Chapter 51: Setting a Trap

“Knock, knock, knock.” The sound of knocking.

Lin Luan could no longer remember the last time he had slept until he woke up naturally, he opened his eyes dizzily, scratched his hair, and wearing slippers, he walked over to open the door.

Standing outside the door was Shen Yu, she was dressed very refreshingly today, with a small butterfly hair clip pinned to the bangs of her long black hair, looking a bit cute amidst her purity, while she held her phone tightly in her hand.

“Lu An! Are you awake?”

She was a bit excited, then realized her voice might be too loud and softened it, “Sorry, for waking you up… But the song we recorded with Teacher Tang Yue was officially released early this morning!”

Sound.

Composure.

Lin Luan recalled the song he had recorded in the studio with Shen Yu a few days ago, it was released this quickly?

Seeing Shen Yu’s excited expression, Lu An also saw through her purpose for coming to find him.

“Let’s listen to it together.” Lin Luan stepped aside to let her in, “Come in, I just woke up.”

Shen Yu carefully walked into the living room and sat on the sofa somewhat sheepishly.

Lin Luan went to the bathroom to wash his face with cold water to clear his head, then walked back to the living room and sat down beside her.

“Here, use my earphones!” Shen Yu handed over one earphone.

Lin Luan took the earphone and put it on, then closed his eyes.

Shen Yu took a deep breath and lightly tapped the phone screen with her fingertip.

A clear guitar intro flowed out, followed immediately by Tang Yue’s mature and elegant voice, everything was as beautiful as it had been during the recording.

The corners of Shen Yu’s mouth curled up as she waited for the part that belonged to her.

However, when the song reached the part that should have been Shen Yu’s, what came through the earphones was still Tang Yue’s voice, only with an additional layer of harmony. That harmony was Shen Yu’s part.

The smile on Shen Yu’s face froze instantly.

Lin Luan didn’t understand music, but even he could hear that this song had almost nothing to do with Shen Yu.

The song, which lasted over three minutes, finished playing.

The living room fell into a dead silence.

Shen Yu took off the earphone blankly, her expression somewhat dazed.

Lin Luan frowned and clicked on the details page of the music platform to look at the song information.

【Singer: Tang Yue】

There was no Shen Yu…

Lin Luan quickly swiped down the screen and only found Shen Yu’s name in the obscure list of collaborators.

【Harmonies: Shen Yu.】

The exposure for a name in such a place was basically non-existent.

This wasn’t some Veteran Leading a Newcomer collaboration at all, Shen Yu was simply being used as a background board.

Shen Yu raised her head and looked at Lin Luan: “Lu An…”

“Shen Yu, don’t be anxious yet.” Lin Luan took a deep breath to steady his mindset; he was currently Shen Yu’s manager and absolutely could not lose his composure at a time like this.

“I’ll go contact Manager Li right now to demand justice for you.”

Lin Luan stood up as he spoke, took out his phone, and walked toward the balcony.

He didn’t want his conversation with Manager Li to be heard by Shen Yu, because if it involved anything that could demoralize her, it wouldn’t be good for her to hear it.

“Beep, beep, beep.”

The phone rang a few times and was soon picked up.

“Hello, Manager Li, I am Shen Yu’s manager, Lin Luan.”

Lin Luan spoke calmly, “We just listened to the released song, and this is different from what was originally agreed upon. What kind of Veteran Leading a Newcomer is this? Why is there completely no part for Shen Yu?”

Manager Li on the other end of the phone seemed prepared, her tone carrying a slight apology but not much sincerity: “Mr. Lin, please don’t get excited yet. Regarding the final presentation of the song, this was a decision made by the company based on market considerations.”

“Teacher Tang Yue is a senior after all, and with her voice recognition, this kind of treatment is also for the sake of Miss Shen Yu having better traffic.”

“Traffic?” Lin Luan questioned, “When we signed, we clearly discussed this as a collaborative track aimed at promoting Shen Yu, but your so-called traffic is just writing a tiny name in an inconspicuous place?”

“Mr. Lin, you can’t put it that way.” Manager Li’s tone also became slightly firmer, “The contract also specifies that the company has the final decision-making power over the work.”

“And…” Manager Li said pointedly, “The decision-making level for this matter is actually beyond my scope of authority. If you have any dissatisfaction, you can communicate with our General Manager Xia personally.”

General Manager Xia? Xià Wǎn Yú?

Lin Luan was stunned for a moment.

“You mean, only if I talk to General Manager Xia will there be any room for maneuver in this matter?” Lin Luan confirmed in a heavy voice.

“Hehe, Mr. Lin is a smart man.” Manager Li smiled, neither confirming nor denying, “Whether you go or not depends on you. If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up first.”

***

The call ended.

Lin Luan held his phone, standing on the balcony with a deeply furrowed brow.

He turned back to the living room and saw Shen Yu seemingly lost in thought.

Lin Luan took a deep breath and spoke to rouse Shen Yu.

“I just contacted Manager Li, and she said this matter might require a higher level of management to decide.”

He weighed his words carefully, not directly mentioning Xià Wǎn Yú’s name to avoid making Shen Yu overthink, “I’m heading to Youwan Entertainment right now; I will definitely get an explanation for you.”

“I’ll go with you!” Shen Yu stood up immediately.

“No.” Lin Luan refused bluntly, “You stay home and wait for news. In some situations, it would be inconvenient if you were there.”

Lin Luan was somewhat worried that Xià Wǎn Yú might say something even more unpleasant or make some excessive demands; he didn’t want Shen Yu to face that directly.

Shen Yu wanted to push further, but seeing Lin Luan’s determined expression, she didn’t continue to argue. She knew him; Lin Luan had always been like this since they were children—once he decided on something, it was very hard to change.

She lowered her head and remained silent for a moment.

“Then… then wait a moment!”

Shen Yu turned around and picked up the canvas bag she had brought, carefully taking out a long-shaped object from inside.

“Here… this is for you.” She handed the item to Lin Luan, her voice soft.

Lin Luan took it with some confusion, feeling a soft and warm texture as it touched his hand.

He unwrapped the packaging, and inside was a hand-knitted Cream-colored Scarf. The stitches weren’t particularly perfect, but the material was thick and it was knitted very heartfully, looking extremely warm.

On one end of the scarf, a small piece of peach skin fabric was sewn, with the character “Shen” elegantly embroidered on it.

Lin Luan rubbed it between his fingers; that logo unique to Shen Yu was very thick.

“The temperature has dropped lately, and it’s very cold in the morning and evening.” Shen Yu’s fingers curled around the ends of her hair, “I… I knitted it myself, it’s not knitted very well… if you wear it when you go out, it should keep you warmer.”

Lin Luan looked at the scarf in his hand, he was silent for a few seconds, and then he carefully wrapped the scarf around his neck.

The soft fluff pressed against his skin, feeling very warm.

“Thank you,” he looked at her, his gaze softening, “it’s very warm, and very beautiful.”

Seeing him put on the scarf she had given him, a slight smile appeared on Shen Yu’s face.

“Then… be careful on the road, and come back early.” She instructed softly.

“Mm, wait for my news.” Lin Luan nodded, and wearing the scarf she had given him, he turned and walked out of the house.

Shen Yu stood at the door, watching his retreating back until he disappeared around the corner of the stairs in the Apartment Building.