Chapter 219: Phone Call from the Future Father-in-Law

(Sorry, there was no update yesterday, today there will surely be at least four updates!)

Yue Yao is coming back, and this is happy news for Li Yan. Their relationship has long been like that of family, especially after living together for the past six months; they’ve become accustomed to each other. If possible, it would be best if Yue Yao could come home for the New Year with him!

Li Yan truly knows that Yue Yao is an orphan. In previous years, they’ve spent a few New Years together, but back then he was much more closed off, and their relationship was just that of partners. Now he understands emotions—be they familial, friendly, romantic, or even partnerships—much better and values them more than he did before.

Because of the ’Heart Demon’ issue and taking time off, he hasn’t spent the past two New Years with Yue Yao. He was mixed in domestic cities with Zheng Yixuan and Guan Ziyi during those times. Earlier this year, his parents pressured him to come out of hiding, leading to his engagement with the Zhang Family.

Another year has passed, and this New Year, he is going back home with Yurong. It’s still inconvenient for Yue Yao to go with them, which leaves him a bit regretful.

Of course, he could consider letting Yurong recognize her as a sister and go back with them, but contemplating future plans, he decides against such an arrangement. Yurong can consider her a sister, but he won’t let them formally acknowledge each other as siblings.

The best scenario is for her to return before they leave.

Yurong imagined that since Li Yan hadn’t been home in a long time, this time she was taking him back, there would surely be many relatives and friends gathered, and even if not, they would need to spend time with the "parents-in-law." Bringing a computer and working all day would be seen as putting on airs, so she must hurry to handle her work. Additionally, the company stock is still being tampered with, making her very busy even on weekends.

Li Yan knows that once she gets busy, she stays holed up in the office, and he can’t be of much help. Going over to keep her company might distract her, so he decides to head out.

While driving out, he paused for a moment, unable to resist thinking of Nian Yufei, who lived in the same villa district, wondering whether she was still residing there.

Instead of driving directly to the villa where she lived, he decided to make a phone call.

When Nian Yufei received Li Yan’s call, she was very surprised and delighted: "Li Yan brother, you called me?"

"Yeah, you and your friend helped us with the music composition... the director is very satisfied, thank her for me." Li Yan casually mentioned, "And about that bonus..."

"Haha, you are the one to thank. She’s already received the payment, and according to your suggestion, I gave her a ten-thousand-yuan bonus. She thought it was due to my influence, and although she was a bit hesitant, she didn’t doubt it and eventually accepted it." Nian Yufei initially wanted to help her friend because she wasn’t short on money, but after talking, she learned a bit about the market.

"That’s why, if you gave her a hundred or two hundred thousand yuan bonus on top of her salary, it’s no surprise she would doubt it."

Back in the early ’90s, when Cloud Island films and records were still at their golden peak, Xu Ke invited the then-biggest musician Huang Zhan to score for "Huang Feihong," with a budget of only 300,000. And the theme music of Huang Feihong, adapted from the ancient tune "General’s Order," needed grand performances with drums and suona, requiring many people to play, and Uncle Zhan had high standards, all top-tier performers. It contrasts sharply with modern urban films like "Springtime Leaked," which can be held together by one person with piano and guitar.

"Yeah, after talking with her, I realized that not only is she struggling as an independent artist, but other creators face similar difficulties. Except for famous lyricists like Lin Xi and Huang Weiweng, most write out of passion, and it’s said some receive as little as a dozen yuan per song." Nian Yufei found it hard to imagine.

Unlike her, who not only has a good background but also a high starting point, debuting as a top piano competition champion with idol appeal and topical youth, signed to an international record company. Although classical music has a narrow audience, the global market is large, incomparable to just Cloud Island. So, whether it’s record royalties or performance fees, they surpass many second and third-tier pop singers. She always thought pop music revenue would be even higher than classical music.

"That’s how it is." Li Yan responded lightly; he’s not familiar with music industry earnings, but the assassin trade is similar. "By the way, are you still in S City? I’d like to return the ten thousand yuan to you."

"There’s no need, it’s something I wanted to do. Besides, you completely understand my situation, there’s no need to calculate so precisely." Nian Yufei quickly added, "I’ve already returned to Cloud Island, staying... at home."

The main reason she stayed in S City was to be closer to Li Yan so she wouldn’t miss the chance to meet him due to distance. Now that it’s almost New Year, he’s surely too busy to meet her, so she’s returned.

Upon hearing she was back at her father’s house, and knowing her half-brother wasn’t threatened, Li Yan felt relieved. After exchanging a few more words, he drove away.