Chapter 135: Li Luo, You

"Whenever I lift my head for you~"

"Even tears feel free~"

"Some love falls like sunlight~"

"Gaining even as you lose~"

In the living room, the song ended.

Ying Chanxi was lost in the emotion of the song, holding the lyrics Li Luo had just written, reading them as she listened.

"The lyrics are so beautiful," Ying Chanxi couldn't help exclaiming. "I have no idea how you wrote them."

Fireworks lit the bubbles, eyes chased the starry river, shadows wandered after the light's dream, and freedom was used to describe tears.

Each image was ordinary and common, but when paired together, they stirred a strange, unexpected, yet strangely fitting tremor.

It was as if a feather pen had plucked at the strings of the heart.

It was like leaning by the window listening to rain, the mind filled with the fizzing wonder of a bag of pop rocks.

Ying Chanxi's Chinese grades weren't bad, but after thinking about it, she realized she probably couldn't write lines like these.

Maybe once in a while, with good luck, inspiration would strike and she'd get something, but she could never pour out so many lingering, evocative descriptions as if they cost nothing.

Originally, Ying Chanxi had thought that the simple lyric style of "Wait for You After Class" was Li Luo's usual songwriting style.

But unexpectedly, once "The Light Chaser" was released, the lyrics of "Wait for You After Class" instantly seemed pale in comparison.

It wasn't that one was better than the other, but "The Light Chaser"'s poetic beauty clearly stirred the literary sensibilities of certain people more.

The lyrics of "Wait for You After Class" were relatively straightforward, its emotional expression less subtle than "The Light Chaser."

The former was like a bold boy confessing his feelings; the latter, a girl with delicate emotions.

Each had its own flavor.

But.

"I feel the MV for this song will be hard to shoot," Ying Chanxi said with some frustration. "Fireworks, waves, fireflies, rainbows—all of it."

"That's exactly why you, Director Ying, need to step in."

"Hmph." Ying Chanxi was deeply pleased inside, but kept her expression calm. "Finish shooting 'Wait for You After Class' first."

"Whatever you say."

After sharing the song, Li Luo went to make lunch.

After lunch, with a short rest, the three headed to school together.

Xu Youyu had to continue handling some sports meet matters; Ying Chanxi needed to keep attending math competition training.

Li Luo, backpack on his back and plastic bag in hand, parted from Ying Chanxi at the third-floor staircase and entered Classroom Eight.

By then, about ten classmates had already arrived.

They were all students whose midterm scores hadn't been good, so they chose to come to school on Sunday afternoons for remedial classes.

After a brief preparation in the classroom, each one followed the schedule set by the teacher, carrying paper and pens to their assigned classrooms.

Li Luo sat for a while, then waited for Yan Zhusheng to arrive.

"Thanks for the computer yesterday—it worked great."

"You're welcome," Yan Zhusheng said, blinking, and placed her backpack on the seat. "Shall we go to the activity room now?"

"Yeah, but wait a moment." Li Luo rummaged in the plastic bag, then handed something to Yan Zhusheng.

Yan Zhusheng took it curiously and found it was a very small harmonica.

"A gift for you," Li Luo said. "When I went to your house to record, I saw all the instruments in your studio—you clearly don't lack those—so I could only give you this little thing."

"It's fine," Yan Zhusheng said, her eyes sparkling. She carefully unwrapped the plastic packaging and took out the harmonica.

She placed it to her lips, tested the pitch briefly, then softly played—and "The Light Chaser" filled the classroom.

"You learned it fast," Li Luo said, surprised. "You only got the sheet music yesterday, and you've already practiced it today?"

"I practiced at home last night," Yan Zhusheng said. "Will you come to my house to record sometime?"

Li Luo shook his head and chuckled. "You should sing this one. I think maybe because I sang 'Wait for You After Class,' your mom's company didn't take notice."

"No," Yan Zhusheng shook her head. "They mainly focus on film and variety shows; besides my mom, they don't have many singers."

"And physical albums don't sell well anymore. Singers don't earn as much as before."

"Many professional singers are shifting away from focusing solely on album production."

"Unless it's a song that blows people away at first listen, or one written by a well-known composer, it's hard for them to pick it."

Hearing this, Li Luo could understand.

"How's 'Year Rings' doing now?"

"'Year Rings' is being re-recorded," Yan Zhusheng said. "Aunt Luo Fei redid the arrangement, and my mom is singing it."

"The drama should air by the end of the month."

"You'll be able to watch it online then."

Li Luo had little expectation for "Year Rings," since after it was posted online, it hadn't made much of a splash.

Most listeners were just readers of "I Am Really Not a Star" going to hear the song.

As for the drama "Jade Pool Immortal Affinity," Li Luo had never paid attention to such things in his past life, so he knew nothing about it.

But since he'd never heard of it, it must not have been popular back then.

So Li Luo lowered his expectations.

After all, the TV-related playback rights for the song had been sold, the money was in hand—whether it succeeded afterward was no longer his concern.

After discussing these things, the two tidied up briefly and headed to the activity room together.

The harmonica Li Luo bought came with a small carrying case; Yan Zhusheng packed it away and could slip it straight into her pocket, so she carried it with her.

As they went downstairs, they happened to run into Xie Shuchen and Liu Shaowen.

"Huh, Li Luo." Liu Shaowen spotted Li Luo and warmly greeted him, "Are you two going to practice singing with Xie Shuchen?"

Li Luo nodded and politely asked, "Where are you headed?"

"To attend physics competition training," Liu Shaowen said. "The classroom is on Gao Er's floor—I have to rush downstairs."

"By the way," Xie Shuchen glanced at Li Luo and smirked, "Li Luo, did you sign up for the 3000 meters?"

"Yeah, so what?"

"This kid Liu Shaowen signed up too," Xie Shuchen chuckled. "You two better cheer each other on."

"Do you think I wanted to sign up?" Liu Shaowen grumbled. "I'm just glad if I can finish the whole thing."

"Who told you to be stupid enough to sign up for the 3000 meters?" Xie Shuchen sneered. "As soon as Ying Chanxi signed up for the 1500 meters, you went brain-dead and signed up for the 3000 without thinking—purely to impress yourself."

"What do you know?" Liu Shaowen frowned. "Ying Chanxi even complimented me—said I'm contributing to the class, unlike someone who raced hard for the 100 and 200 meters but won't win anything. Just wait—I'll laugh at you."

Yan Zhusheng watched the two bantering beside her and whispered to Li Luo, "Xixi is so popular."

"How can you say that?" Li Luo chuckled. "There are plenty of guys who like you too."

"What about you?" Yan Zhusheng tilted her head, gazing at him with innocent directness. "Do you like me too?"

"Talk to me when your dark circles disappear," Li Luo pointed at her eyes. "What time did you stay up last night?"

"Hmm... three in the morning."

"You really don't care about your life. Don't stay up this late today."

"I already finished," Yan Zhusheng admitted honestly. "Only two hundred thousand characters—Li Luo, you're so short."

Li Luo: "……Don't say things like that—they're not true."