They're already in university, and the primary school system is only just starting out?

Chen Lin didn't really believe Wang Ge's theory, but since he was being paid to do so, and besides, he was performing at someone else's venue, he still complimented him with a few words.

"Brother Wang, your summary is so insightful! You're truly an expert with a wealth of experience!"

"That's right, I've crossed more bridges than you've walked roads." Brother Wang patted Chen Lin on the shoulder proudly, then turned to get back to work when he saw another employee waving at him. "Get ready, it's almost time."

After Brother Wang left, Chen Lin sat alone at the bar, picked up the bottle of mineral water and took a few gulps. After finishing a huge bowl of potato and beef rice, he felt full of energy.

He leaned back in his bar stool, reflecting on what Brother Wang had just said, and couldn't help but chuckle.

To be honest, he felt quite conflicted.

On the one hand, he did keep his part-time job singing at the bar, partly because the pay was good, and also because it allowed him to meet all sorts of pretty girls. He basically accepted all requests to add him on WeChat.

On the other hand, Chen Lin felt a deep aversion and disdain for those who, relying on their good looks, adopted a passive, non-rejecting, and irresponsible attitude towards the opposite sex.

He was very clear that he still had a very old-school, pure and beautiful longing for love.

He longed for a sweet campus romance.

Walking hand in hand along tree-lined paths, studying together in the library, encouraging each other before final exams, going to see a movie on the weekend, and enjoying a steaming hot pot meal.

Simple, clean, and pure.

It's often said online that today's young people are the most open-minded generation when it comes to relationships between men and women.

Perhaps, compared to decades ago, it is indeed much more open.

However, according to Chen Lin's own observations, a large portion of people, whether in online communities or among his peers, actually share the same thoughts as him.

Everyone talks a lot of cheesy and silly things, but deep down they crave a genuine relationship more than anyone else.

All I can say is that humans are complex creatures.

As he pondered, a beautiful figure involuntarily appeared in Chen Lin's mind.

Those pure and earnest eyes, that obsessive pursuit of truth in mathematics, and that occasional, unintentional, endearing dazedness...

He felt that people as pure as Shen Yan were really rare these days.

"Chen Lin! Chen Lin!"

A clear and melodious call, like a pebble thrown into the lake of Chen Lin's thoughts, abruptly pulled him back to reality.

He snapped out of his daze and instinctively grabbed his phone to check the time—18:26.

It's not time for him to go on stage yet, who's calling him?

He looked in the direction of the sound and was immediately startled.

He saw Yun Qing standing gracefully beside him, her bright eyes smiling as she looked at him with great interest.

Today she wore a vibrant orange-red short-sleeved T-shirt paired with a pure white pleated skirt, which made her already fair skin even more radiant. Her two straight and slender legs were particularly eye-catching, and combined with her signature sunny smile, she was dazzling.

"What are you doing here?" Chen Lin asked in surprise.

Yun Qing chuckled and pointed to a large booth by the window not far away. Chen Lin looked in the direction she pointed and saw three men and three women sitting there, all dressed in a trendy style, curiously looking in their direction.

"After having dinner with my friends, we heard that there was a bar near the school with a handsome young man singing every Saturday night, so they suggested we come and check it out."

As Yun Qing spoke, she turned her gaze back to Chen Lin, looking him up and down, her tone full of teasing:

"I never expected this, Chen Lin! Besides being quite skilled, you can also sing!"

As she spoke, she deliberately adopted a sinister expression, leaned closer to Chen Lin, and lowered her voice, saying, "Let me tell you, I'm the lead singer of the school band, you know. The guys who came with me this time are all musicians from our art department. If your singing doesn't satisfy us, hmph, I'll just push that photo on the forum back up again and expose your scandal with our math department's goddess!"

Chen Lin chuckled to himself.

Threaten me? You're still too green.

He knew exactly what was going on. Back in his freshman year of college, he had impulsively participated in a campus singing competition. He passed the auditions and the first round of the semi-finals, but was eliminated after that.

He knows his own limitations very well.

The main reason why Brother Wang hired him to sing at the resident venue was because he was attracted by his face and wanted to use his good looks to attract more female customers.

For a professional like Yun Qing to watch the performance of an amateur karaoke enthusiast like him is just a case of being outdone and deliberately picking a fight.

As for her threats, Chen Lin was not afraid at all.

He had checked the last post on the campus forum—"Breaking News! Math Department Goddess Shen Yan is Suspected of Being in a Relationship! She Was Spotted Chatting Intimately with a Mysterious Man Downstairs After Dinner!"—repeatedly; the photos were extremely blurry.

More importantly, he had already hidden the white T-shirt he was wearing in the photo.

Even if Yun Qing jumps out and identifies him, as long as he denies it, the other party won't be able to produce any evidence; it's just impotent rage.

However, although he was mentally as steady as a rock, Chen Lin was unwilling to admit defeat verbally.

Meeting Yun Qing's provocative gaze, he curled his lip and said lazily, "Fine, just listen. I guarantee you won't utter a sound."

"Oh? You're quite confident?" Yun Qing chuckled and teased him a couple more times. Seeing that he was completely unmoved, she lost interest and turned back to her friends' booth.

Chen Lin watched her retreating figure, feeling a little helpless.

This woman, why does she always like to find her own fun? It's so annoying.

He glanced at the time: 18:30.

Okay, it's time.

Chen Lin took a deep breath, cleared his mind of all distractions, jumped off the bar stool, and prepared to go on stage.

However, just as he stepped onto the small stage that wasn't too high, without warning, the familiar system information box popped up and hovered in front of him.

[Host detected preparing to go on stage to sing!]

The melodies of childhood accompany us throughout our lives!

[Task requirement: Sing "Two Tigers" in its entirety in front of an audience]

[Task Reward: Title "Little Singer"]

[Little Singer: Your pitch and rhythm are perfect when singing any song!]

Chen Lin froze on the stage, stunned for a full three seconds.

Then, instead of being annoyed, he smiled with relief.

Although the system's tasks were still as erratic as ever, Chen Lin happened to have a use for them now.

He glanced discreetly in Yun Qing's direction; the girl was chatting with her best friend, completely unaware of him on the stage.

Did you come to my place to cause trouble?

Watch how I drag you down with me!

Chen Lin picked up the microphone from the stand, skillfully turned it on, cleared his throat, and let out a clear "Feed".

The lights in the bar dimmed, and a spotlight shone precisely on him, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

"It's great to be standing here again today," his voice echoed through the bar's speakers. "I've seen many old friends and many new faces today. But whether you're a new friend or an old friend, I warmly welcome you all to Backstreet Bar and to watch my performance!"

After he finished speaking, sporadic applause and whistles rang out from the audience. Yun Qing's table reacted the most enthusiastically, with her leading the applause and wearing a smile of anticipation.

Chen Lin smiled slightly and continued, "However, before we begin today's official performance, I'd like to dedicate a warm-up song that everyone is very familiar with to a special friend!"

His words successfully piqued everyone's curiosity.

Immediately afterwards, amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd, Chen Lin raised his arm, his finger drawing an arc in the air, pointing in the direction where Yun Qing was.

"To Yunqing, our senior who's visiting our backstreet bar for the first time, we'll dedicate a song to 'Two Tigers'!"

(Thanks to Uncle Da Mo for the monthly ticket)