Chapter Fifty-Three: The Legend of the Song Title

“You have to be together, together, together...!” Xu Tong and Lin Xudong, each holding a microphone, sang loudly at Xiao Lin and Wang Yuqing, urging them to get together. The others chimed in, especially Tan Linlin, who squeezed herself right between Xiao Lin and Wang Yuqing, her two plump hands grabbing one of Xiao Lin’s and one of Wang Yuqing’s, trying to make them hold hands. But neither would let Tan Linlin have her way. Xiao Lin twisted his wrist and shook off her hand, while Wang Yuqing made it even simpler—she pinched Tan Linlin’s soft waist, making her giggle uncontrollably.

“Alright, stop making a fuss, you bunch of troublemakers. Who’s singing next? If no one volunteers, I’m up,” Xiao Lin stood and pretended to snatch the microphone.

“I’ll go, I’ll go! Boss Xiao, you’re next, but let me have this one,” Yuan Weiye quickly grabbed the microphone from Lin Xudong, ran to the song selection screen, and chose “Glorious Years.” “Who’s singing with me?” Yuan Weiye brandished the mic triumphantly, asking everyone.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the private room except Wang Yuqing did the same thing—they covered their ears. Wang Yuqing watched them, puzzled, her beautiful large eyes filled with confusion.

“Yuqing, only you truly understand me. They don’t appreciate my talent. Here, take the mic, let’s sing together,” Yuan Weiye, unfazed by everyone plugging their ears, invited her happily. From the first time he sang, the others had always reacted like this, and he had grown used to it. But since Wang Yuqing hadn’t covered her ears, he was delighted to invite her.

“Ah, I don’t know this song,” Wang Yuqing waved her hands repeatedly; she really couldn’t sing Cantonese songs. Yuan Weiye insisted a few times, but seeing her persistently shake her head, he gave up and decided to sing solo.

He pressed play and, pretending to be suave, flicked his hair. As the music started, he brought the microphone to his lips, even throwing Wang Yuqing a flirtatious wink, signaling her to prepare for his performance. Wang Yuqing gave him a gentle smile, indicating she would listen.

The music began, Yuan Weiye tapped out the rhythm lightly. Suddenly, he propped one foot on the small table in front, causing Xiao Lin and the others to clamp their ears even tighter. Yuan Weiye bowed his head and howled, “The bell rings, signaling homecoming, in his life…” His singing could not be described in terms of any human sound; imagine a group of male ducks in heat screeching. Most people, even if off-key, just miss a note or two, but he was completely tone deaf, unable to distinguish between four tones, five notes, utterly lost. Yet he believed he sang beautifully, lost in his own wailing.

Wang Yuqing shuddered involuntarily at his first line; the next few lines sent chills down her spine. Out of politeness, she couldn’t cover her ears, but Yuan Weiye’s singing was truly unbearable. Thinking quickly, she stood and said, “I need to go to the restroom.” She immediately pushed open the door and left. After hiding for three minutes in the restroom, she figured Yuan Weiye had about finished and returned to the room.

Opening the door, she saw Yuan Weiye had indeed finished singing and was happily chatting with Lin Xudong, who looked as though he had suffered greatly. “Ah, Yuqing, you’re back! What a pity you went to the restroom and missed the rest of my song. How was it? Pretty good, right?” Yuan Weiye asked, narcissistically.

“Uh… It was indeed good,” Wang Yuqing hesitated for a long time before finally uttering a blatant lie. Xu Tong and the others exchanged knowing looks with her.

“Xiao Lin, it’s your turn,” Wang Tao snatched the microphone from Yuan Weiye and handed it to Xiao Lin. They always let Yuan Weiye sing only one song, telling him with a straight face that he was a “mic hog” and needed to leave some chances for others.

“Great, great, the true mic master is about to sing,” Liu Na clapped her hands, delighted.

“Heh, what should I sing?” Xiao Lin took the microphone, scratching his head.

“Legend, of course!” The three girls, Liu Na, Kang Yan, and Tan Linlin, said in unison. As soon as they requested Xiao Lin to sing this song, Wang Tao quietly set the other microphone he had just picked up back on the table. Lin Xudong and Xu Tong sighed, while Yuan Weiye was eager on the side, though the others would never let him sing again.

Uh… Hearing Tan Linlin and the others request “Legend,” Xiao Lin glanced at Wang Yuqing. Before she arrived, they often came to Prince Karaoke, and nearly every time Xiao Lin would sing “Legend.” Initially, someone would join him, but eventually, everyone realized Xiao Lin’s singing was on another level; his voice was simply too good. In the end, none dared sing alongside him. Whenever Xiao Lin sang, even the most boisterous Tan Linlin would fall silent, listening intently.

Wang Yuqing rested her chin in anticipation, waiting for Xiao Lin to display his talent. She had never heard him sing, only his poetry recitations, but his voice promised a beautiful singing performance. The thought made her even more eager.

Xiao Lin, seeing her expectant expression, felt a faint bitterness in his heart. Xu Tong and the others had no idea why he always chose “Legend.” The song resonated deeply with how he felt when he first met Ma Yunrou, and how he pined for her after she left. Every time he sang it, he would turn off all the lights in the room, plunging it into darkness, because he couldn’t help but shed tears. After finishing, he’d go to the restroom to wash his face, hiding the traces of his tears from the others.

But now, Xiao Lin didn’t want to sing this song, and the reason was Wang Yuqing. Since this gentle girl had entered his life, the heart that had once been lifeless was rekindled, making him feel alive again. He didn’t wish to dwell on the past. He realized he was slowly falling for her, and seeing her every day brought him joy. Yet he feared he might hurt her, believing Ma Yunrou’s departure was his fault. Before he could address his shortcomings, he didn’t intend to embark on another romance. Still, his feelings for Wang Yuqing were real, leaving him conflicted.

At that moment, Liu Na pressed play, and the soft music of “Legend” began…

Wang Tao rose to turn off the lights, knowing Xiao Lin’s habit with this song. But Xiao Lin waved him off, indicating it wasn’t necessary. Wang Tao sat down, puzzled. Xiao Lin smiled faintly, offering no explanation. He gently gripped the microphone, cleared his throat, and faced Wang Yuqing, pouring his emotions out with the music.

“Simply because I looked at you one more time in the crowd, I could never forget your face again. Dreaming that one day we might meet by chance, from then on I began my lonely yearning…”