On her way home, Nan XiangWan started nibbling on buns and continued all the way until she got back.
While driving, Xiao Dong observed, "Miss Nan, your carb intake seems a bit high."
Nan XiangWan rolled her eyes and nibbled even more heartily.
Xiao Dong: "Shall I make you some soup tonight then?"
Nan XiangWan: "I'll order takeout!"
Xiao Dong: "Miss Nan, you've really moved up in the world since you've learned to order takeout."
Nan XiangWan: "Xiao Dong, you're getting cheekier by the day."
Xiao Dong: "Heehee!"
Ultimately, when they returned to Ji Mansion, Xiao Dong still followed her and rushed into the kitchen to make some nourishing soup for Nan XiangWan. Meanwhile, Nan XiangWan lay on the sofa and ordered takeout - 10 jin (5 kg) of little lobsters!
Just then a message came in on WeChat.
'Gu Beihuai: [Image attachment]'
'Gu Beihuai: I polished it up a bit and added some color. Your song "Wish Upon the Gods' Favor" doesn't have a cover yet, right? How about using this?'
Nan XiangWan tapped to open the image. It was the hand-drawn picture from last time.
The polished version was so lifelike, with smooth lines and vibrant colors. It still depicted the same scene - a woman with trailing black hair brandishing a sharp blade while striding forward, and behind her a smiling man with hair so gentle it seemed to spill over.
'Nan XiangWan: For my use? Don't you need it?'
She clearly remembered Gu Beihuai originally wanted this as his new song's cover.
'Gu Beihuai: I have another one.'
'Nan XiangWan: Then I won't stand on ceremony!'
'Gu Beihuai: No need to stand on ceremony with me.'
It was perfect timing. Cheng Xue had been urging Nan XiangWan to get to the recording studio to record and release her new song.
The only versions currently online were the live recordings from "The Songster" which had some background noise.
Nan XiangWan called out, "Xiao Dong!!"
Xiao Dong immediately popped his head out from the kitchen: "Yes Miss Nan?"
Nan XiangWan: "Let's go, to the company!"
She would record the song tonight and try out the songs she had to sing tomorrow as well.
With a ladle in his right hand and spatula in his left, Xiao Dong looked at her pleadingly.
His...his soup wasn't ready yet!
Now came the real test of his professional assistant skills. Xiao Dong promptly moved the soup into a clay pot to simmer on low heat. He then untied his apron, gave his hands a quick wipe, opened the door, grabbed their bags, and called the elevator.
Swift as the wind!
By the time Nan XiangWan had changed her shoes, Xiao Dong already had the elevator waiting.
Awesome!
There weren't many people at Hua Wan Entertainment at 6pm. The sound engineer was busy working. Nan XiangWan came in without greeting anyone, giving the entire company a huge shock.
"The boss is here!"
"It's Miss Nan, an inspection?"
"Quick, welcome Miss Nan!"
After a flurry of preparations by the staff, Nan XiangWan had already entered the recording studio.
The sound engineer was also a bit nervous: "Miss Nan, you're here to record a song?"
Nan XiangWan: "Yes, I'll be quick."
Sound engineer: "No no, take your time, I'm standing by ready anytime."
But very soon, Nan XiangWan gave this sound engineer a live demonstration of what it meant to be fast.
A song less than 4 minutes long - adjust the equipment, go in, start recording.
Five minutes later - done!
The sound engineer was so shocked his jaw nearly hit the floor: "That...that's it?"
Nan XiangWan: "Yup, finished."
Having already gotten word of her arrival, Cheng Xue was waiting by the door. Seeing the boss be so diligent made her face flush with approval.
Cheng Xue: "Tired, boss? Shall I take you somewhere nice to eat?"
Xiao Dong: "She ordered 10 jin (5 kg) of little lobsters for home delivery and I was making her soup."
Cheng Xue: "...oh" So much for her concern.
Nan XiangWan shrugged, then casually sent the hand-drawn picture from Gu Beihuai to Cheng Xue as the single cover artwork with instructions. She then left without a backward glance.
A whirlwind that came without a trace and left without a shadow.
Many Hua Wan Entertainment employees didn't even get a chance to catch a glimpse of her before she disappeared.
...
It was 7:30pm when they returned to Ji Mansion again.
Xiao Dong dropped her off downstairs with instructions to eat and drink heartily but remember to drink the nourishing soup afterwards.
Nan XiangWan made a perfunctory promise before streaking up to the apartment.
Little lobsters! She had arrived!
As the elevator reached apartment 2202, there was an enormous takeout bag sitting outside her door that was still hot to the touch.
10 jin (5 kg) of little lobsters!
Nan XiangWan gleefully picked up the bag and brought it inside to start feasting.
Midway through her meal, a video call came in. It was her brother.
She answered it and her brother Nan ChaoYang's arrogant face immediately popped up on the video screen.
Nan ChaoYang adjusted his own camera to show just his face magnified. He seemed to be waiting for his sister to speak first.
But unexpectedly, even after waiting forever Nan XiangWan didn't make a PEEP!
Nan ChaoYang was infuriated. He switched the view to show Nan XiangWan's side - only to be confronted by the scene of her heartily tucking into the table full of little lobsters.
Nan ChaoYang: "..."
Arghhhh!
He had just finished eating!
Why was it this again? His dad Nan Song had tortured him the exact same way not long ago!
Without another word, grumpy-faced Nan ChaoYang directly hung up the video call.
So pissed off!
Nan XiangWan glanced bewilderedly at her phone screen. What bug had bitten her brother this time?
Asking for a beating? Fine, she'd give him a good walloping when she went home.
This meal of little lobsters left Nan XiangWan extremely satisfied. She had initially thought 10 jin (5 kg) would be a lot, but it turned out most of the weight came from the shells and shrimp heads.
Lying on the sofa browsing her phone afterwards, it was 8pm primetime.
Hua Wan Entertainment had posted a new message that was instantly bombarded by fans.
A WeChat message also came in from Cheng Xue.
'Cheng Xue: [link]'
'Cheng Xue: Boss, the new song post-production is complete and has been released right on time to all major audio platforms!'
Nan XiangWan tsk-ed admiringly. This manager worked crazy fast.
She also logged into Weibo and posted the audio source for "Wish Upon the Gods' Favor".
The ink-wash style hand-drawn cover added a touch of traditional flair to the song.
As expected, fans instantly poured in, the comments and reposts/likes count broke 10k then swiftly 30k, 50k, 80k...
The fans' passion was through the roof!
Nan XiangWan casually scrolled through some comments, most were along the lines of this being the Southern King's first single song that was destined to become a hit, etc.
The rest...well, the rest were spamming emoticons!
Nan XiangWan threw down her phone in anger. Damn emoticons!
Just as she was about to rage into the comments section for an epic emoticon battle royale with the fans, she suddenly noticed the Weibo post had updated.
Gu Beihuai had also made a post.
Huh?
Gu Beihuai released a new song too?
This close together?
It seemed like only half a year had passed since his last song "Sword Dance".
The Northern Emperor's fans were equally shocked. Given that Gu Beihuai hadn't shown much dedication lately, maintaining a pace of one single per year, his fans didn't expect there would be a new song!
Who knew that after half a year, the Heavenly King Gu would actually put out a new song!
Oh my god!
Hordes of passersby and fans rushed in to listen.
"Evening Breeze, Heavy Rain"
It was a very gentle love song!
But...hmm?
WTF was with this single cover?
