Chapter 14

7:30 PM.

Huaxin Youth Apartment.

Wearing a cute red flower headband tilted to one side, and a pink apron around her small frame, Bai Ge hummed a cheerful tune while helping Lin Zai Shan prepare dinner.

The father and daughter rented a 30-square-meter youth apartment.

Upon entering, there was an open kitchen on the right, opposite which was a 4-square-meter small bathroom, and further in was a square-shaped studio.

The apartment was very compact.

The entire southeast-facing wall was designed with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Outside, there was an endless bay, offering a very broad and distant view.

Since the apartment was newly built just a few years ago, the interior decoration was quite good.

With Bai Ge helping to clean every day, the place didn't look like a pigsty but was rather tidy and cozy.

Though small, the apartment had everything it needed.

Basic appliances like a TV, air conditioner, and refrigerator were standard.

The 34-inch wall-mounted LCD TV was quite new, but Lin Zai Shan rarely watched TV. In the past, he would spend his days at his old MINI keyboard, composing music, or playing the piano by the sea.

There was no bed in the room.

Only a long, dark gray old sofa, a glass coffee table, and a clean wool rug in front of the sofa.

When Lin Zai Shan slept, he mostly slept on the sofa, and occasionally he would spread out a sleeping bag and sleep on the floor.

Bai Ge usually stayed in her school dormitory. If she came home, she would sleep on the floor with her father.

The old man used to dislike Bai Ge staying here, thinking she would interfere with his creative process.

Bai Ge knew this, so even during winter and summer breaks, she stayed in the school dormitory and didn't come home to disturb her father's work.

At the moment, sitting at the old composing desk, Lin Zai Shan played with the instruments of this world.

The technological development in the two worlds was different, but the principles were the same. Lin Zai Shan could handle the old man's creative equipment.

However, these devices were quite old, mostly from over a decade ago, and should have been phased out long ago.

Lin Zai Shan planned to buy some new equipment and even build a more modern music studio once he earned some money.

The question was, how could he earn money quickly?

In this world, many musicians struggled to make ends meet, and making money from music wasn't easy.

Releasing an album was out of the question; with his status, no major record company would produce his music.

Posting songs online might generate some attention, but it was hard to earn money from it.

The internet in this world hadn't yet developed an effective music payment model.

Writing and selling songs to professional music companies was a way to earn money.

But to whom could he sell his songs?

He had no friends in the industry.

The competition was fierce, and even experienced musicians found it difficult to sell their songs, let alone a notorious washed-up old singer like him.

Performing in bars was another option.

Currently, this seemed to be the only way he could earn money through music.

The old man had also tried performing in bars, but the results were poor, and no bar would give him a long-term residency.

If he took this path, Lin Zai Shan would have to swallow his pride and re-audition for opportunities.

His current health was poor, and he might not last two hours of continuous singing.

But he had no choice; he had to survive and persevere.

He couldn't rely on Bai Ge's earnings from her part-time jobs forever.

It was time for him to work hard and support Bai Ge.

Lin Zai Shan decided to rest at home for a couple of days, adapt to his new body, and organize his thoughts. Once he felt better, he would look for bar gigs to earn some quick money, improve their living conditions, and practice his singing and breath control.

After the recording of "The Strongest Singer" began, he would aim to win the championship and turn his life around.

Gurgle.

After playing the MIDI keyboard for a while, Lin Zai Shan's stomach growled again.

Perhaps his new, passionate soul was burning through his weak body, making him feel constantly hungry.

Smelling the seafood aroma from the dining table, Lin Zai Shan swallowed and asked Bai Ge, "When will Producer Sun arrive? My stomach is growling again."

"You ate 20 large buns at noon, and you're still hungry?"

Bai Ge, still stir-frying clams, looked at Lin Zai Shan with a surprised smile.

"Good mood, big appetite."

With his right hand, Lin Zai Shan played a cheerful melody, his face beaming with a sunny smile, a stark contrast to the old man's usual gloomy expression.

Feeling Lin Zai Shan's renewed spirit, Bai Ge was in a great mood.

That morning, after checking out of the hospital, the father and daughter bought a 3-yuan instant lottery ticket on a whim.

To their surprise, they won 2000 yuan!

This made them feel very happy for the rest of the day.

Lin Zai Shan's hospital stay, including medical examinations, cost 1208.5 yuan, all paid from the 3000 yuan deposit given by Sun Yuzhen.

They had planned to repay Sun Yuzhen the 1000+ yuan medical fee when they had the money.

But the lottery win allowed them to repay her immediately.

With the refund from the hospital, they decided to invite Sun Yuzhen for dinner at home and return the 3000 yuan deposit in full.

They invited Sun Yuzhen to dinner at home not just to save money.

An important reason was that Sun Yuzhen also lived in the Huaxin Youth Apartment, which overlooked the sea!

They were that connected.

Lin Zai Shan lived in Building A, and Sun Yuzhen in Building H.

The main type of apartment in Huaxin was the 30-square-meter cozy studio, specifically rented to single men and women in the city.

Sun Yuzhen rented a similar studio for 2500 yuan per month, which was expensive but worth it.

The complex had 10 buildings, housing over a thousand single men and women.

Many college students and aspiring young artists lived there.

The area was close to the sea, with a very good environment and a strong artistic atmosphere.

It was near the two major TV stations in the media center area—Oriental TV and Haixing TV—just a 10-minute motorcycle ride away.

It was also only 2 kilometers from Dongyi University.

Bai Ge could easily walk from Dongyi University to Huaxin to help Lin Zai Shan clean and then walk back to school.

Initially, Bai Ge rode a bicycle between Dongyi University and Huaxin.

But after losing her bicycle at the beginning of the year, she decided not to buy another one and walked everywhere.

Bai Ge was a dedicated walker.

Back in Room 2505, Building A, Huaxin—

"Sis Sun just called and said she'll be off at 8. Just a few more minutes, she should be here soon."

"Okay, I'll wait a bit longer."

Drinking some cold water to ease his hunger, Lin Zai Shan opened the old work desk drawer, looking for any hidden snacks.

He found no snacks but an old wooden photo frame.

Inside was a photo of Bai Ge at 12 years old with her mother, Bai Yun, at the beach.

Seeing this old photo, Lin Zai Shan's heart ached!

How could it be her?

Thinking his eyes were playing tricks on him, he rubbed them hard, but the photo remained unchanged.

The woman in the photo, around 30 years old, wore a fresh white dress, exuding a charming and artistic aura.

She looked like the actress Jiang Yayan from his previous life.

Even more, she resembled Lin Zai Shan's first love, Liu Xue, whom he met in music college!

This familiar face touched the softest part of his heart.

Many memories flooded his mind.

Liu Xue was the woman Lin Zai Shan loved the most in his previous life.

After Liu Xue, he had relationships with other women, but in his heart, Liu Xue, who had been with him for six years during his youth, remained his true love.

Was this fate or a nightmare?

Looking at Bai Yun's photo, Lin Zai Shan felt a bit lost.

He sat in silence, unable to snap out of it, feeling a mix of emotions.

This woman had taught him what love and reality were.

Even in this new world, seeing her smile still stirred mixed feelings in him.

Humming a tune, Bai Ge finished stir-frying the clams and served the dish. She noticed Lin Zai Shan looking at the photo of her and her mother.

Bai Ge's heart ached. She wiped her hands and quietly approached Lin Zai Shan, asking softly, "Dad, are you upset again?"

"No, no."

Knowing the old man disliked this photo that Bai Ge had deliberately left at home, Lin Zai Shan smiled bitterly.

Instead of putting the photo back in the drawer, he placed it on the work desk, looked at Bai Ge warmly, and said, "Thankfully, you take after your mom, not me."

"My looks are a combination of the best of both you and Mom."

Bai Ge said proudly.

"Thank her for giving me you."

"I also thank Mom for giving me you."

Sensing Lin Zai Shan's change in attitude, Bai Ge felt warm inside and wanted to hug her father if she weren't wearing an apron.

"Hurry up and finish cooking. I'm really hungry."

"Okay."

Nodding happily, Bai Ge glanced at the photo on the work desk and continued cooking, feeling warm inside.

...

8:10 PM.

Sun Yuzhen rushed to Lin Zai Shan's home.

Since it was her first time visiting, out of politeness, she applied a light layer of foundation to her clear but slightly dull face.

She gave herself a very light, natural makeup.

Though not strikingly beautiful, the makeup brightened her spirit.

She no longer looked like the tired PD from before.

With a smooth ponytail, Sun Yuzhen looked youthful and refreshed.

As soon as she entered the cozy studio, she immediately caught the attention of the father and daughter.

Her pure beauty made her look less like a career woman and more like a gentle, neighborly sister.

A fitted white blouse, black linen pants, and elegant black patent leather high heels added a professional touch.

It's often said that a man working hard is the most charming, but a woman in professional attire is also very appealing.

As a mature man who appreciated women's beauty, Lin Zai Shan's body was aging, but his soul was in its prime.

Such a soul, when encountering a pure and gentle lady, could spark a rejuvenating flame.

Love is an important source of inspiration for artists.

When he first arrived in this world, Lin Zai Shan wasn't eager to fall in love.

Even though his body was aging, women in their forties were like flowers, and men in their fifties were still strong!

Lin Zai Shan wasn't worried that his approaching forties would hinder his future love life.

Like a newborn, he was just starting his life in this new world.

After experiencing several sweet and bitter love stories in his previous life, Lin Zai Shan no longer approached love with the impulsiveness of his youth.

At his age, the cost of love was high.

Moreover, he now had a precious daughter, making the cost even higher.

He no longer sought the passionate love of his youth. He needed a deep, stable love, a kind and understanding woman who could bring warmth to him and his daughter.

Was Sun Yuzhen such a woman?

Lin Zai Shan didn't know.

He didn't want to know now.

He preferred to treat Sun Yuzhen as a friend, given their mutual interests.

He hoped she could help him get on the show.

"Sis Sun, are you hungry? Come in, come in! One more dish, and we can eat!"

Bai Ge warmly welcomed Sun Yuzhen.

The Huaxin apartments had high-end brown wooden floors.

Lin Zai Shan's floor was very clean.

The room was simply furnished but exceptionally tidy and cozy.

This greatly surprised Sun Yuzhen.

She had expected the chaotic and unrestrained state of a struggling middle-aged rocker's home, as often seen on TV.

"I'll change my shoes."

Hesitating at the clean wooden floor, Sun Yuzhen felt uncomfortable entering with her outdoor shoes.

"It's fine, just come in." Bai Ge stuck out her tongue and laughed awkwardly, "We don't have guest slippers, so just come in."

Taking Sun Yuzhen's hand, she led her inside.

Lin Zai Shan, barefoot, walked over to greet Sun Yuzhen, saying, "Just come in, Producer Sun. We don't have many formalities."

Before coming upstairs, Sun Yuzhen had accidentally stepped in a puddle, making her high heels a bit dirty. She felt embarrassed about leaving mud marks.

Behind the door, she took off her high heels and, like Lin Zai Shan, walked barefoot on the floor.

Unlike Lin Zai Shan, she wore flesh-colored thin stockings with thick, dark-colored toes.

"Is it okay if I go barefoot? You don't mind, right?"

After taking off her high heels, Sun Yuzhen looked shorter and less professional, more like a gentle, reserved neighbor.

"Or you can wear my slippers, don't go barefoot."

Feeling a bit helpless, Bai Ge offered her small slippers to Sun Yuzhen.

"No, no, I often go barefoot at home, hehe."

Sun Yuzhen blushed a bit at the idea of going barefoot in someone else's home.

"Ha, if you're comfortable, just come in."

Lin Zai Shan warmly invited Sun Yuzhen into the room.