Financial freedom starts with cracked apps.

Chapter 205 Folk Solo (6k Two-in-One)

7 pm.

Drinking among the pines.

As usual, Xia Nuo walked into this quiet bar after school with her guitar on her back.

This is the singing job she found for herself, three days a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and she doesn't have to come on weekends.

Although Xia Nuo is not short of money, she lacks an opportunity to perform on stage.

This was something she had always dreamed of.

But other bars refused to hire her because of her young age.

Huang Jie was the only one who took her and Luna in, and even let them sing whatever they wanted.

Xia Nuo was very grateful for this.

"call--!"

When it was time for the next person to take the stage, Xia Nuo took a deep breath to ease her nervousness and anxiety.

Fortunately, it was a weekday, so there weren't many customers in the store.

"Nuonuo".

After Luna finished her steel-frame solo, she jogged off the stage and came to Xia Nuo with a big smile.

"It's your turn. What do you want to sing today?"

"Cross Road Blues".

"The song by Johnson that's hailed as the origin of the myth of 'The Devil's Deal at the Crossroads'?"

Luna said excitedly.

"I've never heard you sing this song before!"

"I want to try it."

Xia Nuo said modestly, and then stepped onto the stage surrounded by bright, warm lights.

As you can see, the bar patrons below the stage don't seem to pay attention to who's performing.

Everyone continued to chat and laugh, feeling that the background music was just there to enhance the atmosphere.

It doesn’t matter who comes.

This complete neglect made Xia Nuo breathe a sigh of relief, but also feel somewhat frustrated.

She wants everyone's approval, but she's also afraid of being accepted.

She has some social anxiety and is very afraid to stand on the stage, as if the whole world is staring at her.

But she also longed for the stage.

This is an extremely contradictory psychological state.

Xia Nuo was always incredibly conflicted before going on stage.

Fortunately, she had Luna's encouragement by her side.

"Nuonuo! Keep it up!"

Amidst the laughter and cheers, only Luna noticed Xia Nuo's unease and called out to encourage her.

This filled her with a sense of gratitude, and she gradually relaxed.

She sat in a swivel chair, her fingers plucking the strings, finding the perfect rhythm before decisively entering the fray, playing the unique beauty of blues music in a deep, husky voice.

~I went to the crossroad, fell down on my knees~
~Asked the Lord above, Have mercy, now, save poor Bob if you please~
……

As the songs played one after another, Xia Nuo gradually became immersed in the world of music, enjoying the unique sense of solitude amidst the noisy crowd.

The surrounding customers were laughing and joking, and the clinking of glasses conveyed a friendly atmosphere.

Xia Nuo sang by herself, and only Lunn in the audience noticed her.

Of course, there is another person.

The forest is deep.

While playing games with Zheng Yanfei's friends, he would occasionally steal glances at Xia Nuo on the main stage, silently pondering to himself.

Shen Yun's task was to help her resolve her daughter's worries...

What's on her mind?
Lin Shen was a little confused. He thought that since they had run into each other by chance at the bar, he should find an opportunity to chat with Xia Nuo.

So he drank while keeping an eye on the main stage.

After Xia Nuo finished playing, Lin Shen made an excuse to get up and leave.

"You guys play first, I'm going to the restroom."

Lin Shen left the private box and secretly went to the side of the stage, but he did not find Xia Nuo.

Where is she?
Could they have left so soon?

Lin Shen went behind the main stage to search. There was a black curtain to cover the area, so no one usually came here.

As he was surveying the area, he suddenly noticed a couple not far away.

Lin Shen raised an eyebrow, slightly embarrassed. He had originally intended to return the way he came, but when he took a closer look at who the couple in the distance were, he was completely stunned.

However, at that moment, she glanced over and saw someone not far away. Her heart skipped a beat, and her mind went completely blank.

Finished!

It was discovered!

Xia Nuo instinctively wanted to grab Luna's hand and run away, but to her surprise, Luna called out her name.

"You're Xia Nuo... right?"

?

Hearing the familiar voice, Xia Nuo paused slightly, turned around and looked carefully, and found that the person in front of her was actually Lin Shen!

Why is he here!?

Xia Nuo felt her heart leap into her throat; she was completely lost and panicked.

How could I run into someone I know here?
And he's my mom's boyfriend!?
"that……"

Seeing that the two seemed to know each other, Luna was clearly a little at a loss, but she still subconsciously protected Xia Nuo behind her and timidly asked Lin Shen.

"Who are you please?"

"He's the one I told you about, my mom's new boyfriend."

Xia Nuo patted Luna on the shoulder.

"Luna, you go back first, I'll talk to him."

"But……"

Luna's expression was full of worry, but seeing Xia Nuo's gentle eyes eased her anxiety a little.

"Okay, remember to contact me if anything happens. I'll wait for you at the gate, and we'll go back to school together."

"Ah."

After Luan left, Lin Shen pointed outside with his thumb.

"Let's go over to the bar; this isn't a good place to chat."

"Ah."

After a brief moment of panic, Xia Nuo regained her usual aloofness.

She is different from Qin Yuennan.

The aloofness of a mature woman is only on the surface; it's a disguise to protect herself.

If you can get to know her better, you'll find she's more passionate than anyone else.

But Xia Nuo was cold both inside and out.

He appears indifferent, but his heart is even colder; he doesn't want to say a word to anyone.

Even Shen Yun, who is a mother herself, is estranged from her.

So... can I really solve her problems?

Lin Shen was a little unsure, but there was one thing he had pretty much figured out.

That's Xia Nuo's secret, and it's probably related to her sexual orientation.

"Two cups of Berry Forest, please."

After sitting down at the bar, Lin Shen asked the bartender for two non-alcoholic drinks.

Xia Nuo sat beside him without saying a word.

The two remained silent, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

Seeing this, Lin Shen took the initiative to break the deadlock between the two of them, who were not speaking. He planned to start by talking about Xia Nuo's hobbies and find common ground with her.

"You sing very well, is it blues?"

"Ok?"

Xia Nuo was surprised that Lin Shen could recognize the type of music, and looked up slightly in astonishment.

"Have you heard of it?"

"Occasionally."

Lin Shen's lips curled slightly.

"I listen to more folk and classical music, what about you?"

"Blues and rock."

Xia Nuo remembered Luna's advice to her before, and after some hesitation, she made a quiet request.

"What happened today... could you please not tell my mom? She doesn't know I'm performing at a singing venue outside."

"of course."

Lin Shen shrugged.

"But I need to make sure that your performance at the resident concert is safe and that your daily interactions are healthy."

"Luna is a very good person."

Xia Nuo explained enthusiastically.

“She joined the music club with me as soon as she enrolled, and we played music and recorded songs together. I’m pretty sure she’s a very good person.”

"Even if someone has excellent character, they shouldn't develop that kind of relationship, right?"

Lin Shen's teasing plunged Xia Nuo into a long silence. Only after the bartender brought the drink did she touch the cold glass and murmur softly.

"There's a reason for that."

"Can you tell me about it?"

"I have androphobia."

Ahem——!
Xia Nuo's words almost made Lin Shen spit out the drink he was drinking. After coughing violently a few times, he looked at her with a slightly strange expression.

what?
Androphobia?
Are you also a Xiaohongshu "addicted" user?
Seemingly noticing Lin Shen's questioning gaze, Xia Nuo explained softly.

"Ever since I saw my dad having an affair with my aunt, I've had this condition, a physiological aversion to things between men and women."

"The doctor said I have a psychological trauma because my mom and dad created a very happy and harmonious family environment in front of me."

“I have always lived in a wonderful world and I cannot accept the fact that our relationship had already broken down. The divorce happened so suddenly and without any warning, which caused me to suffer a huge psychological shock in an instant.”

"That's why whenever I think about something like that, I..."

Xia Nuo seemed to be thinking about what happened between Lin Shen and her mother at home the night before last, and she covered her neck and dry heaved.

Seeing this, Lin Shen quickly patted her back and asked with concern.

"Are you okay?"

"It's okay, I'm used to it."

Xia Nuo quickly drank more than half of the beverage in her cup, then let out a long sigh of relief, seemingly having recovered.

"I feel nauseous and want to vomit whenever I think about things between men and women."

"No wonder you're dating girls."

Now Lin Shen understood Xia Nuo a little and even felt sympathy for her plight.

well--!
The mistakes made by adults are being made by children.

孽 孽!
"Does Aunt Shen know?"

"do not know."

"Then why don't you want to tell her?"

Lin Shen was somewhat puzzled.

“Since you have psychological trauma, Aunt Shen should be able to understand you.”

"She won't."

Xia Nuo gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"Do you think a normal person would understand this? You talk about respect and understanding, but in reality you're full of contempt for it."

"The thought that my mom would hate me from the bottom of her heart makes me..."

"How could a mother possibly dislike her daughter?"

Lin Shen laughed and joked about himself.

"If that's what you're saying, then I'm not a normal person either?"

?

Xia Nuo was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Lin Shen's gentle smile, and her lonely heart suddenly became lively again.

"Can you understand me?"

"What's so hard to understand?"

Lin Shen took a sip of his drink and said leisurely.

"Life is only about 30,000 days. If we use playing a game as an analogy, our main tasks are to find a way to get 2,000 calories of food every day and find a safe place to live. The rest are side tasks for you to explore this world."

"..." This was the first time Xia Nuo had heard someone understand life in this way. She felt as if she had suddenly gained a clear understanding of many things, and her dim eyes became bright and lively.

Yes!

Why should your life be defined by other people's attitudes?

As long as it's not illegal, and doesn't disrupt social order or other people's lives, how you want to live is your own business!

"Thank you."

Xia Nuo thanked him softly, her opinion of Lin Shen changing.

She hadn't been optimistic about Lin Shen being with her mother before.

One reason is that the age difference between the two is too large, which makes it easy for people around them to gossip.

Secondly, Xia Nuo felt that Lin Shen was not sincerely trying to be with her mother.

Given his status and family background, he probably has no shortage of women around him.

For example, the motives for coming to a quiet bar now are definitely not pure!
The thought of this made Xia Nuo feel nauseous. She felt that Lin Shen was just like her father, a womanizer and a philanderer.

But Lin Shen's gentle guidance prevented her from developing any aversion towards him, and she believed that he was at least not a bad person at heart.

Two completely opposite feelings intertwined, leaving Xia Nuo at a loss, unsure of how to treat Lin Shen.

So she kept sipping her drink and finally tentatively asked.

"You came alone, right?"

"No."

Seeing that Xia Nuo's drink was empty, Lin Shen asked the bartender for two more glasses and then said softly.

"With friends."

"Male and female."

"female."

Lin Shen's frankness made Xia Nuo frown, and she forcibly suppressed her inner discomfort and asked in a cold voice.

"Does my mom know you came to a bar with other women?"

"She definitely doesn't know."

Lin Shen smiled slightly.

"But even if Aunt Shen knew, she probably wouldn't say much."

"How can you be so disrespectful to my mother?"

Xia Nuo was clearly a little angry, but Lin Shen explained calmly.

“It’s not that I don’t respect your mother, it’s just that your mother knows I have a girlfriend… to be precise, she’s the one who came later.”

what?
These words stunned Xia Nuo, her eyes wide open, unable to accept the truth Lin Shen had said for a while.

My mom knew Lin Shen had a girlfriend, but she still chose to be with him.

why?
Although my mother is getting old, with her work ability and conditions, what kind of man can't she find?

Why do I have to find someone who already has a girlfriend?
Even if Lin Shen is handsome, he still violated the bottom line of relationships between men and women!

Xia Nuo didn't understand why her mother made this choice, just as she didn't understand why her father had cheated on her.

Are they different in nature?

Seeing Xia Nuo's conflicted expression, Lin Shen's lips curled up slightly.

"Actually, you don't need to find it strange. When you reach your mother's age, you will understand that what she needs is not a stable relationship, but psychological comfort and physical satisfaction."

"..."

Xia Nuo believed Lin Shen's words.

Judging from what she peeked at the night before last, her mother seemed to crave Lin Shen's other side as a man.

That's boyfriend material!

Xia Nuo still felt a little awkward, but when she thought about her own situation, she suddenly felt relieved and smiled self-deprecatingly.

If you can't even understand your own mother, why should you expect her to understand you?

"So, we can say we know each other's secrets now?"

Lin Shen smiled gently.

Are you feeling any better?

"Okay."

Xia Nuo murmured softly, and Lin Shen, seeing this, planned to use his trump card.

"How about... I sing you a song?"

"You can sing?"

Xia Nuo immediately gets excited when music is mentioned.

Lin Shen's lips curled slightly, knowing that her interest had been piqued, so he humbly said.

"I wouldn't say I'm a pro. I learned a little guitar before and have some basic knowledge of music."

"So what songs can you sing?"

Seeing that Xia Nuo had taken the initiative to ask, Lin Shen remained silent and simply handed her his hand.

Give me your guitar.

Ok?
Xia Nuo blinked, then immediately reminded her.

"The strings on my guitar have been modified, so they're only suitable for playing blues. They might not be very comfortable for other songs."

"It's ok."

?

Lin Shen's confidence left Xia Nuo somewhat bewildered.

Didn't he say he only had a slight understanding of music?

Why does he seem like a seasoned veteran who's studied for years...?

Xia Nuo muttered to herself, but in the end she handed her beloved guitar to Lin Shen and gave him some serious instructions.

"Don't break it."

"rest assured."

This was Lin Shen's first time touching a guitar, but he wasn't as unfamiliar as he had imagined. Instead, he felt a deep-seated familiarity with it.

It's highly likely that the "Intermediate Singing and Playing Performance" skill worked.

Lin Shen took his guitar and walked onto the main stage, which was already dark. He sat down in front of the microphone without any hesitation and began to tune the guitar.

Just as Xia Nuo said, she made special modifications to her guitar.

Fortunately, they are all steel-turned-wood guitars, which are also well-suited for folk music.

The only difference is that blues uses open tuning extensively, while folk music uses standard tuning.

Lin Shen had no idea about these things before, but after touching the guitar, knowledge about music suddenly sprang up in his mind like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

At this time, the other side.

Seeing that Lin Shen had not returned for a long time, Zheng Yanfei's mind was no longer on the dinner table, but she frequently looked around the store.

Seeing this, Huang Jie leaned closer and asked the question that had been bothering her.

"Xiaofei, did your boyfriend really buy you a Porsche Panamera? And put it in your name?"

"It wasn't registered in my name; he bought it himself and said he would give it to me to drive."

"Oh~"

Huang Jie suddenly realized what was happening and then kindly reminded him.

"Could he be making empty promises and using manipulative tactics on you? Your boyfriend seems like the kind of rich second-generation guy who frequents bars, handsome, eloquent, and knows how to charm girls!"

"My boyfriend is very proper."

Zheng Yanfei rolled her eyes at Huang Jie.

"If he were driving it himself, would he choose pink paint?"

Pink?
This was something Huang Jie hadn't expected.

It's true that only girls drive pink Porsches; most guys prefer black ones.

Could it really be for Xiaofei?
Huang Jie was a little envious.

Just then, her eyes darted around and she noticed Lin Shen walking onto the main stage with a guitar. She immediately tugged at Zheng Yanfei's sleeve in surprise.

"Xiaofei! Your boyfriend can play the guitar?"

what?
Zheng Yanfei followed Huang Jie's gaze, her eyes instantly brightening.

Eh?
That person is... my brother?
Is he planning to play the guitar?

Could it be that he was preparing this surprise for me while he was away?!

"I gonna go see!"

Overwhelmed by her romantic thoughts, Zheng Yanfei excitedly stood up and went to the bar near the main stage. She rested her chin on her hand and looked at Lin Shen with tenderness in her eyes, which sparkled with anticipation.

Upon seeing this, Huang Jie and the others whispered among themselves, their expressions filled with astonishment.

Does Lin Shen play the guitar?

when--!
As Lin Shen strummed the strings with his right hand, a strange tremor ran through his heart the moment the sound rang out.

It's like old friends who haven't seen each other for many years have reunited.

In an instant, Lin Shen thought of a folk song.

"~You are in the bright sunshine of the South, while snow is falling heavily~"

"~I live in the cold nights of the North, where it feels like spring all year round~"

The moment Lin Shen spoke, the entire bar fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone turned their curious gazes toward the main stage, their eyes sparkling with amazement and admiration.

Who is this person?

You sang so well!

Lin Shen's pure and clear voice immediately captured everyone's hearts. Coupled with the gentle melody, it was like a soft whisper, telling them about the hardships of struggling in the big city.

Most people come to the bar to relieve their worries because they are having trouble at work or in life.

Therefore, Lin Shen's song selection perfectly matched the mood of these customers at that moment.

Huang Jie was also deeply shocked. It took her a moment to come to her senses, and she immediately asked the staff to turn on the lights on the main stage.

Click——!
As the microphone was powered on, Lin Shen's deep voice was amplified several times over in an instant, attracting the attention of more people in the bar.

Everyone silently fell silent, as if by unspoken agreement, and began to appreciate the moment.

South of the Southern Mountain, autumn's sorrow lingers in the north; on the Southern Mountain, there are mounds of grain.
South of the mountain, autumn sorrows in the north, and a mound of longing by the North Sea.
When the chorus came, Lin Shen's voice suddenly rose, and he sang a prolonged "sadness" in a deep and slightly hoarse voice, which formed an emotional outburst that made people's skin crawl.

Because in Shanghai, most people are wanderers who are away from home.

Far from parents, friends, and familiar surroundings, they arrive in a dazzling fantasy land, immersing themselves in a nonsensical dream.

Then, I was awakened by Lin Shen's playing.

Missed love, dashed dreams, the irreversibility of time...

These inevitable tragedies in life have all been transformed into "an endless dream," recording everyone's lingering affection for lost memories.

"……tombstone"

As the last word slowly faded away, Lin Shen stopped playing and lowered his legs off the swivel chair.

Immediately, the bar fell into a long silence.

Zheng Yanfei was the first to stand up, her face beaming with excitement as she cheered.

"You sang so beautifully!"

Led by Zheng Yanfei, waves of applause rang out in the bar, filled with countless praises and admiration.

"It sounds great!"

"Dude, you're awesome!"

……

"Thank you."

Lin Shen smiled modestly at those around him, surprised by the positive response to his first guitar performance!

It seems that the intermediate-level singing and playing performance skill is indeed very useful!

Just as Lin Shen was still immersed in the world of music, several cute young ladies approached him and asked for his contact information.

After all, he sings well and is handsome, so he naturally became the perfect male god in the eyes of girls.

Seeing this, Zheng Yanfei was almost furious. She quickly ran to the main stage, took Lin Shen's arm, and angrily told everyone around her.

He has a girlfriend!

"I'm sorry."

Lin Shen politely declined everyone around him, and then immediately led Zheng Yanfei off the stage.

At this moment, Xia Nuo seemed to have been waiting on the side for quite some time.

"How was your singing?"

"very good."

Xia Nuo took the guitar from Lin Shen, slung it behind her back, and extended her right fist, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of admiration and praise.

"I approve of you."

"Then I am honored."

Lin Shen joked to himself, then laughed and bumped fists with Xia Nuo.

The hearts that had been separated by distance between them were now slowly touching.

(End of this chapter)