The new song had no backing track; he would have to play and sing it himself.
Zhang Yichen picked up the guitar. His fingers brushed lightly across the strings, and a warm, gentle melody flowed through the room.
Each note seemed to float in the air, soft and luminous.
The prelude gradually faded.
Then his deep, tender voice rose.
Sitting back-to-back on the carpet,Listening to music, sharing our dreams.You hope I'll grow gentler with time,I hope you'll always carry me in your heart.
You said you'd give me a love like a fairytale,Thank you for letting me walk you to paradise.
That line pierced straight through Chen Xiaoxi's heart.
Back when she had been at her most helpless, wasn't that tiny rented apartment the "paradise" he had brought her to?
Zhang Yichen never looked away from her. His gaze was filled with a tenderness so deep it felt almost solemn.
His fingers moved steadily over the strings, as though the melody itself were speaking for him.
And he continued—
Even if it takes a lifetime to fulfill,Once I promise, you'll remember forever.The most romantic thing I can think ofIs growing old with you.
Gathering every moment of laughter along the way,Saving them for the days we sit in rocking chairs and talk.
Chen Xiaoxi's eyelashes trembled. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the hem of her dress.
Every lyric struck her heart with quiet precision, making her breathing unsteady.
She understood.
This song wasn't merely a confession.
It was a promise.
Her breathing grew softer, as if she were afraid even the slightest sound might break the spell.
The most romantic thing I can think ofIs growing old with you.Until we're too old to go anywhere,And you still hold me like your greatest treasure.
As the final notes faded, even the air seemed to melt around them.
Time stood still in that warm, golden moment.
Chen Xiaoxi's eyes gradually reddened. Her fingers trembled slightly. Her heart overflowed with emotion, swelling like a rising tide.
She knew.
In the most sincere way he could, he was telling her—
No matter how hard the future became, he would walk it with her.
"Ai! That's way too sweet!" Li Yue exaggeratedly rolled her eyes and fanned herself. "Alright, I believe you two. I'm going out for some air. If I stay any longer, my blood sugar's going to spike."
She stood and headed toward the study door, not forgetting to tease them on her way out.
"I'll let you two continue being lovey-dovey. I refuse to be the third wheel."
The door closed softly behind her.
Silence settled over the room.
Only their breathing remained.
"Xiaoxi." Zhang Yichen called her name gently, his voice low and warm.
"Mm?" She lifted her head to meet his eyes. Her heartbeat skipped.
It was the first time he had called her that so softly.
It felt… unexpectedly sweet.
"Thank you, my little man," she whispered, her voice light as a breeze.
Zhang Yichen set the guitar aside and pulled her into his arms, smiling faintly. "Why are you thanking me again?"
"Thank you for coming into my life." Her voice trembled. "If it weren't for you… I don't know where I'd be right now. Maybe…"
She couldn't finish.
Perhaps she didn't dare imagine it.
He took her hand gently, his warmth spreading into her cool fingers.
"Silly girl. What's there to thank? This is what I should do."
Her tears finally slipped free, falling onto their intertwined hands.
"You know… every line you sang just now made me feel like everything suddenly has meaning."
"That song was written for us." His gaze was deep and steady, as though it could hold her entire world. "No matter what comes next, I want to walk through it with you."
Her cheeks flushed faintly.
"You're ridiculous. You didn't have to go this far…"
"For you, anything is worth it."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
They gazed at each other quietly, as though the world beyond the room had disappeared.
After a while, Chen Xiaoxi sniffled, wiped her tears, and forced a bright smile.
"Alright. Enough of this. Are you ready for tomorrow's storm?"
"That?" Zhang Yichen smiled faintly. "That's not a storm. It's just rain after a long drought."
In his previous life, he had risen from an unknown internet singer to a king of music. He had seen far greater waves than this.
This level of hype?
Child's play.
Not to mention—he had countless songs in reserve.
Even if the entertainment industry failed him, he still had his company.
And if business collapsed?
Real estate. Stocks. Futures.
And if that somehow failed?
Phones. Chips. Batteries. New energy.
His mind was a vault of future knowledge.
If all else failed… he could build rockets, carriers, even reshape the world itself.
But for now, since life could still be lived peacefully, those terrifying possibilities could remain untouched.
"You really are full of confidence." Chen Xiaoxi sighed, though amusement flickered in her eyes. "But I'm still worried. The backlash this time might be harsher."
Zhang Yichen remained steady.
"Relax. All we need to do is release the song."
"But…" She bit her lip. "I don't want you facing all that criticism because of me. They won't let you off easily."
"Let them talk." His tone was calm, almost indifferent. "This is our path. No one else gets to decide it."
Chen Xiaoxi lowered her head, her fingers tapping lightly against the table.
"I just don't want you carrying so much… because of me."
"You're wrong." His voice sharpened slightly, serious now. "This isn't your burden. It's our journey."
She looked up at him, emotion swirling in her eyes.
Before she could respond—
The door opened.
Li Yue walked back in, phone in hand, her expression tense.
"Someone's stirring things up online again. It looks like it's about to explode tonight."
Zhang Yichen took the phone and glanced at the screen.
A cold smirk curved his lips.
"They're fast," he said quietly. "Looks like some people are getting nervous."
A trace of icy disdain flickered in his eyes.