Trafford's Trading Club

As a new associate, Cheng Yiran was enjoying a real starʼs welfare---a single studio and a restroom only for himself. These were given by the director of Feiyun Entertainment… It should be because Cheng Yun thought highly of him.

In the restroom, Cheng Yiran felt that his throat had almost broken down after finishing the singing class… This place was more like a bedroom rather than a restroom with all facility equipped.

Li Zifeng knocked at the door with a black case in hands. Cheng Yiran was very familiar with this kind of case---It was for packing the guitar. Li Zifeng sat down and smiled, ”How are you these days?”

”Alright but a little tired.” Cheng Yiran rubbed his eyebrow.

”Well, hang on. You will be busier when your first performance date is fixed.” Li Zifeng opened the case, ”See, I gave you a surprise, have a try.”

Cheng Yiran was stunned but he still took the guitar from Li Zifeng---As a rocker, he couldnʼt take his eyes away from it when touching the guitar. He asked, ”Is it… Zemaitis? It is the shortened version.”

”Yes.” Li Zifeng smiled, ”Take it easy, it is not a copy but a second-hand one. This was bought accidentally when I went on a business trip to Europe the year before last year. Yours is nice but too old. You are deserved to have the best guitar.”

Cheng Yiran shook his head and returned the guitar Zemaitis back to Li Zifeng, ”It is too expensive and worthy of being a collection. I canʼt accept it.”

”Just take it!” Li Zifeng was enthusiastic, ”It is useless to me. But for you, it can bring the largest value! Furthermore, you are destined for the large stage, the old guitar would be laughed and looked down upon by others.”

”Mine is perfect.” Cheng Yiran shook his head, ”I will be not used to the new one.”

Li Zifeng was stunned and didnʼt say anything further. He smiled, ”You donʼt seem to be a reminiscent person. Keep it first. One guitar is not enough for a rocker.”

”Then… thanks.” Cheng Yiran nodded---He liked this ʼZemaitisʼ so much!

”Hong Guan came here for you today.” Li Zifeng told him.

”Hong Guan?” Cheng Yiran was stunned into silence. ”Why didnʼt you tell me earlier?”

Li Zifeng explained, ”I was afraid of bothering your practice. And… forget it. You can chat with him when you are free.”

”Be frank, please. Say what you want directly.” Cheng Yiran frowned, he felt that Li Zifeng was hiding something.

”Nothing.” Li Zifeng shook his head.

But Cheng Yiran didnʼt believe him. He stared at Li Zifeng seriously, ”Youʼd better tell me the truth.”

”You win.” Li Zifeng sighed, ”Mr. Hong told me that he was your band partner and brother.”

”Then?” Cheng Yiran frowned.

Li Zifeng sighed again, ”We chatted for a while and finally… finally he begged me for a chance to sing. But, Yiran, he was too normal. I gave him a chance because of you. But you know that our company wouldnʼt put much effort on him.”

”Did he beg you?” Cheng Yiran kept his brows knitted, ”He would never do that!”

”Believe it or not.” Li Zifeng said with a shrug, ”Maybe he had a financial crisis. He seemed pretty tired.”

”His wife is going to give a birth to a baby.” Cheng Yiran shook his head, ”We were really poor before.”

”That explains it.” Li Zifeng nodded, ”Maybe he is going to borrow money from you. After all, you are famous than before. And he needs money for welcoming a new baby.”

”No. He wouldnʼt!” Cheng Yiran got angry.

”Fine. Itʼs all my fault.” Li Zifeng tried to comfort him, ”There is a saying that without money, even a hero will be driven against the wall. You have also gone through tough days. Can you be sure that he is not jealous? People will change sometimes.”

Cheng Yiran said nothing… He had to admit that Li Zifeng was correct. He did beg for a chance to perform and even parodied others.

”Or we can do it in this way.” Li Zifeng proposed. ”I have friends working in the television station. They can provide jobs such as minor characters or scriptwriters. But it is impossible for him to make his debut as a singer. Our company wonʼt allow you two to be in a combination debut, as he will pull you down… What do you think?”

”Give me some time…” Cheng Yiran took a deep breath, ”I want to have a rest.”

”No problem, you go have a rest first.” Li Zifeng nodded, ”I will come by tonight. You need to have dinner with our director and big boss.”

”Big boss?” Cheng Yiran was shocked… As far as he knew, Director Cheng had a high status in Feiyun Entertainment; therefore, he didnʼt see much of the other high level management leaders.

Li Zifeng smiled, ”I have never had dinner with the big boss. This is the first time! So, have a good rest and give the big boss a nice impression. Your future will be bright.” He patted Cheng Yiranʼs shoulder for encouragement.

…

Cheng Yiran played the ʼZemaitisʼ guitar and kept silent. He took out his phone and dialed the first phone number---Hong Guanʼs phone code.

”Hello, Yiran!” Hearing of the familiar voice… Chen Yiran felt an invisible estrangement between Hong Guan and him. Compared with Hong Guan, he was much calmer, ”Er, I heard that you were looking for me… Anything the matter?”

”No, nothing!” Hong Guan smiled, ”I was worried about you as you did not keep in touch. And the landlord said that you moved away. I saw your information on one magazine, so I came to look for you. It is really a big company, you should cherish the chance.”

But Cheng Yiran heard there were noises through the phone. Cheng Yiran frowned, ”Where are you, Hong Guan, what are those noises?”

”Oh, it is a garage. Wait for a moment, I will find a quiet place.” Later, Hong Guan continued, ”How are you these days?”

”Why are you in… a garage?”

”Er, the treatment here is good and I majored in automobile service before meeting you… Basically, I need to make a living here.”

Cheng Yiran was silent for a while, ”I heard that you sang a song here… right?”

”Yes.” Hong Guan said, ”Is there any news here? I am nervous and I donʼt know if they are satisfied or not… I donʼt intend to sing anymore. But I still had a try with the final shred of hope.”

But Cheng Yiran didnʼt say anything. And Hong Guan understood suddenly, he smiled, ”Itʼs okay, I know my level. You… donʼt need to say good words for me. Did Mr. Li give you trouble?”

”No… Hong Guan, I need to go to a class now.” Cheng Yiran said, ”Letʼs talk later, OK?”

”Sure, you work first!” Hong Guan said, ”Congratulations! You seized the chance to achieve your dream…” But the phone had been hung up. Hong Guan shook his head and put the phone into his pocket… His master in the garage was calling him back.

…

ʼWithout money, even a hero will be driven against the wall.ʼ

Cheng Yiran thought of Li Zifengʼs words, people would change. ʼCan we only go through hardships… He came to ask for a chance behind my back. Doesnʼt he remember that it was he who decided to dissolve the band first?ʼ

Cheng Yiran thought a lot. He found that…He was drawn into the excitement and he didnʼt even think about Hong Guanʼs condition these days. He didnʼt believe that Hong Guan would depend on… him.

”Whatʼs wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable?” Li Zifeng asked Cheng Yiran carefully. They were on the way to the restaurant for the dinner with director Cheng.

”Oh… nothing. I am just tired after class. Let me take a break.” Cheng Yiran shook his head and looked at Li Zifeng, ”As for the jobs in the television studio, can you make sure that they are available? ”

”Of course!” Li Zifeng patted his own chest and promised, ”I am familiar with them. If necessary, a scriptwriter can be expected. It is much better than singing in the street, donʼt you think so?”

”Please go ahead.” Cheng Yiran took a deep breath, ”Thank you.”

”My pleasure.” Li Zifeng pretended to be angry, ”Never say thank you to me. I will help you because I found you first. Your happiness is my happiness. Now, it is very vital for you, I will help Hong Guan on that job so that you can concentrate on your training. I will serve you twenty-four hours a day, donʼt worry.”

Cheng Yiran said nothing but patted Li Zifengʼs shoulder. He closed his eyes---and felt that Li Zifeng was his talent scout.

…

…

In the bustling street, the shopping malls were filled with people as the evening lights were lit. It was business time for the peddlers. Some of them were selling watches, toys. Some were carving, mask pasting and others were starting a music show.

”Just because I looked at you one more time in the crowd, I never forgot your face again, and I dreamed that one day…” Hong Guan was singing and playing the guitar here. He had started his third song with a small and simple music player. He came here after work eating nothing. There was a booth selling phone chargers in front of him.

”Iʼd rather spend my life waiting for you to find out…” There would be some change given to him by passers-by and some income for selling the chargers. A dozen coins were accumulated.

This was because he had to buy some health products for his wife. Life was harder after he gave up music. The baby will be coming into the world soon, so he would seize every chance to earn money, including singing at a nightclub… without the passion for his music dream.

”The love story of this life, will not change... I am always by your side, and never be far away…”

A young man was clapping his hands in front of Hong Guan. He threw a one hundred RMB in the guitar case lightly… This was the biggest bill in this case as the others were one RMB or five RMB.

”Thank you. Thank you.” Hong Guan was very appreciative of this---generous young man.

”You are welcome.” The young man smiled, ”Your voice is nice.”

Hong Guan was shocked and smiled bitterly, ”You flatter me. My singing is only qualified for a street show.”

”It has nothing to do with singing skills.” The young man smiled, ”Itʼs about something else… will you be here tomorrow?”

”What?” Hong Guan was stunned and responded directly, ”It depends, I will come if time permits.”

The young man nodded and disappeared into the crowd.

Seeing the bill, Hong Guan whispered, ”A strange guy.”

…

…

”What was the name of this song?” Miss. Maid stopped and listened to the song playing on the recorder as she was holding tea for her master… It was sung by a female.

”It is ʼLegendʼ. A popular song years previously…” Luo Qiu said lightly, ”Well… it was really pleasant…You Ye, letʼs go to the street tomorrow.”

Miss. Maid, ʼof course, agreedʼ.