1994: I Became a Literary Master in America

Chapter 138 Gunshots Ring Out

Chapter 140 Gunshots Ring Out (Part 3) 3/5

Xu Shengjie ignored Tupac.

He walked over to Manken, sat down, picked up the headphones, and put them on his head.

"How are you feeling?"

"Yes, I don't think there's any problem."

"I think it's good too."

"That's it then? Sally can contact me later."

"good!"

"By the way, the arrangement for your song 'You're Beautiful' is finished. Would you like to listen to it?"

"OK."

Xu Shengjie then put his headphones back on.

Tupac noticed that Xu Shengjie was ignoring him and was a little confused.

But he wouldn't get angry with Xu Shengjie, so he stood there awkwardly for a while before slinking away.

"Isn't that unnecessary?"

"What?"

"I don't think you need to treat Tupac like that. How should I put it, he's a pretty good guy, at least when it comes to music, he's very focused."

"I just want to tell him that I'm very unhappy and that he's been hiding things from me."

It's difficult for Manken to make a judgment, and he has no need to get involved in the conflict between the two brothers.

So he changed the subject and returned to music.

Xu Shengjie sent over six songs, and he simply took out the sheet music and began to discuss the specific arrangements further.

"Your trip back to Los Angeles was quite rushed."

"Disney and your agent have almost finished their talks and have confirmed that they will use 'The Color of the Wind' as the theme song. Vanessa happens to be in Los Angeles, so I'm going to go there to help her re-record a version for 'Pocahontas'."

She's going to Pennsylvania to film next month, and won't have time for the next two months.

"While she has time now, she should record the song first. After she finishes filming, Disney will make a music video for her."

"How's the situation with Mulan?"

"Montan has already submitted the work to Robert, it won't be that soon."

I reckon after Robert finishes reading it, he'll have it reviewed by others before finally submitting it to Eisner for approval. If we can get a result before May or June next year, that would be considered fast—Jeffrey, are you in a hurry about this story?

"Why should I be in a hurry? The publisher has already signed the contract anyway."

"I see—"

Manken did not press the matter further.

The two talked for a long time, and Manken had a general idea for the arrangement.

It started raining outside.

Manken checked the time; it was already past six.

"I have an appointment today, I have to go now."

"have fun."

Manken packed his things and left in a hurry.

Xu Shengjie then left Manken's recording studio and went to the door of Tupac's recording studio.

Mario had already finished get off work; the one guarding the door was Tupac's henchman from Los Angeles, Rabbit Teeth.

"Is Tupac still not finished?"

Rabbit Teeth was very friendly this time.

After all, Tupac had warned him that Xu Shengjie could make him disappear without a trace. From that one sentence, Rabbit Teeth knew that Xu Shengjie had a gang background. Rabbit Teeth had done his fair share of bullying, but when faced with a truly ruthless person, he became very obedient.

Not all Black people are audacious, vicious, or ruthless.

In reality, most Black people are bullies who prey on the weak and fear the strong.

"Director Jeffrey, Tupac is still working."

"Let's not disturb you."

"Of course, Tupac said that Director Jeffrey is free to come and go as he pleases."

"Thanks!"

Xu Shengjie behaved very politely.

But Rabbit Teeth dared not underestimate them in the slightest.

Stepping into the recording studio, it was chaotic and noisy.

Tupac's team was discussing it, while Tupac sat at his workbench, feeling cold.

"Amaru, are you free?"

"Jeffrey, you're done with your work, of course you have time."

"Shall we chat?"

"good!"

Tupac got up and walked out of the recording studio with Xu Shengjie, heading straight for Manken's office.

Xu Shengjie and Manken became acquainted, and Manken's office was now, to some extent, Xu Shengjie's territory.

He poured two glasses of whiskey, Pennsylvania Bison.

"Tell me honestly, what exactly is the conflict between you and Puff and his gang?"

"It's nothing, it's just that I had a battle with MaMaLion in Los Angeles before, and that guy lost pretty badly."

"But why did BIG also say they were going to cause you trouble?"

"what?"

"When you came to New York in June, you told me that you and BIG had a good relationship, and that you even went there to help him record a song—how come BIG turned against you in just a few months? Do you know what Manken just said to me? He told me to advise you to leave New York as soon as possible, and that Puff has contacted people from 421 to teach you a lesson and cause you trouble."

Tupac lowered his head and remained silent.

Xu Shengjie sat down on the sofa, took out a pack of Lucky Strike cigarettes, lit one, and then tossed the pack onto the coffee table.

He just stared at Tupac without saying a word.

Tupac picked up the cigarette case on the coffee table, took out a cigarette, and lit it.

He sat opposite Xu Shengjie, head down, silent.

About four or five minutes later, he sighed, looked up and said, "It's Faith."

"Who?"

"Face Evans".

Xu Shengjie scratched his head, looking a little lost.

He knew Faith Evans, an American rhythm and blues singer and songwriter.

Other than that, we know nothing.

In 94, Faye Wong was not yet famous; she wasn't the R&B queen who sang, acted, and wrote an autobiography, dominating the music scene. Moreover, even in his previous life, Xu Shengjie didn't know her very well.

He knew about her because his girlfriend, a graduate of the Central Conservatory of Music, was a fan of Fei Si.

That's it!

So when Tupac said Firth's name, Xu Shengjie was still completely confused.

Tupac said somewhat awkwardly, "Fris is BIG's wife."

"what?"

They got married in August.

"so----"

"But in September, BIG got together with Lil, and Faith found out."

"Well----"

What a load of nonsense!

Xu Shengjie was completely stunned.

"We've known each other since when Faith and Kiama were together, and we're pretty good friends."

Who is Chiama?

"Kiyama Griffin, a music producer."

Back when Faith was in college—well, Faith was a student at Fordham University in New York—they got together.

Then Faith got pregnant, so she temporarily suspended her studies and went to Los Angeles with Chiamaro. She also knew Doge.

"What's it to you? I mean, what's it to you if BIG and Lil King are getting together?"

Damn, the Black community is a mess!

Xu Shengjie felt dizzy and disoriented listening to this.

Tupac said with a wry smile, "It was when Puff challenged us to a battle that Faith went along to relax."

After the match, Faith came to me and started crying about BIG and Lil King's messy relationship, saying she wanted to divorce BIG—and I just stayed with her and listened to her vent. You know, these kinds of things usually involve a couple of drinks, so we drank and talked. I even said that when I came over this month, I would talk to BIG, but in the end—"

"Have you drunk too much?"

"Um!"

Xu Shengjie slapped his forehead, unsure how to comment on the matter.

But, it still feels a little strange.

You, Faith, had a family conflict and went to Los Angeles to talk to Tupac?

Is this a heartfelt confession, or a long-distance delivery of... you know...?

And also, if you really have grievances, shouldn't you seek justice from Abbot Puff?

What's the relationship between Faith and Puff?

"She's signed to Puff's Bad Boys Records."

That's even stranger, since BIG is also a signee of bad boys.

"Where is Lil King?"

"Lilkin? No, she's a student at Brooklyn College."

Xu Shengjie racked his brains, trying to gather information about "Lily King" from his memories.

But no, it didn't.

However, he remembered the information about "Brooklyn Academy," which was touted as the "Whampoa Military Academy of the hip-hop world."

BIG also graduated from here, and many East Coast rappers come from here.

It feels very complicated!

However, there is one thing Xu Shengjie is certain of.

There's definitely something fishy about Tupac and Faith. According to Tupac, she knows Faith, but their relationship is probably just so-so. She's closer to Faith's ex-boyfriend, Chiamaro, and Tupac even specifically mentioned Snoopy, seemingly implying that Snoopy's relationship with Faith is far better than hers.

Puff went to the Los Angeles Battl tournament, where Tupac took on the challenge.

This is a battle between the East and West Coast rap scene.

As one of the three pillars of the West Coast rap scene, Doge will definitely participate, after all, it is an honor for West Coast rap.

But instead of going after Dogger, Faith dragged Tupac*, who had just finished battling Puff and even humiliated him, along.

Hoho, this is interesting!

Xu Shengjie admitted that he had some dark thoughts.

But when it comes to Puff, he feels that no amount of darkness is too much.

He thought for a moment, and was about to speak.

Just then, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the office, and it was quite loud.

"Tupac, I know you're here, come out!"

A rough voice came from outside.