Chapter 18: Your Answer

"Lin Yi, hello. How do you feel about becoming the top-scoring liberal arts student?" The reporter from Xiangnan asked, holding the microphone out to Lin Yi.

"It's alright. I don't really have any strong feelings about it."

The Xiangnan reporter was speechless. *You're going to have no friends if you keep talking like that.*

"Do you have any secrets to your academic success?"

"None. In reality, what people call success is just 99 percent perspiration and 1 percent inspiration."

If Niu Junjie were here, he would definitely look on with disdain, feeling nothing but scorn. *That is not what you told me before!*

"Did you ever think you would become the top scorer in the college entrance exam?"

"Who would dare to think of such a thing?"

The Xiangnan reporter was speechless again. *There is no continuing this conversation!*

"Are there any other questions?" Lin Yi asked with a smile.

"No, that's all," the Xiangnan reporter sighed and replied.

"Very well. Next."

"Have you ever thought about entering the entertainment industry?"

"No, I haven't." Lin Yi was being perfectly honest.

"Why did you write a song for *Nirvana in Fire*?"

"I needed money."

This answer left the reporter speechless. *Can the kid stop being so honest? You're making my job very difficult!*

The reporters struggled through the interview for over half an hour. As it was drawing to a close, one reporter asked a final question.

"Lin Yi, as far as I know, you were involved in a car accident on your way to the exam, yet you insisted on taking it despite objections, enduring the pain to finish. What kept you going?"

What was it?

Lin Yi froze, questioning himself internally. *That's right, why did I insist on taking the exam back then? Was it unwillingness to give up? Or perhaps I didn't want any regrets and wanted to give it one last shot? Maybe it was a bit of both.*

The other reporters saw this and signaled the cameraman with their eyes.

Lin Yi thought for a long time until a song surfaced in his mind—a song that perfectly expressed his emotions at that time.

"I'll sing a song for you. It's called 'Your Answer'."

Ignoring the reporters, Lin Yi walked to his bedroom and took the guitar hanging on the wall. He had bought it online just a few days ago. In his previous life, during university, he had learned to play the guitar well to impress a girl. Just as he was planning to confess his feelings at a party, he accidentally discovered the cruel truth: the girl already had a boyfriend. Sigh, it's better not to mention sad things.

He returned to the living room and strummed: *Ding!*

Lin Yi couldn't help but sing in a low, narrative tone.

"Maybe the world is just like this,
And I am still on the road.
There is no one to tell my story,
Maybe I can only remain silent.
Tears well up in my eyes,
Yet I am unwilling to be weak."

Lin Yi's voice became passionate and fearless.

"Looking down, waiting for the daylight,
Accepting all the mockery,
Embracing the rainbow against the wind,
Bravely moving forward.
The light of dawn,
Will cross the darkness,
Breaking through all fear, I can
Find the answer..."

*Frustrations, hardships, mockery—so what? I will still charge forward, using my fists to break through all the darkness to welcome my light and find my answer!*

"Maybe I can only remain silent,
Tears well up in my eyes,
Yet I am unwilling to be weak..."

*Ding!*

As the last note faded, Lin Yi flashed a brilliant smile at the reporters. This was his answer.

*Clap, clap, clap!*

Thunderous, overwhelming applause erupted and lasted for a long time. Several sentimental female reporters had reddened eyes and secretly wiped away tears. Weren't these lyrics a reflection of their own lives?

"Lin Yi, that was a truly beautiful song!"

"Thank you," Lin Yi replied with a smile. "I hope you can all find your own answers as well."

"I will."

"Goodbye, Lin Yi."

Lin Yi's song had completely won them over, and their previous prejudices vanished without a trace. Lin Yi was actually a pretty good person—talented and straightforward.

After seeing the reporters off, Lin Yi collapsed onto the sofa, drained and unwilling to move. Today had been exhausting—a mountain of tasks, a bombardment of phone calls, and two groups of visitors.

After resting for half an hour, he slowly got up, went to the fridge, pulled out a bottle of green tea, and gulped it down. *Finally, I'm alive again!*

He took a shower, opened his computer, and uploaded two pre-written chapters. He noticed a notification on his author dashboard and opened it—a contract offer sent just after one o'clock in the afternoon. He had been busy talking to the admissions officers at that time. *Double happiness today!* However, his good mood had been ground away by the day's fatigue. He just gave a slight nod, exited the interface, and shut down the computer.

*Gurgle!*

His stomach let out an uncooperative growl. Lin Yi sighed helplessly; he had finished all the noodles in the house, and he didn't feel like cooking, so it looked like he would have to eat out. His leg had healed a few days ago, so he could walk normally. Going out to eat wasn't a problem for him.

***

At Huayan International Music:

"How are the preparations going?" Lin Youjia asked excitedly.

"Everything is ready; we're just waiting for the right moment," Lin Hong said, looking at Lin Youjia's restless state. He smiled, poured himself a glass of water, and sat on the sofa.

"By the way, did you see the news today?" Lin Hong asked.

"No," Lin Youjia replied. He hadn't had the mood to check; he had been incredibly busy lately.

"There was a huge bombshell dropped today," Lin Hong said, the corners of his mouth curling upward. *Who would have thought! Lin Yi is actually a student!*

"What kind of bombshell?" Lin Youjia asked curiously, hugging a pillow.

Lin Hong finished his water calmly and said slowly, "Lin Yi is a student."

"What? You're kidding me! How is that possible? Could you be mistaken?" Lin Youjia asked, agitated. *Is this some kind of joke? Lin Yi is a student? He's a singer, and the songs he writes are better than mine. How... how is that possible?* His instincts told him that Lin Yi couldn't possibly be a student. How could a student have such rich emotional and life experiences?

"Do I need to lie to you about this?" Lin Hong stood up and walked to the water cooler, continuing, "If you don't believe me, check Hu Ge's Weibo."

"Don't underestimate him; he's also this year's top liberal arts scorer for the college entrance exam in Xiang Province."

"With your IQ, it would be good if you were even half as smart as him," Lin Hong teased.

Lin Youjia was speechless.

Skeptical, Lin Youjia searched for Hu Ge's Weibo and saw the information. It felt like being stabbed through the heart. His face turned as red as a monkey's bottom. Thinking of his previous behavior, he wished he could find a hole to crawl into. *How embarrassing! I actually called him 'senior' and 'master'!*

"What's wrong with you?" Lin Hong asked, noticing him.

"Nothing," Lin Youjia replied, trying to remain calm.

"Are you sure?" Lin Hong observed him closely, noticing his complexion didn't look too good, and asked with concern.

"I'm really fine."

"Stop pretending. We've been brothers for decades; how would I not know what you're thinking? I can tell what you're up to before you even move," Lin Hong said with a look of disdain.

"If you know, why ask?"

"Because I like to."

Lin Youjia was speechless.