Chapter 16

......

Past events are not like smoke~

Indeed, in love, cherishing the past is not a virtue~

Unfortunately, falling in love is not like writing a song~

No matter how serious you are, it won't become a style~

I ask you, has anyone ever been spared by longing~

Whether you are a repeat offender or have no prior record~

I only know of those who have been together for a long time and then split~

I've never seen those who have split for a long time and then reunited~

......

Lin Zaishan's沧桑 (沧桑 means "weathered" or "aged") and moving voice made Sun Yuzhen recall a line from a novel she had read: Love is the fire that moths fly into, even knowing it will leave them scarred, they still rush in without hesitation, willing to sacrifice themselves.

Singing such a song, Lin Zaishan's insights into love and life became even deeper.

Love can hurt people.

It can leave them helpless.

But deep down, he still yearns for it.

Every person who dreams of a better life has a heart that yearns for love.

But reality is not so easily fulfilled.

Many things you want may not necessarily be attainable.

And some things you don't want to lose, you may be powerless to retain.

Like time.

It cannot be reversed.

You can only face and accept it—

......

Time~ don't rush~

What's coming, I won't push~

What's due, I'll give~

......

Time~ don't rush~

What's gone, I won't chase~

I just want to understand the reasons~

......

Who can tell me what this is~

Her love, buried and smoothed over~

Still has its power after years~

......

It cannot be forgiven~

But it cannot be stopped~

Love climbs over the wall at night~

......

It's empty~

But it hums~

Who has fired a cold shot in your heart~

......

Old love's promises are like a slap~

Every time you remember a word, you get a slap~

For years, you can't ask~

Can't smell the scent of a woman~

......

For years, you can't ask~

Can't smell the scent of a woman~

......

What you want but can't have~

What can you do about life~

What you want but can't have~

In love, there are no wise ones~

......

The last line, Lin Zaishan sang "In love, there are no wise ones" in a half-spoken manner, revealing the essence of it all.

The music didn't stop, but the song was already over.

White Dove was stunned!

Lin Zaishan's seemingly loose and impressionistic but actually rigorous and structured composition style in this song opened White Dove's eyes!

She had never heard Lin Zaishan sing such a song, and even in the entire Chinese music industry, she had never heard such a song!

It was more like a profound life reflection than a song.

To be able to express such deep and accessible insights, White Dove was completely in awe of her father's talent!

This was not just a burst of inspiration like a flood, but a complete upheaval like a tsunami!

Not to mention the heartfelt melody and Lin Zaishan's weathered, casual singing style, just the sharp and sincere lyrics alone were enough to make people bow in reverence.

Writing music reviews regularly, White Dove had developed a habit of easily understanding and appreciating the emotions and meanings in songs.

While listening to this song, following Lin Zaishan's emotional buildup, White Dove couldn't help but interpret the song herself—

At the beginning of the song, Lin Zaishan talks about the fleeting nature of life, the things you want but can't have, and the realization that it all ends up being in vain.

This is a life experience that many people share, resonating with those who have experienced trials and tribulations, as well as those who are prone to sentimentality and melancholy.

The love and hate in life come in such a rush, like a fever, like an uncontrollable hatred, and when they turn into lingering wounds over time, they leave only a sense of emptiness.

In this song, you can imagine that in love, many "I love yous" turn into "I'm sorrys," and many "I'm sorrys" turn into "it's okay."

Each touching moment ultimately becomes a memory, hard to erase but only for reminiscence.

The pain of heartbreak is only truly understood by those who have loved.

Then, Lin Zaishan shifts from individual experiences to universal challenges.

Cherishing the past in love is not a virtue, and no matter how seriously you fall in love, who is really different from whom? It's all the same sweetness and joy, the same entanglement and resentment, and no one can escape the ordinary.

Whether your love journey is simple or bumpy, smooth or turbulent, you ultimately can't escape the arrangements of fate and circumstances.

People and timing often mismatch, leaving only regret and sighs.

In the unpredictable and fickle hearts of people, only those who have been together for a long time split up; no one has seen those who have split up for a long time reunite.

Whether in love or in life, everything ultimately returns to a reconciliation with fate. So, time, don't rush, I won't resist or obstruct, because I can't change anything. I just want to understand what these changes and transformations have left behind and what they have taken away.

The unpredictable and fleeting nature of love leaves one at a loss.

The last line, "What you want but can't have, in love, there are no wise ones," seems simple but is the finishing touch of the song.

In love, who is really different from whom?

Those who are happy now have also crossed the sea of love's suffering; those who are lost now have also tasted the sweetness of happiness.

Love, this small matter, is a trial, a personal experience, and an unavoidable, inevitable journey.

Amidst the mixed emotions, gaining is precious, but losing is also a relief.

Feeling the insights Lin Zaishan sang in this song, White Dove was filled with surprise and emotion.

There are some songs that White Dove listens to without any interest in writing a review because these songs don't touch her heart.

But there are some songs that, on the first listen, make her spontaneously offer a heartfelt interpretation, because such songs deeply move her.

Clearly, Lin Zaishan's song, written for himself, falls into the latter category.

In this song, Lin Zaishan captures the essence of love and expresses it in simple terms, which seems easy but is not something anyone can do.

Combined with such a moving and heartfelt melody, sung with a weathered, slightly hoarse voice, everything comes together seamlessly, touching the heart.

What kind of person other than a genius could create such a musical work?

Especially since Lin Zaishan did this spontaneously!

At some point, White Dove felt that for her father, she could overturn the entire world.

But now, White Dove realizes that her father has already overturned her entire world!

Listening to such a song, White Dove's imagination ran wild, and she suddenly had this thought—

This song is actually for people with life experiences to listen to. If a man with life experiences accidentally hears this song, he might want to smoke a cigarette. When he comes to his senses, the cigarette in his fingers would have already gone out.

Sun Yuzhen, like the man White Dove imagined, when she came to her senses, the world seemed to have changed.

Whether it was from drinking too much or being deeply moved by the song, Sun Yuzhen felt she had never heard such a heartfelt song.

With only a single keyboard accompaniment, a middle-aged man's weathered voice, there was no sense of monotony.

This song was like a fermenting agent, bringing out many emotions in Sun Yuzhen that she had never felt before.

She was listening to a song, but it felt more like the passage of time.

Sun Yuzhen's heart felt heavy, as if she had gained something, but she couldn't express it. Mostly, she was moved.

Like White Dove, Sun Yuzhen had never heard such a song in the Chinese music industry.

They say time is like a song.

But now, she felt that the song was like time.

She was completely captivated by this moving music.

"Father, why did you sing rock 20 years ago! You should have sung pop!"

After Lin Zaishan finished playing, White Dove, drinking champagne, excitedly expressed her thoughts! The Lin Zaishan who used to play rock was incredibly cool in her eyes; but now, the Lin Zaishan who doesn't play rock is like a god to her!

"If I hadn't played rock 20 years ago, I wouldn't have experienced so much, and I wouldn't have the depth I have now."

Lin Zaishan said this with a bit of bravado. After all, the songs he made were not his own depth.

But with the experience of two lifetimes, what was wrong with saying these things?

In musical talent, he couldn't match the brilliance of the masters from his previous life.

But as a穿越者 (穿越者 means "time traveler" or "穿越者"), his uniqueness was unmatched.

For the man he used to be, even the wrong path had its rewards.

And for the man he is now, as long as he stays on the right path, there will be a moment of eruption.

Feeling the sincerity and confidence that time had given Lin Zaishan, Sun Yuzhen suddenly found the silver-haired man in front of her very charming.

She was almost in awe of this man.

"Father, after expanding your musical style, you are really strong! You must record this song, it's so good! Have you named it?"

"No name, it's just a song for myself. Let's call it 'A Song for Myself.'"

"This name is casual, but it has a good feel. Sister Zhen, don't you think my father's song is amazing?"

Nodding in agreement, Sun Yuzhen sighed, "I'm really moved. Uncle, your music is really powerful, every song touches the heart."

Just as she was speaking, Sun Yuzhen's phone rang.

It broke the enchanting atmosphere.

Sun Yuzhen got up to answer the call. It was from the show, giving her a last-minute task to write a proposal by tonight.

"Ah..."

Putting down the phone, Sun Yuzhen sighed helplessly, her face flushed with regret, and said to Lin Zaishan and White Dove, "I wanted to stay longer, but the show is calling again. I have to go back to work."

"Sister Zhen, your job is really tough, not even letting you rest at night?"

"There's no choice. 'The Strongest Singer' is about to start recording, and there are many details to perfect."

Lin Zaishan sympathized, "Work is important, and it's getting late. We won't keep you any longer."

"Sister Zhen, come back to our place when you have time!"

"Definitely."

Sun Yuzhen glanced at Lin Zaishan shyly, and in a tipsy voice, said, "I'm a bit obsessed with Uncle Lin's music now. I'll definitely come often, and you won't get tired of me, right?"

"How could we get tired of you?" Lin Zaishan, influenced by the music and champagne, and slightly charmed by Sun Yuzhen's tipsy eyes, smiled and said, "You are a beautiful and lovely girl, and you will inspire me to create even more. You are welcome to visit our home often."

"Sister Zhen, when you come next time, let my father write a song for you! My father's inspiration is like a tsunami, and it's all thanks to you!"

Sun Yuzhen didn't understand why White Dove always said this, but she took it as a joke.

But she was really looking forward to Lin Zaishan writing a song for her!

"Thank you for hosting me tonight. Next time, I'll invite you to my place."

Lin Zaishan smiled, "Sure, it's a deal."

"Also, Uncle, can I make a request?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"The song you just sang, 'A Song for Myself,' have you recorded it? Can you send me a copy online?"

"Do you want to take it to the station?"

"No, no, I want to add it to my music list and listen to it slowly."

"Alright, I'll finish it and send it to you. I'm not sure how the recording turned out."

"Thank you, Uncle."

"No need to keep saying thank you. It's too formal."

Lin Zaishan and White Dove saw Sun Yuzhen to the door.

Elegantly bending over, she put on her left high heel, and when she put on the right one, Sun Yuzhen, a bit tipsy, stumbled and almost hit the wall, looking quite embarrassed.

Smiling sweetly, she put on her shoes and said, "I had a great time tonight, I drank a bit too much."

"Father, you should see Sister Zhen off. It's late, don't let her walk alone."

"No need to trouble you. We live close, I can go back by myself."

"Let me see you off. It's good to get some fresh air. I ate a lot tonight, I need to move around to digest."

Lin Zaishan put on his flip-flops.

Sun Yuzhen didn't refuse, as she wanted to chat with Lin Zaishan a bit more.

After hugging White Dove goodbye, Sun Yuzhen went down the elevator with Lin Zaishan.

The environment of Huaxin Apartments was very beautiful, with a tropical flair.

Palm trees provided shade, and the paths were winding.

As night fell, the sea breeze blew, and the lights were romantic, creating a mesmerizing scene.

Walking in such an environment, one felt very relaxed and at ease.

Not wanting to think about the pressure of work, and still thinking about the moving song Lin Zaishan had just sung, the sea breeze made Sun Yuzhen feel warm inside.

Her head was a bit dizzy, but the tipsy state made her emotions particularly high.

Building A was only 500 meters from Building H.

It was easy to walk, but Sun Yuzhen didn't want to go so fast.

Some people, when you are with them, you just want to spend more time with them because being with them makes you feel very comfortable and at ease, and you hope time would slow down.

Lin Zaishan gave Sun Yuzhen this feeling.

Sun Yuzhen felt very comfortable being with this man.

Occasionally, Lin Zaishan would give her some surprises and enchantment in music, making her curious and eager about this middle-aged rock man with a tarnished reputation.

"Uncle, you must have had a deep love to write such a moving song."

"You will also have a deep love in the future."

The two chatted casually.

"I saw a photo of White Dove on your worktable. Is the woman in the photo White Dove's mother?"

"Yes."

Sun Yuzhen wanted to ask more, where is White Dove's mother? Why doesn't she live with you?

But she couldn't bring herself to ask.

Lin Zaishan, however, spoke up, "Her name is Bai Yun. She was like a shooting star, passing through my life during its most chaotic period, but leaving me the most precious gift in this world. I can't even remember what she was like, but I am very grateful to her. White Dove is 15 and almost 16. She came to me after her mother passed away. Before that, I didn't even know I had a daughter. If you think about it, life is fair to everyone. It gives you a dark life, but it also gives you a seed of light. It's up to you to change yourself and cherish this precious seed."

Sun Yuzhen was deeply moved.

If she hadn't met Lin Zaishan, she would never have imagined that the middle-aged man with half-gray hair, wearing a loose gray T-shirt and big shorts, and flip-flops, had such a story behind him.

Time had taken away much of his precious life, but it had also given him more precious qualities.

This man was truly someone who became more captivating the more you got to know him!

"Uncle, have you had many deep loves?" For some reason, Sun Yuzhen suddenly asked Lin Zaishan this question.

Combining the experiences of two lifetimes, Lin Zaishan smiled and answered, "If not serious, I've had countless. If serious, a few. Love, you can't really explain it. Being serious doesn't guarantee a result, and not being serious can sometimes bring unexpected surprises."

Sun Yuzhen knew that the unexpected surprise Lin Zaishan was referring to was White Dove.

"Have you ever been in love?"

Lin Zaishan asked Sun Yuzhen.

"Guess."

Sun Yuzhen asked Lin Zaishan, tipsy and happy.

"I'll guess later."

Sun Yuzhen was taken aback by Lin Zaishan.

Turning around, she saw Lin Zaishan standing at the entrance of a coffee shop in the neighborhood, looking at a notice—

【Hiring】

【Hiring full-time cleaner, gender no limit, age under 40, salary 2500 RMB per month.】

【Hiring full-time server, female only, age between 18 and 25, good appearance, salary 3000 RMB per month.】

【Hiring part-time pianist, starting salary 200 RMB per night!】

【Interested parties, please inquire inside.】

"Uncle, are you thinking of applying?"

"Yes."

Lin Zaishan pointed to the pianist job, excited, "200 RMB per night, that's a good job!"