Awakening Elementary School System in University
Chapter 27 - 26: Coming to My Turf to Look for Trouble?

Chapter 27: Chapter 26: Coming to My Turf to Look for Trouble?

Of course, Chen Lin didn’t buy into Brother Wang’s theory one bit. But you don’t bite the hand that feeds you, and he was, after all, the resident singer at the man’s establishment. So, he played along and offered a few words of praise.

"Brother Wang, that’s a brilliant summary! You’re a true master, so experienced!"

"But of course. I’ve crossed more bridges than you’ve walked roads." Brother Wang patted Chen Lin’s shoulder smugly. Seeing another employee waving him over, he turned to get back to work. "Get ready. It’s almost time."

After Brother Wang left, Chen Lin sat alone at the bar, picked up his bottle of mineral water, and took a few big gulps. With a huge bowl of potato and beef over rice in his belly, he felt completely energized.

He leaned back in his barstool, mulling over what Brother Wang had just said, and couldn’t help but chuckle.

’To be honest,’ he thought, ’I’m a walking contradiction.’

’On the one hand, I do keep this part-time job as a bar singer. Besides the considerable pay, part of the reason is getting to meet all sorts of pretty girls. And when someone asks to add me on WeChat, I pretty much accept all comers.’

’But on the other hand, deep down, I’m disgusted by and completely disdain the "no initiative, no refusal, no responsibility" attitude that some people adopt toward the opposite sex, just because they’re reasonably good-looking.’

’I’m very clear on the fact that when it comes to romance, I still cherish a very old-school, pure, and beautiful ideal.’

’I want a sweet college romance.’

’Strolling hand-in-hand down a tree-lined path, studying together in the library, cheering each other on before final exams, going to a movie on the weekend, and sharing a steaming hot pot meal.’

’Simple. Clean. Pure.’

The internet always says that today’s young people are the most open-minded generation when it comes to relationships.

And perhaps they are, much more so than a few decades ago.

But from Chen Lin’s own observations, whether in online communities or among his peers, a large number of them actually felt the same way he did.

Everyone might talk a big game with flirtatious banter and crude jokes, but deep down, they craved a genuine connection more than anything.

All one could say is that people are complicated creatures.

As his thoughts drifted, a graceful figure involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

Those pure and earnest eyes, that obsessive pursuit of truth when it came to math, and that occasional, unintentional dorkiness...

’Someone as pure as Shen Yan is truly a rare find these days,’ he thought.

"Chen Lin! Chen Lin!"

The clear, pleasant call was like a pebble dropped onto the still surface of his thoughts, jolting him back to reality.

He snapped out of it and instinctively grabbed his phone to check the time—6:26 PM.

’It’s not time to go on stage yet. Who’s calling me?’

He looked toward the voice and was completely taken aback.

Yunqing was standing right beside him, looking lovely. Her big, bright eyes were crinkled with amusement as she sized him up with keen interest.

She was wearing a vibrant, orange-red T-shirt and a pure white pleated miniskirt. The colors made her already fair skin seem to glow, and her long, straight legs were impossible to ignore. Paired with her signature sunny smile, she was absolutely dazzling.

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

Yunqing giggled and pointed to a large booth by the window. Chen Lin followed her gaze and saw three guys and three girls sitting there. They were all dressed fashionably and were looking over with curiosity.

"We just finished dinner with some friends, and we heard there was a bar near campus with a handsome resident singer on Saturday nights. They insisted we come check it out."

As she spoke, Yunqing’s eyes returned to Chen Lin. She looked him up and down, her voice full of teasing amusement.

"I never would’ve guessed, junior Chen Lin. Besides having some good moves, you can sing too?"

She said this with a deliberately menacing expression, leaning closer to Chen Lin and lowering her voice. "Let me tell you, I’m the lead singer of the school band. And the friends I brought with me? They’re all music majors from the arts college. If your singing doesn’t impress us... hmph, hmph. I might just have to bump that photo on the school forum back to the top and expose this little scandal between you and our math department goddess!"

Chen Lin scoffed internally.

’Threaten me? You’re still too green for that.’

He knew the situation perfectly well. On a whim during his freshman year, he’d entered the campus singing competition. He’d managed to pass the auditions and the first preliminary round, but he was knocked out right after that.

He was well aware of his own limitations.

The only reason Brother Wang hired him for this gig was for his looks, hoping his face would attract more female customers.

A professional-level singer like Yunqing coming to watch an amateur KTV mic-hog like him perform? Wasn’t this just overkill? She was clearly here to pick a fight.

As for her threat, Chen Lin wasn’t the least bit worried.

He had repeatedly checked that post on the campus forum—"SHOCKER! Math Goddess Shen Yan Possibly Taken! Spotted in an Intimate Chat with a Mystery Man Outside the Department Building After Dinner!" The photo was extremely blurry.

More importantly, he had long since hidden away the white T-shirt he was wearing in the picture.

Even if Yunqing pointed him out, as long as he denied it, she wouldn’t have a shred of proof. All she could do was fume in impotent rage.

But even though he was cool as a cucumber on the inside, Chen Lin wasn’t about to back down verbally.

He met Yunqing’s challenging gaze, a corner of his mouth twitching up as he said lazily, "Sure, listen all you want. I guarantee you’ll be left speechless."

"Ooh, confident, are we?" Yunqing chuckled, teasing him a bit more. But seeing his completely unfazed expression, she lost interest and turned back to her friends’ booth.

Chen Lin watched her walk away, feeling a bit exasperated.

’Why does this woman always get her kicks by messing with me? So annoying.’

He glanced at the time. 6:30 PM.

’Alright, it’s time.’

Chen Lin took a deep breath, cleared his mind of stray thoughts, hopped off the bar stool, and prepared to go on stage.

However, just as his foot touched the low-profile stage, the familiar system message box popped up without warning, floating before his eyes.

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

[The melodies of childhood stay with you for a lifetime!]

[Mission Requirement: Publicly perform a complete rendition of "Two Tigers."]

[Mission Reward: Title "Little Singer"]

[Little Singer: When singing any song, your pitch and rhythm will be perfect!]

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

Then, instead of getting angry, a relieved smile spread across his face.

The system’s missions were as bizarre as ever, but this time, Chen Lin had a perfect use for it.

He discreetly snuck a glance in Yunqing’s direction. She was huddled together with a girlfriend, chatting away, and hadn’t noticed him on stage at all.

’Coming to my turf to cause trouble?’

’Just you watch. I’m taking you down with me!’

Chen Lin took the microphone from its stand, expertly flicked the switch, and cleared his throat with a crisp, "Hello."

The bar lights dimmed, and a spotlight landed precisely on him, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.

"It’s great to be standing up here again," his voice boomed through the speakers, filling every corner of the bar. "I see a lot of old friends in the audience tonight, and some new faces too. But whether you’re new or old, I want to give everyone a huge welcome to Back Street Bar! Welcome to the show!"

After he finished, a scattering of applause and whistles rose from the audience. The reaction from Yunqing’s table was the most enthusiastic. She led the clapping, a wide smile on her face as if she was settling in to watch a great play.

Chen Lin smiled faintly and continued, "But before I start my official set for tonight, I’d like to dedicate a familiar warm-up song to a very special friend!"

His words successfully piqued everyone’s curiosity.

Then, under the crowd’s expectant gaze, Chen Lin raised his arm. His finger traced an arc through the air, pointing directly at Yunqing’s table.

"To Senior Yunqing, on her first visit to our Back Street Bar—I dedicate ’Two Tigers’!"