Chapter 1685: Cloud Boss and Little Cousin Side Story (3)

Zheng Lansheng hadn’t planned on meeting Fan Zhengyu at all, and he never imagined this girl actually knew Yun Hezhi. He called him "bro," but calling him "Master" wouldn’t be over the top; he usually went to him to ask for pointers on the weak spots in his singing.

Yun Hezhi, on the surface, looks very easy to get close to.

In reality, his mouth is vicious, and he especially loves roasting people.

Zheng Lansheng used to be the tsundere type himself; even when he sought guidance, his attitude couldn’t exactly be called humble.

Yun Hezhi just came right out and said:

"Wait till you actually have the chops before you try to act like a big shot with me. No skills and still putting on airs in front of me... don’t blame me for not saving your face."

He literally ground down all of Zheng Lansheng’s little sharp edges.

Now he’s become:

In public he’s showered with praise and called Boss Zheng; turn around and he’s Yun Hezhi’s number-one fanboy plus... little lapdog.

The two of them have known each other for so long, yet right now he suddenly feels like an outsider.

**

Fan Zhengyu didn’t want to waste their time either, and got straight to the point. "...Boss Zheng, I hope you can give me a chance. I brought my violin with me; you can listen to my playing first before you decide. I’ll only take three minutes of your time."

Just for the fact that this girl knew Yun Hezhi, Zheng Lansheng had to give her that bit of face, and nodded in agreement.

Fan Zhengyu ran out with a smile, then came back carrying the violin. Her long hair was tied back; she rested the violin on her shoulder with one hand, bow in the other, and played a piece of "Butterfly Lovers."

Her bowing was elegant, and in terms of bow technique and fingering, her handling of the piece or her playing skills, there was nothing to nitpick.

Yun Hezhi held his cup, studying her carefully, the corner of his mouth slightly lifted.

How many faces can a person have, really?

Just now she’d been all bright smiles, gentle and warm like sunshine; the moment she started playing, her whole aura changed.

Free and unrestrained, that kind of bold, breezy confidence, as if there were stars in her eyes.

Blazing, dazzling.

Zheng Lansheng was just as stunned.

If it were working with her, it would definitely be worth watching...

From the call earlier, Fan Zhengyu already knew this Boss Zheng wasn’t exactly easy-going. She didn’t dare waste his time, so she only played a short segment. "Boss Zheng, what do you think of me? Do I still have a chance?"

Zheng Lansheng gave a little cough and shot Yun Hezhi a sidelong glance.

He’d just complained about not wanting to collaborate; to go back on his word now would look bad. He’s incredibly tsundere and hates losing face.

He figured, if Miss Fan begged him a couple more times, he’d agree.

He’d even prepared his speech:

[Since Miss Fan thinks so highly of me, and you know my bro, I’ll accept. Looking forward to a pleasant collaboration.]

But he waited and waited, and Fan Zhengyu never opened her mouth.

Fan Zhengyu is the type who doesn’t like forcing people.

Zheng Lansheng must’ve heard everything she said earlier. She’d already disturbed him with that call and was now taking up his time again; it was really a bit much.

If they did collaborate, they’d inevitably have to rehearse together later, which would eat up even more time. And if the collaboration started with her begging him and him reluctantly agreeing, chances are that kind of dynamic would lead to friction during the process.

She’d fought for the opportunity; even if they couldn’t work together, she wouldn’t have any regrets.

Seeing her set the violin down without saying anything, Zheng Lansheng started to panic.

What’s with this girl?

Come on, ask him again, just say it one more time!

Only, being so tsundere, he refused to lower his head, and instead glanced at Yun Hezhi.

He kept throwing him looks:

Bro, say something for me.

Yun Hezhi did speak up—but what came out nearly made Zheng Lansheng cough up three liters of blood:

"Miss Fan."

"Boss Yun, I’m so sorry for bothering you."

"You play very well. You must’ve been practicing for a long time."

"I started when I was four."

"I can see the skill. Does your ensemble only collaborate with Lansheng?"

"Hm?" Fan Zhengyu didn’t understand what he meant.

"What do you think of me?"

Fan Zhengyu and Zheng Lansheng both froze with identical shocked expressions.

"You just mentioned blending Chinese and Western styles, and that got me interested. I also hope more people can get to know Beijing Opera. If the collaboration partner were switched to me, would you mind?"

Zheng Lansheng’s pupils trembled:

Bro! What are you doing?

This is a straight-up daylight interception! You can’t play it like this.

Fan Zhengyu was stunned for a second, then immediately smiled. "Boss Yun, you’re being way too modest. You’re so amazing—being able to perform on the same stage as you would be my honor. Can I step out to make a phone call? I need to let the teacher from our ensemble know."

"Of course."

Fan Zhengyu left with a smile, phone in hand, and found a quiet corner to make the call.

Zheng Lansheng practically lost it and turned to Yun Hezhi. "Bro, what’s that supposed to mean?"

"You kept giving me looks. Weren’t you asking me to bail you out?"

"Well, yeah, but I..."

I wanted you to set me up with a graceful exit, not swoop in and steal the gig.

"Earlier you told me you didn’t want to collaborate, and said your skills weren’t polished enough yet, still not there. I know this person—she’s my friend’s younger cousin. The girl’s so sincere, came all the way over here specially; it wouldn’t sit right to turn her down flat. So I figured I’d help you take this job off your hands."

Yun Hezhi’s expression clearly said:

Well? Aren’t you going to thank me?

"If we’re going to work together after this, I’ll probably have to spend time practicing with her. That’s going to eat up quite a bit of time."

Zheng Lansheng: "..."

But he couldn’t refute what Yun Hezhi said, so he could only bite the bullet and squeeze out, "Thanks, bro."

"The girl’s got solid basics. If you two cooperate, you should be able to put on a really good stage. Stop always doing things just based on your own temper."

"I won’t do that next time." Zheng Lansheng looked completely deflated.

Who is Yun Hezhi? These past few years in the industry, he’s been one of the top figures. He’s not the type to agree to a collaboration just for the sake of favors; the fact that he nodded means Fan Zhengyu’s performance was genuinely good.

That little bit of scheming in his heart, Zheng Lansheng was still aware of it, but now he could only swallow the dumb loss and take it.

At a time like this, what the hell was he acting so proud for!

Really took a huge loss!

**

Fan Zhengyu quickly came running back with a smile. "Boss Yun, I’ve talked to my troupe. As long as you’re okay with it, we’ll coordinate with your schedule and requirements."

"National Day performance? That’s tight on time. How do you usually practice?" Yun Hezhi cut straight to the point.

"Normally I go to the troupe."

"But it’s just you and me working together, right?"

"Mm."

"You just said your place and ours are only separated by a river. Why don’t you come to my place to practice? Saves you the time of running back and forth to the orchestra. What do you think?"

Zheng Lansheng was dumbstruck:

Inviting someone over to his place to practice?

He’d known him for over a year before the man was willing to let him come over!

"That’d be great, it’s just... will it bother anyone?" Fan Zhengyu glanced at Zheng Lansheng. He’d headed straight here after his performance, so she instinctively assumed the two of them were co-renting the place.

"No, I live alone. He’s about to leave."

Zheng Lansheng:

Who said I’m leaving? Didn’t we just say we’d have dinner together?

"Then when are you free?" Of course Fan Zhengyu had to match Yun Hezhi’s time.

"Hard to say. I might suddenly have some performances and events."

"Then..." Fan Zhengyu cleared her throat lightly. "Should we add each other’s contact? That way it’s easier to coordinate practice time. I’ll try my best to work around you."

"Okay."

"Phone? WeChat?"

"Can we add both?" Fan Zhengyu wanted to add more than one contact method; if she couldn’t reach him on WeChat later, she could still call. Better safe than sorry.

"Sure." Yun Hezhi didn’t refuse.

...

Zheng Lansheng felt like a complete outsider, watching with his eyes wide open as the two of them exchanged contact info.

The more he looked at Yun Hezhi, the more resentment he felt in his gaze.

He’d known Yun Hezhi for a month before they added each other on WeChat, and that was after he pestered him to death and begged Sixth Master of the Jing Family to speak on his behalf. He really did thicken his skin for that.

Back then, someone had said:

"I barely use WeChat. Adding me is pointless."

And now what’s this situation? Just because she’s a young girl? Because she’s prettier? When he’s in costume as a young dan role, he’s pretty too, okay? How can he treat people differently?

After getting his contact info, Fan Zhengyu packed up her violin, said goodbye to them, crossed a bridge, went over the river, and was home. Her mood was extra cheerful.

Dumped a Zheng Lansheng, picked up a Yun Hezhi—this was practically winning the lottery.

**

In the other courtyard

Zheng Lansheng was in a completely dazed state. Yun Hezhi glanced at him. "It’s getting dark..."

The implication being:

You can leave now!

"Bro, didn’t we say we’d have dinner together?"

"I just cleaned up your mess, and you still have the nerve to mooch a meal at my place?"

"..."

Even though Yun Hezhi had a poisonous tongue, he still kept him for dinner. He always cooked for himself, and his skills were excellent. Someone was secretly delighted, went over to help as his assistant, and kept buttering him up nonstop.

"Bro, when are you going to find me a sister‑in‑law?"

"Whoever marries you and gets to eat your cooking every day, she must’ve saved the galaxy in her past life."

"You don’t have that many performances now. You really should start thinking about your own personal life."

...

After chattering for a long time, Zheng Lansheng realized Yun Hezhi was tilting his head, staring right at him, gaze steady and unblinking, making his scalp prickle.

Yun Hezhi had never been keen on talking about his private life. Zheng Lansheng thought he’d stepped on a landmine again, and forced a sheepish grin. "Bro, I..."

"You’re right!"

"Huh?"

"I really should properly plan out my own affairs."

All through dinner, Zheng Lansheng was on edge. His bro was acting way too out of character.

When he headed home, because the courtyard was out in the suburbs, the streetlights were dim, with insects and frogs chirping around him. It was actually a tiny bit creepy. During the day in autumn, the sun is warm and golden, but at night the wind blows and there’s a chill in the air.

Suddenly, a dog bark rang out—

He was so scared he bolted on the spot!

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