Chapter Three: What Rotten Luck!

"Special Forces Physique rewarded." With a buzzing sound, Jiang Yun felt his entire body surge with power—the kind that could kill a bull with a single punch.

Yet, outside his inner thoughts, in Li Mengya's eyes, Jiang Yun seemed merely lost in a daze.

He marveled internally at the new physique, clicking his tongue in astonishment. Then Jiang Yun began pondering what song would best suit Li Mengya.

Her voice was not the sweet and aloof type—it possessed a distinctive quality all its own.

After much contemplation, Jiang Yun finally settled on a song.

"System, exchange for 'Crossing the Ocean to See You.'"

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for successful exchange. 20,000 popularity points deducted."

"System, why is it so expensive this time? Are you sure you're not taking advantage of me?"

"Host, the products of this system are for your personal use only. If you give them to others, there is a copyright fee!"

"Copyright fee? What does a system need with a copyright fee?" Jiang Yun muttered, forgetting Li Mengya was still beside him.

"Jiang Yun? Jiang Yun? What's wrong?" Li Mengya waved her hand in front of his face.

"Huh?" Jiang Yun snapped back to reality, offering no explanation for his momentary trance. He simply said, "Do you have a pen? Give me a pen!"

Was he composing on the spot? Li Mengya was skeptical but hesitantly took out paper and pen from her bag.

Taking them, Jiang Yun began to write the score and lyrics with impressive speed and flourish.

Watching him, Li Mengya was surprised. Was he really not just scribbling? Could he truly have such talent?

Soon, Jiang Yun finished and handed the sheet to Li Mengya.

She glanced at it and was instantly stunned.

To compose a complete song, lyrics and score, so quickly—and even annotate the singing method—such rare genius. How could a singer of this caliber have been unknown before? Li Mengya wondered.

Unable to find an answer, she began to hum the lyrics. The more she sang, the more she liked the song.

"Jiang Yun, I really like this song. How much are you charging for copyright?"

Jiang Yun held up five fingers.

"Five hundred thousand?" Li Mengya frowned.

She could afford five hundred thousand; her savings were enough. But that was a steep price—only superstars dared ask for such a sum.

"Wrong! Fifty thousand! If I weren't in urgent need, I wouldn't even want fifty thousand. But since we're acquainted, let's call it that," Jiang Yun replied with a smile.

"Phew—"

Li Mengya let out a deep breath and smiled. Now, she truly accepted Jiang Yun as a friend.

Still, friendship aside, business is business.

Li Mengya made no fuss and signed a contract with Jiang Yun at the fifty-thousand price.

"Beep beep!" Jiang Yun's phone chimed.

"Should be the bank notification. Let me check," Jiang Yun said.

"Alright."

He looked at the message, confirmed the deposit, and waved grandly. "Come! I'll treat you to a feast!"

Li Mengya was speechless—using her money to treat her? Though now the money was his, she still felt like it went from her left hand to her right.

"Hey! Jiang Yun, who would've guessed you have such a beautiful girlfriend?" The landlady admired Li Mengya, clicking her tongue. Even with her mask and sunglasses, Li Mengya's figure marked her as a stunning beauty.

"What bad luck," Jiang Yun cursed inwardly.

"Jiang Yun, I'm not trying to embarrass you in front of your girlfriend, but you've owed rent for half a year now. When will you pay?"

"I'm paying now!" Jiang Yun pinched his nose and paid the rent, nearly in tears, hoping she'd stop talking.

"Beep beep!"

Upon receiving the transfer notification, the landlady snorted. "Looks like you've struck it rich. Want to pay for the next half-year as well?"

Jiang Yun wanted to retort that he wouldn't, that he wouldn't live here anymore, and he'd be buying a house soon.

But after considering, he held his tongue, deciding to quietly amass his fortune and boast only after buying his own place.

He didn't bother arguing further with the landlady.

Jiang Yun and Li Mengya walked onto the street. Li Mengya looked at him, saying, "Who knew you had this side to you!"

Jiang Yun was mortified.

Despite her mask and sunglasses, he could sense her thick sarcasm and amusement.

He knew she meant no harm and managed an awkward smile.

"Get in!" Li Mengya opened the door of a Beetle, sat in the driver's seat, and then opened the passenger door for Jiang Yun.

"Where shall we dine?" Li Mengya asked.

"Let's go to Red Romance Western Restaurant," Jiang Yun replied.

After all, he still had to meet Zhou Lun at Red Romance Café later that afternoon. Might as well keep things close.

They arrived at the restaurant and booked a private room. Nothing unusual happened along the way.

But when settling the bill, Jiang Yun happened upon his ex-girlfriend.

"What rotten luck," Jiang Yun cursed inwardly.

"What's wrong?" Li Mengya asked.

"Nothing, the woman over there is my ex," Jiang Yun replied.

"Who would've thought—your ex is so pretty, and yet you cheated?" Li Mengya teased.

"Who cheated? You did! I didn't!" Jiang Yun retorted, hands in his pockets, nonchalant.

Li Mengya smiled, "You really open my eyes. First an original song at the concert, then overdue rent, now rumors of cheating. You always manage to refresh my impression of you!"

Their conversation ended as Jiang Yun's ex, Wang Lili, approached.

"Hey! Isn't this Jiang Yun? You can come to places like this now? I'm impressed," Wang Lili said.

Jiang Yun had no interest in a pointless argument, so he simply turned and walked away.

Wang Lili's face darkened, and she shouted sharply, "Jiang Yun, don't regret this! One last chance—will you reconcile with me?"

Jiang Yun halted, leaving only his back to her.

"Rest assured, I won't regret it. If anyone should regret, it's you," he said calmly.

His voice was quiet but clear enough for Wang Lili to hear.

Jiang Yun led Li Mengya away.

Wang Lili stood there, her face twisted with anger.

After bidding Li Mengya farewell, Jiang Yun arrived at Red Romance Café. The Red Romance brand was well-known in the city.

He chose a booth, ordered a coffee, and waited quietly.

He noticed a female server watching him and asked, "Is there something wrong with me?"

"N-no, nothing," she stammered.

"Then why do you keep staring at me?" Jiang Yun asked again.

The server came over, took out her phone, and played a video. "Excuse me, are you the person in this video?"

Jiang Yun watched and laughed, "Yes, that's me!"

"Wonderful, it's really you! Could you sign an autograph for me?"

Jiang Yun took the paper and pen, scribbled his name with flourish.

Afterward, the server lingered, chattering nonstop.

"I love your song so much, but sadly it's only a live video, no audio file. I have to watch the video every time I want to listen—so frustrating."

"When will you release an audio version? I'll definitely subscribe and buy the digital album."

A lightbulb went off in Jiang Yun's mind—why hadn't he thought of it? He could produce the song as an mp3, upload it to music platforms, and earn copyright fees.

He politely sent off the chatty university student server.

Checking the time, it was nearly three o'clock.

"Sorry, sorry, something came up on the way—we're late," two people hurried over to Jiang Yun's booth, apologizing repeatedly.

Jiang Yun felt a bit annoyed—they were punctual to the second, arriving precisely at three, not a second early.