Volume One, Chapter Thirteen: The Father and Son Become the Hidden Puppeteers
Page (1/3)
In Li Huange’s mind, the serious words Shen Qi had spoken still echoed persistently—“Taking good care of your mother and you is my life’s work!”
Indeed, Shen Qi had always lived by this principle. He fulfilled what he owed after receiving money.
A work like “Queen of the Charts” was not part of any marital contract.
Even if Li Huange believed Shen Qi loved her, she knew she shouldn’t claim or take from him without any exchange.
Yet, Li Huange also wondered: isn’t it because Shen Qi loved her that he shouldn’t hold back everything?
Soon, Li Huange’s inner turmoil faded.
...
The afternoon sunlight was gentle, streaming through the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, making Shen Xiaokun’s guitar shimmer brilliantly.
Shen Qi and Shen Xiaokun sat opposite each other at the coffee table, one large, one small, truly resembling adults negotiating.
Shen Xiaokun furrowed his brows thoughtfully like a little grown-up.
“So you can help Mom, but you don’t want to reveal your many talents, right?”
Shen Qi nodded, and his words made many online viewers feel both amused and exasperated.
“My biggest dream is to find someone like your mom—beautiful, well-shaped, elegant, and wealthy—to freeload off of and live a relaxed life, casually drinking with her and watching movies...”
“But your mom is too career-driven. If she finds out I’m a genius, her strong personality will definitely drag me into her company.”
“If that happens, the lifestyle I’m most satisfied with right now will be disrupted.”
[Really, I’m speechless. Clearly freeloading, but why does it seem so adorable?]
[Everyone has the freedom to choose their way of life. Shen Qi can afford to freeload; no one else can say a word.]
[Isn’t it contradictory? Shen Qi clearly loves Li Huange and wants to help her, yet he’s reluctant to give up his laid-back life.]
[I’m really curious what kind of solution these two will come up with.]
In the broadcast room, Zhuo Yiyi’s envy was palpable.
Li Huange’s curiosity was equally piqued.
Bai Qinghe and Lin Xiaolu were green with jealousy.
“Sounds so sweet, but in reality, hasn’t he done nothing for Huange? He just wants a long-term meal ticket.”
“A person like Shen Qi is the kind I despise most. If he were my husband, I’d kick him out.”
Zhuo Yiyi was about to respond but was silenced by Li Huange’s glance.
Li Huange eagerly anticipated what the live streams of these two families would look like in the next couple of days.
“Teacher Bai and Actress Lin are right, Shen Qi is nothing, but I like him anyway.”
The two felt their punches land on cotton; a quiet dissatisfaction settled in their hearts.
Fang Qian smiled, “Right now Shen Qi and Xiaokun are negotiating. Maybe they’ve come up with a good plan?”
Li Lei also said, “Then let’s wait and see, and continue watching the live stream.”
...
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“So the problem now is how to get your work to her or her company without Mom knowing...”
“The creative department!” Shen Qi answered.
“Yes, yes... the creative department!” Shen Xiaokun pondered.
Shen Qi found amusement in watching Shen Xiaokun frown and scratch his head—this little grown-up was just like an adult, just missing a cigarette during the thinking process.
“Alright, I’ve already figured it out!”
“Ah?” Shen Xiaokun looked at Shen Qi in surprise.
Shen Qi smiled, “Before you came back, your mom told me her company has been facing some difficulties, even cutting back on my... uh... family expenses, and delaying payments...”
“That’s really scary for you, since you’re so stingy and greedy,” Shen Xiaokun agreed.
[Hahaha, right on the money.]
[The little grown-up just peeled open his dad’s thoughts.]
[I love Xiaokun so much, the Huange family’s live streams are so entertaining.]
Li Huange couldn’t help but chuckle softly.
The broadcast room atmosphere brightened happily.
...
“So I’ve come up with a very good idea these days!” Shen Qi said confidently.
“Tell me quickly!” Shen Xiaokun’s eyes sparkled.
“I’ll tell you if you call me Dad!” Shen Qi grinned mischievously.
“You...” Shen Xiaokun’s face darkened instantly.
Shen Qi stood up abruptly, “Then we’ll discuss this another time.”
“Hey, hey, hey?” Shen Xiaokun hurriedly grabbed Shen Qi, “Are you sure I can do it if I call you that?”
“Absolutely!”
“Da... Dad...”
Shen Xiaokun’s face flushed slightly as he lowered his proud head.
“Wahaha...”
Shen Qi’s hearty laughter echoed through the villa.
The comment stream filled with words like “shameless,” “funny,” “awesome”...
The broadcast room was filled with joy.
Even Li Huange laughed heartily, a rare occurrence.
Some, however, felt a darkening in their hearts again.
...
One hour later.
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Shen Qi and Shen Xiaokun sat in front of the computer, their two heads close together, four eyes fixed on the screen.
Amidst countless viewers’ curiosity, the camera zoomed in, showing the computer screen on the big screen.
“This is... an original music trading platform... It’s TaoGe Net!” Zhuo Yiyi exclaimed.
Some viewers still looked puzzled.
Li Huange’s eyes lit up immediately, her explanation tinged with a hint of uncontrollable pride.
This was the first time Li Huange had ever felt proud of Shen Qi in front of outsiders!
“The full lyrics, sheet music, instrumental arrangements, even the demo recordings are all complete and uploaded electronically! There are also notes on details the singer should pay attention to during performance...”
Li Huange felt touched and also recognized Shen Qi’s shrewdness.
Everyone saw the songwriter’s name registered on TaoGe Net—Behind-the-Scenes Pooper!
“Pfft... hahaha...” Zhuo Yiyi pointed at the big screen, laughing uncontrollably.
“Forgive my lack of culture, but have I been wrong about the term ‘behind-the-scenes mastermind’ all this time?”
The live audience burst into laughter.
The Shen Xiaokun in the video looked very happy and satisfied.
“This way, Mom won’t know the song was written by you. You can send a private message to Huange Entertainment or Mom’s account under the name Behind-the-Scenes Pooper. Now only two problems remain.”
“First, you priced it at 50,000 yuan, and many people will order this song.”
Shen Qi smiled, “No worries about that. Unless I approve the transaction, it can’t be completed.”
Shen Xiaokun nodded.
“Then only the second point remains...”
“Go on.”
“If you can write such great lyrics but don’t seem to be a highly educated person, why did you even get the term ‘behind-the-scenes mastermind’ wrong?”
“...”
[Respect! You’re truly a role model of our generation!]
[Just as Shen Qi said, he’s willing to be a hardworking behind-the-scenes ox. It’s really touching.]
[Although this father and son aren’t biologically related and have an odd way of interacting, they radiate genuine love.]
[Men like Shen Qi are sought after for marriage across the entire internet, and sons like Xiaokun are highly sought after with heavy rewards.]
[I really envy Huange, the Queen of the Charts—she’s truly a winner in life.]