Hidden Assassin 144

Sitting in Zheng Zepei’s room, listening to what he had to say, Fang Yusi was utterly baffled.

She had followed Zheng Zepei all the way to Jiang Hai City, seeking the help of a mysterious songwriter to write a song. Zheng Zepei had already communicated with him, and the songwriter had supposedly agreed. However, it seemed like the songwriter had changed his mind after hearing her name, even showing signs of wanting to completely eliminate her. This was truly incomprehensible.

“Think back carefully. Have you offended anyone in the past one or two weeks since coming to Jiang Hai? Most importantly, did you do anything inappropriate when you went to Bluebird last Saturday?”

“What could be inappropriate…?” Fang Yusi frowned. “Last Saturday, there were too many people at the bar, and I arrived late. The Concept Music Group had already finished their performance and gone backstage. I didn’t even see them. Teacher Zheng, I think… it would be better if I knew his identity so I could figure out what happened…”

“No.” Zheng Zepei smiled apologetically. “I promised him not to reveal his identity to anyone. Moreover, he… well, you said you didn’t see him in the front, but did you go backstage?”

“Of course I wanted to go backstage, but…” Fang Yusi shook her head. “It was impossible. Even showing my identity wouldn’t allow me in. I heard the bar was controlled by some gangsters… Of course, you know, I haven’t been in a good mood these past few days. Maybe I said a few words that he heard, but I didn’t say anything outrageous, really.”

Seeing Zheng Zepei close his eyes and contemplate, Fang Yusi said, “Teacher Zheng, is it really impossible to reveal anything? If… if it was really something I did unknowingly, I can go apologize.”

Her tone was sincere, but Zheng Zepei still shook his head. “That’s something Huang Lao and I both agreed on. Alright, it’s Friday today, and tomorrow is Saturday. Concept will be performing. Go early tomorrow, and hopefully, you’ll get a chance to explain yourself. What do you think?”

“…Okay.” Fang Yusi sighed, nodded, and said a few more words. As she was about to leave, she reluctantly asked, “Teacher Zheng, is he really that talented?”

Zheng Zepei smiled faintly. “You already know the answer. The songs he wrote, ‘East Wind Breaking’ and ‘Jiang Nan,’ have already been released. You should see the impact they’ve had. Also, after Huang Lao met him once, I suggested that Huang Lao take him as a disciple. Let’s not talk about his response. But Huang Lao admitted that he didn’t have the ability to do that. Judging by the songs he sang at Bluebird these past days, every single one of them, if packaged properly, is enough to make a newcomer famous. Honestly, I haven’t seen a songwriter like this before.”

Fang Yusi bit her lower lip, then walked out of the room with a somewhat dejected expression. Zheng Zepei fixed his gaze on her retreating figure. This woman had a problem with materialism, but who in the entertainment industry didn’t? She was relatively good at handling people, and she didn’t easily make enemies. However… he had arranged the performance at Sacred Heart Academy for her, mainly because Gu Jia Ming was also a student there. If she had unknowingly done something wrong because of that, then it could only be said that she hadn’t restrained herself enough.

Walking out of the room, Fang Yusi reminisced about the past few days, greeting Zhang Jingfeng who walked towards her. She had been staying at Zhang Jingfeng’s villa these days, attending various banquets and gatherings, getting to know the wealthy businessmen and celebrities of Jiang Hai City. She had only been to Sacred Heart Academy three times, and for a moment, she couldn’t remember anything related to Ye Lingjing.

Honestly, every time she went to Sacred Heart Academy, she felt neglected by the sight of Zhang Jingfeng and Dongfang Lu taking turns to be around Ye Lingjing. However, it wasn’t a big deal. Her mood wasn’t very good that day, so she randomly made up an excuse, saying that Ye Lingjing still couldn’t dance. She had forgotten about it after that, and now it was difficult to connect the girl who worshipped her so much with the Concept Music Group. Therefore, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t figure out where she had offended someone she shouldn’t have.

It was dusk when she returned to her room. She didn’t turn on the lights, poured herself a glass of red wine in the darkness, and after a while, picked up the telephone on the bedside table. After hesitating a few times, she finally dialed the number.

“Hello, A Ming, it’s me… Don’t hang up, I want to talk, okay? We… we’ve known each other for so many years… I didn’t do anything! You don’t understand what kind of place the entertainment industry is. This person’s scandal, that person’s scandal, they all just talk. You understand… I don’t want to be poor anymore. I’ve been afraid of that since I was little. I’m scared… I don’t feel safe, you know!”

“…Of course, of course I know. I have plenty of money now, and even if I quit, I wouldn’t have to worry. But how much have I given to get to where I am now? My whole life is invested here. How can you just ask me to deny all of that so easily… A Ming, not many people can be as carefree and unattached as you. I want more… If those fat cats can have it all, why can’t I? I’ve worked so hard, I deserve it more than them… No, I don’t want to quit… I won’t quit… Can’t we be friends besides being husband and wife…”

The phone hung up on the other end. After a long while, Fang Yusi slammed the receiver back onto the cradle, and finished the wine in her glass in one gulp. A flush of red appeared on her delicate cheeks.

“Just a songwriter? Can talent buy you food…? What Concept Music Group… they’re all bastards…”

In the darkness, a muffled sob could be heard.

*********************************************************

Stepping out of the hotel’s built-in bar, she swayed through the long, winding corridors, catching glimpses of the dazzling city skyline, its neon lights. The time was 8:40 pm.

She had come here to attend a large auction held at the Huajing Grand Hotel. After arriving, she felt down and retreated to the bar, drinking alone for over half an hour. Although most people in the entertainment industry could hold their liquor, her drinking capacity wasn’t particularly outstanding. Now, she was staggering out, feeling dizzy, the various lights blurring into a kaleidoscope of colors. It was precisely the kind of chaotic vibe the entertainment world gave off.

She went into the brightly lit bathroom, pulled down the hat she was wearing as a disguise, and then, leaning against the sink, she vomited uncontrollably.

As she was puking her guts out, someone came up to her, patting her back with one hand. With the other hand, the person took off her hat. She was slightly worried that she would be recognized because of it. But then she thought that her current appearance was too different from her usual self. She figured she probably looked like a crazed woman after a breakup. Then, a concerned female voice came from beside her. “Miss, are you okay?” It was in Chinese, but with an American accent. Apparently, it was a foreign woman.

“Ugh… I’m f… fine… ugh… ha… ha… thank you…”

She gasped for breath and glanced at the person next to her. This woman looked to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, wearing a luxurious and elegant dress, her figure curvaceous and beautiful. It was the kind of devilishly alluring silhouette that only Western women possessed. She looked young, but her aura exuded a mature kind of beauty. Her smile held a calming serenity. If she were in Japan, she would be the perfect embodiment of the term “mature woman.”

Maybe she’s some rich guy’s mistress… Fang Yusi thought maliciously. She secretly disliked any woman who was prettier than her.

After the first wave of vomit, she continued dry heaving. Suddenly, a clear voice came from the small cubicle next to her. “Ugh, so annoying, so annoying, so annoying…” Even though it was in English, Fang Yusi could understand. Clearly, the foreign girl had a perfect voice – she also hated anyone with a better voice than her. She hoped that she would ruin her voice during her vocal change because of poor care!

“Heidi, what’s wrong again?” The woman beside her said in English with a smile.

“I hate Jia Ming! He said he would come and play with me, but he stood me up again!” The word “Jia Ming” flashed through Fang Yusi’s mind, then disappeared into the black hole of memory.

“Jia Ming called. He just has something to do, he’ll be late.”

“What am I supposed to do when he gets here? I have to sleep. He used to do this all the time three years ago. Every night I waited for him, so late. Then the next day you said he came, but I never saw him! I hate him!”

“Jia Ming likes girls with gentle personalities, Heidi. You’re like this, he might not like you, you know.”

“Hmph…”

The little girl in the cubicle huffed in annoyance. Fang Yusi thought to herself, “What a fool.” She splashed cold water on her face, then thanked the woman, and stumbled out of the bathroom. She felt much better after vomiting, but her body was even more limp and weak. When she reached the corner of the corridor, someone bumped into her. She was about to fall to the ground, but the person caught her. “I’m sorry, miss, are you okay?” It was a man, but again, with an American accent.

She opened her eyes. Standing before her was a very charming man. He wasn’t middle-aged, probably in his thirties, the perfect age when a man is full of energy and vitality. Fang Yusi stared at him for a moment, then smiled. “Yeah, I’m fine, it’s okay…”

“You don’t look so good. Where do you live? Do you need me to walk you back to your room?”

“My room? Hehe…” Fang Yusi shook her head with a smile. “No, I… I’m going to the auction. Could you take me there?”

“The auction? I’m going there too…” The man smiled, but there was a slight hesitation in his expression. He glanced towards the bathroom, then nodded. “Okay, let’s go.”

He put her arm around his shoulder, clasped her waist, and they walked towards the auction. Along the way, Fang Yusi asked, “My surname is Fang, my name is Fang Yusi, and you?”

“Joseph.” The man beside her answered succinctly and calmly. “Joseph. Salieri.”

Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter