Chapter 20: "The Southern Girl"

"Let’s not guess, let’s eat before the food gets cold," Su Chen said as he invited Han Jiangxue to the dining table.

"Tonight’s dinner is homemade, prepared especially to thank you, Boss Han. Please try it and see if it suits your taste."

Han Jiangxue’s eyes lit up at his words.

"You cooked this yourself? You know how to cook? Well, I must have a good taste then!"

She brought a bite to her mouth, and her eyes immediately curved with delight.

"This is delicious!" she exclaimed, marveling, "I never expected a man like you could cook, and so well!"

Su Chen spread his hands and replied, "Nowadays, a man who can’t cook probably won’t find a wife."

She laughed, "Oh, that’s not necessarily true. Someone as handsome and talented as you will always be wanted~"

The two chatted amiably as they ate.

"By the way, earlier today, Style Media approached me to sign a contract—an offer as a second-tier artist!"

Han Jiangxue paused, set down her chopsticks, and blinked at Su Chen, "Did you sign?"

He shook his head, "In the end, I didn’t."

"You turned down a second-tier contract?" Han Jiangxue looked incredulous.

Su Chen had anticipated her surprise. He explained, "I sold a song to Zhang Fuyu today, and during our conversation, I realized how restrictive the company is with its artists."

"Perhaps, at the start of my career, signing would make things smoother, but later, the contract would become a cage."

"So, I’ve decided to start a personal studio."

Han Jiangxue frowned, "Most stars develop under entertainment companies before opening their own studios. They go solo only when they have enough influence… You’re like someone trying to fight the boss dragon right at the start of the game!"

Su Chen smiled, "It’s not quite that dramatic. I have confidence in myself, and Style Media actually made things a bit easier for me."

Han Jiangxue paused, puzzled. "…Made it easier?"

"Yes. After I turned down their contract, the manager, Lu Hua, actually recommended me to Hunan TV’s ‘Tomorrow’s Star’!"

"I’m starting to wonder if I’m some secret illegitimate child of Style Media’s board!"

Han Jiangxue blushed, laughing, "Ahahaha… Maybe they just recognized your talent!"

"Let’s hope so. I don’t know if they’re trying to help me or sabotage me, but whatever the case, with the current buzz, I have to seize this opportunity and join the talent show."

"If nothing goes wrong, I should head to Shashi in a few days to record ‘Tomorrow’s Star’."

Han Jiangxue smiled, "Style Media is backed by a state-owned enterprise—they won’t try to mess with you. Just compete with confidence!"

"Good luck, I hope you find instant success!" Han Jiangxue raised her wine glass, holding it up to Su Chen.

Su Chen lifted his glass and clinked it with hers: "Thank you for your kind words!"

Han Jiangxue finished her drink in one gulp, then stood up at once, "You’re about to be on TV, so the gift I bought couldn’t be more perfect!"

"…What did you buy?" Su Chen was puzzled.

Han Jiangxue giggled, ran to the kitchen, and handed him a kitchen knife. Then she dragged the cardboard box from the living room over and said mysteriously, "Open it and you’ll see."

Curious, Su Chen set the package on a chair, used the knife to carefully cut through the tape.

Inside the box was an exquisite gift box. At a glance at the string of English letters on it, Su Chen knew immediately what it contained.

"Martin? You bought a guitar?" Su Chen was stunned.

Martin, transliterated as ‘Ma Ding’, is actually Martin, one of the world’s top acoustic guitar brands, and among the top ten guitar brands globally.

"You know this brand? I spent the whole afternoon picking it out~" Han Jiangxue said with a smile.

She had worried that Su Chen might not like the gift, but seeing his astonished expression, she realized she’d chosen well.

"You’re about to record the show, how can you go without a guitar?" she said. "Ever since I wanted to hear you sing last time and had to make a special trip, I’ve wanted to get you one, but I know nothing about this stuff."

"So this afternoon, I consulted some friends who know music, and they recommended this guitar. I’m glad you like it."

Su Chen didn’t respond right away. He asked, "How much did it cost?"

"Not much! I expected it to be tens of thousands, but it was just over ten thousand."

"…No, it’s too expensive, I can’t accept it," Su Chen protested.

Han Jiangxue immediately scolded, "Just take it! You think I’m giving it to you for nothing? I have conditions, you know!"

Su Chen was surprised, "What conditions?"

"I heard ‘Tomorrow’s Star’ invited Yan Mi. I want her autograph. If you could get a photo with her, that’d be even better!"

"…Huh?" Su Chen was puzzled, "As a rich kid, shouldn’t it be easy to meet celebrities?"

"My family is strict—I’m only now getting a little freedom… And money doesn’t guarantee you can buy a ticket!"

As she spoke, Han Jiangxue thought of those annoying scalpers and became furious.

Seeing her all puffed up with anger, Su Chen could only smile wryly and accept the guitar.

He sat on the sofa, took the guitar out of its case, and began tuning it.

It’s worth mentioning that Su Chen possessed absolute pitch in his previous life, and even after crossing over, he retained that ability.

He guessed that his sense for sound was a talent of the soul—otherwise, how could he have brought it along when transmigrating?

After a simple adjustment, Su Chen felt inspired and began humming a folk tune.

"In a northern village, lives a girl from the south."

"She always likes to wear floral dresses, standing by the roadside."

"She doesn’t talk much, but her smile is so calm and graceful."

"In her gentle eyes, what does she hold—is it the sorrow of longing…"

On her seat, Han Jiangxue watched Su Chen sing, and it was as if she saw a radiant glow shining from him.

"No wonder people say that a serious man is the most charming…" she murmured.

When Su Chen finished the verse and set down the guitar, she couldn’t wait to ask, "Is this a new song too? It’s beautiful!"

"…Have you decided on the title?" Su Chen looked at her, his lips curling into a smile.

"Yes, it’s called ‘Southern Girl’."

Han Jiangxue repeated the name, then suddenly slapped her forehead.

"Oh no! I forgot to record it with my phone!"

Su Chen was taken aback, "Why record it?"

"To update your TikTok account, you lazy manager!" she rolled her eyes at him.

She pulled out her phone and began directing him, "Come on, do it again!"

Seeing her so eager, Su Chen could only oblige.

He strummed the strings, and the song rang out once more.

"Southern girl, have you grown used to the northern autumn chill?"

"Southern girl, do you like the straightforwardness of northern folks?"

"Life passes like those sleepless nights, she chews gum, talking to the wall about her dreams…"