After settling the discussion, Chu Tian hurried off. He was still anxious about the poor acting Sister Hua had displayed earlier.

It wasn't that her acting was poor; it was that the script was too preposterous, and she couldn't grasp it.

"Where did you just go? Why did it take so long?"

The moment he returned to the recording studio, Xu Qingqiu eyed his sweaty appearance and asked curiously.

"Ah? Sister Hua was looking for me. Where else could I have gone?"

As soon as Xu Qingqiu heard it was Sister Hua, her brow involuntarily furrowed.

"Was Sister Hua asking you for a song?"

"Eh? How did you know?"

Seeing Chu Tian's surprised look, Xu Qingqiu's face filled with discontent.

How else would she know? Naturally, it was because Sister Hua had asked for her opinion beforehand, but she really wasn't willing. If it had been someone else, she might have boldly spoken out, but of all people, it was Chu Tian. The bonds of affection made her constantly anxious, and of course, she couldn't bring herself to speak out. She didn't even want Sister Hua to mention it.

Chu Tian naturally had no clue about her inner thoughts. However, by piecing together Sister Hua's prior hints, he'd mostly figured it out.

Seeing Xu Qingqiu silent and looking somewhat embarrassed, Chu Tian walked over, gently took her hand, and said, "Qingqiu, I'm your boyfriend, and we're family, aren't we? There's no need to be so distant with me. It's only right for us to help each other, isn't it?"

"If you keep holding back like this, it will only create a barrier between us, a sense of estrangement."

"Only when we wholeheartedly accept each other can we build a lasting future together."

Two emotional novices, like blank slates, are often clueless and helpless when facing affection for the first time, just like this. Sometimes they think too much, and other times, too little. Often, as such experiences accumulate, contradictions build up between them, one after another, like a sandcastle that eventually crumbles. And the best solution is to talk things out openly and thoroughly. This allows each person to gain a deeper understanding of the other, helping to avoid and eliminate these obstacles, which in turn deepens the relationship over time.

Chu Tian didn't understand all these intricacies of relationships, but he did understand a little about human nature. Having lived for so many years in his past life, he'd had his share of collaborations. When conflicts arose, his favorite approach was always communication. Communicating at work, communicating in life—once communication channels were open and people understood each other's true feelings, everything would go much smoother.

Xu Qingqiu looked at Chu Tian's earnest expression and felt a sense of relief.

"I just didn't want to trouble you too much. I didn't want to feel entitled to take your things."

"It's okay, it's okay. How can this be 'taking'? This is clearly a collaboration, a win-win situation."

Chu Tian comforted her, saying, "Besides, I'm doing this willingly. I happen to have suitable songs, and you're not using them. If I don't bring them out, wouldn't it be a waste to just let them sit there?"

"And Sister Hua didn't pressure me. She genuinely sought my opinion. I'm also happy that my songs will be performed by the right person. That's good too, isn't it?"

The worry on Xu Qingqiu's face slowly faded, replaced by a hint of joy.

"Really? I thought you would be unhappy. After all, you have talent and songs, but they're yours, and you have the right to decide. If I were to ask, it might seem a bit too opportunistic."

It never crossed Chu Tian's mind that this was what she was worried about. If others knew he had good songs, wouldn't they all be clamoring to get their hands on them? Yet here was Xu Qingqiu, worried about seeming too opportunistic. This made Chu Tian think of a saying: being too concerned about face means you won't make money. Too much integrity, and you won't reach the top. Only the ruthless and cunning can truly flourish. Reality was indeed like that. Once you truly entered society, you realized it was a ruthless place that devoured people without spitting out the bones. How can you expect to stay clean? If you don't devour others, you'll be devoured. He just hadn't expected Xu Qingqiu to still think this way, even after getting this far. She wasn't exactly a saint, though, because Chu Tian understood she was only like this with herself and those close to her. When dealing with outsiders, Xu Qingqiu had never been soft-hearted.

"Alright, what's so opportunistic about this? We're all on the same side. Plus, I can make money from it too, right?"

As he said this, something suddenly occurred to him, and he asked anxiously, "For your new album... you wouldn't feel too awkward to ask me for songs and go buy them yourself, would you?"

Xu Qingqiu and Elaina looked at him, exasperated, then suddenly burst out laughing.

"How could that be? I'm considerate, yes, but I'm not foolish. I definitely wouldn't stand on ceremony with you. Didn't you prepare songs for the new album? Why would I need to buy any?"

"Haha, that's good. I've already got them ready for you. You're probably going to get busy soon."

"What? They're ready already? But I haven't even started learning Cantonese yet!"

Hearing that the songs were already prepared, Xu Qingqiu instantly grew anxious.

"Hey, what are you worrying about? This album isn't entirely Cantonese songs; there are some in Mandarin too."

"Phew! Oh, is that so? That's a relief then."

Xu Qingqiu patted her chest, her racing heart finally settling back down.

"What songs are there? Can I take a look?"

Chu Tian raised an eyebrow, shook his head with a smile, and said, "Not yet. You focus on your lessons first. I'll give them to you all at once later. Then you can look at them however you want, for as long as you want."

"Huh? Why not?"

The songs are already written, so why can't I see them?

Xu Qingqiu didn't understand. She even pouted, about to try and coax him.

Unfortunately for her, even if Chu Tian was susceptible to her charms, he didn't yield.

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