Chapter 55 A Brand-New Genre of Song

Afterward, he hurriedly turned on his computer and spent a long time searching for relevant information. No matter how much he searched, he found nothing. Eventually, he leaned back in his chair, staring blankly at the computer screen, and finally confirmed one thing: there was a style of song from Earth that did not exist in this world—not at all, not even a trace. Every other genre was present here: Korean, Western, DJ, electronic, traditional, jazz, rap, and so on. But only this one was missing, and on Earth’s Mandarin music scene, it was especially popular.

He wasn't sure whether this style would be accepted here. So he planned to visit the major music academies in the near future, to study and refine his skills, and to blend this style with some local elements. If it could be widely accepted, it would truly be epoch-making, perhaps even become popular overseas.

That night, Shen Xian dreamed again. Not only did he dream of the great fire, but he also saw a girl of fifteen or sixteen, dressed in a white dress and glowing all over, looking at him with a sweet smile and calling out, "Brother Shen Xian, where are we going to play today?" As he approached, the girl transformed into an ethereal goddess, gazing at him as if he were an ant, and stomped him into the mud: "Does a tiny bug dare to look up at the stars?"

He woke with a start, drenched in sweat. It was from that moment his spirit was castrated. It was the age of budding feelings, overflowing pride, and adolescent rebellion—the age to shout, "My fate is mine, not heaven’s." And then, he was crushed into the earth.

He still remembered starving for two days, and on the third, his mind dizzy from hunger, he stumbled upon a new real estate opening. A sales agent pulled him in to act as a shill, promising a boxed meal. For that meager meal, he agreed. In the end, the person who handed him the meal was his Moonlight, experiencing life. When she saw Shen Xian, her face was expressionless—no surprise, no confusion. She seemed to notice his hunger and handed him a meal with a casual gesture, then said, "Next."

Her father stood nearby, pointing at Shen Xian and the others. "Look, daughter, see how rich a life I’ve given you. Look at yourself, then look at these cattle and horses—listening to us brag all morning just for a meal. So you must study hard, improve yourself, and learn to control more cattle and horses."

There’s no need to elaborate on a young man's trials; dignity after hardship is fragile indeed. So Shen Xian's childhood dream was singular: to become someone above others, to prove himself, to stand at the top, and one day to face her and say, "Now I can speak to you as an equal!"

He woke from his nightmare at three in the morning, unable to sleep, lying on his bed and staring into space.

Meanwhile, Ning Cai and Zhou Wan had just stepped out of the recording studio. After listening to the finished track, Ning Cai stared almost dazedly at Zhou Wan. "This song… it's incredible. Who gave it to you?"

Zhou Wan replied, "Naturally, it was the Postman. Who else?"

Ning Cai fell silent. The Postman’s talent had once again shattered her expectations.

The band teachers were full of praise. "I think this song could easily make it to the New Year’s Gala. The theme is clear, and the melody is beautiful—truly worthy of the Postman!"

"From now on, I ask all the instrument teachers to stay overnight at the company and turn in their communication devices," Ning Cai said.

This was standard procedure for protecting new songs. Since it hadn’t been released yet, and all the instrument teachers were well-versed in music theory, after seeing the sheet music, they could easily memorize it. If it leaked, it would be disastrous.

They all understood, having been through this before, and promptly handed over their phones and went to rest in the company’s private rooms.

Walking out of the company, Ning Cai said, "I feel like you’re falling for the Postman a little more every day."

Zhou Wan immediately objected, "I’m not. I haven’t. Don’t say that."

It was the classic triple denial, but her voice was weak, clearly lacking conviction.

"That’s not a bad thing. You’re twenty-six—time to find someone to marry. I think the Postman is quite good," Ning Cai observed.

"Speak for yourself. Aren’t you single too? Why not look for a boyfriend?" Zhou Wan retorted.

Ning Cai’s heels clicked on the pavement, making a crisp sound. "I already have someone in mind."

Zhou Wan’s eyes widened. "Who? Is it the eldest son of the Su family?"

Ning Cai gazed into the distance. "You know him too—it’s Shen Xian."

Zhou Wan was struck as if by lightning, her face going pale under the streetlamp. "When did this happen? Did he agree?"

Ning Cai didn’t notice her expression and replied, "He hasn’t agreed. But I asked him to pretend to be my boyfriend for Mid-Autumn, and he agreed to that."

"Does he like you?" Zhou Wan was silent for a moment before asking.

Ning Cai shook her head. "He doesn’t. I feel he has no emotional fluctuations at all—his heart is like a dead lake. He smiles at everyone, is attentive and gentle, always polite and kind. But I think he’s the same kind as me: neither of us knows what love feels like."

Zhou Wan lowered her eyes. "And you had me stay at his place—aren’t you afraid something might happen between us?"

Ning Cai let out a laugh. "It won’t. He won’t like you. You’re the one who likes the Postman, not him. Besides, he’s emotionally detached."

After a pause, she suddenly asked Zhou Wan, "Do you think he likes men?"

Zhou Wan responded instantly, "Impossible. He likes women, obviously!"

Ning Cai seized on the detail. "You’ve never slept with him—how do you know he likes women?"

Ah, how was she supposed to answer? Should she tell Ning Cai that three years ago, she entered Shen Xian’s room, pushed him onto the bed, and experienced his hardness and passion?

Seeing Ning Cai’s eager gaze, Zhou Wan said, "He sneaked a look at my legs, and even at my… you know."

She could only lie, shifting the blame onto Shen Xian.

Ning Cai’s eyes widened. "Really? He always seemed so proper, never looking askance!"

Zhou Wan laughed dryly. "Men—how many of them are really decent?"

Shen Xian, of course, had no idea Zhou Wan was making up stories about him and that, in Ning Cai’s eyes, his reputation was already ruined. But even if he did know, he wouldn’t care.

In Shen Xian’s own words: I am already a heap of ruins—what reputation is there left to ruin?

The next morning, Shen Xian met with Xiao Yang.