Chapter 7: A Modest Reputation

After wandering around for about an hour, Lin Chuan used the little over a thousand yuan he had to buy new clothes for himself and Lin Yiyang. When they stepped out of the mall, Lin Chuan was carrying several large and small bags, while Lin Yiyang, beaming, followed behind, humming an off-key tune and munching on an extra-large lollipop.

Before long, Lin Yiyang jogged a few steps to catch up, arching his eyebrows as he asked, “Dad, are you tired? Do you want me to help?”

“No need. Just enjoy your lollipop and watch your step,” Lin Chuan replied, shaking his head with calm composure.

“But… I’m a little tired…” Lin Yiyang said plaintively.

For a child his age, lasting over an hour in a mall with Lin Chuan was already admirable, not to mention he’d also accompanied his father to a talent audition that morning, waiting in the hall and using up even more energy.

Glancing at his son’s weary face, Lin Chuan chuckled softly. Shifting all the bags to one hand, he freed his other arm to lift Lin Yiyang up into his embrace.

As it was nearly time for his gig at the bar, Lin Chuan quickened his pace, heading in the right direction.

At that moment, some young people out shopping nearby noticed Lin Chuan—guitar strapped to his back, several shopping bags in his left hand, still carrying his son. Their faces registered obvious surprise.

More than a few young women, upon seeing such a strong and capable man, couldn’t help but let their thoughts wander. They pictured their own boyfriends shouldering all the burdens during a day out just like this—how wonderful that would be…

To save a bit of money, Lin Chuan didn’t take a bus or call a cab. It took him nearly twenty minutes, hurrying as fast as he could, before he arrived at Nightfall Bar. The entrance bustled with people coming and going.

“Hey, look! Isn’t that the guy who sings at the bar?”

“Oh my gosh, it really is him! I want his autograph!”

Just as Lin Chuan was about to enter, a few girls nearby, heads down playing with their phones, spotted him and, after a few excited words, rushed over in a swarm.

In an instant, Lin Chuan and Lin Yiyang were surrounded by a dense crowd of young girls, with even more joining in.

“Wait—wait a second, let’s talk, don’t push my son…” Lin Chuan called out loudly, frowning, but his words had little effect.

The girls seemed crazed, crowding around Lin Chuan, all talking at once, their faces alight with the feverish glow of superfans.

After a while, as Lin Chuan grew flustered and Lin Yiyang’s face turned pale with fright, a middle-aged man in his forties emerged from the bar.

“Alright, let’s make some space, everyone!” the man shouted, pushing his way through.

Lin Chuan recognized him at once as Boss Xu, who had always looked after him.

“Boss Xu, what’s going on? Who are these people?” Lin Chuan called out, his face full of confusion.

“Xiao Chuan, you’re famous now! These are your fans—they’ve come just to hear you sing!” Boss Xu shouted back, unable to hide his excitement.

And why shouldn’t he be excited? Before Lin Chuan started performing, the bar had been quiet—barely enough regulars at night to keep the business afloat. But after Lin Chuan performed two “original” songs over two consecutive nights, not only did his reputation soar, but the bar’s business boomed as well.

Especially last night, when videos of Lin Chuan’s singing were uploaded to the internet and caused a sensation. Fans who loved his original songs flocked from far and wide to Nightfall Bar, desperate to hear him perform in person.

With great difficulty, Lin Chuan managed to extricate himself from the nearly frenzied fans and hurried backstage, not daring to linger.

He looked rather disheveled—his once-white T-shirt now bore several indistinct handprints, and the shopping bags with their new clothes were a little torn.

As for Lin Yiyang, though he’d been held tightly the whole time, he’d never experienced anything so terrifying. His face was ghostly pale, his lollipop long gone, and his reddened eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

Seeing this, Lin Chuan quickly set his things aside, crouched down, and comforted his son.

Unlike most children his age, Lin Yiyang was not only well-behaved but also remarkably resilient. Though he’d been scared, after a few soothing words from his father, he gradually recovered.

“Xiao Chuan, you’re a celebrity now! The two songs you performed have been played online hundreds of thousands of times—look!” Boss Xu said, turning his laptop toward Lin Chuan.

Sure enough, in a dim, slightly blurry video, a man hugged his guitar and sang. Though the image wasn’t clear, Lin Chuan recognized himself at a glance.

“See, I wasn’t lying! Xiao Chuan, there are lots of fans here just for you tonight. Sing those two songs again, and if you can perform a new original, I’ll pay you this!” Boss Xu said, holding up his hand with all five fingers extended.

“Five hundred?” Lin Chuan guessed, raising his eyebrows.

Boss Xu shook his head, still smiling, but silent.

“Could it be… five thousand?” Lin Chuan was taken aback.

Five thousand yuan for a new original song was a shock to him; it wasn’t a fortune, but for Lin Chuan right now, it was no small sum.

With that money, he thought, he could buy Lin Yiyang so many delicious treats.

“Well? As long as you can perform something new and draw more customers, the amount will keep going up!” Boss Xu said, grinning.

“I… I’ll think about it,” Lin Chuan replied with a gentle smile.

Though he claimed he’d think it over, his heart was already pounding with excitement. How could he not be tempted by that kind of money? Wasn’t his job singing at the bar precisely to earn a better life for his son and himself?

As for entering contests, winning a championship, or signing with an entertainment company—Lin Chuan was confident in his abilities, but those dreams seemed distant and offered little practical help now.

For the moment, what mattered most was improving Lin Yiyang’s living conditions as much as possible.

“Come on, what’s to think about? Xiao Chuan, when you first came to the bar, I only agreed because of Yuan Ye’s recommendation. Without me, your talent would have gone unnoticed! As long as you keep singing for me, so long as I have a bite to eat, you will too. I won’t let you down!” Boss Xu added at just the right moment.

Lin Chuan’s expression shifted. He wasn’t someone who forgot a kindness. Businessman or not, Boss Xu had always treated him well since he started performing at the bar.

With that in mind, Lin Chuan nodded and smiled. “Alright, I agree. But I can’t promise to have a new song every day. I hope you’ll understand.”

“That’s no problem at all!” Boss Xu said quickly, unconcerned.

With everything settled, Lin Chuan gave Lin Yiyang a few more words of advice, then picked up his guitar and headed for the stage.

The moment he appeared, the whole bar erupted in cheers—fans waved glow sticks wildly in the air.

“Thank you all so much for being here. I’d like to dedicate this next song, ‘Ten Years,’ to each and every one of you.” Lin Chuan grabbed the microphone, delivering his opening line in a clear, strong voice.

A wave of excitement swept through the crowd, followed by sudden hush as the music began. All eyes turned to Lin Chuan on stage, everyone listening intently.

Meanwhile, in a quiet corner of the bar, two women sat together, also watching the stage.

After a while, the girl in casual clothes frowned slightly and whispered, “Xiaoyue, why does he look so familiar? Haven’t we seen him somewhere before?”

“You must be mistaken,” the woman called Xiaoyue replied with a gentle laugh.

“No, really—I’m sure I’ve seen him before. I couldn’t be wrong!” the girl insisted, shaking her head.

Xiaoyue merely smiled quietly, shifting her attention to the man on stage.

Soon, as “Ten Years” drew to a close, the guitar’s melody turned lively.

On the banyan tree by the pond, cicadas sang of summer.
On the swings beside the field, only butterflies came to rest.
Chalk in the teacher’s hand scratched on the blackboard, chattering away.
We waited for class to end, for school to let out, for the games of childhood...

As the song “Childhood” neared its end, the girl in casual clothes suddenly slapped the table and cried out, “I remember now! It’s him!”

At once, everyone nearby—including Xiaoyue—turned, frowning in surprise. On every face, unmistakable irritation appeared.