Chapter 157: Echoes of Evening in the Studio

Spotting Lin Zheng Ran in the middle of a one-on-one coaching session, Jiang Jingshi and Pan Lin slowed their steps to keep from disturbing him.

Wang Lan stepped forward to greet her: “Boss Jiang is back.”

Jiang Jingshi nodded and waved her hand slightly; Wang Lan immediately understood and the three of them turned to watch Lin Zheng Ran as he shared techniques with the company employees.

Seizing a moment when Lin Zheng Ran paused for a drink, Pan Lin praised, “Lin is truly a hidden genius. If he wanted to take the stage, I doubt anyone else would stand a chance.”

Pan Lin’s words were a bit exaggerated, but they echoed what Wang Lan and Jiang Jingshi were thinking. After all, they’d never seen a sixteen-year-old who could master all the theoretical knowledge and teach others, tailoring improvements to their weaknesses.

Seeing Jiang Jingshi standing there, Wang Lan quietly suggested, “Boss Jiang, why don’t you sit? Lin might be at this for a while longer.”

Jiang Jingshi replied that it was fine, but then Lin Zheng Ran glanced back, smiled at her, and pointed to the sofa nearby.

Only then did Jiang Jingshi nod at Lin Zheng Ran.

The three of them finally sat on the sofa and waited.

Around four o’clock, Lin Zheng Ran’s one-on-one session wrapped up; he stood, and Jiang Jingshi and the others approached.

“Little Zheng Ran, your teaching is spot on. I listened in for so long and picked up quite a few things myself.”

Lin Zheng Ran didn’t boast; he just politely replied, “Jiang Jie, have you finished your business?”

“It was just a meeting. Once it ended, I came straight back.”

Wang Lan chimed in briefly before stepping away for other matters.

With only two left chatting, Pan Lin figured Jiang and Lin wouldn’t settle in for a deep talk since it was getting late.

She glanced at Jiang Jingshi’s earrings, wondering how to remind Lin about them.

Then, from afar, Lily finished her MV shoot, changed, and walked over.

“Zheng Ran!”

Pan Lin’s heart sank; with Lily here, things might get complicated.

But to her surprise, Lin Zheng Ran brought it up mid-conversation: “Oh, right, Jiang Jie, I forgot to ask this morning—those earrings of yours, are they from that picture you sent me? They really suit you.”

Jiang Jingshi paused slightly, and Pan Lin watched them closely. Jiang Jingshi touched the artistic earrings gently; they resembled stars falling from the sky, delicate and elegant, subtly refined.

“Yes, that’s the pair. You said they’d look good on me, so I bought them.”

Lin Zheng Ran admired, “Jiang Jie, those delicate earrings look stunning on you. They really highlight your style.”

A faint blush colored Jiang Jingshi’s cheeks; praise from someone she cared about felt entirely different. Her expression brightened at the detail: “Do they?”

“Absolutely, it’s true.”

Seeing Jiang Jingshi’s joy, Pan Lin smiled too, thinking, At last, she’s gotten what she wanted.

Lily approached and greeted Jiang Jingshi.

She mentioned that her MV filming was done.

Lin Zheng Ran bid farewell to Jiang Jingshi: “Well, Jiang Jie, if you don’t have anything else, I should head out. Lily’s had a long day shooting and needs rest, or tomorrow’s outdoor scenes will be tough.”

Pan Lin asked, “Are you dropping Lily off home?”

Her words carried an underlying meaning; though he’s still a student, it’s evening now, and at this age, it’s just a guy and a girl alone…

Fortunately, Lin Zheng Ran answered, “Yeah, I’ll drop her off.”

Pan Lin breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiang Jingshi politely added, “Then go get some rest. Do you need someone to drive you?”

“No need, Jiang Jie. We’ll just grab a cab. We’re off—don’t forget to rest yourself.”

Lily also said goodbye politely: “See you, Boss Jiang.”

The four parted ways; Lin Zheng Ran and Lily left Zheng Shi Music, while Jiang Jingshi and Pan Lin watched them go from the lobby.

Jiang Jingshi recalled his earlier compliment.

She couldn’t help touching her earrings again, a smile tugging at her lips as she told Pan Lin, “Pan Lin, didn’t I order some medium-sized earrings recently?”

“Yes, a few that you’ve always wanted. You said you liked them,” she responded.

Jiang Jingshi decided without hesitation: “Switch them all to the delicate style. Hold off on the medium ones for now.”

Pan Lin thought to herself, Is this all because of what Lin just said…

“Got it. I’ll contact the stores tonight and have them swap out the medium styles.”

As she spoke, she followed Jiang Jingshi’s gaze back toward where Lin Zheng Ran had gone, seeing him chatting and laughing with Lily.

Though she hated to admit it,

Some things that seem easiest to get are actually the hardest for Jiang Jingshi—like Lin Zheng Ran himself.

In the distance, Lin Zheng Ran and Lily left Zheng Shi Company and caught a cab back to the city district.

In the car, Lily kept clenching her little fists excitedly.

She chattered to Lin Zheng Ran about the fun moments from her MV shoot that afternoon.

Like how she messed up some takes or couldn’t hold back laughs despite her nerves.

She wondered what the final product would look like.

She also asked about the team: “Zheng Ran, if I get a team, will I perform with them every time I sing?”

Lin Zheng Ran explained:

“Not at all. While we’re putting together a team for you, about ninety percent of your shows will still be solo. The team’s mainly so our company’s other members can get some exposure in group events, and to line up backup singers that fit you. It’s about promoting you while boosting the company overall. At heart, you’re still going solo.”

Lily leaned back in the taxi seat: “Oh, I get it. I thought it meant something like a girl group.”

Lin Zheng Ran shook his head:

“You’re overthinking. Girl groups are pro teams where everyone performs together, and their skills need to be on the same level. But your talent outshines the others in our company by a lot, so that path doesn’t suit you. I don’t plan for you to go that route anyway.”

Lily nodded, starting to understand: “What about the other girl groups in our company?”

Lin Zheng Ran: “They’re full pro teams, but you’re a special case—not like them at all.”

Lily laughed: “Anyway, whatever you say, Zheng Ran, I’ll do. No matter the performance, I won’t mess up.”

Lin Zheng Ran asked, “By the way, after we get your hair done, do you want to head back to the dorm or go home?”

Lily thought it over: “Back to the dorm. If I go home now, it’s too late, and Mom and Dad have work tomorrow—they need their rest.”

“Sounds good, either way works.”

Lily checked her phone; it was still early, and the girls’ dorm locked at ten on weekdays, eleven on weekends.

They should make it after the haircut.

So, they grabbed dinner at a nearby restaurant first.

After eating,

They headed straight to a local hair salon.

But since it was the weekend, the place was packed.

They checked a few salons, all jammed with young people, so they just picked one and sat down.

Watching the hairdressers snip away at customers’ hair.

Lily touched her double ponytails, which reached her waist, and waited nearly an hour until it was almost her turn.

“Zheng Ran, let’s not cut it too short, okay?” she said, worried the stylist might chop it all off.

Without those ponytails, would she still be Lily? Absolutely not.

They were her signature, her essence.

Lin Zheng Ran replied, “Down to your mid-back should be fine.”

“Mid-back?”

He touched her lower back lightly: “Yeah, right about here.”

But as soon as he did, Lily flinched at a soft snap from behind.

Something had broken with that touch—the clasp shattered.

Panicked, she hugged herself, face flushing, and bent forward.

Luckily, she was against the wall with Lin Zheng Ran blocking the view, and the salon’s noise drowned it out.

Lin Zheng Ran noticed her sudden move and asked, “What happened?”

Lily bit her lip, stunned. How could this happen here?

“Lily?” he called again, then spotted the missing clasp on her back.

Realizing what it was, he blinked.

Lily whispered, “Zheng Ran, let’s step out for a minute. Too many people here—let’s just go.”

So, Lin Zheng Ran shrugged off his jacket and handed it to her.

“Put this on and zip it up.”

Lily turned, her face red, and slipped it on behind him, mumbling thanks.

His jacket was oversized on her, hiding everything, especially with her own coat underneath.

Though embarrassed, it worked.

Lin Zheng Ran led her out of the salon.

In a quiet corner of the night, Lily hugged herself and crouched down, shy and awkward: “It broke… what do I do now?”

Lin Zheng Ran, facing this for the first time, said, “How does something like that even happen?”

“I have no idea,” Lily replied, embarrassed, glancing up. “How did you know, though?”

“I saw it from the back when you bent over—no clasp there, so I figured.”

Lily blushed deeper, biting her lip: “Don’t go blabbing about it!”

“Wasn’t I just answering your question?”

She fell silent.

Thinking, Well, he’s my boyfriend, so whatever.

After a moment, she murmured, “Is there a lingerie shop nearby? I didn’t notice earlier—I need to get a new one.”

Lin Zheng Ran checked his phone: “Seems like one’s around here. I’ll grab it for you.”

“Wait, what? You going to buy me lingerie?” she panicked.

Lin Zheng Ran: “What else? That shop’s a bit of a walk—at least one block away. If I don’t go, you’d have to go like this, and that’d be uncomfortable, even if no one notices.”

“But it’s lingerie—girl stuff!” Lily stammered, her face turning crimson.

Lin Zheng Ran: “I know it’s lingerie. So what?”

Lily frowned: “Won’t people think you’re some creep if a guy buys that? Aren’t you embarrassed?”

Lin Zheng Ran sighed at her tsundere ways: “You’re my girlfriend—what’s there to be embarrassed about? If I went with you, it’d take longer anyway.”

“It’s not the same… If we go together, at least they won’t misunderstand,” she protested, though stuck.

Lin Zheng Ran reassured her: “Don’t worry about it. Even if they do, who cares? And hey, if my underwear ever broke, you’d get me new ones, right?”

“That stuff doesn’t just break!”

“Anything’s possible, like now.”

Lily looked up, hands clutching his jacket: “If it did, as your girlfriend, I’d get them for you.”

Lin Zheng Ran teased, “Oh, really?”

He crouched down; she turned away.

“What now? Got more to say?”

He continued, “What if someone called you a creep for buying guy’s underwear?”

Lily closed her eyes in embarrassment: “I’d just say it’s for my boyfriend!”

“And if they don’t believe you?”

She shot back, “They can think what they want—it doesn’t matter!”

Lin Zheng Ran exhaled: “Exactly my point.”

“But…” Lily gripped his hand. “I don’t want you getting misunderstood. Maybe I should go myself.”

As she tried to stand, he said firmly, “Stay put!”

She jumped, glaring: “Why snap at me?!”

Then came a light knock on her head.

“Ouch!”

Lin Zheng Ran: “Stop fussing. It’s just lingerie—just wait here.”

Lily obeyed; he was intimidating when serious.

“What’s your size?”

She quietly told him.

Lin Zheng Ran was surprised—it wasn’t the smallest.

Lily asked softly, “What?”

He shook his head: “Nothing. I’ll be right back.”

As he left, she called, “Your jacket—won’t you be cold?”

“Nah.”

“Hurry back, okay?”

“Back in a minute—won’t keep you waiting.”

He took a shortcut through side streets to speed up.

Lily watched him go, replaying his words, her face warming. A guy buying lingerie for his girl—that had to be embarrassing for him too, yet he did it.

She resolved to be even kinder to him; he was always so good to her.

Already head over heels, how could she be more? She checked her phone—the shop was over a kilometer away, a fifteen-minute walk at least.

“It’s so far!”

But moments later, Lin Zheng Ran returned with it.

“Here.”

Lily stared in disbelief: “That fast? Wasn’t it a kilometer?”

Lin Zheng Ran: “What kilometer?”

She showed him her phone: “The app says the lingerie shop’s a kilometer away—how’d you get back so quick?”

He made up a story: “I was heading there but spotted one closer, so I went to that instead.”

Lily bought it: “Oh, okay.”

She took the lingerie—simple and neat.

“Turn around while I change, and keep an eye out.”

Lin Zheng Ran faced the alley entrance as she swapped in the shadows.

Once done, she rejoined him, cheeks pink: “All set, Zheng Ran.”

He glanced at the old one in her hand: “Good, toss that.”

“Yeah, but first…”

She helped him into his jacket instead.

Lin Zheng Ran wondered what she was up to.

“What? I’m just putting it on you.”

“I can do it myself.”

Lily pouted: “Why should you? You’ve been so good to me—let me do this.”

She fumbled through it, dropping the old item in the process.

Lin Zheng Ran caught it absentmindedly: “This is pretty warm.”

Lily flushed: “Don’t touch that! And what are you saying?”