Chapter Twenty-Four: Every Life Journey Is Unique

“What a delightful surprise! Truly unexpected!”
When Vice Principal Tongyin learned that Lin Ze was coming to the school to sing—and would even compete with Li Xiangyu—he immediately instructed the school’s counselors to set tasks in motion.
In the evening’s school-organized vote, everyone was to select their own senior from the school.
Though he didn’t say it outright, the implication was clear; which student wouldn’t understand?
Tongyin was a newly independent institution, spun off from Sichuan Music Academy only a few years ago. Its most accomplished graduate was Li Xiangyu.
The school needed to maintain good relations with him.
Many students had already learned about this through the live variety show.
Once word spread, some who had never heard of Lin Ze found themselves captivated by his music.
Likewise, some passionate fans of Zhang Yang and Li Xiangyu quickly formed groups and even planned to throw eggs onto the stage.
These extreme fans were reported by Lin Ze’s supporters and soon controlled by the counselors.
By afternoon, Li Xiangyu’s manager came to find Lin Ze, handed him the promised thirty thousand yuan, and informed him of the performance location.
The event would be held in the school’s music plaza; arriving around eight o’clock would suffice.
With thirty thousand in hand, Lin Ze split half for Phoenix Park.
The remaining fifteen thousand would cover their expenses for days to come.
The two happily went off to enjoy Sichuan-style hot brine snacks.
Crispy wood ear mushrooms, potato slices, kelp, meatballs—all braised and served in a small stainless steel basin.
Xiao Qian had worked hard these past days too; Lin Ze treated him to his own bowl, but Xiao Qian had to eat outside the camera’s view, forbidden from appearing on screen.
“Can any Sichuan locals share if this is really tasty?”
“It’s delicious! I used to study in Sichuan, and there’s nothing like it back home—I crave it so much!”
“Absolutely delicious! If you visit Sichuan, you must try it! (Lin Ze, leave the entertainment industry!)”
Lin Ze and Su Zitan became live-stream food hosts, pouring vinegar into their basin.
In no time, they had polished off everything.
When the vegetarian dishes were gone, with time to spare, they ordered a heap of duck bones and sat before the camera, gnawing away.
“Suddenly, Li Xiangyu seems like a good person after all,” Lin Ze sighed.
“Right, right,” Su Zitan replied, holding a bowl of fruit jelly.
Originally, they thought singing in a bar for two hundred yuan per song was the quickest way to earn money.
Happiness arrives so unexpectedly.
“How about visiting the Du City Zoo tomorrow?”
Su Zitan considered; the next round was two days away, not until Wednesday. These two days were perfect for a little fun—the drive was only an hour, so they could go in the morning and return at night.
“What?”
“Huh?”
“Do you two remember you’re filming a show?”

“You’re right!” Lin Ze’s eyes lit up. “I happen to need an instrument, but Tong County doesn’t have it.”
“Exactly!”
They struck a deal instantly.
Just then, Xiao Qian’s phone rang.
He pulled it out—it was Director Zhang.
“Hello?”
“Hello, Director…”
“Xiao Qian, give your phone to Xiao Lin!”
Xiao Qian obediently handed it over.
Lin Ze saw it was Director Zhang’s call, put it on speaker, and set it atop the tissue box.
“Director Zhang?”
“Xiao Lin, Zitan, aren’t you two…filming a variety show?”
“You took a side gig, I won’t say anything. But you’re planning to take the money and go play in Du City? Isn’t that going a bit too far!”
[Hahaha!]
[I agree, just checked in on Teacher Chen’s stream—he and an aunt haggled for half an hour over two potatoes.]
[Ji Chen and Lin Chunshui are worse off; yesterday they taught kids to sing, but the children said their method was different from their old teacher’s. Today, parents stormed the school demanding the pair be replaced.]
Director Zhang was about to explode.
Li Xiangyu knew this was a variety show, yet insisted on paying Lin Ze to sing—wasn’t that disruption?
“What’s so excessive? We’re just wandering musicians.”
Lin Ze pursed his lips. “Who am I now? I’m Zhou Ke. He invited us from Phoenix Park to sing—what’s the problem?”
Su Zitan addressed the camera:
“Let the audience decide. We’re wandering musicians, not homeless singers. Aren’t we supposed to earn a living?”
[She’s absolutely right!]
[Agreed! Like! Director, don’t target young people!]
[When’s Lin coming to sing? I can’t wait!]
“He…he invited Lin Ze! Not Zhou Ke!”
Director Zhang tried to insist.
“Does the name matter? I could be Lin Ze, you could be Lin Ze—everyone in the stream could be Lin Ze. It’s just a code name.”
Su Zitan sighed, “Director Zhang, have you ever thought that one day, maybe I’ll be called Zhang Dahai?”
Lin Ze gazed at the camera, as if peering through the network into Director Zhang’s eyes.
“The three essentials of performance: truly listen, truly see, truly feel.”

The viewers in the stream watched Lin Ze, sensing something different.
His made-up face suddenly became unfamiliar.
It started with his eyes—a shift in aura. Lin Ze’s gaze grew weathered, his spirit faded, but idealistic light still flickered within.
Like a genuine wandering singer, well into his thirties or forties, who had yet to succeed.
“Do you still think I’m Lin Ze now?”
“……”
[What did I just witness?]
[No need for silent acting? I… I’m a teacher in Tongyin’s Film and Performance Department. I’ve taught for ten years, and I admit I can’t achieve this.]
[Didn’t Lin just graduate? I recall he’s from the Pop Vocal Department…]
“But…he still invited Lin Ze!”
“I know he invited me. I’m the one singing. But I…”
“Am Zhou Ke.”
Director Zhang was silent for a moment.
“You’re…a bit too dramatic.”
“Go, go, go. I won’t bother you anymore. Just remember to come back tonight!”
The call ended. Su Zitan reached out her hand, and Lin Ze slapped it with a crisp sound.
…
Soon, it was eight o’clock in the evening.
A vehicle emblazoned with photos of Lin Ze and Su Zitan drove into Tongyin.
Guided by the school’s staff, the car drove to the music plaza. Lin Ze and Su Zitan stepped out, wearing jeans and studded jackets.
Some bystanders, unaware of the situation, looked at them in confusion.
Li Xiangyu had just finished his makeup backstage. Seeing them walk in like that, he was clearly displeased.
“Why are you still wearing makeup? Can’t you show me some respect? At least reveal your real faces?”
Lin Ze paused, exchanged glances with Su Zitan.
“Sorry, we are…”
Suddenly, both raised an arm above their heads, forming a big heart.
“Phoenix Park!”
“……”