Pursuing Her Best Friend after Confession Failed-Chapter 51 - 50: The Healing Little Fish

Li Yuan was completely unaware of the shock his new roommates were experiencing. He was still immersed in Jiang Zhiyu’s singing, his soul intoxicated.

Music is the window to the soul. A song with an ancient style like "Blue and White Porcelain," especially when sung by Jiang Zhiyu, was incredibly restorative, soothing the irritable mood that had plagued Li Yuan since his rebirth. Her voice was a healing balm. Although Jay Chou originally sang "Blue and White Porcelain," Li Yuan felt Jiang Zhiyu’s version was far more melodious.

When the song ended, Jiang Zhiyu looked up at him, a little shy but with eyes full of anticipation. "Xia Hua, how was my singing? Did you like it?"

Facing her clear, bright eyes that shone like stars, Li Yuan nodded emphatically. In both my past life and this one, this is the most beautiful voice I have ever heard up close.

This singing is so healing. If this were the future era of online celebrities, Jiang Zhiyu would at the very least be an internet-famous singer with tens of millions of fans. But then I remember the Rolls-Royce parked at the school gate... it’s impossible. With her background, there’s no way she’d become an internet celebrity singer. With her resources, becoming a queen of the music scene would probably take no effort at all.

"Cilantro, you truly live up to your title as the president of the music club. That’s the most beautiful singing I’ve ever heard." Li Yuan was unstinting with his praise, because it was the truth.

Jiang Zhiyu’s eyes curved into crescents. She wrapped her arm around his and said in a soft, coquettish voice, "Hehe, Xia Hua, could you please write a song for me? Pretty please!"

Li Yuan felt a current run through him, leaving his body tingling. He had absolutely no immunity to this kind of behavior. They say women who know how to act cute are the most fortunate, and for good reason. When a beautiful woman acts coquettish, it’s an absolute kill-shot, capable of softening even the most hard-hearted man.

"Stop, stop, stop! You’re making me dizzy shaking my arm like that. I agree, okay?"

Seeing him consent, Jiang Zhiyu’s mood brightened even more. Her beautiful eyes blinked rapidly as she beamed at him. "Hehe, Xia Hua is the best! Love you, muah!"

Li Yuan’s scalp tingled. This Jiang Zhiyu was certainly a character—quirky, bold, and incredibly lively. "Cilantro, don’t say things like that. It’s a bit cheesy."

Jiang Zhiyu covered her mouth and giggled, delighted by his reaction. She had already enjoyed her online chats with him and felt like they were in a budding online romance. This was a primary reason she had come to Daxia University to find him on his very first day, second only to her desire to ask for a song. Seeing him in person and finding him completely different from what she had imagined only made her happier.

"Xia Hua, that expression is so cute!"

Li Yuan flushed with embarrassment. How could a man be described as "cute"? He immediately adopted a serious expression. "Cilantro, you can call me handsome, but not cute. Understand?"

"Hehe, got it. Xia Hua is a super handsome guy," Jiang Zhiyu teased, her eyes fixed on him as she giggled behind her hand. "Xia Hua, can I ask you for a small favor?"

"Oh? Let’s hear it," Li Yuan asked, curious.

Jiang Zhiyu pouted and waved a small, delicate fist in a mock-threatening gesture. "Xia Hua, you can’t call me Cilantro anymore."

Li Yuan was taken aback. "If I don’t call you Cilantro, then what should I call you?"

"You can call me Little Fish," she replied cheerfully. "That’s what my grandpa and everyone calls me."

"Jiang Zhiyu, Little Fish... that nickname certainly suits your name," Li Yuan said with a laugh, noting that Zhiyu literally meant young fish. "Alright then, I’ll call you Little Fish from now on."

"Okay, Xia Hua," Jiang Zhiyu said sweetly, her eyes twinkling. In the light of the setting sun, she looked like a classical fairy who had just stepped out of a painting.

Truly tempting!

Li Yuan pushed the distracting thoughts from his mind and returned to the topic of the song. Listening to her voice, he already had a rough idea of what type of music would suit her. "I’ll think about the song over the next few days. I’ll send it to you when it’s written."

Jiang Zhiyu nodded eagerly. "Mhm, thank you, Xia Hua! How should I thank you?"

"Thank me?" Li Yuan was taken aback; he hadn’t considered any kind of reward. Is she going to offer herself to me? No way... Could something this good really be happening?

"Of course!" Jiang Zhiyu said with the utmost seriousness. "You’re writing a song for me, Xia Hua. Little Fish is very happy, so I have to thank you properly."

Li Yuan shook his head and declined. "Thanks aren’t necessary. Let me finish writing it first, then you can see if you’re satisfied."

"I trust you, Xia Hua. I’m sure any song you write will be perfect for me," she said, her expression full of faith in him.

Li Yuan simply smiled, not denying it. The songs I’m thinking of have all been tested by the market in my past life. If I bring them out now, combined with her talent and angelic looks, she could become a huge star overnight. Just imagining it is exhilarating. I’ll be the man behind the pop diva. Of course, that’s all for later.

...

As they chatted, time slipped by unnoticed. In a blink, the sun had set completely, replaced by a pale, bright moon in the night sky.

Li Yuan glanced at the time—it was already around eight o’clock. He turned to Jiang Zhiyu and asked, "Little Fish, it’s getting late. Do you want to keep walking around campus, or should you head back?"

Jiang Zhiyu checked the time as well and gasped, "Oh my, it’s already eight! Xia Hua, I have to get home."

Li Yuan didn’t try to persuade her to stay. He knew the Rolls-Royce was still waiting for her at the school gate. "Then I’ll walk you out."

They walked side by side along the tree-lined path of Daxia Campus. Under the combined moonlight and lamplight, their shadows stretched and merged into one.

When they reached the school gate, Jiang Zhiyu pushed the bouquet she was holding into Li Yuan’s arms. A smile played on her lips as she batted her eyelashes shyly. "Xia Hua, this is the first time I’ve ever given a boy flowers."

Holding the bouquet, Li Yuan smiled. He had to admit, being given flowers by a girl felt pretty good. "Thank you for the flowers. I like them a lot. This is also the first time I’ve received flowers from a girl."

"Wow, Xia Hua, we’ve had our ’firsts’ with each other now."

"Little Fish, I suspect you’re driving at something."

"Driving? How did you know I can drive? My family has a lot of cars. Want one? I can give you one."

"That won’t be necessary. The ’driving’ I meant isn’t the same as the ’driving’ you’re thinking of. Anyway, it’s getting late. Are you heading back now?"

"Well then, Xia Hua, I’m off!"

"Goodbye, Little Fish!" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Jiang Zhiyu seemed reluctant to leave. She stared at Li Yuan, looking as if she wanted to do something more, but she ultimately held back. Not far away, the door of the black Rolls-Royce swung open, and a burly man in a black suit stood waiting.

Only after watching Jiang Zhiyu get into the car and drive away did Li Yuan slowly turn to walk back onto campus. He had barely stepped through the gates, however, when three figures suddenly appeared at his side.

Zhou Tianyu gazed at Li Yuan, his eyes lingering on the bouquet in his arms for a moment, his tone dripping with sour envy. "Li Yuan, how on earth did you manage that?"

Startled by their sudden appearance, Li Yuan asked, "What are you guys doing here?" As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized he had been followed. "So, you were tailing me? You saw everything, huh?"