Chapter 50: Emotional Damage

The difference was immediate.

The moment Li Lian and Chu Zijin began singing again, the entire studio fell silent.

Everyone present slowly widened their eyes.

It sounded completely different now.

Cleaner.

More emotional.

Their voices blended together perfectly as if they had sung together for years.

Even the breathing between lines synced naturally now.

The improvement was so massive it honestly sounded like an entirely different song.

Several staff members even got goosebumps listening to it.

"...Beautiful," the producer whispered unconsciously.

Even Chu Fang sat there stunned.

The confidence on his face slowly disappeared.

He instinctively shrunk back into the couch slightly like a startled turtle.

Even his system had gone silent.

At the same time, Shen Tian’s system chimed inside his head.

[Ding!]

[Host has successfully stolen the protagonist’s opportunity to show off.]

[Chu Fang has lost 1000 Fate Value.]

[Remaining Fate Value: 19000]

The moment the song ended, the producer nearly jumped out of his chair.

"PERFECT!"

He excitedly pointed towards the booth.

"Perfect, perfect! Our schedule is finally back on track! Good job, everyone!"

The entire studio burst into applause.

Li Lian and Chu Zijin both removed their headphones before drinking some water.

The two women instinctively looked toward Shen Tian afterward.

Small smiles appeared on both their faces.

"Thank you, Shen Tian."

Li Lian happily walked over before kissing him lightly on the cheek.

Nearby staff instantly looked shocked.

All the while. Chu Zijin blushed slightly before awkwardly holding her hand out.

"I also want to thank you, Young Master Shen."

Shen Tian casually accepted the handshake.

"Don’t worry about it."

Then he smiled slightly.

"I’m looking forward to hearing the final release."

Inside Chu Fang’s mind...

[Sorry, Host...]

[It seems something unexpected happened.]

"Shut up..." Chu Fang muttered quietly under his breath.

He was genuinely depressed now.

Not only had he failed to face-slap everyone...

Shen Tian had stolen his spotlight completely.

Chu Zijin hesitated briefly before speaking again.

"Um... If you don’t mind... Could I have your number?"

She wanted to secure this connection properly.

Someone with both Shen Family status and this level of musical ability was absolutely worth befriending.

Shen Tian gave a casual half-nod.

"Sure."

Then his inner voice echoed out.

[She’s talented.]

[Helping foster her career wouldn’t be a bad investment.]

Hearing that inner thought instantly made Chu Zijin blush even harder.

’No wonder he’s good with women...’

She couldn’t help thinking that.

Chu Fang looked like he wanted to slam his tiny head into the nearest wall.

Watching them exchange numbers physically hurt him.

He barely held back tears.

Finally, he quickly stood up and walked over.

"Big sister..."

He tugged lightly on Chu Zijin’s sleeve.

"Can we leave now? I’m hungry... My tummy hurts..."

Chu Zijin immediately looked down at him with concern.

"Oh!"

Then she suddenly looked toward Shen Tian and Li Lian.

"Would you two like to join us for dinner?"

Chu Fang almost fell over from emotional damage.

[DAMN IT!]

[I WANTED IT TO JUST BE US!]

Chu Zijin completely ignored the inner voice screaming, taking it as her little brother just throwing a tantrum.

Building connections came first.

Shen Tian casually shrugged.

"I have time. I’d be happy to go."

Li Lian smiled as well.

"I’m free too."

Then she thought for a moment.

"How about Z Restaurant?"

"It’s right around the corner."

Then she naturally added...

"I’ll drive with Shen Tian."

"Sounds good," Chu Zijin replied.

Then she gently patted Chu Fang’s head.

"Come on, Little Fang."

Chu Fang quietly followed behind his older sister...

While glaring viciously at Shen Tian the entire way out.

. . .

Driving...

"I can hear your inner voice."

Li Lian casually dropped those words.

Shen Tian slowly glanced toward her.

"...You’re joking, right?"

He played dumb immediately.

But Li Lian’s expression remained completely serious.

"No. I’m being honest. Think something in your head. Anything."

Shen Tian pretended to hesitate for a moment.

"...Alright."

Then internally...

[I’m the most handsome man you’ve ever seen.]

The moment Li Lian heard it, her face instantly turned slightly red.

Then she quietly repeated it aloud.

"You’re the most handsome man I’ve ever seen..."

Shen Tian blinked.

"...Well, damn."

Then he leaned back in his seat.

"I guess you really can hear it."

Li Lian glanced toward him seriously.

"So, explain. What exactly is going on?"

Shen Tian sighed deeply.

"...You’re a heroine."

Li Lian’s eyes widened slightly.

"Or at least... You were."

Now Shen Tian’s expression became thoughtful.

"With Ye Chen dead, I honestly don’t know what happens to your role anymore. My guess? Once another protagonist appears, you’ll naturally become one of his female leads."

Li Lian’s eyes widened further.

"...That explains it. Chu Fang."

She lightly frowned.

"That’s why I could hear his thoughts too..."

Then her expression became weird.

"But he’s literally a child."

Shen Tian awkwardly scratched the back of his head.

"About that... He’s actually a grown man from Earth inside a little boy’s body."

Li Lian’s mouth went wide open.

"...What!?"

Shen Tian calmly nodded.

"He transmigrated. And his targets aren’t random women."

Then Shen Tian casually dropped the next bombshell.

"His targets are his four older sisters."

The car became silent for several seconds.

"...That’s something," Li Lian finally muttered.

Then she frowned harder.

"So I’m safe?"

Shen Tian glanced toward her.

"For now."

Li Lian immediately looked nervous.

"For now!?"

Everything suddenly started making sense to her.

Shen Tian calmly explained further.

"Once I deal with Chu Fang, another protagonist will probably appear, eventually. And who knows... You might end up becoming part of someone else’s future harem."

Then Shen Tian casually shrugged.

"So, honestly? You should probably stick close to me."

Li Lian quietly looked at him for several seconds.

"I’ll marry you."

Shen Tian nearly slammed on the brakes.

"...Huh?"

Even he was caught off guard by how direct that was.

But after everything that had happened recently, he recovered pretty quickly.

"...That’s fine with me."

Li Lian smiled softly before looking back out the window.

She was happy.

Having an excuse to stay beside Shen Tian permanently wasn’t a bad thing at all.

Compared to the weird protagonists constantly appearing...

Shen Tian genuinely felt normal.

Reliable.

Safe.

And admittedly...

Very attractive.

Soon enough, they arrived at Z Restaurant.

Outside, Chu Zijin and Chu Fang were already waiting near the entrance.

The moment Shen Tian and Li Lian stepped out of the car, the group headed inside together.

Shen Tian quietly smirked to himself.

As he politely held the restaurant door open for everyone...

He casually stuck his foot out slightly.

THUD!

"Ouch!"

Chu Fang instantly tripped forward onto the floor.

Shen Tian immediately looked innocent.

"...Woah. Are you alright there?"

Chu Zijin quickly helped her little brother back up.

"Little Fang! Are you okay?"

Chu Fang grabbed her hand tightly while standing back up.

At the same time, he glared viciously toward Shen Tian.

[It’s your fault!]

[You tripped me!]

[I’ll get revenge on you sooner or later!]

Chu Zijin instinctively glanced toward Shen Tian.

But she quickly shook her head internally.

’Young Master Shen wouldn’t do something so childish...’

The group was eventually guided toward a table.

Li Lian and Shen Tian naturally sat together on one side.

Chu Zijin sat opposite them with Chu Fang beside her.

A waiter quickly handed out menus .

Everyone received adult menus.

Except Chu Fang.

Who was handed a colorful children’s menu instead.

Chu Fang immediately looked emotionally devastated.

He was still getting used to this...

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(Author Note: IMPORTANT!)

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