Chapter 20: No One Has More Love Than Me

"If that's the case, then it seems acceptable." Hearing Zhou Yi say this, Sun Yanzi pondered thoughtfully.

If the positioning doesn't conflict, then guest-starring as the MV's female lead is really nothing to hesitate over; the company wouldn't refuse internally. It's just internal digestion between new artists, which is very normal in any record label.

"OK, then it's settled."

Having received a definite response, Zhou Yi raised his hand and snapped his fingers, leaning back comfortably in his chair: "As for the issue of Zhang Shaohan's participation, I'll go chat with Mr. Zhou later and have him send a contract to Fomao."

Speaking, he thought of another matter, smiling and tilting his head to look at Zhang Shaohan, whose face showed surprise: "By the way, Zhang Shaohan, you shouldn't have an agent yet, right? You'll save a share of the money taken, so don't forget to treat us later."

Zhang Shaohan, whose lips had been moving for a long time without being able to say a word, suddenly stood up from her chair and thanked the man sitting in the chair once more solemnly: "I really thank you very much, Brother Yi, really."

This sudden formality made both Zhou Yi and Sun Yanzi freeze in place for a moment.

"... Actually, you really don't have to be so formal, making it seem like I'm your benefactor." Zhou Yi, who knew the subsequent timeline history, had a somewhat strange expression on his face.

Not long after, singer Zhang Shaohan would welcome an explosion on her path as an idol drama actress, soaring from then on, becoming extremely popular.

He did this purely to cultivate a good karmic connection.

"No, for me, actually, Brother Yi, you are my benefactor."

Looking at the man in front of her who was only one year older than herself yet so talented that it made Warner's high executives bow their heads, Zhang Shaohan's face darkened. She gritted her teeth and told the truth: "Speaking of which, you might not believe it, but my family is really poor, really, really poor.

"Since I was in middle school, most of the electrical appliances used in my home were prizes I won by participating in singing competitions, because my family had no money to buy those big items.

"After coming to Fomao Records on the Treasure Island, I originally thought I could debut and improve my family's living conditions, but in fact I have always been receiving training in a singer training class. I still have to support myself with living expenses, so I work two jobs a day and also send money home.

"Brother Yi suddenly nominated me to sing a duet with you and also let me participate as the MV's female lead. For me, who is currently short of money, this is truly a timely rain..."

During the past two days of getting along, whether it was Sun Yanzi's background from a wealthy family or Zhou Yi's speech that completely didn't match his age, Zhang Shaohan, who grew up in a poor family, felt a certain amount of inferiority.

Although their ages were not much different, Sun Yanzi and Zhou Yi sometimes discussed topics she couldn't even interject in, or even didn't understand at all.

She felt Zhou Yi must also come from a wealthy family in the mainland; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to get along with Sun Yanzi, who comes from a scholarly family.

Being friends with these two, to be honest, Zhang Shaohan always felt pressure, especially under the circumstances where Zhou Yi was taking such good care of her.

Even giving her the position of MV female lead was equivalent to giving her a debut spot facing the public.

She came to record a song and is also a reserve singer; naturally, she can tell whether a song is good or not, whether the melody is catchy, and whether the quality is high.

To be honest, regarding Zhou Yi's songs, if Warner were to choose, not to mention the MV, she wouldn't even have a share in the duet part.

She has a clear understanding of her own abilities.

In a sense, Zhou Yi is the one who truly recognized her talent.

Previously, she hadn't revealed her difficulties, which was due to a certain kind of inferiority, but now she really couldn't hold it in anymore.

The hand Zhou Yi extended directly lifted the dark clouds covering her head, letting her see the sunlight she hadn't been able to see during her year at Fomao.

A debut spot, and even a Warner-promoted singer's MV debut spot—how could this not make her excited?

"Although I'm not very clear about your current financial situation, helping you is still a good thing."

Zhou Yi, equally surprised by Zhang Shaohan's current straitened living conditions, raised an eyebrow and smiled to lighten the serious and formal atmosphere: "Even though I don't really like the title 'timely rain'."

"Why?"

Sun Yanzi, sitting nearby, was somewhat puzzled: "Is there something wrong with that title?"

"I don't like Song Jiang, but this title always makes me think of him." Zhou Yi shrugged, and after stating his reason, he was immediately met with two looks of incomprehension—

"Song Jiang?"

"Song Jiang?"

"...'Water Margin', haven't you read it?"

The two women instinctively looked at each other, then shook their heads simultaneously—

Zhang Shaohan: "Haven't read it, only heard of it."

Sun Yanzi: "My father has 'Water Margin' in his study, but I flipped through a few pages, felt it was uninteresting, and put it back. I don't really understand the meaning inside."

Zhou Yi: "..."

Then it's fine.

He almost forgot that one grew up in Canada and the other is Singaporean; their living environments naturally wouldn't be the same as in the mainland.

If they aren't interested in 'Water Margin' and haven't seen the 'Water Margin' TV drama, it's normal not to know Song Jiang the Timely Rain. What should be able to completely sweep through overseas Chinese and Chinese people should be 'Journey to the West' and 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'.

Sun Yanzi, who rarely saw Zhou Yi speechless since they met, laughed out loud without any restraint. Zhang Shaohan, feeling slightly embarrassed, obediently sat back down in her chair, not knowing what to say for a moment.

She couldn't possibly laugh along with Sun Yanzi, although it was indeed rare to see Zhou Yi in such a 'defeated' state.

"For someone who graduated from a prestigious university and comes from a scholarly family, you laugh so loudly." Zhou Yi, unable to bear Sun Yanzi's 'arrogant' look, retorted.

"I'm not interested in 'Water Margin'. If you ask me about knowledge related to the Three Kingdoms, I can definitely answer." Unconcerned, Sun Yanzi proudly raised an eyebrow, her crossed legs swinging back and forth, her left hand's five fingers plucking at the apple she hadn't finished eating, smiling.

"I don't believe it."

"If you don't believe it, just ask."

"Who did Sima Zhao kill?"

"Sima Zhao killed—huh????" Sun Yanzi, instantly stuck, was immediately filled with question marks in her head. Zhang Shaohan, watching from the side, also had her little brain instantly plunge into a storm of thoughts.

Glancing proudly at the two, Zhou Yi was just about to continue causing trouble, but the phone in his pocket suddenly rang—

Taking it out, the caller ID clearly showed a strange number.

Feeling puzzled, Zhou Yi pressed the answer key: "Hello? Who is this?"

"Mr. Zhou, hello. I am Wen Lan, the Wen Lan you saved last night." From the other end of the phone came a female voice that was gentle yet still carried a trace of weakness.

"Oh, Miss Wen, is there something you need?"

"Sorry to disturb you. Here's the thing: I wanted to ask when Mr. Zhou has time. Liu Genhong, Jay Chou, and I were thinking of treating you to a meal to express our gratitude."

"You're already discharged?" Hearing this, Zhou Yi was amazed.

"Yes. Next, we just need to rest at home for a while. This is all thanks to you, Mr. Zhou."

"It was a small favor. You set a time; I'm free within these three days."

"Then choosing a day is not as good as seizing the day. How about tonight, Mr. Zhou?"

"No problem."

Having just hung up the phone after settling tonight's plans in a few words, Zhou Yi saw Sun Yanzi and Zhang Shaohan both looking at him with rather gossipy eyes, and asked, puzzled, "What is it, you two?"

"The hero-saving-the-beauty trope is done, and Little Junior Brother is so handsome—following the Wu Xia drama formula, is the hero about to carry the beauty off next?"

Sun Yanzi, chewing on fruit flesh, curved her brows and smiled with particular playfulness: "Do you have a girlfriend back on the mainland?"

Hearing this, Zhang Shaohan's eyes immediately lit up, and she began looking forward to the man's answer.

Zhou Yi, waving the Nokia in his hand, met Sun Yanzi's playful gaze, then a teasing smile tugged at the corner of his mouth: "Of course not. I'm still so young—how could I let myself be weighed down by feelings, giving up a whole forest for one tree?"

"Pfft, can't tell Little Junior Brother is a scumbag after all."

"Don't slander me, I'm not a scumbag. Anyone on the mainland who knows me knows I never toy with other people's feelings—I'm just a very loving person, that's all."

"Really? How much loving-kindness do you have?" Sun Yanzi, waving the apple in her hand, replied with an ambiguous, playful tone.

"Pfft, how should I describe it to you… let me put it this way: there probably isn't anyone in this world more loving than me."

Zhou Yi spread his hands, grinning teasingly: "No one."