Chapter 73: Song Xiaoqing in Shock

Feeling the warmth on his arm, Xu Ze slipped his hand into his pocket and led Song Xiaoqing forward.

“Come on, let me take you somewhere,” he said.

Song Xiaoqing looked up at him with her beautiful, wide eyes, laughing playfully. “Where is Xiao Ze taking his aunt?”

Xu Ze shook his head, replying mysteriously, “You’ll know when we get there.”

“Oh, keeping secrets now, are you?” Song Xiaoqing was in high spirits.

Since starting her job at the hospital, this was the first time Xu Ze had come to pick her up after work. She could sense a change in him—he seemed more cheerful, more confident than before. Perhaps, she thought, this new attitude was a result of his participation in the show.

Song Xiaoqing gazed up at his profile, unable to keep a feeling of wonder from her heart. The little boy who used to run after her, sniffling and calling out “Auntie, Auntie,” had truly grown up.

After ten minutes of walking, the two stopped in front of the entrance to Thomson Heights.

Song Xiaoqing looked puzzled. “Why have you brought me here?”

She recognized the neighborhood. Colleagues often talked about it, mentioning that certain celebrities lived there. Most of the cars coming and going were luxury vehicles worth millions.

“Come on, Xiao Ze, if we stand at the gate much longer, the security guards will chase us away,” she said, a little anxiously.

She’d heard the stories—security here was notoriously strict. With celebrities living inside, there were often fans waiting outside, but the guards always sent them off.

Xu Ze didn’t reply. Instead, he led Song Xiaoqing toward the entrance. As they drew closer, Xu Ze adjusted his mask and held his eyes up to the recognition device.

“Welcome home, esteemed resident,” the device intoned, and the gate swung open.

“Let’s go,” Xu Ze said, pulling Song Xiaoqing quickly inside.

Even after entering the rented apartment, Song Xiaoqing was still dazed. Standing in the living room, Xu Ze stretched out his arms and asked cheerfully, “Auntie, this is the apartment I rented for you. Do you like it?”

Song Xiaoqing was stunned. “You rented this for me?”

She blurted out, “Where did you get the money?”

She knew that even the cheapest rentals in this neighborhood cost tens of thousands a month, with the most expensive reaching over a hundred thousand. The purchase prices were astronomical.

Xu Ze didn’t answer immediately. He took out his phone, pulled up his bank balance, and handed the phone to Song Xiaoqing.

She took it, her face full of confusion. When she saw the numbers, her eyes went wide.

“One zero, two zeros, three zeros…” Song Xiaoqing had to count several times to be sure.

Over eight hundred thousand.

“Where did you get all this money? Did you get it from the show?” Song Xiaoqing asked, shocked.

Xu Ze smiled, taking the phone back. “Did you forget? All three of my songs are available on the music platforms. Every time someone downloads them, I get a cut.”

Upon hearing this, Song Xiaoqing collapsed onto the sofa, overwhelmed.

After a moment, she asked uncertainly, “Writing songs can really make this much money?”

Xu Ze shook his head. “Most people don’t earn nearly as much. But every song I’ve written has gone viral, so the earnings add up.”

Only now did Song Xiaoqing truly feel that a star had risen in her family. She’d often heard her colleagues talk about Xu Ze’s songs, but it hadn’t really sunk in. Now she felt it—his music was really that popular.

“How much is the rent for this place? It must be expensive, right?”

She’d noticed the new furnishings and decorations.

“Fifty thousand a month,” Xu Ze replied, deciding to be honest. After all, anyone could look up the rent online.

“How much?” Song Xiaoqing thought she must have misheard.

She leapt up, anxious. “Can we still cancel it? Contact the landlord, let’s not rent it. It’s too expensive.”

Xu Ze pressed her back down onto the sofa, fibbing, “It’s too late. I’ve already paid the full year’s rent. Whether we live here or not, the money isn’t refundable.”

Seeing the worry still lingering on Song Xiaoqing’s lovely face, Xu Ze felt a strange emotion well up inside. Since he’d started high school, she had looked after him, given him spending money. Even though Song Xiaoqing’s job paid well, she always used the cheapest cosmetics, bought clothes only during clearance sales. On the way here, he’d noticed the chain on her bag was broken—a clear sign of how inexpensive it was.

He knew all her savings were for his future down payment on a home. Homes in the capital weren’t cheap; even graduates from top universities found it hard to save enough for a down payment in a short time.

He realized that, if not for him, his aunt would have lived a much lighter, happier life. Now, all he was doing was giving back what she deserved.

When Song Xiaoqing tried to protest further, Xu Ze explained, “Auntie, this rent really isn’t a lot for me now. You only saw last month’s income—my songs will keep earning more every month, and next month will be even better.”

“I’ll be on another show soon. I’ve written plenty more songs. To be honest, I could probably earn a month’s rent in less than a day.”

“Really?” Song Xiaoqing asked, dazed. “You’ll keep earning more every month?”

But then, worry crept back into her voice. “But what if your new songs aren’t popular? What if no one buys them?”

Xu Ze replied confidently, “Didn’t you see the reviews? I’m a musical genius. Why don’t I sing you one of my new songs right now, and you’ll see if it’s any good?”

He turned on the TV. Xiao Mei had mentioned that the TV had a karaoke system. Xu Ze found the microphone and logged into his music platform account, where he’d stored some instrumental tracks.

Song Xiaoqing asked in concern, “Won’t we bother the neighbors?”

Xu Ze nodded, “I’ll keep it down, just a few minutes.”

The music began to play. Xu Ze gave Song Xiaoqing her own private concert.

Meanwhile, in apartment 1405, Building 3—

Yang Yin had just finished her shower and was lounging on the sofa in a purple lace nightgown, her fair skin exposed. She’d had a little red wine—her face was flushed, and she was pleasantly tipsy. With her eyes half-closed, she let the evening breeze drift in from the balcony.

“If only there were some music now, it would be perfect,” she thought.

No sooner had the thought crossed her mind than she heard, faintly, the sound of beautiful singing coming from outside—a young man’s voice, she surmised. The lyrics were unclear, but the melody was inexplicably moving.

As a director for a music show, Yang Yin instantly recognized it was an original piece.

The alcohol’s effect faded. She sat up, wanting to listen more closely.

But just then, the singing stopped.

Yang Yin hurried to the balcony, barefoot, hoping to pinpoint the source. Yet she waited a long time, and the voice never returned.

“Achoo!” She sneezed violently, sending a wave through the air.

Disappointed, Yang Yin returned inside.

Meanwhile, the only words ringing in Song Xiaoqing’s mind were “so beautiful.” She knew nothing about music, but even she could tell how wonderful Xu Ze’s new song sounded.

“I don’t remember anyone in his family being musically talented. How did this boy suddenly become so amazing?” she thought.

Xu Ze set down the microphone, pleased with himself. “Sounds great, right? I told you I’m a musical genius. Just wait, you’re going to live the good life from now on!”

And so, Song Xiaoqing finally accepted the apartment Xu Ze had rented for her—on the condition that he keep a room there, so he could come back and stay whenever he had time.

Xu Ze agreed readily.

A few days later, the third round of “I Am a Singer-Songwriter” officially began.