Chapter Fourteen: The Wandering Singer

“Ah? How could I possibly deserve this…”
Chen Weiguo stood in the field. “You two should really get to know each other. Back then, Xiao Zhao was also scolded for announcing his relationship, accused of clinging to a wealthy woman. Because of that, Xiao Zhao even left the industry for a while.”
Zhao Funing, like Lin Ze, didn’t care about such labels anymore. At this moment, he exchanged a glance with Pei Xue, quoting the post Lin Ze had made at that time.
“What are you talking about? Ours is a journey of mutual pursuit.”
As the four of them chatted, the last couple arrived.
They had originally planned to play another round, but it seemed that was not to be.
This couple were both singers. Ji Chen had made his name singing love songs and was known as the Prince of Bitter Ballads.
Lin Chunshui sang grand, expansive songs about the grasslands.
Their relationship had been good, until five or six years ago when they had a child.
Since then, whenever they appeared together, they were often photographed with sullen expressions.
There were even frequent rumors that they were on the verge of divorce.
Chen Weiguo spoke of it with a sigh. “Once people have children, their days revolve around the kids.”
“One of them wants the child to attend a bilingual kindergarten, striving for advantage.”
“The other just wants to let the child play and enjoy childhood.”
According to how things went in a previous life, these two would eventually divorce after a few years, and the child would stay with Ji Chen.
Lin Ze shook his head. Even after having children, life should be lived for oneself.
Ji Chen and Lin Chunshui stepped out of their car.
From the moment they got out, they kept half a meter between them, walking forward without looking at each other, each ignoring the other.
It was clear at a glance they had quarreled again.
Seeing everyone gathered, they each greeted the group separately.
“Teacher Chen, Teacher Chen…” Ji Chen hurried forward. “It’s been years since we last met, how have you…”
“And this must be your wife? She’s…” Ji Chen reached out to shake Lin Ze’s hand.
Chen Weiguo’s face darkened.
“Haha, is this your wife?”
“Old Ji must be confused today.”
“Look at Brother Lin, he’s about to burst out laughing.”
Lin Chunshui glared at him and pushed him away.
“Little Prince of Love Songs, Lin Ze!” Lin Chunshui shook Lin Ze’s hand. “Your songs are wonderful, I absolutely love them.”
“As long as Teacher Lin likes them, haha.” Lin Ze replied in his own voice.
“Little Lin!” Ji Chen’s eyes lit up. “Your songs are so good. When will you have time to write one for me?”
“Of course, of course,” Lin Ze smiled. “I’ve already told the production team I’ll write a song for each couple.”

“Really?” Ji Chen threw an arm around Lin Ze’s shoulder. “Write a few more; as long as they’re as good as your usual, you name the price.”
“If a senior makes a request, any good song in the future will go to you first.”
Lin Ze walked along, peeling off the glue from his hands.
By the time he returned to the villa, most of the glue had been removed from his hands and face.
The show officially started at five o’clock, but it was only four thirty; Lin Ze still had time to remove his makeup.
When Lin Ze came back downstairs, he saw Su Zitan and Pei Xue chatting together in the living room.
Chen Weiguo and his wife were sitting with Ji Chen and Lin Chunshui.
On a single sofa in the corner sat a middle-aged man with a prominent belly.
“Little Lin, you’re here, come sit!” Director Zhang called Lin Ze over warmly.
“Director Zhang.” Lin Ze greeted him and took a seat beside Su Zitan.
Director Zhang, holding a folder, stood up and blocked the television, which was showing the main live broadcast.
On the screen, Lin Ze was sitting in front of a chair, guitar in hand, singing “Because of Love.”
As Lin Ze finished the last line, the main live channel officially opened.
“Hello everyone, welcome to ‘Our Love,’ proudly sponsored by Zitan Records.”
Director Zhang cheerfully delivered his opening remarks.
In the live stream, the bullet screen comments flew by.
[Brother Lin! Love you, Brother Lin!]
[Aunt Xue, you’re so beautiful. Auntie, I don’t want to work hard anymore.]
[Help me send a comment for my dad: Chen Weiguo! The feud for stealing my wife is irreconcilable!]
[Did anyone notice this show was invested in by his wife?]
Pei Xue glanced at Su Zitan in surprise. After Zhang Huai withdrew his investment, Pei Xue had considered investing herself, but wasn’t sure about the returns, and the required funds weren’t easy to gather.
So she gave up.
She hadn’t expected Zitan Records to be so capable.
The fans of the other three couples were mostly older, so the most active comments were all for Lin Ze and Su Zitan.
“Hehe, I’m Director Zhang Dahai. Let me introduce today’s program flow.”
Zhang Dahai turned to look toward the kitchen at Zhao Funing. “Teacher Zhao, won’t you come listen?”
The camera shifted to Zhao Funing, who was expertly stirring up flames in the kitchen.
“Go ahead, my wife’s listening!”
“I could never master Teacher Zhao’s cooking,” Director Zhang sighed. “After retiring these years, cooking has become his main occupation, hasn’t it?”
“Little Lin, any plans to retire for a few years and become a househusband?”
The question made Su Zitan and Pei Xue a bit uneasy.

[What’s up with the director’s wording?]
[That was a bit harsh.]
[Is he picking on Lin Ze for marrying a wealthy woman?]
This attempt at banter to liven things up felt somewhat offensive to Lin Ze and Zhao Funing.
Lin Ze didn’t mind, waving it off. “Once I’ve released the songs I need to, and acted in the films I must, for the rest of my life, I can happily be a househusband.”
“If the chance arises, let’s definitely work together,” Director Zhang realized his mistake and hurriedly changed the subject.
After the camera lingered on Zhao Funing cooking, the conversation returned to the show itself.
“The guests invited this time are surely familiar to everyone.”
“We won’t do lengthy introductions; I’ll explain what we’ll be playing with in the coming week.”
Director Zhang pulled four cards from his folder and handed one to each couple.
“These cards contain your identities for the coming week. Look at them yourselves, but don’t let the others see.”
“For the first week, since the game is new, identities won’t be randomized.”
Lin Ze and Su Zitan glanced secretly at their card.
As expected, it read: ‘Wandering Musicians.’
Their cameraman captured their card on camera.
[Brother Lin and his wife are wandering musicians? How will they earn money, busking on bridges?]
[Aunt Xue’s group isn’t bad, they’re small restaurant owners.]
[Teacher Chen’s group is selling vegetables in the market; Ji Chen’s couple are street vendors.]
[Looks like Lin Ze got the worst deal—how can wandering musicians make money?]
[If Brother Lin can’t stand it, tell his wife to withdraw her investment and run!]
Director Zhang noticed the scrolling comments and his lips twitched.
“Starting tomorrow, everyone will play their assigned role and must not let the other groups discover their identity.”
“Each evening, you’ll return here for a Q&A session. Each group can ask the other three one question, and they can only answer yes or no.”
“Your task during the week is to discover the identities of the other three groups in Tong County, and experience a different kind of life.”
Director Zhang nodded. “All identities are rented by the production team. Any earnings each day will be split in half: one part as rental fee, the remainder as spending money.”
Chen Weiguo slid the card into his pocket. “What’s the benefit of discovering the others?”
“There is!”
“For each group you successfully identify, a reward will accumulate for next week’s show.”
Rewards?
Everyone began to scheme about how best to play their roles.