Chapter 8

North Village's cultural square is right next to the well-known Huaxi Flower Park! Although it is just a small corner park squeezed into the urban space beside the tiny Huaxi Lake, the bright and warm summer sunlight spreads down, and the lush trees and dense shrubs shine with fresh green. Clusters of pink, purple, and cream flowers also reflect their vibrant colors in the lake...

This is a rare touch of freshness in the city, which is like a forest of steel and concrete! In the Huaxi Lake, beautiful goldfish chase after the petals that fall into the water. By the lake, three teenagers in their prime run past each other, their light and joyful laughter floating in the air, sweetened by the scent of flowers.

"Fifi, hurry up!"

"Yiyi, wait for me!"

"You're too slow, I'm even carrying a computer!"

Yang Ruoyi and her friends stepped into the teahouse by the lake, where her family runs it, under the dappled sunlight.

"From the Past Slow" is the name on the sign. Just like the name suggests, although there are many elderly gentlemen with white hair or bald heads playing mahjong in the teahouse, they are not very loud. They lazily push out the mahjong tiles, as if mirroring their current carefree, non-competitive old age.

Of course, there are exceptions. Near the lake, at one table, two irritable old men are building a wall of tiles while cursing.

"Three, five thousand, you played three, four, and you still dare to play four thousand?" The old man in a white linen Tang suit, with dark brown spots on his face, is surnamed Fu, named Fu Taining, the same Fu grandpa that Yang Ruoyi mentioned to her father earlier.

His opponent, an old man in a yellowed undershirt, full of energy, is named Li Dade. He is like a powder keg, ready to explode at any moment. He slams the mahjong tile on the table and argues with Old Fu, "Why shouldn't I play? The bold survive, the timid die!"

"If it weren't for you giving Old Liu a winning hand, the next tile I drew would have been my self-draw..."

The two old men argue fiercely, but the others are used to it and have no interest in mediating. After all, they are always at odds, and verbal sparring has become a daily routine.

"Yiyi, where's your dad? Call him over to judge!" Fu Taining looks up and spots Yang Ruoyi and her friends sneaking in, and shouts.

"Hehe, Grandpa Fu..." Yang Ruoyi had planned to sneak upstairs with her friends to play, but she was caught. She tugs at her clothes, smiling guiltily, "I don't know what my dad is doing. He didn't come to the teahouse? Should I find Uncle Wu for you?"

"Wu Maocai is no good. He has no stance, just likes to smooth things over." Fu Taining waves his hand, dismissing Yang Ruoyi. He and Li Dade argue a bit more, and when Old Liu, who just won, throws the dice, they both close their mouths and continue the next round of "battle."

...

Yang Ruoyi and her friends come to the teahouse mainly because of the good environment. The park next to it is very scenic, and there is also very fast Wi-Fi!

The second floor of the teahouse is quite large, originally designed as private rooms for a restaurant. But Yang Han, finding it troublesome, didn't want the business to be too busy, so he left the second floor empty.

Part of the second floor is used as a living area, renovated for the teahouse manager, Wu Maocai, and his wife. Two private rooms were also connected to make Yang Han's office—though it's rarely used, as Yang Han usually stays downstairs to chat with the old men.

Yang Ruoyi, however, often comes here on weekends to do her homework.

Yang Ruoyi knows her father rarely comes to the second floor of the teahouse, so she brings her friends here to "cause some trouble."

"I want to sing 'Fly to a Happy Place' by Lu Miaoling, and Fifi wants to sing 'Agony' by Lu Yuning." Yang Ruoyi hands over her soft leather notebook, where the two song titles are written in neat, small handwriting.

"What are the requirements for the 'Birth of a Girl Group' audition? I think it should include both singing and dancing, right? Are you just going to sing?" Peng Xueyuan takes the notebook, pushes his glasses up, and asks curiously.

"Fifi will sing and dance. You help her find a choreography for the song, and see if you can find a good one," Yang Ruoyi smiles confidently. "I'll pass. I can't dance, I have no foundation, and it's too late to learn now!"

In terms of talent, Yang Ruoyi knows she can't compare to Fifi...

Tang Wenfei's parents are unreliable, but they are willing to spend money on their child's education! Tang Wenfei has been learning Latin dance since elementary school and even won a children's group championship in the city. Although she practiced less in junior high, her foundation is solid! She can also play the guzheng...

Of course, Yang Ruoyi is not without her strengths. She sings very well!

"Your voice is very suitable for singing! You have a natural talent for rhythm!" This is what her music teacher has affirmed.

Moreover, there is something Yang Ruoyi doesn't know. In the second year of junior high, their music teacher, Cai Hongzhuo, who graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, visited her home because he saw her potential and suggested to Yang Han that Yang Ruoyi should study music and focus on the arts exam in high school.

Yang Han, of course, politely declined. He still hopes his daughter can have a simple, happy, and fulfilling life. So, the matter was dropped...

However, thanks to Cai Teacher's guidance, Yang Ruoyi not only learned basic breathing techniques but also developed a deep interest in singing!

That's why she and Tang Wenfei signed up for "The Birth of a Girl Group."

"But you can't just sing, right? Without dancing, the chances of being selected might be very low. Unless you really sing exceptionally well, I think there's a chance," Peng Xueyuan scratches his head.

"It seems so. Last year, just singing wasn't enough to get an A," Tang Wenfei looks at her friends and says softly, "We can practice!"

Seeing her two good friends trying to persuade her, Yang Ruoyi hesitates.

"Alright! Peng Peng, help me find a choreography too, Fifi..." Yang Ruoyi knows that if she wants to achieve something and gain her father's recognition, she needs to put in 200% effort. So, she makes up her mind and says firmly, "Teach me to dance. I'll practice this week!"

"Sure!" Tang Wenfei, usually calm and composed, is also infected by Yang Ruoyi's energetic smile and smiles happily.

...

While the three girls are enthusiastically discussing the choreography upstairs, Yang Han, wearing a cowboy-style straw hat, leisurely walks into the teahouse under the scorching summer sun.

"Uncle Guo, good morning!"

"Uncle Jianyi, how's your luck today?"

"Old Guang, don't smoke so much..."

Most of the people who come to the teahouse are regulars, and Yang Han is very familiar with them, greeting them as he walks in.

At the counter, Wu Maocai, the middle-aged man with little presence, whom Yiyi calls "Uncle Wu," has already stood up.

Wu Maocai is of average appearance, tall and broad-shouldered, not typical of a southerner. But when he picks up the hot water pot to make tea for Yang Han, his movements are light and steady, contrasting with his large build.

"Yiyi is upstairs with Fifi and Peng Peng," Wu Maocai says, turning to Yang Han, who is hanging his hat on the wall.

"In my office? Let them play, it's a rare summer break," Yang Han smiles and nods.

Sipping a light Tieguanyin tea, the heat from the scorching sun gradually dissipates, bringing a sense of coolness. The summer in Guangzhou is scorching, especially around noon!

However, Yang Han doesn't get a chance to relax at the teahouse.

Before he can finish his tea, Fu Taining, Li Dade, and the other old men see him and call him over to judge.

On the way, an old man with two golden teeth stops him, "Little Yang, do you still have those chicken feet you made a few days ago?"

"Uncle Kang, you mean the lemon and passion fruit chicken feet? They're good, right? I made them myself, not for sale in the teahouse. If you want more, I'll make some and bring them over," Yang Han gently pats the old man's wrinkled hand, speaking in a kind, soothing tone.

"Good, good!" Uncle Kang grins widely, like a child.

"Little Yang, don't favor one over the other!" The other old men chime in.

...

The teahouse, rebuilt from a wooden restaurant over half a century ago, has poor soundproofing, so the noise downstairs can be faintly heard upstairs.

The sound of mahjong tiles is not too noticeable, as everyone is used to it. But the mixed sounds of loud chatter and cheers are a bit jarring!

"Is Uncle Yang here?" Tang Wenfei, feeling uneasy, gently shakes Yang Ruoyi's arm and whispers.

Yang Ruoyi, engrossed in watching dance videos, hadn't noticed the noise. Now, woken by her friend, she realizes the commotion downstairs.

"I'll check!" Yang Ruoyi puts the computer on the sofa and rushes out.

As she reaches the stairs, she hears a sharp but melodious voice singing:

"Su San left Hongtong County, standing in front of the gate..."

The sound makes Yang Ruoyi shiver, as she peers over the railing and sees her father singing!

No, her father is singing in a falsetto!

Actually, this isn't the first time Yang Ruoyi has seen this. Her father occasionally sings a few lines of Peking Opera or Cantonese Opera with the old men at the teahouse!

However, she hasn't really paid much attention before—after all, traditional operas are a bit too profound for a sixteen-year-old girl.

Today, hearing her father sing, the falsetto sounds strange without accompaniment, and each word is drawn out, which should be awkward, but Yang Ruoyi finds it strangely appealing...

"Passersby, listen to my words..."

Interesting!

Yang Ruoyi squats on the stairs, peeking at her father through the railing.

He is the center of attention, surrounded by the old men who look at him with admiration—mahjong seems less appealing, and they all sit happily, turning to listen to Yang Han sing.

"Su San's fate is sealed, in the next life, I will become a dog or a horse to repay you..." The short, classic Peking Opera segment ends.

"Bravo!" The applause fills the teahouse, and almost every old man is clapping.

Yang Ruoyi is moved by the excitement and genuine smiles on their weathered faces.

"Another one! Another one!" Fu Taining shouts.

"Thank you, gentlemen. Let me rest a bit and think about what to sing next," Yang Han bows and takes the tea offered by Wu Maocai, smiling.

His voice isn't suitable for high notes, so he relies on technique to produce a falsetto. After singing two segments, he needs to rest and soothe his throat.

Taking advantage of Yang Han's break, Yang Ruoyi runs upstairs, her young figure darting into the office like the wind: "Peng Peng, grab your phone and come record my dad singing Peking Opera!"

By the time Yang Ruoyi and her friends return and huddle on the stairs, Yang Han is ready to sing again, but this time, he doesn't plan to sing traditional Peking Opera.

"Let's sing a simpler tune with a bit of Peking flavor!" Yang Han picks up a folding fan, opens it, and waves it gently, smiling.