Chapter 10: Chapter Ten: Tears of Gratitude

“Good morning, Shaohan.”

“Good morning, Teacher Lu.”

Baodao, Fumao Records, Singer Training Class.

Zhang Shaohan, who had returned to Baodao from Canada during her break to attend singer training, smiled sweetly at her trainer.

A year ago, she was just an ordinary Chinese-Canadian student who, after winning first place in the Canadian division of the “China Radio Star Pop Competition,” was invited to Baodao for the finals.

There, she caught the eye of judge Lin Longxuan, signed with him, and became his student, joining Fumao Records.

Because her studies were not yet complete, Zhang Shaohan could only fly to Baodao whenever she had free time for singer training. During training, she earned no income and had to work at a clothing store to supplement her living expenses.

She had grown used to this daily grind.

She had expected today to be another normal day—morning theory, afternoon singing practice, evening part-time work—but upon entering the company, her actual mentor, Lin Longxuan, called her into his office—

“Teacher, you wanted to see me?”

Eighteen-year-old Zhang Shaohan pushed open the office door and looked curiously at the man sitting in the leather chair, absorbed in some documents.

“Yes, Shaohan, you’ve come just in time. You don’t need to practice singing for now—someone has invited you to help record a song.”

“You can accept the offer; even if you don’t end up being selected, you’ll still receive a fee. If you’re chosen, Warner’s payment is substantial enough to support you for a long time without needing to work part-time.”

“Someone invited me to record? Who?”

Hearing this, Zhang Shaohan’s curiosity flared, and she reached out to take the envelope handed to her by her teacher.

She wasn’t a singer who had released an album—no, more accurately, she wasn’t even considered a singer yet.

“A new artist at Warner, a singer named Zhou Yi. He supposedly wrote the song himself and specifically requested you...”

Zhou Yi...?

As her teacher spoke, Zhang Shaohan strained to recall if she knew anyone named Zhou Yi—there was no one.

When she heard this Zhou Yi was from the mainland, her expression grew even stranger.

The mainland?

Could he be one of her mother’s relatives back there?

………………………………………………………………

“Relatives? Who’s related to her?”

Warner Records, waiting area outside the recording studio.

Zhou Yi, having handed the lyrics and melody of “Happy Worship” to Li Sisong and tried singing it a few times himself, now sat in the waiting area, waiting for Zhang Shaohan to arrive. He turned, puzzled: “How come you’re asking about relatives?”

Sun Yanzi, sitting slightly ahead and to his left in a green T-shirt, sipping warm water, asked curiously: “Then why did you specifically ask for Miss Zhang? She’s not even a singer.”

“I had a senior who went to Canada. We’re close—he showed me a recording of a singing competition. The winner was Zhang Shaohan.”

“I only know about her because my senior told me—he really liked her singing.”

Making up friends was something Zhou Yi had long grown used to. Besides, no one could prove he was lying—people would just think it a coincidence.

After all, Zhang Shaohan really did rise to prominence in Canada.

As for how he knew she was with Fumao Records, that was even simpler: it was because Lin Longxuan, who had offered to take her as a student during that competition.

“That explains it.”

Sun Yanzi nodded in understanding.

At this moment, the Peking University badge on Zhou Yi’s back lent his story great credibility—after all, in this era, top students from Peking University going abroad was perfectly normal.

Sun Yanzi, who herself attended a prestigious school in Singapore, easily accepted everything.

But thinking of the two songs she had sung with her junior last night, Sun Yanzi felt a faint itch in her heart.

Though her songwriting ability wasn’t top-tier, her musical appreciation was sharp.

Whether “Forced to Love” or “Happy Worship,” she could clearly sense the excellence and emotional power hidden behind the melodies.

Moreover, while “Forced to Love” was merely conventional romantic balladry, the lyrics of “Happy Worship” perfectly captured the spirit of this new millennium.

As a singer, encountering a great song naturally stirred her desire to sing it.

But sadly, during last night’s joyful duet, she had already realized her voice’s weakness for today’s recording of “Happy Worship”—

Not “sharp” enough.

As Zhou Yi said, the female vocal part in this song played a crucial coloring role, requiring a “sharp” voice that delivered a powerful impact in an instant.

She couldn’t do that.

Her voice had its own distinct qualities—healing, full, soft, and soaring, blended with unique diction and phrasing to create layered storytelling.

But precisely because of this, her high notes lacked that piercing “sharpness” capable of instantly stabbing the listener’s eardrums.

Especially when compared to Zhang Shaohan’s voice, a true tone monster.

That was precisely why, after their pleasant duet last night, Zhou Yi ultimately chose Zhang Shaohan to sing “Happy Worship.”

As for “Forced to Love,” Sun Yanzi’s duet with him last night had indeed been uniquely charming. But considering Zhang Shaohan’s monstrous tone, he still hadn’t decided who to pair with.

Record “Happy Worship” first.

Beside him, Sun Yanzi felt a quiet curiosity toward the unknown Zhang Shaohan Zhou Yi had mentioned.

About twenty minutes later, the door to the waiting room was knocked on—

Zhang Shaohan, arriving with Fumao Records staff, stood at the threshold, blinking her large eyes into the room, her gaze instantly locking onto Zhou Yi.

The company had shown her a photo from Warner—it was this man who had invited her to sing.

“Hello, I’m Zhang Shaohan, eighteen years old.”

Not knowing who Sun Yanzi was, Zhang Shaohan assumed she was a Warner executive and adopted a deeply humble posture.

“Hello, I’m Zhou Yi. This is my senior, Sun Yanzi, here to assist with recording.”

Upon hearing Zhang Shaohan’s voice for the first time, Zhou Yi could only silently marvel: no wonder they called her a tone monster—her voice was truly crystal-clear.

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Mr. Zhou.”

Now aware of Sun Yanzi’s identity, Zhang Shaohan understood and turned solely to Zhou Yi to express her gratitude.

Her thanks came from the bottom of her heart.

She didn’t know why this man knew about her, but this invitation had helped her immensely.

There was no choice—her family was poor. If she was chosen, Warner’s payment would sustain her comfortably for a long time.

Zhang Shaohan silently cheered herself on, her expression filled with determined resolve to win this chance.