Elysia and Liu Bai (Continued)

Moreover, speaking of being haunted by ghosts, ever since I was old enough to understand, I've been quite afraid every time I go to the toilet, take a shower, or go to sleep, because even though it's a ghost... it's a male ghost.

Sometimes I feel really annoyed.

But on a brighter note, at least it's not a perverted ghost?

With this guy around, my personal safety is even more guaranteed—at least I don't think any human could beat a ghost.

On the other hand, despite the many complaints, that guy, as a ghost, was so perfect that it was hard not to feel satisfied.

She's good-looking, can cook, and is smart. Although she doesn't understand art, she's a very good listener... Perhaps her only flaw is that she doesn't have a body.

I'd love to see what those clothes worn by male celebrities on TV would look like on that guy... it would probably look even better, right?

After all, some male celebrities have questionable fashion sense... If I were to design it myself...

"Eden, writing in your diary again?"

"... Could you please knock before entering the girl's room, Liu Bai?"

Eden slammed the diary on the table shut and glanced sideways at the ghost peeking halfway out from the doorway.

"Moreover, this is not a diary, but just a summary of a certain stage in life."

"Don't call yourself a girl if you're 24."

Liu Bai sighed as he looked at the now graceful red-haired woman in front of him.

"Wouldn't trespassing into a woman's room be even more egregious?"

"Hmm... that seems to be true—but twenty-four really isn't a young girl anymore, Eden."

Liu Bai floated into the room.

"Speaking of the so-called life stage summary... what exactly does it summarize?"

"A simple look back at the past, some complaints about Liu Bai, and then a look to the future."

"Why are you complaining to me...?"

"I really hope that Liu Bai can have some of the self-awareness that occupied half of my childhood."

Eden turned to look at Liu Bai from the chair, his arm pressing down on the diary, his forearm supporting his head.

"Where is your other half?"

"Of course it's art."

"Then why not complain about art?"

"Of course, it's because I've already achieved great success in the arts." Eden smiled, his eyes narrowing.

"Hmm, this statement is incredibly arrogant for a recent female college graduate. Why not use the remaining space to reflect on yourself?"

Liu Bai pursed his lips.

"And don't talk about me like I have a stain on my life—at least you were able to graduate with honors, and I deserve half the credit, right?"

"Hmm... maybe?"

"Eden, what you said really hurts me. They're already so big..."

Slap! Slap!

Eden clapped his hands. "Please, Liu Bai, don't talk to me like that old mom or dad."

"Well, Eden, could you please speak to me in a gentler, more operatic way?"

"Be gentler?" Eden smiled somewhat inexplicably, his tone softening. "Allow me to refuse...—like this?"

In the end, Eden's voice returned to normal.

"For a moment, I really can't tell if you're refusing or agreeing."

"Consider it an agreement."

"That's a really bad answer."

Liu Bai felt helpless about Eden's response.

"Anyway, I've already prepared dinner. Remember to eat it before it gets cold."

Eden seems to be less self-reliant than Mobius...

"I understand... By the way Liu Bai, do you think I'll succeed in my interview tomorrow?"

Eden nodded first, then called out to Liu Bai, who was about to leave through the door.

"An interview... If I remember correctly, it's an interview for a singer, right? I really don't understand why you don't use your family's resources and insist on moving out."

"Of course, it's to prove my ability; I have my pride too."

Eden smiled at Liu Bai.

To whom are we trying to prove this?

Of course it's Liu Bai... Eden felt that the only thing he could catch up with Liu Bai in was art.

Ever since she grew up, she has often wondered why a "perfect" spirit like Liu Bai would appear in her life.

If he were to appear alongside scientists, wouldn't it be easy to create world-renowned scientists?

If he had been by the side of a martial artist, martial arts probably wouldn't have declined to this state.

If it appears in the works of programmers, architects, soldiers, etc.

Even if Liu Bai were to appear beside the magician, it would be more meaningful than if he were to appear beside him.

Eden felt genuinely uneasy about this—only in the realm of art did she and Liu Bai have almost no overlap.

"I think this kind of thinking is completely unnecessary."

Liu Bai looked at the somewhat stubborn Eden with a sense of helplessness.

"Family resources only represent the lower limit; the upper limit depends on the individual. I think Eden, your artistic potential is already more than enough to stand at the top of the world. There is no need to make things more difficult for yourself."

"If I remember correctly, Liu Bai, you said something very similar when I was filling out my college application, right?"

Eden smiled again.

When she was in college, she once wanted to choose engineering. After all, art can be practiced in one's spare time. However, engineering is a highly specialized field, and if she missed this opportunity, it would probably be too late to switch back and study it.

In order to have more in common with Liu Bai, Eden was really prepared to take a break from her art studies during university—mainly because she was very confident in her artistic talent and felt that she could catch up even if she neglected it for a few years.

However, when it comes to choosing a major, even if Eden could hide it from his parents, he couldn't hide it from Liu Bai, with whom he spent every day. So, Liu Bai naturally persuaded Eden to stay away.

Everyone says to play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses, but how can you play to your weaknesses and avoid your strengths?

Liu Bai said that if he really let Eden take the path of a scientist, wouldn't he be ruining a person?

Eden's scientific talent is not as good as Hua's!

So Liu Bai said to Eden, "Your talent in science is terrible, really terrible, but your talent in art is something even I have to look up to."

Although Liu Bai did not forcefully tell Eden to change, Eden changed on his own after hearing Liu Bai's words.

Being bad at something...

Eden thought about it and realized that rather than disappointing Liu Bai, it seemed better to continue down the path of art, especially since she didn't really have any passion for science.

However, because of this incident, Eden has occasionally shown displeasure towards Liu Bai ever since... but it's more like he's being stubborn about himself, and strictly speaking, it's not directed at Liu Bai.

Hearing these words from Liu Bai again, Eden's resolve to not rely on his family's resources only strengthened.

She wanted to prove to Liu Bai that she deserved his praise. Since Liu Bai said that she could stand at the top of the world in art, she would stand up for him on her own merits!

"So, Liu Bai, what do you think of my interview tomorrow?"

"The interview... might go terribly or something."

Liu Bai stroked his chin and thought for a moment.

"Everyone likes pop music these days, but Eden, you're good at classical music, right?"

"I can sing pop songs too... but I personally think that pop music lacks artistic elegance."

In short, even dogs wouldn't sing it—though that's not quite an exaggeration, but that's roughly what Eden meant.

"Well, then I might get a very cruel rejection from the interviewer."

"I was rejected..."

"According to my market research, classical music has absolutely no market right now," Liu Bai continued to criticize.

"Okay, then I'm going to practice pop music."

"Eh? Um... Eden, aren't you going to hold on a little longer?" Liu Bai, the one who was trying to discourage Eden, looked surprised at Eden's change of heart.

"There's nothing I can do; after all, this is advice from the bottom of your heart, Liu Bai."

Eden answered with a laugh.

"Since you've put it that way, I'm naturally willing to follow your advice."

"Um... Eden, you really could have held on a little longer."

"Didn't you always say, 'Listen to advice, and you'll have a full stomach,' Liu Bai?"

Seeing Liu Bai in such a distressed state was a rare sight for Eden, who wore an expression as if he were examining a work of art.

"I'm very obedient to advice now."

"... Okay, actually I want to say that sticking with classical music is actually quite good."

Liu Bai raised his hands in surrender, not seeing Eden's dejected expression, but instead realizing he had been tricked. This feeling was truly unpleasant.

"There is too much homogenized pop music now, and the quality is getting worse and worse... out of tune. If you, Eden, can sing a classical piece that is amazing enough, then, let alone becoming an instant hit, it is not impossible to revive the glory of classical music."

Liu Bai pondered for a moment, and realized that the difference between classical and popular culture was simply a matter of subverting established patterns.

Classical music used to be formulaic, but it was overtaken by pop music, which subverted the formula. Then pop music became popular, and pop music became formulaic, while classical music became the anti-formula.

Given Eden's inherent qualities, as long as he can persevere, becoming famous is only a matter of time.

For Eden, perseverance has never been a problem; rather, it might be that problems would arise if Eden lowered his standards and chose to join the pop music scene...

After all, sometimes inner conviction is quite important.

"I'd rather not try to revive the glory of classical music. I just like classical music... I can actually sing pop music, but I think I would definitely perform better in classical music than pop music under the same circumstances."

Eden now focuses on youthful exuberance.

To put it bluntly: I'm a level 100 classical musician and a level 99 pop musician, and you won't let me use my level 100 classical music skills, but instead you want me to use my level 99 pop music skills? Are you trying to pick a fight?

"Well, so Eden, don't even think about passing the interview."

Liu Bai changed the subject, and then Eden's face darkened, a rare occurrence.

Are you just cursing me so I won't pass?

"They are businessmen, and you are a musician. You think they are judging your music, but in reality they are just judging your commercial value. Unless you encounter a special person, there is no way to reason with them."

Liu Bai's words left Eden speechless.

"Then I might as well just open a clothing store and sell clothes."

Eden wasn't discouraged by Liu Bai's comments about music, but now he's been thoroughly defeated by the interview topic.

After Liu Bai said that, Eden immediately lost confidence.

"Selling clothes... I don't mind, Eden, your talent as a designer is top-notch anyway—but you wouldn't be content with that, would you?"

This time, it was Liu Bai's turn to look at Eden's dejected expression as if he were examining a work of art.

"Of course I'm not willing to accept this..."

Eden looked at Liu Bai with a hint of resentment. He'd be a fool to accept this situation!

If it's just a bad player, that's fine, but it's too tragic to be defeated by someone who doesn't have good judgment!

"... I feel like maybe studying popular music wouldn't be a bad idea?"

Liu Bai's description of reality was far too dark, making Eden somewhat doubt himself.

However, Eden later abandoned the idea himself.

Bowing to reality? Bowing is impossible, absolutely impossible in this lifetime.

Classical music isn't entirely without a path, so why change course?