Maximize Interest, My Money Grows Infinitely-Chapter 294 - 200 How do you know it’s a daughter?_3

"Light and lingering sentiment, can’t be waved away..."

Su Liya placed one hand on the edge of the table and closed her eyes, savoring it.

It was Chen Cheng’s first time seeing her so serene; her usual good manners had a bit of a performative element, but this time, she truly calmed down.

"How about it? Was it okay?" Old Xu asked as the song ended.

Su Liya opened her eyes, "It sounds nice, but..."

"What?" Old Xu countered.

Su Liya looked at Chen Cheng. Chen Cheng didn’t notice any issues, so he said, "If you have any doubts, feel free to speak."

Xiao Meier encouraged as well, "Right, Li Ya. Didn’t we agree before coming not to keep things to ourselves?"

"It seems different from the Deng Lijun I heard at home," Su Liya replied.

"Isn’t this Deng Lijun’s voice?" Xiao Meier blinked, puzzled.

Chen Cheng also thought it sounded normal, he said, "Could it be the album you listened to and this vinyl record were made at different times? People’s vocal cords do change."

Su Liya still shook her head, "No, that’s not it."

Old Xu, also curious, had a bit of a reputation among audiophiles himself, and no one had ever pointed out an issue.

"Did you notice something off?"

Su Liya thought for a moment, "It might be the tube amp."

"Tube amp?"

Old Xu startled then, to mention such a specific piece of equipment, she seemed to know her stuff.

Su Liya continued, "Your tube amp, the distortion is too severe."

"Distortion?"

Old Xu was genuinely surprised this time, sizing up Su Liya.

This young girl, so young yet with such a discerning ear, she pointed out a flaw that even he, an avid audio enthusiast, had not noticed!

"How... how do you know it’s the tube amp distortion?" Old Xu couldn’t help asking.

Su Liya answered, "Because the sound at my place, it’s like Deng Lijun standing right in front of me singing."

"You mean...," Su Liya thought about how to describe it, "It’s like taking a photo and then Photoshopping it, making the sound overly distorted."

Old Xu raised his eyebrows, "Then what kind of tube amp do you think I should get?"

"Your shop mostly has pop songs from the 70s and 80s, which demand high fidelity and atmospheric restoration. I suggest considering..."

She paused, "You could consider the British Marantz or the American McIntosh. These brands’ tube amps produce a warm, delicate sound, suitable for this type of music."

Old Xu incredulously turned to Chen Cheng, smiling, "Dacheng, where did you find such an expert? Isn’t this breaking my scene?"

"I didn’t mean that..." Su Liya quickly wanted to explain.

Chen Cheng smiled, "He’s just joking with you. Don’t take it seriously."

Old Xu took the record off the player, examining it in his hands, "Young lady, try listening to this at home, and once you’re done, give it back to me."

"Really?" Su Liya’s eyes lit up.

"I’m true to my word," Old Xu laughed heartily, "But, you have to promise me, after listening, you must tell me how you felt. Deal?"

"No problem!"

"Great! Then that’s settled!"

Ding Ding Ding.

Chen Cheng’s phone rang, pulling it out, it was a call from Wen Shulin.

"Hello?"

"I’m at Wanbao Hall, where did you guys go?" Wen Shulin asked anxiously, looking at the closed-up shop.

"We’re nearby, coming right back."

"Okay, I’ll wait for you."

Ending the call, Chen Cheng said to Su Liya, "Let’s go, your mom is here to pick you up."

Su Liya carefully held the record, her face showing a hint of reluctance.

She asked, "Mr. Chen, can we come back again next time?"

Chen Cheng smiled, "Don’t you have to return the record?"

"Right!" Su Liya laughed happily.

The three returned to Wanbao Hall, where Wen Shulin was anxiously pacing at the door.

Seeing Su Liya, Wen Shulin’s tense face finally softened into a smile.

"Mummy, Mr. Chen and Sister Xiao Er took me to Ghost Market!" Su Liya couldn’t wait to share, "Look, this is the record borrowed from Mr. Chen’s friend!"

Wen Shulin ruffled Su Liya’s hair, turning to Chen Cheng and Xiao Meier, "Thank you so much for today."

"It’s nothing."

Xiao Meier also smiled, "Sister Lin, you’re too kind."

Seeing her exhausted expression, "Would you like to come in for some food?"

Wen Shulin was indeed tired.

She glanced at the locked door, "No, you’ve closed up. I’ll take Li Ya back."

"Ah? You’re leaving already?" Su Liya thought they might actually stay at Chen Cheng’s house tonight.

"Yes!" Wen Shulin said, pinching Su Liya’s nose lightly, "What’s wrong, don’t want to leave?"

Su Liya looked at Wen Shulin, then at Chen Cheng and Xiao Meier, and finally nodded, "Yeah, a little reluctant."

"We’ll come again next time. Don’t you want to discuss remaking that QQ NENE tasty Pu’er tea with me?" Xiao Meier comforted.

"It’s QQ NENE super yummy Pu’er tea!" Su Liya corrected.

Wen Shulin laughed, shaking her head, "Xiao Er, don’t mind her! This child, grew up in Taiwan."

"Not at all! Li Ya is very cute!"

Wen Shulin held Su Liya’s hand, "Alright, time to say goodbye."

"Sister Xiao Er, goodbye."

"Mr. Chen, goodbye." Su Liya’s eyes lingered on Chen Cheng.

Chen Cheng waved, "Take care on the road."

Wen Shulin took Su Liya to the car, and as the taillights vanished from sight, Big Willow Tree quieted down again.

Chen Cheng and Xiao Meier walked toward the parking lot.

Xiao Meier said, "Husband, I realized something very important tonight."

"What?"

"Imagine, Li Ya being raised so well by Sister Lin, so outstanding, it would be great if our daughter could be like that too!"

Chen Cheng didn’t know how to respond.

All he could say was, "How do you know it’ll be a daughter? Wouldn’t a son be alright?"

"Do you prefer a boy?" Xiao Meier asked smiling.

Chen Cheng: "I’m not fussy, ideally one of each! Even better, a pair of dragon-phoenix twins!"

Xiao Meier covered her mouth and chuckled, "You think you’re capable?"

"Want to try?"

"Stop it!"

Chen Cheng opened the car door, "Get in."

"Okay!"

Ding!

Chen Cheng checked his phone; it was a message from Wen Shulin.

"I’m a bit tired today, let’s plan for another day."

"What’s wrong, husband?" Xiao Meier inquired curiously.

Chen Cheng deleted the message, got into the car, "10086, reminding me it’s time to pay the bill."

The Mercedes drove into the night sky, past midnight, yet Chen Cheng’s thoughts lingered on the day’s events.