Chapter 56: The Cat

Chen Shuhua stayed until nightfall, and then Lin Jianlu took her out for street skewers.
The next morning, she actually showed up again bright and early.
Just as Lin Jianlu was about to head out to buy groceries, she insisted on tagging along. He mounted his old-fashioned Phoenix 28-inch bicycle, seated her on the back, and headed straight for the wet market. The mere fact that Lin Jianlu rode such an antiquated bicycle—a rarity nowadays even in Taiwan—was enough to fill Chen Shuhua's face with wonder. But soon, she watched in amazement as he skillfully selected vegetables at various stalls, haggled over prices, and bantered effortlessly with the vendors.
His familiarity with everyday life made him look nothing like a super superstar.
He didn't even look his age.
Upon returning home with the groceries, she had the heart to help, only to suddenly realize there wasn't a single task in the kitchen she could assist with. Having studied vocal music since childhood, taking the stage at seven, and shooting to superstardom at eight, her clothing, food, housing, transportation, contracts, performances, and schedules had all been meticulously managed by her mother for all these years. One could truly say she had never lifted a finger to do manual housework; the only meal she knew how to prepare was instant noodles brewed with hot water.
So, she sat on the sofa, resting her chin in her hands, watching him prep the vegetables with flying speed, and later leaned against the kitchen doorway to watch him wash, chop, and stir-fry.
*Wow, he's so amazing, just like a professional chef.*
When the dishes were all prepared, Lin Jianlu retrieved a bottle of Xifeng liquor from the cupboard. It was a gift specially sent to him from Chang'an by his good friend across generations, Zhao Jiping. Sometime earlier, when Gu Changwei had hosted a dinner and Lin Jianlu had heavily praised Maotai, the old man had been deeply displeased, and shortly afterwards mailed him an entire case of this local brew.
"Want a taste?"
"A taste it is!"
She wouldn't go as far as getting drunk, but unusually for her, Chen Shuhua stuffed herself to the point of being completely full.
With her stomach happily satisfied, she smiled a dreamy, absent-minded smile, slumped sideways against the sofa, and simply watched Lin Jianlu busy himself about the room. When Lin Jianlu finished brewing his large pot of tea and poured her a cup as well, she smiled and said, "You are so amazing!"
Well, though not entirely drunk, her eyes were meltingly soft with the gentle haze of alcohol.
It was a remark dropped completely out of nowhere.
Lin Jianlu smiled, offering no reply, and went to recline on his own lounge chair.
The air conditioner hummed, keeping the room pleasantly cool, but the liquor warming her chest still made her body feel cozy. After several full minutes of quiet, she suddenly said, "Why don't you produce this album for me after all! I don't want to look for anyone else."
Lin Jianlu let out an "mm" and replied, "Then you'll just have to wait. I don't feel like moving much lately."
"Okay! I'll wait."
Another long stretch of quiet followed.
A full seven or eight minutes passed. When Lin Jianlu got up to fetch his mug for some water, he discovered that she had fallen asleep at some point. Even in her dream, a sweet smile lingered on her face.
Like a curled-up, drowsy cat.
Standing up to grab a blanket, he carefully draped it over her shoulders and let out a soft sigh.
…………
At three in the afternoon, Lin Jianlu was engrossed in a copy of *Water Margin*, having reached the chapters featuring Wu Song. In his past life, Lin Jianlu had always considered this the most thrilling section—when suddenly, the ringing of his cell phone interrupted him.
"Hello? Mom."
"Get back home for dinner tonight. Did you damn well forget that your parents are still alive? I'm stewing big pork bones for you tonight."
*Sigh*... "Alright. I'll be back tonight."
He put down his phone and glanced over. She was awake.
Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes sleepy and hazy. A moment later, she sat up and let out a massive stretch, which not only displayed her flawless figure but also hitched up her tight T-shirt to reveal a patch of snowy, tender waist.
Their eyes met.
She smiled, and Lin Jianlu smiled back.
…………
Ten minutes later, she finished washing up, walked back in, and maintained a calm expression. "I have to go!"
Lin Jianlu raised a hand and pointed at the coffee table. "Seven songs! That makes twelve in total. I'll make you a full-length record!"
She froze, a look of joyful surprise flashing across her face, but it quickly faded back into calm as she quietly looked at Lin Jianlu. When their eyes met again, all trace of joy had vanished from her gaze.
"We..."
…………
She trailed off, hesitating repeatedly.
Yet she finally lowered her head, raised it again a few seconds later, and forced a smile.
She walked over, picked up the stack of papers, though she didn't look at them even for a single glance, and simply smiled as she shook them at Lin Jianlu. "Once I get back, I'll definitely practice my singing obediently!"
"Mmm."
"I'll come back again. I want to eat your cooking."
"Alright."
"I'm leaving."
"Okay."
Then she turned to leave. Lin Jianlu rose to see her off, reaching the door in a few strides. Her hand rested on the doorknob, but she paused and lingered. A moment later, she suddenly spun back around, smiling softly as she cupped Lin Jianlu's face in her hands.
Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed him gently.
It was a light, fleeting touch.
"Love you!"
Lin Jianlu smiled, and she smiled too.
A few seconds later, she finally turned and walked out the door.
…………
By early evening, Old Duan, Old Li, and the others had returned to the capital.
Since they were scheduled to leave tomorrow, Lin Jianlu ought to have played the host once more, but firstly, his mother's summons could not be delayed, and secondly, they were all too familiar with each other. Over the past half year, Lin Jianlu had spent two or three months in Taiwan alone, meaning meeting up, eating, and drinking together could happen at a moment's notice. No one bothered with such superficial formalities anymore.
Given how exhausted they were from the journey, it was far better for them to grab a casual bite and get a good night's rest!
Just then, Old Li called him out of the blue. "A-Lu, you're a beast!"
"Ha..."
"We just looked over the songs you gave to Shuhua together, and Old Duan has gone crazy with joy! Wawa is going to explode!"
"Ha..."
Sheng Yilun's indignant cry instantly transmitted through the phone, "A-Lu, I'm not leaving. Tell me your address; I'm moving into your house! You promised to write a duet for me! How did Sister Shuhua get them first?!"
Old Li quickly walked away, followed by a burst of chaotic scuffling. Finally, Old Li spoke again, "You're spoiling her a bit too much, brother! Eight songs in one go! Wawa is clearly jealous, and we won't be able to smooth this over for you!"
Lin Jianlu pinched the bridge of his nose.
He heard Old Li continue to chatter away, "These songs are all fantastic! Shuhua says you dug out the very bottom of your chest for her, completely emptied yourself out. Hey, I have to help A-Lian secure a song now! You've definitely got to give her one!"
*Thump thump thump* came the sound of knocking on the door.
Sheng Yilun could be heard throwing a helpless tantrum in the background, "Don't think I can't hear you, Brother Zongsheng! I'm first in line! Write the next one for me first! I'm the one who's first!"
"Fine, fine, fine! You're first!"
…………
Duan Zhongtan cared nothing for the hubbub among the singers.
Let them argue and bicker all they liked.
He turned a deaf ear to it all.
Clutching the stack of papers in both hands as if holding an invaluable treasure, he stared at them intensely.
This song "Rooftop" was brilliant—superb! Pair the mainland's hottest new heavenly king, Lin Jianlu, with Chen Shuhua, the undisputed queen of the Mandopop scene for the past decade, and add in quality like this!
A duet love song!
*Oh... I've struck gold!*
Hahahahahaha!
"Waiting a Minute" was wonderful! An exceptional urban love song! Especially the chorus, which was immensely catchy!
"The Water Snake Mountain Temple" was also fantastic! The lyrics were interesting, and the melody seemed to be the exact style of R&B Shuhua had always wanted—it had a strong exotic flavor, yet A-Lu had crafted it with his trademark quirky flair!
Another brilliantly mature piece of Chinese R&B!
There was no doubt about it; this was a Lin Jianlu original!
"Mistake in the Flower Field" and "Xiaoxiang Rain" had both already been market-tested. Though not the absolute biggest hits on the *Cold to the Bone* album, they were absolute bonus points for the massive success of the whole record!
"Estranged" was equally incredible!
It would likely be shaped into a quintessential "Lin-style" modern ballad, just like the ones on his own albums—and that would be simply marvelous!
And then there was "Hidden Fragrance"—oh my goodness! Old Li had said this song exuded fragrance and overflowed with misty poetry on every page!
It could easily serve as the anchor piece for the entire album!
In terms of pure standards, it might even edge out "So Many People in This World" by half a notch!
With two tracks of this caliber anchoring the record, once it hit the shelves, the entire music criticism circle would probably blow up!
And "The Light Chaser"...
Whether lyric or melody, it was both warmly poignant and seamlessly integrated. Even an amateur vocalist would have a ninety-percent chance of turning such a piece into a hit!
Let alone Chen Shuhua!
"Begonia Flowers Not Asleep at Four O'Clock" was a sorrowful song, yet completely devoid of mindless whining; instead, it possessed such rich poetry! Just for the melody, just for the lyrics alone...
And "Mistakenly Believed"!
The moment Duan Zhongtan had first laid eyes on it, he had fallen hopelessly in love with its opening couplet—
*Drinking the nuptial wine, the illusion is so sweet!*
*A sweet sugar cube, leaping into bitter coffee!*
Ah... lyrics like these were simply breathtaking!
And to top it all off, it was another duet! The chorus section was clearly marked with a prominent "Duet" label—meaning, without a doubt, A-Lu would be singing it alongside Shuhua!
Eight new songs of this caliber, plus "So Many People in This World," "Summer Wind," "Bustling," and "Gift"—that made twelve tracks in total! Written and composed by Lin Jianlu, sung by Chen Shuhua! If an album like this didn't sell several million copies, he, the head of Rock Records, might as well quit his job!
Ahahahahaha!
After indulging in his mental triumph, he glanced back. Wawa and Zhao Chuan were still joking around with Sheng Yilun, and Old Li was smiling nearby. But Chen Shuhua, the focal point of it all, sat quietly by herself in the single-sofa in the corner of the room, her expression unexpectedly serene.
"Shuhua, aren't you happy? So many great songs, and he's helping you produce them!"
"I am happy! So happy!"
"Yet looking at you, you don't look happy at all!"
Hearing this, Chen Shuhua laughed, but a moment later, as she laughed, she couldn't help feeling the sting of impending tears. She quickly sniffed and laughed again, "I was just thinking... how wonderful it would be if I were as young as Wawa!"
Duan Zhongtan was taken aback, his mouth opening slightly, but not a single word came out.
"Youth is truly wonderful," she said.
***
I've no idea how the new book charts calculate their ranking periods, but judging by my estimates, it'll probably drop off the chart soon anyway. So I'm asking for a few more monthly votes!
Then again, even after dropping off the new book charts, I still have to ask! It's not for anything else—even if I can't win a monthly vote prize, a higher ranking attracts a few more readers, letting Dao make a bit of extra cash to feed his wife and kids, right?
Many thanks to everyone! Please vote for the month!