As Fang Qiong spoke, Chen Fan showed no particular reaction.
Everyone who entered the entertainment industry aimed for fame, and Fang Qiong was no exception. If she harbored such ambitions, she naturally had to pay a price.
He had no interest in such matters.
However, with no one else around and feeling bored, he decided to listen to her talk to pass the time.
Seeing that Chen Fan did not appear impatient, Fang Qiong's heart brightened, and she continued to talk about her own affairs.
Earlier, Young Master Du had mentioned that this President Chen was young and capable of deciding investments of ten billion.
If she could latch onto this promising young President Chen and receive a little push from him, she might not become a superstar, but achieving some success would surely not be difficult.
In the entertainment industry, it was not uncommon for famous actresses to have benefactors or "sugar daddies" behind them.
She hadn't lacked people who hinted at "casting couch" arrangements, but those individuals lacked the necessary clout, and she wasn't willing to devalue herself.
So, she continued to speak calmly, deliberately or not, complaining about the hardships of the entertainment industry, the prevalence of casting couch arrangements, and the various cold shoulders and injustices she had faced.
Chen Fan offered no commentary.
Seeing that Chen Fan remained unmoved, Fang Qiong had a change of thought and said with a smile, "President Chen, how about I sing you a song?"
Chen Fan was taken aback and asked, "Why didn't you sing in the private room?"
"That's different,"
Fang Qiong said. "Sister Hua and the others were there, weren't they? And the environment was different, so the feeling of singing would be different too."
Chen Fan chuckled and said, "Go ahead and sing!"
"Okay."
Fang Qiong nodded happily, cleared her throat, formed a flower-like hand gesture, and began to sing.
"One doesn't call you to worry, two doesn't call you to fret, three doesn't call you to wear the wrong thing, little sister's flower pouch..."
As her clear, a cappella voice began, Chen Fan was surprised.
This was a folk ballad, a popular tune.
But Fang Qiong had a good voice, clear and pure, and singing such a simple ballad had a unique charm.
"Little sister sees her lover off, all the way to the north of the great gate..."
Her clear voice, accompanied by this simple melody, was indeed quite entertaining.
Moreover, Fang Qiong seemed to be subtly sending him flirtatious glances within the ballad.
Chen Fan found it quite interesting.
At least, it was much more pleasant to listen to than the howling and caterwauling in the KTV private rooms.
Seeing that Chen Fan was listening attentively, Fang Qiong became even more delighted.
"I wonder, my dear love, when will you return home..."
After finishing the last verse, Fang Qiong looked expectantly at Chen Fan.
*Clap, clap...* Just as Chen Fan was about to speak, applause rang out.
Chen Fan turned his head and saw a young man in a grey trench coat, handsome but appearing somewhat slender, walking over.
He was clapping and said with a smile, "A nice ballad, a nice voice. In this setting, in this place, it's truly comforting to listen to."
Fang Qiong was startled. Upon seeing the young man, she sensed he possessed an extraordinary presence. Coupled with his handsome face and clear, bright eyes, her cheeks involuntarily flushed.
However, she said nothing and instead looked at Chen Fan.
Chen Fan smiled and said, "We've disturbed you."
"Indeed, a bit of a disturbance."
The young man said, "I was playing chess, but then I heard this 'Sending Off the Lover' ballad, filled with unspoken affections, and I couldn't help but come out to take a look."
"However, ultimately, it's my lack of willpower, not this beautiful lady's fault."
Chen Fan asked, "Are you a guest of Young Master Li?"
"Sort of, and sort of not."
The young man smiled, his demeanor calm and detached. "Li Qian and I know each other, and I know it's his birthday today. But I came uninvited, just to join the fun."
"However, too much excitement can be a bit overwhelming, so I came to this side's chess room for some peace and quiet."
He paused and asked, "May I ask your name?"
"Chen Zhuo."
Chen Fan said, "And yours?"
This man's bearing and speech had an indescribable aura about them.
His presence wasn't overwhelming, but it was impossible to ignore, as if no matter where he was, in whatever setting, he maintained his own unique style, distinct from ordinary people.
He gave the impression of pine and bamboo in a clear breeze, or a mountain spring, capable of cleansing the heart without causing offense.
Therefore, Chen Fan was momentarily curious about the kind of person among Li Qian's acquaintances.
"My humble name is Wu, and my given name is Wu Zhao."
"The Wu family?" Chen Fan raised an eyebrow and asked.
"No," Wu Zhao shook his head. "I'm not that fortunate. I just happen to have the surname Wu. There are many families with the surname Wu, aren't there?"
Chen Fan was surprised by this response.
If this Wu Zhao had no connection to the Wu family, then he wondered about his background to have cultivated such bearing and grace.
"May I have the honor of hearing this lady sing another song?"
Wu Zhao smiled and said kindly.
Fang Qiong looked at Chen Fan.
Chen Fan smiled at Fang Qiong and said, "I haven't heard enough either. Miss Fang, could you trouble yourself to sing another song?"
"Oh, yes, yes!"
Fang Qiong was overjoyed, even a little flattered. She asked, "What should I sing?"
"Sing whatever you like, preferably a folk ballad similar to 'Sending Off the Lover' from before."
Fang Qiong thought for a moment, her face slightly flushed. "Then I'll sing 'Exploring the Clear River'."
"Good," Wu Zhao said.
Fang Qiong cleared her throat and began to sing.
"The tip of the peach leaf is sharp, the willow leaves cover the sky..."
As soon as she began this time, Wu Zhao frowned.
Chen Fan also shook his head slightly.
Seeing their reactions, Fang Qiong became nervous, and her voice immediately faltered.
However, neither Chen Fan nor Wu Zhao asked her to stop.
After the song ended, Wu Zhao sighed and said, "It seems my appearance was untimely. Miss Fang's singing lacked the veiled affections and lingering sentiment from before, which is a pity."
Chen Fan smiled at Fang Qiong and said, "Miss Fang, it seems you still have a lot of effort to put in if you wish to become a big star."
Fang Qiong nodded dejectedly, regretting her poor performance.
"Then I won't disturb you further. I'll continue with my chess. You two carry on."
Wu Zhao said with a smile.
"What are you playing, Mr. Wu? Since I have nothing else to do, why don't we have a game?"
Chen Fan, however, stood up.
"That would be good. I was just looking for an opponent. A game of chess would be most welcome!"
Wu Zhao seemed to have been waiting for Chen Fan's words and immediately said, "The chess room is this way, please!"
Chen Fan looked at Wu Zhao with interest and followed him into a private room.
The room was spacious, with only a chess table and a box of black and white stones.
After taking their seats, Wu Zhao said, "Mr. Chen, would you like to guess the first move? I actually prefer playing black and going first, to gain an advantage and be ahead in every aspect."
"Then please, Mr. Wu, take black," Chen Fan said. "It makes no difference to me whether I play black or white."
"Very well, I shall concede you seven and a half points!"
Wu Zhao said.
Chen Fan replied, "Six and a half points will suffice."
"Seven and a half points."
Wu Zhao smiled. "The advantage of moving first is worth more than seven and a half points to me. However, the current competition rules only allow for a maximum of seven and a half points, so I can't offer more."
Chen Fan couldn't help but look at Wu Zhao again. Such confidence in playing the first move with black!
"Alright, then let me witness Mr. Wu's chess skill. Please begin!"
Wu Zhao was not polite and placed a black stone on the star point with a crisp sound.