Chapter 280

At midnight, in the bedroom.

Yuan Wanqing got out of bed, put on her robe, went to the bathroom, then returned to bed and snuggled into Ying Zhicheng's arms.

After their intimacy, they lingered in tenderness, exchanged intimate words, then gradually shifted the conversation to serious matters.

"We held a meeting this afternoon and roughly finalized the follow-up plan for your new album; the specifics are already being prepared," Ying Zhicheng said. "Next Wednesday, when your schedule frees up, we'll hold another meeting centered on you."

"New album…" At the mention of it, Yuan Wanqing couldn't help laughing. "I never imagined my second album after my comeback would be entirely produced by my daughter's classmate."

"And it's even my good buddy's son," Ying Zhicheng chuckled helplessly, pinching the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "This kid's just bizarre—how did he even write them?"

"People with talent are probably like this—impossible to explain by ordinary logic," Yuan Wanqing laughed. "Besides, they're all pop songs, relatively speaking, not too outrageous."

"You don't get it," Ying Zhicheng shook his head. "You have no idea what he was like in middle school—if you did, you'd feel the same disbelief as I do."

"People grow," Yuan Wanqing said warmly, clearly fond of Li Luo. "Anyway, the plan I mentioned to you before—your side has approved it, right?"

"Mm… but we still need to take another look," Ying Zhicheng said. "Promoting a new song through a novel… this idea seems utterly insane, even absurd."

"But the song 'Wait for You After Class' worked incredibly well, didn't it?" Yuan Wanqing sat up straight in bed, her voice eager. "According to Li Luo, that was just everyday plot in his novel."

"By the time I release my new album, he'll have prepared main storyline content to align with it."

"The effect then will probably be even better."

Hearing this, Ying Zhicheng fell into thought. "I haven't read his book carefully—what exactly does he mean by 'main storyline alignment'?"

"I did ask Li Luo and Zhu Sheng about it," Yuan Wanqing considered, then said. "His novel's protagonist is in the entertainment industry, and the plot revolves around it."

"So he plans to have a female lead in the novel—a skilled singer—appear on a singing variety show."

"She sings one song in the novel, and I release the same song at the same time—mutual promotion."

"This kind of plot interaction will definitely be far more effective than last time."

Hearing this, Ying Zhicheng finally understood and nodded in realization.

"He really came up with this… kind of interesting." He stroked his chin, then asked, "How many songs has he prepared for you so far? Can he really supply an entire album?"

"Six already," Yuan Wanqing laughed. "And the two new ones are just as good as the earlier ones."

"So fast?" Ying Zhicheng blinked in surprise. But since Yuan Wanqing said so, he didn't question it—only felt astonished at Li Luo's speed.

How does writing songs feel like a sow giving birth… This guy still goes to school and writes Online Novels, yet still finds time to write songs.

And he's excelling at all three.

That's just insane.

"At this rate, I feel the remaining songs will all be out within the next two months," Yuan Wanqing couldn't help saying. "Maybe we won't even wait until year-end—looks like we could finish the album by summer vacation."

Hearing this, Ying Zhicheng fell silent.

His mind began turning, as if catching a glimmer of inspiration.

After what seemed like a long while, he suddenly looked up at Yuan Wanqing, eyes sharp: "How confident are you in these songs of his?"

Yuan Wanqing was puzzled by his sudden question. "How am I supposed to answer that? At least in terms of potential popularity, they'll be much better than my last album."

"Do you think they're suitable for competitions?"

"What do you mean?"

"Songs you could actually use in singing contests," Ying Zhicheng clarified.

"You mean…" Yuan Wanqing's eyes lit up suddenly. "Are we going to coordinate with the novel too?"

"We'll need to see the quality of these songs first."

Yuan Wanqing fell silent for a moment, recalling the songs Li Luo had given her, then nodded firmly: "I think it's fine."

"Good!" Ying Zhicheng smiled. "Then let's try it."

"But you haven't said what exactly we're trying."

"I'm not sure yet," Ying Zhicheng said. "I need to reach out to contacts and see which show would fit best."

"If possible, try to pick a program during summer vacation?"

"I just don't know if your album and the novel's plot will be ready in time."

Seeing him serious, Yuan Wanqing also thought seriously, then said: "I can find time to talk to Li Luo about the details."

"He already had Zhu Sheng mention this to me."

"If we can confirm the new album's release date early, it's best to tell him about two months ahead—he'll need time to plan the storyline."

"Alright," Ying Zhicheng nodded, already having a plan. "I'll try to give you an answer within these two months."

"Now that the serious business is done," Yuan Wanqing leaned back into Ying Zhicheng's arms, her smooth bare leg brushing against him under the covers, and smiled lightly. "Let's do some more serious business."

"…Who was it that told me not to bother you?"

"Did I? I don't remember."

…

April 6th, after returning from the Qingming Festival holiday.

Fuyi High School began preparing for the Three Ball Games.

Although the competition was open only to first-year students, members of the student council from all grades still had to participate in the preparations.

"So why aren't there any soccer matches in the Three Ball Games?" After the meeting, as they walked downstairs, Li Luo asked his soul-question.

"How many soccer teams do you think you can form from sixteen first-year classes?" Xu Youyu gave him a look. "Have you ever played soccer in your life?"

"No."

"Then there you go."

"Sigh…" Li Luo shook his head. "That's why the national team is hopeless."

"You're worried about that now?" Ying Chanxi glanced at him. "What event are you signing up for?"

"Me?" Li Luo shook his head. "I'll probably just join the class basketball tournament—I'm not good at badminton or table tennis. What about you?"

"I'll probably sign up for badminton," Ying Chanxi said after thinking. "I mentioned it to Zhu Sheng before, and she invited me to compete with her."

"Huh?" Li Luo blinked, then his expression turned slightly odd. "Have you ever played badminton with her?"

"Never played. Why?"

"Nothing. You'll find out when the time comes."

After going downstairs, Li Luo parted ways with the two and returned to Class Eight's classroom.

The moment he stepped through the back door, for some reason, Li Luo noticed Lin Yuan and Fang Chen casting glances his way.

In addition, Zhu Yufei and Zhang Guohuang also glanced at him unintentionally.

For some reason, over the past two days, the way these people looked at him always felt… off.

Could it be because of the upcoming basketball tournament?

That's possible.

Thinking of this, Li Luo walked up to the podium and, during the brief gap after lunch break ended, informed the class about this month's three major sports events.

For badminton and table tennis, there were men's and women's divisions, with individual class sign-ups and no minimum team size required.

But during the meeting, Xu Youyu said everyone should try to have at least one participant per event per class.

That's four people already.

Aside from that, there was the basketball tournament.

Unlike the other two events, which allowed individual sign-ups, the basketball tournament was a mandatory class competition for all sixteen first-year classes.

Of course, to save time, the schedule was simple.

The sixteen classes would draw lots and compete in head-to-head elimination matches.

One match per Saturday, and after four rounds, the champion would be decided—a straightforward, brutal format.

"Girls, sign up with Yan Zhusheng. Boys, sign up with Zhu Yufei," Li Luo concluded. "For students who choose to compete, I'll cover all drinks during the events."

"Oh, by the way—if you're not good at any event but still want to support your classmates, you can also sign up for the cheerleading squad."

"Just sign up with Yan Zhusheng. You'll be responsible for cheering everyone on, and drinks are free."

A competition isn't just about the participants—it needs enthusiastic spectators to feel lively.

Spending a little money to boost everyone's excitement for the event? Li Luo was more than happy to do it.

But as he walked back to his seat from the podium, Li Luo had the feeling that Xu Guangtao, Yan Zhusheng's desk-mate in front, sneaked a glance at him.

Zhu Huiyan beside him also seemed to look his way.

Though their glances were perfectly normal, they left Li Luo with a strange, uneasy feeling.

But he couldn't quite say why.

"Class monitor, I signed you up for basketball," Zhu Yufei called out to Li Luo. "Interested in any other events?"

"Just basketball is fine," Li Luo waved him off. "You guys handle the rest."

"Got it!"

Back at his seat, Li Luo watched the girls lining up at Yan Zhusheng's side to sign up for the competition or cheerleading squad, and swallowed the words he'd been about to say.

As class was about to start and everyone gradually returned to their seats, Li Luo whispered quietly: "Has anything weird been going on in class lately? I keep feeling everyone's looking at me strangely."

"Really?" Yan Zhusheng shook her head, bewildered. "No, everyone's normal. Maybe you're overthinking it?"

Li Luo fell silent for a moment, thinking perhaps he really was overthinking it.

"Oh, by the way." Yan Zhusheng suddenly remembered something and spoke to Li Luo.

"What is it?"

"My mom told me to pass this along," Yan Zhusheng carefully said, choosing her words. "There's new progress on the collaboration—she wants to know when you're free to meet and discuss details."

"Is it urgent?"

"Not really," Yan Zhusheng shook her head. "She said anytime before month-end is fine."

"Alright, I understand."

"We'll also sign the contracts then," Yan Zhusheng added. "You haven't signed the contracts for your two new songs yet—especially 'Wait for You After Class.'"

"Huh?" Li Luo blinked. "What does 'Wait for You After Class' have to do with this? Its style doesn't fit Aunt Yuan at all."

"It's not my mom who wants it," Yan Zhusheng shook her head. "It was submitted to the film and television department—they have a drama called 'Your Life After Mine,' and your song fits it well, so they want to buy the TV rights."

"I see…" Li Luo nodded, then couldn't help laughing. "So it's actually sellable?"

"Mm." Yan Zhusheng nodded. "But since they rejected your song for so long, you don't have to sell it if you don't want to."

"How much?"

"One hundred fifty thousand."

"One hundred fifty thousand—for just TV rights?"

"Yes."

"I guess I can forgive them," Li Luo said seriously. "Besides, the ones who rejected my song were the music department—they have nothing to do with the film and TV department, right?"

"That makes sense," Yan Zhusheng agreed. "I'll tell my mom."

"Alright."

"Have you thought of any songs for the later tracks of my mom's new album?" Yan Zhusheng asked curiously. "She's already recording the earlier ones."

"Well," Li Luo smiled. "Do you want to hear them? If you do, I'll write them."

"I do," Yan Zhusheng's eyes lit up instantly. "Please, I beg you."

Li Luo: "…You could at least pretend to have some pride."

"What's the use of pride?" Yan Zhusheng tilted her head. "I want to hear them."

"Class is about to start," Li Luo pointed to the alarm clock on the wall. "I'll sing them to you during tonight's night run."

Hearing this, Yan Zhusheng narrowed her eyes, displeased: "Then why tell me now? I can't hear them!"

"You asked first. Don't play the victim."

"You're naughty."

"Fine, then I won't sing tonight either."

"Li Luo... you're the best."

Li Luo watched her rapid mood shift and couldn't help laughing; he pinched her cheek. "You're way too easy to tease."

"So will you sing tonight?"

"I will," Li Luo chuckled and nodded. "But the two new songs I prepared suit Aunt Yuan's style better—I don't think I can capture that feeling singing them myself."

Yan Zhusheng blinked, then shook her head, indicating she didn't mind.

Still, she couldn't help asking: "Is this custom-made?"

"I guess so?" Li Luo thought for a moment. He had indeed searched specifically and found two songs that matched Aunt Yuan Wanqing's style.

If there's a chance to perform them live, the effect would be excellent.

After all, she's Yan Zhusheng's mother—it's only right to put in extra effort.

But Yan Zhusheng tightened her small face and muttered softly: "I want one too."