Dream Chasing Youth

On the way to the airport, Shen Qiong had initially planned to accompany his sister all the way to school. However, Shen Shi insisted that round-trip airfare was too expensive and told him not to bother.

"Your brother isn't short on money, okay? My sister got into Shanghai City Drama Academy, so I have to see her off!" Shen Qiong protested indignantly.

"No!" she stated firmly.

Shen Qiong frowned. "The back-to-school essentials – you can buy them when you get to school! I'll transfer you the money later."

"What essentials?" she asked, momentarily confused.

"A phone, a tablet, and a laptop!" Shen Qiong hadn't received such treatment when he was studying, so he definitely wanted the best for his sister.

Shen Shi shook her head. "No need! My phone is still fine! I can use my old computer."

Shen Qiong realized he was worrying unnecessarily and gave a wry smile. "Alright, I'll send you the money anyway. Buy whatever you like. Cosmetics and things like that are quite expensive."

"Oh, please! I don't need that! Your sister doesn't make a living by her looks." Due to her family's circumstances, Shen Shi had grown accustomed to saving money.

Shen Qiong chuckled. "I know! My sister is a future great writer, a great screenwriter. But you still need to dress up. When the time comes, your fans will definitely scream, 'Wow! Shen Shi is so beautiful! She could rely on her looks but chooses to rely on her talent!'"

"Haha!" Shen Shi burst out laughing at her brother's silly expression.

"Study hard when you get to school, okay! And one more important thing!!!" Shen Qiong said sternly.

Shen Shi looked at him curiously. "The most important thing?"

"Beware of senior students..." Shen Qiong recited the popular online saying.

She snorted with laughter. "It's not that exaggerated!"

Shen Qiong naturally knew that the start of the school year was the prime time for senior male students to trick younger female students. He said righteously, "If any senior student with ulterior motives approaches you, you must be extremely vigilant."

She smiled faintly. "I know!"

"Speaking of which, Brother, if you have time, you should go home more often to accompany Mom. I won't have much chance to be home after I go to college, so she must be very lonely by herself," Shen Shi said.

Shen Qiong fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

Shen Shi suddenly smiled. "She'd be even happier if you brought a girlfriend home."

Shen Qiong rolled his eyes. "Do I look like someone who can't find a girlfriend?"

"Okay! So you have someone! Come on, let me see..." Shen Shi said excitedly.

Shen Qiong's forehead was covered in dark lines. "Uh, not yet."

"Ah!"

"Just for now, just for now!" Shen Qiong quickly explained.

Shen Shi covered her mouth and chuckled. "It's okay, I'll introduce you to some girls when I get to school. I heard there are many pretty girls at Shanghai City Drama Academy!"

Shen Qiong rolled his eyes and glared at the little rascal. "What are you thinking! Your brother is focused on his career, so I don't have time for other things."

Shen Shi looked at him with suspicion. "Really? You're always bragging, I don't even know which of your words are true anymore."

Shen Qiong felt a bead of sweat. Which of my words isn't true?

"They're all true!" Shen Qiong retorted.

Shen Shi pouted her little face at him. "Making tens of thousands a month, that's definitely fake."

"It's true!"

"Hiring an employee to watch the shop, with a salary of over ten thousand, I don't believe it."

"It's true."

They went back and forth like this, and the car finally arrived at the airport.

After seeing his sister off on the plane, Shen Qiong truly felt that his sister had grown up and was leaving his side to spread her wings and soar.

Beep, beep, beep, his phone rang!!!

"Shen Qiong, when are you opening the shop? The reservation calls are overwhelming!" Ren Tianxue said indignantly.

"Don't I have you!" Shen Qiong grinned.

"Hmph, if I hadn't held them off, you would have lost quite a bit of money today," Ren Tianxue complained.

He had indeed forgotten to give her advance notice. He chuckled sheepishly. "I'm heading back soon. I was just sending my sister off at the airport."

"You have a sister?" Ren Tianxue asked curiously.

Shen Qiong's face darkened. "Of course, and she's prettier than you." He said deliberately.

"Oh, really? I don't believe it!" she said, amused.

"Believe it or not! It's normal for someone as handsome as me to have a sister who's prettier than you," Shen Qiong said, his face unblushing.

Pfft, Ren Tianxue burst out laughing. "Shen Qiong, have you no shame!"

While Shen Qiong was "flirting" with the girl, he didn't expect that his casual remark would lead Fang Yongkang to actually come to the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion and make a reservation under the guidance of the notice board.

Yesterday, after Fang Yongkang returned home, he searched online for information about Master Shen. He discovered that this Master Shen could even divine talents. If this were in the past, he would have scoffed and never believed such a scam.

Can someone's talent really be divined? That's too unbelievable!

In ancient times, there was a custom of letting children choose items, known as "zhuā pīn" (抓阄), when they turned one year old. A large pile of objects would be placed before the child, including books, pens, money, food, swords, and various other things.

The child was allowed to pick freely, and the item they chose was believed to represent their future path in life.

However, as the long river of history flowed by, many places no longer believed in this practice.

But at this moment, for Fang Yongkang, this mystical Master Shen was worth a try. Even if it was just for psychological comfort, he had to seek the man out for a divination.

If he truly wasn't suited for singing, then... then he would continue to love it in secret!

Fang Yongkang hummed a song alone in his room.

"Instead of in a world that doesn't want you, I'd rather forget you with all my might."

"Everyone understands this logic, it's easy to say, but hard to admit when you're deeply in love."

"I'd rather stay within your Fang Yuan Ji Li, if my heart can't be taken back, I'll give it to you."

"Because I love you, and it has nothing to do with you..."

His voice was hoarse, as if naturally imbued with a melancholic quality, drawing people unconsciously into his emotional world.

On a forum called Song Dream, there were many people with similar aspirations. They gathered together, discussing everything under the sun, and sharing the songs they loved.

There were also another type of person who would record themselves singing and then upload it to the forum to share, hoping to receive support from others.

This song, Fang Yuan Ji Li, was one of Fang Yongkang's favorites. He had saved up two months' worth of living expenses to upgrade his computer's sound card and buy a microphone. Now, he could finally upload this song online.

He carefully logged into his account. As soon as he logged in, a fan left a comment, asking why he hadn't recorded any songs recently.

Fang Yongkang typed on the keyboard, "Thank you all for your support. If it weren't for you, I might have given up on this path long ago."

"I've prepared for a long time to record this song well. I hope you all like it!"

From fighting alone at the beginning to now having thousands of fans, Fang Yongkang's heart was still uneasy after uploading the song. He was afraid that if he didn't sing well, his fans would be disappointed.

About half an hour later, the first comment appeared under the song.

"Amazing! I've always loved this song, and you've sung it with a different charm. Keep up the great work!"

Fang Yongkang grinned, happy that even one listener supported him.