In the first side story of Shao Qingge and Ye Qi,
Ye Qi returns to three years ago, becoming a 16-year-old high school student. He hasn't yet been admitted to a music academy and must obediently return to school. For a poor student like him, having to relearn all three years of high school curriculum is pure torture.
Even worse, their school is a top-tier boarding high school in the area, requiring all students to live on campus from Monday to Friday, with very strict management. Students aren't allowed to bring cell phones into class; otherwise, they'll be confiscated.
During the day, he sits in the classroom listening to incomprehensible science formulas and humanities terms, feeling every minute is torture. Only when he returns to the dormitory at night can he secretly take out his phone to browse the news online or chat with his teammates.
Liu Qiao, though the same age as Ye Qi, has a completely different experience. Liu Qiao is a top student, and returning to three years ago allows him to focus entirely on his studies. For Ye Qi, attending classes is like listening to gibberish, making each day feel like an eternity.
Ye Qi admired Xiao Lou the most, but he was too embarrassed to bother him. He got along well with Shao Qingge, so when he was feeling down, the first person he thought of confiding in was President Shao.
"They gave me over a dozen workbooks in my first year of high school! Just seeing those thick workbooks gives me a headache!"
"I always ranked near the bottom of my class in exams. I'm just not cut out for studying. I really can't understand math formulas. To me, those strange symbols are like Martian language."
"I have to stay in this school for three more years. How am I going to get through these three years? It feels like being in prison. I can only go out on weekends to let loose and have a good cry."
Shao Qingge was on his computer organizing the company's recent investment projects when his WeChat suddenly started ringing incessantly.
He frowned and picked up his phone, finding Ye Qi's endless rants. The man's brow immediately relaxed, and a slight smile crept onto his lips.
The little guy had probably been pent up since he was 16.
Returning to three years ago was a good thing for Shao Qingge. By then, his company was on track, and the two partners who later betrayed him and even sent someone to run him over, causing his car accident, were now his lackeys. In three years, Shao Qingge could have planned ahead and ousted them from the management team.
The fund company he had personally built couldn't fall into someone else's hands.
Therefore, after returning to reality, Shao Qingge began to organize the company's investment projects, aiming to double the company's assets as quickly as possible and, incidentally, eliminate those with ulterior motives.
He had been very busy these past few days and hadn't had time to contact Ye Qi, only seeing Ye Qi mention in the group chat that he was going to register for high school.
Seeing Ye Qi's complaints, Shao Qingge immediately stopped his work, sent a pat-on-the-head emoji, and gently comforted him, "It's okay, you'll be taking the art exam anyway, as long as your academic grades are decent. If you don't like those math formulas, there's no need to force yourself; not everyone wants to be a mathematician."
Ye Qi felt much better after reading Shao's reply and lay on the bed typing earnestly, "I just feel that you guys can change a lot of things by going back to the past. For example, Professor Xiao became a forensic doctor, Captain Yu was transferred to Jiangzhou ahead of schedule, Liu Qiao will get into a better university, while for me, going back to high school seems pointless."
This was the root cause of Ye Qi's frustration.
Returning to the past with their memories was the greatest reward the card world gave them. They knew what would happen in the next three years and could find ways to change their fate; their teammates were indeed doing just that.
After seeing everyone last time, Ye Qi realized this even more deeply.
Captain Yu and Professor Xiao decide to work together to solve the case; Mr. Tang is able to develop a new generation of smart products ahead of schedule; Sister Ying takes over her parents' Taekwondo club; Teacher Qu and Long Sen decide to get married ahead of schedule; Uncle Mo's studio is thriving
; and President Shao, needless to say, is a business genius. Knowing the development of the next three years, his investment acumen will definitely multiply the company's market value several times over.
Only he, going back to the past, can't change anything.
From his first to third year of high school, he will be trapped in school, continuing to study courses he doesn't understand and has no interest in. Only after three years, by taking the art exam and getting into a music academy, can he gradually shine.
Three years is too long for him.
He doesn't want to waste these three years, which is why he feels distressed.
Shao Qingge quickly understood Ye Qi's thoughts and patiently said, "You're still in high school, and the art exam also requires good grades in academic subjects. You can do some things you like as long as you pass your academic subjects. Do you have any ideas about this? You can tell me."
Ye Qi immediately became excited and typed rapidly on his phone while in bed, "My parents made me practice musical instruments since I was little, and they didn't stop in high school. They arranged piano lessons for me every weekend. But I'm from three years in the future, and I've already passed the piano level 10 exam. There's no need for me to learn those level 9 or 10 courses. So I think I can use my weekends to learn something else."
Shao Qingge asked with a smile, "For example?"
Ye Qi said, "I want to learn composition and arrangement."
After saying this, he was so excited that his fingers were trembling slightly, and his typing speed increased to the fastest speed. "My dream has always been to be a singer. I think a good singer can't always sing songs written by others. If I can compose and arrange my own music, I can write my own songs in the future. When I hold concerts, I can sing all the songs I wrote. How awesome would that be?"
The large number of exclamation marks in this paragraph clearly expressed the excitement of the young boy at this moment.
Shao Qingge could almost picture the boy, hiding under the covers, secretly texting him, his cheeks flushed and eyes shining with excitement. Ye Qi would definitely look adorable like that.
He couldn't help but chuckle and sent Ye Qi a pat on the shoulder emoji, "Good idea."
Ye Qi was overjoyed to receive approval and was about to reply when suddenly footsteps sounded outside, followed by the dorm supervisor's stern voice, "Anyone still awake in room 301? What time is it? Turn off the lights now!"
He had been too excited, and his phone had accidentally peeked out from under the covers, the light spotted by the sharp-eyed supervisor.
Feeling guilty, Ye Qi quickly typed, "The dorm supervisor is coming to check, I'm turning off my phone now, goodnight, Mr. Shao." Then he turned off his phone, placed it next to his pillow, and lay down on the bed, pretending to be asleep.
At the same time, Shao Qingge's lips curled into a smile again after seeing Ye Qi's message.
The little guy got caught secretly playing on his phone by the dorm supervisor. Poor thing, even at 16, he doesn't have the freedom to play on his phone. You can imagine what kind of life Ye Qi has been living lately.
Shao Qingge thought for a moment, then pulled up a name in his contacts and sent a message: "You've been in the entertainment industry for so many years, do you know any music arrangers?"
The other person quickly replied, "Oh, Mr. Shao, why are you suddenly interested in the entertainment industry and want to invest in me?"
Shao Qingge said, "I'm asking you something serious. I have a friend who's very talented in music and wants to learn music arrangement. Can you introduce me to a good teacher?"
The other party quickly sent a WeChat friend request: "Teacher Zhao Chen is very famous in the industry. You should know Qin Xuerong, the most popular singer right now. Several of her albums' title tracks are Teacher Zhao's compositions. Her recent single topped the charts on the day of its release. But Teacher Zhao doesn't easily accept apprentices. Your friend needs to be sincere to impress him."
Shao Qingge said, "Thanks. Help me make the connection first. I'll treat Teacher Zhao to dinner this weekend."
The other party chuckled, "No problem. I still have to give you face. After all, most of my money is in your hands. Even if I don't recognize you as a person, I still recognize my money."
Shao Qingge joked, "You've already lost everything."
The other party
was speechless. The person joking with Shao Qingge was named Chen Yu, Shao Qingge's childhood friend. His family was in the real estate business, but he also owned an entertainment company and signed many young artists. Although Chen Yu wasn't very serious, he had a sharp eye for talent and had made several popular stars famous in recent years.
The singing competition Ye Qi later participated in was actually a nationwide talent show funded by Chen Yu's entertainment company for a television station. Promising finalists could be directly signed to their company. Shao Qingge had told Ye Qi in the Card World that he could introduce him to his friend's company—this was the friend he was referring to.
However, after returning from the Card World, Shao Qingge changed his mind.
Being a businessman himself, he knew the saying "no merchant is honest." He understood Chen Yu's personality well; although signing with Chen Yu made it easy to become famous, the signing conditions were extremely harsh. Even if Shao Qingge introduced someone, Chen Yu wouldn't offer much preferential treatment; the contract would definitely favor the company, not the artist.
Shao Qingge couldn't bear to let Ye Qi suffer any loss.
Now that he had returned to three years ago, Shao Qingge decided to start preparing in advance and personally establish a talent agency.
This company would only sign one star:
Ye Qi, a rising star in the music scene,
and a little angel Shao Qingge wanted to protect.
Ye Qi was like a blank sheet of paper, simply wanting to sing, but the entertainment industry was far more complex than he imagined. In this chaotic and corrupt world, Shao Qingge believed he had the ability to ensure Ye Qi wouldn't suffer even the slightest injustice.
Of course, Ye Qi was still young, and Shao Qingge wouldn't reveal his plans to him for the time being. His own company still had many problems to solve. Fortunately, he had three years.
Three years was enough.
Before Ye Qi grew up, he would eliminate all obstacles.
In fact, Shao Qingge had already confirmed his feelings for Ye Qi when the insectoids attacked in the Red Heart 8 Chamber. Subconscious reactions are hardest to fake. He shielded Ye Qi with his body, thus being infected by the insectoids. Before, he would never have believed that he would risk his life to protect someone.
Ye Qi's innocence and kindness, his perseverance in surviving even by eating leaves in the Nightmare Chamber, that cautious yet brave and strong boy—like a small animal struggling to survive in a forest full of wild beasts—unconsciously attracted Shao Qingge's attention.
Many times afterward, Ye Qi risked his life to protect him, even calling him her "sugar daddy." Every time Shao Qingge heard Ye Qi joke like this, he couldn't help but think that if he were back in reality, he would be her real sugar daddy. " Kept woman"
relationships need to start from childhood.
Ye Qi was only 16 years old. With this subtle influence from a young age, would Ye Qi be unable to leave him when he grew up?
Shao Qingge smiled and squinted, looking at the man in the suit and tie in the mirror. He suddenly felt quite beastly, not even sparing such a young child.
He didn't like forcing things; he only wanted to set up a gentle trap to firmly hold Ye Qi.
Ye Qi was still naive about relationships; that was okay, he could slowly train him.
Another week passed, and Ye Qi would secretly chat with President Shao every night.
On Friday night, Ye Qi followed the crowd of students leaving school.
A brightly colored sports car was parked not far away. The students were curious about whose parent it was. Ye Qi also glanced at it curiously, only to see the car window slowly roll down, and a handsome man gave him a gentle smile.
His already beautiful peach blossom eyes were even more captivating when he smiled.
The girls around him were all smitten by that smile, whispering amongst themselves, "So handsome!" "His looks are almost like a celebrity!" "And he has such great charisma!" "Wow, his legs are so long!"
Shao Qingge opened the car door, got out, and strode towards the bewildered Ye Qi.
The girls were all secretly watching Shao Qingge; such a tall, handsome man suddenly appearing around the school reminded many of girls experiencing their first crushes of idol dramas.
However, he walked right up to Ye Qi.
Only when he stopped in front of her did Ye Qi snap out of her daze. "W-why are you here?"
Shao Qingge held out his hand, pointing to Ye Qi's head, and laughed, "You were this small when you were 16, barely reaching my chest." *Ahem*, suddenly feeling a little guilty about touching such a small guy.
Ye Qi said dejectedly, "I can still grow taller."
Shao Qingge resisted the urge to ruffle his hair and whispered in his ear, "It's the weekend tomorrow and the day after. Tell your parents you have piano lessons, and I'll take you to meet someone. Don't worry, I've already spoken to your piano teacher; she won't betray you."
Ye Qi looked puzzled. "Meet whom?"
Shao Qingge looked at the boy's adorable wide-eyed expression and finally couldn't resist reaching out to gently ruffle his hair. It was softer than he had imagined, reaching right to Shao Qingge's heart.
"Didn't you want to learn music composition? I found you a good teacher," Shao Qingge said with a smile.
Hearing this, Ye Qi's eyes suddenly lit up.
The boy's eyes seemed to be filled with light as he looked at Shao Qingge.
Shao Qingge's heart stirred. He withdrew his hand, looked into Ye Qi's eyes, and said in his heart, "
Ye Qi, I will wait for you to grow up. "