Chapter Eight: You Need to Prove It

Since Xiao Yao harbored such great ambitions regarding music, Xiao Siqi was in no rush to simply teach him the performance techniques of a specific instrument. Instead, he began with the basics of music theory, providing Xiao Yao with a systematic introduction to musical education. For a boy of Xiao Yao's current age, his ability to absorb purely theoretical knowledge that required rote memorization was far superior not only to that of his peers but even to that of most adults.

In music, theory is merely the foundation; to achieve anything significant, one must rely on feeling. This "feeling" comes from a combination of innate talent and extensive training. Thus, after only three days of theoretical study, Xiao Yao began a rigorous regimen of solfège and ear training.

From the perspective of a professional music producer like Xiao Siqi, while Xiao Yao’s voice could not be considered a rare gift, it was certainly above average. If he could persist with his practice, expand his vocal range, and avoid any catastrophic changes during puberty, he had a strong chance of becoming a top-tier vocalist. If he were to supplement this with mastery of musical instruments and genuine songwriting talent, he would undoubtedly secure an influential position in the music industry. Of course, this was all contingent on his passion for music being more than just a passing fancy, and on him maintaining that dedication until adulthood.

However, based on the current situation, that seemed unlikely. While Xiao Yao showed great interest and enthusiasm for music, he had not set aside his calligraphy studies under Xiao Chengru or the martial arts training taught by Liu Zhongwen. He dedicated a set amount of time every day to both. Fortunately, on the second day after moving back in, Xiao Yao had asked Xiao Siqi to add a desk, chair, and a set of "Four Treasures of the Study" to his room. Had he made this request after Xiao Siqi had witnessed his true learning capacity and talent, Xiao Siqi might have tried every possible way to refuse a distraction that would encroach on his music lessons. As for martial arts, Xiao Siqi didn't mind much; it required no extra equipment, and the space in Chen Zilin’s gym was sufficient for him to punch and kick to his heart's content. Moreover, Xiao Siqi believed physical exercise was essential—one needed a healthy body for anything, and exercise also helped with breath control. Besides, music study required breaks, so combining mental work with physical activity was beneficial.

Of course, even if Xiao Siqi inwardly wished Xiao Yao wouldn't spend time on calligraphy, he had no way to stop him. Firstly, despite the age difference, Xiao Siqi had never considered using his physical advantage to force or forbid his son from doing anything. As for verbal persuasion, he felt he couldn't even win an argument against his own monstrously intelligent son.

As they spent more time together, the dynamic between them felt less like father and son and more like equals. It couldn't be helped; Xiao Siqi’s competence in areas outside of music was somewhat lacking.

One day, on a whim, Xiao Siqi went to the supermarket and bought a pile of ingredients, intending to cook a meal for Xiao Yao. Whether he was using this as an opportunity to persuade Xiao Yao to abandon calligraphy and focus entirely on music, the result was disastrous. Not only were the dishes inedible, but he almost burned down the kitchen. While cooking, he had realized he hadn't finished prepping an ingredient after pouring oil into the pan, so he left the stove on to finish the prep. Because the heat was too high and the oil had been burning for too long, it caught fire. In his panic, Xiao Siqi actually intended to douse the flames with water. Fortunately, Xiao Yao, who had heard the commotion and rushed to the kitchen door, shouted for him to turn off the heat and put a lid on the pot, narrowly averting a disaster. In Xiao Yao’s eyes, however, the meal was already a catastrophe. In the end, it was Xiao Yao who had the foresight to order takeout, saving the father and son from the embarrassment of going hungry that afternoon.

After this incident, Xiao Yao began to take notice of his father’s severe lack of life skills and gradually took over the management of their daily lives. He took care of chores like tidying the house himself, and he kept track of replenishing supplies and paying utility bills on time to avoid the embarrassment of service cutoffs, always reminding his unreliable father whenever necessary.

What was supposed to be a father taking care of his son had turned into a son looking after his father. Feeling quite embarrassed, Xiao Siqi no longer spoke with much authority in front of his son. As his son grew taller and more capable every day, Xiao Siqi felt his own authority as a father fading. He wasn't sure whether to be proud of his son or sad for himself.

Life passed in the quiet shift of authority between father and son. Before they knew it, Xiao Yao celebrated his fourth birthday. He had grown taller and stronger, and his skills in martial arts, calligraphy, and music had progressed significantly. Just as Xiao Yao began to feel a hint of boredom with his routine, the arrival of someone brought new changes to his life.

Xu Ting was a capable but never overbearing agent. Five years ago, when Xiao Siqi first entered the industry, she had become his manager. After five years, she understood his personality quite well. She was remarkably tolerant and indulgent toward this man-child. Even though she knew Xiao Siqi was currently enjoying his life with his son, a contract was a contract, and she had to pull him out of his state of blissful oblivion.

"Siqi, you were the one who agreed to the contract for three albums in five years. Even though the performance of the first two wasn't ideal, Huayu still hopes you can finish this final album before the end of the year. To be fair, they’ve been quite decent; despite the two previous failures, they still have confidence in you and want to take one more shot together."

Xu Ting was sitting on the sofa in Xiao Siqi’s living room, speaking to him earnestly. After Xiao Siqi’s debut album became a huge hit, Huayu Records had signed him to a five-year, three-album deal. Now, with the five years coming to an end, his fourth personal album—the third under the contract—was nowhere to be seen. The anxious record company had begun pressuring Xu Ting.

Xiao Siqi smiled bitterly. "I know. I wanted to make a comeback, too." His mood darkened. "Half a year ago, I took my wife and son to the south for a trip to find inspiration for the album. Who could have known that an accident would happen on the way, and Zilin would pass away? Since then, I’ve lost all interest in the new album."

The two did not intentionally exclude Xiao Yao from the conversation. Sitting to the side, listening quietly, Xiao Yao finally learned the origin of the car accident. No wonder Xiao Siqi had been so self-reproachful; the trip had been for the sake of finding inspiration for his music. Xiao Yao had previously wondered why two people with steady jobs would spontaneously take a family road trip outside of a holiday.

"So you mean you're not going to release the final album in the contract and are prepared to pay the damages to the record company?" Xu Ting asked, looking at Xiao Siqi helplessly. She knew that this stubborn man-child was nearly impossible to persuade.

Just as Xiao Siqi was about to nod, Xiao Yao interrupted. "Dad, I think you should finish this album, if only for Mom’s sake."

Xu Ting and Xiao Siqi both looked at the child who had been so inconspicuous until now. Xu Ting was stunned; she knew Xiao Siqi’s son, but this was her first time seeing Xiao Yao since the accident—or rather, his rebirth—and the first time she had heard him speak in a way so incongruous with his age. Xiao Siqi was already used to his son’s precocious speech, but he was confused by the content of his statement.

Ignoring Xu Ting’s surprised gaze, Xiao Yao looked at Xiao Siqi earnestly. "Do you think this album is what caused you to lose Mom? Do you think that by not making the album, you are proving your love and care for her, and that you haven't forgotten her? Do you think that by doing this, everyone will see you as a devoted and righteous person? I think you’re being selfish, pretentious, and even cowardly."

Xiao Siqi’s face flushed with anger for the first time toward his son. "What did you say?!"

"Isn't it true?" Xiao Yao met his father’s angry glare without flinching. "You only care about your own feelings. Have you ever thought about it from Mom’s perspective? Why did she set aside her work to go on that trip with us, accompanying you to find inspiration? What was her wish? Wasn't it for you to make a great album and succeed in your comeback? You, on the other hand, only care about your own emotions. Have you considered her wishes? If that isn't selfishness, what is?"

Xiao Siqi’s eyes were red, and he remained silent, but Xiao Yao continued. "Mom did go on that trip to help you prepare for the new album, but the accident was just that—an accident. Nobody could have foreseen it. It wasn't your fault. Is there a need to be so melodramatic? Or is it that you have no confidence in yourself, and you're so cowardly that you don't even have the courage to try because you're afraid the album will fail again?"

Xiao Yao let out a breath and said seriously to Xiao Siqi, "Xiao Siqi! Be a man. Finish this album properly and show the world that Chen Zilin’s judgment wasn't wrong. Show them that there was a reason she chose you and stayed by your side. Everything Chen Zilin sacrificed for you will have been worth it!"

Xu Ting was completely stunned by Xiao Yao. Is this a son talking to his father? Had she walked into the wrong scene? Xiao Siqi’s eyes were bloodshot, his body trembling slightly, but he remained strangely silent. After finishing his piece, Xiao Yao looked as calm and unruffled as ever. Xu Ting watched, even worrying that Xiao Siqi might explode and hit Xiao Yao, secretly bracing herself to intervene if necessary.

The standoff lasted for a long time. Just as Xu Ting shifted her stiff body in the tense atmosphere, Xiao Siqi let out a soft sigh. His tense body relaxed, and he said quietly to Xu Ting, "Sister Xu, tell the record company. I will finish this album on time."

Xiao Siqi turned to Xiao Yao with a smile. "Looks like your study time is going to be significantly reduced from now on. Are you satisfied now?"

Everything was okay? Xu Ting looked at Xiao Yao, who had successfully changed Xiao Siqi’s mind, in disbelief for a long time. She turned to Xiao Siqi and said, "Siqi, your son... he’s no ordinary child."

"That’s right," Xiao Siqi smiled. "My son is a genius."

Xu Ting was about to tease this unabashedly proud father, but Xiao Siqi’s next words nearly made her burst out laughing.

"I feel like he’s more mature than I am. If one day you hear me calling him 'Brother Yao,' don't be surprised. Don't laugh—I have a feeling that day is coming sooner or later."