71
Zhikun’s fishing boat was on its way to the fishing grounds. Zhikun sat at the bow, facing the wind, listening to “Wedding in a Dream” playing from his Walkman, which aroused the curiosity of his companions.
Fisherman A said, “Ah Kun, big brother, I didn’t expect you to be so refined, you even know how to appreciate music?”
Fisherman B said, “Who played this piano piece? It doesn’t sound bad.”
Zhikun said proudly, “Yes, my niece recently started learning the piano. I think it sounds very good, so I recorded it. Actually, I don’t really understand it.”
Fisherman C said, “From the sound of it, Zhikun’s niece is a talented girl. Hey, my son is already twenty-five and still a homebody. Why don’t we introduce the two young people to each other?”
Fisherman A said, “You dare to bring out that big blockhead from your family to embarrass yourself?”
Fisherman C said unwillingly, “Don’t underestimate my Ah Zhi, many girls are competing to love him.”
Fisherman B said, “You’d better go to sleep earlier and dream about it!”
Everyone burst into laughter.
Zhikun said, “Our Yaxin is only seventeen, we’ll let her appreciate in value first, no need to rush finding a partner.”

72
At Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf, after Xiyang’s performance ended, Yaxin was helping him pack up the instruments and the table. As usual, Xiyang took out some coins from his hat and gave them to Yaxin. After taking them and putting them away, Yaxin took out a brochure from her bag and showed it to Xiyang.
Xiyang asked, “NTNU Department of Music independent admission brochure? Are you planning to take this exam next year?”
Yaxin nodded.
Xiyang said, “Great! I support you one hundred percent. Then which division are you planning to apply for? Western music division?”
Yaxin said, “Mm, I want to major in piano and minor in violin.”
Xiyang said, “Good, ambitious! I will do my best to teach you the violin part. Don’t worry, with Candy and me guiding you, you will definitely get in!”
Yaxin said, “Thank you, big brother.”

73
Yaxin was playing the violin in the rehearsal room of the Presbyterian Church. Xiyang interrupted her from time to time, adjusting her posture and guiding her fingering. Teacher Tang watched from the side, looking somewhat bored, and couldn’t help yawning.
Xiyang said with a smile, “Yawning, I saw that. So, now you know how boring it is to sit on the side and watch others have a lesson.”
Candy said, “Listen to you, you student-stealing guy.”
Xiyang said, “I introduced this top student to you. She should have been my student in the first place.”
Candy said, “Yaxin, playing the violin is boring, right? Do you want to come play the piano instead?”
Xiyang said, “Hey, using that trick. Yaxin, don’t listen to her. Playing the violin is super fun, right?”
Candy said, “You annoying Mona Rudao.”
Xiyang said, “What did you say? You Chinese Ghost Story!”
Yaxin watched the two bickering and laughed happily.
Under the shade of the trees outside the window, Father John also heard their bickering and couldn’t help smiling.

74
Yaxin was playing the piano in the piano room when Meiyin walked in with a worried expression.
Meiyin said, “Sis.”
Yaxin asked, “Do you want to practice?”
Meiyin shook her head and said, “The competition is next week, but I realized I don’t have suitable clothes to wear on stage.”
Yaxin asked, “What about that red floral dress?”
Meiyin said worriedly, “I’ve worn that dress too many times, it’s already a bit faded. What should I do? I will definitely look ugly in front of the camera.”
Yaxin asked, “Don’t you have any other clothes?”
Meiyin said, “Sis, most of my clothes are ones you wore and then gave to me. You should know best what clothes there are. There really aren’t any left. What should I do?”
Yaxin thought for a moment and said, “I’ll think of a way about the clothes. Don’t worry.”
Meiyin asked uneasily, “Really?”
Yaxin said, “Really. Let’s practice.”
Meiyin turned from worry to joy and said, “…Sis, you’re so good to me.”
Yaxin smiled without speaking and began to play. After hearing the piano, Meiyin started to sing along.

75
Qiu Yuling was cooking in the kitchen. Yaxin came to the kitchen to find her mother.
Yaxin said, “Mom, I have something I want to discuss with you.”
Yuling asked, “What is it?”
Yaxin said, “Well, my younger sister wants to participate in a singing competition organized by a TV station, but…”
Yuling slammed the kitchen knife heavily onto the chopping board: “What did you say your sister wants to participate in?”
Yaxin was startled by her mother’s intense reaction, but she still gathered her courage and said, “A singing competition organized by a TV station.”
Yuling said, “No wonder the two of you have been shutting yourselves in the piano room together lately. So it’s for this competition. No, go tell your sister, I will not let her participate in this competition.”
Yaxin asked in confusion, “Why?”
Yuling said, “Yaxin, I know your sister has always wanted to become a singer. I was the same when I was young, and I suffered a lot because of it. You should know that!”
Yaxin said, “Now might be different from before.”
Yuling said disapprovingly, “What’s different? Do you know there are many scammers in the entertainment industry? They target young people who want fame, use them, and then cast them aside. If I hadn’t foolishly dreamed of becoming a singer back then, we wouldn’t be living so miserably now, and I could have given you a better life…”
Yaxin comforted her, “Mom, don’t be sad.”
Yuling wiped her tears and said, “Yaxin, you must help me persuade your sister. I really don’t want her to follow in my footsteps.”
Yuling was too upset to continue speaking. Seeing this, Yaxin did not feel it appropriate to say more.
Yaxin thought, “I didn’t expect Mom’s reaction to be so intense, not even allowing my sister to participate in the competition. But singing is my sister’s dream. I must help her. Maybe I should talk to big brother Xiyang.”

76
In the Presbyterian Church, Yaxin discussed the matter with Xiyang.
Xiyang said, “No clothes? That is indeed a big problem. But Yaxin, although I’m a street performer, I don’t do cross-dressing shows. I really can’t help.”
Yaxin said, “Big brother, can you suggest where I can buy clothes for her?”
Xiyang said, “Yaxin, good clothes are more expensive than you think. A dress often costs several thousand dollars. That’s not something you can afford.”
Yaxin said, “Then what should I do?”
Teacher Tang, wearing a well-tailored and elegantly designed dress, walked out from the room behind the church.
Candy asked, “What are you two talking about?”
Xiyang said, “Yaxin’s younger sister is going to participate in a singing competition and is worried about having no clothes to wear.”
Candy asked, “Clothes for performing on stage?”
Xiyang said, “Yes.”
Candy lightly turned around in place: “Would dressing like me work? I’m about to take the choir children to perform at an orphanage.”
Xiyang and Yaxin looked at each other, then both nodded to Teacher Tang.
Candy said, “I still have some clothes from my teenage years. How about this, another day you can bring your sister to my house and pick some clothes.”
Yaxin said, “Okay, thank you, Teacher Candy.”
Candy said, “You’re welcome. I’ll go prepare first. I’ll be leaving soon. Yaxin, sorry, I won’t be able to teach you today.”
Yaxin said, “It’s okay.”
After waving to them, Teacher Tang walked into the room behind the church.
Xiyang said, “Candy is really a good girl.”
Yaxin said, “Big brother, you like her, right?”
Xiyang blushed and laughed awkwardly, “No, no, I was just speaking from the heart, just speaking from the heart, hahaha.”
The two smiled knowingly.

77
Yuling and Yingming were walking on the suspension bridge at the Fisherman’s Wharf.
Yuling said, “Sorry, even though I know you’re busy with work, I still asked you out.”
Yingming said, “Not at all. We are such good friends, saying that is too formal. I just didn’t expect you to take the initiative to call me out. I’m really happy.”
Yuling said, “Yes, my mood has been really bad these past two days, so I wanted to go out and relax. Thank you so much for accompanying me today.”
Yingming said, “If you keep being this polite, I’ll get angry!”
Yuling said, “Alright, alright, no more thanks.”
Yingming asked, “But what exactly is troubling you so much? Is it about the children?”
Yuling said with a bitter smile, “Yes, this time it’s my younger daughter Meiyin.”
Yingming said, “Meiyin? What’s wrong with her?”
Yuling said, “She has always wanted to become a singer. This time she even secretly signed up for a singing competition behind my back. And even the always obedient Yaxin is helping her. I told Yaxin to persuade her sister to give up, but she refuses. I really don’t know what’s going on with these two daughters.”
Yingming said, “It’s a good thing for young people to have dreams. Are you being too strict with them?”
Yuling said, “But whenever I think about Meiyin wanting to be a singer, I think of my younger self. Back then, I was too foolish and went into singing. And what was the result?”
Yingming said, “But back then, you didn’t have an experienced ‘stage mom’ like yourself by your side.”
Yuling asked in confusion, “What do you mean?”
Yingming said, “I mean, if you fully support Meiyin in pursuing her dream, and stay by her side to watch over her and guide her at the right times, she surely won’t go down the wrong path.”
Yuling fell silent.
Yingming said, “Besides, I have acquaintances in the entertainment and recording industries. I can help you gather information. You can rest assured about that. Yuling, I think when children have dreams, we adults have the responsibility to help them, to give them the opportunity to realize their dreams and look forward to a better future. If they lose their dreams, then there is nothing to look forward to in the future. They can only drift through life like rootless duckweed.”
Yuling said, “No wonder you’re a councilor, you really know how to speak.”
Yingming said, “Don’t tease me.”
Yuling said, “Yingming, thank you. What you said makes a lot of sense. I will think carefully about it.”
Yingming said, “You said thank you again! Sigh, I really wish you could come to my house and teach Xueye what manners are. Compared to your Yaxin, Xueye is really not sensible.”
Yuling said, “She would probably just find me annoying. Which young person nowadays would want an extra stepmother for no reason, coming to control everything?”
The two looked at each other and smiled, understanding without words.

78
Early in the morning, Yaxin and Meiyin were sneakily packing their things in the room, preparing to go out for the competition. Yuling was standing at the door holding Youji, waiting for them.
When Yaxin and Meiyin opened the door and saw Yuling standing there, they were both startled, thinking she was going to stop Meiyin from going to the competition.
Yaxin exclaimed in surprise, “Mom!?”
Meiyin put away her smile and hid her things behind her.
Yuling said, “You two, come with me…”
Yaxin and Meiyin followed Yuling to the living room nervously.
A large box was placed on the coffee table. Yuling opened it and took out old clothes she had worn when performing on stage in the past.
Yuling said, “Girl, for a competition, besides looking pretty, you also need to stand out. Choose one of these to wear.”
Meiyin said in surprise, “Mom! This is…”
Yuling said, “I used to stop you from singing to protect you. Now I’ve figured it out. Whether it works or not, you should try it yourself, so you won’t blame me in the future.”
Meiyin said, “No, Mom, you mean I really have to wear this to the competition…”
Yuling said, “Yes, if you wear this, you will definitely stand out and attract everyone’s attention.”
Meiyin said, “Yes, wearing this will definitely make people think I’m a weirdo…”
Yuling said, “Nonsense, what weirdo? These clothes were the most fashionable stage outfits back then.”
Meiyin said with a bitter smile, “Mom, you said ‘back then’… Wearing this looks like performing in a banquet show. Who still wears this now?”
Yuling said, “You really don’t know what’s good. If you don’t wear these, what will you wear?”
Meiyin said, “I’ve already prepared my performance outfit. Mom, you don’t need to worry. I’m already very happy that you are willing to support me.”
After Meiyin and Yaxin left the living room, Yuling held the clothes against herself and turned to ask Youji beside her, “Are these clothes really that ugly?”
Youji nodded and said, “Mm-hmm.”
Yuling said, “Is that so…”

79
The Qiu family gathered in the living room watching the singing competition. Meiyin made it to the finals, and everyone was very happy.
Yonglai said, “My granddaughter is really amazing. One will be a pianist in the future, and the other will be a singer!”
Aijiao said disdainfully, “Who knows about the future? One is deaf, and the other just won once and already dreams of becoming a singer. It’s still far off!”
Yonglai said, “If you can teach your own child well, you should be grateful. Yet you still dare to mock others. Truly like a flower that doesn’t know it is ugly.”
Zhigan complained unhappily, “Dad, you are really biased. Dafu is your grandson, yet you keep criticizing him. What kind of reasoning is that?”
Xu Laichun said, “Qian, say less.”
Yonglai said, “If I criticize him, it’s because you didn’t raise him well. Shouldn’t you reflect on yourselves?”
Zhikun said, “Dad, focus on watching the competition. Don’t argue with them.”
Yonglai said, “Alright, alright, everyone watch the competition. Don’t talk about anything else!”

80
Zhang Yingming’s sedan drove to the corner across from the “Endless Old Love” karaoke snack shop. Yingming rolled down the window and stared at the shop entrance.
Yuling and A-Qing walked out of the shop.
A-Qing said, “Bye-bye, see you tomorrow, Sister Yuling.”
Yuling said, “Bye-bye, A-Qing.”
After A-Qing left, Yuling adjusted her coat and was about to leave when Wu Tairan came out of the shop.
Wu Tairan said, “Yuling, wait a moment.”
Yuling turned and asked, “Boss, what is it?”
Inside the car, Yingming could not hear what they were saying and could not clearly see their movements.
Yingming thought, “Who is that man? Could he be Yuling’s boss?”
Wu Tairan took out a small box from his pocket.
Wu Tairan said, “Today is your birthday. This is for you, just a small token.”
Yuling said, surprised and flattered as she accepted it, “Why did you suddenly think of giving me a gift?”
Wu Tairan said, “It happens to be your birthday, and you work very hard. Open it and take a look.”
Yuling opened the small box and found a diamond ring inside: “I can’t accept this. This is too valuable.”
Wu Tairan said, “Come on, Yuling, just accept it.”
Yuling shook her head and said, “Boss, I understand your kindness, but I cannot accept this gift.”
The two pushed it back and forth. In Yingming’s eyes, it looked like they were pulling at each other.
Yingming said, “What is that man trying to do to my A-Ling!”
A-Shan echoed in surprise, “My A-Ling?”
Yingming opened the car door and rushed out. A-Shan followed. Yingming ran up to them and pushed Wu Tairan to the ground: “Behave yourself!”
Yuling said anxiously, “Yingming, he is…”
Wu Tairan quickly got up from the ground and grabbed Yingming by the collar.
Wu Tairan asked angrily, “Who are you? What does this have to do with you?”
Yingming pushed him away, rolled up his sleeves, and said as if ready to fight, “Yuling’s business is my business!”
Wu Tairan said, “What nonsense!”
Wu Tairan suddenly punched Yingming. Yingming fought back unwillingly, and the two began to wrestle. Yuling stood at the side, at a loss. Seeing this, A-Shan hurried forward to pull Zhang Yingming away, and Yuling also ran to Wu Tairan and held him back.
Wu Tairan roared, “Who do you think you are to Yuling?”
Yingming said firmly, “Yuling is my former girlfriend. I will never allow anyone to bully her!”
Wu Tairan said, “Girlfriend? Why have I never heard Yuling say that? Then Yuling, you say it, who do you like?”
Yuling said irritably, “Both of you calm down!”
Wu Tairan and Zhang Yingming stood frozen as if doused with cold water, turning to look at Yuling.
Yuling said, “I don’t know what you two are arguing about. I will not be with either of you. Boss, I appreciate your kindness, but I absolutely cannot accept this diamond ring. In my heart, you will always be my good boss. If you insist, then I can only thank you for your care and leave this place.”
Yuling returned the ring to Wu Tairan, who looked disappointed.
Yuling then turned to Yingming and said, “Yingming, honestly, at your age, you’re still so impulsive. I have only ever regarded you as a good friend and never had any other thoughts. I hope you won’t misunderstand.”
Yingming said in shock, “Yuling, you…”
Yuling looked at the two angrily and said, “Thank you both, goodbye,” then turned and left, leaving Yingming, Wu Tairan, and A-Shan standing there in astonishment.