Chapter 248: Stray Cat
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Xia Ling did not know what other tricks Li Lei had up his sleeve.
They had just broken up but he started sending her around, giving her flowers, taking her out for meals and doing other things that only couples did. She could not reject him, so she just went with his plans.
However, she was in a bad mood. No matter what he did, she looked bored and uninterested.
One day, Li Lei sent her to the recording studio.
Once they reached the ground floor, he opened the car door and was about to accompany her into the studio.
Xia Ling stopped him. “Do you really want to been seen by the public that badly?”
Li Lei rebuked. “So what if they see us?”
Xia Ling answered, “Are you planning to dump me again after people start spreading the news that we have rekindled our relationship? Do you think it is amusing?”
Li Lei stubbornly replied, “I will treat you well.”
Xia Ling lips curved into a sneer and looked at him without saying a word. Her expression showed that she obviously did not believe him.
Li Lei originally wanted to give her a sincere promise but was reminded of what Sister Mai Na said before. He was a man, so nothing would happen to him. However, she was a woman. After he dumped her and chased her out of his house, how would the public think of her?
Suddenly, his heart ached.
“Be careful on your way there.” He said in a soft voice. “After your work is over, I will pick you up.”
Xia Ling glanced at him, gracefully hopped off the car, and walked towards the main door of the recording studio alone.
The top floor was Wei Shaoyin’s exclusive workspace. The spacious area was filled with all kinds of top quality music equipment. Green plants covered the floor-to-ceiling windows, causing his workplace to feel quiet and invigorated. Wearing a tight white shirt and gold-rimmed glasses, Wei Shaoyin’s elegant and scathing expression as he sat in front of his workbench scared numerous singers.
These days, Xia Ling was not that afraid of him. After she randomly placed her handbag somewhere, she looked for her score and slowly read it.
After Wei Shaoyin edited a piece of music, he looked up and saw her. Unknowingly, he rubbed his forehead. He really missed the first time he worked with Xiao Ling. At that time, she had a careful and hardworking attitude which was what an artiste should have. No matter what he said, she would agree with him and bore the hardship without complaints. However, what about now?
He was displeased seeing the girl in front of him lazily leaning on the sofa with her eyes looking at the score but her mind wandering elsewhere. She seemed to be in a trance.
He knocked the table using a limited edition fountain pen.
Xia Ling did not come back to reality.
Wei Shaoyin knocked the table again.
The girl on the sofa maintained her lifeless expression. Slowly, she kept the score. Without even pretending to be interested, she rested her hand on her chin and stared blankly at him.
Wei Shaoyin was about to go crazy.
Look at her! That was the attitude of a singer who had just debuted one year ago towards a senior producer! Who had he offended that he brought back such a huge problem!
“Xiao Ling!” He could not help but exclaim as he walked in front of her. “What are you staring at? Time and tide wait for no man! How is your preparation for your new song? Have you gotten the feel of it? We’re going to start recording soon.”
“What? Ok.” Xia Ling simply said.
Wei Shaoyin had tolerated her behavior for a long time and did not scold her only because things had been hard for her recently. “What do you mean by that?! You have almost debuted for two years but only have recorded three songs. Isn’t that embarrassing?! Since you were sick for so long and things were delayed, we should speed up to make up for it. Sister Mai Na also instructed that your goal this year is to win the ‘Best Single Released By A Singer’ award. Looking at you now, I think I should thank god that you are not choking!”
What happened to not scolding anyone?
He could not hold back as he expected better from her.
Xia Ling lazily took the score and said, “I’m ready. We can start recording anytime.”
Wei Shaoyin half-doubtingly let her into the booth. In the end, after many recordings, she still could not meet his expectations.
“Are you a pig?!” He exploded. “Do you know how bad your attitude is?! I can’t believe you wanted to record with this level of singing! What sort of animosity do you have with Li Lei? Are you planning to make Skyart Entertainment bankrupt? Again!”
After he mentioned that man’s name, Xia Ling’s expression darkened.
She did her best to buck up. After a certain number of recordings, she still could not find the right attitude. In reality, with her singing skills, any other prominent entertainment company would accept her recording. However, Wei Shaoyin’s standards were high and still felt that there was insufficient emotion. She also knew that something was missing when she was singing.
She sang with a perfect technique, but it was emotionless.
She was unable to add emotion and sang too mechanically.
All her emotions were exhausted in that short-lived relationship. Now, she wanted to vomit when someone mentioned feelings. Her heart was numb and uninspired.
They recorded a few more times.
Wei Shaoyin gave up. “Forget it. Just go back home and rest. Come back when you have gotten back the right attitude. If this continues, Skyart Entertainment’s reputation will be tarnished by you.”
“Ok.” Xia Ling was rather guilty but did not have a better plan. Music was different from a typical job. When she had no feelings, there were no feelings. No matter how long she was given, she just could not feel anything.
Just as she took a few steps, Wei Shaoyin stopped her again. “Or, you can try writing a few songs you want to sing. Considering your recent attitude, singing happy, love songs is beyond you.”
He only suggested that because Xia Ling’s composing skills were not bad.
She nodded her head in acknowledgment and dejectedly walked out.
Once she reached the ground floor, she realized that it was already dark. It was also pouring and rather cold.
After her assistant Wei Wei saw her, she hurriedly gave Tan Ying a call.
This was what Tan Ying previously told her to do. He was not Li Lei’s special assistant and wanted her to inform him after Xia Ling ended work so he could tell Li Lei to drive over.
Although Wei Wei was Xia Ling’s assistant, she could not defy her Big Boss’ orders, so she obediently called him.
Xia Ling could not be bothered. She had no free will now. Li Lei could do whatever he wanted. Even if she resisted, it would be futile, and her struggles would be treated as a joke.
She stood under the porch at the entrance of the recording studio building alone and quietly looked at the rain in the night sky.
Not far away, a stray cat ran over. It was drenched and shook the water off itself, causing the water to splash on her leg.
She looked down at saw that a kitten was lightly shivering. As it was drenched, its fur was soaked by the rain. All skin and bones, it looked pitiful.
Seeing that she was looking over, it retreated two steps and meowed with some apprehension.
Suddenly, she felt that this stray cat kind of resembled her. Both of them were homeless and had no sense of security depending on others. She knelt down, looked at it quietly, and smiled at it kindly.
The cat seemed to feel that she was its friend and was not afraid anymore. Testing the waters, it came forward. Seeing that she did not do anything alarming, it was relieved. It made a turn under the porch, spotted a floor lamp that radiated warm yellow light, and curled its small body on it.
Xia Ling had taken care of cats before.
She knew it was naturally able to find warm places to stay warm.
Under the porch, only this floor lamp was shining and was at the edge of the sheltered area, so raindrops were blown in and landed on the cat.
The kitten was very uncomfortable and was still shivering after a long time.