A New Album

Ye Xiande felt as though he had wasted most of his life. He had loved poetry all his life and even considered himself the author of quite a few fine works.

Yet standing before Red Bean, he couldn't bring himself to compare any of those works with hers. He couldn't help questioning his life choices. Had he chosen the wrong profession?

"Grandpa, Grandpa, what's wrong?"

Seeing her grandfather looking dazed, Ye Susu almost thought he'd gone senile. She hurriedly shook his arm.

Ye Xiande saw the worry on his granddaughter's face and smiled.

"I'm fine, dear. I just ran into a little monster of a genius, and now I feel like I've wasted my life. Sigh..."

"Grandpa, what are you saying? You're the vice president of the Huaxia Poetry Association. You wouldn't have earned that title if you weren't talented. It's not that you're no good. That Li Xiaoyao fellow is just too impressive..."

Ye Susu's words brought Ye Xiande back from the brink of losing faith in himself. He immediately realized she was right. The problem wasn't him; that young man called Li Xiaoyao was extraordinary.

And in times like these, when a young genius like him could still emerge, Ye Xiande ought to be happy. He'd simply been too fixated on himself.

He shook his head, finally having made peace with it.

"Susu, come on. Grandpa will play Go with you..."

"Sure, sure!"

Ye Susu was overjoyed. Ever since she'd taken up Go, there were very few people who could beat her. Her peers were all pushovers in her eyes.

Her father was only slightly better than a pushover. The only person who could put up a decent fight against her was Grandpa.

Two hours later, after being thoroughly crushed in several games, Ye Xiande cried uncle. He couldn't write poetry as well as a young man, and he couldn't beat his own granddaughter at Go. He really was getting old.

"Susu, Grandpa can't beat you. Let's call it a day. I need to phone your Uncle Wang about something. Go play by yourself..."

Ye Susu left, still unsatisfied. It seemed even Grandpa wasn't up to scratch anymore. Being too good at Go was a real problem.

"Weimin, do you know the young man who wrote that poem, 'Red Bean'?"

Ye Xiande got straight to the point when he spoke to Wang Weimin.

"Ah, yes, Teacher. What's up?"

Wang Weimin was a little puzzled. His teacher rarely called him, so the call had caught him by surprise.

"Good, then. I think the poem 'Red Bean' would be perfect for primary school textbooks. Find a time to introduce us and ask whether he'd be willing..."

"He'd be willing! Of course he would, Teacher. When are you free? I'll bring him to visit you..."

Wang Weimin was delighted to hear that Li Changle's poem would be included in textbooks.

"No need to visit me. I'm the one asking him for a favor, after all. I'll be going to Jinling in two weeks. I'll come see you then."

"Sure, sure, Teacher. I'll have him come by..."

"You seem to know him pretty well?"

"Heh, that kid has something going on with Siyi. There's a good chance he'll become my son-in-law, so of course he'll listen to me!"

Wang Weimin said proudly.

"Is that so? You lucky rascal. I haven't seen Siyi in years. I can't believe she's already at the age where she's thinking about marriage..."

Li Changle had been feeling rather bored these past few days. Ever since Wang Siyi left, he hadn't felt like cooking or writing. Why did it feel as if he'd lost all purpose in life?

Sitting listlessly in front of his computer, he started pondering life's great questions: Who was he? Where was he? What was he supposed to be doing? Before long, he was lost in thought.

A WeChat notification pulled Li Changle out of his reverie. He opened it eagerly, thinking Wang Siyi had messaged him. But it was Wang Weimin—not Wang Siyi, but her father.

"Changle, my teacher, Ye Xiande, the vice president of the Huaxia Poetry Association, wants to meet you and discuss having your 'Red Bean' poem included in textbooks for primary and middle school students. Come to Jinling in two weeks, and I'll take you to see him."

Li Changle stared at the message, stunned. Was he really about to have his name printed in primary and middle school textbooks?

He felt unworthy of the honor. If anyone's name belonged there, it was Wang Wei's.

Oh, right. This world didn't have a Wang Wei. Still, Li Changle couldn't help feeling a little uneasy.

He hadn't expected the Institute for Language and Literary Applications, which worked on compiling textbooks, to take an interest in him and plan to include his work.

But then he thought it over. The poem "Red Bean" really had been included in textbooks for primary and middle school students, so it made sense.

He had no choice but to steel himself and agree. Wang Siyi had mentioned that she'd be going to Shanghai in about half a month, too. That worked out perfectly—they could go at the same time, and he wouldn't have to make two trips.

After finishing his chat with Wang Weimin, he opened his conversation with Wang Siyi. He was about to tell her that he might be going to Jinling, but then he thought it would be even better to surprise her.

So he decided not to tell her. He'd show up a day early and ask her loudly:

"Surprised? Didn't see that coming, did you?"

A week passed in a flash. Wang Siyi's new album was coming out tomorrow, and she and Chen Baozhu had been run off their feet these past few days. Everything was in preparation for the release.

Wang Siyi had barely talked to Li Changle lately. She'd been rushing from one place to another almost every day, promoting the new album in advance and rehearsing her songs.

Only at night could she squeeze in a few words with Li Changle, say goodnight, then go to bed exhausted.

In the morning, she'd glance at the good-morning message Li Changle had sent, reply with a sticker, and then plunge into another busy day. It was the kind of routine Wang Siyi had often followed in the past.

But she had no complaints. If she wanted to pursue this path, all of it was to be expected.

After so many busy days, she could finally take a break. Starting tomorrow, she wouldn't have to run around so much.

She'd still have some appearances and promotional events, but not many. She could finally let herself relax a little.

Wang Siyi had named her new album Yearning, since its lead single was "Red Bean," a song that represented longing and missing someone.

There was another reason, too: her name contained the character for "thoughts"—something her longtime fans all understood.

"We've done everything we can. No matter what, once tomorrow's over, it'll all be settled. I'm exhausted. I feel like I've lost several pounds."

Chen Baozhu grumbled beside her. If the company had provided resources, they wouldn't have had to work so hard to secure opportunities themselves. New Art was the worst!

"Thanks for all your hard work these past few days, Sister Baozhu. Let's get a good night's rest tonight."

Wang Siyi clearly felt a little bad for Chen Baozhu.

That night, Wang Siyi couldn't sleep. She picked up her phone and sent Li Changle a message:

"My new album comes out tomorrow. I'm a little nervous."

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