Chapter 200: Living Together? Japan Concert

Reborn Starting from Huayu 2002, Chapter 196: Living Together? Japan Concert

After settling Ceng Yu and her mother, Cheng Chen and Ceng Li walked side by side down the road.

"Sorry for the trouble today."

Ceng Li said with a hint of apology.

"Hey, Sister Li, you're being too polite. This little favor is nothing."

Cheng Chen waved his hand and said with a smile.

Ceng Li nodded. The early spring evening still carried a faint chill.

Ceng Li brushed the wind-blown strands of hair behind her ear and said softly:

"About that thing I mentioned to you today… what do you think?"

She was referring to the matter of playing the role of a couple in front of her mother and younger sister on the phone today.

Cheng Chen paused and said:

"Sister Li, I don't think this is very solid, judging from today's situation.

Auntie seems a bit dissatisfied with me, and Xiaoyu is a sharp kid too.

If the two of us pretend to be a couple, they'll probably see right through it."

Ceng Li shook her head slightly and said:

"My mom doesn't have a problem with you. She's always been like that around people she's not familiar with.

Since the divorce, her personality has changed a bit too. How should I put it—

It's as if putting on this 'strangers keep away' look could ward off some trouble.

Xiaoyu is indeed clever and quirky, but she's still a kid at heart. She doesn't really understand adult matters."

Ceng Li understood her own family's temperaments and dispositions very well.

It was precisely based on this that she proposed the seemingly unreliable method of pretending to be a couple.

"I'm at my wits' end with my mom too. You have no idea how outrageous the request she made this Chinese New Year was.

2k novel

She said if I don't bring a boyfriend home for her to see this year, she won't let me come home for New Year."

Mentioning her mother's demand, Ceng Li smiled helplessly.

Ceng Li had an oval face, and especially those eyes, which carried the very classical charm of an Eastern beauty.

Shaped like a folding fan, with upturned outer corners, they were especially spirited while also appearing delicate and alluring.

Under the gentle caress of the evening breeze and the dim yellow streetlight, Ceng Li looked exceptionally charming.

His nostrils caught the faint fragrance drifting from her—not strong, but refreshing to the heart.

Cheng Chen couldn't help staring, and before she noticed, he quickly cleared his throat to cover his embarrassment and said:

"Cough, cough, looks like our parents are all anxious. My mom said the same thing to me during New Year.

She still thinks a girlfriend falls from the sky, ready for the taking whenever you want one."

"Ah!"

Hearing Cheng Chen's words, Ceng Li said in surprise:

"At such a young age, your family is already pushing you to get married?"

Cheng Chen said helplessly:

"Nothing I can do, that's how it is in the countryside. Boys settle down early. Forgive me for saying something immodest—

Sure, I'm a celebrity now with a bit of fame.

But in front of my mom, compared to those kids my age who are already old enough to run errands, I'm far behind."

Hearing Cheng Chen's words, Ceng Li was silent for a moment, then patted his shoulder teasingly and said:

"You've had it harder than me. At least at your age, my mom never nagged me about it."

"Come on, Sister Li, can't you understand me like your name suggests? (Understand) Long live Sister Li!"

Hearing Cheng Chen's pun, and seeing his innocent expression, Ceng Li let out a "puchi" laugh.

That laugh, as if a hundred charms bloomed at once.

"Sister Li, you're really beautiful."

Looking at Ceng Li's radiant smile, Cheng Chen murmured.

Hearing Cheng Chen's compliment, Ceng Li's cheeks flushed slightly. She then lightly tapped his shoulder and said coquettishly:

"You brat, daring to flirt with your Sister Li!"

"Hehe, just telling the truth!"

Cheng Chen replied with a smile.

"I think you're asking for a beating."

Delicate fists rained down on Cheng Chen like raindrops, but Ceng Li's meager strength felt like nothing more than a tickle to him.

Cheng Chen stretched his body and groaned:

"Ahh, that feels good~"

Ceng Li, however, pulled back her fists,

and looked at him with a smile.

Cheng Chen felt a chill run through him under her gaze and said:

"Sister Li, I can agree to pretend to be your boyfriend as a shield.

But have you thought about what to do if they call tonight to check the room?"

"Check the room?"

Ceng Li looked puzzled.

"Otherwise, why do you think Auntie asked us that right before we left?"

Cheng Chen replied.

"No way, my mom can't be that bored, right?"

Cheng Chen shook his head and said:

"It's not like that, Li-jie—you're still underestimating how determined Auntie is about you finding a boyfriend.

The fact that she traveled all the way from E Province to Jingcheng proves how serious she is.

Besides, if—just hypothetically—they called to check on us and I wasn't there, it wouldn't matter much.

After all, we're not married; it's normal not to live together.

But your goal isn't just to avoid suspicion—you want Auntie to believe I'm really your boyfriend.

So what if she calls tonight and I answer… hmm."

Cheng Chen didn't finish his sentence, but Ceng Li nodded in agreement:

"That's a good idea. Even if they don't call me, we can take the initiative and dispel their doubts!"

Cheng Chen gave her a thumbs-up and said:

"You're teachable!"

Ignoring the teasing tone in Cheng Chen's words, Ceng Li hurriedly said:

"Alright, let's book a suite tonight—how about midnight?"

No, that's too early—two a. m. is better. Then we can just make up some excuse to call my mom.

You just say a couple of things to prove we're together, that's all."

"Perfect!"

Cheng Chen agreed, then added:

"No need to go to a hotel—just come to my place. If we go to a hotel, paparazzi might snap photos."

As entertainers, going to a hotel with someone of the opposite sex—

after all, you never know when a paparazzo might pop up out of nowhere.

"Hmm…"

Ceng Li instinctively felt uneasy, but after a moment's thought, she said:

"It's not impossible…"

Hearing this, Cheng Chen felt a quiet thrill.

…

After arriving at Cheng Chen's home, he tidied up the spare room and said:

"Li-jie, the sheets and pillowcases are all new—just make do for tonight."

"Thanks for the trouble."

Ceng Li smiled.

"Hey, no trouble at all."

Cheng Chen nodded, set down the sheets and blankets, then returned to his own room.

To be honest, he did have feelings for Ceng Li, but such things couldn't be achieved casually.

Between men and women, aside from the extreme push-pull between players and heartbreakers,

or rare exceptions, most people remain in a state of passive waiting—

not resisting, but waiting for the other to make the first move, and the groundwork in this phase is crucial.

Cheng Chen and Ceng Li were still in this groundwork phase; how long it would take…

depended on Ceng Li's state and Cheng Chen's own ability.

Pushing these thoughts aside, Cheng Chen washed up and sat down at his computer to begin working.

For the Japan concert tour, Cheng Chen felt both nervous and eager.

Japan—this market needed to be thoroughly harvested; those were all cash!

So he placed great importance on the first stop of the tour.

Accordingly, his previous songs, though wildly popular, clearly no longer satisfied his desire to harvest the Japanese market.

It was time to release new songs…

Japan is an extremely repressed society; its people are conservative.

Many won't even express their true thoughts in front of friends.

They prefer to follow the crowd, dislike standing out, and uphold the principle that silence is golden.

Even highly talented individuals rarely reveal themselves.

Moreover, excessive consideration for others makes Japanese society deeply repressive.

For example, in elevators or trains, Japanese people avoid speaking, fearing they might disturb others…

Of course, this was another culture's norm; Cheng Chen wouldn't over-explain it.

But what if, after expressing oneself, one's emotions and frustrations could be elevated?

That was a subject worth studying—just as many Japanese drama reviews contain this line:

"Japanese dramas help people see the cruelty of life, yet still love their ordinary existence."

Of course, this line was adapted from Romain Rolland.

But at least it expressed a certain attitude.

"Hmm… let's start from this angle—what Japanese songs fit this trait?"

Suddenly, Cheng Chen's mind flashed a name: Tianjing Xuan Shi… no, it was Mi Jing Xuan Shi!

This singer is utterly unique in Japan.

From her early alternative style to composing mainstream classics beloved by the public.

From expressing uncomprehended inner cries to soothing hearts with uplifting warmth.

From a singer speaking of herself to voicing the shared emotions of an entire era.

Undeniably, Mi Jing Xuan Shi is a genius!

Mi Jing Xuan Shi is called in Japan a musical talent that appears only once every ten years.

She is called "God" by Japanese youth.

When you first hear Mi Jing Xuan Shi, you think her songs are strange, even odd.

But her songs have strong lingering power.

After listening more, you realize this person, whether in alternative style or mainstream classic,

Whether expressing inner anguish or offering comfort, can reach straight into your heart.

This perfectly matches the chuunibyou vibe of Japan's younger generation, so her music sells well in Japan.

"Mi Jing Xuan Shi… 'Lemon'!"

Many people know Mi Jing Xuan Shi through this song, "Lemon."

Of course, its success is inseparable from the Japanese drama "Unnatural."

It sold 300,000 copies in its first week, with cumulative digital downloads exceeding 3 million.

It became the highest-selling digital single of the year, and its music video surpassed 400 million views!

Many singers in China have imitated it, and it's deeply loved by many!

After confirming the first song, Cheng Chen immediately began writing down the melody and lyrics from memory.

It's a Japanese song, but fortunately, in his past life he had listened to it repeatedly.

He could recall both the melody and the original lyrics.

"If only all this were a dream."

"Even now, I still find your figure in my dreams."

"Like returning home to retrieve something forgotten."

"Cleaning dust from buried memories."

"Happiness can no longer be regained."

"It was you who finally told me…"

Cheng Chen held his guitar, practicing the Japanese lyrics and melody.

"Dengdeng."

"Come in."

Cheng Chen put down his guitar and looked toward the door.

"I saw your light was still on—didn't I disturb you?"

Ceng Li smiled.

She had changed into the pajamas she bought on her way back—a black silk robe that added maturity to her allure.

Such an alluring pajama…

"Hehe, no, I was just practicing—didn't I disturb you?"

Cheng Chen tore his gaze from her chest and grinned.

"Of course not! You just sang a Japanese song—amazing, you even know Japanese!"

Ceng Li exclaimed.

"Heh, just rote memorization—I don't really know Japanese. I'm preparing for a concert in Japan, after all."

"Sharpening the axe at the last minute—even if slow, it shines!"

Cheng Chen said.

But Ceng Li praised:

"Very standard. When I was filming, there was a Japanese actor on set who said 'baka!'"

At the end, Ceng Li suddenly stiffened her face, imitating that Japanese actor.

"Excellent, very imposing—at least Dazuo level."

Cheng Chen teased.

"Dazuo?"

Ceng Li blinked her big eyes, looking puzzled, then suddenly understood. She grabbed a pillow from the bed and threw it at Cheng Chen:

"Naughty~"

"Hahaha!"

Cheng Chen laughed, then said:

"Girls should learn elegant words, like the Japanese 'yamete kudasai.'"

"Yamete? What does that mean?"

Ceng Li looked at Cheng Chen with complete innocence.

Seeing her pure expression, Cheng Chen felt slightly guilty for his mischievous thoughts and said:

"Uh… it means 'no,' hehe."

"Oh, so if I want to refuse something you ask me to do, I can say 'yamete'?"

Ceng Li asked further.

"Well... pretty much that."

Cheng Chen evaded the question.

Oh my god, that's killing me.

The images of his Japanese teachers in his mind were now gradually merging with Ceng Li's.

"Ding-ding!"

A bell suddenly rang in the room.

"Oh... my phone—it's my mom calling..."

Ceng Li looked at the caller ID and said to Cheng Chen.

Sure enough, Cheng Chen had guessed right! Ceng Li's mother was calling to check up on them!

Cheng Chen nodded, signaling her to answer the call.

After turning on speakerphone, Ceng Li said:

"Hi Mom, you're still awake?"

"Hmm, a bit restless in bed... What are you doing?"

Ceng Li glanced at Cheng Chen, holding the phone:

"Me? I'm at home with Cheng Chen!"

"At home?"

"Yeah, at Cheng Chen's place."

Though she knew it was fake, Ceng Li still felt a little embarrassed.

"Oh, so you're resting?"

"Yeah, just about to rest."

"Are you resting—or out shopping?"

Ceng Li's mother asked.

Cheng Chen glanced at the time—it was already midnight. Who goes shopping at this hour!

Clearly, Ceng Li's mother was suspicious—she was probing whether they were really staying together.

Cheng Chen walked up to Ceng Li and patted her thigh.

The silk pajamas felt smooth and had good elasticity.

"Ah!"

Startled by Cheng Chen's sudden touch, Ceng Li let out a cry.

"What happened?"

The voice on the phone immediately asked with concern.

Cheng Chen, however, remained calm and said:

"Sorry, I accidentally pressed on your hair... Auntie, we're just about to rest.

If you're having trouble sleeping, why not come stay here for the night? There's an extra room.

It's more comfortable than a hotel."

"Oh, no need. You two get some rest too."

Ceng Li's mother replied slowly.

"Alright, good night."

Cheng Chen smiled.

"Duh-duh-duh..."

The dial tone buzzed through the receiver; Cheng Chen and Ceng Li exchanged glances...

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