Chapter Fifty-Nine: Composing a Song for Feifei

Yang Feifei’s laughter nearly scared Su Tong out of his wits.

With the microphone’s high sensitivity, even the faintest buzz of a mosquito could be picked up and delivered straight to the audience. Yang Feifei reacted quickly, immediately covering her mouth and widening her eyes in alarm, realizing she’d caused trouble.

“Hmm? I think I just heard someone laughing.”

“Yeah, and it was a woman.”

“Wow, big brother, hiding a beauty at home?”

“Bring her out! You’re not even eighteen yet and already living together?”

“My heart just froze, sob sob.”

“Whoever stole my brother, I’ll scratch her to death.”

“...”

The audience had sharp ears and caught on instantly.

“Hee hee…” Su Tong burst out laughing, but used a female voice.

“Aww—”

A barrage of disdainful emojis flooded the screen; everyone was calling Su Tong out for teasing them.

Su Tong wiped his brow in relief. Thank goodness for the Voice Changer—he’d managed to fool the audience into thinking that the laughter just now had been his own.

Next, Su Tong told a few jokes about Xiao Ming and his female teacher.

[Teacher: “Good morning, class!”

Class: “Happy Teacher’s Day, teacher!”

Teacher: “Thank you, students. Where’s Xiao Ming?”

Xiao Qiang: “Xiao Ming said since it’s your special day, he won’t make you angry—he left early.”

Teacher: “Xiao Ming is actually a thoughtful child, go bring him back.”

Xiao Qiang: “By now, I think he’s already home.”]

…

After finishing the jokes, Su Tong sang a few old songs, then began to tell the tale of “The Immortal Executioner.” Yang Feifei perked up at once, balling her fists and staring at him intently.

The story had reached the part where the demon was exorcised from Xiaochi Town. It told how Xiao Fan escaped from the Blood-Dripping Cave, had a chance encounter with the Ghost King, and learned the origin of his firewood staff. Later, he arrived at a small town, befriended Shi Tou, the sole heir of the Vajra Sect’s master, and together they went to Blackstone Cave to eliminate a fox demon that plagued the town. Before entering the cave, they met Zhou Yixian, the thirteenth-generation successor of Qingyun, and his granddaughter Xiaohuan. At the cave’s bottom, Xiao Fan was deeply moved by the three-tailed fox demon’s devotion—if she could not live with her beloved, she would die with him. At the request of the six-tailed white fox, Zhang Xiaofan cast both the dying white fox and the three-tailed fox demon, who had taken her own life, into the magma. Before dying, the six-tailed white fox bestowed upon Zhang Xiaofan the Xuanhuo Mirror.

When Su Tong reached the Battle of Liubo Mountain, he stopped. Using the Voice Changer to tell stories was simply too exhausting.

“You jerk! Why did you have to let the six-tailed white fox die? And even worse, you made the three-tailed fox demon die for love. Su Tong, you bastard, I hate you!” Yang Feifei, an actress herself, had become fully immersed in the story Su Tong was telling.

Sure enough, as soon as the stream ended, she wouldn’t let Su Tong off, her eyes brimming with tears.

“Hey, it’s just a story, don’t take it so seriously.” Su Tong was at a loss, intimidated by this emotional girl.

Yang Feifei sat quietly to the side, still deeply saddened.

The three-tailed fox demon was so noble. For the one she loved, she had done some bad things, but it was all to save him—her true nature was kind.

“Life is just a story. We all know we’re playing a part, all know the show must end, but we still throw ourselves into it. It’s the same with acting…” Yang Feifei spoke quietly, her mood low.

Su Tong felt awkward. He had been no less emotionally invested while telling the story, but he was able to detach more quickly.

He couldn’t help but worry—what about Biyao? When the time came, this girl would probably kill him with a sword.

Yang Feifei had made it clear that Biyao was her favorite, and she believed that the character of Biyao in “The Immortal Executioner” was based on her.

Good grief, just thinking about it gave Su Tong a headache. Maybe he shouldn’t come to her streams next time?

Yes, he’d better not—Su Tong decided firmly.

Looking back, Su Tong realized Yang Feifei’s personality was really quite similar to Biyao’s: a face as beautiful as a fleeting blossom, stunning looks, lively and willful, quick to anger, but with a kind heart.

“Hey, it’s past ten, I need to get back to the dorm,” Su Tong reminded her.

Yang Feifei shot him a look. “What about the song you promised me? Write it, and then I’ll have Yaya take you back.”

Su Tong pulled a face. Ever since he left Min University, he’d been hopeless with directions. Without someone to guide him, if he didn’t take a taxi, he’d wander around until dawn and still not find his way back. And he was tired of getting ripped off by cab drivers—unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn’t take a taxi. He wasn’t rich and still owed plenty of money, so he wouldn’t waste a penny if he could help it.

Writing a song for Yang Feifei, Su Tong mused, but wasn’t sure which one to give her.

“Feifei…” Su Tong was about to say something when his phone rang.

It was Xiaoyu calling.

After earning some money over the summer, Su Tong had replaced his old phone and also bought Xiaoyu a new one.

“Xiaoyu! Haha, Xiaoxiao’s with you too?”

“Why aren’t you in bed yet? You have school tomorrow…”

“Has Xiaoxiao been good these days…? What, Dad’s not home yet? Out drinking again, that old rascal…”

“Lock your door before you sleep, okay? If he can’t get in, he won’t bother you. Make sure you do it—actually, go lock it now…”

“Don’t cry, be good. Just one more month and I’ll be home…”

“That’s better. Xiaoyu, did you have your milk this morning? Even if Xiaoxiao’s fussy, make sure she drinks it too. Both of you, have a bag of milk before bed. Remember, we’re not short on money now—drink as much as you want, make up for the old days. When you’re out, I’ll tell Dad to buy more for you. Keep the money safe—don’t let him see it when he’s drunk…”

Su Tong cajoled and reassured Xiaoyu and Xiaoxiao for over half an hour on the phone.

He didn’t realize that, as he talked, he’d wandered over to the window.

After hanging up, he noticed the city outside—so big, so brightly lit, neon lights dazzling, vibrant and brimming with life.

A great city had its own wonders, just as the countryside had its peace and unique charm.

He stood there for a moment, then glanced at his phone—good heavens, it was nearly eleven.

Yang Feifei, he now realized, was standing behind him.

Just as he turned to say something, he jumped in fright.

“I want my song,” Yang Feifei said, holding out her hand playfully.

Su Tong got goosebumps—she sounded just like Xiaoyu and Xiaoxiao.

“A song about perseverance—would that be okay?” Su Tong asked cautiously, then explained, “With your image and age, a love song isn’t the best fit. An inspirational song suits you more, and I think it could even give you a shot at the Golden Melody Awards—though of course your team will have to work hard as well.”

Yang Feifei’s eyes sparkled. “You’ve already written it?”

Su Tong hesitated. “Feifei, it’s almost eleven. Shouldn’t I get going?”

Yang Feifei huffed, “Don’t even think about leaving until you’ve written the melody or at least the lyrics.”

Su Tong opened his mouth to protest. He already had a song in mind, but writing it out would take at least ten minutes. After midnight, his web novel “Coiling Dragon” would be going live, and at least a few thousand readers would be waiting for his update.

If he wrote the song first, he wasn’t sure he’d make it back in time.

“All right,” Su Tong said helplessly, asking Yang Feifei to fetch pen and paper.

Yang Feifei, who had long coveted one of Su Tong’s songs, dashed out excitedly.