Are you out of your mind?

In truth, this was the first song she sang after her return. On the surface, it describes the separation of two lovers, with a touch of fantasy in its imagery, though both the lyrics and melody are quite simple. Yet, beneath that simplicity, much is hidden. In the lyrics, the “I” represents her present self, while “you” is not some other person, but also her—her past self.

That’s why, when she performed this song, once she poured her own emotions into it, it became truly devastating. Thanks to this, she claimed first place on that singing competition show, silencing all rumors and proving herself. Later, after the show became wildly popular, she officially returned as a singer, and this song became a staple at her every concert.

“This song is very good.”

Chu Qinchuan took a deep breath. Although she was not a singer, at that moment she had only one thought: to obtain this song.

“I’d like to buy it. What do you think?”

“Weren’t you just saying I’m ‘multi-talented’?”

“I really do think you’re very talented, and your voice isn’t bad either. I may not be especially popular with the audience, but I do have some connections. Come on, be a singer.”

The look in Chu Qinchuan’s eyes was different from before—now lively and bright. Though her face remained stoic, it made Xu Lin wonder if she was even capable of smiling.

“I’ll pass on being a singer. But if you need this song, I’ll just give it to you.”

“No, a song isn’t something you just give away. Buying it involves copyright as well. You may not be a professional, but a song’s copyright isn’t worth less than fifty thousand.”

“So you plan to pay fifty thousand for the rights?”

“Yes.”

“I said I’d give it to you.”

Xu Lin didn’t accept any payment, because this song was one of his favorites, and it had always belonged to her. There was no need to take money—if he wanted to earn, he had plenty of ways to do so.

“This is a matter of principle. Don’t be fooled—I do have some money on hand.”

“If you mention money one more time, you can forget about the song. Besides, I can only give you the lyrics; I don’t know how to compose, so you’ll have to handle that yourself.”

Seeing Xu Lin so insistent, she didn’t know what else to say. He had helped her all the way, and now, with the money practically in his hands, he refused to take it.

He was like a kind little boy, yet not so naïve. Talking with him, one never felt he was just a high schooler. What a mysterious person. Is this how all talented people are?

“By the way, besides this song, I have others. But those you’ll have to buy. Of course, if you don’t plan to be a singer, buying songs is pointless.”

“If all your songs are at this level, I might actually consider…”

At that moment, the old man’s voice called from behind, interrupting her. “The food’s ready! Lin, come set the table.”

“Coming!”

A few minutes later, the four of them sat around a small dining table. Though modest, it was now covered with four homestyle dishes and a bowl of meatball and winter melon soup.

“Winter melon soup! It’s been ages since I had this.” Xu Lin, spotting the large bowl in the center, grabbed the ladle and moved to serve his grandmother first.

“Serve the guest first.”

He swallowed and ladled soup into Chu Qinchuan’s bowl. She quickly accepted it, her fingers brushing his.

Then a voice seemed to whisper past his ear. Xu Lin was now certain: this system was absolutely just a pervert—it only responded to pretty girls! Over the past few days, he’d already tested it; not a single boy had met its standards. He’d also accidentally bumped into a dozen or so girls, most of them class representatives.

None of them had triggered the favorability requirement, and it wasn’t that they weren’t attractive—actually, they were all quite pretty, easily scoring five or six by the system’s standards. But still, nothing.

“What’s wrong?” Seeing him dazed, Chu Qinchuan asked softly.

“It’s nothing. By the way, don’t eat the stir-fried pork with chili—it’s not good for your recovery.”

Xu Lin snapped out of it and spoke casually, then arranged her bowl and chopsticks neatly in front of her.

She paused, glancing sideways at his handsome face only inches away. Unconsciously, her lips curved up just a little.

“Alright, I understand.”

Noticing her faint, fleeting smile, Xu Lin murmured inwardly. He’d thought she might actually have some facial paralysis, but when she smiled, it was surprisingly beautiful.

Across from them, the elderly couple watched the two, as if seeing themselves in their youth, their own faces breaking into smiles.

After lunch, Xu Lin planned to go out and find someone to clean up the courtyard for their celebrity guest. Outside, the rain seemed to have finally stopped.

“Mr. Xu, there’s no need. I don’t plan to stay here. I’ll go to the city and buy my own place. In a while, I’ll handle things here.”

“As you wish, superstar Chu. But I don’t have any transportation to take you to the city. The bus only runs twice a day.”

“Then I’ll go tomorrow. You’re heading back then, right? I’ll go with you. You can help me with the neighborhoods, since you’re a local.”

“I start school the day after tomorrow, you know.”

“Are you really going to leave a weak young woman in this unfamiliar place all alone?”

She enunciated every word, leaving Xu Lin momentarily speechless. “If you want to act cute, at least make an effort with your expressions! Keeping a straight face—what’s that supposed to be? You’re not even trying!”

“That’s just my thing. Making expressions is exhausting. But you know, a woman’s appeal isn’t just in her looks or her voice…”

She leaned slightly, collapsing onto the sofa, curling up into the corner like a cat. Her loose trench coat fell open, her shirt slightly parted, revealing smooth, jade-like collarbones and a slender neck. As her wide-legged pants rode up, her pale calves and feet came into his view, and Xu Lin felt his temperature rise once more.

“Ahem! Alright, that’s enough. Feet up on the sofa? Do you really think this is your own home?”

Seeing Xu Lin’s reddening ears, Chu Qinchuan knew she’d won this round. He really was just a kid after all.

But the next second, a sudden warmth spread from her ankle. The young man in front of her had gripped her foot with one hand.

She tensed instantly. “What…are you doing?”

“Don’t keep acting like this. I never said I was a gentleman.”

Xu Lin’s tone grew serious. With things like this, he really was easily provoked—after all, he was just a teenager.

“Then why are you grabbing my foot? Do you have some weird fetish?”

“Yes.”

Xu Lin slowly lowered his head, leaning closer to her foot. She could feel her heart racing faster with every inch.

She usually hated being touched, but at this moment, with this boy several years her junior about to kiss her foot, she didn’t feel as uncomfortable as she’d expected. In fact…

But just as he was about to touch it, he suddenly looked up, meeting her flushed, nervous, and faintly excited expression, and took a deep breath.

[Chu Qinchuan’s favorability increased by 5. Reward: 10,000 points. Current total: 30.]

“Chu Qinchuan, there’s something wrong with you!!”