Chapter 72 Becoming Wealthy

“It seems my intuition was right; this song suits you perfectly.”
As the last note faded, Su Chen applauded the man, his face alight with a warm smile.
He had to admit, the man was the ideal voice for this song.
His age, coupled with the upheavals of middle life, lent his voice a distinctive rasp and a sense of weariness that no one else could replicate.
At some point, the wandering singer wiped away his tears, his gaze filled with gratitude as he looked at Su Chen.
Although Su Chen had written “South Mountain South,” the singer had drawn so much from its depths, connecting it to his own experiences with his wife.
He had been reckless in youth, destitute in middle age, and now could only make a living singing on the streets, keeping vigil over his wife’s dwindling days.
Estranged from friends and family, he alone persisted. Ten yuan for a song, unnoticed by passersby, even mistaken for a beggar—his plight was truly at its lowest.
He had considered giving up, but each night as he reflected on his life, he realized that the only constant, the one who never abandoned him, was his wife.
For her sake, he couldn’t quit.
The wandering singer took a deep breath, reluctant yet resolute, and respectfully handed back the sheet covered in lyrics.
“Teacher, this song is wonderful. It will surely spark a renaissance in folk music. Please keep it safe.”
Su Chen was momentarily taken aback. “...You don’t want it? I told you, this song is a gift for you.”
The wandering singer shook his head with a rueful smile.
“It’s too precious. I’m nearly fifty, and my life is unlikely to change. My wife is gravely ill, and I could never repay your kindness. It wouldn’t be right.”
Su Chen frowned. “I never meant for you to repay me. If you sing this song, make a short video, become an online sensation, your life could improve.”
Still, the singer shook his head.
“Thank you... but I know my wife’s illness—money can’t cure it. Some medicine, and I spend more time with her. Life’s a little bitter, but that’s alright.”
“At my age, what I fear most is owing others. I’ve owed so many in my life. If I keep adding to that debt, I’ll lose the strength to carry on...”
“So, teacher, I truly appreciate you letting me sing such a beautiful song. As for the rest... let’s leave it be.”
The wandering singer smiled, then began packing his belongings.
Before leaving, he suddenly remembered something and turned to Su Chen. “Teacher, I still don’t know your name.”
Su Chen’s lips moved, and then he replied, “I am Su Chen.”
“Su Chen... That name sounds so familiar...”

The wandering singer was puzzled, recalling for a moment before his eyes widened in astonishment.
“You... You’re the one who wrote ‘Southern Girl’?!”
Su Chen nodded.
The man scratched his head awkwardly. “Then I really was showing off before an expert, wasn’t I! Hahaha!”
“But it’s no wonder you could write a song like ‘South Mountain South’... Young people today are so talented, folk music is saved!”
Seeing the singer about to leave, Su Chen quickly asked, “Brother, do you have a Douyin account?”
“Yes, yes I do.”
“Let’s follow each other! I really love your singing!”
“Haha, really? That’s truly an honor!”
The wandering singer pulled out a phone with a cracked screen, exchanged follows with Su Chen, and waved goodbye.
He walked along the street, disappearing into the vast night of the city.
Su Chen watched his departing figure, his heart a tumult of emotions.
He looked down at the lyrics still in his hand, fell silent for a moment, then rose and bowed to the cameraman.
Of course, the bow was not for the cameraman, but for everyone watching the livestream.
Su Chen faced the camera and spoke: “I think everyone has seen what just happened. There are probably my fans here, and people who just came to watch the show—quite a few, I imagine...”
“So, I have a humble request. I hope everyone could spare a follow for this gentleman. I know it may seem abrupt, even presumptuous, but I don’t know any other way to help this fifty-year-old man.”
“It’s not a demand, just a personal plea... Please, everyone.”
With that, Su Chen bowed again.
At that moment, viewers in the livestream saw Su Chen’s gesture and didn’t criticize him.
Whether they were there for entertainment or just passing through, everyone responded earnestly. Some went straight to search Su Chen’s Douyin following list, found the wandering singer, and gave him a follow.
With the number of followers rising, at least he wouldn’t have to worry about medicine money anymore, Su Chen thought.
Finishing all this, Su Chen finally smiled and said, “Originally, I planned to save a song for the stage, but when you ask for help, you need to be sincere. If you don’t mind, I’ll sing it for you now.”
“This is also a folk song. I don’t have an instrument, so I’ll sing it a cappella. When I return to the hotel, I’ll record a guitar version and upload it to Douyin.”
“In the future, all my original songs, including the one I couldn’t give away just now, ‘South Mountain South,’ whether now or when they appear on major music platforms, everyone can listen for free, sing as they wish.”
Su Chen made a decision unprecedented in the entertainment industry.

In that instant, the livestream erupted in a storm!
But Su Chen was oblivious—he had returned to his seat, picked up his chopsticks, and began tapping rhythmically on the table.
Tap... tap... tap...
Then, following Su Chen’s whistling, the lyrics began:
“If one day I become rich,”
“My first choice isn’t to travel the world,”
“Lying on the biggest, softest sofa in the world,”
“Eat, sleep, wake, eat again, let a year go by,”
“If one day I become rich,”
“I’ll keep everyone close by my side,”
“Every day full of joy, eating, drinking, chatting,”
“No worries about tomorrow or goodbyes.”
......
The melody was light, but Su Chen’s diction was crisp and clear.
Wang Bingling heard Su Chen whistling—at first she was stunned, but after a few lines, her face broke into a brilliant smile and she laughed out loud.
This guy, truly obsessed with money, even wrote a song about it.
But it was catchy, and the tune was addictive...
Gradually, Wang Bingling and the paparazzi joined Su Chen in singing:
“Get rich, I get rich,”
“So many waste their days and nights,”
“Get rich, I get rich,”
“And then pretend to be humble, saying money isn’t everything.”
……