CHAPTER 73: CHAPTER 73 YOU’RE HAPPY SO I AM HAPPY (PLEASE FOLLOW)

Watching Zhang Jingdong and Lin Xiran being all lovey-dovey, Chen Tao across them was seething with jealousy to the point of madness!

To him, their display of affection was like that last gulp of soup after having three bowls of snail noodle soup late at night—so full he could burst!

So he waited for another five minutes, then, trying to sound nonchalant, said, "Jingdong, turns out you run an advertising agency. My dad’s company has a lot of advertising work every year. Leave me your number, and I might put in a word for you with my dad to give your business some support."

Zhang Jingdong had actually noticed Chen Tao’s intentions towards Lin Xiran and his deceitful prowess the first time he saw him at the school gates.

Especially the way he spoke—it was laced with arrogance, as if he was bestowing charity, and also showed a touch of wanting to control the situation.

Zhang Jingdong wasn’t going to fall for this poisoned pie, so he casually said, "No need, advertising isn’t actually my main business, so it’s not that big, and as it happens, we’ve got enough work to keep us busy for a year already, so there’s no need to seek out more business for the time being."

"But... still, thanks for the thought."

Chen Tao, not expecting Zhang Jingdong to pass up the opportunity, froze for a moment before continuing, "Then what is your main business? My parents have quite a few connections in Jiangdu, so I should be able to give you a little lift!"

Seeing that Chen Tao’s malicious intentions refused to die, Zhang Jingdong asked, "Bro, we’re meeting for the first time today, aren’t we?"

Chen Tao was a bit confused but still answered, "Yeah, what about it?"

"You think I’ve got some god-given talent, so you want to invest in me in advance, expecting future returns for your favor?"

Chen Tao chuckled and replied, "That... not really."

"So it’s... Ranran helped you out, and you’re trying to repay her by helping me?"

Now, Chen Tao was completely stumped and shook his head, "No, it’s not that, I actually just met her today as well."

Zhang Jingdong then meaningfully said, "Since we’re neither relatives nor old acquaintances, and we’ve only just met today, your sudden offer to help me through your parents’ resources is a bit strange!"

"Because here in Huaxia, there’s a saying: gratuitous favoritism suggests ulterior motives, either deceitful or thieving!"

"So, Chen Tao, you couldn’t possibly be trying to show off that your parents can get some business deals for me, in hopes that I’d give up on Ranran and even hand her over to you, right?"

Chen Tao didn’t expect Zhang Jingdong to directly call out his inner thoughts and subconsciously panicked.

He quickly waved his hands and stammered, "Of course not... I... I just wanted to help you sincerely, how... how can you misconstrue kindness for ill intentions!"

Although he tried to defend himself, even Lin Xiran could see the malice behind his actions just now.

At that moment, Zhang Jingdong lightly said, "I was just kidding. Don’t take it to heart!"

Chen Tao was so furious his small brain was about to shrink, but he sarcastically replied, "No problem, I was actually just joking too!"

Half an hour later, they left the restaurant and headed to Blue Time KTV across the street.

As soon as they entered the private room, Chen Tao felt like he was back on his home turf.

Aside from painting, his greatest hobby since childhood was singing, and he believed that his singing talent was no less remarkable than his painting.

And facts had proved this: in high school, he had won the champion of the campus singer contest, and in college, he was the runner-up in the top ten singers of the entire school.

Anyone who has gone to school knows that if you’re good at singing, you have, to a certain extent, the priority in choosing a partner.

There’s no helping it; college students have too few entertainment activities, and there are even fewer ways to showcase their talents, with singing being both the simplest and most challenging.

So thanks to his singing, Chen Tao started his journey through the flower fields since middle school.

By college, with his singing and rich second-generation status, he had managed to collect girlfriends from all twelve zodiac signs and all twelve Chinese zodiac animals on his bed conquests.

Now he glanced at Zhang Jingdong, thinking that no matter what, he must absolutely crush this dog in terms of talent by the end of the night.

So he forced a smile and passed the microphone to Zhang Jingdong, "Jingdong, you’re the main man tonight, why don’t you start us off with a song?"

Zhang Jingdong instinctively waved his hand, "I’m a bit stuffed from earlier, you guys go first, I’ll rest for a bit!"

Saying that, he popped open two bottles of Corona, handed one to Lin Xiran, and took the other for himself.

Seeing the situation, Chen Tao couldn’t help feeling a burst of secret pleasure because he could tell from Zhang Jingdong’s expression that his singing was absolutely mediocre, perhaps even garbage-level with terrible off-pitch wailing.

So, taking no one else into consideration, he went directly to the karaoke machine to queue up a song.

Then, holding the microphone, he stood in front of the big screen, confidently saying, "Ladies, let me warm up the crowd with a song!"

Chu Xue immediately supported him, "Why so modest? After all, you’re the runner-up of our school’s Top Ten Singers competition. With you warming up, we’re all in for a treat tonight!"

As soon as she said this, Lin Huahua chimed in, "I went to the campus singing contest that day too, and the song you sang, ’Farewell Kiss,’ was really good!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Tao immediately said, "The song I’m about to sing is precisely ’Farewell Kiss’!"

"Really? That’s fantastic!"

At this moment, the song’s intro began to play, and after a brief moment of preparation, Chen Tao started to sing:

The past is like smoke

Disappearing before our eyes

Even the goodbyes we said

Can’t see the sadness in you

...

It must be said, this guy truly lived up to the standard of the runner-up in the art college’s campus singing contest—his pitch was good, and his overall rhythm was solid.

As he finished his performance, it immediately prompted applause and cheering from Lin Huahua and the other girls.

And while passing the mic to Chu Xue, Chen Tao cast a glance at Zhang Jingdong, intentional yet casual.

Of course, Zhang Jingdong noticed the provocation in his eyes, but didn’t take it to heart. Instead, he turned to ask Lin Xiran, "Do you like to sing?"

Seeing Chen Tao had just stolen quite a bit of the limelight, Lin Xiran casually responded, "It’s okay, I guess."

Zhang Jingdong teased, "Then how about you sing one for me to enjoy later?"

Lin Xiran blinked her expressive eyes: "... Okay."

Soon after Chu Xue and the others had sung, Lin Xiran got up and took the microphone from Lin Huahua.

Then, the selected song appeared on the big screen—it was none other than the diva Wang’s "Your Happiness Is My Happiness."

As the intro faded out, Lin Xiran began to sing:

You unfurrow your brows

So I smiled

Your eyes reddened

And my sky turned grey

Ah~ only heaven knows

Since you’re happy, so am I happy

...

What surprised Zhang Jingdong was that although this girl usually seemed innocent and cute, there was a cool vibe to her when she sang. She actually managed to channel some of diva Wang’s aloofness.

What he didn’t know was that Lin Xiran also participated in the campus singer competition the following year after Chen Tao won runner-up. She even placed fifth, despite having a cold the day before the contest!

Right now, as she sang, it’s not accurate to say Chen Tao’s eyes lit up—they were practically sparking with electricity!

Mainly because he never expected Lin Xiran to not only be pretty but to also sing so well. She truly had both talent and beauty!

While everyone was focused on Lin Xiran’s singing, an idea struck Zhang Jingdong: "I’m going to enter the raffle!"