Chapter 22: The Most Successful Hustle

Don't misunderstand, how Shi San wants to invest his own money is his personal right; we won't interfere.

Then what do you want to talk about?

Naturally, it's cooperation.

"Cooperation?" Chen Ci suddenly became a bit interested.

KK then said: "You just heard, the October newcomer award is very important to Shi San."

Everyone is smart, speaking is easy, and Chen Ci understood KK's meaning as soon as he heard it.

"You want to use the movie to hype up Shi San, right?"

KK indeed nodded: "Well, your movie happens to be related to music. It helps Shi San and also promotes your film—a win‑win cooperation."

That indeed sounds like a win‑win business, and besides, the movie was originally invested by Shi San, so Chen Ci had no reason to refuse.

"Then what do I need to do?"

"Just cooperate with our promotion; at the time, bring your Broken Guitar Band on stage to sing a song."

At that moment, Shi San's eyes were full of hope, just waiting for Chen Ci to nod and agree.

But Chen Ci seemed to hesitate a little, and the silent air made Shi San feel uneasy.

Suddenly, Chen Ci raised his head: "Like this—since that award is so important to Shi San, I'll also give you a gift, Shi San."

"Huh? Brother Ci…"

Shi San stared, taken aback and a bit at a loss.

Chen Ci smiled faintly: "It was actually part of the plan; now we can just move it up on the schedule."

"Brother Ci, tell me, what gift?"

"Our movie is about a rock story, so music is essential. I wrote a few songs for the film, originally planning to release a soundtrack album when promoting the movie."

Put that way, even Shi San understood: "Brother Ci, you want me to sing…"

KK interrupted: "The idea is not bad; we can cooperate, but we also need to judge the song's quality."

"Sister KK…"

"This, you'll find out when the time comes."

Having said all that, Chen Ci lost his appetite. It's a pity—he still wanted to really 'slaughter' Shi San once more, but he'll have to wait until next time.

The three hurried off, and along the way KK was also very curious—not because Shi San was filling her ear with praise for Chen Ci until it sounded heavenly.

Just a brief encounter earlier, she also really didn't understand this Chen Ci much.

With the Old Boy as a precedent, and him acting so confident, KK, being a professional in the industry, naturally became even more curious about his music…

Countless trivial chatter

"Rather than dragging on, let's burn with passion—for the beauty in our hearts!"

After each song demo, sometimes even after each line, KK's expression grew a bit more solemn.

"No compromise until we grow old……"

As the last song faded, KK could no longer speak, only one thought remained in her mind: Could what Shi San said be true—does such a musical genius really exist in the world?

Naturally, KK wasn't the only one shaken; at this very moment, Shi San tightly shut his eyes, afraid to miss a single note.

One hand grabbed KK's hem, seemingly still trembling slightly.

Finally, everything fell silent; Shi San blinked open his eyes, a hint of moisture flashing at the corners.

"Brother Ci, Sister KK, I……"

He hemmed and hawed for a long time, still unable to utter a complete sentence.

KK only felt a mix of flavors on her lips; people can lie, but music cannot.

For a moment, she actually dared not meet Chen Ci's gaze—what kind of experience must have gone into creating such music, and what kind of person is he?

KK's reaction was also fully seen by Chen Ci—that was admiration and curiosity.

As the saying goes, once a woman feels curiosity toward a man, it's the beginning of her downfall.

"The Chen Family Annals" also says that once a woman's feelings for a man include reverence, she essentially has everything; whereas if a man ever feels reverence for a woman, he is utterly ruined……

That went a bit off track; although KK has a good figure, in other respects she really isn't Chen Ci's type—he hasn't sunk so low as to eat anything out of desperation.

Besides, she's Shi San's manager; the saying that a rabbit doesn't eat the grass beside its burrow needs no further explanation.

Getting back on topic, Chen Ci packed up his equipment, turned around, and saw that Shi San and KK were still motionless.

So Chen Ci walked up to the two, snapped his fingers sharply in between them, and said: "All right."

Only then did Shi San snap out of his daze, instinctively grabbing the hand Chen Ci used to snap his fingers.

With red-rimmed eyes, he exclaimed excitedly: "Brother Ci, I, music, truly has such great power, moving people……"

He still seemed a bit muddled, his words incoherent.

Whether music really has such powerful influence, Chen Ci doesn't know for others, but for Shi San it definitely does.

These days, people with ideals are truly few; cherish them.

Chen Ci turned his head: "Sister KK, how do you feel?"

"I……"

KK's situation seemed not much better than Shi San's; facing Chen Ci, she didn't know what to say, her eyes full of helplessness, no trace of the initial aloof arrogance to be seen.

It's a pity—Chen Ci no longer feels anything for KK; he still prefers her original untamed, rebellious self.

"Brother Ci, you really want me to sing these few songs?"

Shi San finally adjusted his mindset and asked the question he should.

"Of course, when have I ever gone back on my word?"

"No!"

Shi San suddenly shouted this decisive remark, startling Chen Ci a bit, and KK widened her eyes even more.

Did I hear wrong? This kid actually wants to refuse.

Shi San continued, "Ci Ge, this is all your heart's voice; I—I can't sing it…"

Every word, every pause, his feelings were sincere and heartfelt.

Shi San knew Chen Ci well; before this, Chen Ci's musical style, compared to songs like "Old Boy," could be said to be completely out of place.

In his opinion, Chen Ci's personality had changed drastically after a sudden family tragedy dealt him a huge blow.

Chen Ci's attitude toward Da Mi Mi also supported Shi San's assessment.

The way Chen Ci looked at Da Mi Mi was something Shi San had never seen in his other girlfriends.

"It's nothing—I said you can do it, so you can. These songs were meant for rock, for youth; among us, you're the most fitting."

"No."

Shi San rarely seemed immune to Chen Ci's coaxing?

"Since it's written for youth, I can't sing it alone; the spirit of the Broken Guitar lives on—this is the youth of all of us!"

If Shi San really pushed, Chen Ci would indeed have a headache.

After all, he's not just a simple blockhead; he's also a rich—uh—blockhead.

Chen Ci understood his meaning—just sing together with the Broken Guitar, as before.

"I said, this is a gift for you; Shi San, you decide."

"Sister KK?"

Having gotten Chen Ci's approval, Shi San finally breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at KK beside him.

"I…"

KK hesitated briefly, his expression still complex, then nodded: "I'll try to arrange it, but I can't guarantee."

Shi San felt satisfied, clenched his fist at Chen Ci: "Thanks, Ci Ge, but I won't always follow your footsteps; one day I'll surpass you."

Hiss!

Chen Ci suddenly began to reflect, wondering if he'd been too coaxing before, but this kid's chuunibyou definitely had nothing to do with him…