Chapter 34: Anticipation (An Extra Chapter for Handsome Uncle)

He Xi’er was extremely proactive and excitedly added Li He on WeChat. To show her sincerity, she saved his contact as “Teacher Jiabei,” just as Jiang Qi had done. Putting away his phone, Li He said with satisfaction, “The score is on my computer. I’ll send it to you when I get back to the dorm.”

He Xi’er hurried to say, “There’s no rush, send it whenever you can.” Utterly humble.

The three of them had a meal together; the atmosphere was harmonious, full of laughter and cheer.

Back at the dorm, Li He didn’t keep He Xi’er waiting long. He quickly wrote out the first half of “A Bridge Called Fate” on paper and sent it to her.

He Xi’er was still basking in delight, already prepared to show off to Jiang Qi. When she received Li He’s message, she excitedly opened the image—only for her phone to slip from her hand and drop onto the table. She froze.

What was this?

After a moment, He Xi’er picked up her phone, now with a few cracks on the screen, rubbed her eyes, and opened the image again.

Damn.

He Xi’er was on the verge of a breakdown. Another halved version! Just from this first half, it was clear the song’s quality was outstanding.

After calming down, He Xi’er realized she hadn’t paid yet—why should Li He send her the full version for free?

Of course!

“I misunderstood Teacher Jiabei,” she silently reproached herself.

She cautiously messaged Li He on WeChat: “Teacher Jiabei, I’ll buy this song.”

Even if it cost more than 800,000, she’d still buy it. She knew the company had paid 800,000 for “Bubbles.” For “A Bridge Called Fate,” she’d willingly pay a million.

Li He’s reply came quickly, and after reading it, He Xi’er almost fell to her knees.

“What do you mean it’s not finished?” she was baffled.

She stared at the chat, at Li He’s words: “I haven’t finished writing the second half of this song yet. If you want to buy it, you’ll have to wait a while.”

What the hell.

He Xi’er was at her wit’s end. How long was “a while”? It was like someone saying, “I’ll treat you to dinner when I have time,” but that time never comes.

Was it really unfinished, or just an excuse… She didn’t dare to ask. The song’s quality was too good, she loved it—she felt as though it had been crafted just for her.

The reason He Xi’er disliked high-pitched songs was that many relied purely on a few high notes shouted out, with poor overall quality. But “A Bridge Called Fate” was different—the lyrics were full of charm, and the melody was flawlessly matched.

But… it wasn’t finished!

He Xi’er couldn’t sit still, her feet tingling with discomfort. She would have been fine not seeing it, but to glimpse an incomplete masterpiece—what torture. How was this any different from the chopped version of “Dissolve Sorrow”? She felt like crying.

Li He, in high spirits, glanced at the system notification: [He Xi’er’s negative emotion +0.01].

Ah! How delightful.

“Girls shouldn’t get upset so often; it causes wrinkles,” Li He mused, an expert on the subject. He rarely got angry himself—except when drawing the lottery, as the damn system was maddening.

Just then, his roommate Xu Teng, seated at the computer, turned his head and said, “Jiang Qi’s releasing her first album next month. Looks like I’ll be eating dirt in June.”

He was a diehard Jiang Qi fan, and had even cast many votes for her debut.

Another chubby roommate, munching on an apple, said, “I’m broke, don’t even think about mooching off me.”

Who wants to mooch off you… Xu Teng rolled his eyes, not bothering with the fatso.

“Albums aren’t that expensive, are they?” Li He wondered. Each song cost two yuan, so an album with ten songs would only be twenty summer coins.

“I want the physical album. That’s three or four hundred,” Xu Teng explained. “It’s Jiang Qi’s first album, a real collectible—I have to get one.”

Compared to the digital version at two yuan a song, physical albums were much pricier. Li He remembered in his previous life, even a regular physical album could cost a hundred or two, and limited editions would sell out in no time.

I really don’t get you star-chasers… Li He sent Jiang Qi a message: “Save me a physical album, signed.”

He had originally intended to ask for two, one for Xu Teng, but thought better of it. After all, to outsiders, he and Jiang Qi shouldn’t be connected, and he couldn’t explain it without risking the secret of his Jiabei identity.

Li He would never do anything that might reveal his alter ego.

You probably have no idea your beloved Jiang Qi is planning a chopped version… Li He looked at his roommate with a touch of sympathy.

Hmm… there’d probably be a good show to watch tomorrow.

The chubby roommate asked, “What’s the title track? If it’s good, I’ll support your Jiang Qi too.”

Xu Teng, eyes glued to his screen, replied, “It’s called ‘Bubbles,’ a love song.”

On his computer, the official page of Shengshi Entertainment was open, already promoting Jiang Qi’s debut album.

“‘Bubbles’? What kind of name is that?” the chubby roommate muttered in confusion, then returned to his own virtual world.

Meanwhile, on Weibo.

Jiang Qi’s fans were abuzz—their idol was finally releasing her first album, something they’d waited too long for.

Jiang Qi had debuted in February; now, four months had passed. If she didn’t release an album soon, her fans might suspect Shengshi Entertainment had abandoned her. What company waits four months after a breakout debut to release an album? Any longer and her popularity would have faded.

But Jiang Qi dared to take her time.

She had debuted through a talent show in February. February was no ordinary month—it was the time of the gods’ contest, the toughest month for chart battles. February hosts Huaxia’s most important holiday—Spring Festival.

For Jiang Qi to stand out in February spoke volumes about her strength and popularity.

With popularity comes freedom.

That evening, Jiang Qi posted an update: “There’ll be a present for everyone at 6 p.m. tomorrow. Remember to follow my Weibo and DouShow!”

Attached was a beautifully edited selfie.

Soon, the comments section was flooded with fans:

[Qi Qi’s No. 1 Fan]: “Is Qi Qi giving us a sneak peek of her new song?”
[Jiang Qi Is My Wife]: “My guess is we’ll hear a new song tomorrow, but probably not one from the album, since it doesn’t come out until June.”
[My Wife Is Jiang Qi]: “The album is finally coming. My wallet is ready!”
[Qi Qi Baby]: “How many physical albums will there be? The official account hasn’t said.”
[Qi Qi Ya]: “Just go for it.”
[Qi Qi’s Little Fanboy]: “Am I the only one who thinks Qi Qi looks like she’s gained weight?”

Most fans were talking about the new album—the wait had been so long, their anticipation was at its peak.

After posting on Weibo, Jiang Qi wasn’t satisfied—she opened WeChat Moments and posted: “Surprise on DouShow tomorrow at 6 p.m.”

Perfect.

Li He, seeing the post, thought to himself how devious Jiang Qi was—dragging others into the fire.

Meanwhile, Teacher He, returning home from work, habitually checked his Moments and enthusiastically commented on Jiang Qi’s post: “Looking forward to it!”

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