135: Chapter 135 "Listening to the Sea"

"Comrade Police Officer, she's still a child. Please forgive her this time," the woman pleaded tearfully.

"Who are you to her? This is attempted murder, a criminal case, not something that can be dismissed by saying she's just a child."

An older Police Officer explained.

"Did you bring her in? Did you tell her that Young Master Ping would be staying at this hotel?"

The hotel manager seized the opportunity, glaring hatefully at the middle-aged woman slumped on the ground.

"Manager Huang, is this how your hotel is managed? Just wait for the subpoena."

Wu Tao was furious and very dissatisfied with the hotel's management.

The woman kept kowtowing, while Little Magic Fairy looked at her scornfully, a hint of disgust on her lips.

"I'm her mother, arrest me instead, please!"

The Police Officer was unmoved, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

Rome wasn't built in a day.

Unlimited indulgence of a child would only harm her.

Seeing that the Police Officer didn't react, the woman crawled on her knees to Chen Shaoping.

"You weren't hurt, can you please put in a good word for me with the police? If you don't press charges, the police will definitely let her go."

Chen Shaoping flashed a hint of disgust. "She tried to kill me with a knife, why shouldn't I press charges?"

He turned to the police and said, "Comrade Police Officer, I will definitely pursue this to the end. I will fully cooperate with anything you need from me."

Then he forcefully shook off the woman's hand clinging to his pant leg.

Without an ounce of pity.

"Sister Ying, let's go."

Chen Shaoping held Zhang Ying's hand, preparing to leave.

Seeing Chen Shaoping refuse, the pleading in the woman's eyes was instantly replaced by despair and resentment.

She suddenly stood up, her features distorted, her eyes glinting with malice, and shrieked hysterically...

"You, and all of you, why are so many grown men making trouble for my daughter?"

"I already said, I'll take the blame for her. If you don't let her go, I'll jump from this building today, and even as a ghost, I won't let you off!"

She pointed at Chen Shaoping, Wu Tao, Manager Huang, and even several Police Officers.

Seeing that pleading was ineffective, she decided to get tough and threatened everyone.

At the same time, she lunged at the Police Officers, flailing her arms, ready to snatch her daughter back from their hands.

Little Magic Fairy just watched all of this unfold, not saying a word.

The leading Police Officer was experienced and had seen many people throwing tantrums like this.

"Assaulting a Police Officer and obstructing official duties, take them both away."

This move also prevented her from really running to the rooftop to threaten suicide.

Killing two birds with one stone.

As soon as Chen Shaoping and the others arrived at the hotel room, Wu Tao followed them in.

"Young Master Ping, are you alright? Can this matter be handled quietly today and not be exposed online?"

Wu Tao did this because he didn't want to be criticized, making people think that CCTV's arrangements were unreliable.

Normally, Chen Shaoping would have given him this face.

But not now.

Using this incident to cause trouble for Lu Han was perfectly fine.

He only needed to present the facts as they were, and countless people would connect it to Lu Han.

Chen Shaoping forced a helpless smile: "Director Wu, you see... if only you had said something earlier. I've already told the company, and it's probably already been released."

"But don't worry, I'll only say 'at a hotel,' not which hotel, and certainly won't mention that it was a hotel provided by the production team."

"It won't affect the program."

Zhang Ying was still shaken, and Wu Tao's words displeased her.

"Director Wu, this kind of thing should be exposed to draw everyone's attention, otherwise, who knows if there will be a next time."

Wang Bo also added, "Exactly, exactly. Making money is a small matter; life is a big matter."

"If we knew that participating in CCTV programs was life-threatening, we would be cautious, cautious, and even more cautious."

Chen Shaoping found it amusing.

This Wang Bo was an old master of sarcasm.

Wu Tao's face flushed, and he argued, "This was an accident. We will definitely strengthen management and absolutely not let such a thing happen again."

"I hope so."

"Is there anything else, Director Wu?"

Seeing that Wu Tao had no intention of leaving, Chen Shaoping asked.

Although they were here today to participate in the “the singer & songwriter” program, it wouldn't start for another two or three hours.

"It's like this, since Ms. Zhang Ying is already in Kyoto, would she be interested in singing a song tonight?"

Wu Tao was trying to get Zhang Ying to perform; it seemed this director wasn't completely useless.

Zhang Ying was about to speak, but Chen Shaoping cut her off.

"Director Wu, as you know, she just released an album not long ago and has been promoting it constantly, singing a lot."

"Now she's tired and her throat isn't comfortable, so she might not be able to perform on stage."

Chen Shaoping said with a grin.

Wu Tao had been in the system for many years; if he couldn't understand this, he wouldn't have reached the position of chief director.

"We can pay a fee, 200,000 for one song, it must be a song from the new album."

"And it's live."

"Director Wu, you're too kind, I'll accept on her behalf," Chen Shaoping replied as a matter of course.

Zhang Ying, hearing this, lightly pinched him on the waist and smiled at Wu Tao: "Director Wu, since I'm the one singing the song, of course, I'll agree myself."

With his objective achieved, Wu Tao's mood finally improved. "Alright, it's settled then. There's still some time; if you want to eat something, the hotel restaurant is always available, or you can rest."

Zhang Ying and Chen Shaoping both chose to rest; they weren't hungry at all.

Wang Bo showed a mischievous smile, winking and mouthing

He and Zhou Bule went to eat.

After they left, Chen Shaoping and Zhang Ying truly just rested, without any further commotion.

At 4:30 PM, the program began live streaming.

Zhang Ying separated from Chen Shaoping and the other two; she went to prepare.

As for which song she would sing, she didn't tell Chen Shaoping, keeping him in suspense.

Soon, the stage lights came on.

The judges and audience were all present.

Host, dressed in a handsome suit, with his hair slicked back, wore a professional smile.

"Today is the third episode of our “the singer & songwriter”. Before we announce the topic for this third episode..."

"The production team has prepared a special performance for everyone, which we hope you'll enjoy."

"Let's give a warm round of applause to welcome the newly crowned Heavenly Queen, Zhang Ying, as she brings us the song 'listening to the sea.'"

"Welcome."

The stage lights dimmed, and simultaneously, the sound of crashing waves filled the air.

Zhang Ying appeared in the center of the stage, her eyes melancholic.

"Write to me and tell me what color the sea is today. How is the sea that accompanies you every night? Grey means not wanting to speak, blue is melancholy. And where will your wandering, wild heart stop?"

...

"Listen to the sound of the crying sea, lamenting who has been heartbroken again, yet still not sober. It must not be me, at least I am calm. But tears, even tears don't believe it."

"Listen to the sound of the crying sea, this sea is simply too sentimental, weeping until dawn. Write me a letter, consider it our last promise, telling me how you felt when you left me."

...

The song finished.

The studio was incredibly quiet.

The live audience, public judges, and judges were all drawn into the melancholic mood of Zhang Ying's song.

Even after the song ended, the emotions lingered.

They forgot to applaud immediately...

They were all deeply shaken; this immersive feeling gave them the most authentic experience.

Teacher Gu Jianfen on the judging panel closed her eyes, her fingers lightly tapping the armrest in rhythm, as if still immersed in the lingering melody.

A moment later, thunderous applause finally erupted in the hall.