CHAPTER 115: CHAPTER 111: ALBUM RELEASE! SETTING OFF AGAIN!

Half a month later, the music video recording team finally headed home.

Xu Qingqiu also returned to the studio as soon as she could.

"Phew~ I’m exhausted! I need a good, long sleep! I’ll sleep until the sun is high in the sky before I even think about getting up!"

After getting off the plane and into the van, Xu Qingqiu sank back into her seat, unwilling to move. All the running around during this period had made her feel as if her bones had come loose.

Chu Tian, who had come with Sister Hua to pick her up, sat beside her in the van. He watched her languid state with a smile, seemingly nodding in agreement, before suddenly saying,

"Indeed, you should rest well. Take tomorrow off, but remember to come to the company the day after tomorrow to study."

"Study? Study what?"

Xu Qingqiu was drifting off to sleep when she suddenly heard him mention studying and couldn’t quite process it for a moment.

She had occasionally texted Chu Tian over the past half-month, their conversations mostly revolving around the local customs and scenery of various places.

Chu Tian was no fool. He surely wouldn’t be so irritating as to constantly remind her about something as tedious as studying, would he? That would be far too aggravating.

But now that they were back, what needed to be said, had to be said.

"Of course, it’s about your Singing Skills. Not only do you have to learn vocalization, but you also have to practice breath control, vocal range, and a whole host of other things."

This time she understood, and her expression darkened completely.

Xu Qingqiu remained motionless in her seat. Just when Chu Tian thought she had fallen asleep, she suddenly sat up, grabbed his arm, and, swinging her small fist, landed several blows—THWACK! THWACK! THWACK!

"Aaargh! Chu Tian! You’re too much! I just got back, do you have to be so annoying?! Couldn’t you have said this tomorrow?!"

"Even elementary school teachers nagging about homework aren’t as annoying as you! Are you sick or something?!"

Feeling the sharp pain in his arm, Chu Tian knew Xu Qingqiu was genuinely infuriated. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have hit him so hard and recklessly—it was a clear sign she was striking out of extreme hatred.

Nevertheless, he continued with a grin,

"I know, I know, I didn’t want to either. The reason I mentioned it today is simply to remind you: you can rest tomorrow, but your mindset cannot relax. Otherwise, I’m afraid if you become too lax, getting back into the swing of things later will be even more troublesome."

It was just like that, similar to being on vacation. Once you fully get into play mode, you lose the desire to study. Without at least half a month, it’s almost impossible to readjust.

And this was just the beginning. How could it be easy to rise above the rest?

In his previous life, he was juggling filming, concerts, recording albums, and studying, often wishing he could split himself into several pieces. How many people could truly understand that feeling?

No one in this world achieves success easily. Who hasn’t put in unimaginable effort, day and night, to stand in that dazzling spotlight?

How many things obtained effortlessly ever last?

It takes tremendous willpower for someone who suddenly becomes rich from a lottery win to settle down and live a stable life. And what about those propelled to stardom by a stroke of luck, becoming household names overnight? How many of them remain famous in the end?

Without genuine effort, any fame achieved is fleeting. Only those who have painstakingly taken each step, with their feet firmly on the ground, truly understand how hard-won everything is and, consequently, cherish what they have even more.

While others might not understand Chu Tian’s approach, Li Chunhua, who was driving in the front seat, fully approved. As an agent, she had witnessed countless instances in the industry of meteoric rises followed by devastating falls.

To say they were commonplace would be an understatement. This path is littered with remains. Those who fall either end up as forgotten refuse, face ruin behind bars, or continue to exist in a state no different from death.

So, seeing Xu Qingqiu’s furious expression, Chunhua said while driving,

"Qingqiu, don’t be mad at Chu Tian. He’s absolutely right. People can rest, but their hearts can’t. That’s just how it is in this business. Until you have enough capital, you can’t let your guard down, not even for a moment."

She paused for a moment before continuing, "Additionally, I’ve already made the arrangements. Several of the music videos you recorded earliest are now finished, so we’ll probably start selling the new album in the next day or two. You need to be prepared."

"Ah? That soon?!"

"It’s not actually that soon. The studio’s finances are almost depleted; we must speed things up."

On this point, Li Chunhua wasn’t lying. The production costs for the entire album had already exceeded six million. While it couldn’t compare to what superstars spent, it was a significant investment for an ordinary singer.

Currently, apart from a small amount reserved for salaries, the studio was virtually out of money.

"Okay, Sister Hua, I understand. Then I won’t rest tomorrow. I’ll start working right away."

"It doesn’t have to be like that. You still need to rest when it’s time to rest. These two things don’t conflict. You just need to grasp the priorities," Sister Hua said.

As Sister Hua’s voice faded, the van fell silent.

Xu Qingqiu no longer felt sleepy. Instead, she gazed out the window at the passing scenery, lost in thought.

Actually, what she was pondering were those perennial questions: Is it worth it? Can I do it? Will I be able to persist? What is my dream?

Chu Tian was all too familiar with these thoughts, having encountered them countless times in his previous life. Every time he was close to breaking down, he would continually examine himself, repeatedly asking himself these very questions.

Didn’t he still manage to make it through, step by step, in the end?

At some point, Chu Tian noticed Qingqiu’s hand trembling slightly, betraying a restless anxiety. He sighed inwardly. He then silently reached out and took her hand, holding it in his own to soothe her troubled heart.

Feeling her hand being held, Xu Qingqiu stiffened for a moment but soon relaxed.

She didn’t turn around, nor did she pull away. She continued to look out the window, but the tension on her face slowly faded, replaced by a faint smile.

...

After a day of rest, Xu Qingqiu, her hair tied back in a high ponytail and looking refreshed, drove to Chu Tian’s house and whisked him away to the studio.

"Feeling pretty happy today, huh?"

"Hmph~ Of course! I’m going to be an international star! I need to learn! I aspire to be the best singer!"

"Mm, that’s good determination. However, you’re still lacking in quite a few areas. For instance, your breath control isn’t long or stable enough, your vocal range is too narrow, your high notes need improvement, your breathing technique..."

"Chu Tian! No talking allowed!"

"Got it!"

Just as the two were about to start their training, a message was quietly spreading across the entire internet.

[Xu Qingqiu’s latest album, "With Dreams, Set Off Again!" is newly released! A must-listen classic, officially out today. Are you ready?!]

With the official account’s post, the entire marketing system overseen by the operations team sprang into action.

[Xu Qingqiu’s new album is out! Hit or miss? Interested parties can join the poll!]

[Xu Qingqiu, holding the title of ’Queen’ more in name than substance, releases a new album. Will it be a sensational hit or merely lukewarm?]

...