Stepping out of the café, Chen Xiaoxi walked beside Zhang Yichen, her steps a little unsteady, her thoughts tangled and restless.
Her fingers twisted together unconsciously, knuckles pale as her heart still beat faster than usual.
The lyrics of the song from just moments ago still echoed in her mind, each word striking against her heart, making it impossible to calm down.
"Someone filmed it… aren't you afraid of being recognized?" Chen Xiaoxi asked softly, her voice tinged with worry.
"What if I am?" Zhang Yichen turned his head slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "It's not like I've done anything unforgivable."
Chen Xiaoxi pressed her lips together, her gaze dropping to the baby in his arms. The little one was sleeping soundly, cheeks flushed pink, impossibly adorable.
To be honest, after only a dozen hours together, Zhang Yichen had already proven himself to be a responsible man.
Toward the child, he was patient and attentive.
From last night until now, she hadn't once fed the baby or changed her diaper—everything had been handled by Zhang Yichen.
Toward her, he was considerate, tolerant, and generous.
From the moment she entered his home, even though his words had been sharp at first, he never shirked his responsibilities.
At dinner, he had pushed almost all the ribs into her bowl.
When she mentioned wanting to make a comeback, he immediately laid out a plan for her.
Even the song he had just performed—he gifted it directly to her, even preparing a reason for her to use it.
When he learned about her illness, he treated her himself. And to save her embarrassment, he never mentioned it again.
When he saw her financial struggles, he spent hundreds of thousands without hesitation, and today he had once again lavished money on her without blinking.
Everything about her—he arranged with perfection.
A man like this… how could any woman not be moved?
Even she, who had grown up pampered like a princess, the darling of heaven, couldn't help but find her heart stirred.
She had never been in love. Before, she couldn't even tell if she was starting to fall for him.
But now, she was certain. She was falling for him.
After only a dozen hours of knowing him, she found herself irresistibly drawn to him.
But she could only bury it deep in her heart, afraid to confess her feelings, afraid he would despise her for being past her prime.
Chen Xiaoxi took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "That song you just sang… was it from the pile of sheet music?"
"No." Zhang Yichen shook his head, his tone calm, as if discussing something ordinary. "I composed it on the spot."
"On the spot?" Her eyes widened, her mood suddenly brightening. "You're incredible. To create a song of that level so casually…"
"Songs are born of nature, and sometimes the hand simply catches them," Zhang Yichen said, borrowing a line from his past life, sounding modest yet a little arrogant.
"You really have a way with words. Then… have you written a song for the baby?" Chen Xiaoxi's eyes lit with admiration.
"Of course. Want to hear it?"
"Of course I do! She's your daughter. A song you wrote for her must be special."
Her smile blossomed, eyes shining with anticipation she couldn't hide.
"Alright, I'll hum a little for you." Zhang Yichen's voice softened, warm with affection.
"My darling, my precious one,
I'll cross the mountains high,
To search for the sun that's gone,
To seek the missing moonlight…"
The lyrics struck directly at the softest part of Chen Xiaoxi's heart. Was this his way of saying he would give everything for his daughter, chasing all things beautiful and precious?
"My darling, my precious one,
I'll cross the endless seas,
To find the rainbow that vanished,
To catch the fleeting star…
I'll fly into the endless night sky,
Pluck a star to be your toy,
I'll touch the moon with my own hands,
And write your name upon it…"
Warmth. Romance. It was filled with infinite tenderness and devotion toward his daughter.
"And in the end, I'll return safely,
Come back to tell you everything.
My darling, my precious one… la la hula la, la hula la…
I'll teach the world to say your name,
La la hula la, la hula la…
And in the end, I'll return safely,
Come back to tell you everything.
My darling, my precious one… mwah!"
At the end of the song, Zhang Yichen leaned down and kissed the baby's cheek, making Chen Xiaoxi's chest ache with envy.
Yes—envy.
She envied the baby for being able to openly bask in Zhang Yichen's love.
That complex feeling made her heart thump violently, her face heating as she quickly lowered her head to hide her emotions.
"Wonderful… the baby has her very own song now," she murmured softly.
Zhang Yichen's eyes darkened as he looked at her. "Why envy her? Don't you have one too?"
"I—I'm not envious," Chen Xiaoxi muttered, refusing to admit the truth.
As if he had seen right through her, she immediately buried her head like an ostrich.
Inside the taxi, the two sat in silence for a while, leaving only a subtle tension in the air.
"By the way," after a long pause, Chen Xiaoxi lifted her head and asked, trying to sound casual, "do you have any plans for the future? I mean, other than helping me with my comeback."
Yichen thought for a moment. "I'll debut as an online singer during the opening ceremony of the new semester for my juniors in college. For now, I'll also work as your agent and assistant."
This was a plan he had carefully considered.
In this world, online singers didn't exist yet. He would be the first to test the waters.
More importantly, since Chen Xiaoxi was preparing to return to the stage, she wouldn't have time to care for the child.
An online singer's schedule was flexible—it wouldn't interfere with his studies, nor with looking after the baby.
And working as her agent and assistant would also make it easier for mother and daughter to meet.
Of course, if Chen Xiaoxi found someone more suitable in the future, he would step back.
"What's an online singer? And if you're my agent, what about your company?" Chen Xiaoxi's questions came one after another.
"A good leader knows how to delegate. I'll hand things over to others. As for an online singer—it means not joining a company, just releasing songs directly on music platforms. Whether they become popular or not depends on fate."
"Will that… really work?"
Her heart warmed, though guilt crept in.
She knew full well—his arrangements were all for her sake.
After her comeback, there would inevitably be events she couldn't avoid. With Zhang Yichen around, she wouldn't have to be separated from her child.
And she had offended her old company, some former sponsors, and even competitors.
When she returned, these people definitely wouldn't make things easy. Trouble was inevitable.
And as her boss and agent, Zhang Yichen would be the one standing at the front, bearing it all.
She could endure that kind of pressure herself—but what about him?
Especially that spoiled young master, with his powerful background… she feared dragging Zhang Yichen into danger.
And then there was her family. If she made a comeback, they would surely pressure her into a marriage alliance.
Before, when she hadn't fallen for Zhang Yichen, she thought—so what? Marriage is marriage.
But now… not in a million years.
If Zhang Yichen wanted her, she would cling to him with her life.