Chapter 107: The Song Request Segment

“The evening falls, and the parasol trees sink into a faint melancholy.”
“Your heart has flown away, too; the room is in disarray.”
“The twilight sunset dyes the river water red.”
“The desk lamp flickers on and off, with your photograph resting on the table.”
“Since that day, I know not where to go.”
“I can only stand alone on the street.”
“I don’t know where to find the heart I already gave to you.”

As she sang, Bai Yao’s voice blossomed with a magnetic charm. Like iron filings drawn to a magnet, the emotions of everyone listening were firmly captured by the unique expressive power of her vocals.

They seemed to forget the piano melody that had drifted by like an autumn breeze, as if listening to an acapella performance. All they heard was Bai Yao’s effortless, smoky, and magnetic singing—it felt as if they were witnessing a live performance by a seasoned veteran.

Bai Yao’s performance of this song was nothing short of impeccable: her tone was steady, her tension was palpable, and every word seemed to strike directly at the listener’s heartbeat. The resilience of that longing tugged at the soul, making it impossible not to drift along with her voice to savor the loneliness of autumn.

Such a performance could not be called "pretty," but it was profoundly moving and unforgettable.

By the end, Zhao Jing felt goosebumps rising on her skin. She exclaimed with delight, "Xiao Bai’s vocal technique is incredible! Nan Fang, do you have anything left to pick at now?"

Nan Fang frowned, trying to find fault in Bai Yao’s performance, but he truly couldn’t. Just based on this song, Bai Yao had outclassed him by a wide margin. Even if he were thick-skinned, Nan Fang found it hard to say anything more.

Shen Yumeng, feeling complex and deeply moved, repeated the topic they had been discussing earlier: "Xiao Bai is truly gifted by the heavens. How did she grow such a voice? Her singing has so much soul."

After saying this, she shot a secret glance at Nan Fang, the implication being that she was rooting for him. If only the heavens could grant Nan Fang such a distinct voice, he wouldn’t have to struggle so hard.

Zhao Yan was also reflecting: "This Xiao Bai must have a story of her own. I feel like she sang this song with so much heart. I really want to know the story behind it; it must be truly touching."

Zhao Jing laughed: "Touching? Probably tragic. Xiao Bai must have been devastated by a breakup to sing with such soul. She was probably dumped."

Under the table, Zhao Yan gestured for her to stop, whispering, "Can’t you show a little mercy with that mouth of yours? Don’t say such things in front of her."

Zhao Jing smirked: "I’m not that oblivious."

Shen Yumeng teased Zhao Jing: "You’re not oblivious? Your mouth doesn’t have a filter."

Zhao Jing replied, "Don’t worry. She’s a young girl I just met; I won’t crush her directly. But honestly, experiencing a painful breakup at her age is actually a good thing. Love isn’t meant to last forever anyway; it has an expiration date. Once it’s over, it’s over. What’s the point of clinging on desperately? ...Sis, I wasn't referring to you."

Zhao Yan awkwardly kicked Zhao Jing under the table and glared at her, thinking, *Would it kill you not to add that last sentence?*

Zhao Jing laughed brightly, completely ignoring Zhao Yan’s discomfort, and turned her attention back to Bai Yao’s singing.

But Bai Yao had already finished.

They were all unfamiliar with the song and hadn't expected it to be so short. As Huang Guolun’s final piano notes faded, a desolate autumn breeze seemed to sweep through the coffee shop. The notes fell to the floor like withered yellow leaves, only to be scattered by the wind until nothing remained, leaving only an infinite sense of melancholy in people’s hearts.

A few college students were the first to sigh, "That was so beautiful!"

Feng Zheng enthusiastically praised Bai Yao: "Xiao Bai, sing another one! You’re amazing!"

The group of students started clamoring for an encore. One girl with sharp ears heard the conversation at Zhao Jing’s table and exclaimed in surprise, passing the word to her classmates: "This Xiao Bai is still a high school student! That’s unbelievable!"

Feng Zheng gasped: "What? A high school student? No way!"

Another boy was more blunt: "If you close your eyes and listen to her sing, you’d think she was a weather-beaten woman in her forties. She can’t be a high school student!"

A rather lecherous boy whispered cheekily: "Look at her 'specs'—that’s not the 'specs' of a high school student either."

Feng Zheng understood what he meant and replied: "That’s not even the 'specs' of an Asian, let alone a high schooler!"

Wang Peng was also stunned: "Is this Xiao Bai the reincarnation of a celestial being? Listening to her sing, I feel like her heart has three hundred and sixty-five cracks, each inscribed with the seasons. It’s hauntingly world-weary!"

Jiang Lili rolled her eyes at the boys: "You guys really have seen nothing of the world. I had a junior high classmate who was a beauty, and she spoke just like Xiao Bai—her voice was very deep. It just wasn't as exaggerated as Xiao Bai’s."

Wang Peng mused: "The world is so big, there really is every kind of forest."

Jiang Lili teased: "You mean every kind of bird, don't you?"

Wang Peng replied with a smirk: "Birds describe the boys; the forest is the girls. Hehe."

Once he realized Bai Yao was a high school student, Feng Zheng felt a surge of misplaced confidence. Thinking his chances were better, he shouted to Zhao Yan: "Boss, does your shop have a service to order songs with flowers? I want to buy flowers and request a song from Xiao Bai!"

Before Zhao Yan could speak, Zhao Jing grabbed her arm, stood up first, and announced: "We don’t have a flower-ordering service, but we do have a cake-ordering service! If you want to request a song, you can buy a piece of Tiramisu for Xiao Bai. The cheapest one is only eighty-eight!"

Upon hearing eighty-eight, Feng Zheng balked. He gave a cheeky, awkward smile and asked: "Can I order half a piece and get half a song?"

Zhao Jing looked at him with disdain: "Half a song? I can’t believe you actually said that! You must have been a penny-pincher in your past life."

Zhao Jing then turned to Bai Yao: "Xiao Bai, don’t you dare give this boy any face!"

Bai Yao replied helplessly: "I don't have any..."

Feng Zheng got desperate and gritted his teeth: "Fine! I’ll order a piece of Tiramisu! Xiao Bai, it’s for you! I wish you happiness forever!"

"Hahaha!" The boys began to tease Feng Zheng.

Zhao Jing smiled with a money-grubbing glint in her eyes: "That’s more like it."

Bai Yao looked at Huang Guolun for guidance. Huang Guolun smiled and shook his head, signaling her not to encourage such business in the cafe.

Bai Yao turned to Feng Zheng: "I’m really sorry, classmate, but I have bad teeth and can’t eat sweets. If you’d like to order it, please enjoy it yourself. Thank you for wishing me happiness. I wish you happiness, too."

"Hahaha!" Feng Zheng had been rejected thoroughly, and Wang Peng and the others were dying of laughter.

Feng Zheng looked dejected and muttered: "I... I just wanted to hear Sun Yanzi’s 'Kite,' that’s all."

Seeing Zhao Jing stretching her neck to speak again, Zhao Yan pulled her down into her seat and stood up to tend to the students herself: "Don’t listen to my sister’s nonsense. Our cafe doesn’t have a song-request service yet. However, when Teacher Huang and the others perform their special set tomorrow, there will be a request segment. If you want to request a song, you can wait until tomorrow. Since you’re so enthusiastic, I’ll treat you to a piece of Tiramisu today—it's on the house. Enjoy!"

Looking at the charming dimples on Zhao Yan’s face, Feng Zheng was stunned. He stammered: "Boss, you’ve already given us so many extra desserts, and now this? Are you a Bodhisattva reincarnated? You are such a kind person!"

Zhao Yan smiled sweetly: "It’s nothing, as long as you enjoy it."

A girl who came with Jiang Lili leaned over and sighed: "Sister Yan is truly so nice!"

Jiang Lili said proudly: "I told you, Sister Yan is super nice!"

Wang Peng and the others also began praising Zhao Yan. Feng Zheng had never met such a warm and kind-hearted woman; his head was spinning, and he nearly asked if she had a boyfriend. He was already on the verge of falling for this sweet lady.

While the college students were singing Zhao Yan’s praises, Zhao Jing was so anxious she almost slammed the table. She was about to stop Zhao Yan from being a "foolish giver," but Shen Yumeng was quick to shove a cookie into Zhao Jing’s mouth, cutting her off.

Shen Yumeng knew what Zhao Jing was going to say and urged her: "Just settle down and stop ruining your sister’s scene. It’s hard enough to get customers, and you’re scaring them all away."

Zhao Jing puffed her cheeks: "I’m doing this for her own good! She doesn’t know how to run a business!"

Shen Yumeng retorted: "Oh, so you’re the only one who knows how to run a business? Stop acting like everything you do is for someone else’s sake. If they don’t need your ‘help,’ just mind your own business."

Nan Fang found this satisfying. Even though Zhao Jing was a great beauty, her personality was so overbearing and annoying. Only a best friend like Shen Yumeng could keep her in check.

Zhao Jing was annoyed by Shen Yumeng’s words and began pouting while eating her cake, thinking, *You think I’m meddlesome? Fine, I won’t care anymore! Talk about casting pearls before swine!*

Huang Guolun told Bai Yao to go and rest for a while. She had sung two songs in a row and done a great job, so she needed to save her voice; she had a chronic condition and had to be careful. Moreover, it was just a rehearsal tonight; there was no need to push herself. Adapting to the environment and finding her rhythm was enough—tomorrow night was the main event.

Bai Yao didn’t walk back to Zhao Jing’s table. Instead, she sat on a round stool next to the piano, staying close to Huang Guolun. In an unfamiliar place, being near him seemed to give her a greater sense of security.

Furthermore, having witnessed Huang Guolun’s musical talent, Bai Yao loved listening to him sing from up close. At such a short distance, she could feel every note radiating from him, colored with emotion and utterly enchanting.

Huang Guolun turned around, looked at the embarrassed Feng Zheng, and asked with a smile: "Classmate, were you looking to hear Sun Yanzi’s 'Kite'?"