{Chapter: 339 Reward? [2+3 more]}
"Young Master Lin wants to invite me to dinner the day after tomorrow?" Li Feifei blinked in surprise, the corner of her lips curling into a soft, amused smile. "That's a bit tricky... I have a concert scheduled that evening. It's a major event and pretty important for my career. And even if I wanted to go, my agency definitely wouldn't approve."
Her tone was casual, playful even, as if she suspected Lin Yuan was joking. She didn't expect him to be serious. After all, her schedule was planned weeks in advance, and top-tier celebrities rarely canceled big performances on a whim.
But Lin Yuan's next words made her pause.
"Then think about whether it's possible to reschedule," he said calmly, his voice carrying a casual confidence that made it hard to argue. "I've composed a new song—and I'd like you to be the first to hear it. I also need a favor."
"A new song? Seriously?!" Li Feifei's voice instantly shot up an octave, her earlier hesitation evaporating like mist in sunlight.
Just hearing the phrase "new song" from Lin Yuan's mouth made her forget about everything else. To her, a concert was routine—a repetition of what she already had. But a new song? Especially from someone like Lin Yuan? That was priceless.
Because in the entertainment industry, an artist's value wasn't just based on how well they could sing—it was what they could offer that others couldn't. A fresh, catchy, emotionally resonant song could make all the difference between trending and fading.
Li Feifei never questioned Lin Yuan's musical abilities. After all, the hauntingly beautiful Blue and White Porcelain had already blown her away when she first heard it. That track alone had proven his genius—and in her opinion, he might even surpass her in pure vocal talent and artistic expression.
Their occasional chats on WeChat had only deepened her admiration. Lin Yuan always had a way of saying something unexpected, something clever or thought-provoking. She had even messaged him several times in the past, hoping he might share another song.
Her agency had also caught wind of her interest and had tried to pry something out of Lin Yuan on more than one occasion. But he always deflected with polite indifference, claiming he had nothing new to share—until now.
The fact that he was bringing it up first meant something. It meant he believed in this song. And if Lin Yuan was confident, so was she.
"You really wrote a new song?" Li Feifei asked again, still slightly in disbelief.
"I did," Lin Yuan confirmed, his lips curling into a faint smile.
"I'll send it to you now," he added.
"Great!" Li Feifei replied excitedly.
Lin Yuan then turned to Yan Ruyue and said with a smile, "President Yan, do you have a pen and paper I can borrow?"
Without hesitation, Yan Ruyue handed over what he needed. She was already used to Lin Yuan's unusual requests by now—but what happened next still managed to surprise her.
With elegant ease, Lin Yuan began writing the lyrics and music score directly onto the sheet. His hand moved quickly, confidently, as if he'd practiced this moment a hundred times. Within just a few short minutes, he was done.
Yan Ruyue leaned over slightly to look at what he'd written. Though she wasn't an expert in music theory, she could still tell that it wasn't some random scribble. The structure was clean, the notation crisp. She couldn't help but feel a flicker of admiration—and curiosity.
Meanwhile, Lin Yuan calmly took pictures of the lyrics and sheet music, then recorded a brief demo of the song using his phone. He sent everything directly to Li Feifei.
The song he had chosen this time was from his past life, titled Encounter. Of course, he'd adapted the lyrics and melody to better suit this world's cultural context, tailoring it perfectly for both Li Feifei's voice and the branding needs of the facial mask endorsement.
Not only did the song carry emotional weight and romantic intrigue, but he'd also subtly woven in a slogan that tied it back to the product. It was marketing and artistry, fused seamlessly.
On the other end of the line, Li Feifei's eyes scanned the lyrics eagerly. As soon as she heard the melody from Lin Yuan's demo, she couldn't help but hum along.
Then, her voice broke into song:
"What do I say… when I meet the right one?
How far is he… and is he waiting for me?
I hear the wind… from the subway and the sea…
I'm lining up… with a number plate of love…"
Her voice was clear and ethereal, smooth yet stirring, like a gentle breeze brushing across a calm lake. Each word she sang lingered in the air with soft resonance.
Yan Ruyue listened intently. She had always liked Li Feifei's music, but as she sat there, she found herself glancing at Lin Yuan instead. Despite how beautifully Li Feifei sang, a part of her still remembered the last time Lin Yuan had sung. And in her heart, she thought: Lin Yuan's version was even better.
Feeling her gaze, Lin Yuan turned and smiled lightly, as if reading her mind. Then, turning his attention back to the phone, he spoke to Li Feifei, who was still emotionally absorbed in the song.
"So," he asked gently, "what do you think? Are you satisfied with it?"
"Yes! Absolutely satisfied!" Li Feifei replied without hesitation, her voice filled with excitement. "I didn't even rehearse—I just looked at the lyrics and started singing. It's that good! I can already feel how powerful it's going to be. This song… it's definitely a hit!"
Her tone carried a conviction that came from years of experience in the industry.
Lin Yuan wasn't surprised by her reaction. In his previous life, Encounter had been a chart-topping success, winning several major awards and capturing the hearts of millions. He had merely adjusted it slightly to suit this world—and once again, it had proven its worth.
Li Feifei could tell at a glance that the potential and quality of this new song were nothing short of exceptional. The melody was rich with emotion, and the lyrics carried a resonance that struck deep. It was a song destined to stand out in the current music scene.
With excitement clearly written across her face, she continued to praise it enthusiastically:
"The quality of this song is truly amazing. It's exactly what I've been looking for. Lin Yuan, can I sing it? I would be more than happy to buy it from you."
Her tone was full of sincerity and eagerness. This song wasn't just good—it was a perfect fit for her current career trajectory. Despite already having received the lyrics and the music score, she still chose to ask for Lin Yuan's approval. Li Feifei was not the kind of person who would take someone else's work lightly. And song wasn't even completed. She respected the creative process and wanted to ensure that everything was done ethically and with mutual understanding.
To her surprise, Lin Yuan simply said:
"This song isn't for sale. Not for any amount of money."
"Huh? Not for sale?" Li Feifei blinked in confusion, clearly puzzled by his words.
Lin Yuan smiled slightly and explained,
"Just consider it a gift. I'm giving you the song... but I need a favor in return."
"A favor?" she echoed, momentarily dazed. She was still somewhat lost in the dream of becoming the next Queen of Pop, so his words took a second to fully register.
Lin Yuan wasted no time and explained his request directly: "I'd like you to be the spokesperson for a new facial mask product my company is launching. We're in need of a celebrity endorsement, and the advertisement video needs to be completed either today or tomorrow. This song will be used as part of the marketing campaign."
Li Feifei was stunned for a moment before bursting into a soft laugh. "I didn't even get the chance to ask you if this song was written for me… and here you go, revealing that it was actually made to promote your facial mask."
She smiled playfully and added,
"But since you've already said it, I'll gladly accept. I'm happy to be the face of your facial mask brand."
Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow and asked cautiously, "What about your concert the day after tomorrow? Will your agency approve? It's quite a big deal, isn't it?"
Li Feifei shrugged nonchalantly and replied with a smile, "It can be postponed. Honestly, this song is far more important to me than my scheduled concert in Yanjing. And I'm sure the agency will agree with me. A new, high-quality song like this is more valuable than a single live performance."
In her mind, there was no doubt. A hit song could elevate her status more effectively than a hundred live concerts. The exposure, the buzz, and the emotional connection it would generate with her audience were simply on another level. This song could become her signature piece.
She added firmly, "I'll book a flight to Jiangbei today and meet you. We can sit down and go over everything about the endorsement and the song."
Lin Yuan nodded, "Sounds good. When you arrive, let's grab dinner as well—talk everything over in detail."
Then, without hesitation, Lin Yuan asked,
"By the way, what's your expected talent fee for the endorsement? Let's make sure we settle everything upfront."
But Li Feifei waved her hand quickly, dismissing the question. "No need for any fee. Just getting this song from you is more than enough to cover the endorsement. Honestly, I feel like I'm the one taking advantage of you. This song means a lot to me."
Her words were genuine. For an artist, a song that speaks to the soul and has the potential to touch millions is priceless. No amount of endorsement money could compare.
Lin Yuan responded calmly, "Alright then, we have a deal. You'll become the official endorser and spokesperson for our facial mask brand, and the song will be yours for a single Yuan. You can even take full credit—lyrics, music, everything. Do as you see fit."
However, Li Feifei immediately shook her head.
"I can't do that. I'm fine just being credited as the original performer. I could never claim the lyrics or the music as my own. That would go against the most basic principles of professional integrity."
With a soft, self-deprecating chuckle, she added, "Besides, my fans know me too well. They'd instantly realize that this song didn't come from me. I don't want to pretend otherwise."
Lin Yuan smiled appreciatively. Her honesty and professionalism impressed him.
"Fair enough. But still, make the song your own. Add your flavor, tweak the style, and change what doesn't suit you. I wrote the piece quickly and based it on my own singing habits. You'll need to adjust it to match your voice and style."
He continued thoughtfully, "In short, there's still a lot of work left on the production side, but I trust you and your team to get it done. You've got the skill and the instinct to make this shine. I'm looking forward to hearing your version."
In reality, Lin Yuan had intentionally left the song a bit rough around the edges. He wanted it to be polished by Li Feifei's creativity and interpretation, not just sung as-is. The beauty of music, after all, lies in personal expression—and he believed in her enough to know she'd elevate the song even further.
Lin Yuan knew Li Feifei's personality very well. He understood that she was the kind of person who would readily agree to endorse his company's product without hesitation—but at the same time, she would never shamelessly take credit as the songwriter if the song wasn't hers.
However, because she had done him such a great favor by agreeing to endorse the facial mask brand on short notice, Lin Yuan didn't mind at all if she wanted to claim ownership of the song. In fact, he was willing to let her present it however she liked.