They are in the music show, but I am a stranger to them

And Chen Qi smiled faintly, looking at Chu Hua, who was just like in the original novel, almost obedient to Xiangzi and with such heavy emotions that even he could hardly understand. Chen Qi also planned to convey all the things that Crychic had experienced to Chu Hua.

After all, Chen Qi couldn't guarantee anything for others, but Chu Hua would definitely not harm Xiangzi. The more Chu Hua knew, the more she could help Xiangzi in the future.

Such a friend is absolutely trustworthy to Xiangzi...Chen Qi is also willing to trust her.

Chapter 54: Chen Qi and Xiangzi's past, and the assistance of Chuhua

Why does Chen Qi always treat Toyokawa Shoko differently?

During the Crychic period, Chen Qi was questioned by everyone for various reasons more than once. If we were to rank the most frequently asked question, the first one would definitely be "Why are you so obsessed with being in a professional band?"

This question was asked to Chen Qi by almost every girl when he was in Crychic.

Especially after going through the special training method that Chen Qi learned from Grandma Tsuzuki, although Chen Qi lowered the severity and raised the care value, for most beginners or not so professional musicians, the special training is still extremely painful. Therefore, there will always be people who ask themselves this with some resentment after the training.

The person who asked Chen Qi this question the most was the band's drummer Tatsuki Shiina.

Especially after Li Xi's first outburst, she almost did not hide her complaints towards Chen Qi. They had a small quarrel once a week and a big quarrel once a month. She and Chen Qi were always in the cycle of "quarrel → break up → reconcile".

Perhaps because the two quarreled too often, other members also joined in to varying degrees. Among them, Su Shi, who was in the same "group of warm-up" as Li Xi, was the member who supported Li Xi the most.

Of course, Su Shi was also one of the people who helped the two to reconcile the most. But that's a story for another time.

The person who asked the second most questions was, somewhat surprisingly, another core member of the band, Chen Qi's good partner and close friend, Toyokawa Shoko.

Yes, Xiangzi knew a lot about Chen Qi, and almost understood all of Chen Qi’s thoughts, but the only thing she couldn’t understand was why her good friend was so persistent in forming a professional band?

"Isn't Crychic good enough? Even if your special training is very effective, Chen Qi, we are still a long way from becoming a professional band, right?"

"After all, Xiao Mu and the others are not you and me. With your training speed, they will be under great pressure. Even if you give them psychological counseling every day, you can't bear it."

"Why are you so obsessed with the professional band thing, Chen Qi? You must give me a reasonable explanation, otherwise I won't speak up for you the next time you and Li Xi quarrel."

——Having said that, Chen Qi has never answered Xiangzi's question, but the next time, facing the aggressive Li Xi, Xiangzi will still always choose to stand up first, help Chen Qi argue with Li Xi again and again, and then persuade the two to reconcile.

This question became an unsolved mystery until Crychic disbanded, and no one knew the truth except Chen Qi.

The second unsolved mystery is also the second most asked question by Crychic members to Chen Qi besides Xiangzi.

"Why are you so special to Xiangzi?"

Yeah...why.

In fact, Chen Qi himself didn’t know the answer to this question at the beginning. If it was the period when Crychic had just been established, the only answer he could give might be “love the house and love the dog.”

Yes, at the beginning, Chen Qi really didn’t treat Toyokawa Shoko specially. He just treated Shoko in the same way and with the same distance as he treated Deng, Li Xi, and Su Shi.

At least at that time, Chen Qi did not have any special feelings for Xiangzi. It was just because they were core members of the band, so the frequency of their exchange of views was indeed more frequent than with other people. Naturally, their friendship was also more stable than that of other members.

The rest, perhaps, is because, as a time traveler, I have a little preference for this tragic character who has been a "bad guy" for so long in the original work but has no way to express his suffering?

But there was nothing special about it; it was just human nature. At least at that time, Chen Qi could answer with confidence that he and Xiangzi did not have such complicated feelings.

What caused all these changes?

In Chen Qi's memory, all of this originated from an accident that originally had nothing to do with him, but because of his inner desire that originated from "curiosity", he chose to get involved in that huge turning point in Xiangzi's life.

In the end, Chen Qi completely understood the source of the final blow that crushed Xiangzi's spirit.

However, the price of knowing the truth was that Chen Qi from then on completely became an indelible mark in Xiangzi's life, and would never be able to break free from her life.

The two of them are still connected now, all because of that accident. Chen Qi still remembers everything about that day clearly...

At that time, he was in an independent ward of a private hospital. There was no one around Chen Qi, and the only person looking at him was the woman on the bed with light blue-white hair, a pale face due to illness, and a skinny body due to the pain of having difficulty eating.

"Xiao Qi... I don't have much time left. There are some things I have been hesitating about whether to tell you."

"Don't talk nonsense, ma'am." Chen Qi's face was expressionless at the time. He only forced himself to remain calm and said in a low voice to the seriously ill woman on the bed:

"Your daughter still needs you, and your husband still needs you. You can't just walk away like this. If you do, the people you love won't be able to bear it."

"Think about Xiangzi, think about the husband who loved you so much. How sad would they be without you? So you should live as long as possible...at least live a little longer."

"...Of course I will, Xiaoqi, of course I will."

The woman on the bed also forced a smile, and said with a soft voice, but still with a trace of determination:

"But, you and I both know that I will leave sooner or later...so there are some things I want to tell you alone."

"Forgive me, auntie, but I've been in the family for so long, and besides you, I can't think of anyone else I can trust, even though we've only known each other for a few months."

"If you don't want to, you can tell me. I won't mind. After all, this matter should not have anything to do with you in the first place."

"——Auntie, if you have anything to say, just say it."

At that moment, when Chen Qi faced this woman who was born like a peony but was as strong as a plum blossom in the cold winter, his eyes became slightly distracted. He suppressed the trembling in his heart and the tears in the corners of his eyes, and responded with a hoarse voice:

“As long as I can do my best, I will do it.”

"That's good..." The young woman also smiled lightly, silently turning her gaze to the ceiling in front of her. After a brief silence, or a breath of exhaustion, she whispered softly:

"I know...if I really leave them one day, they won't be able to bear such a blow."

"My husband... should I say, when we were young, none of us could have expected such an ending? My leaving must have been a huge blow to him. He might never recover, or even live like a zombie because of it."

"By that time, Xiaoxiang's words will probably not be able to shake my husband. The elders in the family don't think highly of my husband to begin with. He's so self-degrading... Sooner or later, the elders will be unable to stand him."

"Xiao Qi, I want to ask...if there really comes a day in the future, can you take good care of Xiao Xiang for me?"

As she spoke, as if she was using up her last bit of strength, the young woman stretched out her hand as hard as she could and grasped Chen Qi's hand. Compared to Chen Qi, who was only a teenager at the time, whose slightly rough, but broad and slender hands, the young woman's hands were already full of vicissitudes, as dry as an old man's.

But she still tried hard to hold on to Chen Qi, as if she was holding on to the last straw... but not for herself, but for her beloved daughter.

"Xiao Xiang, the one I'm most worried about is her... Her personality is too similar to mine. She looks gentle and approachable, but she's actually a stubborn person..."

"But I want to say that Xiaoxiang is also someone who needs care and attention. The only thing I'm afraid of is that after I leave, Xiaoxiang will have to bear all those things by herself that she shouldn't have to bear."

"Xiao Qi, I won't beg you to do anything. I just hope... you can make Xiao Xiang not have to work so hard."

"Even if it's just a little bit, then at least I can rest assured that my daughter has someone in this world who cares about her and loves her wholeheartedly... This is my last wish."

Is a mother’s last wish that her daughter can live a less hard life and that she hopes to find a suitable person to accompany her?

Really...how on earth am I supposed to reject such a wish?

"——I promise you, Mrs. Toyokawa."

"From now on, no matter where Xiangzi goes, as long as she needs me for one more day, I will continue to help her until there are no more difficulties in her life."

Chen Qi knew very well that from the day he made such a heavy promise in front of Mrs. Toyokawa, he would probably have an inseparable connection with this girl, Toyokawa Shoko, for the rest of his life.

But, as he said, he was willing to do it.

It was not just because of the simple responsibility that Mrs. Toyokawa had placed on him, but also because after that, when he looked at that strong and pitiful girl again from a completely different perspective than before, he discovered the beauty in her...

That kind of beauty, called "standing proudly and making people feel distressed", was truly engraved into his memory at that time...

Only then did Chen Qi truly understand the answers to the two questions that he himself could not answer.

Why do I favor this girl so much, and why do I want to make this band professional?

The answer to this question is actually the same. Chen Qi didn't think too much about it at the time. It was the simplest and most plain answer.

——All my actions were initially just for Toyokawa Shoko.

……

"Huh?! Xiao, Xiao Xiang was expelled from the Fengchuan family?"

However, in the coffee shop, after listening to Chen Qi's retelling, Sanjiao Chuhua felt as if she had heard the most shocking news in the world. For a moment, she even threw away her reserve and composure as an artist, and screamed out in surprise like an ordinary girl.

After a while, Sanjiao Chuhua's voice attracted the attention of several other customers in the cafe.

Fortunately, Chen Qi, who had anticipated this, understood what was going on and stood up on his own initiative. Using his tall body, he blocked the figure of Sanjiao Chuhua and bowed slightly to the customers who had been disturbed to express his apology.

Soon, under Chen Qi's cover, no one noticed the figure of Sanjiao Chuhua who put on sunglasses in time, and they quickly got back to their own work.

"I'm sorry...I lost my composure."

Chu Hua, who had just realized her mistake, blushed and whispered to Chen Qi to thank him. But soon, her attention was attracted by what Chen Qi had just said. A gloomy look flashed across her face, and she said softly:

"But I never thought that something like this would happen to Xiaoxiang."

"Why didn't Xiaoxiang want to tell me? She could have asked me for help. I could have helped her..."

"I think it's because you can help her, Miss Sanjiao, that Xiangzi doesn't want to tell you." Chen Qi also used the most direct words to break Chuhua's fantasy, so that she would not be too concerned and make the most wrong move. He said:

"Although it's hard to see, Xiangzi is a very strong-willed person. The worse her life is, the less she wants people she knows to know it."

"So, I think it's best if you don't go to Xiangzi about this matter, Miss Sanjiao, and don't expose her current strength. She is in a situation that cannot tolerate any doubt. What she needs more is our support, which is enough."

"Do you support it..."

However, Chen Qi's comfort also made Chuhua gradually calm down. Although he had not seen Xiangzi for a year and his only remaining memory could only be traced back to Xiangzi's childhood, Chuhua instinctively thought that he should do as Chen Qi said.

After all, after she had just listened to Chen Qi's retelling of what he and Xiangzi had experienced in this year that she was unaware of, as well as Mrs. Toyokawa's touching entrustment to Chen Qi, Chuhua had basically believed that what Chen Qi said was not false.

After all, no one should use such a major event of life and death as a topic for lying or bragging. Especially for this kind of thing, as long as you pay a little attention or go to Xiaoxiang, you can basically verify it.

Of course, more importantly, up to now, Chu Hua has not felt from Chen Qi that he has obviously benefited anything from Xiao Xiang.

Logically speaking, if someone really wanted something bad to happen to Xiaoxiang, it would be because they were greedy for her wealth or because they were attracted to her beauty...

But now, according to what Chen Qi said, Xiaoxiang has been expelled from the family, and during the time when Chen Qi and Xiaoxiang were forming Crychic, there seemed to be no substantial breakthrough between him and Xiaoxiang. Everything was just a courtesy.

If they weren't friends who truly cared about Xiaoxiang, it would be impossible for them to still stay by her side after such a long time...

For some reason, when Chu Hua thought of this and looked at Chen Qi again, he actually felt a bit of sympathy in his heart, but more of it was a sense of relief that the sense of distance between them had completely disappeared.

Because now, Chu Hua and Chen Qi are on the same front, and they also have a common goal - to protect Xiangzi.

"So, what are your plans, Senior? How can we make Xiaoxiang accept our help?"

"It's very simple." Seeing that Chu Hua seemed to have let down his guard towards him, Chen Qi finally calmed down from his originally uneasy heart. He was not very good at telling stories.

What Chen Qi feared more was not that he could not convince Chu Hua, but that Chu Hua, half-believing and half-doubting, would find Xiangzi to confirm the matter. At that time, Chu Hua would most likely give him away, and Xiangzi would then know that he was the one who leaked her secret to her childhood sweetheart.

At that time, let alone helping Xiangzi, whether Chen Qi could see Xiangzi again was another matter.

Fortunately, the situation he was most worried about did not happen. Chen Qi looked at Chu Hua, who had a serious face in front of him, and couldn't help but sigh in his heart. Sure enough, none of Xiangzi's childhood sweethearts betrayed her.

This is true for Mu and Chuhua, they both think of her wholeheartedly.

After calming down, Chen Qi talked about his plan again and said to Chu Hua:

"First of all, Xiangzi will not accept any material assistance from us, so the only thing we can give her is perhaps spiritual support."

"Spiritual support?" Chu Hua blinked, and quickly guessed what Chen Qi was thinking, and asked with some surprise:

"Senior, do you mean, through singing?"

"Smart." Chen Qi also nodded with a smile, and after confirming Chu Hua's statement, he replied with a smile:

"Let me take care of the song. This live show may be the last thing we can do for Xiangzi."

"When the time comes, I will invite Xiangzi to watch our performance. When that time comes, Chuhua, you and I will work together to convey our singing to the heart of Xiangzi who is now isolated and helpless."

Chu Hua: "Hey? Should I come too?"

Chen Qi's words also surprised Chu Hua. She thought that she could only play a supporting role in this debut performance that she had fought for Chen Qi. She didn't expect that Chen Qi was willing to let her contribute as well.

At least, if it was Chuhua herself, she felt that she would never give up the opportunity of letting Xiaoxiang hear her singing to anyone else... She also had her own little selfish motives in some things.

"What's wrong?" Chen Qi was a little surprised by Chu Hua's reaction, and asked in a teasing tone: "Chu Hua, don't you want to do your part in Xiangzi's affairs?"

"No, no, I do, of course!"

Chu Hua, who had come to her senses, nodded quickly. How could she give up the opportunity to help her best friend?

In the past year, she had always gained the courage to move forward from the chat records left by Xiaoxiang... and now, when Xiaoxiang needed courage the most, it was time for her to pass on the gift she had received from Xiaoxiang to her in the form of singing!

"It's just... in this case, Senior and I will be the two lead singers." But Chu Hua obviously thought of the crux of the problem, and a look of uneasiness flashed across his face. He asked Chen Qi softly:

"Although I was one of the two lead singers when I was in [Sumimi], but your lyrics and composition... are they really two lead singers?"

"Don't worry about that. If I didn't have the ability, I wouldn't have taken on this job."

However, Chu Hua had no idea that the problem she was most worried about was actually the thing that Chen Qi was most confident in accomplishing. After Chen Qi smiled calmly, he couldn't help but sigh slightly, and murmured with a touch of emotion in his tone:

"This song... I actually prepared it a long time ago. I was planning to sing it with my dear sister if I had the chance, but now it seems I have to bring it out in advance."

"Senior, are you ready?!" Chu Hua was a little startled, but soon revealed an expression of expectation and surprise.

After all, Chu Hua has already experienced Chen Qi's creative ability. A new song by a creator who can create "LOSER" on his own is definitely worth everyone's expectations.

"What's the name of your new song, could you please tell me?"