Thirty minutes later, after Xu Lin finished his meal, neither his dad nor his mom asked him to do the dishes. He hurried back to his room.
Sitting in front of the computer, he felt his head buzzing. His dad became more enthusiastic after drinking three or four bottles!
Fortunately, his mom intervened, otherwise his dad would have gone crazy from drinking.
However, after his dad's lecture, Xu Lin was almost swayed because his dad was right about some things.
But I've already taken the first step myself, how can I easily retreat! Keep moving forward, even if ahead is a damn abyss! At least it's a beautiful girl's abyss!
Taking a deep breath, he entered work mode again. There's still the opening sequence to finish. After that, there's background music to do, and he still has to record the song.
However, recording songs at this hour might disturb the neighbors, right? How about finding some pleasant background music instead? Oh, and also, let's message Chu Qingchan.
Xu Lin immediately sent a message to Chu Qingchan. Her bedroom is soundproofed specifically for recording and singing at home. She has quite a few samples she practices with, some of which he has already heard and could use as background music.
After waiting for half a minute, a video call came through on WeChat. He answered it, and Chu Qingchan's pretty face appeared on the other end.
Her hair was disheveled, resting on her body, still slightly damp, probably from just having taken a shower.
"What's up? Do you need a sample from me?"
"Have you just arrived home?"
"Just got home half an hour ago. Ji Yun and Chu Fengyi are cooking dinner outside. Have you eaten?"
"Yes, I already did. I was planning to invite you guys for dinner, but my parents seemed tired from work today, so I didn't call you."
"We can't go bother Uncle and Aunt every day," Chu Qingchan said, as a head peeked out beside her.
"What are you doing, Chu Fengyi?"
"Preventing you from cheating, checking if it's Xu Lin on the other side," Chu Fengyi sat solemnly beside her, her ears perked up.
"Chu Fengyi, you've joined the alliance too. As the first member of the alliance, do you have any information to share?" Chu Qingchan glanced back at her sister.
"I often travel for work, so I don't really know much. Anything I know, you guys already know. Like that Senior Sister Bai, or someone named Teacher Su, but apart from that, I really don't know anything," Chu Fengyi replied.
"Aren't you supposed to be the top intelligence network in the world?"
"I'm a law-abiding citizen, how could I be involved in illegal intelligence activities? I was just trying to scare Xu Lin."
On the screen, Xu Lin, upon hearing Chu Fengyi's words, suddenly felt that although this girl was no longer as fierce as before, she was even more cunning. It seemed she had truly learned the tricks from her husband.
"Well, let's not talk about that. Chu Fengyi, are you and Xu Lin hiding something from me? Like why your relationship suddenly improved, I feel there's more to it."
"I'll go cook first, Ji Yun might be too busy to handle it herself! Excuse me."
With that said, Chu Fengyi opened the bedroom door and ran out.
Chu Qingchan also clenched little fists, once again defeating her unadorable little sister!
"You seem happy."
"How did you figure that out?" She glanced at the mirror, realizing she wasn't showing any expression.
"But your eyes are shining a bit." Xu Lin actually noticed that she suddenly became more energetic from her tired state.
"Well, maybe this is just one way for sisters to bond~"
In fact, since they were children, before their relationship became somewhat distant, they were actually playful and close sisters who would mess around all day.
As they grow older, various things piled up, causing them to drift apart. Recently, though, because of Xu Lin, they have been spending more time together.
"By the way, I almost forgot about your important matter. What do you need the sample for? Haven't you heard it already?"
"I filmed a short food video today, and I was planning to sing as background music. But I'm afraid of disturbing the neighbors, so I wanted to borrow a piece from you."
"Sure, can I use original songs?"
"You have a competition and single release next year, don't reveal it now. Just send me a mixed version of the song you sang that day for Teacher Guan."
"Alright, I'll send it to you. It's already past 8 o'clock now, so you should rest early too."
"By the way, about Bai Xiaoxiao's matter, did Ji Yun tell you?"
"Hmm, I didn't expect you to bring this up proactively." Chu Qingchan looked at him with a hint of playfulness.
"I've said it before, I'm an honest man. If there's something, there's something, if there's nothing, there's nothing."
Of course, besides the matter with Qin Yunhe, it's not entirely off-limits to talk about the fake relationship with Teacher Su.
"Hehe, I hope you'll always maintain an honest attitude in the future."
"Of course, but now that your alliance consists of three people, what will you do if there are more people involved later?"
Xu Lin also indirectly hinted at it after taking precautions, and of course, he also sought out Chu Qingchan's opinion on it.
"Xu Lin, are you thinking about something bad? Don't worry, our alliance is very strict. Anyway, you can only choose one. After all, that's how the law dictates."
"I'm just a law-abiding citizen, how could I possibly think otherwise! I'm going to work now, you should rest early too, goodnight."
After finishing the call and hanging up the video, Chu Qingchan pursed her lips. She had recently realised that Chu Fengyi had become more smooth-tongued. And now she suddenly discovered who Chu Fengyi learned her recent tact from. These two are really thick as thieves!
But no matter what, they are still the people I like, hey ~ let's live this life like this.
However, the alliance also has its value.
Having more people isn't a big deal as long as they're brought in and follow the alliance's arrangements.
As the founder of the alliance, no matter how you put it, I'm still the big sister, right?
Moreover, the most important thing is that no girl would want to share her husband with someone else, right?
Although for her, sharing a bit with her younger sister Ji Yun, is still acceptable, she really can't accept anyone else, not even Chu Fengyi.
Xu Lin hung up the video call and waited for Chu Qingchan's background music to come over. He also started making the opening credits. But after a few minutes, he almost burst into tears.
It's so difficult!
Even a simple opening credits is so difficult!
If it's too straightforward, as they say, it would be awkward.
"Um... no, I need to ask a professional for advice."
So he opened QQ and found the fan called Xing Mimi.
Master Xu Twelve: "Good evening, I'm bothering you again."
In less than two seconds, the other party quickly replied, "I'm here. Has the author bought the equipment yet?"
Master Xu Twelve: "I haven't bought the camera for shooting yet, but I'll take it slow."
Xing Mimi: "You can start with a phone at the beginning; that's how I started too. Most video bloggers don't have a lot of initial funds when they start."
Master Xu Twelve: "Yeah, I've already bought a recording device and a lapel microphone for now and tried shooting a food video."
Xing Mimi: "Is there a problem with editing? I can help, although I'm not too skilled."
Master Xu Twelve: "I managed to edit it passably, but what about the opening credits? Do we still need to include them?"
Xing Mimi: "Actually, you've fallen into a misconception."
Master Xu Twelve:"Huh?"
Xing Mimi:"When you watch those bigger video bloggers, their openings are usually quite casual, and they introduce things specifically."
Xu Lin recalled that before his rebirth, he used to enjoy watching food videos at night. It seems that they indeed went straight to the point, with just a routine greeting if there was any introduction at all.
Master Xu Twelve: "Indeed."
Xing Mimi: "Then just do this, go in more smoothly, no need for a dry start. Will you show your face?"
Master Xu Twelve: "No, only my arms, making cola cakes(okonomiyaki)."
"Seems like a Japanese-style vibe. Let's just start with this soothing music," Xing Mimi suggested.
"Then, add subtitles or voiceover, say hello, and dive right in!"
With that suggestion, Xu Lin instantly felt clearer. He realized he had fallen into the trap of being a novice.
Master Xu Twelve: "Thanks."
Xing Mimi: "No need to thank me, just update more if you want to show gratitude."
Master Xu Twelve: "Haha, that depends on the situation. Being a salted fish is blissful, you know."
Xing Mimi: "Dog head~"
(This is a playful expression often used online, indicating a playful or joking tone.)
Xu Lin closed the chat box and was about to re-edit when he saw the other party's profile picture and narrowed his eyes.
"Is that the Nine-Dragon Pagoda?"
The Nine-Dragon Pagoda is indeed a rare attraction in the Linshui area. Despite the locals' attitude, it's similar to that of the timid Big Wild Goose Pagoda brother.
But how could the other party have this photo? It couldn't be such a coincidence that she is a local, right?!