Jiang Han met Shen You'an again, still dressed in that somber black outfit, wearing a black baseball cap.
Her face was truly small, with the brim of the cap nearly concealing most of it.
Only when she lifted her head could he glimpse its full view.
Her skin was very fair, flawless, and under the sunlight, every tiny hair was visibly clear.
On her nose rested a pair of black-framed glasses, the lenses slightly reflecting light—her eyes seemed veiled by a thin mist, mysterious and hazy.
"I heard you wanted to see me."
Shen You'an cut straight to the chase.
The girl's cold voice jolted Jiang Han out of his daze; he cleared his throat softly, lowering his lashes.
"Apologies for making you come out in such heat."
Shen You'an took out the contract, sliding it toward him: "Here's the agreement. The company will grant you as much autonomy as possible. Regarding the profit-sharing arrangements, you'll get %..."
Before Shen You'an could finish speaking, Jiang Han picked up the pen and turned directly to the last page, signing his name.
"Aren't you going to have a lawyer review it first?"
Jiang Han set the pen down, lifting his gaze to meet Shen You'an's.
His voice, like his eyes, was unwavering and sincere.
Shen You'an let out a faint sigh, extending her hand: "Welcome to Other Shore Entertainment."
Jiang Han reached out and shook her hand, the cool touch of her skin sending tiny ripples across his heart. He withdrew his hand quietly.
"Zhao Heng will be your manager. If anything comes up, you can contact him directly. The company has already drafted preliminary plans for your debut—not aiming for instant stardom, but taking steady steps forward."
Jiang Han's heart stirred, and he instinctively raised his eyes.
A faint smile played upon his lips. "That suits me perfectly."
Shen You'an stared at his face and spoke absent-mindedly: "Jiang Han, you should smile more—it suits you."
Perhaps the rootless life he had lived since childhood had led him to shield himself with an air of coldness, which made him rarely smile. Fans said seeing him smile was harder than reaching the stars—but given today's advanced space technology, sending people to space is easy at any time, while catching a glimpse of Jiang Han's smile remains elusive.
For a man so severe, his smile indeed carried a unique charm.
At that moment, Shen You'an's mind birthed an unexpected thought—she wanted to protect Jiang Han's smile.
Jiang Han hesitated briefly.
The girl's eyes were unapologetically direct—not laced with affection, but purely admiring.
Just then, a suspicious voice descended from above.
"Jiang Han? What are you doing here?"
Jiang Han turned his head and saw the man standing before him. His expression instantly froze, the last trace of his smile vanished, leaving only biting cold.
The man gave Shen You'an a cursory glance across from him, clearly disregarding her presence, then looked down at Jiang Han.
"Have you considered what I mentioned before? Singing in a bar won't go anywhere. Only I have the power to make you famous."
Jiang Han pursed his thin lips and responded coldly, "Sorry, I won't sign with you."
The man's face immediately darkened, his tone growing aggressive. "Jiang Han, you dare reject me? I gave you the chance because you do have some talent, but don't push your luck! Believe it or not, with just one word, I can make sure you'll have no footing in Spring City!"
"Quite the big talk you've got there." A teasing voice suddenly rang out.
The man whipped around abruptly, glaring at the slender figure clad in black, a contemptuous sneer spreading across his face.
"And just who do you think you are...?"
A stinging slap landed hard on the man's left cheek, sending him stumbling several steps back until he collided with the corner of a table behind him.
The commotion drew quite a few curious gazes from the café patrons.
Jiang Han's eyes flickered, darting toward the serene girl across from him who was taking a casual sip of coffee.
He hadn't seen her make a move—how on earth had this happened?
Cai Xiang's mind buzzed incessantly, humiliation boiling over within him, his face turning beet red.
Fury ignited in his eyes as he glared at Shen You'an.
Though he hadn't caught sight of her actions, he was certain she was involved.
"You've got a death wish!"
He charged forward at once.
Shen You'an lifted a hand as if brushing away some floating dust in the air.
Cai Xiang's motion was driven more by instinct than logic; he subconsciously retreated a step, his expression flashed a brief moment of fear.
The response was completely reflexive.
Realizing what had happened, Cai Xiang's face darkened with rage, turning a ghastly shade of blue.
His dignity had been utterly shredded.
In all his years, he had never endured such monumental disgrace.
The girl put down her coffee cup, revealing just a small portion of her chin beneath the brim of her hat, blindingly white under the sunlight's harsh rays.
"Jiang Han is under my protection. What gives you the audacity to even think of targeting him?"
Her cold voice crashed down like thunder, leaving Cai Xiang utterly stunned.
Jiang Han abruptly raised his head.
His mind reeled with one phrase: Jiang Han is under my protection.
Somewhere deep in his heart, a tender place melted into complete softness.
Cai Xiang covered his face, throwing out a bitter growl: "You just wait!"
"Did I scare you?" Shen You'an asked indifferently.
"Not at all." Jiang Han pressed his lips together.
"Thank you. I'm just worried he'll cause trouble for you—he's a major shareholder of Star Entertainment."
The girl across from him let out a soft chuckle. "Perfect. I'll settle both new and old scores altogether."
Star Entertainment, a powerful player in the industry, had produced countless superstars and held unparalleled influence over the music scene, far beyond what small music companies could achieve.
It seemed the man earlier was the music producer who, in a past life, had "discovered" Jiang Han and launched his career.
Based on his attitude just now, Shen You'an was certain that in his past life, Jiang Han joining Star Entertainment hadn't been of his own will.
Shen You'an stood up. "Let me take you home. You shouldn't stay in your current place anymore. I'll have someone find you a new apartment—move out as soon as possible."
Jiang Han rose to his feet as well, instinctively obeying her every word.
Jiang Han lifted his gaze, watching the slender figure walking ahead.
She stepped into the sunlight outside the café, the glow blinding.
From then on, she was the only light in his dark world.