Chapter Sixty-Eight: Discounted Treasures

"Alright, when it comes to confidence, you definitely inherited it from me." Li Qingping glanced toward the doorway. "A few days ago, I saw some discounts online and bought a few things for you. They're on your nightstand. Ahem, you two..."

"...Huh?" Su Zitan looked confused.

"Enough with the 'huh.' If you're done resting, go wash the dishes."

The four people outside sat together on the sofa.

"So, Lin, how have you been lately? The internet is a mess—people are cursing you every day," someone asked.

"It's fine. Infamy is fame, too. All that attention just boosts my popularity," Lin Ze replied indifferently with a wave of his hand.

"Is that so?" Chen Weiguo shot Lin Ze a glance. "Funny, I seem to remember you spending every night at bars last week."

Lin Ze paused. "Have you been following me?"

"Who's got time to follow you?" Chen Weiguo scoffed.

Lin Yuanchuan slung his arm around Lin Ze's shoulders. "Your mom and I were worried about you, but you look good now. If you've made it through, that's all that matters."

"Zhang Yang, do you need a hand with anything?" Su Zhenguo asked.

"No, no, it's almost over." Lin Ze recalled Zhang Yang's fate from his previous life, a hint of ridicule flickering in his eyes. "A storm may come late, but it comes all the same. If there's lightning, sooner or later it'll strike him."

"Alright, let your godfather know if you need anything. If I can help, I will," Su Zhenguo declared magnanimously.

Lin Yuanchuan and Wang Ru were both ordinary salaried workers, not as outspoken as Su Zhenguo.

"If someday you really can't go on, then give up being a star. Your mom and I have saved a bit; you can open a restaurant downstairs. It’s enough to get by."

"Open a restaurant? You look down on him? Ignore your dad. If you can't make it, just marry into the Su family..."

"Su Zhenguo, I'll shoot you!" Lin Yuanchuan slapped the table and whipped out a toy gun from behind his waist.

"You think you're the only one with a gun?" Su Zhenguo, face full of pride, pulled out his own toy gun.

Ah, how the old grow more childlike.

Lin Ze sat in the middle, utterly helpless.

That night was just for chatting, and by ten o'clock the elders left the young couple alone.

Lin Ze and Su Zitan watched some TV in the living room before heading to their room early.

"You go shower first," Su Zitan ordered, ushering Lin Ze into the bathroom.

Then, she quietly opened the nightstand drawer.

The nightstand wasn't large. The first drawer contained a neatly arranged collection of small boxes, all sorts of brands and varieties.

In the second drawer lay a box, still sealed.

Su Zitan fetched a pair of scissors and opened the packaging.

On top were some mysterious little gadgets—she was old enough to know exactly what they were.

She set these things on the bed and continued to dig through the drawer.

There were bunny ears, cat ears, and three sets of short skirts.

"What on earth, just how big was this discount?" Su Zitan pulled one out to examine the fabric—it felt surprisingly nice...

Click.

Su Zitan was so absorbed in her inspection that she didn't notice the sound of water from the bathroom had stopped.

"Sister Zitan, where's the towel..." Lin Ze poked his head out. "I can't find—"

The two locked eyes, Su Zitan sitting on the bed, a leather collar and a small whip in her hands.

"...Sorry to interrupt," Lin Ze murmured, pulling his head back and shutting the door.

"Interrupt what?!" Su Zitan’s face turned scarlet. "No! Why did you shower so fast?!"

...

Morning arrived swiftly.

As the boss, Zhang Huai came to the company early. Even though Creative Workshop had been shut down, Zhang Huai showed no panic.

He already had Master Shi's song in hand.

He transferred the agreed-upon final payment.

This one song by Master Shi cost far more than those by other top composers.

But the price had to be matched by its value.

Master Shi had guaranteed this song—next month, it would surely surpass Lin Ze.

The end of the month was almost here. There were only five days left until the first of next month, when the new song chart would update.

Currently, "Eastern Wind Breaks" was at the top and hailed as the anthem of a new era in national style.

For something newly created to rival "Eastern Wind Breaks" in such a short time was nearly impossible.

Steady wins the race!

That was why Master Shi handed the song over only today.

Once it was recorded, polished, and released, it would be the first of next month at the earliest.

A composer might create a few masterpieces in their life, but their output in the short-term would never be high. Lin Ze had exploded with nearly ten high-quality songs in a single month.

These must have been accumulated beforehand. Now that he’d become famous with them, he’d probably have to rest for a while.

Master Shi was already counting his profits, pleased with the astronomical commission.

The young always act on impulse for the sake of pride. Otherwise, Master Shi might have regarded him as a true rival.

As soon as Zhang Huai played the demo, he could tell it was something special.

This sorrowful love song stirred his memories the instant it began.

"Wonderful... just wonderful!"

He picked up his phone to call his son.

But the phone rang for a while before anyone answered. Impatient, Zhang Huai dialed again.

Just before it cut off, a lazy voice finally answered.

"Hello?"

"What are you doing?" Zhang Huai asked, frowning.

"Huh? Dad," Zhang Yang yawned. "I just woke up. What's up?"

The noise seemed to disturb someone beside him—a girl's sleepy murmur came from under the covers.

The sound was just loud enough for Zhang Huai to hear through the phone.

His frown deepened. "Can’t you ever stay out of trouble? You just got out of Creative Workshop and you’re at it again?"

Zhang Yang chuckled. "There’s nothing to do at the workshop..."

"Enough nonsense. Get yourself together and come to the office. Master Shi’s song is ready—record it in the next couple of days so we can release it by the first!"

"Alright, alright, I’ve got it!"

After the call, the girl beside him was now awake.

A slender arm wrapped around his waist. "Brother Zhang Yang!"

"Awake already?" Zhang Yang smirked, a wicked grin on his lips. "A beautiful morning shouldn’t be wasted, so why don’t we..."

"Oh, you're so bad!"

Three minutes later, Zhang Yang finished his shower and dried off.

He put on one of the outfits he endorsed, opened the door quietly, and said, "I’m heading out. Don’t mention last night to anyone—we did sign an NDA, remember?"