Chapter 6: When You’re Lonely, Who Do You Think Of?

Xu Ze sat atop the high stool on stage, his right leg casually draped over the middle bar, guitar cradled against his chest. His fingers idly brushed the strings twice, and a familiar sensation surged through him. With the mastery of a guitar virtuoso, he played with the ease of someone who had been strumming for over a decade.

He was utterly at ease.

As for what song to sing, he had already made up his mind the moment he entered the bar.

He chose the song that Nicholas Teo had covered in 2004, which had exploded in popularity across the Chinese-speaking world—“When You’re Lonely, Who Will You Think Of?” Back then, it had topped the mobile ringtone download charts.

Its melody was simple, perfect for a guitar rendition.

Offstage, Xu Yan stood to the side with Miaomiao, offering her a glass of water and wearing an expression of utter confusion. “You’re so pretty—why do you always hide under that hat? And your clothes… really…”

Miaomiao took a gentle sip and replied, “I just want to sing.” Then she pointed toward Xu Ze on stage. “Just like him.”

On stage, Xu Ze had pulled his cap so low it nearly concealed his eyes. The stage lights, dimmed at his request, left his face almost entirely in shadow.

Xu Yan rolled her eyes. She truly couldn’t understand these kids nowadays—so good-looking, yet all so eager to keep themselves hidden.

In the distance, Zhao Xiaofei was in a state of panic as she saw Xu Ze step up to the singer’s platform.

“It’s over, it’s over.”

In her mind, she was already picturing Xu Ze grabbing the microphone and confessing to her.

To be honest, she felt a little guilty. She knew why Xu Ze might act so impulsively. She’d always kept him dangling, stringing him along as a backup option.

Now that she had made her relationship public in her social media circle, Xu Ze was bound to be devastated. Who knew what he might do next?

“Uh, Shi Wenjie, maybe we should head back? It’s late.”

Shi Wenjie looked surprised. “Aren’t you going to wait for your friend? Let’s stay a bit longer.” He gestured at the stage. “Look, the singer is back up—let’s listen to a few more songs.”

“Listen to songs?” Zhao Xiaofei thought helplessly. “I’m afraid that’s not all we’ll be hearing tonight.”

Where had Ren Qiu gone off to? Now she was stuck, unable to leave.

…

On stage, after eating a Voice Fruit, Xu Ze began to play the intro. His gentle voice drifted across the mildly noisy bar.

“Your emotions are always soaring,
Chasing after everything,
Trying to grasp a bit of comfort,
You always wander among the crowd,
Fearing most the taste of loneliness…”

The moment Xu Ze’s voice rang out, the bar fell eerily silent.

The sweaty man downing beer, the beautiful woman chatting with her friends, the receptionist with aching legs—all turned, as if on cue, to look at Xu Ze on stage.

His voice was pure and tender.

Xu Yan and Miaomiao exchanged startled glances by the reception—what a beautiful voice.

Miaomiao racked her brain, trying to recall what song Xu Ze was singing. The melody was enchanting.

“Your heart is so fragile,
It shatters at the slightest touch,
Can’t withstand even a gentle breeze,
You always need people around you,
Fearing most the coming of night…”

In 2004, this song had swept across Southeast Asia, capturing the delicate hearts hidden beneath the strong exteriors of young men and women. It spoke of loneliness—a feeling everyone encounters but few are willing to admit—told gently by a boy-next-door.

With the softest voice, he sang the loneliest song.

“But the night always falls,
People always part,
No one can stay by your side forever,
And the taste of loneliness,
Is something we all must face,
It’s not just you and me who feel weary…”

By now, Miaomiao was certain—the young man on stage was singing her own original song.

She turned to the dazed bar owner, Xu Yan. “Which company is your brother an artist for?”

“I…I have no idea,” Xu Yan shrugged. “He just recorded one song at my place. I don’t know anything else.”

Miaomiao was speechless. “And you call him your brother?”

Xu Yan widened her eyes and, shamelessly, declared, “From now on, he’s my real brother. How about that?”

Miaomiao was left speechless.

Zhao Xiaofei, meanwhile, was overcome with mixed feelings. She hadn’t expected Xu Ze to go up there just to sing.

She’d thought he would shout something into the microphone like an ordinary boy: “Ou Haochen, I like you!”

Never did she imagine he would use such a beautiful song to confess his feelings.

But she quickly dismissed the thought. What good was a nice voice? People like Shi Wenjie, whose family owned the legendary Shenghuang Entertainment, had countless artists under their banner; even top singers worked for them.

Only someone like that was worthy of her.

She had worked hard at her studies not for the sake of a stable job like everyone else—what money could stability bring? For her, a degree was a stepping stone into high society, and Shi Wenjie was her guide.

By now, a crowd had gathered at the bar’s entrance. Passersby, hearing Xu Ze’s singing, stopped in their tracks.

Even Fatty and Ren Qiu, who had been quarreling at the door, were startled by the sudden crowd.

“Are we really causing that much of a scene with our argument?” they wondered.

But then they realized the crowd wasn’t there for them.

They exchanged a glance.

“How about we stop arguing and go listen to the music?”

“Sure, we can argue afterwards.”

“Deal.”

…

On stage, Xu Ze paused for a few seconds as the song reached its climax.

“When you’re lonely, who will you think of?
Don’t you want someone to keep you company?
Your joy and your sorrow,
Only I can truly understand,
Let me walk by your side once more…”

At these words, everyone present felt a shiver run through them.

Most people who came to drink here were the loneliest souls in the city.

By day, they played their roles—students, office workers burning the candle at both ends, service staff, salespeople. After work, unwilling to return to empty rooms, they gathered in this little bar of solitude.

If loneliness were a living being, it would surely reign supreme, for so many fear it, flee from it, and try to drive it away with laughter and crowds.

But when the revelry fades, loneliness remains—a companion one must face alone.

When faced with loneliness, who do you think of?

Some say, “The one you think of at such a moment must be someone who means a great deal to you.”

People meet many along life’s path; some stay for a lifetime, others are mere passersby, appearing briefly before vanishing.

But among all these people, who is the one you can never forget, the beautiful presence lingering in your heart?

Others say, “Perhaps it’s not that loneliness makes you think of someone, but that thinking of someone is what makes you feel lonely.”

“Your joy and your sorrow,
Only I can truly understand,
Let me walk by your side once more…”

…

Before he knew it, the song ended.

Xu Ze slowly looked up—only to be startled by the sight before him.

The small bar was now packed to the brim, and a crowd clogged the entrance, unable to get in, gathering in a buzzing throng outside.

“What on earth…?”