Chapter Forty: Let Him Try

“That was wonderful.” Tang Xiaoyu applauded enthusiastically. “It’s so much better than that song Xu Feng sang earlier.”

Seeing their reactions, Li Changqing finally breathed a heavy sigh of relief; it seemed the outcome was favorable. The lingering notes still echoed among the students in the audience. Liang Dasheng, deep in thought, marveled at the performance. Such skill was far beyond what any ordinary student could possess.

Could it be that she, too, had someone write the song for her?

The competition pressed on.

Li Qinxue returned to her seat. She had barely settled when Liang Dasheng hurried from the judges’ table to stand before them.

“Li Qinxue, may I ask—is this song truly your own original work?” Liang Dasheng’s gaze was urgent and intent. Being a professional in the field, he understood the song’s musical excellence.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Liang, actually, I didn’t write this song,” she replied honestly, indicating Li Changqing by her side. “My brother gave it to me.”

Liang Dasheng’s eyes lit up as he scrutinized Li Changqing. Who was this composer? He’d never heard of him.

Tang Xiaoyu was equally astonished. The song was written by Li Changqing? Could he really compose?

Liang Dasheng smiled broadly, took out a business card, and handed it to Li Changqing. “Hello, I’d like to purchase the copyright to this song. How does thirty thousand Lang coins sound?”

Li Changqing frowned slightly. Perhaps realizing the price was low, Liang Dasheng quickly amended, “Fifty thousand Lang coins.”

Tang Xiaoyu perked up instantly—riches were at hand! She hadn’t expected Li Changqing to have such a talent and was about to accept on his behalf.

But Li Changqing politely refused, “I’m sorry, but I didn’t write this song either. I heard it elsewhere. Since my sister can’t compose, we used this piece for the competition. If it doesn’t meet the rules, I apologize.”

“Is that so?” Regret flickered across Liang Dasheng’s face, though he remained cordial. “It’s just a school song competition, meant for fun. The rules aren’t strict, so don’t worry about originality.”

His interest waned; he exchanged a few more polite words before turning away. Watching his retreating figure, Li Changqing could only smile wryly.

If he nodded in agreement, a single song could fetch fifty thousand Lang coins—no one would ever find out. With the vast trove of songs in his mind, he could easily earn countless Lang coins.

But after careful consideration, he still declined.

It wasn’t just about honesty. Truly, honesty is a double-edged sword.

Blind honesty isn’t always a virtue in society. Yet Li Changqing believed a person must have their own bottom line. To brazenly claim another’s work as your own, feeling no guilt, was little different from thievery. At the very least, he refused to earn such money.

Integrity may falter, but one’s boundaries must remain.

Tang Xiaoyu was a bit disappointed. “If you had agreed just now, we could’ve made fifty thousand Lang coins.”

Li Changqing replied righteously, “It’s not our money to take.”

Tang Xiaoyu pouted, “What if he offered a million Lang coins?”

Li Changqing’s mouth twitched. “Let him try…”

The competition continued, but none of the subsequent works matched the quality of “A Thousand Songs.”

After the event, the jury quickly announced the results. As expected, Xu Feng took first place. Second went to Li Qinxue’s rendition of “A Thousand Songs.”

But Li Qinxue chose not to go on stage for the award. Since the song wasn’t her original, she felt undeserving of the certificate.

With the competition over, the students filed out, the hottest topic being whether Xu Feng’s or Li Qinxue’s song was better. Most believed “A Thousand Songs” was superior.

“Second Brother, I just saw Big Sis sneak in,” Li Qinxue whispered. “The competition’s over and there are no classes this afternoon. Let’s go find her.”

“Alright.”

They reached the entrance of the auditorium.

Sure enough, Li Lin was waiting there. Upon seeing Li Changqing, her smile faded, replaced by a stern expression.

“Big Sis,” Li Changqing said, introducing Tang Xiaoyu. “This is my colleague, Tang Xiaoyu.”

Tang Xiaoyu, sensing Li Lin’s seriousness, nervously greeted her, “Hello, Sister. I’m Tang Xiaoyu.”

Li Lin was surprised, giving Li Changqing an extra look before carefully appraising Tang Xiaoyu. Finally, she extended her hand. “Hello, I’m Li Lin. How long have you known my brother?”

Well then.

Li Changqing knew immediately she’d misunderstood. After all, who brings a colleague to watch their sister’s performance? Few would believe there was nothing between them.

Li Changqing had no desire to explain.

Yet Li Lin’s expression softened from stern to gentle; a first meeting shouldn’t leave a poor impression on a prospective sister-in-law. At least, that’s what Li Lin thought.

“A year,” Tang Xiaoyu answered honestly.

Li Lin shot Li Changqing a glare—this troublesome boy, wings spread, had known this girl for a year yet never mentioned it at home.

Smiling, Li Lin said, “Tang Xiaoyu, what would you like to eat? My treat.”

Tang Xiaoyu almost replied seafood; she’d never eaten it, and was curious about the taste of such an expensive dish. But remembering Li Changqing’s comment about seafood being too costly, she changed her mind.

“I’d like some buns. Li Changqing always says the buns at home are delicious.”

Li Lin nodded. “Alright, when we go back, I’ll make them for you.”

Tang Xiaoyu instinctively glanced at Li Changqing, as if seeking permission to go.

She’d never had a strong opinion of her own.

Li Changqing was only wondering if ghosts could eat buns.

With the competition over and no classes in the afternoon, school was dismissed. Three people and a ghost went home together.

…

“We’ve been searching for so long, but still no clues.”

In an office of Division Thirty-Six, Hu Xiong sat on the sofa, pressing his cigarette out in the ashtray.

Bai Chuan, disgusted by the smoke, opened the window and stood by the bed, breathing in the fresh air. “The only clue is her name—Jiang Zhen’er—but even that turned up nothing useful.”

These past days, they’d disguised themselves at night, hoping to encounter the malevolent spirit, but found nothing.

“Minghao, we’ve examined the bracelet she gave you. According to the appraisal, it’s about seventy years old, crudely made.”

Hu Xiong opened a delicate wooden box, revealing the jade bracelet nestled in the soft lining.

Li Minghao sat across from him, lost in thought. Ever since meeting Jiang Zhen’er, he’d been absent-minded.

“How’s your family situation? Have you decided? Will you leave Division Thirty-Six to inherit the family business, or stay?”

Li Minghao didn’t answer, instead reaching for the bracelet, his gaze fixed on it. The bracelet seemed almost magical; every time he saw it, he couldn’t help but stare.