Due to the influence of QQ Music and C Site, the news about Mei Fang, Xia Yuan, and Lin Youxi releasing their album quickly spread throughout Jiangcheng NOHS. Students in various classes began discussing the trio. Online discussions about “Yuanbao” continued unabated, but no revealing information surfaced. Only a few anonymous comments mentioned that Xia Yuan attended their school, and that was it.

As a result, Xia Yuan, Mei Fang, and Lin Youxi were called in by the school administration for a talk. However, thanks to a heads-up from Teacher Chen Qi, who had helped them during the arts festival and with music production, they weren’t too stressed about it.

Overall, since Xia Yuan recorded her songs using the school’s recording studio and was admitted as a student with a special talent in music, she was considered a product of Jiangcheng NOHS’s nurturing. If Xia Yuan could achieve further success in her music career, she would be seen as a distinguished alumna in the future.

While discussing creative matters with Xia Yuan, some teachers offered to use their contacts to help her break into the entertainment industry, possibly connecting her with record or entertainment companies. However, Xia Yuan politely declined.

She stated that songwriting was just a hobby for her and that she had no intention of pursuing a career in the entertainment industry; she wanted to focus on her studies.

This attitude matched the profile of an outstanding music student. The teachers also encouraged her that as long as she maintained her current good performance, securing a recommendation to top music schools such as Beijing Conservatory of Music, Jiangcheng Conservatory of Music, or music academies within comprehensive universities would be a piece of cake.

The teachers also advised her to stay humble and not become complacent, to which Xia Yuan responded obediently. The choir teacher, who taught evening choir classes, gave Xia Yuan the privilege of skipping choir lessons, which she gladly accepted. This meant she had an extra hour each day to practice and create music.

The buzz created by Xia Yuan’s songs was indeed growing day by day, as Mei Fang had predicted. Xia Yuan was receiving calls from friends and family almost every evening.

Five days later, on Friday night, Xia Yuan saw her album, particularly the track Bare Face, climb the new song chart on QQ Music, rapidly gaining momentum like wildfire.

After experiencing all of this, Xia Yuan’s initial excitement gradually subsided. At the dinner table, Xia Yuan seemed somewhat tired:

“Phew… So many people are listening to our song, it feels somewhat embarrassing…”

“What’s there to be embarrassed about? I think it’s amazing!”

Liang Meijuan scooped a bowl of pork rib and lotus root soup for Xia Yuan and asked curiously, “Yuan Yuan, are you going to be a big star in the future?”

“It’s not just me. Ah Fang and Youxi also sang with me. They’re creators too…”

“Neither Youxi nor I are people who like to be in the spotlight. The main star is definitely you, Yuan Yuan.”

“Ah Fang! Stop teasing me.”

“Alright, alright… The three of you are equally important and amazing! You’ve all been busy recently, so eat more pork rib and lotus root soup to nourish yourselves.”

“Got it. Thanks, Aunt Liang.”

Liang Meijuan watched happily as Xia Yuan ate the soup she had made.

“Speaking of which, last time your parents called me to ask about you, I saw your dad acting unusually. He said he listens to your songs every day and shares them with his friends and even Teacher Yu’s students…”

“Ahh… Has Dad gone crazy?! Who told him to do that? No wonder he was acting so weird on video calls… I’m so done!”

Xia Yuan protested, covering her face, “Just wait till I get back and scold him! No, I need to call him right now——”

“He’s just proud of you. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

Mei Fang grumbled, “When I talked to my parents about it, guess what my dad said? He said my singing was awful and that I shouldn’t sing with you anymore so I don’t bring you down.”

“Ah… Uncle… Uncle Mei must have been joking. Don’t take it seriously, okay?”

“I’m not, haha.”

During that conversation with his parents, Mei Fang’s mom, Xiang Xiaoxia, even asked if he had informed Lin Youxi about singing love songs with Xia Yuan, clearly worried about their relationship falling apart.

Although her words were somewhat vague, Mei Fang felt that his mom might have known or misunderstood something.

But there’s no need to worry too much…

“Seems like my dad had the most normal reaction.”

Lin Youxi smiled, resting her chin on her hand. “I just briefly told him about the album, and he said he heard it and that I sang well, and that was it.”

“It wasn’t that simple. Your dad…” Liang Meijuan seemed hesitant, then touched her face awkwardly. “Never mind… It’s nothing.”

“Mom… you can’t just say ‘nothing’ and leave it at that. Tell me what’s going on.” Lin Youxi began to pout a bit at Liang Meijuan.

“Yeah, Aunt Liang, you can’t keep secrets from us!”

Xia Yuan chimed in, “So what exactly happened with Uncle Lin?”

Liang Meijuan, who was always easy to persuade, couldn’t resist Lin Youxi and Xia Yuan’s combined efforts.

“Your dad told me that he set your song as his ringtone. His friends at the construction site liked it so much that a lot of them did the same.”

“Pfft—hahahahaha!”

Xia Yuan burst into laughter, while Lin Youxi showed a rare annoyed expression.

“I’m calling Dad right now.”

As she stood up, Mei Fang held her back. “At this hour, Uncle Lin is still at the construction site. Do you want your dad’s friends to hear his ringtone and embarrass yourself?”

“Better to get it over with quickly than to drag it out.”

“It’s no big deal. Your dad just wants to hear your voice more often.”

“If he wants to hear my voice, he can listen to my song privately. If he misses me, he can just call me.”

“Youxi, your dad didn’t want to bother you too much. He specifically told me not to mention this because he was afraid you’d get upset.”

Ever since the incident with her uncle, Lin Youxi’s relationship with her father had been a bit awkward. After all, it was Lin Guochuan’s leniency that allowed her uncle to harm their family. Lin Guochuan had felt guilty about it ever since and became a little distant from Lin Youxi. Although Lin Youxi had Mei Fang and Xia Yuan by her side, she still worried about her father.

“Alright, for Mom’s sake, I’ll let it go for now.”

“Aunt Liang always knows best! If she weren’t happy with us, we wouldn’t get to enjoy her delicious soup.”

“Oh, Yuan Yuan, you’re too much. Your auntie isn’t that petty… no matter what, I’ll always take good care of you.”

The group enjoyed a very lively and amusing dinner.

Their meeting with Mei Fang’s cousin, Mei Yue, was scheduled for Saturday at noon. They planned to have lunch together and then tour her around the school.

Before coming, Mei Yue had told Mei Fang that she had quit her job because she couldn’t stand the company atmosphere anymore. This news surprised all three of them.

“What a coincidence… we’re just about to start a company. You didn’t sabotage her job, did you?”

“Hey! What kind of trash person do you think I am?!” Mei Fang knocked on Xia Yuan’s head, scolding her.

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