Chapter Two: The Serenade Offensive

Chapter Two: The Assault of Love Songs

A single strike, and it hit the mark!

This was far beyond Zhang Le’s expectations. The two words he forced out weren’t suspicion, but surprise—delight, even. In his past life, he had already passed his thirties and longed for a family.

She was pregnant, and now she couldn’t run away. Happiness had arrived so suddenly that Zhang Le was unprepared.

Yang Xiner turned back to look at Zhang Le, tears sliding down her cheeks. She flung off his hand and said, “Is that so? If I hadn’t come today, would you have even remembered me?”

She left. Yang Xiner walked away. This time, Zhang Le didn’t try to stop her. He knew that those two words had clearly wounded her. Forcing her to stay now, saying anything more, would only make matters worse.

They both needed time to cool down.

Was her final remark a reproach for not contacting her for over a month?

As a man, why be so tangled up? If you like her, pursue her!

It was time to act.

If I care for her, I should tell her! But since I never confessed before, and now only speak after learning she’s pregnant, would she misunderstand again?

He needed a reason for not confessing earlier.

Suddenly, a song flashed through Zhang Le’s mind: “Liking You” by Wong Ka Kui.

“Liking You” tells the story of giving up a girlfriend for the sake of music. It is, in a sense, a belated love letter, a song of repentance about love, its gentle melodies concealing deep pain. “In the past, I struggled for myself, never knowing her pain”—such plain, sincere introspection is moving.

Although he and Yang Xiner were not a couple before, there had still been that one night. If he altered a few lyrics, or even left them unchanged, and let Yang Xiner listen, she might understand that he delayed confessing due to pursuing his ideals or for other reasons.

He acted as soon as the thought arose. Zhang Le immediately wrote out the lyrics and melody.

“A top student is a top student! Without those blended memories, even if I could sing, I doubt I could have composed this song.” Zhang Le shook his head, sighing with a touch of emotion.

“If I’m writing, why not write more? One song a day, I’ll sing until you’re moved. That’s what being a top student should be.”

With this in mind, Zhang Le wrote several more songs, preparing to record them all together.

Yang Xiner had sought out Zhang Le not to make him take responsibility, but out of confusion after discovering her pregnancy. She didn’t know whom to tell, or with whom she could discuss it. She never expected that, upon hearing the news, Zhang Le would respond with those two words.

Happiness comes so suddenly! Did he really think it was happiness? If so, why hadn’t he contacted her all this time? Perhaps he had already forgotten that night. Maybe she was just one among many such “nights” for him.

Yang Xiner was in a terrible mood. She didn’t even know how she made it back to her apartment. Hugging her knees on the sofa, she crouched there, dazed like a helpless child.

Who knows how long passed before the phone startled her awake. Night had already fallen outside. She glanced at the caller ID, and it was the very person she least wanted to think of. Without hesitation, she hung up at once, as if out of spite.

Zhang Le gave a wry smile and sent a message.

“You really misunderstood before. I sent something to your email; I hope you’ll have a look!”

Yang Xiner tossed the phone onto the sofa, but after a moment of hesitation, she picked it up again and glanced at it. After much inner struggle, she finally opened her email.

She clicked on Zhang Le’s email, and music began to play.

Fine rain carried on the wind soaks the dusk-drenched street,
Wiping away the rain from my eyes, I gaze upward for no reason...

“A Cantonese song? His voice. Why haven’t I heard this song before?” Yang Xiner was surprised—she hadn’t expected Zhang Le to send her a song.

Now a member of the music industry, Yang Xiner was especially sensitive to music. Instantly, she was captivated by the melody.

Looking at the lonely evening lamp, memories of sorrow return,
Memories awaken countless yearning in my heart,
Moments of laughter linger on my face,
I wish you now could know, it’s my heartfelt confession...

I like your enchanting eyes, your smile even more charming,
May I softly caress your lovely face once more,
Hand in hand, whispering dreams, as if yesterday you were with me...

As she listened, it wasn’t just the melody that drew her in, but also the emotions the lyrics conveyed. She seemed to understand—she truly understood.

The lyrics overflowed with endless longing and the present heartache and sorrow, that gentle tenderness evoking a deep resonance from within.

“May I softly caress your lovely face once more, hand in hand, whispering dreams, as if yesterday, you were with me.”

As if yesterday, you were with me!

Thinking of this line, a faint blush crept onto Yang Xiner’s cheeks. Of course, “yesterday” was just a figure of speech.

Does he really like me? How much does he like me?

Yang Xiner felt her mood lift considerably. Perhaps she truly had misunderstood him. She recalled the joy of shooting the music video; a smile naturally blossomed on her face.

This song could be called a classic, yet she’d never heard it before. Could it be his own composition?

He could write songs? Wasn’t he a film directing graduate?

Yang Xiner picked up the phone, wanting to ask about her doubts, but in the end, she restrained herself.

Zhang Le waited the whole night for her call, but it didn’t come. The next morning, he sent another song to her email.

Yang Xiner had slept well that night and was awakened early by her manager, Sister Wen.

Opening her email, she wanted to replay the song, but discovered a new message from Zhang Le.

What could it be?

Curious, Yang Xiner clicked it open. Again, music began to play, and she wondered in surprise—another song?

You ask how deep my love for you is,
How much I really care,
My feelings are true,
My love is real,
You ask how deep my love for you is,
How much I really care,
My affection will not waver,
My love will not change,
The moon represents my heart.

A gentle kiss,
Has already touched my heart,
A tender affection,
Keeps me longing to this day,
You ask how deep my love for you is,
How much I really care,
Just think it over,
Just look and see,
The moon represents my heart...

This is a song known and sung by so many, with a three-part repetitive structure. The melody is tender and moving, imbued with the romance of the East. The lyrics are heartfelt and evocative, and the ballad-like tune is easy to pick up after just a few listens. Though the song seems simple, both the lyrics and the melody require a natural voice and real emotion to bring them to life.

The singer was Zhang Le. Unlike the slightly hoarse singing style of “Liking You,” here his enunciation was clear, his voice magnetic and full of feeling.

Zhang Le’s singing shone with clarity and brightness—peaceful, gentle, delicate, and delivered with a quiet sincerity that moved the heart. It seemed to capture the very essence of “the moon.”

Yang Xiner was entranced.

“Xiner, is this a new song you’ve found? It’s really good! It could even be called a classic!” Sister Wen suddenly spoke up, pulling Yang Xiner out of her reverie.

“No, it’s not!” Yang Xiner hurriedly shook her head. Seeing the puzzled look in Sister Wen’s eyes, she found herself at a loss for how to explain.