LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 7 - One-Day Deadline
**Surprised and Satisfied**
Nearly a month had passed, and Lin Ma’s health was almost back to normal. In a few days, she would be discharged from the hospital.
She was anxious about her job; nearing retirement age, she knew she needed to perform well to secure a chance at reemployment later. Furthermore, with her limited education, finding another kind-hearted boss and a well-paying job would be difficult. If it weren’t for her son insisting she take the doctor’s advice seriously, she might have ignored it altogether.
That car accident truly was a stroke of misfortune.
The Lin family was not wealthy; after years of hard work, they had only managed to rent an apartment in the city. Mother and son had been living a stable life, but it couldn’t be called easy.
Music, being an expensive hobby, meant that the savings Lin Ma had set aside were intended for her son’s future wedding. Now, everything was gone due to the accident, which was mainly caused by her own impatience in running a red light.
The driver was just another worker trying to make a living, the pillar of his family; if he managed to provide even ten percent of the compensation, it would be a great effort. But that was merely a drop in the bucket compared to the surgery costs.
Fortunately, her agent had advanced two hundred thousand to pull her back from the brink.
Once accustomed to hardship, it was hard for her to sit idle. Lying in bed all day, Lin Ma felt like her head was going to sprout mushrooms.
“I’m not Lin Daiyu! I can’t just lie here like this, yet you refuse to believe me.”
“Mom!” Lin Su Yan could only try to persuade her, “Isn’t it better to let me show you some filial respect?”
“Give it another twenty or thirty years, and you’ll have plenty of time to be filial to me. By then, you’ll be too busy to care,” Lin Ma snapped back sharply, nearly bursting with frustration.
“…”
“Hey Yan Yan, I almost forgot to ask. How’s your job going? It’s been a while since I heard anything; you haven’t blown your chance, have you?” Lin Ma suddenly recalled, her face showing concern. “Why don’t you take this opportunity to thank your agent while I’m recovering? It could help strengthen your relationship.”
Those words struck a chord with Lin Su Yan, who was also feeling anxious.
Generally speaking, if someone was fortunate enough to encounter an agent willing to sign them, there would be plenty of competition for such a deal. But his agent seemed to have completely forgotten about him, not sending a single message.
Was she afraid he would run off without paying his debts? Lin Su Yan thought bitterly.
What if she found a better talent in just a month and had already put him on the back burner?
That couldn’t be!
His expression changed, and he quickly pulled out his phone, wanting to send a message to see if it would result in a red exclamation mark.
He hurriedly opened the door, looking down as he walked, and bumped straight into someone.
“Sorry, sorry!” Lin Su Yan hurriedly apologized without looking up, wanting to resolve his personal issues quickly.
“Why are you in such a rush?” came a teasing voice from the other side. Though the tone was calm, there was a clear sense of kindness.
That voice sounded so familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before…
Lin Su Yan straightened up and looked up, only to lock eyes with a pair of dark, captivating eyes.
“Yu… Lan Jie?”
“Hmm.” Yu Aolan nodded slightly, gesturing to Pang Jun beside her, and then walked into the hospital room with a fruit basket.
Lin Su Yan was still dazed, instinctively following behind Yu Aolan. By the time he came to his senses, he realized Lan Jie was already deep in conversation with his mother.
“Yan Yan, why are you just standing there? Hurry and get your agent a glass of water! You’re so clueless!” Lin Ma glared at him, frustrated that he didn’t know how to be considerate.
“It’s okay, it’s okay, I’m in a hurry too,” Yu Aolan said with a gentle smile. “I just came to see how your mother is recovering and to discuss your job situation.”
“Oh, oh, oh, work is important!” Lin Ma nodded eagerly, her smile revealing her wrinkles.
However, when she glanced at her son, who was crouching on the floor, desperately searching for the thermos, her good mood faltered.
Not only was his eyesight poor, but it seemed like he couldn’t hear her either. When she asked him to work, he didn’t pay any attention to his superior’s words?
How would he manage in society, let alone become a star in front of the boss?
She had no idea who he learned this from!
In the blink of an eye, Lin Ma made up her mind to pass on all her social experiences to her son; otherwise, it was simply embarrassing to watch.
“Yan Yan, come here!”
“Huh? I’m getting the water, Mom.” Lin Su Yan didn’t even look up.
“Tsk! I told you to come over, so come!”
“Okay.”
Lin Su Yan obediently walked over, and Lin Ma withdrew her fierce gaze, smiling at Yu Aolan instead. “Agent Yu must be very busy; you should focus on the important matters.”
Since that was the case, Yu Aolan didn’t push back and politely nodded.
“Shall we talk outside?” She casually pointed toward the door.
“Sure.” Lin Su Yan followed her.
Once the two stepped outside, the voices in the hospital room gradually grew louder.
Patients were saying, “It’s strange; how can such a young girl seem so intimidating just standing there?”
Pang Jun quietly fulfilled his role, standing silently beside Yu Aolan, his presence almost nonexistent, perfectly blending into the crowd.
If one wasn’t looking closely, it was easy to overlook him.
Lin Su Yan hadn’t noticed him at all.
“Lan Jie,” Lin Su Yan said nervously, rubbing his hands together. He never expected someone of her stature would take the time to visit him in the hospital.
Not only did she bring a fruit basket, but she was also chatting so warmly with his mother; it was truly…
“I thought you would arrange for your mother to stay in a single room,” Yu Aolan suddenly interrupted his train of thought.
“Uh, a single room is more expensive and rather lonely. I was worried my mom wouldn’t be comfortable there.”
Most importantly, the less money spent now would mean less to repay later.
The feeling of being in debt always made one feel uneasy; it was hard to explain why, but it was just uncomfortable.
Yu Aolan understood, as she knew Lin Su Yan was in a tight financial spot.
However, without any income, he might not even be able to afford rent.
“If you have nowhere to stay later, Ao Huang has staff dorms, and family members are welcome too,” she said casually.
“Really?!”
This was undoubtedly good news.
“Lan Jie, I… I really can’t accept this. You’re already providing me with money and a place to stay,” Lin Su Yan stammered, avoiding her gaze.
Seeing him like this, Yu Aolan couldn’t help but frown.
Being grateful for others’ help is certainly a good thing, but his demeanor, still bearing the freshness of a student who hadn’t faced hardship, was not how a future star should carry themselves.
Was it really due to a lack of confidence?
“Lin Su Yan,” she called.
“I’m here.” He instinctively straightened up, ready for inspection.
“Why do you have such a lack of confidence in yourself?”
“I don’t—”
“Your abilities are more than enough to match what I’m offering you. This is an advance, not charity, so there’s no need to be so polite with me.”
Lin Su Yan didn’t fully understand but nodded nonetheless.
“You previously asked me why I chose you among so many; now I can give you a clearer answer.”
“The answer is simple. I was browsing music on Ting and happened to stumble across your compositions, which I found impressive. So I listened to all your works, and I believe you have great potential.”
Lin Su Yan was taken aback, feeling both honored and shocked.
“However, perhaps I should reassess you as well.”
Yu Aolan regarded Lin Su Yan with a scrutinizing gaze.
How does one gain confidence?
Besides heartfelt affirmation and praise from others, there’s another way:
Complete challenges and gain motivation.
“I’m giving you a chance to prove yourself. Do you dare to accept it?”
Perhaps out of fear of losing the opportunity or because it touched upon his proud musical field, Lin Su Yan responded without hesitation, his gaze filled with unprecedente
d determination.
“How do I prove it?”
“You have one day to write a demo with the theme ‘Rebirth.’ If I’m satisfied, we’ll sign the contract on the spot.”