People in Tokyo, the world is clear

The belated truth buried beneath the surface was so shocking that her voice rose unconsciously.

"So..."

She almost stood up. "Today, isn't it more than just a simple chat..."

"Otherwise, what do you think all this fuss is for, Qingshan? Everyone came all the way here just to take advantage of you being so tired after the performance, to quickly grab you and chat with you and torture you so that you can fall asleep as soon as you lie down in bed when you get home?"

Lin Sen tapped her shoulder, and his remarks triggered another round of good-natured laughter.

The almost doting action also made another woman present cover her mouth, feeling amused by the relationship between the two.

The actions of everyone finally woke up someone who was slowly realizing the situation.

"So, this time the teachers didn't just come to listen to my songs and encourage me, but also to... chat and collaborate?"

After slowly sorting out some of her confusion, she finally couldn't help but stand up:

"So, you're currently...interviewing?"

The stupid singer instantly turned into a panicked student who was called on by the teacher to answer a question:

"I..."

He stood up from his seat unconsciously in an instant, and was then pulled back to sit on the sofa by the person next to him who seemed to have turned into a reliable classmate.

Trying hard to suppress the amusement that came from her silly cuteness, Lin Sen gave Miss Xia Zhi a reassuring look.

When he turned his head to face the front, his serious attitude once again appeared on his face:

"Well, Mr. Sakamoto. Although I'm quite confident in my artist's talent and gifts, I still need to consult your opinion on this matter. Do you recognize her future and value?"

"Judging from his professionalism as a singer and his demonstrated musical talent, he is indeed an artist with great potential and worthy of cultivation. However, if we want to make a final decision, we may need to consult with the company's other major shareholder."

Having said that, Sakamoto turned his head and looked at his wife: "Xianzi, what do you think?"

"It's indeed as Tsuruko said. He's a musician who can create incredible music."

The person who spoke next to him was Yano Akiko, the sister of radio host Shitsuko Shitsuko - now, she has changed her surname to Sakamoto's husband's.

She smiled at the younger girl in front of her who suddenly felt a little embarrassed:

"But I don't think I've heard your signature acid jazz piece. Hezi praised it highly, something I've never heard her say before. Honestly, I'm incredibly curious. I haven't gotten the answer to my question yet, so I wonder when I'll actually get to hear it."

"what."

Miss Qingshan exclaimed, turned her head and reached for the guitar, "I can..."

only--

"Don't work so hard anymore."

Akiko Sakamoto, who was sitting opposite her, suddenly became angry and stopped her.

"...Eh?"

Look over at the green mountains during the summer solstice.

Wherever I looked, she was also frowning:

"Today's performance features many difficult songs. As a singer whose voice makes a living, you must protect your voice. Make sure you rest and maintain it, and avoid overuse and damage. So, please don't try to be too strong. I don't want any of our artists to injure their voices like this."

"..."

For a moment, the air froze before the surprise arrived.

Calling him by the name of his own artist, that is to say—

"I hope to hear the rumored 'Virtual Insanity' on your first studio album." Sakamoto Akiko raised her hands and began to fold her nails. "Of course, I'm not saying you have to release it as soon as possible. One of the goals of our company is to give our artists the greatest creative freedom. I'm just expressing my expectations from a listener's perspective."

"I..."

Qingshan Xiazhi couldn't help but stand up again.

But this time, it was clearly the right time.

Not only did Lin Sen not stop her, but he stood up with her.

He reached out to the label owner sitting across from him, who had already made his move and was about to collaborate with him.

"So, is it a deal, Mr. Sakamoto?"

"Yes. Regarding the date and location of the official signing...Does Kobayashi have a business card?"

"Of course. I'm just an apprentice, but I'm no fool."

The self-deprecating remarks were an obvious response to the initial joking accountability.

Then, Sakamoto couldn't help laughing again as he reached into his jacket pocket.

Keeping a raised expression on his face, he took out the card and completed the ceremony of exchanging business cards.

The agreement ended with a natural handshake.

"I hope we can have a pleasant cooperation in the future, Mr. Kobayashi, Mr. Aoyama..."

"We will do our best not to disappoint you and create works that are in line with your company's mission."

Summer is always such a fast and hot season - perhaps, the stories that happen during this solar term will be so sudden and fast, just like the scorching sunlight that can't wait to shine down.

It seems that even fate is unwilling to wait in the scorching summer heat...

In the corner of the room, the documentary director standing next to the camera closed the notebook with his writing on it, and in his heart he admired his own writing style.

Chapter 97: Signature Accountability

I always hear that sadness is delayed.

That is, extreme sadness does not erupt immediately when something devastating happens.

Instead, it will gradually spread like ink, and suddenly trigger emotions at some point in the future.

Lin Sen has seen similar phenomena.

For example, one can remain calm at a loved one's funeral, but long later when shopping in a mall and seeing the deceased's favorite daily necessities, one suddenly can't hold back the tears and can't stand up even if he or she holds on to the shelf.

I thought it was the body's unique way of regulating sadness.

However, when I saw an example today, I realized that excessive joy can also trigger this mechanism.

Because, it wasn't until dinner time in the rented house in the danchi that I tried to discuss the tracks for her first recording album with a singer who was about to sign a record label in a casual tone, that I suddenly got a random question from her:

"So, I'm...about to be crowned a singer?"

"You have been one for a long time. Or rather, you have always been one."

Then, Lin Sen smiled. "After all, anyone with a heart for singing can be called a singer... However, when it comes to commercial debut, I can honestly add the word 'singer' before your name."

I thought it would just be another joke or something.

However, what greeted him was indeed a figure who put down his chopsticks——

"Squeak~"

The chair beneath him was slightly impacted and rubbed against the ground for a short distance.

The person on the chair was also surprised and quickly reached out to steady the figure that was rushing towards him without saying a word.

It’s hard to describe the other person’s expression at this moment.

She hugged him tightly, as if trying to grab the fruit of her dream, fearing that it would suddenly disappear.

And obviously entrusted that strength to him.

Perhaps this brings back memories of the two years or so I wasted in this city, or even earlier. For example, the time when I was 17 or 18 years old, hiding at home, clumsily practicing guitar and singing alone.

A moist feeling swirled in his eyes, but the corners of his mouth trembled in a happy arc.

The speech was like that of a child who had just learned to speak, with only a few words and was unable to clearly express his thoughts:

"Thank you, Xiaolin. I'm happy..."

"Don't thank me. You should be thanking yourself for persevering through these years."

Lin Sen couldn't help but touch her head and pat her back.

"Besides, let me be honest, don't be too happy too soon, Qingshan."

"?"

The serious words added a bit of uneasiness to Miss Qingshan's innocent joy.

His expression changed slightly and he looked up.

A deep worry that what you have now is just a fleeting dream that will disappear at any time.

Then, amidst this sudden surge of worry, I heard the young man's final words:

"Music video shoots, stage performances, music awards, random mentions from strangers... the best is yet to come."

"..."

After the silence, someone's expression suddenly showed a hint of impending trouble.

The childish innocence in him also disappeared immediately.

The next second—

She opened her mouth and bit me, but I managed to dodge quickly and the attack missed.

"Could you please stop talking like that at a time like this?! Do you really have to make things so difficult for others?"

"Because it's really not the time to be happy yet."

Lin Sen did not resist the subsequent beatings. He raised his hands to symbolically block her blows, and kept clenching and throwing her fists to neutralize them.

"There's still a long way to go. Don't let a small achievement make you so happy that you almost faint."

"Everyone knows this, but you have to act like a wise man and remind them!"

It's not that I have to pretend to be the most rational and calm person.

In fact, that pitiful and contrasting look just now made people want to hug her tightly and share her joy.

But if you really do that, under the current circumstances, it will easily backfire.

At present, the psychological preparation between the two parties has not yet been fully implemented. Adding more pressure to the current ambiguous relationship may actually cause some minor problems.

Especially when someone had just righteously lectured him about controlling himself for Miss Ito.

Why not, continue talking about business.

So Lin Sen reached out to the backpack leaning against the chair and took out several bundles of newly printed cards.

The sheer number apparently surprised someone.

"There are... a few thousand of them, right?"

Qingshan Xiazhi took out a few samples and stared at the words printed on them in a trance.

"Is it the simple sheet music and English lyrics...the song with only one line?"

"One of your masterpieces."

"So these...eh?"

"These are the messages people wrote in your notebook during your first few street performances. They include the time and place, as well as the song they were written for, mixed in as Easter eggs. Each one is unique."

Then, Lin Sen raised his finger and continued to explain to the singer who had unconsciously returned to her seat, immersed in his narration:

"My plan is to use these cards as a gimmick and then stuff them into your first album to be released in the future. Just imagine, if people who buy the album find your carefully prepared autographed card in the packaging, won't they be very happy?"

"..."

"And if, by chance, a buyer discovers that the card contains the very message they once left for the singer, wouldn't they be even more excited? At that moment, the joy that transcends time and space boomerangs back at them, like a gift from their past self to the future."

At this point, I couldn't help but sigh:

"Honestly, if I were in a situation like this, I would definitely become a devoted fan of dear Aoyama-chan. I would buy every album and rush to listen to every public concert that has tickets. Just hearing your voice would be the greatest happiness in life... Stop, stop, don't do it yet!"

"What fan would be like this?! Their mindset is completely off! Also, who wants to be obsessed with you like this?! It's disgusting!"

Ms. Qingshan wasn't that stupid. At least, she was quick to apprehend someone for smuggling and gave them a harsh reprimand and punishment.

But after coming to his senses, he seemed to suddenly remember some details of the conversation just now. He suddenly opened his eyes wide and looked at the cards that Lin Sen had placed on the table in piles.

"By the way, you mentioned signing in person, which means..."