This is…"
The moment the instrumental track played, Lin Xueyao froze in shock. "You… how did you do this?"
She knew better than anyone that producing an instrumental wasn't simple. It required arrangement, instruments, chords, mixing—none of which could normally be done by a single person.
"I made them myself. This entire folder—over a hundred tracks—was produced by me."
Zhang Yichen's lips curved into a faintly smug smile.
He didn't even know why, but for once, he wanted to show off in front of her. Yes—this was pure, blatant bragging.
"No way… You did this alone?!"
Xiaoxi stared at him in disbelief. The quality of the accompaniment wasn't inferior to professional bands—it was nearly on par. And he was claiming he made over two hundred of them, all by himself.
This was even more shocking than when she first saw that stack of sheet music.
"Yeah. I got bored and created a program just for making instrumentals."
Full-on Versailles.
"You're a genius!!!"
Her voice trembled. Everything she had seen today left her numb, almost unable to process it.
First, she discovered he was a top scorer in the national college entrance exam.
Then she learned he had just received five million ron for a breakthrough in computer science.
Then came the sheet music—she had seen plenty in her career, but never had she met someone who could produce over hundred pieces, each one a potential hit.
Then Amuse and Cut—two revolutionary platforms.
And now… software that could single-handedly replace an entire band for accompaniment.
She had never even heard of such a thing, yet here she was, not only hearing it but about to use it.
How lucky was she?!
This meant recording songs would become so much easier.
Regret gnawed at her. She regretted not finding Zhang Yichen sooner.
If she had known all this, why would she have ever broken her contract?
Even having a baby wouldn't have stopped her career if she'd had this software.
"Ugh, I feel like I've thrown away so much money!" Xiaoxi clutched her head, heart aching.
"Don't worry. The money you've lost—I'll help you get it back," Yichen said lightly.
"…"
Five or six hundred million… For him, it really didn't seem impossible.
Just that pile of golden songs alone—if managed well—could easily create tens of billions in value.
She was numb. Completely numb.
She didn't even want to talk to him anymore.
Too much of a blow.
"Sleep!"
Forget it. Competing with a monster like him was pointless. If she compared herself, she really did feel like a useless waste.
After comforting herself, Xiaoxi finally felt better.
"That… um…"
But when it came time to sleep, she hesitated.
Still, there was a solution.
"I'll sleep inside, the baby can sleep in the middle, and you sleep on the outside. How about that?" she whispered.
After all, she was the one crashing at his place. She couldn't just hog the big bed for herself.
"No… no, I don't dare. I'll just sleep on the sofa. It's big enough anyway."
Yichen waved his hands frantically, refusing her suggestion.
"Don't dare?" Seeing his timid reaction, Xiaoxi suddenly felt confident again.
"Hehe… What, you think I'll eat you alive?"
This man—too shy to even share a bed.
"I'm not afraid of you. I'm afraid of rolling over and crushing the baby."
…This man had no sense of romance.
Rolling her eyes, Xiaoxi got into bed. "Then… good night!"
"Good night."
He grabbed a thin blanket and lay down on the sofa.
"Zhang Yichen…"
She called out softly just as he settled down.
"What is it?" He froze.
"Happy birthday." Her voice carried nothing but sincerity.
"…Thank you."
His throat tightened.
In both lives, he had been an orphan. Other than the two directors at the orphanage, no one had ever wished him a happy birthday so genuinely.
Of course, he had received "happy birthdays" before—but they were either perfunctory or laced with ulterior motives. Never with a shred of true sincerity.
"…Huu…"
Soon, Xiaoxi's breathing steadied as she drifted into sleep.
But Yichen lay wide awake.
"This woman… she's bold. She's not even worried I'll try something."
He chuckled softly, warmth spreading through his chest.
So this was what it felt like to be trusted. It was… unexpectedly wonderful.
Xiaoxi didn't wake until the sun was already high.
When she opened her eyes, the room was empty.
"Mm…" She rubbed her sleepy eyes and stretched lazily, without a care for her image.
She hadn't slept this soundly in a long time.
"…Wait. Where's the baby?"
Snapping upright, she looked around frantically, but there was no sign of her child.
"My baby—where's my baby?!"
She jumped off the bed and circled it three times.
She knew her own sleeping habits—sometimes she rolled around too much. Had she kicked the baby off the bed?
That had happened before…
But after three rounds of searching—still no baby.
Then it hit her. Where was Zhang Yichen?
Her stomach twisted.
Did he… run off with the baby?!
Panic surged through her chest.
How could she have trusted someone she'd only met once?
Guilt and regret consumed her.
She didn't even stop to change clothes before bolting for the door.
"Where are you off to? In such a hurry to greet us?"
As soon as she opened it, there he was—standing with the baby in his arms, a bag of breakfast in the other hand.
What shocked her most was how peaceful the baby looked. No crying, no fussing—just nestled quietly in his arms. Her tiny hand even reached out now and then, as if wanting to touch his handsome face.
The scene of fatherly warmth was almost too surreal.
She knew her child's temperament better than anyone.
Yes, the baby had inherited Yichen's outstanding genes and was adorable beyond belief. But beneath that cute little face was a cold, aloof personality.
She never gave anyone face—always crying when others tried to hold her.
Unless it was Xiaoxi.
Yet now, she was cuddling comfortably in Yichen's arms.
Was this… the natural bond between father and daughter?
"Hey."
His puzzled voice snapped her out of her daze.
Why was she staring at him like an idiot?
"Ah—uh… haha… good morning!" She quickly grabbed the breakfast, trying to cover up her awkwardness.
She realized she'd misjudged him again.
"Morning."
He raised a brow, glancing at her strange behavior.
So flustered first thing in the morning?
Good thing she couldn't read his thoughts. If she knew he was silently calling her silly, she'd probably blow up on the spot.
"Did you feed the baby formula last night?"
"Mm. You were sleeping so soundly, I didn't want to wake you."
"You even know how to do that?"
"There were a lot of infants at the orphanage."
"…"
They chatted while eating, the atmosphere surprisingly warm.
Afterward, neither of them slacked off—he washed the dishes while she wiped down the table.
They looked almost like a married couple going about their day.
"This card has three hundred thousand. Keep it for now."
When the kitchen was tidy, Yichen pulled out a bank card from his wallet and handed it to her.
"No, no, no—I can't take that!" She waved her hands frantically.
How could she accept so much money?
"Take it. You don't need to be polite with me."
He slipped the card into her hands.
"…Heh. What, trying to keep me as your sugar baby?" she teased, unable to resist.
"What? Don't you want me to?"
This time, Yichen didn't blush. Instead, he shot back without hesitation.
"You—! I…"
Her face flushed bright red.