Chapter 32: A Turn of Fortunes

Leqi News Network: “‘Rise to Fame’ Dark Horse Lin Chuan Assists Police in Saving a Suicidal Young Man, Composes ‘Father’ On the Spot, Rescues a Family.”

When this news was published online, it attracted considerable attention from netizens and fans alike. There were praises and admiration, but also skepticism and disdain.

User "Lonely Mountain Snow": Is it true? Did Lin Chuan really compose the song on the spot? I can’t wait to hear him sing it himself!

User "Intruder": No way, how could anyone write a song under those circumstances? Truly the idol in my heart.

User "Frozen in Summer": Come on, the editor is lying again. No pictures, no truth. What are you even saying?

User "Ruined Life with One Kick": The fool above, go watch the video yourself, no need to explain.

User "Cool White Water": Haha, your comments make me laugh. This is clearly Lin Chuan trying to hype himself up. In the video, the man about to jump is obviously acting, and the little girl is so fake…

User "My Way": You, let’s see you try to hype yourself up like that.

…

The speed of the internet these days meant Lin Chuan, on his way to the kindergarten, was completely unaware of all this. He was anxious, worried that if he arrived late, Lin Yi Yang would think he had been abandoned again.

Despite his rush, he was still five minutes late. When the BMW stopped in front of the kindergarten, he saw most children had already been picked up by their parents. Lin Yi Yang stood beside Wang Yue, his eyes filled with expectation as he gazed outside the gates.

Whenever a bus or taxi passed by, Lin Yi Yang would widen his eyes, staring unblinkingly at those who stepped off, only to lower his head in disappointment each time.

“I’m sorry, Teacher Xiao Yue, I’m late!” Suddenly, Lin Chuan’s voice sounded.

Lin Yi Yang looked up and saw the father he’d been waiting for, finally allowing a smile to appear on his face as he hurried over.

“Dad, why are you so late? Did you go drinking with Uncle again?” Lin Yi Yang pouted, speaking softly.

“Hey, what are you saying about Uncle?” At this moment, Yuan Ye strode over.

Lin Yi Yang glanced at Yuan Ye, smiled briefly, but then quickly lowered his head. Clearly, the little one was still upset about yesterday’s incident.

“You must be Teacher Xiao Yue. Lin Chuan often mentions you. I’m Yuan Ye, Lin Chuan’s childhood friend, and also Yi Yang’s Uncle!” Yuan Ye approached Wang Yue, flashing his most confident trademark smile.

Yet Wang Yue merely nodded lightly, barely looking at him, and said to Lin Chuan, “I still have matters to attend to. I’ll be leaving first.”

“Thank you, Teacher Xiao Yue!” Lin Chuan replied with a smile.

“Hey, Teacher Xiao Yue, join us for dinner, hey…” Yuan Ye stretched his neck, calling loudly, but Wang Yue seemed not to hear and soon vanished amidst the buildings.

“Alright, she’s gone. Did you think everyone would fall for your looks?” Lin Chuan chuckled, scooping up his son and slipping into the BMW parked by the roadside.

On the drive home, Yuan Ye complained as he drove, clearly disgruntled from being ignored twice that day.

“Lin Chuan, this is the second time today. Tell me, are all women in Beining this aloof? How could a handsome guy like me not be popular…”

Amid Yuan Ye’s grievances, the three returned to Lin Chuan’s residence.

That evening, Lin Chuan personally prepared a sumptuous dinner, earning praise even from Yuan Ye, who’d tasted the finest delicacies.

The following days passed rather quietly. Apart from picking up and dropping off Lin Yi Yang, Lin Chuan dedicated himself to practicing songs at home.

Though he’d been reborn into this world with a voice more perfect than before, prolonged neglect would ruin even the best vocal cords.

When the next round of the competition began, Lin Chuan, energetic and confident, arrived at the TV station. It was the round of fifteen advancing to eight, with one contestant drawing a bye straight into the next round.

Whether it was a stroke of luck or fate, Lin Chuan ended up the fortunate one, easily advancing to the quarterfinals.

Although he didn’t need to compete this round, Lin Chuan didn’t rush to leave. He wanted to witness the elimination between Huang Quan and the rock singer from his own division.

Contrary to Lin Chuan’s expectations, the rock singer, who seemed most likely to advance, was eliminated, while Huang Quan, who’d been consistently average and unremarkable, succeeded in moving forward.

This surprised Lin Chuan and the others.

Still, with two contestants from the Beining division in the quarterfinals, it was cause for celebration.

After the competition, Lin Chuan congratulated Huang Quan and comforted the rock singer before leaving the TV station to pick up his son from kindergarten.

He arrived just as school was letting out.

Usually, Lin Yi Yang would be the first to dash out, shouting “Daddy!” as he flung himself into Lin Chuan’s arms, excitedly recounting the day’s adventures.

But today, Lin Chuan waited at the gate for over ten minutes, yet Lin Yi Yang didn’t appear. Just as he anxiously scanned the crowd, Wang Yue emerged from inside.

“Teacher Xiao Yue, why hasn’t Yi Yang come out yet? Is something wrong?” Lin Chuan asked, puzzled.

“Come with me,” Wang Yue replied, expressionless, turning to lead the way.

Outside the classroom, Lin Chuan peered through the window to see Lin Yi Yang sitting at a small table, paintbrush in hand, tirelessly drawing on his board, seemingly oblivious to his father’s arrival.

“Teacher Xiao Yue, isn’t this unfair? Yi Yang is still a child. Even if you assign homework, you shouldn’t keep him from going home,” Lin Chuan said, a hint of anger on his face.

“What are you talking about? We would never assign homework to the children. Yi Yang simply doesn’t want to leave. Both I and the other teachers tried persuading him, but he wouldn’t listen,” Wang Yue said, glaring at him.

“He doesn’t want to leave? That’s impossible—he’s usually the most eager to go home…” Lin Chuan clearly didn’t believe it.

“Don’t be hasty. Let me explain. This afternoon, one of our teachers asked the children to draw their mothers and share stories about them. But Yi Yang couldn’t draw anything and couldn’t say a word about his mother…” Wang Yue explained gently.

“From afternoon until now, Yi Yang has been sitting there, drawing again and again… The child is burdened with too much. Though he acts indifferent, I can sense his longing whenever he sees other children’s mothers coming to pick them up.”

As Wang Yue spoke, Lin Chuan watched his son inside, just as he finished sketching the outline of a “mother,” only to swiftly scratch it out with his brush the next moment.

Just as Wang Yue described, each time he drew an imagined mother, he would ruin it, unable to accept any version as real.

He simply didn’t know what a mother looked like.

Witnessing this, Lin Chuan felt a deep ache in his heart, overwhelmed by guilt.

The impact of a broken family on a child was something adults could scarcely comprehend.

“Lin Chuan, though Yi Yang told me that his mother is a taboo subject for you, I still believe you should let his mother see him. No matter the hatred between you, you cannot deprive him of his right to want a mother!” Wang Yue said, somewhat agitated.

Lin Chuan didn’t get angry or contradict her. He simply sighed with a bitter smile and said, “I haven’t deprived him of any rights, nor stopped him from seeing his mother. It’s just…”

“Just what?” Wang Yue pressed anxiously.

“Do you truly wish to know?” Lin Chuan raised his brows, questioning her.

Wang Yue pursed her lips and nodded solemnly.

Lin Chuan smiled, though it was tinged with bitterness. “It sounds melodramatic, but it’s true. Yi Yang’s mother is An Xier, a very beautiful girl. We attended the same university, where she was considered the campus beauty, admired by many. Until later…”

Lin Chuan reminisced, recounting the past. Wang Yue listened intently, like a little girl absorbed in a story.

When Lin Chuan spoke of his joyful moments with An Xier, Wang Yue laughed heartily. When he mentioned their quarrels, she scolded him.

They stood together in the empty corridor, recollecting memories filled with laughter, arguments, happiness, and helpless disappointment.

“An Xier was truly remarkable. For love, she defied her parents’ wishes and stayed in Beining with you, enduring hardships. I can’t believe she would betray your love or marry a rich heir!” Wang Yue shook her head, incredulous.

“Believe it or not, Yi Yang had just been born. I was out performing to earn money for formula. One day, when I came home, An Xier was gone. Even her clothes and belongings had vanished!” Lin Chuan smiled, but his eyes revealed a trace of resentment.

After a pause, Wang Yue asked, “So all this time, she’s never contacted you? Didn’t you ever think to go to America and find her?”

“Ha, America’s so big. Where would I look? Her family runs a business and has a sizeable company there. Even if I went, they’d have countless ways to keep me from seeing her. Besides, Yi Yang was still little and needed constant care,” Lin Chuan shook his head.

“So you just gave up? An Xier is Yi Yang’s birth mother. Sooner or later, they’ll be reunited,” Wang Yue said, frowning.

“We’ll see when that day comes. Perhaps she’s forgotten about me and Yi Yang, living happily in her American family,” Lin Chuan said with self-mockery.

“Wait, where’s Yi Yang? He’s gone!”

Just as Wang Yue was about to say more, Lin Chuan suddenly called out.

“Dad, I’m right here! You didn’t call me when you arrived—I thought you’d gone drinking with Uncle again!”

At that moment, a childish voice rang out nearby, and Lin Yi Yang joyfully leapt into his father’s arms.