TFEDLAM 14

Chapter 14

The Pain of a Single Dog

Lu Xuan was brimming with excitement the whole way there. The moment he got out of the car, he couldn’t wait to grab Xia Shi’s hand. When Lu Tingchuan parked and came over, Lu Xuan also tugged at his hand and eagerly volunteered to lead them both into the kindergarten.

At the gate, each class’s teacher was waiting. Lu Xuan’s teacher was Miss Fang, twenty-four years old, a fresh and lively young woman who had graduated college just two years ago. Since Xia Shi and Lu Tingchuan had brought Lu Xuan a few times before so he could get used to the new environment, they’d already met her. Each time, Xia Shi couldn’t help noticing the blush on Miss Fang’s cheeks and the shy glances she kept sneaking at Lu Tingchuan.

A total die-hard fangirl!

“Hello, Teacher Fang!”

Fang Peipei snapped back to her senses as she took Lu Xuan’s hand. “Hello, Mr. Lu, Mrs. Lu.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Teacher Fang.”

As soon as Lu Tingchuan spoke, Fang Peipei’s face flushed even redder. “It’s no trouble at all, it’s my duty. Please rest assured, Mr. and Mrs. Lu, I’ll take good care of Xuan Xuan.”

Lu Tingchuan looked a little helpless, while Xia Shi nearly burst out laughing. She wasn’t the type to overthink this sort of innocent fangirl crush. Unlike Yun Duo, Fang Peipei’s gaze was pure. Xia Shi even found herself teasing in her mind—ah, being too popular is a bit of a burden sometimes!

She bent down and kissed Lu Xuan. “Xuan Xuan, if anything happens, tell your teacher. Get along well with the other kids. Mommy will pick you up after school.”

By contrast, Lu Tingchuan was much more straightforward. He ruffled the little one’s head. “Go on in. Daddy and Mommy will watch you until you’re inside.”

The kindergarten had an excellent environment with strict security. The fees weren’t cheap either—while not every family was wealthy, all had a solid background. The overall quality of the parents was good, so no random outsiders snuck in for photos. Even if some parents recognized the couple, they only whispered quietly among themselves. After all, the school had quite a few celebrity kids enrolled, so everyone was used to it.

Once they left smoothly, Xia Shi got into the car and immediately pulled up entertainment news. She let out a tiny sigh of relief when she didn’t see them on the headlines.

“It’s still early,” Lu Tingchuan said bluntly. “The reporters need time to edit photos and compile the material. By noon or afternoon, it’ll probably be up.”

Xia Shi glared at him. “Shut that crow’s mouth of yours!”

He chuckled. Since Xia Shi had a date with Shen Hui and Sophie, he dropped her off at Shen Hui’s place before heading to work.

Shen Hui’s belly was already six months along. Sophie curiously pressed her hand against it to feel the baby move.

“You like kids that much? Have one yourself!” Xia Shi teased.

Sophie shot her a sideways look. “And how exactly am I supposed to have one alone? I even thought about going to a sperm bank, but they said I wasn’t qualified—I can’t give a child a ‘complete’ family. So tell me, is the country going to give us single women a way to live, or do we have to get married just to have kids?”

Neither Xia Shi nor Shen Hui commented on this rant, choosing not to get involved. Sophie huffed indignantly, while Xia Shi turned to Shen Hui to chat. Having been through pregnancy herself, Xia Shi hugged her friend, sharing experiences and sighing over how hard it was to be a woman.

“You’ve got it easy with this pregnancy. When I was carrying Xuan Xuan, I was miserable. Couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep—lying on my back was uncomfortable, lying on my side was uncomfortable. I felt weak all day long. It got so bad that Lu Tingchuan shouted we should just get rid of the baby and dragged me toward the hospital, only for my mom to curse him out to hell and back.”

Sophie snorted. “Oh please, everyone knows your man dotes on you. It’s bad enough you’re always splashing your love life across the headlines, but now you’re flaunting it here? Do you even have a conscience? Ever consider the feelings of us poor single dogs?”

Xia Shi froze, then leaned over to whisper in Shen Hui’s ear. “What’s wrong with her today? I just said one thing and got a whole lecture.”

Shen Hui lowered her voice further. “She came early. My husband was still home then.”

That was enough—Xia Shi instantly understood. She’d just been freshly wounded by watching some couple-love. No wonder she was in a bad mood.

Coughing twice, Xia Shi quickly changed the subject. “Did you listen to the demo I sent you?”

It was the ending song for In Paris.

Shen Hui, being better informed, nodded. “The production company had already released it for promotion, so I’ve heard it. It’s sung by Yin Ru. She also wrote the lyrics and composed it, with a famous arranger. Director Guo wasn’t satisfied, probably for two reasons. One, the melody doesn’t quite match the film’s story. Two, Yin Ru’s singing method had issues.”

Xia Shi listened quietly, then said, “I wasn’t in the country then, so I didn’t know much. Later I learned it was her singing. I went back and listened to her older songs. This one sounded different—too embellished. My guess is her voice really did have some problems, so she used this style and melody to cover it.”

Shen Hui hesitated, then leaned closer. “No outsiders here, so I’ll tell you, but don’t spread it.”

Sophie’s eyes lit up at the promise of gossip. “Spill it! I might not know acting or singing, but I’ve been Xia Shi’s agent long enough to know the rules of the industry. Whatever you say won’t leave this room.”

“Well… my mother-in-law plays cards with Liang Feng’s wife. She once mentioned that Yin Ru tried to use Liang Feng to climb higher, but Madam Liang found out and had people rough her up.”

Liang Feng was the head of Huahai Entertainment, nearly fifty but well-kept—not the greasy type.

Sophie gasped. “And he still kept her as Huahai’s top star? Isn’t he afraid—after all, the company came from his wife’s family?”

Shen Hui just shrugged, unfazed. “He’s a businessman. As long as she makes him money, why not use her? And maybe he’s still reluctant to let go, not done playing yet. Besides, it’s been years since he took over Huahai. He’s built his own power base. Even if he respects his wife, he’s hardly powerless.”

Sophie rolled her eyes. “Ugh, now that’s big entertainment news.”

And with that, the topic ended.

Then Shen Hui turned back to Xia Shi. “So what are you going to do about the ending song?”

“I’ll give it a try. Director Guo sent me the whole finished film to watch and even talked with me for two hours about the story and the scenes needing music. I can’t just do nothing.”

“Cut the crap,” Sophie scoffed. “You’re not the type to compromise just because someone shows you sincerity. Isn’t it because it’s your husband’s movie?”

Xia Shi raised a brow. “Of course. He even invested in it. His money is my money. The film’s quality decides the box office, so of course I care. How could I not be nervous?”

She sounded so righteously confident that Sophie was left speechless.

Shen Hui chuckled. “That’s a good thing. Quality works are rare nowadays. Often it’s not that the lyrics, composition, or arrangement are bad, but that the fields are too specialized. Lyricists don’t care about the music, composers don’t care about the lyrics, arrangers don’t care about either. Only collaborators who’ve worked together for years can truly merge their strengths and bring out the essence. That kind of mutual understanding is rare.

You’re different. You can do all three. You understand your own intent completely, even the delicate emotions words can’t express. You know what lyrics fit which melody, what tune goes with which words, and how to arrange it so the song delivers the full meaning. Even if each skill is only at a mid-level, together they elevate the whole to excellence.”

Xia Shi grinned mischievously. “You make me sound so talented I could hold the earth in my palm.”

Shen Hui pushed her playfully. “I’m just telling the truth. By the way, have you thought about who should sing it?”

“Not yet.”

“Then let me. We’ve worked together for years, we know each other well. Only I can bring out your work best. It’s the perfect match.”

Xia Shi laughed. “So all that praise was just to nominate yourself?”

“Of course. Why else waste so many words?” Shen Hui replied without shame.

“But you’re pregnant. Will your husband agree?”

“No problem. I’m six months along and all the tests are normal. I still practice singing at home. If I wait until after I give birth, I’ll feel like I’ve forgotten how to sing. My husband only stopped me before because of the early high-risk stage. Now I’m fine. And it’s just one song—how tiring could it be?”

Since Shen Hui was so determined, Xia Shi readily agreed. They made the plan.

Three women together make for a lively scene, especially three such distinct ones. They chatted nonstop until nearly four o’clock, when Lu Tingchuan called.

“You’re still at Shen Hui’s place?”

“Yep!”

“My work’s done for the day. I’ll come pick you up and we’ll get Xuan Xuan together.”

“Perfect, I’ll wait for you.”

As soon as she hung up, Sophie groaned and covered her face. “Ugh, unbearable. Did you really need to smile like that just answering the phone? Your voice was so sweet it gave me goosebumps. Does your husband really need to call you this many times in half a day? Is he checking up on you?”

Xia Shi blinked, then smirked smugly. “Nope. He just likes hearing my voice.”

Sophie almost choked on her own blood.

So what if she was single? Did being single mean she had no human rights? Why did she have to suffer this kind of emotional abuse?!

Author’s Note:
The next two chapters will feature the kids on Where’s Baby Going? with the program team visiting. Then comes agreeing to join the show, recording the theme song, and filming. Yay, exciting times ahead!

Also, quick rec for a good friend’s novel: I Gave the Movie King a Script [Entertainment Circle].
Short blurb: Su Yiyi’s biggest dream is to write scripts for her idol. After writing again and again, she somehow became his walking, living “script.” (covers face)
You can search by title on the app. It’s also a sweet romance, just like mine—no scheming second leads, just background side characters.