A Little Touched

As the two walked on, they soon spotted several retro-style bars on the beach ahead.

The sandy area outside the bars was filled with small wooden tables, where groups of young men and women dressed in summer clothes chatted and laughed over drinks.

Su Yang glanced at the crowd and asked, "Is it over there?"

"The navigation says it's right here."

"Let's go check it out."

Arm in arm, they stepped onto the beach. It was Su Yang's first time walking on sand, and he curiously bent down to slip off his flip-flops.

"What are you doing?"

"It's my first time at the beach—I want to feel the sand." Su Yang grinned like a child.

"Then I'll join you." Pan Ning also took off her flip-flops, revealing her cute bare feet.

Su Yang crouched and watched Pan Ning's actions, sensing something off about her since they left the hotel.

This wasn’t like her usual demeanor. She seemed softer, more delicate—almost girlish.

‘Does this girl have multiple personalities?’

The thought struck him as absurd, and he dismissed it with a chuckle. Standing up, he held his flip-flops and said, "Let's go."

"Okay~" Pan Ning replied, following him but this time not linking arms.

Su Yang didn’t dwell on it, and soon they reached the first bar.

There, Liu Bo and Zhang Ziming stood smoking beside a decorative dune buggy.

Spotting Su Yang and Pan Ning arriving late, Liu Bo teased, "What took you two so long?"

"Oh, we stopped to buy coconuts, and when we looked up, you guys were gone. Where are the other two?"

"Brother Meng’s inside chatting with the owner, and Yi Xue went to the restroom. Come on, let’s head in."

"Sure."

Inside, they saw Meng Wenzhou sitting near the entrance, laughing with a man who looked about 25 or 26.

Noticing their arrival, Meng Wenzhou stood up and said, "My friends are here. I’ll catch up with you later—don’t forget to join us for drinks."

"No problem!" the young man replied cheerfully.

Meng Wenzhou turned to Su Yang and Pan Ning with a smirk. "What, were you two off making out? Took you long enough."

Pan Ning shot him a glare. "Where are we sitting?"

"Right this way. The owner saved us a prime spot."

Meng Wenzhou led them to a spacious booth by the window, large enough to seat twelve or more. With just the six of them, there was plenty of room.

Su Yang made himself at home, settling into the innermost seat beside a large wooden window.

Outside, the scene was lively. A rustic table sat right next to Su Yang’s spot, occupied by an entire group of stunning women in stylish outfits.

One particularly elegant-looking girl strummed a guitar, singing a folk-country English ballad while couples nearby leaned into each other, listening quietly.

Further away, laughter and chatter rose and fell like waves. Above the sea, a bright full moon cast a golden glow across the water.

Beach, beautiful women, barbecue, music, beer—this was the carefree life Su Yang had once dreamed of.

At that moment, he felt an overwhelming sense of contentment. Surrounded by good friends, free from worries, with healthy parents and soul-stirring music, everything was perfect.

"Ah..."

[Ding! Detecting host’s deep enjoyment and profound reflection. Reward: 5 million in cash and the "God of Song" skill.]

Su Yang rested his chin on his hand, gazing out the window without a word, listening to the moving music. Suddenly, his vision blurred.

Pan Ning had somehow taken a seat beside him. Noticing that Su Yang had been staring outside since he sat down, she leaned over to look at his face.

A single tear rolled down Su Yang’s cheek.

Pan Ning froze, then patted his shoulder. "Why are you crying?"

"What?" Meng Wenzhou, Liu Bo, and Zhang Ziming perked up at her words, immediately standing and crowding around Su Yang to get a look.

Su Yang snapped back to reality at Pan Ning’s touch, only to find everyone staring at him.

His face flushed red as he quickly wiped away the tear. "What’s with you guys?"

"Yang, what’s going on?"

"Nothing, just got a little emotional hearing the song outside."

"Whoa, didn’t know you were such a softie," Meng Wenzhou said, extending a hand for a bro shake.

"Nah, just a momentary thing. Forget it—where’s the booze? The barbecue?"

"Coming right up! Tonight, we drink till we drop!" Meng Wenzhou, now also swept up in the music’s mood, declared boldly.

"With your lightweight tolerance? Please." Pan Ning shot him a dismissive look.

"Don’t get cocky. I came prepared today—you’re in for it."

"Oh? Called backup?"

"Heh, never you mind. Just know you won’t walk away unscathed." Meng Wenzhou plopped back into his chair, grinning.

Pan Ning rolled her eyes, brushing off his threat entirely.

Just then, Shen Yixue returned from the restroom, completing their group of six.

Clap clap clap—

The song outside ended, met with enthusiastic applause.

At the center of the crowd, a girl flashed a radiant smile.

"Encore!"

"Encore!"

The patrons around them cheered, clapping for another performance.

The girl, clearly an extrovert, laughed freely. "Sure! Any requests?"

"‘Ocean of Flowers’!"

"‘All the Way North’!"

"‘Maple’!"

The girl chuckled. "Seems we’ve got some Jay Chou fans here. ‘Ocean of Flowers’ it is—I love that one too!"

"Yes!"

Clap clap clap—

Another round of applause erupted.

Su Yang turned his head, intrigued.

He’d just acquired the "God of Song" skill, and now, every vocal technique and musical nuance felt instinctive, as if he’d been born with it.

Though he hadn’t tested it yet, something told him the moment he opened his mouth, he’d stun the crowd.

Su Yang had always been a decent singer—a KTV showstopper, sure, but probably bottom-tier in a campus singing competition.

Now, with this divine skill, he was certain he could enchant anyone who heard him.

And it wasn’t just singing—every instrument’s secrets were etched into his mind.

"All blossoms freeze in time..."

"Love fades, yet lingers clear..."

Outside, the girl’s voice floated through the air, accompanied by a guitar’s gentle strumming, casting a spell over everyone listening.

"Don't want you to leave, distance can't keep us apart, my longing turns into an ocean, just outside the window but unable to come in."

......

Soon, the song came to an end.

The crowd around her was still immersed in the beautiful melody.

Inside by the window, Su Yang clapped enthusiastically.

As his applause broke out, the others snapped out of their daze and joined in.

"That was amazing!"

"Are you a professional singer, miss?"

"Yeah, that was so lovely~"

The girl with the guitar smiled. "Thank you, everyone. I’m actually a bar singer, though not at this one—I’m just here traveling."

"No wonder! You sound even better than some professional singers."

"You’re too kind, thank you~" The girl giggled cutely.

Inside, Meng Wenzhou turned to Su Yang and asked, "Hey, Su Yang, how’s your singing?"

"Me? Not bad, I guess."

"Not bad? Sounds like you’re being modest. Why don’t you go up and give us a song?"

"Nah, nah. If I start singing, I might steal the spotlight. Better not."

"Oh-ho! Now you’ve got to sing! Right, everyone?" Meng Wenzhou egged him on.