The Glowing Man
Lin Zimo hands the LV bag to Su Qingya, signaling her to take it.
Su Qingya can't bring herself to refuse. She murmurs softly, "Thank you," and accepts it with both hands, cradling it like a treasure.
This is the first gift from the father of her future children—she has to take it home, preserve it carefully.
In just a few seconds of eye contact, Su Qingya's mind races through a full lifetime: falling in love with Lin Zimo, getting married, having kids, growing old together, buried side by side in happiness.
These thoughts embolden her a little. She leans close to Lin Zimo, whispering in his ear.
"Lin Zimo, the guy with the guitar is Ou Haocheng. He's thick-skinned and shameless, always clinging to me. As my boyfriend, you have to make him give up for good."
Lin Zimo suddenly feels the girl's soft, delicate body pressed against him, her faint, fresh fragrance filling his nose, her pink lips brushing his ear with warm breath.
He straightens up, serious. "Got it, my girlfriend. I'll make sure he backs off and stops bothering you."
As he speaks, Lin Zimo naturally lifts a hand and pats Su Qingya's beautiful back, reassuring her.
Ou Haocheng watches their intimate exchange, jealousy gnawing at him until his teeth nearly shatter. He refuses to lose like this!
Sure, he might lose in other ways to Lin Zimo, but he's confident his guitar skills and singing outshine the guy.
No matter what, today he'll crush Lin Zimo—at least in musical talent.
With that, Ou Haocheng stylishly flicks the guitar strings, producing a pleasing melody.
Then, staring deeply at Su Qingya, he starts playing and singing.
Just because you're too beautiful, baby.
Just because you're really too beautiful, baby.
The you walking toward me stirs me up so much.
This feeling, I've never had before.
...
One more glance and I'll explode.
Come a little closer—I'm melting away...
Ou Haocheng's guitar playing is already solid, and with his flashy techniques and deep bass voice, he draws every eye in the crowd.
"Whoa! Young Master Ou's guitar and vocals are amazing!"
"He's singing with such passion and romance!"
"Damn, that bass voice is giving me chills!"
Hearing the gasps, praise, and applause, Ou Haocheng smirks triumphantly and taunts Lin Zimo. "Qingya likes talented guys. As her boyfriend, your singing must be great too, right? Give us a song?"
Su Qingya panics at once. She has no idea if Lin Zimo can sing or how good he is.
But she doesn't want him embarrassed. "I don't feel like listening to songs today. Next time."
Ou Haocheng's lackeys sneer. "Heh, scared 'cause he's outmatched?"
Lin Youyou watches Lin Zimo with worry.
This shameless Ou Haocheng must've practiced in secret forever to sound that good. How can Lin Zimo compete a cappella?
The crowd splits—some worry for him, others watch the drama unfold.
"I said, no songs today," Su Qingya insists, grabbing Lin Zimo's hand to pull him away.
The next second, he pulls her back to a stop.
"Since you all want to hear one so bad, I'll sing."
Lin Zimo speaks calmly, then gently squeezes Su Qingya's soft hand, signaling her not to worry.
To help the host complete the order task, musical talent elevated to God Level. All things can be played.
With perfect pitch now his, Lin Zimo eyes everything around him as potential instruments. But to show off properly...
He steps to his Lexus hood. His distinct, knuckled fingers dance rhythmically across the engine cover, drumming a beat.
For you, I dare not slack.
Even exhausted, I mask it all.
For the worship in your eyes.
Girl.
My story unfolds because of you.
So I learn endurance.
For you, I fix all my bad habits.
This is his signature BGM from his past life as Jiangnan's deepest romantic—nobody beats him here. Pure confidence.
Ou Haocheng preps his mockery, only to get slapped by Lin Zimo's bold move, infectious rhythm, and catchy tune.
The onlookers gawk, erupting in "whoas."
"Holy shit! What music genius is this? Too terrifying!"
"WTF! Full-level human alert—playing a song on a car hood? Am I crazy or is the world?"
"My god! Drumming the hood is wild enough, but it sounds that good? And the singing—my ears are pregnant!"
...
Ou Haocheng stares, dumbfounded, at the man who seems to glow. Total defeat.
Even his best skill—singing—loses to Lin Zimo. What can he fight with? Laughable.
His heart plunges into a frozen winter lake: icy, hopeless, no light.
This crushes Ou Haocheng's hopes for Su Qingya completely.
Hell, if choosing, even he'd pick Lin Zimo as a boyfriend...
The thought jolts him. What the fuck? Am I crazy?
Lin Zimo smiles faintly. A light touch, and he's stunned the crowd.
Even after he finishes, everyone lingers in his melody, entranced.
This moment sparks countless girls' springtime dreams.
Snapping out of it, the crowd erupts in wild applause and shouts.
"Incredible! One more! One more!"
Most girls turn instant fangirls, the scene rivaling a concert.
Lin Zimo smiles, shakes his head. One song suffices.
Su Qingya stares beside him, dazed. How can such a perfect man exist? And he's her boyfriend—like a dream.
Seeing her adorable trance, Lin Zimo pinches her soft white cheek, chuckling low. "Such a pure, silly college girl. See? I didn't embarrass you."
The pinch snaps her back.
But she doesn't pull away—instead, she nuzzles his warm palm, pouting cutely and fiercely. "You dare call me silly? Believe I'll bite you! You're so amazing, yet you played coy. Too mean."
Lin Youyou nearly chokes on the PDA nearby. Seeing Su Qingya act so cheap, she wants to shake her and yell.
Who was it always saying men only slow down her studies?! Look what you're doing now!?
But Lin Youyou keeps it inside. As time passes, she feels herself drawn more to Lin Zimo.
Her once-calm heart beats for him, pulled by his smile, voice, everything—like drowning in an invisible whirlpool.
This man is terrifyingly charming. Good thing she likes girls; it keeps her straight... er, from bending.
Lin Zimo laughs at Su Qingya's words. "Haha, go ahead and bite. Do whatever."