By the time he hastily arrived at the studio, he was met by a scattering of colleagues walking out of the office.
What was going on? Had they run out of money and disbanded on the spot?
That couldn't be, right? He was planning on slacking off. Besides, hadn't they sent out the song just yesterday? How could they have disbanded so suddenly?
"Hey, Zhuzhu, what are we having for lunch today?"
"Ugh, I'm really craving hotpot, but it's been so long since we got paid—I can't bring myself to spend the money..."
"Why don't we go for some spicy mini hotpot instead? There's a new place that opened up nearby, I've heard it's really good, and it's not expensive!"
"Really? Let's go, let's go! Hurry, or we won't get a seat!"
Listening to the snippets of conversation, Chu Tian finally remembered—it was just lunchtime.
Previously, he was either resting at home, training in the practice room, or working. Even though his own studio existed merely in name, his focus had always been on the company. He rarely interacted with them day-to-day and hadn't really thought about the lunch break situation.
Relieved, he quickly ran toward the office. More than anything, he just wanted to show his face and prove he'd arrived.
Just then, Li Chunhua and Xu Qingqiu had also come to an agreement: they would practice the song and release it as soon as possible to prepare for the TV show.
Just as they stepped out of the office, they ran right into a panting Chu Tian.
"Hold on! What's the big rush, you?"
"Ah? Oh! Eating... uh..."
Chu Tian was startled by Li Chunhua's sudden appearance. He stammered, struggling to explain while frantically gesturing with his hands.
"Alright, alright, enough! I get it, you were going for lunch, right? Remember this for next time: no leaving for lunch before it's actually time!"
Hearing this, Chu Tian figured that whether it was about being late or just going for lunch, he just had to play along for now. He nodded repeatedly and turned to escape the company's widely feared career woman, only for her to grab him back.
"Wait! Don't go just yet. Since you don't look busy, take this, make twenty copies, and bring them to my office!"
With that, she turned and walked away, her high heels CLICK-CLACKING on the floor.
Watching Li Chunhua's retreating figure, Chu Tian stared, baffled, at the paper in his hand.
Music sheets? "The Original Dream"?
Isn't this the song I sent?
Looks like she's seen it and plans to sing it. Am I supposed to copy the music sheets? Does this mean they're going to start practicing and prepare for recording?
After all, anything from the System is meticulously arranged and detailed. As long as the Singer is competent, they can record it directly.
He continued reading.
Hmm? Huh? Why are the lyrics and music credited to 'Anonymous'? Who was the original artist in my past life?
No, that's not right. Regardless of who it was in my previous life, I definitely can't write their name. That person doesn't exist in this world. I can't just credit the original artist every time I produce a song, can I?
I'd like to, but it's not realistic. If I actually did that, what would I do when my cover is blown and people start asking questions?
Reveal that I'm a transmigrator? Am I tired of living?
But what's the deal with this 'Anonymous'?
At this point, he suddenly realized he might have missed something important.
Last night, I only left the USB drive. I probably, most likely, didn't leave my name, right?
Looking at the lyricist and composer credited on the sheet, Chu Tian felt a pang of frustration. It wasn't the lost chance to claim authorship of the song that bothered him; what truly irked him was the sudden thought:
If my name isn't on the song I submitted, how will my Reputation Points be calculated? Will I even get any?
They won't be credited to this 'Anonymous' person, will they?
Can I still change it? Is it too late now?
No need to even think about it; it's definitely too late!
After calming himself, Chu Tian reasoned that it probably wouldn't be an issue.
First, I'm probably the only one with a System. Second, there's no denying this song is entirely a product of the System.
Since the Singer can perform it, and even if I were credited, I'd likely use a pseudonym to avoid the spotlight anyway. So, this 'Anonymous' credit probably isn't a big deal, right?
It can't be changed now anyway. Xu Qingqiu and Li Chunhua have seen it countless times, and they clearly don't know who gave them the song. If I were to add a name now, wouldn't they figure it out immediately? What's the difference between that and me stepping forward and confessing outright?
With that thought, Chu Tian could only let it go.
Whatever. What's done is done. I'll just take it one step at a time.
I was supposed to be slacking off, and now I have to work as soon as I arrive. Not happy!
Dragging his heavy feet, Chu Tian went to the printer. He fiddled with it for ages but still couldn't figure out how to use it.
Seriously, who designed this printer? Is this thing even meant for humans to use?
Why isn't it doing anything? I've put the paper in and pressed start!
The ink cartridge looks full, and there's paper in the tray below...
In his past life, such tasks were usually handled by assistants, or someone else would have prepared it for him. He'd never actually operated one of these things himself. He'd seen printers before, sure, but those were small desktop models. They were completely different from this floor-standing machine that was almost as big as a freezer, with tons of buttons and three paper trays.
Chu Tian would never have imagined it. Here he was, a grand King in his previous life, transmigrated to this world, yet before he could conquer the music scene, he was stumped by a stupid printer.
What kind of messed-up beginning is this?
Before he could figure it out, Xu Qingqiu, on the other side, was growing impatient.
"Sister Hua, are the music sheets printed yet? The recording engineer is almost here!"
Xu Qingqiu came out of her office, clutching the USB drive, walked to the door of another nearby office, and called inward.
"I sent Chu Tian to make the copies. What's taking him so long? Don't worry, I'll go check on him! Honestly, he can't do anything right. I really don't know why you insist on keeping him!" Li Chunhua grumbled as she hurriedly gathered her things, trying to reassure Xu Qingqiu.
Hearing his name, the expression on Xu Qingqiu's face vanished. She hesitated for a moment, then, looking at the busy Sister Hua, said on a sudden impulse, "Sister Hua, you carry on with what you're doing. Don't worry about it, I'll go see."
"Oh... alright then. Go ahead."
Watching Xu Qingqiu's retreating figure, Li Chunhua felt a wave of helpless frustration. She had a growing sense that the "little cabbage" she'd been protecting for so long was in increasing danger, and there wasn't a thing she could do about it.
Xu Qingqiu scanned the office area and immediately spotted Chu Tian. He was bent over the printer, sweating profusely. For reasons she couldn't quite articulate, the sight of his flustered state brought an involuntary smile to her lips, and her expression visibly softened.
Realizing this, she quickly composed her expression and slowly walked over.
"Are the music sheets printed?" Standing before the printer, Xu Qingqiu asked softly.
Hearing this familiar yet strangely distant voice, Chu Tian didn't react at first. But when he turned and saw the tall, striking woman with her cool, composed aura and familiar air of aloof authority, he immediately panicked.
He had been squatting to check the paper tray. Startled, he shot up, forgetting the desk was right behind him. His back slammed into it with a loud BANG, nearly sending the desk toppling over.