Chapter 53: The Big Shot and the Tagalong

Chapter 53: The Thigh and the Thigh Pendant

Lu Anzhi felt Zhang Suxin's gaze, glanced back at her, and gave a playful wink.

Earlier in the room, he had accidentally caught the subtle gestures made by Zhou Bo’s manager, Ma Fang. Hearing the ongoing argument inside now, he didn't find it the least bit surprising.

What he hadn't expected, however, was that Zhou Bo held him in such high regard. He had only sold the man a single song. Was this guy really that good at judging talent?

More voices drifted from inside the room. Manager Ma Fang asked, "You've only bought one song from him, so why do you think so highly of him? There are plenty of people writing songs for you, and I've never seen you get this worked up over any of them!"

Zhou Bo replied, "I get worked up over every composer, alright? I'm just a sincere person."

Ma Fang said irritably, "Fine, fine, you're sincere, and I'm not."

Zhou Bo protested, "I didn't say that..."

Ma Fang: "..."

Hearing this, both Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin couldn't help smiling. The dynamic between this manager and singer duo was quite amusing.

"Is it really okay for us to eavesdrop like this?" Zhang Suxin whispered to Lu Anzhi.

Lu Anzhi lowered his voice as well. "Well, they're talking about us. If we push the door open now, wouldn't it be a bit awkward?"

Zhang Suxin suggested, "Then should we walk a bit further away and wait?"

Lu Anzhi nodded. "Sure."

The two turned around and quietly took a few steps down the corridor.

As they walked away, voices still echoed from the room:

"My dear manager, you're not a professional, so you don't understand. The moment I heard *The Sea*, I knew it was something extraordinary. It's completely different in style from what anyone else is writing right now. Without serious talent and genuine skill in his head, nobody could write a song like that."

"Really? I could tell it sounded different from other songs in style and flavor, but I just thought it was nice and refreshing."

"Trust me on this, Eldest Sister, you can't go wrong believing me. Teacher Lu is definitely an absolute genius. If you can win him over, you've struck gold! If you can't, then help me out and let me cling firmly to this powerful thigh!"

"...That thigh is younger than you..."

"Age doesn't matter, as long as it's thicker than mine."

...

Walking to a spot where the voices from the room could no longer be heard, Zhang Suxin smiled warmly and whispered to Lu Anzhi, "Listen to that? Didn't I tell you the truth? See how much faith they have in you? Are you really not going to try debuting?"

Lu Anzhi replied, "Not interested. It's quite nice just clinging to your powerful thighs to enjoy the shade. So peaceful."

Zhang Suxin's face instantly flushed crimson. "What kind of nonsense are you spouting?!"

Only then did Lu Anzhi realize his words could be misinterpreted. He rubbed his nose and stayed silent.

Realizing the potential double entendre in what he had just said, Zhang Suxin hurriedly tried to salvage the situation: "You're so capable yourself, I'm hardly qualified to be your thigh! Go be your own thigh!"

Lu Anzhi just smiled without a word. The atmosphere turned momentarily awkward.

After waiting for a brief moment, Lu Anzhi asked, "They should be done talking inside by now, right?"

Zhang Suxin said, "I have no idea. But I suppose so? We've been out here for so long; if we don't go back now, they'll probably start wondering."

Lu Anzhi said, "Let's go, then. Let's head over and check the situation."

Zhang Suxin agreed, "Alright."

The two walked back to the doorway of the room. Hearing that it had indeed quieted down inside, they pushed the door open and entered.

Seeing them return, Ma Fang poured them fresh tea and asked with a smile, "Why were you two gone for so long?"

Lu Anzhi answered, "I was constipated."

Zhang Suxin said, "I was waiting for him."

Both Zhou Bo and Ma Fang fell into a momentary silence.

After sitting together for a little while longer, Zhou Bo and Ma Fang wanted Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin to stay through noon and have some food before leaving. However, both of them were worried about Qianqian, so they politely declined the celebrity-manager duo, stood up, and bid farewell.

Zhou Bo and Ma Fang personally escorted the two to the entrance. Knowing they hadn't driven here, Ma Fang called for a car to take them back.

The vehicle and driver were provided by the Juxian Manor, which naturally made it much cleaner and more comfortable than an ordinary taxi. The manor provided this shuttle service, and the expenses would be charged directly to Ma Fang and Zhou Bo's account, sparing the two any trouble.

Before the car departed, Zhou Bo reminded Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin once more, "Teacher Lu, Sister Zhang, if you come across any good songs, definitely keep me in mind. I'll buy them at a high price, absolutely a high price. Next time you have free time, I'll come visit you again."

Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin exchanged pleasantries and agreed.

Once the car pulled away, Lu Anzhi remarked, "This Zhou Bo really doesn't look much like a celebrity."

Zhang Suxin smiled and asked, "What do you think a celebrity is supposed to look like?"

Lu Anzhi shook his head. "I don't know. They should at least have some star airs, shouldn't they?"

Zhang Suxin chuckled. "The man is desperately trying to cling to your thigh—how could he dare put on airs in front of you?"

Remembering their conversation outside the Qinfang Pavilion room, Lu Anzhi chose not to respond.

The driver upfront was specially assigned by Juxian Manor and had seen plenty of the world. Hearing their conversation, he didn't react outwardly. However, he glanced at Lu Anzhi through the rearview mirror, curious to see what kind of person was capable of being a powerful "thigh" for a top-tier, reigning dual-threat superstar.

*Quite handsome, doesn't look much like a thigh-provider...*

That was the first thought that flashed through the driver's mind after taking in Lu Anzhi's appearance.

"So, are you planning to let him cling to this thigh of yours?"

Zhang Suxin asked. Her question came naturally, as she had subconsciously accepted Zhou Bo's premise, believing that given Lu Anzhi's skill level, serving as a pillar of support for Zhou Bo was completely effortless.

Naturally, Lu Anzhi thought so too. Backed by the artistic works of an entire world, he certainly had the qualifications to be someone else's powerful thigh. Furthermore, this particular person wasn't bad; he kept a low profile, willingly offered favorable terms, and let him earn money with ease.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Lu Anzhi replied. Collaborating with Zhou Bo meant retaining copyright ownership, getting a good price, receiving a generous split, and having a precedent of successful cooperation. Selling songs to him was worry-free and convenient—why not?

Even as he spoke, numerous works were already flashing through his mind.

Zhou Bo had mentioned that the theme of his new album was space-time and that he wanted songs related to that concept. Many of the tracks gifted to him by his past-life memories were indeed centered around space-time.

For instance, *A Millennium of Love*, *A Millennium Tear*, *A Thousand Years Later*, *Love in B.C.*... even *Waiting for a Millennium*. If the concept of space-time was broadened a bit, *Ten Years* and *Today* could also work; all of them were exceptionally brilliant pieces of work.

However, since Zhou Bo was a grown man, singing *A Millennium of Love* or *Waiting for a Millennium* certainly wouldn't be appropriate, which narrowed down his options slightly.

"What are you thinking about?"

Seeing Lu Anzhi's mind wander off into the distance while they were chatting, Zhang Suxin turned her head and asked.

Thinking as he spoke, Lu Anzhi casually replied, "I'm wondering which song to sell to that thigh pendant."

"Pfft—"

Zhang Suxin burst out laughing. "You really dare to say anything. You're already treating him like a thigh pendant? Be careful, if Zhou Bo finds out, he'll fall out with you!"

Lu Anzhi snapped out of it, scratched his head, and glanced sideways at the driver in the front. The driver silently reached behind the center console, retrieved a pair of sunglasses, and put them on.