Chapter 125: How Have You Been These Years?

Siete smiled at me and simply explained his reason for visiting. “I met with Nueve, and he told me about your current situation, so I came to find you,” he said. “I see.”

“Let’s find a place to talk,” Siete suggested. I nodded, then transformed into a wolf and followed him as we left the school. We arrived at a private dining restaurant, which had an elegant atmosphere and was located in a secluded area.

In the private room, Siete kept sizing me up. “Your disguise is quite ugly. If I weren’t so familiar with your wolf form, I don’t think I would have recognized you.”

I didn’t explain anything, simply sipping my tea. Noticing my silence, Siete asked, “How have you been these years?”

I smirked slightly and replied, “What do you think?”

Siete nodded thoughtfully. “It seems like you’ve been doing fairly well. It’s just a shame. With your talent, if you had stayed in the circle, you would surely shine.”

I didn’t respond, instead glancing out the window. “I heard you’ve been working with an artist, helping him with lyrics and composition?”

Siete chuckled. “You know him. Actually, the reason I came today is related to him.”

Upon hearing this, I had already made a good guess, but I had my own principles and boundaries. “Siete, I told you back then that I wouldn’t write again.”

But Siete interrupted me directly. “That incident happened so many years ago. Haven’t you let it go yet?”

I didn’t answer but countered with a question, “Do you really think it’s that easy to let go?”

Siete hesitated, searching for words, and after a moment of silence, I let out a sigh of relief. “If you’re here asking me to help write lyrics and compose music, I’m afraid I can’t help. But if you just want to catch up over tea as an old friend, you’re always welcome.”

I made my stance clear, and Siete understood. He let out a disappointed sigh and continued to persuade me. “Harmony, please consider it. I don’t need many songs, just one! I want the lyrics and music to come entirely from you, just one song!”

I frowned. “Siete, some things are better left unsaid.”

But Siete persisted, refusing to give up. “But this is something really simple for you!”

I remained silent. My stance couldn’t be shaken. Siete should have understood that I was still holding onto… that wouldn’t change.

“Sorry, Harmony. I know it’s difficult for you to make this choice! If you’re unwilling, I won’t press the issue anymore.” Then Siete pulled out a business card from his pocket. “Here’s my personal phone number. If you ever change your mind, feel free to reach out. No matter what, we’ve been friends for years, and that friendship will always remain.”

I took his business card and casually tucked it into my pocket. “Let’s grab something to eat!”

Seeing me accept his card, Siete looked somewhat relieved, and his expression brightened a bit. “Okay, let’s eat.”

After our meal, Siete accompanied me back to the school. “Harmony, remember to call me anytime, no matter when,” he said earnestly as we parted. I simply waved him goodbye and turned to walk back into the school.

When I returned to the classroom, I saw Christine fuming, her fingers flying across her phone screen. I sat down next to her and asked, “What’s going on? Who angered you?”

Without looking up, Christine replied, “Hayley, hurry and grab your phone to help me. These online trolls are being outrageous, ever invading my hubby’s fan forum to cause trouble. Help me create a fake account to fight back.”

I leaned in closer and saw Christine in the middle of a fierce online argument with a group of trolls in Christopher’s fan forum. Given her determination, it was clear she wouldn’t back down until she had silenced them. “Hayley, you need to help me out!”

Realizing she was struggling to keep up, Christine quickly pulled me into the fray. I asked, puzzled, “What did your hubby do to draw so many online haters?”

Christine fumed, “What else could it be? They’re saying my hubby is all looks and no substance, that he only relies on his face for success. They even called him a pretty boy with no real talent. It’s infuriating!”

“Those guys are just anti-fans. Ignore them. I’ll take care of it,” I said, pulling out my phone. Instantly, black characters flashed across the screen as I hacked into Twitter’s system and directly blocked those haters’ accounts.

“Ah, they’ve finally shut up!” Christine exclaimed as she refreshed her feed and found no new comments from the trolls. “They must have realized my skills in battle are too strong, and now they’re too scared to show their faces!”

I casually tucked my phone away, not bothering to explain.

After school in the afternoon, Henry came to pick me up, and as soon as we arrived at the Southwells’ Residence, I could faintly hear the sound of piano music coming from the music room upstairs. I brightened at the thought that it might be Benjamin playing the piano upstairs, so I dropped my backpack and headed up.

As I reached the corner of the stairs, the music suddenly stopped, followed by a series of loud clattering noises. Moments later, the door to the music room swung open. Christopher stepped out, looking displeased. He didn’t even greet me; instead, he just turned to the side and walked away.

“Christopher…” The words I wanted to say caught in my throat. Driven by curiosity, I pushed the door open and entered the music room. The music room, which had been pristine just yesterday, was now a chaotic mess, with crumpled papers strewn across the floor and the formerly organized sheet music rack in disarray.

I bent down to pick up a paper, curious to see what it was. As I carefully unfolded it, I realized it was an unfinished composition.

“Ms. Carson, there you are!” a maid exclaimed as she hurried in. I quickly tucked the paper away in my hands. “Is there something you need?”