Chapter 4: Overflow

Taking a few large strides forward, Lin Chuan pulled Lin Yiyang to his side. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Who are you?” The middle-aged woman glanced at Lin Chuan, her brows drawn together in hostility.

“I’m the boy’s father. May I ask what happened here?” Lin Chuan offered her a polite smile, his voice gentle.

“So you’re this child’s father? Hmph, what kind of father are you, letting your child run wild, grabbing things everywhere? What if he dirties the books? And look at this one—he actually tore a page right out!” The middle-aged woman looked Lin Chuan up and down with obvious disdain, her words full of irritation.

Lin Chuan took the book from her and saw a page had indeed been torn.

Immediately, he managed an apologetic smile, reached into his pocket, and took out several dozen yuan. “I’m sorry, the child is young and doesn’t understand. I’ll buy this book.”

“That’s more like it!” The woman shot him a look, took the money, and turned toward the cashier. She hadn’t gone far, though, before she muttered under her breath, “A child born with a mother, but raised without one—no manners at all. Why bring him to a bookstore?”

Though her voice was low, Lin Chuan caught every word clearly. His expression darkened at once. In a few quick steps, he caught up to her and gripped her arm tightly.

“What… what are you doing?” The woman, pained, looked up to see Lin Chuan’s furious face and panicked.

“Repeat what you just said,” Lin Chuan demanded, his tone cold and measured, each word pressed out as he stared at her.

“W-what? What did I say?” the woman stammered, clearly frightened yet not fully grasping the gravity of the situation.

Seeing this, Lin Chuan wasted no more words. He tightened his grip. Suddenly, the woman let out a piercing scream that echoed throughout the bookstore.

Her shrill cries drew everyone’s attention; the people browsing books gathered around, whispering among themselves. Some, unaware of the context, began to point fingers at Lin Chuan.

But some had witnessed the woman berating Lin Yiyang and saw what had happened next. As the truth was explained, the blame quickly shifted from Lin Chuan to the middle-aged woman.

“He’s just a child. How could you say something so venomous? Really, who’s the one lacking manners here?”

“That’s right! He’s just a kid. The parent apologized and offered to buy the book. Yet you’re so spiteful—shame on you!”

“Hey, young man, let it go. She’s not worth it. Release her.”

“Judging by her attitude, she’s not a good person. Now she’s met her match. Hurry up and apologize!”

For a moment, everyone around unanimously condemned the middle-aged woman. Even her colleagues, clad in the same work uniforms, showed her no sympathy or protection.

It was clear that this woman had few friends in the bookstore, and even less goodwill.

“I-I… I apologize. I’m sorry, it was my fault. Please, let me go?” The woman’s face was ashen, her voice nearly a scream.

Lin Chuan hadn’t wanted to escalate things. He’d only reacted so strongly because of her final, cutting words. Seeing the growing crowd and hearing her apology, he took a deep breath and released her.

The woman, as if granted amnesty, hurriedly backed away, rubbing her sore arm and watching Lin Chuan warily, afraid he might lash out again.

But to her surprise, this unremarkable man—who looked more like a vagrant than anything else—not only refrained from pursuing the matter further, but turned to the little boy and said, “Let’s go.”

From beginning to end, the boy had never cried. He merely pressed his lips together stubbornly, his face full of unwillingness.

“Sir… your money!” the woman called softly as she saw Lin Chuan about to leave.

“Keep it. Whatever’s left after paying for the book, use it to buy yourself some medicine,” Lin Chuan replied without turning his head, striding out of the bookstore with Lin Yiyang, disappearing in moments.

With the main participants gone, the gawking crowd also dispersed. Only the middle-aged woman remained, her eyes venomous as she stared after Lin Chuan, her whole body trembling—whether from anger or fear, it was impossible to say.

Lin Chuan, meanwhile, didn’t linger nearby. Taking Lin Yiyang, he headed directly toward the “Nightfall Bar.”

“Daddy, I didn’t tear the book,” the boy’s small, earnest voice came after a long silence.

Lin Chuan turned to look at him, his face expressionless. “Then who did?”

“It was that lady. I was looking at the pictures, and she came over and snatched the book from me. I really didn’t tear it…” By the end, Lin Yiyang’s eyes reddened and tears began to fall.

Lin Chuan knelt, gently wiping away his son’s tears. His voice was earnest: “Remember, if you make a mistake, you must be brave and admit it. If it wasn’t you, you must tell Papa the truth. Do you understand?”

“I understand, Papa!” Lin Yiyang nodded hard, choking back his tears.

Lin Chuan pulled his son into a hug. Seeing his boy suffer such injustice, he felt the weight of his responsibility as a father. Silently, he vowed that such a thing would never happen again—he would not let anyone look down on Lin Yiyang.

By the time they reached the bar, it was already past five in the afternoon.

Compared to before, the bar was already packed, even more lively than during last night’s peak hours.

“Ah, Xiao Chuan, what took you so long? Quick, hand the little one over to me and get up on stage! These people are all here for you!” As soon as Lin Chuan entered, Boss Xu hurried over, urging him loudly.

“They’re here for me?” Lin Chuan was taken aback; this was far beyond anything he’d expected.

“That’s right! Get up there now. And be sure to include ‘Ten Years’ in your set tonight. I’ll even give you a raise!” Boss Xu nodded, almost giddy with excitement.

Lin Chuan gave a wry smile. He’d been scheduled to perform at eight in the evening—the bar’s prime time—a special favor from Boss Xu out of respect for Yuan Ye. Yet after last night’s rendition of “Ten Years,” so many people had shown up that the place was already nearly bursting.

Handing Lin Yiyang over to Boss Xu, Lin Chuan walked slowly onto the stage.

Immediately, those who’d heard him the night before burst into enthusiastic applause and cheers.

“I’m truly grateful to everyone for coming. I won’t say much. Next, I’d like to dedicate ‘Childhood’ to each and every friend here. May you forever remain young, returning to that innocent age of childhood!”

As his words faded, the bar erupted in cheers. Many raised their phones to snap photos and record videos.

With the first note, a hush fell over the bar, as if bewitched. All eyes fixed on the stage—on the man standing there.

On the banyan tree by the pond, cicadas were singing the summer’s song.
On the swing by the playground, only butterflies were resting.
The teacher’s chalk still squeaked across the blackboard, scribbling endlessly.
Waiting for class to end, waiting for school to finish, waiting for the games of childhood…

The joyful melody echoed through the bar. Everyone listened quietly to “Childhood.” In that moment, memories of their own youth replayed in their minds, each precious scene bringing a pure, heartfelt smile to their faces.

When the song ended, the audience remained spellbound, reluctant to return to reality. Then, thunderous applause erupted once more.

As more and more people poured in, the bar became so crowded that there was barely space to stand.

Yet Lin Chuan didn’t sing any of the songs he’d brought from his former life; instead, he performed tunes well known to everyone in this world.

Still, no one complained. They were already deeply captivated by Lin Chuan’s singing.

Following Boss Xu’s request, Lin Chuan ended his set with “Ten Years.” The atmosphere soared to new heights.

“Hahaha, Xiao Chuan, the impact you brought tonight was even greater than yesterday! Especially that song, Childhood—it took me back, as if I were once more running wild with my childhood friends. I thought I’d forgotten those precious memories after all these years. Who would have thought your song would awaken them again? Remarkable…”

Boss Xu praised him profusely, growing sentimental as he spoke.

“Heh, you flatter me, Boss Xu,” Lin Chuan replied modestly.

“Flatter? Not at all! You’re a real talent. If I’m not mistaken, you’re destined for great things in the music world. But even if not, as long as you’re willing to sing, my bar will always welcome you!” Boss Xu clapped him heartily on the shoulder.

“I’ll take that as a blessing, Boss Xu.” Outwardly, Lin Chuan looked calm, but after those hearty pats, his already thin frame nearly fell apart.

After settling the night’s accounts, Lin Chuan left the bar with Lin Yiyang.

The night passed quietly.

The next morning, Lin Chuan, still asleep, was awakened by the ring of his phone.

Groggily, he opened his eyes and glanced at the screen. It was an unfamiliar number.

“Hello?” Lin Chuan answered, his voice still slurred with sleep.

“Hello, is this Mr. Lin Chuan? I’m a staff member from ‘A Song to Fame.’ I’m calling to inform you that at nine o’clock this morning, you…”

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