Chapter 28: Suspicion
The group discussed everything with such excitement that they didn’t realize it was noon until the receptionist told Wen Xiao that Xiahou Qian and Chi Shaochen had gone out. Since the plan was mostly set, they headed out for food.
Chi Shaochen didn’t take Xiahou Qian far. The commercial district had plenty of restaurants. They chose a private club and ordered two simple meals. He chose this place because it was quieter; although other restaurants had private rooms, he didn’t want to bother.
Chi Shaochen didn’t show it, but he was thinking about the doctor’s words. After eating, they returned to the car. He turned on the AC but didn’t start the engine.
Xiahou Qian looked at him with confusion.
“Xiao Qian, are you happy being with me?” Chi Shaochen asked seriously. Heâd struggled for a long time on how to start this.
Though puzzled, Xiahou Qian nodded honestly. Chi Shaochen was so good to him; how could he not be happy?
Chi Shaochen felt slightly relieved, but he needed to understand the contradictions. He continued, “I came to the company earlier this morning. You were playing and singing so focused… Xiao Qian, why are you afraid? Is it because Iâm not good enough to you? Or have I not given you enough security?”
Xiahou Qian froze. He lowered his head to avoid Chi Shaochenâs gaze. After a long silence, he murmured, “I just… feel like Iâm in a dream. The better you are to me, the more I feel this isn’t real.” Xiahou Qian didn’t hide it. He didn’t want to lie to Chi Shaochen, as he knew the man would never hurt him.
Now it was Chi Shaochenâs turn to freeze. Heâd suspected as much, but hearing it was different. Yet he was even more confused.
“Why? Youâre so outstanding; itâs natural for me to love you and treat you well. Why fear?” There was no needâwas it just the status gap?
“No, thatâs not it. I often think… if I hadn’t gone to AE that night, or hadn’t met you, you wouldn’t know me. Even if we met later, even if I liked you, you wouldn’t let me get close. You would dislike me and drive me away with a cold gaze.” Xiahou Qianâs voice was soft, but his tone was certain. This wasn’t a guess; it was a conviction, because that was exactly what happened in his past life.
Chi Shaochen hugged Xiahou Qian tightly and said with absolute certainty, “Xiao Qian, it wouldn’t happen. And there are no ‘ifs’.”
But instead of comforting him, the words had the opposite effect. Xiahou Qian broke free and shouted, “But you were exactly like that before!”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Xiahou Qian realized something. His face turned deathly pale. He looked up at Chi Shaochen. It was a subconscious reaction, but in the eyes of the ever-observant Chi Shaochen, it was full of mystery. Clearly, Xiahou Qian was hiding something, and that sentence wasn’t just nonsense.
Though slightly frustrated, Chi Shaochen held it back. He hugged Xiahou Qian gently again and whispered seductively, “Baby, tell me. You know I would never hurt you, no matter what.”
Chi Shaochen racked his brain. Had he really met Xiahou Qian before? Or had the boy seen him? He remembered Lu Ke joking that Xiahou Qian had a long-term crush on him, but he truly couldn’t find a single memory related to Xiahou Qian before that night. He ignored irrelevant people, but given Xiahou Qianâs looks and aura, he shouldn’t have zero impression if theyâd met even once or twice.
Xiahou Qian had calmed down. He didn’t speak because he was weighing whether to confess or find a way to hide it.
He knew his nerves had been frayed since being with Chi Shaochen, to the point where heâd confused rebirth with a dream. But after venting yesterday, he was much better. The last bit of doubt and confusion had vanished just now, so he was truly calm.
He guessed the “illness” was caused by Chi Shaochen. This conversation, while inconclusive, had unexpectedly cleared his heart.
“Actually, thereâs nothing I canât tell you.” Xiahou Qian finally decided to confess.
“Last time… I signed with Tianheng Entertainment, but I was constantly suppressed for no reason. I didn’t meet you that night. Although I saw you at other events later and was drawn to you, even falling in love, your gaze was always cold or even disgusted. Later, I was killed. I only knew someone hired the killer, but I didn’t know who. Then… when I opened my eyes again, I was back years agoâone month ago, the day I met you. That was the day Iâd signed with Tianheng in my past life, but this time I refused, and because I went to the wrong floor, I met you.”
“Honestly… even after that happened, I didn’t think youâd like me. I was more afraid of seeing disgust in your eyes once you were sober, so I ran. I never thought Iâd see you again, let alone that youâd pursue me. Until you told me you knew I was the one from that nightâthat the reunion wasn’t an accidentâI thought you didn’t remember me at all.”
Xiahou Qian had learned this from Chi Shaochen during their first intimacy after confirming their relationship. He hadn’t reacted much then, so even until just now, Chi Shaochen had assumed Xiahou Qian had pretended not to know him out of shyness. He hadn’t expected the truth to be this.
As Xiahou Qian spoke, he remained leaning against Chi Shaochen. Or rather, Chi Shaochen kept holding him. With every word, Chi Shaochenâs grip tightened. He had never imagined this was the truth.
“My mind was a mess before. Sometimes I felt I was really reborn, but more often I was terrified it was just a dreamâthat everything would vanish once I woke up.”
“Why didn’t you think that now is the reality, and the past was a dream?” Though he asked, Chi Shaochen believed him.
“No dream lasts that many years, and no dream is clear enough for me to remember every detail. Actually, while Iâve changed things related to me this month, other things remain the same. Though I was confused before, Iâm clear now. I was clear when I first woke up; it was just overthinking later that caused the confusion.” Even Xiahou Qian wasn’t entirely sure.
“The ‘me’ from before definitely didn’t interact with you. Otherwise, I wouldâve chased you just like now. Since it was a past life, don’t think too much. Iâll always be good to youâbetter than now. My Xiao Qian is so outstanding.” Chi Shaochenâs voice was incredibly tender. If anyone else saw him, their jaws would drop.
“I know. But some things must be clarified, and some debts must be paid!” Setting aside the industry suppression, heâd had his throat ruined, his face destroyed, and his life taken! If he didn’t settle such a massive debt, heâd be a saint!
“Tell me, Iâll have people investigate.” Even without the details, the fact that someone killed Xiahou Qian made them irredeemable in Chi Shaochenâs eyes!
“Iâll tell you slowly. I don’t know much myself. Letâs head back for now; I have to record this afternoon.” After letting it all out, Xiahou Qian felt much better.
Chi Shaochen dropped him off at Qianchen Media and was sent back to AE by Xiahou Qian. Xiahou Qian went up alone, met Wen Xiao at the front desk, and headed to the Recording Department with her.
Xiahou Qian practiced in the piano room a few more times before calling Minister Xu in to start the formal recording. Wen Xiao was still kept outside. It wasn’t that she couldn’t hear, but Xiahou Qianâs senses were sharp now; he preferred to be alone when playing. For recording, he needed a professional.
Fortunately, the equipment was advanced, so Minister Xu could handle it aloneâa testament to his skill, as a novice would have been overwhelmed.
This was the first time Minister Xu heard Xiahou Qian play and sing the piece together. Only now was it a complete work!
During the first take, Minister Xu was so entranced he made an error and had to restart. He wiped non-existent sweat from his brow, feeling ashamed. For the second take, he focused intensely, fighting off the double magic of the piano and the voice to finish the recording professionally.
“Does it need a re-recording?” To Xiahou Qian, multiple takes were normal.
Minister Xu was listening intently through his headphones, completely lost in the music. He didn’t hear Xiahou Qian. When the music stopped, he finally snapped out of it and took off the headphones. His hands were slightly trembling.
“CEO Xiahou, you are a genius! This piano playing is professional grade! And this song, this voice… itâs simply incredible!” Minister Xu was nearly speechless, unable to find enough words for his excitement!
He could already see the storm coming to the music industry! Just the thought thrilled him. Xiahou Qian wasn’t just their artistâhe was the boss! Artists might jump ship, but would a boss?
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