This Japanese Monogatari Isn't Lame
Chapter 240 - 196. 20,000,000 (Achievement of 8,000-word target)_2

Chapter 240: Chapter 196. 20,000,000 (Achievement of 8,000-word target)_2

Even those who didn’t care much for painting also pretended to be very familiar with Qianye Yuki and joined in the excitement.

After all, this might become a topic of conversation among Kyubei High School students in the future. If they wanted to avoid embarrassment during discussions, it was more appropriate to get some understanding.

"So that’s it, coming over to teach Hui Li painting techniques, and incidentally looking for opportunities to progress from the students," Shen Gu Mirai said as she took out a specially prepared lunchbox for Beichuan Si from its wrapping cloth.

"That has nothing to do with me; it’s all up to how Hui Li manages."

Although it wasn’t one-on-one instruction, the mentor-student relationship between Beichuan Hui Li and Qianye Yuki still existed. As long as Beichuan Hui Li took the initiative to ask, Qianye Yuki wouldn’t possibly refuse to answer.

Beichuan Si even suspected that Qianye Yuki would show favoritism towards Beichuan Hui Li—

But what did that have to do with him?

Beichuan Hui Li had her own choices, and it was time to let her make them.

With this thought, Beichuan Si no longer hesitated and reached for the egg roll that Shen Gu Mirai had carefully prepared with his chopsticks—

"Senior Beichuan, so you’re here."

"Miss Qianye?" Beichuan Si stood up and turned towards Qianye Yuki, who was approaching from the other side.

Qianye Yuki wasn’t alone; she was accompanied by a young woman wearing a mask and a hat, with a ’Visitor’ badge hanging on her chest.

Judging by her height alone, the woman appeared to be in her twenties.

"Good to see you, Miss Qianye."

"Hello, Miss Shen Gu."

Qianye Yuki greeted Shen Gu Mirai with a smile.

The courtyard was relatively empty at the moment, not many people had noticed them yet. Otherwise, a lot of eyes would probably be on them.

But if they stayed here...

Beichuan Si sensitively realized that glances were already starting to come their way.

He suggested with the lunchbox closed, "Let’s walk and talk."

"I’m so sorry to disturb your meal, Senior Beichuan," Qianye Yuki said, feeling embarrassed.

"It’s nothing. Miss Qianye, you must have something important to tell me since you were in such a hurry to find me, right?"

As he said this, Beichuan Si thoughtfully looked towards the young woman on the side.

"...It’s a bit difficult to explain here. There are too many people," Qianye Yuki cleared her throat.

Shen Gu Mirai astutely suggested her own idea, "Then we can go to the small woods behind this building; it’s usually deserted."

"...Let’s go there, then. Please lead the way," the young woman finally spoke, her voice hoarse and weak, as if she was deliberately suppressing it.

The group promptly made their way to the small woods and only after Beichuan Si confirmed multiple times that nobody else was around did Qianye Yuki nod to the woman beside her.

The young woman no longer hesitated, raised her hand, and removed her sunglasses and mask.

A woman’s face appeared before Beichuan Si and Shen Gu Mirai, three parts stern and five parts valiant.

Upon seeing the woman’s face, Shen Gu Mirai couldn’t help but let out a faint exclamation,

"You’re... Nakajima Michika?"

Her voice was very low as if afraid that someone would hear her speak this sentence.

However, what happened next caused Shen Gu Mirai’s face to completely change.

Beichuan Si actually frowned slightly, asking in a somewhat puzzled tone,

"Is Miss Nakajima famous?"

Huh!?

Not only Shen Gu Mirai, but even Qianye Yuki was taken aback by his question.

"Senior Beichuan... you don’t know about Shihua?" Qianye Yuki said in disbelief.

"I have some impression of the name ’Shihua’; Hui Li mentioned it before," Beichuan Si responded indifferently.

"Uh... but... but but..." Shen Gu Mirai stuttered on the side for quite some time without managing to articulate herself, and at last, could only swallow hard, "Mr. Temple, you truly are extraordinary to not have heard of Nakajima Michika’s name."

Hearing this, Beichuan Si’s gaze became even more inquisitive.

These two are completely unreliable; I might as well ask the person directly. He turned to look at Nakajima Michika and asked straightforwardly, "Miss Nakajima, I don’t pay much attention to some things, so I’d like to ask you."

Want to ask me? You want to ask about my fame?

A hint of amusement appeared on Nakajima Michika’s face as she scratched her chin and teased with a laugh, "Mr. Beichuan, for you to ask me this question yourself, it really gives me mixed feelings."

When she spoke these words, she adopted a languid tone, which made Beichuan Si slightly frown.

But considering everyone has their own way of living, Beichuan Si had no obligation to be nosy.

His frown also caught the eyes of Nakajima Michika, and somewhat embarrassed, she touched her nose.

Ah... it seems the first impression wasn’t very good.

At this moment, Shen Gu Mirai stepped forward to enlighten Beichuan Si:

"Nakajima Michika, the person in front of you, Mr. Temple, is a famous singer who has influenced our generation. Many music enthusiasts have given her the exclusive nickname ’Shihua’."

"Shihua made her debut with her exceptional singing talent, and though she never signed with any music agency, she relied on her remarkable ability to have concert tours around the world. Her composition ’Wandering Flower’ even won the Gold Award at the 45th Japan Record Awards, and has been covered by many people in various countries."

Shen Gu Mirai’s expression was somewhat awkward:

"Even I have listened to a lot of Shihua’s songs. I can’t believe, Mr. Temple, that you don’t even know her."

Nakajima Michika could certainly be considered a legend.

She made her debut writing her own songs, never signing with any music agency, yet she fiercely climbed her way up to the status of Japan’s national female superstar.

Not to mention the difficulty of writing and composing her own music, just the fact that she didn’t sign with any music agency already made Nakajima Michika a legendary figure.

She didn’t limit herself to pop songs about male-female love affairs. Traditional songs, classical music, and even easy listening compositions—this genius could effortlessly do all.

But Beichuan Si claimed he didn’t know about her?

He said he didn’t know Nakajima Michika?

"Ha-ha... not signing with a music agency... I simply never had that opportunity," Nakajima Michika said with self-deprecation, shaking her head, "Who wouldn’t want a smoother path to success? Miss Shen Gu, you’ve only seen the me that’s presented in encyclopedias and news reports. That’s not the real me."

"Really?"

Nakajima Michika appeared somewhat dejected and dispirited, which made Shen Gu Mirai suppress another question.

That was why Nakajima Michika suddenly stopped her singing activities.

Knowing that Nakajima Michika was at the peak of her career, why stop her soaring activities and instead fade away?

Shen Gu Mirai wanted to ask, but Nakajima Michika’s expression had already said it all.

There might be more to the story.

"Sorry to have startled you." Nakajima Michika lived up to her status as a big star; she had been a bit out of character just moments ago, but instantly adjusted her demeanor, apologizing with a bow to the two high school students without dwelling on her celebrity status.

Beichuan Si shook his head, "It was our presumption, but I wonder what Miss Qianye’s intention was in having us meet Miss Nakajima?"

Even upon hearing the resounding reputation of the other party, Beichuan Si showed little reaction, his voice remaining as calm as it had been at the start.

But Nakajima Michika wasn’t taken aback by his attitude; she simply lifted the corners of her mouth slightly.

Always maintaining a humble attitude had been her greatest method of progress.

But Nakajima Michika was by no means a pushover; on the contrary, she had her own pride.

After all, for someone as perfectionistic as her, one could be without arrogance, but not without backbone.

"Actually—"

"Actually, I have a favor to ask of Mr. Beichuan."

Before Qianye Yuki could finish speaking, Nakajima Michika took it upon herself.

"..." Qianye Yuki gave Nakajima Michika a deep look and then closed her mouth.

Nakajima Michika bowed to Beichuan Si, her tone becoming very calm:

"I would like Mr. Beichuan to take care of me for half a year."

"After half a year, I will pay Mr. Beichuan 20 million in compensation."

She straightened up and asked in return, "What do you think, Mr. Beichuan?"

Twenty million.

The request of a national superstar.

Beichuan Si fell silent.

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