Chapter Eight: Nothing Left to Yearn for in This World, Everything Dissolves Like Smoke

Chapter Eight: No Attachment to the Mortal World, All Scattered Like Smoke

"Hahaha, I never thought we'd get to see such a good show."

"Unbelievable, Bai Ling is really going to prove herself."

"Little musical genius, we're looking forward to your performance."

"Wow, is she really going to perform in such a shabby environment? This is eye-opening."

"The live audio must be terrible."

"First, let's rule out a sound card; second, let's rule out proper recording... there's only a backing track left, not even a microphone—this is just too tragic."

"I thought even if Bai Ling wanted to prove herself, it would be in a day or two. I didn't expect her to be so bold, starting right now."

"Acapella? Seriously?"

"It's not acapella, there's clearly accompaniment, but in such a rough setting, I think that's even harder than singing without music."

"Bai Ling: Give me a phone and I'll give you a world!"

"All set, is Bai Ling about to begin?"

In less than a minute, Bai Ling had everything prepared.

Then, as all eyes watched, the sound of the backing track began to play.

The sea wind howled, immersing everyone as if they were truly there.

Soon after, the accompaniment—nothing gentle, but clear notes of piano—rang out, each beat captivating.

In an instant, it was as if pearls from a water dragon scattered across the floor.

Just a moment was all it took to capture every ear.

"Scattered moonlight, passing through the clouds—"

"Hiding from the crowd—"

"Spreading like scales across the sea—"

In a single heartbeat, everyone collectively drew in a sharp breath.

"Her voice is beautiful."

"Bai Ling's voice is so moving."

"Her voice drifts, as if carried by the ocean breeze. The feeling is indescribable—tingling, making my heart itch."

"Yes, exactly! I can't quite put it into words."

"Beautiful, simply beautiful."

"I never imagined it—Bai Ling really is a musical prodigy."

"Hahaha, are we about to witness a spectacular reversal?"

"Watching a stunning woman put these guys in their place—honestly, it's so satisfying."

Fans and viewers in the livestream were delightedly surprised.

They had thought Bai Ling was just putting on a show, playing for effect.

Or perhaps it was a desperate act of defiance.

But none of them expected—Ah Zhen, you’re doing this for real!

No one could have predicted Bai Ling would actually sing, and with such an unrivaled voice, it sent chills down their spines.

As for Zhou Tai and Wang Tianhai, watching the stream, their faces had turned dark.

Wang Tianhai almost choked on his cigar smoke.

"This..."

"This... what on earth is going on?"

Wang Tianhai stared hard at Zhou Tai. "Didn't you say she was just a pretty face?"

Zhou Tai was dumbstruck as well.

Bai Ling really couldn't sing before.

Could it be that, in just a single day, she had transformed into someone else?

That can't be right!

"The waves soak your white dress, trying to push you back—"

"The waves wash away the blood, vainly hoping to warm you—"

"Listen to the depths of the sea—"

"Whose wailing is guiding you—"

"The soul slips into silence—"

"No one will wake you—"

At this point, everyone’s attention was once again drawn to Bai Ling’s singing.

Despite—

The terrible quality of the live audio,

Everyone could still hear, within that enchanting tone, a taste of solitude and desolation.

The accompaniment had grown gentle, unable to overshadow Bai Ling's unique timbre.

Even those who had arrived agitated and impatient now found themselves gradually stilled.

This was the power of the 'Performance Buff' card at work.

Bai Ling seemed a songstress of the soul, quietly confiding her heart in the empty room, voicing her helplessness.

"You love the salty scent of the sea breeze—"

"Stepping on the damp gravel—"

"You say people’s ashes should be scattered into the sea—"

"You ask me where I'll go after I die—"

"Will anyone love you—"

"Can the world cease to exist—"

Snap!

It seemed as though everyone’s hearts skipped a beat.

They weren't just listening to a song; they were gazing at Bai Ling herself.

This time, they were not drawn by her beauty, but shaken by the despair in her song.

A sense of empathy welled up within.

Among the vast throngs of humanity—

But who isn't truly alone?

Who hasn’t, in the dead of night, pondered the forbidden topic of death as this song did?

To question thus is to ache.

And next, Bai Ling’s voice dealt another blow straight to the heart.

"Always smiling at those who are cold to you—"

"The people on the shore wear indifferent faces—"

"There is nothing to miss in this world, everything scatters like smoke!"

Her voice, piercing the soul, filled every heart, leaving no escape.

In this moment, everyone seemed to feel, in their own flesh, Bai Ling’s bitterness and hardship.

She was just a girl, utterly alone.

She only wanted, through her own efforts, to live the life she desired.

What was her fault?

The fault lay with the world!

With Starshine Entertainment, with President Wang!

Not with her!

But even more, the fault lay with all those callous onlookers.

The internet, the livestream—that was the shore.

The people on the shore, the audience, their faces indifferent, hearts brimming with mockery.

They came to the stream for amusement, to ridicule Bai Ling, who was drowning.

Even the so-called 'face fans' offered only a laughable concern.

For Bai Ling, the victim, the drowning one,

There was nothing in this world to hold her back.

"Scattered moonlight, passing through the clouds—"

"Hiding from the crowd, slipping into the sea—"

"The waves wash away the blood, vainly hoping to warm you—"

"...."

"You ask me where I'll go after I die—"

"Will anyone love you—"

"The world has already abandoned you—"

....

"Too late, too late—"

"You once smiled as you cried—"

"Too late, too late—"

"Your trembling arms—"

"Too late, too late—"

"No one will pull you from the deep—"

"Too late, too late—"

"You always hated suffocating—"

....

The accompaniment faded, and Bai Ling's singing came to an end.

Now, not only the entire audience, but Bai Ling herself had tears streaming down her face.

A beauty in tears—heartbreaking to behold.

Her voice trembled. She did not mock the instigators and haters.

She simply nodded slightly. "Sorry, I lost my composure."

"That’s all for today’s stream!"

With that, the livestream ended abruptly.

But the chat exploded, the comments surging tenfold as Bai Ling disappeared!

"Damn, I’m bawling!"

"What song is this? I’m completely numb."

"Such despair in her voice, such a hopeless song."

"Beautiful, but so melancholic. Oh—it's already midnight… I can't take it."

"Too late, too late—no one will pull me up. Bai Ling must feel so lost, so hopeless."

"Did you catch that lyric? The world has already given up on you. Honestly, that cut right through me."