Chapter 88: Forced into Business

Following the girl onto the subway, Chen Qi noticed that the route she took was not the same as the one they had come by earlier.

He glanced at her, puzzled, but didn’t dwell on it. Once inside, the girl, just as before, quietly took her seat without making any unnecessary moves.

Chen Qi watched her in silence, unable to stop himself from feeling conflicted all over again. If she really was a student at a conservatory or a similar institution, if singing truly was her main pursuit, was she really just going to give it up like that?

To be honest, he felt a bit unwilling to let it go. He genuinely liked her—she was pleasing to the eye in every way. Of course, it was a simple fondness, untouched by any ulterior motives.

To meet someone who fits his aesthetic so perfectly—it must be fate! If that was really the case… perhaps he should just sign her on the spot?

Such thoughts crossed his mind.

Someone so kind and compassionate deserved to be treated gently by the world. If she truly wanted to pursue a career in entertainment, he wouldn’t mind giving her a hand.

Lost in his musings, he was startled when the subway reached its stop. The girl stood up and wheeled her suitcase off the train.

Chen Qi hurried after her.

As he exited the subway, he made a point to check the station signage. To his surprise, there was no school near that exit.

But he didn’t think much of it—after all, it was still summer break, and it was entirely normal for her not to return to school.

Once outside, he followed her with keen interest, suddenly feeling like a secret agent in a film or TV drama.

He thought he might actually have some talent for being an agent. Stalking someone like this from behind was rather thrilling and amusing.

Ahead, the girl proceeded quietly, completely unaware she was being followed.

As she passed a fruit shop, she suddenly paused. Her gaze lingered over the array of fruits at the entrance for a while, but in the end, she bought nothing and continued on with her suitcase.

Not far behind, Chen Qi took in the scene, a slight frown creasing his brow.

That moment of hesitation… could she really be short on money?

After following her through several twists and turns, Chen Qi suddenly stopped in his tracks, looking at the girl ahead with a mix of surprise and confusion.

Before them was a hospital.

The girl walked straight in.

Chen Qi was caught off guard, staring after her until she disappeared from sight, but he didn’t follow her any further.

Who could have expected such an outcome? Could she be a doctor or a nurse?

Whatever her reason for coming to the hospital, it was a matter of personal privacy now, and following her any further would be inappropriate.

After standing silently for a while, he turned and left.

He decided to wait for her the next day on the pedestrian street and speak to her directly.

Recalling how she earned money by singing and that moment at the fruit shop, he was now convinced she was truly in need of money.

If that was indeed the case, then the matter would be much simpler. He might lack many things, but money was not one of them.

...

The next evening.

After wandering around all day, Chen Qi returned to the same noodle shop as yesterday.

He chose a window seat again, but this time he ordered two bowls of noodles with different flavors.

While eating, he kept an eye on the pedestrian street.

If his guess was right and the girl sang there for money, she would surely return tonight.

Sure enough…

Just as he was about to finish his two bowls of noodles, he saw the girl appear in his line of sight.

Dressed casually in a white T-shirt and black pants, her hair draped naturally over her shoulders. Yet Chen Qi felt, perhaps it was just his imagination, that her steps seemed less light than they had been yesterday.

She seemed even more downcast than before.

Still, just before she reached the pedestrian street, he saw her take several deep breaths and muster a forced smile.

Clearly, she was trying to adjust her mood.

Chen Qi watched her, amused—she really did look like someone being forced to “put on a performance.”

As she set down her little suitcase, Chen Qi stood and headed downstairs.

When he reached the pedestrian street, the girl was already adjusting her equipment.

She was quiet and focused, completely undisturbed by the noise around her.

Chen Qi stood about six or seven meters behind her, watching in silence for a good two or three minutes before finally stepping forward.

"Hello," Chen Qi said, stopping at her side.

The girl, who had been quietly arranging her suitcase, looked up at him, gave a polite smile, and said nothing.

She was used to being approached like this.

In the past days, this sort of thing happened nearly every day.

If nothing unexpected happened, this young man—who looked to be about her age—would soon ask for her contact information.

"My name is Chen Qi. Do you know me?" To her surprise, the young man said something entirely unexpected.

She had been ready to shake her head and refuse, but now she stared at him, momentarily stunned.

She had never encountered an approach like this before!

Chen Qi gave her a harmless, gentle smile.

The girl stared at him for two seconds, then slowly shook her head.

She really didn’t know him.

Chen Qi: "..."

Well, this was awkward.

Clearly, he wasn't famous enough.

"Wait a moment," Chen Qi said, quickly pulling out his phone. He opened the Simple Video app and found the first episode of the first season of “Never Expected.”

It was that episode with the low-budget martial arts scene.

He brought up his scene, then handed the phone to her.

"This show, ‘Never Expected,’ was produced by me. There are two seasons, and it’s currently very popular on Simple Video. I don’t know if you’ve heard of it," Chen Qi said rather quickly.

He explained all this just to let her know he meant no harm. He wanted to earn a little of her trust.

The girl stared at the phone for a moment, then looked at him, standing up slowly.

"Do you… need something?" she asked.

There was a hint of impatience in her tone.

She was already in a bad mood today and really didn’t have the energy to exchange pleasantries.

She hadn’t watched “Never Expected,” nor had she heard of it. But that didn’t matter—the important thing was why this person was looking for her.

He was already delaying her singing.

Chen Qi looked at her and said, trying to sound as sincere as possible, "Could we talk? A friend sent me a video of you singing here, and I’m quite interested."

Hearing this, the girl was obviously taken aback and looked at him in surprise.

Chen Qi nodded seriously. "It shouldn’t take up too much of your time."