Madam, Please Behave-Chapter 159: Li Chongming’s Melancholy

An Yuanyao seemed to have gained a new understanding of Liu Changqing.

She had never known that someone’s singing could be so destructive.

She couldn’t even make out the melody, and after catching just a few lyrics, she had completely lost track of what he was even trying to sing.

To be honest, she thought Liu Changqing’s singing ability was… well, not great.

But Liu Changqing himself had no such awareness.

He had always believed he was a decent singer.

Even though his college roommates had told him his singing was awful, he had always assumed they were just joking.

Back then, Liu Changqing’s thought process was simple:

"You guys sound just as bad. Are you trying to drag me down to your level and make me one of you?

Dream on."

Watching An Yuanyao, who had clearly lied under pressure, Feng Qian remained silent for a while before finally speaking up.

"How about… we skip karaoke after dinner?"

"Absolutely not! I was planning to show off my skills in front of the employees!"

"I really think we shouldn’t go…"

Hearing Liu Changqing’s resistance, An Yuanyao quickly chimed in.

She looked at him, as if feeling a little guilty for blurting it out so directly. After hesitating for a moment, she continued,

"It’ll be late after dinner, and some employees live pretty far away. If we stay out too long, it might be inconvenient for them to get home."

"Hmm… that’s true. How about we let the employees leave after dinner, and just a few of us go?"

At this point, Feng Qian was utterly defeated.

There’s a saying: If you don’t listen to a recording of yourself singing, you’ll never know how bad you actually sound.

Clearly, Liu Changqing had never heard himself sing.

So, Feng Qian finally asked the question that had been nagging at him.

"Old Liu, why are you so passionate about singing?"

"Because I once wanted to be a singer…"

After saying this, the room fell silent.

Seeing their expressions, Liu Changqing started to sense that something was off.

He wasn’t an idiot. It was obvious that they were both against him singing.

An Yuanyao had just said she wanted to hear him sing, yet now she was stopping him…

At that moment, Liu Changqing’s mind raced back to memories from his past life.

Wait… could it be that my college classmates weren’t joking when they said I sang terribly? Is that why the student council always rejected my applications to perform at school events?

Realizing this possibility, his expression grew serious.

Staring directly at An Yuanyao, he asked earnestly,

"You guys… really think my singing is bad?"

"Well…"

"Be honest."

"Uh… yeah, it’s not great."

Watching An Yuanyao nod as she spoke, Liu Changqing fell completely silent.

At last, the mystery that had plagued him for years was solved.

Back in elementary school, at the New Year’s Eve talent show, he had moved his entire class to tears with a performance of Cao Cao.

In middle school, after singing The Offering of Love, a few girls who used to cling to him every day suddenly disappeared from his life.

During family reunions, his younger cousin was always asked to sing a few lines, but when it was his turn, the family would immediately say, "Let’s just eat."

All these years, he had been living in a lie.

So it turns out… I, Liu Changqing—

Not only can’t sing, but I sound absolutely awful.

His fists clenched.

After a long silence, he slowly released them.

With a deep sigh, his voice dropped.

"Alright… no karaoke, just dinner."

And just like that, Liu Changqing’s dream of singing shattered.

Neither An Yuanyao nor Feng Qian knew what was going through his mind, but they both let out a quiet sigh of relief.

That kind of singing—once heard, could never be forgotten.

Sensing the heavy mood, Feng Qian lifted the champagne bottle in his hand and spoke up.

"Forget all that. Want a drink? Let’s celebrate early."

—

Li Chongming’s expression was grim.

The dim lighting around him only emphasized the turbulence within his heart.

All around him, people were chatting in hushed tones, laughing, or discussing where they’d go after finishing their drinks.

He lifted his glass and downed his drink in one gulp, then slammed the glass back onto the table.

"Hey, handsome. Are you alone?"

A heavily made-up woman sauntered over, flaunting what she believed to be her best features.

She twisted her body as she slid into the seat beside him.

Leaning in closer, she whispered,

"Mind if I sit here?"

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"…"

She gazed at his side profile, inching even closer.

With what she assumed was an enticing voice, she continued,

"Drinking alone is boring. How about… I join you for a drink?"

"…"

"Why so quiet? If you don’t say anything, I’ll take that as a yes~"

She lifted her glass.

A surge of irritation rose in Li Chongming’s chest. He turned his head, his face darkening as he looked at the woman.

"Sit if you want, but shut up."

His words instantly made her feel humiliated.

She had been frequenting places like this for a long time, but this was the first time someone had responded to her like that.

Her expression shifted.

She glanced at his hand—and noticed the ring on his finger.

So, he’s married…

A plan formed in her mind.

Pretending to be offended, she stood up, as if she was about to leave.

But then, her foot "accidentally" slipped, and she tumbled right toward Li Chongming.

"Oh no!"

Her hands grabbed onto his white dress shirt for support.

Then, she deliberately pressed her lips against the fabric, leaving a noticeable stain.

The unexpected move caught Li Chongming off guard.

When he snapped back to reality, he immediately shoved her away.

His voice was filled with anger.

"Get lost!"

"Tch! Acting all high and mighty!"

She huffed, stomping off in her high heels.

"What an a**hole…"

She muttered under her breath.

Watching her leave, Li Chongming exhaled sharply.

Any desire to continue drinking had vanished.

He stood up, left the bar, and headed to his car.

Starting the engine, he drove home.

At a red light, he stopped at an intersection.

His fingers tapped anxiously on the steering wheel, his expression growing darker.

Ever since Liu Changqing barged into his home, Li Wanran had been treating him differently—her warmth toward him was noticeably fading.

Back in high school, he had been indecisive, hesitant in everything he did.

His delicate features and gentle personality had made him well-liked, though he was never a particularly influential figure.

But people change.

Despite coming from a prestigious university and having family support to start his own company, business had been declining.

Thinking about Li Wanran’s growing distance, a deep frustration welled up inside him.

The red light counted down, second by second.

His gaze was fixed ahead.

Then, a familiar figure walked past the intersection.

His eyes widened.

For a moment, he wasn’t sure.

He blinked, then looked again.

It was Liu Changqing.

And beside him… was a woman carrying a bag.

Because Liu Changqing partially blocked his view, Li Chongming couldn’t see her face.

The two quickly disappeared from sight.

Before he could process it, the car behind him honked, urging him to move.

Driving on, Li Chongming’s expression darkened further.

He just couldn’t understand.

Why was Liu Changqing thriving?

After divorcing Li Wanran, shouldn’t he be miserable?

Why… had he already found another woman?