I’m Keeping the Overbearing CEO After He Went Bankrupt [Rebirth] 30

Chapter 30: Qingbao the Little Tiger

The feeling of having one’s Adam’s apple taken into another’s mouth was like being throttled, but with a wet, ambiguous itch.

“Don’t…!”

Chu Qing was startled. He kicked his legs and pushed the guitar in his arms upward, trying to get Huo Li to get up.

“Qingbao, I…” Huo Li’s voice was hoarse. “Let me hold you for a bit.”

If Huo Li really wanted to, he wouldn’t be stopped by a guitar, but he was unwilling to use force to compel Chu Qing.

“Mr. Huo, I have to keep practicing,” Chu Qing said, clutching the guitar tightly, his voice trembling. “I have to, I have to practice, I have to practice…”

“Alright,” Huo Li sighed inwardly and got up helplessly, silently savoring the lingering warmth on his lips.

He wanted to stay by Chu Qing’s side, no matter what, he wanted to be by his side. But Chu Qing was still a little afraid of him.

It wasn’t the simple fear of Huo Li’s aura or something like that from the beginning, but…

Huo Li vaguely understood, and yet, he vaguely didn’t.

But he was always thinking about taking a step further with Chu Qing, hoping to get his approval, hoping…

Hoping that Chu Qing wouldn’t suddenly lose contact with the world and leave, like he had in his past life.

It was precisely because Chu Qing could leave at any time that Huo Li’s possessiveness was like a bottomless abyss, growing ever larger.

Huo Li shook his head and found a new topic. “Qingbao, I don’t mind you making friends.”

Chu Qing turned his head to look at him.

Huh?

“Friends like Yu Weixi, An Yize… you can make friends with them. But I won’t let you make friends with ill intentions. Do you understand?”

Huo Li had been silently observing Yu Weixi until now. He was a very good person, and so was An Yize. But to let Chu Qing have any emotional entanglements with others, like Sheng Lingfei before or Jiao Changxu now, or to be hurt in any way—Huo Li couldn’t even bear to think about it.

He was like a vigilant, protective male lion, holding Chu Qing in his mouth and hiding him under his belly, carefully checking the people around him. Before he was sure, he would stubbornly hide the little cub well.

“Okay…” Chu Qing subconsciously touched the necklace on his chest and nodded. “I’ll be careful myself. Mr. Huo doesn’t need to worry.”

“It’s just…” he lowered his head. “I might not be able to make friends.”

“As long as you treat people with sincerity, others will definitely feel it. Don’t be afraid.”

Huo Li took his hand. “I’ve given you the little tiger. Just muster up the courage to talk to others. Don’t be afraid.”

“Oh…”

Huo Li said patiently, “For example, teaching others, sharing snacks with others, telling others how you feel…”

As if he were teaching a small child.

“I… I know how to get along with people!” Chu Qing’s face was a little red. He wasn’t a kindergarten child. How could he not know these things! He was just…

Huo Li smiled. “I know, but you have to dare to do it. If you don’t dare to do it, what’s the point of knowing, right?”

“Mmm…” Chu Qing clutched his own hand stubbornly. “I… I know, I know how to talk to others.”

Huo Li nonchalantly took his hand, stopping at that, and changed the subject. “Shall I teach you to dance?”

Chu Qing: “…Now?”

“Do you need it?”

Chu Qing gently tapped his pen.

He needed it.

He was already very familiar with music; it was a part of his body. But dance was a new challenge.

It was just…

With a red face, he said, “I don’t need it.”

His expression couldn’t fool anyone. Huo Li smiled, stood up in front of him, bowed slightly, and held out his hand. “Handsome little sir, may I have this dance?”

Chu Qing was stunned.

Under the moonlight, the tall man was bowing and inviting him.

“Sir?”

Chu Qing smiled, stood up, and took his hand.

The dark clouds quietly moved away from the moon, unwilling to cover its light. In the dense forest, the two danced on the lawn.

The cool evening breeze gently brushed against the loose strands of hair by Chu Qing’s cheek. Huo Li paused, reached out, and gently tucked them behind his ear.

“Mr. Huo…?” Chu Qing’s grip on his hand tightened slightly.

Huo Li smiled and said in a low voice, “You’re so beautiful.”

Chu Qing was stunned.

“I heard from a psychologist that if you look at someone for a long time, you’ll fall in love with them,” he said. The two of them spun in a circle to the music. Social dancing was not difficult, and Chu Qing was already familiar with it, so he wouldn’t be out of step.

He paused. “I’m not beautiful.”

“You are very, very beautiful,” Huo Li said, his hand intertwined with Chu Qing’s, the other on his waist. He lowered his head and planted a kiss on his forehead.

Chu Qing was stunned.

Huo Li said gently, “Don’t run away, okay?”

It was a little quiet in the park.

A moment later, Chu Qing turned around and picked up his guitar, his back to him. “Thank you.”

…

The next day was the final sprint. The contestants were even more nervous. The practice rooms were never empty, and sounds could be heard even in the middle of the night.

Chu Qing, after all, didn’t have much pressure, so he simply guided An Yize and his new friend, Wang Shiwei.

It was rare for him to take the initiative to teach someone. The two of them were very happy and were learning from him very seriously. Their songs had undergone a great change, and they had broken through their bottleneck just like that.

The day after that, the competition finally began.

The stage was set outdoors. The production team had set up a stage in an open space, surrounded by woods. The wooden stage was also covered with fallen leaves and small branches, very picturesque.

This time, Chu Qing was wearing a tailcoat, like a refined and noble young master. As soon as he appeared in the livestream room, his fans went crazy.

His temperament had always been restrained and gentle, but today’s attire added a bit more nobility and pride.

“Teacher Chu, good luck,” Jiao Changxu said, walking over with a smile. The seat next to Chu Qing was empty. “Can I sit here?”

“No,” Chu Qing said, placing his water bottle on the chair. “Teacher An has reserved it.”

“Can’t Teacher An sit somewhere else?”

“No, I want to be with Teacher An.”

“…” Jiao Changxu frowned slightly. He had never met someone who dared to be so disrespectful in front of the camera. The refusal was too much, and it made him look like he was pestering him, and he also lost face.

He was a little confused. Wasn’t everything fine two days ago? Chu Qing had clearly accepted his gift.

He nonchalantly glanced at Chu Qing’s pencil case.

There was no ornament.

He was a little disappointed, and more unwilling.

In the past, although Chu Qing had been distant when he spoke to him, he had at least had his usual gentleness. But now, he was clearly cold to him.

“Teacher Chu’s pencil case would look good with an ornament,” Jiao Changxu said with a smile, pointing to his pencil case.

Chu Qing was scribbling with his head bowed, ignoring him.

Jiao Changxu had no choice but to leave.

“Wow… Teacher Chu, did you take gunpowder?” Wang Shiwei, who had been watching the process and was sitting on the other side of him, said with a laugh. “Why are you so fierce?”

Chu Qing knew that Wang Shiwei was a good person and had even helped Huo Li, so he frowned and said in a low voice, “Because I don’t want to create a ship with him.”

“Ah? Like that… is he always pestering you to create a ship?”

“Mmm,” Chu Qing frowned.

“Hahahahaha, two big men. Creating a ship would be good for you too. You don’t have to be so shy about it,” Wang Shiwei said, patting his shoulder.

Chu Qing shook his head, not speaking.

Wang Shiwei smiled and turned to look at the stage, his face turning pale.

Fck, when did the camera get into position??*

It didn’t record their conversation just now, did it??

He nudged Chu Qing with his elbow. “Um… has the recording started?”

“I don’t think so. Didn’t they say the livestream would start when the host comes on stage?”

“Oh…”

In fact, what the contestants didn’t know was that because the person giving the instructions was different, and besides, it wasn’t a big deal, and not many idiots would talk nonsense in front of the camera, the livestream had already started in advance.

Therefore, the conversation between the two iron-headed idiots, Chu Qing and Wang Shiwei, although the sound was not clear, had successfully made the livestream room explode.

XXX: Hahahahaha I knew it! I knew it! It must have been hard for Teacher Chu. I’m casting a spell for you online. Licking dogs, be gone!!

XXX: Chu Qing is so disgusting, isn’t he?? Is he deliberately framing our Brother Xu, knowing that there’s a camera! Ffs, a bed-climber. What fcking face does he have to say others are pestering him? Didn’t he get today’s attention by pestering a dck with his own b*tch?

XXX: Person above, clean your mouth. Your mom also pestered your dad’s dck with her btch to have you, this underdeveloped embryo. Is it so hard to admit that your Xu is a licking dog and a f*ckboy??

XXX: Top-tier fans are like this, biting people everywhere. Just get used to it

XXX: ??? exo me? Jiao Changxu’s fans don’t represent all top-tier fans, ok? We’re not taking the blame. Other top-tier celebrities don’t lick people like him, so much that others are annoyed. Tsk tsk, it’s the first time I’ve seen him being chased away like a dog. I’m dying of laughter

Jiao Changxu’s fans were provoked, but the facts were there, and they could only swallow their anger.

The livestream room was in chaos. Here, Chu Qing was at peace, drinking hot water with Wang Shiwei and An Yize.

Huo Li had gotten a cup of hot water for him and had also brought two extra for his friends. It seemed he was worried that Chu Qing had misunderstood because of yesterday’s incident, so he was taking action.

After that, the competition finally began.

The keyword Wang Shiwei had drawn was a single character, “Righteousness,” which suited his big-guy image. He directly performed a period-style song about a general, which was quite unique.

An Yize had drawn “Ex,” and he wrote a silly, curse-your-ex pop song, which was also well-received.

Jiao Changxu’s “Waiting” was full of longing, like a prince waiting for the arrival of love and his princess, which made countless fans’ girlish hearts explode.

After that, it was finally Chu Qing’s turn. He took a deep breath and walked onto the stage.

A piano was placed in the center of the stage, covered with fallen leaves.

He was wearing a tailcoat. From the moment he walked onto the stage to the moment he sat down at the piano, his movements were elegant and otherworldly. Many people in the audience held their breath.

Then, he began.

…

I’m waiting, I’m used to waiting for you,
Waiting and waiting, you slipped through my hourglass…
I wait and wait,
From summer to winter, from dry footsteps frozen into tears in my eyes…

…

The sound of the piano was crisp and gentle, and his voice was also gentle.

No, or rather, it was too gentle.

So gentle that it even gave rise to a bit of sadness.

The contestants present had never heard such a… dull piece. It had no ups and downs, like repeatedly hitting a drum, repeatedly pressing a piano key, monotonous and boring.

But it made people feel very, very sad, like a withered blade of grass growing in a barren land.

After singing the first verse, he suddenly stood up.

The piano stopped abruptly, replaced by the violinist and the band behind him.

He began to dance a two-person dance by himself on the stage.

He held the air, embracing a void as he danced a waltz, spinning, stepping, his black boots on the stage, immersed in his own world of waiting, his features gentle.

His movements were not perfect, but that made them even more beautiful.

In the audience, Wang Shiwei patted An Yize and said in a small voice, “F*ck, I’m getting goosebumps.”

An Yize also stared blankly at him, covering his face and secretly saying to Wang Shiwei, “If not for the hardware, I would have fallen in love with him.”

Wang Shiwei: “…”

It seems I’ve learned something I shouldn’t have.

On the other end, Jiao Changxu, as An Yize had said, was staring straight at him.

So beautiful…

Really, so beautiful.

Chu Qing’s looks were not heaven-defying or stunning, just ordinarily handsome. His personality was also introverted and low-key, and he could easily be lost in a crowd.

But when he was singing or playing, he would shine.

…

I wait and wait, I’m always waiting
I’m waiting here
Will you come back?

…

The last verse of the lyrics suddenly became very plain, as if he were speaking.

Then, he stopped his steps, stood still on the stage, and ended the dance.

…

When the entire piece ended, everyone couldn’t even react.

A moment later, the applause almost overwhelmed him. A few sentimental staff members and contestants even cried.

Huo Li stood on the side, inconspicuous in a group of equally black-clothed staff.

Only another assistant standing next to him noticed that his eyes, hidden under his hat, were slightly red.

…

He had dreamed countless times.

In his dream, Chu Qing was lying in a coffin, his eyes closed, with that same gentle and indifferent expression.

As if he were waiting for something.

The longer he spent with him, the more profound that dream became.

On the other end, after Chu Qing came off stage, he only felt a sense of relief.

He had finally successfully expressed what he wanted to express.

After that, the competition continued. It wasn’t until evening that the votes were counted, and they were prepared to be announced in a less formal and serious way during the contestants’ usual dinner party at Angel’s Home.

Before, it had been the live audience who voted, but now that everyone was in the mountains, there was no audience, so they had adopted an online audience voting mechanism.

At night, the contestants all arrived at Angel’s Home on time.

“Alright… then let’s announce the scores now,” the host said with a smile. “If we don’t announce them, I’m afraid our big brothers here won’t be able to eat well.”

The host announced from the last place, in order.

When he got to the fifth place, he paused. “This is a rather surprising ranking.”

The contestants were a little confused.

Surprising?

Could it be that someone had a comeback or regressed?

“Fifth place is… Chu Qing. Teacher Chu.”

…

…

?????

The contestants were all silent. The host was quietly observing Chu Qing’s expression.

The entire Angel’s Home was silent.

The livestream room was also shocked.

XXX: exo me??? Did the voters use their Hong Kong feet to vote?? Are you guys deaf? Deaf? How could my Teacher Chu be fifth!! And he was beaten by two of his students and that licking dog? Hmm???

XXX: erm… but to be honest, this time I really didn’t understand what he was singing

XXX: Tsk tsk, I really didn’t understand. Brother Xu’s song was an obvious love song. Teacher Chu was like chanting a spell. The music made me want to sleep!

XXX: So angry!! Did the licking dog Jiao’s fans use their numbers to vote and manipulate the rankings!! Is this vote really reliable?!

XXX: Don’t shift the blame, okay? Teacher Chu really didn’t sing well, ok? The dancing was good-looking, but this competition is about singing and creative ability, not about being good-looking

XXX: Mmm-hmm, I also didn’t understand what Chu Qing was singing, and the melody was so strange and ugly

Jiao Changxu’s fans were so proud their tails were wagging. They kept praising his song.

And the person in question, Chu Qing, paused, then looked around. “…Is fifth place… not good…?”

It’s not last place, is it?

“It’s good, it’s all good. The ranking is not the most important thing. What’s important is that Teacher Chu feels he has made a breakthrough,” the host said with a grin, handing him the small medal with a “five” on it.

“Congratulations, Teacher Chu…”

After that, the rankings were announced in order. An Yize and Wang Shiwei, who had been guided by him, were ranked higher than him. First place went to Jiao Changxu, whose boyfriend-power had exploded in this song.

Chu Qing didn’t feel any dissatisfaction at all. In fact, he was very happy.

He felt so proud. Before, An Yize’s and Wang Shiwei’s rankings were not very good, but now, with his help, they had become better.

It wasn’t that he was proud, but he felt that he had been of great use, and couldn’t help but feel proud.

The rare joy in his eyes couldn’t be hidden, which made Wang Shiwei and An Yize both embarrassed and amused.

“Silly Qingqing, you don’t mind, right…?” An Yize, who had gotten third place this time, leaned over and asked.

“There are always wins and losses in a competition… I’ve gotten first place every time. Isn’t it normal to get fifth this time?” Chu Qing paused, then scratched his chin. “I… it’s not a bad thing for me to get fifth…”

He explained, “I like my song. I sang it out, and it’s just like how it was in my mind. It didn’t disappoint me. I’m very satisfied…”

An Yize nodded in agreement. “Yes. Your performance this time was really great. It’s just that it might have been too obscure for the audience to understand.”

“Ah…”

He thought, Even if the audience might not understand or accept it, I won’t change.

Music is sacred and cannot be changed. I will write what I like. I can’t change it just for the audience.

“Mmm-hmm, that’s a must! It’s that others don’t understand. After all, the pace of life is so fast now, and they’re not here in person, but behind a computer,” Wang Shiwei said with a smile. “In my heart, Teacher Chu is the best anyway!”

Chu Qing smiled, lowered his head, and took the roasted meat Wang Shiwei gave him, a little happy.

He touched the little tiger hidden under his clothes on his chest.

He didn’t get first place, but it seemed… he had made two friends.

This time, he had really made friends.