The nearby young masters nearly choked.

Because Li Lian’s singing was famous throughout the entire country.

Yet Shen Tian dismissed it so casually.

Li Lian herself narrowed her eyes slightly.

"...So-so?"

Shen Tian shrugged.

"It lacks emotion. You sing technically well. But it feels empty. Like someone reciting lines instead of actually feeling the music."

The entire surrounding atmosphere instantly became awkward.

Nobody had ever criticized Li Lian to her face before.

Yet strangely...

Li Lian didn’t become angry.

Her interest deepened further.

Because Shen Tian’s words...

Actually hit directly at her biggest insecurity.

"..." Before Li Lian could even respond.

Another voice suddenly interrupted.

"Young Master Shen."

A young master from one of the lower-ranking families stepped forward.

His expression looked firm.

"I deeply respect you... But if you speak such nonsense in front of Miss Li... Then I’ll have no choice but to defend her honor."

Everyone present instantly understood his intentions.

The guy clearly thought defending Li Lian would somehow earn her favor.

Shen Tian only glanced at him once before scoffing.

"...Don’t talk to me, simp."

Silence.

Several nearby young masters almost burst out laughing.

The offending young master’s face turned red instantly.

"You—!"

He wanted to deny it.

Really badly.

But...

He also knew Shen Tian wasn’t wrong.

So after awkwardly standing there several seconds.

He could only turn around and leave while grumbling bitterly under his breath.

Li Lian rolled her eyes internally.

’Why do some men completely lose brain function around women...?’

Shen Tian already lost interest entirely.

[What a waste of time.]

Hearing that inner voice.

Li Lian immediately reacted instinctively.

Without thinking.

She suddenly grabbed the back of Shen Tian’s shirt.

"...!"

The surrounding crowd instantly widened their eyes in shock.

Because this was the very first time Li Lian had ever voluntarily touched a man.

Even if technically it was only fabric.

Li Lian herself also froze slightly afterward.

Clearly shocked by her own actions.

Still, she forced herself to remain composed before quickly letting go.

Then awkwardly coughed lightly.

Shen Tian stopped walking before glancing back toward her lazily.

"...What now?"

Li Lian quietly steadied herself.

Then calmly asked:

"Since you think my singing lacks emotion... Could you do better?"

Her eyes locked directly onto his.

Searching for lies.

For arrogance.

For hesitation.

Shen Tian simply sighed.

"I’ll be honest with you. I could. And it’d be better."

No hesitation.

No joking tone.

No arrogance even.

Just complete confidence.

Li Lian’s pupils subtly contracted.

’...He’s serious?’

Nearby, the older generation silently watched everything unfold.

None of them interfered.

If any elder jumped into a younger generation argument, it would only embarrass themselves.

Li Yunhai himself looked increasingly dangerous.

Because Li Lian’s singing was one of his greatest prides.

And now...

Someone was openly criticizing it at his own banquet.

’This brat is lucky his father and grandfather aren’t here tonight...’

Li Yunhai thought angrily.

The killing intent leaking from him became so heavy that even the older men nearby subtly stepped farther away nervously.

Everyone in the city knew one thing:

Li Lian was the Li Family’s treasure.

Li Lian clearly sensed her grandfather’s anger already rising.

So she lightly pinched the bridge of her nose tiredly.

Then looked back toward Shen Tian.

"Would you mind demonstrating? Or are you only capable of criticizing and coaching?"

The slight challenge hidden inside her tone was obvious.

Shen Tian slowly smirked.

"I can do both."

Li Lian gave a calm nod.

"Then by all means. The floor is yours."

The moment those words left her mouth, the entire banquet hall shifted.

Guests began moving to the sides of the room, clearing the center for Shen Tian.

People whispered among themselves quietly.

Some looked curious.

Others looked amused.

A few already expected him to embarrass himself.

Ling Shuangxue stood off to the side watching him carefully, her hands lightly clasped together.

’Can he actually sing?’

She bit her lip slightly.

’No... he has to be confident for a reason. Maybe his system gave him something?’

Thinking that, she relaxed a little.

Shen Tian looked directly at Li Lian.

She was the only person who stayed standing in front of him.

"So? Any song recommendations? Or should I choose myself?"

Li Lian tapped her chin lightly.

"Anything goes."

She narrowed her eyes slightly.

"As long as you make me cry."

A second later she corrected herself.

"No. Just make me sad."

Shen Tian gave a small nod.

"Alright."

He began searching through songs from his original world.

Then one instantly came to mind.

Perfect.

Shen Tian cleared his throat before holding out his hand.

"Can I get a microphone?"

Li Lian snapped her fingers once.

The servants immediately scrambled into motion.

Within seconds, one hurried back carrying a microphone carefully in both hands.

"H-Here you go, Young Master Shen..."

Shen Tian took it casually.

Then checked if it was on.

The entire hall became silent.

No one spoke.

No one moved.

Then Shen Tian finally opened his mouth.

"I’m going under and this time I fear there’s no one to save me..."

The very first line stunned everyone.

It did not sound human.

It sounded heavenly.

Pure.

Perfect.

People froze in place instantly.

Li Lian’s mouth slowly parted slightly in disbelief.

Then Shen Tian continued.

"This all or nothing really got a way of driving me crazy..."

Every single word carried emotion so naturally that it felt like the song itself was alive.

The hall slowly fell deeper and deeper into silence.

Some women already had tears forming in their eyes.

Even older businessmen stopped pretending to be dignified and simply listened.

At the entrance of the mansion, two figures arrived.

Ye Chen.

Ling Han.

The guards gave them respectful nods as they entered.

Ye Chen was really hoping someone would stop him so he could face slap them.

As they walked deeper into the hall, the singing reached their ears.

Both men subconsciously slowed.

Even Ling Han looked momentarily shaken by how beautiful the singing sounded.

But the second Ye Chen saw who was holding the microphone, his face darkened instantly.

[Such trash singing!]

He screamed internally.

At that exact moment, Li Lian turned sharply.

’Who said that?’ she thought to herself.

A single tear had rolled down her cheek while listening.

Her dark eyes instantly locked onto Ye Chen with visible annoyance.

Ye Chen noticed immediately.

Then got excited.

A beauty was looking at him.

He even gave her a little wave confidently.

Li Lian’s expression instantly became colder.

Then she simply ignored him entirely and looked back toward Shen Tian.

Ye Chen’s smile slowly stiffened.

’...?’

Then anger rose again.

[I can sing way better than this!]

[Why is this beauty even shedding a tear for this trash?!]

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