Chapter 20

......

look－at－me~

i‘m－as－helpless－as－a－kitten－up－a－tree~

and－i－feel－like－i‘m－clinging－to－a－cloud~

i－can‘t－understand~

i－get－misty~

just－holding－your－hand~

......

......

walk－my－way~

and－a－thousand－violins－begin－to－play~

or－it－might－be－the－sound－of－your－hello~

the－music－i－hear~

i－get－misty－the－moment－you‘re－near~

......

......

As the soft, swaying piano melody played, Lin Zai Shan’s deep and melodious voice immediately elevated the atmosphere of the café with his rich, soulful baritone jazz singing style! There was no sense of incongruity; his voice seemed to extend naturally from the jazz piano, instantly captivating the listeners’ ears!

Sun Yuzhen took a deep breath, almost suffocating from the moving song! Listening to Lin Zai Shan sing “A Song for Myself” before was like listening to the passage of time. Now, watching him play the piano on the small stage with ease and charm, and singing the English jazz song in a soft, melodious voice, Sun Yuzhen was completely smitten!

The stage lights cast a soft, pale yellow glow on Lin Zai Shan, not dazzling, but the musical talent radiating from this middle-aged man was extremely captivating, almost blinding! This man was too handsome! He could handle any genre of music! He was truly a genius!

Sun Yuzhen’s admiration for Lin Zai Shan grew even more. Lu Shishi was also electrified by Lin Zai Shan’s singing. The swinging, soulful jazz melody he played earlier had already surprised Lu Shishi, but his deep, soulful singing was even more enchanting than the melody flowing from his fingers!

This man was truly eye-opening for Lu Shishi! In a daze, Lu Shishi felt as if she had returned to New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, where she and Hao Yuan had been captivated. In that magical city of jazz, any unassuming American grandpa or grandma, with their peculiar instruments, could perform jazz that left people in awe.

Now, this unassuming, somewhat down-and-out middle-aged man, sitting at the piano, unexpectedly performed a piece that was so soulful and captivating, it was like encountering a shooting star in a brilliant night sky. The unexpected brilliance moved Lu Shishi deeply.

As the ordinary day was about to end, meeting such a remarkable man just before nightfall made Lu Shishi feel incredibly lucky. The blue cat in her arms seemed to understand English, perking up when Lin Zai Shan sang “kitten.” Its emerald eyes then revealed a human-like, entranced expression, snuggling softly in Lu Shishi’s arms, no longer looking down on Lin Zai Shan because of his appearance. It was completely captivated by his music.

As the person in the café with the most authority on jazz, Hao Yuan’s heart almost overflowed with emotion when she heard Lin Zai Shan’s jazz singing. She never expected this disheveled man to be able to sing jazz, and so beautifully! This man was truly amazing!

Lin Zai Shan’s jazz singing was not showy, but the swinging rhythm and precise timing made people’s souls sway with his voice and piano, like bathing in a warm river, drifting with the current, and enjoying every moment! His tone, singing skills, flavor, and presence were all top-notch!

Could this man be a professional jazz singer? Hao Yuan had always been unwilling to admit that she was inferior to men in any field, especially in singing, where her medium voice was very flavorful. But now, after hearing Lin Zai Shan’s deep, soulful singing, she had to admit sincerely: this man was better than her.

What moved Hao Yuan, this “fake rooster,” was not just Lin Zai Shan’s baritone, but his overall performance. She initially suspected he was playing a master’s jazz piece, but after he started singing, she realized it was an adapted vocal version of the piece he had just played. Listening to the song, Hao Yuan was almost certain she had never heard it before. She had listened to almost all classic jazz songs, and if this were a master’s work, it would have been widely known.

The song was so captivating on the first listen, even with a critical ear, Hao Yuan was still moved. This was an absolute potential classic. It was likely an impromptu piece Lin Zai Shan created after seeing the kitten and the people around him. This was the brilliance of a genius, the flavor of a master. The man claimed to be a professional musician, and it was no exaggeration!

Who was this man? How could he be so powerful? If he had been wearing a hat, Hao Yuan would have stood up to take it off in respect.

The song Lin Zai Shan was singing was the classic vocal version of “Misty” from the previous life, a baritone adaptation by the legendary jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald. In the previous life, Lin Zai Shan had used this version to participate in a singing competition, and his performance was excellent, but his vocal cords lacked the natural talent to give the song a deeper, more swinging flavor.

Now, with the magnetic voice of the original man, he not only captivated others but himself as well! A gifted voice was incredibly important for a singer. Being able to obtain such a treasure in this life made Lin Zai Shan feel incredibly lucky. Compared to this voice, the man’s past misdeeds were insignificant.

Playing and singing with a self-intoxicated charm, Lin Zai Shan completely elevated the atmosphere of the café—

......

you－can‘t－say－that－you‘re－leading－me－on~

but－it‘s－just－what－i－want－you－to－do~

don‘t－you－notice－how－hopelessly－i‘m－lost~

that’s－why－i‘m－following－you~

......

......

on－my－own~

would－i－wander－through－this－wonderland－alone~

never－knowing－my－right－foot－from－my－left~

my－hat－from－my－glove~

i‘m－too－misty~

and－too－much－in－love~

i‘m－too－misty~

and－too－much－in－love~

in－love~~~

......

......

A few customers who happened to be in the café that day were thoroughly satisfied with the auditory feast. They all felt that the disheveled man at the piano was a heavenly talent. Li Nan, who had prepared Sun Yuzhen’s mocha, was even more surprised, exclaiming to Du Yang, “Is this man a professional singer? I feel like his singing is even better than his playing!”

“Too cool!” Du Yang was so moved by Lin Zai Shan’s heartfelt, swinging final note that her heart almost floated away, and her body was in a posture of almost worshiping with her high heels.

Unexpected surprises were the true surprises. Unexpected emotions were the most touching. Lin Zai Shan’s brilliant, “inconsistent” performance instantly captured the heart of a girl like Du Yang, making her develop a huge admiration for him.

Li Nan suddenly said, “This man, why does he look more and more familiar to me?”

“Do you know him?” Du Yang asked in surprise.

“No.” Li Nan shook her head and said, “I just feel he looks familiar. Now I finally understand what it means to have hidden talents among the common people.”

She secretly glanced at the entranced Hao Yuan and whispered, “I think this man’s jazz singing is more flavorful than our Sister Yuan’s.”

“This is not even on the same level, okay!” In Du Yang’s eyes, the musical charm Lin Zai Shan exuded while playing and singing was deep and soulful, far surpassing the second boss of their café.

Li Nan sighed and nodded in agreement. In terms of pure musical charm, this man was indeed a level above Hao Yuan.

“Clap, clap, clap, clap—”

The last note from Lin Zai Shan’s fingers fell, and a sentimental middle-aged male customer couldn’t help but applaud for him. The others in the café, including Lu Shishi and Hao Yuan, joined in the applause. Lin Zai Shan’s exceptional impromptu performance truly deserved their applause.

The blue cat in Lu Shishi’s arms even meowed a few times, as if it wanted to hear more of Lin Zai Shan’s singing.

Lin Zai Shan stood up with the grace of a singer, bowed slightly to everyone, and thanked them for listening to his music. Although there were fewer than 10 people in total, feeling the admiration in their eyes, Lin Zai Shan felt deeply satisfied.

Bringing enjoyment and emotion to himself and others through music was the original intention behind his pursuit of a musical dream.

“Mr. Lin, was the song you just played and sang an impromptu piece?”

Lu Shishi, with her elegant eyes filled with genuine admiration and enchantment, asked Lin Zai Shan as he returned to the booth.

Hao Yuan was also very interested in this question. She found it hard to imagine that such a potential classic could be an impromptu piece by this disheveled middle-aged man.

“Have you heard me sing this song before?”

Lin Zai Shan smiled and asked in return.

Lu Shishi shook her head and looked at Hao Yuan.

Hao Yuan also shook her head, indicating she hadn’t heard it.

“Since you haven’t heard it, it must be my impromptu piece.”

Lin Zai Shan stroked the head of the blue cat, which had been looking at him, as if the song was made for the kitten.

“Meow.”

The cat purred, almost as if it was trying to please Lin Zai Shan, and it even rubbed its head against his hand that had played the beautiful music.

Having shown his talent, Lin Zai Shan didn’t say much more. He picked up a pen and quickly wrote his phone number on a napkin, signing it with “Lin.” He pushed it across the table to Lu Shishi, “This is my phone number. If your café needs a solo pianist or a singer, call me. I’ll be taking on such jobs in the near future.”

“We can give you a definite answer now.” Lu Shishi glanced at Hao Yuan, who nodded in agreement, supporting Lu Shishi’s decision.

Lu Shishi smiled and said to Lin Zai Shan, “You are the pianist we are looking for.”

“I admire your talent. We can try performing together,” Hao Yuan expressed her thoughts straightforwardly.

“Do you mean you want me to accompany you?” Lin Zai Shan asked Hao Yuan with a smile.

“Yes.”

“You just said we don’t get along, so let’s not waste each other’s time trying to build chemistry. You should hire a pianist who fits your requirements better.”

Lin Zai Shan’s refusal made Sun Yuzhen feel incredibly relieved and vindicated. “Let you see who’s better!”

“Ah, the coffee is here.”

Lin Zai Shan saw Li Nan respectfully bringing the mocha coffee.

He took the coffee from Li Nan, holding it for the still entranced Sun Yuzhen, and said to Lu Shishi, “Call me when you need a solo pianist or singer. One more thing, my rates for solo piano and singing are different. Consider it before you call. This coffee is the payment for the performance just now, so no need to pay me.”

Hearing Lin Zai Shan’s focus on money, Lu Shishi smiled helplessly and nodded.

Hao Yuan also didn’t like Lin Zai Shan’s attitude of linking music and money, frowning slightly and not saying much more. She had wanted to discuss jazz music with him further.

They wouldn’t understand the hardships of a musician from the lower social strata.

Under the admiring gazes of the people, Lin Zai Shan left the café with Sun Yuzhen, looking calm and handsome.

As soon as they reached the entrance of the Romantic Paris restaurant upstairs, Sun Yuzhen couldn’t contain her excitement and praised, “Uncle, you were so cool just now!”

“Haha, I felt pretty cool too.”

Lin Zai Shan’s cocky attitude made Sun Yuzhen giggle sweetly.

“This café has a nice name—Water Through Stone. I like the vibe.”

Lin Zai Shan chatted as they walked. He had been attracted by the name when he passed by the café earlier and then noticed the job posting.

Water Through Stone—this attitude of single-mindedness, persistence, and perseverance had always been his approach to pursuing music.

In the previous life, he hadn’t yet achieved his ultimate goal of breaking through the stubborn rock of fate when his soul somehow ascended to this world.

Since he was here, he would continue to pursue his musical dream with the same Water Through Stone attitude, never stopping.

“Once I have the money, I’ll open a music bar. The name will be ‘Fool Moves Mountain’ to match ‘Water Through Stone.’ Haha.”

“Haha, Uncle, stop joking, I’m going to die laughing.”

“Then I won’t torture you. We’re here, so I won’t walk you up.”

At the entrance of Building H, Lin Zai Shan handed the mocha coffee he had earned through music to Sun Yuzhen.

She would surely recall the heavenly song that even moved him deeply while drinking this coffee.

“Thank you for giving me such a wonderful evening, you and the pigeon.”

“Thank fate if you want to.”

Lin Zai Shan was also grateful to Sun Yuzhen. Her collision had given him a new, increasingly colorful life.

“I’ll definitely invite you and the pigeon to my place one day.”

“Sure, have a good night at work. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Seeing Lin Zai Shan open his arms with a smile, Sun Yuzhen came over and hugged him goodbye. In this world, the Chinese Empire had adopted some Western etiquette from the royal family a century ago, and hugging had become a natural and habitual greeting.

However, due to the Chinese people’s inherent reserve, the cheek kiss had not become popular.

Hugging was a beautiful way to convey emotions between people. Psychologists have found that hugging can alleviate depression, boost the immune system, inject new energy into a tired body, make you feel younger and more vibrant, strengthen family relationships, and reduce conflicts.

Children who are frequently touched and hugged are psychologically healthier than those who lack such interactions. For adults, it can bring back the security and warmth of childhood.

“You’ve never been in love.”

As they hugged, Lin Zai Shan softly whispered in Sun Yuzhen’s ear with his magnetic voice.

Feeling the warmth of Lin Zai Shan’s chest, Sun Yuzhen was electrified and sweetly stunned. She straightened up and smiled at Lin Zai Shan, “How did you know?”

“I’ll tell you next time, sister-in-law.”

Imitating Zhang Pengfei, Lin Zai Shan jokingly called Sun Yuzhen by this term.

“Annoying.”

“Haha, goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

With a hint of sweet, lingering thoughts, Sun Yuzhen turned and left, still wondering how he knew.

......

In the following days, Lin Zai Shan focused on resting and studying the music history of this world, not rushing to find a job to avoid the awkwardness of not knowing the answers at Water Through Stone.

He thought his performance at Water Through Stone would secure him a job as a resident singer, but he didn’t receive a call from Lu Shishi.

But that afternoon, he received a more important call! It was from Sun Yuzhen, asking him to go to the Oriental Station immediately. The chief producer of “The Strongest Singer-Songwriter,” Park Dae-cheng, and the music director, Ma Xiaodong, wanted to interview him!

From Sun Yuzhen’s tone, he might be accepted by the program!

...