I’m Keeping the Overbearing CEO After He Went Bankrupt [Rebirth] 15

Chapter 15: Qingbao’s Difficult Creation

“Teacher Chu… I’m really sorry. How about I practice with you?”

After the lot drawing ended and the contestants were heading back to prepare, Li Tian came up and took Chu Qing’s arm apologetically. “I can give you some suggestions too.”

Li Tian had two canine teeth that showed when he smiled, looking cute and sunny. An ordinary person would have found it hard to refuse such a kind offer.

“It’s okay…” But Chu Qing wasn’t an ordinary person. He was used to being alone, so he said gently, “I can do it myself.”

“Let’s practice together, okay? I’m at least half responsible,” Li Tian insisted.

“I’m sorry…” Chu Qing didn’t want to, so he didn’t. He shook his head. “I’m used to practicing alone.”

“Oh…”

After a pause, Li Tian said dejectedly, “After watching Teacher Chu’s performance that day, I really think you’re super amazing. I especially want to learn from you…”

“Oh…” Chu Qing blinked, then said nothing more.

His refusal was made abundantly clear.

Seeing that Chu Qing was like an impenetrable fortress, Li Tian could only force a smile and leave.

Chu Qing let out a sigh of relief.

Afterward, Chu Qing returned to his room to practice. An Yize knew that Chu Qing liked to be alone, so he simply went to the practice room with a new friend he had made to chat and play the piano.

In the room, there were only the cameraman and Chu Qing. Chu Qing felt a little uncomfortable creating in front of the camera, but he tried his best to adapt. He sat on the bed with a guitar, a small notebook in hand, scribbling away. He wasn’t seen listening to the original song, because he could play the melody directly on the guitar.

The bullet comments were a mix of sarcasm and ridicule, mostly pessimistic about Chu Qing, saying there was no way he could touch Teacher An Zuo’s masterpiece.

But more of them praised his talent. It was even more interesting to watch Chu Qing’s solo creation process than to watch the others chat and bicker.

The young man was quiet, not speaking, only occasionally humming a tune, completely focused on the little tadpoles in his notebook. The sunlight from the window shone on his dark hair, creating a picture of serene years.

Of course, what was most eye-catching were his fingers on the guitar. Even wrapped in gloves, their slender outline could still be seen.

But because of the layer of gloves, the notes Chu Qing played were not precise and were very quiet. Basically, only he himself knew what he was playing.

The bullet comments were all asking why he didn’t take off his gloves, but since last year, Chu Qing had never appeared on camera without them, so everyone was used to it, guessing it might be one of his quirks.

The day passed just like that.

At night, the filming ended, and the contestants were free to do as they pleased. After dinner, Chu Qing sat in his blanket and suddenly… felt a sliver of anticipation.

Such an emotion was very, very rare for Chu Qing.

Because ever since he started taking medication, his condition had always been worse in the morning and better at night. The daytime was manageable, but at night, he would feel uncomfortable, anxious, or feel that life had no prospects. But because of the show’s recording, during the day, Huo Li could only bring Chu Qing meals, prepare his medicine and warm water, and do other small things. Only at night would that person climb through the window to chat with him, and even ask for a hug…

In any case, the nights had become different.

Creak…

Chu Qing turned his head and saw a person standing by the window.

The scene was even a little comical.

Huo Li opened the window and leaned against the frame with a smile. “Qingbao, come out.”

The two went to their secret base again. Chu Qing continued to scribble in his notebook, and now that there were no cameras, he simply… called Teacher An Zuo.

This afternoon, Chu Qing had found An Zuo on Weibo and informed him that he would be adapting “Red Gauze Shadow,” hoping he wouldn’t mind and could give some advice and guidance.

Chu Qing knew that An Zuo disliked being exposed on variety shows and in front of the camera, so he hadn’t used An Zuo to create buzz during the recording.

But when An Zuo saw Chu Qing’s private message, he directly gave him a phone number, telling him he could call him anytime.

“Teacher An Zuo…”

“Ah! It’s Chu Qing, right?” The artist, who was rumored to be fussy and hot-tempered, was very gentle when speaking to Chu Qing.

“You finally showed up!”

“My, my… from the sound of your voice, you’ve grown up a lot…” Teacher An Zuo said with a laugh. “How have you been lately?”

Chu Qing had him on speaker. Huo Li, sitting next to him, frowned slightly when he heard this.

What? He sounds very friendly.

Heh.

Huo Li crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow at Chu Qing.

Chu Qing avoided Huo Li’s gaze. “Mmm.”

“I heard you’re going to adapt ‘Red Gauze Shadow’? Go ahead, change it however you like.”

Chu Qing said, “Can I let you listen to the demo?”

“Sure.”

Afterward, Chu Qing sent the sample to An Zuo and chatted with him for a few more sentences before hanging up.

As soon as the call ended, Chu Qing turned his head and saw Huo Li’s resentful gaze, like that of a jilted wife.

Chu Qing: “…”

This Huo Li… he’s a big CEO, right? Why is he so afraid of being replaced?

Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, Chu Qing explained, “My parents used to be pianists… he was friends with my parents.”

Huo Li was stunned.

Wasn’t Chu Qing raised in an orphanage?

“Your parents?”

Chu Qing nodded and smiled. “I have parents, of course… My parents were very talented pianists. They taught me music since I was little. It’s just that they passed away in a plane crash during a concert tour, and then… then my relatives came and divided up the inheritance, and I ended up in an orphanage.”

In fact, Chu Qing had once had a happy, wealthy, and perfect family, and had grown up adored by both his parents.

Huo Li frowned slightly.

“I remember everything from when I was little,” Chu Qing said. “My mom and dad doted on me. My mom was very beautiful, and my dad was very talented.”

“So…” Chu Qing said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, “Teacher An Zuo and I are not of the same generation.”

“Well, you and I are not of the same generation either. You used to call me Uncle Huo, not Mr. Huo. And you still call that guy ‘teacher’,” Huo Li said, raising an eyebrow.

Chu Qing’s face flushed red.

“T-Teacher An Zuo was my parents’ friend…”

Just as they were about to say something, ding-dong, An Zuo’s reply came.

An Zuo sent Chu Qing a voice message.

“It’s basically fine, but I think it can be better.”

That was to be expected. After all, it was An Zuo.

“I’ve marked the parts I think can be changed in red for you.”

“Ah, and also, listening to you sing… hmm…”

In the voice message, An Zuo paused, then said, “You sing like a chant from heaven. Although it’s very clean and pure… well, do you know what this song is about?”

Chu Qing blushed slightly, glanced at Huo Li, and replied with a guilty conscience, “An affair.”

Huo Li, who was on the side, raised an eyebrow slightly.

An Zuo said patiently, “That’s right, an affair. The red gauze shadow, the woman you’re having an affair with is beautiful, mysterious, and deadly. She stands behind a red gauze, smiling at you, wanting to pull you into hell.”

Chu Qing was lost in thought.

“So, when you sing, you need to be a little more… seductive! More devilishly charming! At least have a little bit of that forbidden love feeling, right?”

“Ah, that’s right, forbidden love. The thrill of an affair, the thrill brought by a deadly partner.”

“Sigh, poor Qingbao hasn’t experienced much. This is indeed a bit difficult for you to interpret.”

With every sentence An Zuo said, Chu Qing’s face grew redder, and he didn’t dare to look at Huo Li at all.

“Yo,” Huo Li said, looking at Chu Qing with great interest.

Right now, it seemed they were having an affair.

“In short, if you can, try to imagine or experience it. Life is short, so seize the opportunity to have fun.” An Zuo, this artist, had always been eccentric in his ways, directly telling Chu Qing to go experience it, perfectly embodying what it meant to be an “improper elder.”

After all, An Zs an affair. The red gauze shadow, the woman you’re having an affair with is beautiful, mysterious, and deadly. She stands behind a red gauze, smiling at you, wanting to pull you into hell.”

Chu Qing was lost in thought.

“So, when you sing, you need to be a little more… seductive! More devilishly charming! At least have a little bit of that forbidden love feeling, right?”

“Ah, that’s right, forbidden love. The thrill of an affair, the thrill brought by a deadly partner.”

“Sigh, poor Qingbao hasn’t experienced much. This is indeed a bit difficult for you to interpret.”

With every sentence An Zuo said, Chu Qing’s face grew redder, and he didn’t dare to look at Huo Li at all.

“Yo,” Huo Li said, looking at Chu Qing with great interest.

Right now, it seemed they were having an affair.

“In short, if you can, try to imagine or experience it. Life is short, so seize the opportunity to have fun.” An Zuo, this artist, had always been eccentric in his ways, directly telling Chu Qing to go experience it, perfectly embodying what it meant to be an “improper elder.”

After all, An Zuo’s love history could fill a thick novel.

“Thank you, teacher,” Chu Qing said with a dry laugh.

“I’m serious. I’m telling you, to get this song right, you have to experience that feeling. Otherwise, go find some adult romance novels or movies.”

“Okay…”

After ending the call with An Zuo, Chu Qing didn’t dare to look at Huo Li at all.

“I think Teacher An Zuo has a very good point,” Huo Li said with a straight face, even switching from “that guy” to “teacher.”

The corner of Chu Qing’s mouth twitched.

“The thrill, right?” Huo Li looked at Chu Qing with a dangerous glint in his eyes.

“…”

“M-Mr. Huo…” Chu Qing said in a panic. “No, reading books is fine, movies are fine too, I can just imagine it.”

Huo Li crossed his arms and looked at Chu Qing.

Chu Qing pretended not to know anything, avoided the topic, and picked up his notebook to continue scribbling, focusing on his creation with his head down.

Huo Li smiled and wrapped his arms around Chu Qing from behind.

“…Mr. Huo!”

“Shh.”

Huo Li rested his head on Chu Qing’s shoulder and said softly, “You continue writing.”

He wrapped his arms around Chu Qing’s waist, letting Chu Qing lean back against him.

“Continue.”

Chu Qing could feel the warm breath by his ear, and his neck tickled.

Ngh…

Huo Li smiled, his voice low and husky.

Chu Qing’s hands were even trembling a little.

“Mr. Huo…” his tone was almost pleading.

“Shh,” Huo Li said with his eyes closed. “I’m helping you… right?”

Chu Qing’s body was stiff. But Huo Li was strong, and Chu Qing couldn’t break free from his grasp at all. He could only be trapped in that embrace, feeling the man’s presence, airtight and enveloping.

More enchanting than the night itself.