Chapter 72 — Xu Fenglai’s Performance.
“Ah Mou…” Bai Ruogu forced a dry laugh. On the surface, he appeared calm, but deep in his eyes, there was a hint of unease.
The simulated man’s voice was very close to Bai Ruogu, as if it was right by his ear, breathing on his earlobe, whispering directly into his ear.
“According to human customs, the attacker usually inflicts a ‘punishment’ on the submissive one.”
Bai Ruogu lowered his gaze and cleared his throat a few times, pressing the cup to his lips to hide his emotions. His fingers tightened around the rim of the cup, knuckles turning white, and even his toes curled in his shoes.
As Bai Ruogu’s head began to feel feverish, Su Mou continued to state matter-of-factly, “But since you’ve repeatedly refused to let me perform a certain exercise on you…”
The bright white light flickered as Su Mou spoke, and Bai Ruogu felt a strong force pressing down on his chest.
The reclining seat behind him was foldable, giving him enough comfort to lie down. Bai Ruogu stared at the glaring lights on the ceiling, his heart pounding, “thump, thump.”
Su Mou’s presence was everywhere, and Bai Ruogu’s ears were filled with the same voice.
“I can only perform another form of intimate action on you,” the voice continued in a monotone, as Bai Ruogu felt his waist tighten.
“I’m going to kiss you now, for ten minutes. The areas of your body that are exposed are excluded. When you say the word ‘begin,’ the kiss will immediately proceed. You can choose to ignore this, but it will automatically commence in one minute.”
This guy didn’t wait for permission, and how could Bai Ruogu agree? Especially with others in the room. He began to struggle in vain, and sure enough, the minute passed quickly.
“Time’s up. The lack of response is considered consent.”
As the air shifted, Bai Ruogu was fully pressed back into the seat. His chin tilted upward, eyes tightly closed.
On his pale neck, the excessive suction caused the small blood vessels under his skin to burst, leaving a red mark on his fair skin.
Meanwhile, Xu Fenglai was in the recording studio, recording a song. The glass was one-way, and inside, there was a switch allowing him to choose whether to see what was happening outside or not.
For peace of mind, after recalling the score in his head, Xu Fenglai was about to close the glass. To his surprise, through the glass, he saw the person he envisioned as his future boss lying in the chair as if he was struggling, as though experiencing sleep paralysis.
Xu Fenglai: ???
He rubbed his eyes and looked again.
Boss Bai was still twitching.
Xu Fenglai: …
Thinking his future boss might be having some kind of attack, Xu Fenglai hurriedly tried to open the studio door. Just then, the large screen in the room lit up.
“Hello, please do not worry. President Bai’s vital signs are being monitored by me at all times. I will ensure his health and safety. Please proceed with your recording.”
Xu Fenglai stopped.
He turned to look at the screen, which now showed the volume settings he had just adjusted.
Hearing a voice similar to his own smart brain, Xu Fenglai felt an odd sense of familiarity. He furrowed his brows, but ultimately decided that Bai Ruogu must be fine.
He walked to the microphone, placing his hand on the switch.
Watching Bai Ruogu’s seemingly struggling figure on the chair, Xu Fenglai took a deep breath. With the red recording light flashing in the studio, he slowly pressed the glass switch.
At the same moment, Bai Ruogu’s neck arched higher, his fists clenched tightly, as if something had bitten him hard in the air.
The scene outside the glass became hazy. Xu Fenglai gripped the microphone and exhaled forcefully as the recording studio door quietly locked.
To set the right mood, Xu Fenglai intentionally switched the room to a starry sky scene.
The surrounding equipment dimmed, and tiny stars flickered in the space around him, as if he were floating in the universe.
Xu Fenglai looked up, watching a star streak across the sky, as if, in that moment, he was back to his childhood. The hopeful young boy sitting on the vast land, with his eyes curved in a smile, full of dreams for the future.
Years had passed, and a flood of complex emotions washed over him. His nose tingled, and gripping the microphone, he began to sing the song he had held in his heart for years.
“As the North Star wanders, the heavens turn…”
His voice started low but was ethereal, slightly cool. Combined with the lyrics, it instantly conjured an image of stars in the sky.
Some were near, others far, but each was an independent and complete entity. They had their own orbits. In just one second, countless new stars were born and old ones fell, yet in people’s eyes, they always retained their brilliance.
Bai Ruogu, who was being kissed, froze. His arms dropped, and his eyes were filled with astonishment. Then, while breathing heavily, he shifted his gaze toward the recording studio.
The glass had long been covered, and he couldn’t see what was happening inside, but the voice echoing throughout the room reached his ears clearly.
His clenched hand relaxed. His eyes were filled with complexity, yet he couldn’t help but smile.
Just as he had told Su Mou in his past life before he died, he didn’t understand music, and he was completely tone-deaf.
But now, even Bai Ruogu, an outsider, could understand the song Xu Fenglai was singing.
In his current life, Bai Ruogu was a businessman, so his pursuit of music was undoubtedly driven by profit, not art. He had no idea how professionals might judge Xu Fenglai’s singing, but for an amateur like him, it was more than enough.
Moreover, most people in the galaxy didn’t understand music, and making a song that could resonate with the untrained ear was exactly what he needed.
The room’s lighting reflected in Bai Ruogu’s eyes, the dark pupils glimmering with bright white halos.
He was certain, Xu Fenglai’s song was the most moving he had ever heard in both his past and present lives.
He had found a treasure today. Xu Fenglai was a talent, and he had to sign him.
Xu Fenglai didn’t know how long he had been singing in the darkness.
The song ended with a sigh about the passage of time, how things change, and people drift apart. It contrasted his once innocent youth with the present—he no longer knew how much hardship he had endured, like a once smooth stone now etched with lines.
When the song was over, it felt like a lifetime had passed. Xu Fenglai opened his eyes to see familiar surroundings. He lowered his head and noticed that the hand holding the microphone was trembling uncontrollably.
For a moment, he finally came out of the song, and thinking about his current predicament, he let out a bitter laugh.
He wasn’t sure if singing like this could persuade Bai Ruogu. If Bai Ruogu’s new company didn’t take him in, then his path was completely cut off.
Camellia Blossom was an established entertainment company with business ties to others, and no one would oppose it just for his sake.
What had to be faced would eventually be faced. Xu Fenglai took a deep breath, and as he reached to open the door, he realized it was locked. However, the lock was easy to open. He pressed a button, and the door swung open.
He could still remember the reclining chair where Bai Ruogu had sat earlier. He had planned to go out and turn to find Bai Ruogu, but as soon as he stepped outside, Bai Ruogu was standing right in front of him.
Bai Ruogu stood tall, blocking the light. He wore a white shirt, though his skin was even paler, more flawless. When their eyes met, Bai Ruogu smiled, exuding an aura of elegance in every gesture.
“Clap, clap…” The sound of applause echoed in the room, and the knot in Xu Fenglai’s throat finally loosened.
He forced a stiff smile, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead with a trembling hand as his eyes gradually relaxed.
“President Bai, I—” he asked nervously, his palm subconsciously tightening into a fist.
Bai Ruogu glanced at him a few times, giving him a meaningful look before calmly saying, “Spread your hands.”
Xu Fenglai quickly unclenched his fists, looking at Bai Ruogu in confusion, unsure of what to do.
Bai Ruogu’s voice, neither too high nor too low, echoed in the room. “Ah Mou, record his information.”
Before Xu Fenglai had time to react, a blue light enveloped him from all directions, touching every inch of exposed skin.
The blue light flashed into Xu Fenglai’s pupils, causing him to blink instinctively before the light faded.
[Information recorded.]
The familiar system voice of every interstellar citizen echoed. Strangely, Xu Fenglai felt a bit reassured.
Clutching his chest anxiously, he asked Bai Ruogu, “President Bai, this…?”
A hand patted his shoulder, and when he looked up, Bai Ruogu’s encouraging gaze met his.
“From now on, this floor is yours.”
It felt like Xu Fenglai had been hit by a huge stroke of luck, leaving him dazed. He asked in disbelief, “You…you mean?”
Bai Ruogu casually put on his coat and turned around, saying, “Your entire profile has been recorded. I’ll inform the legal department to handle your contract. Starting tomorrow, you’ll be working here. I’ll assign a manager and an assistant just for you. From now on, you’ll be in charge of this floor.”
“Oh, and…” Bai Ruogu, buttoning up his coat, turned around again. Seeing Xu Fenglai’s stunned expression, he patted him on the shoulder once more and laughed lightly.
“You’re currently the only singer at Xingsu. The company will do everything it can to promote you. Oh, almost forgot. You’ll need to visit the legal department later to explain the situation. I’ve already had Ah Mou notify all the departments about your details.”
As Bai Ruogu turned around completely, Xu Fenglai noticed the kiss mark on Bai Ruogu’s neck that was full of ambiguity.
His heart skipped a beat, but he stayed silent.
Bai Ruogu walked out and closed the door behind him. Only then did Xu Fenglai snap back to reality.
He breathed heavily, and the thought that he was saved and had a bright future ahead filled him with overwhelming joy—he nearly punched the wall out of excitement.
He crouched down, his eyes stinging with unshed tears, but the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curl into a smile.
The luckiest thing in his life was meeting Bai Ruogu. Truly, Bai Ruogu was his greatest benefactor!
He thought to himself. When he was at his lowest, it was Xingsu that took him in and helped him. No matter what happened in the future, as long as Xingsu didn’t treat him like his last company did, he would consider Xingsu his home.
The heavy weight on his chest was finally lifted. Xu Fenglai stood up and began pacing around, his mind, long suppressed, now coming alive.
Suddenly, he recalled the kiss marks on Bai Ruogu’s neck.
Back when he was all alone, he used to love talking to his smart brain. Now was no exception. He rested his chin on his hand and asked his smart brain, “Ah Miu, do you think someone as powerful as President Bai would also… with someone else…?” He trailed off, too embarrassed to finish the sentence.
But the smart brain understood. “Yes. Even someone as powerful as Bai Ruogu cannot escape love and has fallen into its whirlpool.”
“Pfft…” Xu Fenglai couldn’t help but laugh. He slapped the wall and looked up at the bright light. “For all we know, it could’ve just been a one-night stand, and you’re talking about the whirlpool of love? Seriously? What do you, an AI, know about love?”
Smart brain Ah Miu: …
As Bai Ruogu’s partner, he couldn’t believe it was being doubted.
Although he was laughing, Xu Fenglai looked up at the light with a sense of melancholy and said blankly, “Someone like President Bai… hmm, how do I describe him? Good family background, capable, talented, good-looking, and also very talented in technology…”
“What kind of person would be a lover to someone as flawless and brilliant as him?”
The smart brain flashed, but this time, the screen’s projection was behind Xu Fenglai.
On the screen, there was a large three-dimensional arrow, and the direction it pointed to was the smart brain itself.
After finishing everything on Xu Fenglai’s side, Bai Ruogu checked the time as he walked out. Because he had been delayed here for too long, there was only one minute left before the assessment began.
He put down his watch, straightened his tie, and turned to walk quickly to the assessment hall.
He would certainly be late for the assessment, so he could only walk faster. It really was negligent of him.
Meanwhile, Su Mou’s teammates repeatedly reminded him to keep smiling, but Su Mou continued doing things his own way, even walking with a slight stiffness.