Chapter 17: Fellow Travelers in the Abyss of Unrequited Love

After bidding farewell to Peng’s father and the others, Chen Fan visibly exhaled in relief once back in the car.

“So, you were only pretending to be calm in front of your uncle and aunt,” Zhou Xuejing teased as she snatched the passenger seat.

“Yeah, I just realized I even forgot to bring the gifts,” Chen Fan said with a wry smile, lifting the gift bags resting on the back seat.

He had been quiet the entire time, observing more and speaking less, afraid of saying something wrong or doing something displeasing to his future in-laws. Yet, trouble had already surfaced from the very start.

“What should I do? Should I take them over now?”

Zhou Xuejing was momentarily stunned—he was genuinely nervous. But that was a good thing; it showed he truly cared about Peng Jiaxin.

“No need. Didn’t I say you’re the best gift? Besides, do you think your performance just now needs any bonus points from gifts?” Peng Jiaxin pressed the accelerator and drove off.

“You’ve done more than enough. Now, I’ll take you to relax.”

“Barbecue, beer, crayfish—tonight, we won’t stop until we’re drunk!” Zhou Xuejing raised her hands in cheer.

“Uh… didn’t we just finish dinner? Already onto the next meal?” Chen Fan felt overwhelmed after an evening of being showered with care by two elders; his stomach was truly full.

“I’m nearly done too. Xuejing, how about we switch it up?”

Zhou Xuejing clutched her chest, staring incredulously at Peng Jiaxin.

“Xin Xin, you’ve changed. You used to stick with me even if you were about to throw up. Now you’re ready to abandon me for some guy? Tell me, do you not love me anymore?”

“Drama queen.”

“See? You don’t love me. Boohoo, you’re one of those selfish women who don’t want girlfriends once you have a husband.”

“……”

Zhou Xuejing’s playful antics eased Chen Fan’s nerves considerably. He now understood why she and Peng Jiaxin had been friends for so long.

Among two friends, one must play the troublemaker.

True friendship endures when one is willing to play and tease alongside you.

……

Jinhuang KTV was among the finest and priciest entertainment venues in Su City, so extravagant that even Chen Fan had heard of its exorbitant prices.

Anything entering here would instantly skyrocket in value!

Chen Fan had once thought he’d never have any connection to such a place in his lifetime.

“Stop staring, let’s go.”

Handing the car keys to the doorman, Peng Jiaxin and Zhou Xuejing linked arms and walked inside as if returning home.

The next moment, a chorus of welcomes rang out, followed by a portly middle-aged man approaching. He rubbed his hands obsequiously and respectfully greeted, “Miss Peng.”

Chen Fan understood immediately—this business had ties to his future father-in-law.

Though Peng Jiaxin hadn’t disclosed her background, she never intended to hide it, and Chen Fan could sense the considerable influence her father wielded.

Yet he chose to observe quietly; since his wife hadn’t mentioned it, she must have her reasons.

He decided to follow her lead.

The top-tier VIP room was larger than the apartment Chen Fan rented, complete with a stage, a shower, and sleeping quarters.

The opulence of the wealthy class once again shattered Chen Fan’s worldview.

Did people really come here just to sing?

Chen Fan didn’t know about others, but these two truly came to sing. Zhou Xuejing seemed genuinely wounded by her boyfriend from the capital.

She immediately requested a few emo songs.

“Drowning” and “Mercury Chronicles.”

Both were recent hits composed by the rising artist ZJ, whose deeply emotional melodies had taken the internet by storm, resonating with audiences nationwide.

After the songs ended, Zhou Xuejing could no longer hold back and tearfully buried herself in Peng Jiaxin’s embrace.

“Xin Xin, why? Why doesn’t he like me?”

“It’s okay, it’s okay,” Peng Jiaxin comforted.

Peng Jiaxin wasn’t entirely clear about Zhou Xuejing’s sudden romance. She only knew that a few months ago, Zhou suddenly said she was going to the capital for love. When Peng asked why, she simply replied, “For love.”

At the time, Peng Jiaxin was puzzled, but Zhou didn’t elaborate and took a plane away.

“What happened?” Chen Fan perked up, listening closely. His expression grew increasingly complex as Zhou Xuejing explained.

A wealthy heiress had pretended to be pure and innocent online, falling into a romantic relationship. Upon meeting, her poor yet hardworking boyfriend refused to be a kept man, and the heiress, unused to rejection due to her wealth, was the one dumped for the first time. She became stubborn, clinging to him and even shaming him with money.

Indeed, the man was poor, working to earn tuition and living expenses.

The back-and-forth had developed mutual feelings, but pride prevented either from confessing. Then Zhou stumbled upon a photo of Peng Jiaxin’s marriage certificate, which shattered her defenses. In frustration, she flew back immediately.

Chen Fan took a sharp breath—what a classic female romance trope.

Five years later, the poor boy returns to Su City with a trillion-dollar fortune, seeking the woman who once humiliated him?

Then a saga of love and hatred begins, culminating in their union.

Yes… plenty of material!

He jotted it down quickly.

Opening his phone’s notes app, Chen Fan’s document was filled with interesting anecdotes and sudden ideas.

As a full-time writer, collecting rich material and knowledge was his professional discipline.

Of course, “Flame Emperor” required no embellishment; it would unfold naturally.

“What are you doing?” Zhou Xuejing asked once she composed herself, noticing Chen Fan’s fingers flying over his phone, almost leaving a blur.

“Updating my novel,” Chen Fan replied casually.

Zhou remembered—he was a novelist.

“Xin Xin, do novelists really type this fast?”

Peng Jiaxin, having calmed Zhou Xuejing down, was now picking songs without looking up.

“Hmm, probably.”

“Don’t you get tired of it?”

“Hmm… hmm?”

You’re acting strange.

“Hey, ZJ has a new song out—‘Chasing Dreams with a Child’s Heart’? Could it be another emo anthem?”

“Doesn’t sound like it.”

“Isn’t the college entrance exam coming up? Maybe this song is for the students.”

Chen Fan put away his phone and smiled.

“If it’s him, it’s possible.”

Peng Jiaxin, as head of an entertainment company, had received a nationwide call for inspirational songs aimed at encouraging exam candidates a month ago.

She tried submitting a few through her team but, unsurprisingly, none were selected.

“Let’s listen!”

Zhou Xuejing felt she needed some motivation; a dose of uplifting music wouldn’t hurt.

“Where exactly is a world filled with flowers?”

“If it truly exists, then I will surely go…”

At the same time, universities across the country began playing this song. Weary students finishing their night study sessions walked home, exhausted in body and spirit.

The stirring melody played unnoticed at first, but as it reached its climax, nearly everyone stopped in their tracks, quietly listening.

“Run forward! Facing cold stares and ridicule!”

“Without enduring hardships, how can life’s vastness be felt?”

“Fate cannot force us to kneel and beg!”

“Even if blood stains our embrace!”

…