Chapter 35

Zhang Dongshan thoroughly enjoyed today's stage; he was willing to show up not just because he'd been neighbors with the Liu family for decades.

It was also because this was a rare chance to "display sainthood before the public," since many old neighbors and acquaintances were present.

Thus, this performance felt to him like "wealth returned to one's hometown," and he was inwardly delighted!

As a result, Zhang Xian was spared the trouble—he didn't need to explain anything at all.

"Xian Ge, did your dad sing 'Apple Fragrance'?"

"Damn! No wonder Xian Ge just chilled out—he's the son of a star!"

"I've heard 'Apple Fragrance' online so many times, never knew it was Uncle Zhang singing!"

"As the original singer of such a massive hit, you must've made a fortune!"

"Earlier, a song called 'Guangzhou Love Story' went viral on Douyin—they said the original singer earned a hundred million!"

"How much the original singer earns depends on royalty splits; sometimes the creator makes even more!"

The crowd first sighed in awe, then someone with knowledge began analyzing.

At that moment, Lin Xiwei, who had barely spoken until now, suddenly said: "The original creator of 'Apple Fragrance' is Sixth Sense—you know who Sixth Sense is, right?"

As she spoke, Lin Xiwei directly looked at Zhang Xian.

Though they had broken up and lost contact, Lin Xiwei had quietly followed Zhang Xian over the years—his relationships, breakups, jobs, unemployment...

Meanwhile, she also monitored Zhang Xian's social media accounts, even the Copyright Network app; she had originally been drawn to him and started dating him largely because of his "musical talent" in high school.

Even as a high school student, Zhang Xian could write his own songs, and he always appeared at school cultural performances.

During school, students like Zhang Xian—artistic backbone—were extremely attractive to girls; even Lin Xiwei, the campus beauty, was not immune.

So since then, she had followed Zhang Xian's Copyright Network account, but after years of breakup, no new works had appeared under his personal account—at least none publicly; hidden ones were unknown.

After bumping into Zhang Xian while shooting wedding photos, memories flooded back, and Lin Xiwei reopened the Copyright Network app—only to discover, to her shock, that one new song had appeared under his account.

It was 'Apple Fragrance'!

She then searched online for related information.

The original singer of 'Apple Fragrance' was Zhang Xian's father; the lyricist and composer was 'Sixth Sense'!

That confirmed it!

Zhang Xian was the original creator of this viral song.

In that instant, she also understood why Zhang Xian could date Chu Yourong.

Because they were from the same circle: Zhang Xian was a musician, a creator; Chu Yourong was a singer—such pairings were common in the entertainment industry.

"Sixth Sense?"

"TT?"

"Human Seed Collector?"

Upon hearing the words "Sixth Sense," Hu Chuan and Zhao Peng blurted them out instinctively.

Hearing this, Zhang Xian sighed and rubbed his forehead—he had been too young when registering on Copyright Network, didn't even know how to use an umbrella, let alone brand names.

Now, the seeds he planted years ago had borne fruit.

A famous musician, composer, lyricist—had the same name as a condom brand!

Very awkward.

"It's Xian Ge!"

"Xian Ge's nickname on Copyright Network back in high school was Sixth Sense!"

Xu Zhiyang gave the correct answer.

At that moment, someone immediately opened the Copyright Network app and indeed found "Sixth Sense," along with his work 'Apple Fragrance.'

"When fighting, brothers stand together; when going to battle, father and son fight side by side!"

"Xian Ge is the creator—so the money stays in the pot!"

"Xian Ge, only you could do this—write a random song and it goes viral!"

"Xian Ge, you're way too low-key—wrote such an awesome song and didn't even post it on Moments!"

"True—if I had this achievement, I'd plaster it on my forehead."

"Xian Ge, calling a famous musician 'unemployed at home' is going too far!"

Everyone chimed in, collectively "denouncing" Zhang Xian.

"Zhang Xian, you also have a song called 'Dignity'—did you sell that too?"

At that moment, Xu Yuanyuan pointed to the works listed under "Sixth Sense" on the Copyright Network app and asked.

According to Copyright Network rules, sold works must be displayed for copyright verification; Zhang Xian currently has five songs under his name, two of which were immature high school pieces—he hid them due to poor quality, and also hid 'The Song of the Common Man,' meant for his father.

So currently, under the nickname "Sixth Sense," there are two songs: 'Apple Fragrance' and 'Dignity.'

But 'Dignity,' though sold to Chu Yourong, has not yet been officially released.

"Chu, Chu Yourong!"

"Holy shit! It really is Chu Yourong!"

"Did I hallucinate? How is Chu Yourong here?"

"Could this be the mystery guest Liu Dongxu mentioned in the class group?"

"I thought the mystery guest was Uncle Zhang—turns out it's Chu Yourong!"

"Wait, why is she walking toward us?"

Xu Yuanyuan was still waiting for Zhang Xian's reply when Xu Zhiyang suddenly yelled—and everyone else followed with exclamations.

Even as the crowd was stunned, Chu Yourong had already arrived.

"Zhang Xian, is your phone a decoration?"

"You don't reply to WeChat, you don't answer calls!"

Contrary to everyone's expectations, after Chu Yourong walked over, she immediately launched into an interrogation mode.

She pouted angrily, her beautiful eyes wide open—clearly furious.

But why was she angry?

Why was she mad at Zhang Xian?

That tone...

How much like a couple!

In an instant, everyone's gaze landed on Zhang Xian.

He slowly pulled out his phone from his pocket and glanced at it: "My dad was singing too loudly—I didn't hear the ringtone."

Zhang Xian was good at shifting blame—he immediately dragged his father into it.

"You knew I was coming, yet you didn't even come out to meet me!"

Chu Yourong sniffed, pouting.

She seemed still angry, but the air of coquettishness was stronger.

Now, all the men present were thrown into chaos—if they'd been unsure of her relationship with Zhang Xian before, they were certain now!

They were a couple; no one would speak like that unless they were.

That's right—Zhang Xian's girlfriend was the popular female star Chu Yourong!

Hu Chuan was stunned.

Zhao Peng was stunned.

Xu Zhiyang was also fucking stunned.

You said you were unemployed and staying home!

Yet you wrote the hit novel Apple Fragrance—and started dating a top female star!

We're all in our early twenties; others are still grinding like beasts, but you've already won at life and are lying flat!

What a difference in life!

For a moment, everyone fell silent, unsure what to say.

Especially Hu Chuan, who had just been spitting saliva everywhere, telling Zhang Xian to go sell used cars with him—he turned beet red!

Fuck, his girlfriend is Chu Yourong—you want him to sell used cars with you??

Dream on!

In truth, Chu Yourong's attitude had also thrown Zhang Xian off—they'd already ended their agreement. Her coming to support him was purely a "historical leftover issue": Liu Dongxu knew they were a couple, had begged Zhang Xian, and Chu Yourong had happened to be willing to help.

But there was absolutely no need to "show off so much affection"!

What Zhang Xian didn't know was that Chu Yourong did this entirely because she saw Lin Xiwei—right across from Zhang Xian, just one person away—and from afar, she'd spotted Lin Xiwei staring at her "boyfriend," her gaze tinged with admiration.

Seeing this, Chu Yourong's jealousy exploded.

So you're really planning to get back together with your first love, huh?

No way—you just broke up and want to seamlessly move on?

"Big Brother Xian, shouldn't you introduce us?"

Hu Chuan, snapping back to reality, rubbed his hands and said.

"Hello everyone, you're all Zhang Xian's classmates, right?"

"I'm his girlfriend, Chu Yourong."

Before Zhang Xian could speak, Chu Yourong smiled and waved at everyone.

"Hi hi, I'm Hu Chuan—I was closest to Big Brother Xian in school!"

"I'm Zhao Peng—I'm practically his blood brother!"

"I'm Xu Zhiyang—Big Brother Xian is my actual older brother, Sister-in-law, nice to meet you~!"

The three rushed to introduce themselves, each claiming a closer bond with Zhang Xian than the last.

Hearing their introductions, Zhang Xian was speechless—especially Xu Zhiyang, who'd already called her "sister-in-law."

Seeing this, Lin Xiwei's eyes dimmed. Before Chu Yourong arrived, she had been the center of attention—the one everyone assumed was paired with Zhang Xian.

Now that the "Empress" had arrived, the ex could only step aside.

"Sister-in-law, sit here!"

Xu Zhiyang stood up eagerly, ready to offer his seat.

"Sister-in-law, sit here instead—I've got more space!"

Zhao Peng stood up too; he was heavier, so he naturally took up more room.

"Zhang Xian, learn from them—don't even bother saving me a seat!"

Chu Yourong shot Zhang Xian a mock-angry glare, then walked straight to the seat Zhao Peng had vacated.

"Thanks, this spot's perfect—I can chat with Xiwei."

Chu Yourong smiled as she thanked him.

Hearing this, Zhao Peng, Hu Chuan, and others were stunned again.

Chu Yourong knew Lin Xiwei—and it looked like they were on good terms.

The current girlfriend and the ex are getting along peacefully!

How the fuck is that even possible??