Volume Two: Shadows of the Past Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Annoying Brother Can't Stand Seeing Women Sad

Ling Ruohan analyzed earnestly, “Exactly. For example, couples who have broken up still want to know if the other is doing well.” Then, shifting her tone, she added, “And when they find out the other is not as well off as themselves, it brings them some peace of mind.”

Chen Jing rolled his eyes. “Come on, you think guys are as bored as you girls?”

Ling Ruohan retorted, “How do you know he wouldn’t be that bored?”

Chen Jing was momentarily speechless, caught off guard by her question.

“Hehehe!” Wang Menglan, seeing Chen Jing at a loss for words, burst into laughter, tears springing to her eyes.

Wiping her tears, she smiled and said, “You two are too funny. I can’t stop laughing—I need to take a quick break in the restroom.” Without waiting for their reaction, she got up and headed toward the bathroom.

Once Wang Menglan was out of sight, Ling Ruohan and Chen Jing fell into silence. Ling Ruohan turned away from where Wang Menglan had gone and looked at Chen Jing, complaining, “Ah Jing, why are men so annoying and hateful? They’re already divorced or broken up, so why do they still come back looking for Sister Menglan? Isn’t that just rubbing salt in the wound? Once it’s over, can’t they just not see each other anymore?”

Chen Jing continued staring in the direction Wang Menglan had gone, silent. Both he and Ling Ruohan knew that Wang Menglan’s tears were not from laughter but real sorrow.

Ling Ruohan didn’t know the truth. She assumed that Zhang Tianzhi and Wang Menglan’s divorce was due to incompatibility or a third party. But Chen Jing knew the reality was far more sordid.

When Sister Menglan was pregnant with their daughter Youxuan, Zhang Tianzhi had already secretly gotten involved with the daughter of a high-ranking official. He had planned all along to abandon his family for his own future. Later, Zhang Tianzhi told Wang Menglan he wanted a divorce because she couldn’t bear a son—a mere excuse to cover up his own despicable actions.

Sister Menglan probably knew the truth deep down but chose to ignore it, refusing to accept reality.

Chen Jing’s heart ached deeply for Sister Menglan’s plight. He sighed inwardly, knowing that sometimes severing ties is the best thing.

Lost in thought, Chen Jing suddenly called out, “Ruohan.”

“Hm? What’s up?” Ling Ruohan looked at him curiously.

“You said you wanted to experience being a bar’s resident singer, right? How about singing a song with me on stage later?”

“A-ah! Huh??” Ling Ruohan was surprised, unsure of his intention.

Chen Jing smiled and shrugged. “We’ll ask them to dim the stage lights, then wear hats and masks, so no one will recognize us.” He looked at her again and asked, “So, how about it? Want to sing a song with me on stage?”

Ling Ruohan’s eyes brightened at the suggestion; she thought it was a great idea.

“This song will be for Sister Menglan, right?” Ling Ruohan knew Chen Jing suddenly wanted to sing to comfort Sister Menglan—he couldn’t stand to see women sad.

Chen Jing nodded without hesitation.

Without reserve, Ling Ruohan waved her hand grandly. “Then let’s do it!”

(Incomplete chapter—please turn the page)

In the restroom, Wang Menglan gently wiped her face with a wet tissue. Looking into the mirror, her eyes were red; she wore a bittersweet smile. After taking a few deep breaths and adjusting her clothes, finding nothing amiss, she stepped out.

Back at her seat, Wang Menglan had barely sat down when Chen Jing smiled and said, “Sister Menglan, Ruohan said she wants to experience being a bar resident singer, so we were thinking of going on stage to sing a song. Is that okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, Sister Menglan! I want to perform on the stage downstairs—can I?” Ling Ruohan chimed in.

Wang Menglan looked at them in surprise. “Of course! Ah Jing, you can sing however you like—I’d love for you to sing more songs on my stage. It’s just your identities…” She didn’t care how Chen Jing ran her bar or that he was her boss; she actually looked forward to seeing him perform again. Her only worry was that if they were recognized, it might cause trouble.

Chen Jing waved off the concern. “No problem. Just have the lighting technician dim the lights a bit. No one will recognize us. Even if they do, it’s not a big deal.”

“Alright, then let’s go,” Wang Menglan said.

Without delay, the three headed to the bar area on the first floor.

On the stage, Yan Xiaoxi was chatting with the sound engineer when she saw Boss Menglan approaching with two others. She immediately stopped her work and walked over.

“Boss Menglan! You’re here!” Yan Xiaoxi smiled. She cherished this job not only because her idol had worked here but also due to the excellent pay and the boss’s kindness.

Wang Menglan encouraged her with a smile, “Xiaoxi, you were great tonight—‘Midnight Serenade’ sounded wonderful.”

Blushing, Xiaoxi rubbed her arm shyly. “Hehe, thanks, Boss Menglan. Mostly, it’s because my idol wrote such a good song.” She glanced curiously at the man and woman following Menglan. It was rare to see anyone dressed so fully covered in a bar.

Noticing Xiaoxi’s admission of being Chen Jing’s fan, Ling Ruohan nudged Chen Jing playfully. “Oh wow, here’s your little fan. My Ah Jing is so popular—he’s got fans wherever he goes.”

Chen Jing ignored her. If anyone had fans, it was Ling Ruohan—after all, she was a diva-level singer, and Chen Jing couldn’t compare.

Wang Menglan, aware of Xiaoxi’s idol, didn’t tease her but said seriously, “Xiaoxi, take a break. These two friends want to sing on stage. You just let them go up when it’s time.”

“Ah! Oh, okay, got it.” Xiaoxi was still a bit surprised. Two people singing on stage? Really?

Though unsure if the duo could sing well, it was no longer her concern. She took off her headset and handed it to Chen Jing.

Chen Jing took it with a smile and said, “Thanks for your help.”

Xiaoxi murmured, “Uh, no problem.” She just felt the man’s voice sounded very familiar.

Chen Jing put on the headset. It was nearly showtime. He said to Xiaoxi,

“Xiaoxi, could you ask the lighting technician to dim the lights? It’s best if the people on stage are hard to see.”

“Oh, sure, I’ll do that now.” Though unclear about Chen Jing’s plan, as the boss’s friend, she complied.

Once the lights dimmed, Chen Jing smiled at Wang Menglan and said, “Sister Menglan, it’s been a while since I sang for you. I hope you like this next song.” Without waiting for her response, he and Ling Ruohan stepped onto the stage.

“Ah Jing…” Wang Menglan whispered, suddenly feeling overwhelmed as she watched Chen Jing’s figure ascend the stage.

Chen Jing and Ling Ruohan requested an electric guitar from Xiaoxi.

“You play electric guitar, right?” Chen Jing leaned toward Ling Ruohan’s ear.

Proudly, she nodded. “Of course! I’m a diva—I’m skilled with any instrument I hold.”

“Good. Just follow the sheet music I sent you on your phone. Don’t mess up, or I won’t let you hear the end of it,” he teased.

Ling Ruohan scoffed. “You should worry about yourself.” Then, curious, she asked, “If I’m on guitar, what will you play?”

“Me? Nothing,” Chen Jing shrugged ambiguously and walked away.

Ling Ruohan wasn’t sure she heard right. “What? Nothing? Hey, Ah Jing?” She called after him twice, but he ignored her.

Just as she grew frustrated, she saw Chen Jing sit down at the drum set. Her eyes lit up. “Drums! That’s really cool!” she whispered excitedly. She had long known Chen Jing could play drums and had wanted to see him perform. Now was her chance.

All set, Chen Jing signaled Xiaoxi at the soundboard to turn off the music. The room instantly fell silent.

Chen Jing opened the microphone. “Hey, hey, everyone here tonight. Due to special circumstances, my partner and I will be performing a song for you.”

The audience leaned forward curiously, wanting to see who was speaking. But the stage lights were so dim that only two vague silhouettes were visible—a slender woman holding a guitar and a shadowy figure sitting at the drums.

Without hesitation, Chen Jing announced, “The song is called ‘The Rain Keeps Falling.’” He picked up the drumsticks.

Tap! Tap! Tap! The sticks clicked together, and Ling Ruohan’s electric guitar responded.

Soft, slow guitar notes filled the room. After a few seconds, Chen Jing began beating the drums, unleashing a powerful rhythm that echoed across the stage:

“The rain keeps falling,
The atmosphere isn’t warm,
Under the same roof,
You slowly sense your heart changing,
You love him,
Perhaps even carry some hate,
Youth spent half away,
Only to realize it was just playing along...”

As Chen Jing’s voice rose, Wang Menglan below the stage froze. She looked up at the blurry figures and knew in her heart—the song was written by Chen Jing, just for her.

(End of chapter)