Chapter 60: Neither Man Nor Woman (Merry Christmas)

That evening, Lin Chuan prepared the competition song at home. Since he was collaborating with Qin Xiyao this time, he knew he couldn’t afford to be careless.

Meanwhile, explosive news broke online: someone had photographed Lin Chuan stepping out of Fang Hao’s car, accompanied by several pictures as evidence.

Based on these photos, netizens speculated that Lin Chuan’s guest performer was most likely Fang Hao, who had already been eliminated. Many people listed various reasons and advantages for inviting Fang Hao to join him on stage.

Among this season’s contestants on "A Song to Fame," Fang Hao was considered one of the strongest competitors, with substantial popularity. If he and Lin Chuan joined forces, it would undoubtedly add excitement to the show. Quite a few netizens expressed their anticipation to see them perform together.

However, some voiced concerns: while Lin Chuan and Fang Hao collaborating was promising, they couldn’t match the fame and fan base of Dong Kai, whom Huang Quan had invited. Dong Kai was a veteran singer with deep roots and a vast fan following. In contrast, although Lin Chuan and Fang Hao's reputations had surged in recent rounds, their true supporters were still few.

When the finals arrived, their chances of winning seemed slim.

At the same time, in a recording studio, a handsome man in his forties was immersed in his singing. His vocal technique was solid, effortlessly transitioning between high and low notes without a hint of awkwardness.

This man was Dong Kai, who had recently returned to the music scene. For the upcoming competition, he sang song after song, hoping to regain the feeling of standing on stage.

Outside a glass window, Huang Quan stood smiling, while Yang Wei beside him wore a gloomy expression.

"There’s word that Lin Chuan’s guest is Fang Hao," Yang Wei remarked coolly.

"Fang Hao? As expected," Huang Quan’s lips curled in a smirk; he wasn’t surprised.

"I just don’t understand—hasn’t Fang Hao always opposed Lin Chuan? Why does he keep helping him? Remember the semifinals? If Fang Hao hadn’t arranged for that kid to be taken away early, Lin Chuan would have been eliminated," Yang Wei said bitterly.

"It doesn’t matter. If Fang Hao wants to team up with Lin Chuan, let them. In the end, the championship is mine," Huang Quan replied with calm confidence, his gaze toward Dong Kai growing resolute.

Yang Wei shifted, asking, "Do you really want to win that badly?"

"The championship? Hah, a mere trophy means nothing. My goal is to defeat Lin Chuan," Huang Quan answered, his eyes flashing with a half-smile.

"Defeat him? That’s all?" Yang Wei was taken aback.

"What else?" Huang Quan sneered.

...

Lin Chuan could never have imagined that Huang Quan, whom he had always considered a friend, was the very person scheming against him behind his back.

But those things no longer mattered.

The next morning, Lin Chuan took Lin Yi Yang to kindergarten. As he was about to leave, Wang Yue suddenly called out to him.

"Do you have time tonight?"

Lin Chuan paused. "I should, what’s up?"

"I… I want to invite you to dinner. No, Tang Qinru wants to invite you to dinner..." Wang Yue’s voice was soft, quickly drowned out by the bustle at the kindergarten gate.

But Lin Chuan heard her clearly. He looked at Wang Yue with surprise; since they’d met, she’d never invited him to dinner. What was going on?

A smile, tinged with curiosity and surprise, appeared on Lin Chuan’s face. Wang Yue, seeing this, blushed furiously and lowered her head, mumbling, "Forget it if you don’t want to go, what’s so funny?"

"No, I didn’t say I wouldn’t go! What time? Where?" Seeing Wang Yue about to leave, Lin Chuan hurriedly stopped her.

Wang Yue turned, glaring at him. "Just come with me when you pick up Yi Yang."

Watching Wang Yue storm off with Lin Yi Yang in tow, Lin Chuan stood there for a moment, then chuckled to himself.

As agreed, Lin Chuan arrived at a roadside spot not far from the kindergarten, where a Santana sedan was already parked. A blond-haired "street punk" leaned against the car door, smoking.

"Sent your son to kindergarten, eh?" The blond grinned, flicking away the half-smoked cigarette.

Lin Chuan nodded, got in, and the blond followed suit without complaint. Today, only the blond had come to pick Lin Chuan up—there was no need to forcibly "kidnap" him like yesterday; one person was enough.

The car drove for nearly an hour before stopping at the familiar warehouse.

They entered, finding Fang Hao and Qin Xiyao already there, along with several other "punks" gathered around the instruments, talking about who-knows-what.

Besides them, a stranger caught Lin Chuan’s attention—a man in his thirties, wearing a pink shirt adorned with blue roses, and tight yellow pants that showed off his long legs.

He was average-looking, with medium-length hair, but something about him felt off to Lin Chuan.

As Lin Chuan sized him up, the man was doing the same.

"Oh, you must be Lin Chuan, the one our Xiyao mentioned?" The man fluttered his fingers, gesturing at Lin Chuan.

Pfft!

Hearing the man’s tone, Lin Chuan nearly burst out laughing. Calling him merely "effeminate" was an understatement.

"Uh… hello, I’m Lin Chuan." Lin Chuan strode over and extended his hand.

The man glanced at him coolly, lowered his head to fuss with his nails, and said, "Lin Chuan, did your ancestors light incense for luck? Our Xiyao is helping you for free—quite a feat. But let me be blunt: if you drag Xiyao down and she loses, I won’t let you off. She’s a rising star now and can’t afford to lose face because of you."

The man, effeminate in every way, snorted and ignored Lin Chuan.

For a moment, Lin Chuan stood awkwardly, unsure what to say.

Just then, Fang Hao and Qin Xiyao walked over. Fang Hao watched with an amused expression, while Qin Xiyao smiled apologetically. "Don’t mind him, Mr. Lin. This is my agent, Zhang Dashuang."

Before Lin Chuan could reply, Zhang Dashuang pouted and corrected her, "Xiyao, don’t use my full name in front of outsiders. How many times have I told you?"

Pfft!

Lin Chuan nearly spat blood. He’d heard of drag queens and knew many agents in the entertainment industry had unusual quirks, but seeing it with his own eyes was a shock—if he had to describe it in two words, it would be "disgusting."

He watched Zhang Dashuang’s every move and felt an urge to vomit up everything he’d eaten that morning. The man was torturing him.

"Hahaha, all right, Lin Chuan, did you bring the song for the competition?" Noticing Lin Chuan’s discomfort, Fang Hao quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

Lin Chuan forced a laugh, handed over a sheet of notation, and said, "I wrote this last night. I hope Miss Qin likes it—after all, the competition isn’t just about me."

Fang Hao said nothing, taking the notation to examine it.

Meanwhile, Zhang Dashuang rolled his eyes and sneered, "Lin Chuan, are you even capable? If Xiyao loses because of your song, I won’t forgive you. She’s a rising star now; she can’t afford to lose her reputation."

"Dashuang, stop talking or I won’t let you come next time," Qin Xiyao tugged at his sleeve, smiling awkwardly at Lin Chuan.

Lin Chuan acted unconcerned, but inwardly he was full of complaints about her agent.

Qin Xiyao was a rising star with a bright future—how did she end up with an agent like this? If he were only sharp-tongued, that would be one thing, but being neither man nor woman was a bit much.

However, Lin Chuan kept these thoughts to himself and wasn’t foolish enough to say them aloud.

After reviewing the notation, Fang Hao waved to the others. The blond who had brought Lin Chuan, now holding a bass, walked over.

"Fang Zi, let everyone look at the notation and get familiar with it. We’ll start rehearsing soon," Fang Hao said, handing the sheet to the blond.

"No problem, we’ll get it done quickly," the blond replied, turning back.

Listening to their conversation, Lin Chuan was surprised to learn that the blond and his companions knew how to play instruments—it was unexpected.

Sensing Lin Chuan’s surprise, Fang Hao smiled, "You think they all seem like street punks? Actually, Fang Zi and the others are good people, highly skilled in music. We formed a band back in university..."

Fang Hao earnestly recounted their college band days, and Lin Chuan and Qin Xiyao listened attentively, occasionally asking questions.

Gradually, Lin Chuan’s attitude toward Fang Hao changed. He realized this seemingly arrogant and privileged second-generation star wasn’t as cold or obnoxious as he appeared; he was just an ordinary person with his own stubborn dreams and pursuits.

After some time, Fang Zi called out from a distance, "Okay, ready for a sound check!"

(It’s Christmas—wishing all readers joy and happiness. Don’t forget to vote for this book while you’re celebrating. Thank you!)