Chapter 603: The sky is blue and waiting for the rain, and I am waiting for you...
"Zhao Tao, why did you bring me here?"
Zhang Yaqian's delicate brows furrowed slightly as she looked at Zhao Tao.
The previous hundred-meter waterspout incident had led to the Jinxiu Mountain Villa being sealed off, and even as residents, they couldn't enter, being blocked by those powerful men in black.
In desperation, Zhang Yaqian had no choice but to leave, and that's when Zhao Tao suggested taking her to a good place.
Thinking she had nowhere else to go, Zhang Yaqian agreed to come. Having known him since childhood, being from families of equal standing, and even having an engagement, Zhang Yaqian didn't guard against Zhao Tao. Although she didn't love him, she had a certain level of trust.
However, she hadn't expected Zhao Tao to bring her to a place like this—a sprawling, thrumming bar pulsating with a life entirely alien to her. The air was thick with the cloying scent of expensive perfume, spilled liquor, and a hint of something vaguely electric. Kaleidoscopic lights sliced through the manufactured gloom, painting fleeting patterns across the faces of strangers. A sea of bodies writhed on the dance floor, a chaotic mass of limbs and sweat moving to the relentless, gut-punching rhythm of heavy metal. The bass vibrated up through the soles of her shoes, a physical assault on her senses. Raised in a household where discipline and refinement were paramount, Zhang Yaqian felt a profound sense of discomfort. The sheer volume of the music was a jarring cacophony, a stark contrast to the classical symphonies and quiet elegance she was accustomed to. Yet, buried beneath the unease was a flicker of something else—a forbidden sense of novelty, a glimpse into a world she had only ever read about.
"I just bought this Jiangnan Bar and opened it. How about I invite you to come and see it?" Zhao Tao's voice was a smooth veneer over his excitement. He adopted the posture of a perfect gentleman, hands clasped casually behind his back, but his eyes betrayed him. A subtle, covetous gleam danced in their depths, an undisguised hunger that drank in every detail of her appearance. He couldn't stop his gaze from tracing the graceful curve of her neck, the elegant line of her shoulders. His fiancée, Zhang Yaqian, was truly a masterpiece.
'Incomparable,' he thought, a wave of pride and possessiveness washing over him. In his previous life, he had been a graduate of a well-known art academy. After graduation, he'd drifted through film crews, playing with a string of pretty young actresses and models, all desperate for a taste of stardom. They were beautiful, yes, but next to Zhang Yaqian, they were nothing more than common clay next to flawless jade. They were fireflies trying to compete with the moon. Her temperament, a serene and untouchable grace; her beauty, a classical perfection that defied modern trends; her figure, an impeccable silhouette that hinted at both elegance and power. How could those common beauties, their faces a dime a dozen, ever hope to compare to the undisputed top socialite of Hangzhou?
Zhao Tao let out a quiet sigh, a surge of self-satisfaction warming his chest. Fate had truly blessed him. He had transmigrated into this parallel world and landed in a perfect vessel: handsome, wealthy, and now, thanks to his memories, gifted with a captivating singing voice and an extraordinary memory. An entire library of classic songs, blockbuster scripts, and literary masterpieces from his old world was locked away in his mind, just waiting to be unleashed. He was destined to become a superstar, a legend whose name would echo through history. He wouldn't just be a celebrity; he would define the very concept of one.
And even if, by some impossible twist of fate, he failed in the entertainment industry—a thought so absurd he almost laughed—he could simply take ten thousand steps back and return home to inherit the Chenguang Group, a corporate empire with assets in the tens of billions. It was a safety net woven from gold. But the true jewel in his crown, the prize that pleased him most, was his fiancée. Zhang Yaqian. The top socialite of Hangzhou, the goddess that countless young masters from the city's most powerful families could only dream of. And she was his. The mere thought was enough to make him wake up smiling.
But one thing grated on him, a constant source of annoyance. Zhang Yaqian was far too reserved, a product of her family's strict, old-fashioned upbringing. He was her fiancé, for heaven's sake, yet he couldn't even touch her hand without her flinching away. Getting any closer was an impossibility. When he brought up marriage, she would always demure, insisting she hadn't graduated yet and there was no need to rush. She was currently pursuing her master's degree at Hangcheng University and had another year to go.
A year. Zhao Tao couldn't wait a year. His patience was wearing thin. So today, he would make his move. A grand display, a shocking revelation designed to shatter her composure and make her see him in a new light. He was done pretending, done playing the role of the tone-deaf heir. He was laying all his cards on the table. He was Hua Shen, the mysterious God of the Chinese music scene. Today, he was certain, would be the day their relationship took a monumental leap forward.
'Zhang Yaqian's strict upbringing and reserved personality are good things in a way,' he mused, a smirk touching his lips. 'It means she's still a pure, untouched little flower... Hehe. And I, Zhao Tao, her fiancé, will be the one to help her bloom. Just thinking about it makes me so excited.' A flush crept up his neck, his face growing hot. He could barely contain the raw, primal excitement that surged through him at the thought of the scenes to come.
"Jiangnan Bar?" Zhang Yaqian's voice pulled him from his reverie. Her eyes swept across the establishment. It was undeniably luxurious, with polished mahogany, plush velvet seating, and exquisite crystal fixtures that refracted the chaotic lights. But she paid little mind to the decor. What truly seized her attention was a sudden, dramatic shift in the atmosphere. The deafening roar of heavy metal had abruptly ceased. In its place, a gentle, flowing melody began to drift through the speakers—an ancient, elegant Chinese-style tune that felt like a cool stream washing over the bar's feverish energy.
"The azure sky awaits the rain, and I await you..."
"Isn't this 'Blue and White Porcelain'?" Zhang Yaqian's eyes widened in recognition. "The new song that's been incredibly popular in the Yanxia music scene recently?"
She knew it instantly. A mysterious artist, nicknamed the God of the Chinese music scene, or 'Hua Shen', had emerged from nowhere and taken the nation by storm. Over the past few weeks, he had released dozens of new songs, each one a masterpiece of composition and lyrical depth, suffused with a classical Chinese charm that was both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. They hadn't just become popular; they had exploded, dominating every chart and playlist.
The entire industry was in an uproar, with everyone speculating about the true identity of this musical titan. Where did this monstrously talented newcomer come from? His self-proclaimed title, 'God of the Chinese music scene,' was impossibly arrogant, yet after hearing his work, few could argue with it. The sheer talent on display was staggering. He was simply too amazing. Many fans and critics had taken to calling him Hua Shen as a sign of respect.
For an ordinary singer, producing a single hit song was a rare and celebrated achievement. But Hua Shen had been releasing high-quality new songs with the casual frequency of dumplings being dropped into a boiling pot, treating his rapidly growing fanbase to a feast that felt like a perpetual New Year's celebration. It was universally believed that he was destined to become a future Heavenly King-level superstar in the Yanxia music scene. Every entertainment company, from the largest conglomerates to the smallest indie labels, was scrambling to sign him. Public offers of tens of millions in signing fees, along with unprecedentedly favorable contract terms, were made daily. But Hua Shen remained silent, showing no interest, continuing to release his music without a word.
His only public statement, aside from the music itself, came in a brief, cryptic post: he was a fan of Heavenly Queen Zhong Lingyin. If the national treasure came to seek him out, he would gladly write songs for her. The comment instantly dominated the hot searches, igniting a firestorm of speculation. Countless curious onlookers wondered if Hua Shen was professing his admiration or attempting a bold, public courtship of the beloved singer. The frenzy only died down when Zhong Lingyin offered a subtle, polite refusal, and the hot search topic mysteriously vanished.
Zhang Yaqian had always loved music, and she was deeply curious about this enigmatic genius. She cared little for the industry gossip and scandals, but the songs themselves were captivating. She couldn't put them down, having listened to his entire collection more than once.
"What, Yaqian, you like 'Blue and White Porcelain' too?" Zhao Tao could barely contain his glee. His voice was laced with a smug satisfaction that was almost comical.
"Mm, that Hua Shen is indeed very talented. I really like songs like 'Blue and White Porcelain,' 'Jiangnan,' and 'East Wind Break,'" Zhang Yaqian admitted softly, her voice carrying a genuine note of admiration.
Zhao Tao's pleasure intensified. He knew his fiancée loved music, which made his plan all the more perfect. He leaned in slightly, a conspiratorial smile playing on his lips. "How about I go on stage and sing 'Blue and White Porcelain' for you?"
"You?" Zhang Yaqian looked at him, her surprise evident. A strange, almost bewildered expression crossed her face. The Zhang and Zhao families were two of Hangzhou's top ten wealthiest clans, their fortunes and histories intertwined for generations. She had known Zhao Tao since they were children. She knew, with absolute certainty, that he was utterly tone-deaf and possessed zero creative talent. He had even studied abroad at the famous Berklee College of Music, but the occasional songs he posted on his social media were still cringe-inducingly awful.
He reminded her of a certain emperor from history who had composed over forty thousand poems in his lifetime—writing with more frequency than modern people posted on social media, averaging more than ten a day—yet not a single one was memorable or worth reading.
Still, Zhang Yaqian's impeccable upbringing and fundamentally kind heart prevented her from saying anything that might discourage him. She gently bit her pink lower lip, a helpless sigh escaping her. "Alright, then you sing." She resolved to clap politely and offer a few words of praise regardless of how terrible he sounded. It was the least she could do.
Zhao Tao saw the undisguised disbelief in her eyes and chuckled inwardly. 'Just you wait.' He would open her eyes, alright. He would blow her mind. After transmigrating, all his abilities had been enhanced, but his singing voice had undergone a miraculous transformation. It was a gift from the heavens. With that thought, Zhao Tao shot a meaningful look at the Jiangnan Bar's manager, signaling him to prepare the stage. It was time to show off.
"Miss Zhang Yaqian, you're here too?"
Just as Zhao Tao was about to go on stage to show off, a familiar voice came. Zhao Tao and Zhang Yaqian both turned their heads and saw the handsome and ethereal Shen Anyu.
"Master Shen!" A surprised expression bloomed on Zhang Yaqian's beautiful face. She greatly respected and had a good impression of this profound and unfathomable Master Shen, who had also saved her life.
'Master Shen? Why would he come to Jiangnan Bar?' Zhao Tao was also startled, then became somewhat wary. Could he have come specifically for Zhang Yaqian? No, he remembered Shen Anyu had a girlfriend, Yang Qiuchan, the stunning daughter of the Yang's Hotpot Restaurant owner.
Was it intentional, or a coincidence?
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