Chapter 31: Because I Happened to Meet You

When Su Bai picked up the guitar, the mastery of the instrument seemed to come to him instinctively. That effortless familiarity washed over him once more.

“We cried,
We laughed,
We looked up to the sky,
A few stars still shining above.
We sang,
The song of time,
Only then did we understand
Why we hold one another so close.”

As the prelude began, the two of them noticed that Su Bai’s entire demeanor changed in an instant. It was that unique aura belonging only to those truly gifted in music. The moment his low, resonant voice emerged, they were both immediately lost in the music. There was something about the faintly weathered tone, as if it carried countless stories. Every line was tinged with a sense of longing and nostalgia, drawing them in, making them want to delve deep—what was it all for?

“Because I happened to meet you,
The footprints I leave behind are beautiful,
Petals fall in the wind, tears like rain,
Because I cannot bear to part.
Because I happened to meet you,
I leave behind a decade of hope,
If we meet again,
I think I will remember you.”

The sudden modulation in his voice sent a shiver down their spines—a cascade of goosebumps! The seamless transition was so pleasing to the ear, so smooth it was almost intoxicating.

Yang Mengke was even more captivated by the lyrics. If she had never met Su Bai, what would her life be like now? Perhaps after leaving the orphanage, she would have ended up at a mediocre technical school, spending her days in a factory, living out her days in monotony. Or maybe she would have married young, living a life of ordinary mediocrity—or perhaps fallen into the hands of an unworthy man, her life marred by hardship. There were so many uncertainties.

Because I happened to meet you, the path of my life became beautiful. Though there have been hardships, hasn’t everything turned out well in the end?

Yang Mengke knew that Su Bai was singing this song for her—to let her believe that the future was still bright. Her heart was deeply moved.

At that very moment, Liu Ruotong came running breathlessly onto the rooftop. She looked up to see her idol, guitar in hand, sitting at the edge of the rooftop, gently strumming. The beautiful melody was like music from heaven.

Liu Ruotong, excited and about to greet him, suddenly stopped in her tracks.

“We cried,
We laughed,
We looked up to the sky,
A few stars still shining above.
We sang,
The song of time,
Only then did we understand
Why we hold one another so close.
Because I happened to meet you,
The footprints I leave behind are beautiful,
Petals fall in the wind, tears like rain,
Because I cannot bear to part.
Because I happened to meet you,
I leave behind a decade of hope,
If we meet again,
I think I will remember you.”

Hearing Su Bai’s slightly husky, gentle voice, Liu Ruotong stood transfixed. She could hardly believe that the voice behind “The Brave One” could sing a love song with such tenderness.

Liu Ruotong was suddenly lost in her memories. After her brother left, hadn’t she lived just as the song described? Crying in one moment, laughing in another. The memories of her brother flooded back, and she could not control her emotions. She often counted the stars in the sky, wondering which one might be her brother, watching over her.

Then, when Liu Ruotong saw Su Bai gazing affectionately at the girl before him, she was stunned. The girl’s white dress fluttered gently, her hair dancing in the wind, an ethereal aura surrounding her. As Liu Ruotong’s gaze drifted to the girl’s face, she was instantly captivated. The girl’s fair skin glowed faintly under the moonlight, her eyes clear and bright as the stars themselves—impossible to look away. She seemed untouched by the ordinary world.

Such exquisite beauty, such otherworldly grace—only a fairy from the heavens could compare. Liu Ruotong murmured to herself, “Perhaps only a girl this extraordinary could be worthy of someone like him.”

Liu Ruotong had never felt inferior to others before, not when it came to appearance. But now, facing this girl, she felt a sudden pang of self-doubt and disappointment.

“Because I happened to meet you,
The footprints I leave behind are beautiful,
Petals fall in the wind, tears like rain,
Because I cannot bear to part.
Because I happened to meet you,
I leave behind a decade of hope,
If we meet again,
I think I will remember you.”

The entire song, with its shifting melodies and seamless phrasing, was utterly addictive.

As Su Bai put the guitar away, Yang Mengke ran to him with a bright smile and threw herself into his arms, as if savoring this brief moment of warmth. She remained there for a long time before finally pulling away.

“Brother, I was nearly moved to tears! You sang so beautifully. The way you blended elements of Peking Opera—it was truly masterful! That silky smoothness, like tasting Dove chocolate—so smooth you just couldn’t stop. But, brother, I can’t help feeling that only someone who’s experienced heartbreak could write such an emotional love song. Tell me honestly, did you secretly fall in love and then get dumped?”

Su Bai looked at Yang Mengke’s playful expression and affectionately flicked her delicate nose. “Stop letting your imagination run wild!”

Standing not far away, Liu Ruotong overheard their conversation. It was as if a cherished, long-lost treasure had been returned to her—her heart instantly filled with sweetness. So, they were siblings! She didn’t know why, but this realization made her so happy.

At that moment, Su Bai noticed Liu Ruotong standing nearby. “Hey, what are you doing here? Sorry, I still don’t know your name!”

Caught off guard by Su Bai’s greeting, Liu Ruotong paused, then quickly responded, “Ah? Oh, my home is right here! I was in my room and saw someone who looked like you, so I ran after you. I can’t believe it’s really you! And you were singing! You sing so beautifully! But what brings you here? Do you live here too? Oh, by the way, my name is Liu Ruotong!”

Watching their odd exchange, Yang Mengke shot Su Bai a curious glance, as if to ask who this little girl was. Su Bai smiled and explained, “Liu Ruotong is the first—and only—fan who’s ever asked me for an autograph!” Then he turned to Liu Ruotong and said, “Do you live here? What a coincidence! We’re neighbors now!”

Hearing that this girl was her brother’s fan, Yang Mengke felt delighted as well. She stepped forward and greeted her warmly, “Hello, I’m Yang Mengke!”

“You’re so beautiful!” exclaimed Liu Ruotong.

“You’re very pretty too!” replied Yang Mengke.

“I mean it! I’ve never seen such a beautiful woman before! Especially your skin—it’s flawless! What skincare products do you use? The results are amazing!”

“I don’t use any skincare products,” Yang Mengke replied.

“What? Oh my gosh, that’s unbelievable!”

As the two chattered away, it was as if they had been friends for years. Sometimes, the bond between girls forms so quickly it defies belief.