Chapter 56 – Princess Carry

Chapter 56 - Princess Carry

A person as clever as I

Should have shone brightly all my life

With the aid of alcohol, Tang Fei's voice took on a grainy texture, her low and hoarse tones resonating through the speakers, echoing across the vast wilderness, by the artificial stream, amidst the scent of barbecue and beer on the earthen plaza. They entered ears, touching hearts.

Tang Fei tilted her head slightly, closed her eyes, and swayed from side to side, moving with the rhythm of her own singing. The staff member holding the guitar lowered his head to strum the strings.

Following Tang Fei's melody, he used the C major scale and minor third chords, accompanying her slow and melancholic song. When she sang the third line, the guitar joined in.

How could two decades amount to this

A house becomes a walled city

A person as clever as I

How much innocence remains

Upon the starry rooftop, I've pondered for whom

I'd throw caution to the wind, without a care

...

As if someone's whispering softly in my ear, unfolding a tale with tenderness and grace

Slowly captivating, closing my eyes, I might sketch this figure in my mind—maybe Li Xiuyun, or someone else, with a hint of myself intertwined

This song unheard by any ear has only just begun, yet each note drills into my heart like a melody divine

A great song, it resonates on first listen, striking a chord deep inside

Only Tang Fei's voice lingers in the venue now...

...

For a solitary soul like me

A lonely soul like me,

One who yearns for something more,

How many in this world are we?

Trapped, like Li Xiuyun and I, forlorn.

Does anyone feel our pain?

Tang Fei's voice drew out slowly, her notes lingering as she swayed. Both she and Xiuyun were ensnared in their respective predicaments.

Her "original" song captivated all present; the echoes lingered long after she finished, leaving everyone in a trance.

Even the camera guy, one of the few still lucid, couldn't resist swaying to the tune, his camera moving rhythmically like a fan-made tribute.

The final, heartfelt line of the song transcended the distance between them, imprinting itself on Zhou Weichuan's heart.

He reveled in Tang Fei's displayed talent, joyfully embracing the surprise she brought. The more he watched, the more he wished to see.

This was a song above par, with lyrics that tugged at one's heartstrings. Through the melody, he saw Tang Fei and, in turn, himself.

For all these years, he had been trapped in the complexities of his parents' entanglements.

He wondered what had ensnared Tang Fei. Perhaps she yearned for someone's affection, for someone to step into her life, to listen and understand. Was Tang Fei the same?

Tang Fei began swaying like a pendulum, then started spinning around. On her system interface, admiration fortune bags flooded in, painting the screen a vivid red.

But her head was dizzy, and her limbs felt as limp as noodles. As she opened her eyes, everything around her appeared hazy and indistinct. She felt as if she were walking on clouds. With each step forward, the world spun, reality warping, and the surroundings jolted violently.

Tang Fei was about to fall! He Zhou rushed over, extending his hands, but it was too late. His fingers only brushed against the hem of Zhou Weichuan's clothing.

Zhou Weichuan, acting instinctively, dashed over just in time to catch Tang Fei as she stumbled, supporting her in his arms and letting her lean against his chest.

Tang Fei's eyes cracked open, revealing a blurred, dark sky. There were seven or eight blurry, concentric moons, and a face shrouded in shadows, illuminated from behind by a white light.

Who was this?

Was she dreaming?

Tang Fei strained to open her eyes wide, attempting to discern the identity of the person before her. Yet, her vision swayed amidst the flickering light and alcohol, allowing her to make out only a jawline and a vague facial outline.

Was it someone attractive?

Mm, as long as they were handsome...

Tang Fei drifted off into a hazy slumber.

The matchmaking mission, forgotten by all, timidly peeked out from amidst a sea of fortune bags. It seemed to be observing stealthily, then gradually sank back into obscurity as its owner lost consciousness.

If there were a competition for the most pitiful system missions, the Matchmaker's Task would surely have much to say.

Tang Fei's face nestled against Zhou Weichuan's arm, her long hair falling half outside and half across her cheeks. With a frown, she felt an itch on her face but was unable to lift her hand. All she could do was subtly rub her head.

Zhou Weichuan gently brushed aside her stray hairs, his fingertips grazing Tang Fei's cheek. Whether it was due to the alcohol raising Tang Fei's skin temperature or some other reason, his fingers burned with a tingling sensation.

He Zhou's eyes widened in surprise. Was he also drunk? What was he witnessing?

Was that his cousin and their boss?

My cousin was being hugged by someone?!

No way!

He had to protect her.

He Zhou made a move to rush forward but was pulled back by Zheng Haisheng, rendering him immobile on the spot. Zheng Haisheng said, "I know where to get some hangover medicine. Come with me."

Unswayed, He Zhou pushed forward, his coat half torn off by Zheng Haisheng. "I need to keep an eye on my sister."

"She's the top star of the company. Everyone will take good care of her. Don't worry," Zheng Haisheng said with a righteous expression.

His current focus in studying the Love Guide had shifted to becoming a skilled wingman.

With great effort, He Zhou took another half-step forward, digging a groove into the ground. "They're all drunk. Who can take care of her?"

"How much have you had to drink?" Zheng Haisheng's eyes widened like saucers. His sturdy arms restrained He Zhou as he earnestly lied, "You're drunk too. Don't cause trouble. Come with me."

He Zhou paused in his tracks, confusion etched on his face. ???

Am I drunk?

Not drunk at all!

"I am not drunk."

"Those who are drunk always claim they're not!" Zheng Haisheng declared with certainty.

Am I truly drunk?

He Zhou felt a twinge of doubt, but just as he relaxed slightly, Zheng Haisheng seized the opportunity to pull him away.

Zhou Weichuan surveyed the room. Whether genuinely drunk or pretending, those who needed to sleep did so, and those who should look the other way did just that.

His gaze found the camera operator still filming, who promptly set down his equipment gently from his shoulder.

"I'll personally review today's footage," Zhou Weichuan declared.

Xu Jianguo assured him, "Any excess will be edited out. Let the young ones take flight."

Zhou Weichuan scooped Tang Fei up horizontally. "Remember to leave a few sober female staff members next time. Today, I'm sending the company employees back out of ordinary concern as colleagues. Don't read too much into it."

"President Zhou, I didn't overthink it!" The photographer puffed out his chest and said with innocent, fluttering eyes, "Today, it was a female comrade who sent Sister Fei back."

Xu Jianguo couldn't help but laugh, but he also couldn't suppress it, so his face twisted into a strange expression.

Zhou Weichuan pursed his lips, feeling somewhat awkward.

The photographer scratched his head. "Isn't that the standard answer?"

Zhou Weichuan lifted his leg, and with his long, slender legs, he stepped over the camera on the ground, along with the pair of high heels dangling at the edge of the lens.

After they left, Xu Jianguo finally laughed. He said to the photographer, "Not saying anything is the standard answer. Look at those pretending to sleep, not one of them made a sound. Talking about this kind of thing would just make everyone uncomfortable."

"What about me then?"

"You haven't buttered him up enough. Keep practicing."

...

Zhou Weichuan carried Tang Fei all the way to the chauffeured car.

After settling her down, he, like how he took care of his mother in his childhood, instinctively fetched a towel from the bathroom.

But when he stood by the bed with the towel in hand and saw Tang Fei hugging her pillow, he paused in his actions.

His current behavior had crossed a line.

In the end, he returned the towel to the bathroom. Out of sight from Tang Fei, he finally took out the medicinal wine that had been concealed in his pocket. He gently placed it on the bedside table.

"Suo Ge, big brother..." Tang Fei whispered softly.

Is Tang Fei still struggling to step out of her character?

Zhou Weichuan's eyebrows furrowed. Sensitive individuals who are easily empathetic have an advantage when it comes to getting into character and conveying emotions during filming. However, someone like Tang Fei, who has not undergone formal training, may become too immersed in their role and find it difficult to emerge from it after the filming is over, which can lead to psychological issues.

Tomorrow, he'll take a leave from the 'Happiness Hotel' production team, allowing Tang Fei to relax for a while before resuming work.

"Dad, Mom." With flushed cheeks, Tang Fei swallowed hard. What could she have possibly seen in her dream?

"Hotpot... with chili oil."

"Yellow throat."

"Beef tripe."

"Blood tofu."

Tang Fei's lips twitched, her expression relaxed and content as if she had found immense satisfaction.

Zhou Weichuan's brows knitted together before arching upward, transforming his handsome face into an awkward expression of confusion.

He had worried for nothing; she snapped out of it quickly.

He Zhou was only fooled by Zheng Haisheng for a few minutes before he dragged the latter along in a mad dash, leaving Zheng Haisheng struggling to act as an anchor to slow them down.

Boss, I tried my best!

Tang Fei's cousin also has quite some strength!

I could only stall for so long.

...

The moment He Zhou opened the car door, he saw Zhou Weichuan standing by the bed, looking down at Tang Fei with the alarm bells in his head ringing at maximum volume.

He rushed to the bedside and let out a sigh of relief when he saw his cousin fully dressed. "Boss, how do you have the car keys?"

Zheng Haisheng stood silently behind Zhou Weichuan, thinking to himself, The car belongs to the boss, so of course he would have the keys.

"Tang Fei let herself in," Zhou Weichuan said without a hint of a lie. He remained calm, and since He Zhou couldn't read his cousin's expression, there was no way to verify the truth.

"This bottle of medicinal wine was sent by the production team. Tang Fei said she was in pain from the fall. You can help her apply it when you have time." Zhou Weichuan pointed to the medicine on the nightstand, nodding gracefully at He Zhou as if he were an ordinary boss, completely unbothered.

It wasn't until Zhou Weichuan and Zheng Haisheng left the car that He Zhou, who had been brimming with questions, finally found himself speechless.

The entire conversation seemed to be steered by someone else...

He Zhou glanced at the medicinal wine. His cousin never complained about pain even after getting bruised all over from sparring at a boxing gym. She had always cried in secret since she was little, so why would she admit to feeling pain now?

Was there something added to the wine tonight...

Something must be off. Otherwise, how could he have been unaware that his cousin was an original singer?

She could compose lyrics, create melodies, and sing – all on her own!

Was this still the cousin who had been mocked for her illiteracy?

Everything that happened today felt surreal.

He Zhou went to the bathroom to dampen a towel, which he then used to wipe Tang Fei's face. He pulled her up and gave her some hangover medicine.

In a daze, Tang Fei resisted, "So bitter, why is it burnt?"

"Sis, come on, drink some wine, and it'll be better."

Gurgle, gurgle...

"This wine is too light."

He Zhou positioned Tang Fei properly to prevent any vomit from flowing back into her airway and causing suffocation during the night.

Only then did he have the chance to reflect on what had just transpired. With his years of experience being around Tang Fei, He Zhou was almost certain that Boss Zhou had developed a liking for his cousin!

During their first meeting, the contract terms were unexpectedly generous – a clear sign of careful planning.

He would need to remind his cousin to be cautious tomorrow. There were plenty of playboy bosses in the entertainment industry who took liberties with female stars.