Chapter 35

Song Haowen shook his head, wearing a troubled expression. “You know, the store is very busy. How can I find much time?”

“The school anthem is a big deal; don’t decline. We can take a few days off to cover the extra work,” Tian Yuxi suggested.

“Yes, some minor tasks, Tian and I can handle. You just need to deal with the more difficult task when you have the time,” Ren Hua added.

“My performance schedule is already planned until next month. When I go back, I’ll discuss it with the dance troupe and arrange a reasonable rehearsal plan. Actually, Haowen, your singing talent is excellent. It might only take two or three rehearsals; it won’t take much time,” Tian Nana reassured.

Tian Yuxi smiled slightly. “A few rehearsals are nothing. I’m afraid that if this song becomes popular, little brother here will suddenly become a popular singer and have to travel with Nana to perform everywhere. That’s when he’ll truly be busy.”

“Don’t joke around. I don’t have the talent and interest to be a singer. I still need to study physics and become a scientist,” Song Haowen replied.

“You’re filled with scholarly airs. How can you accommodate science?” Tian Yuxi retorted.

“I was born as a student of science and will die as a scientific maniac.”

“Pffft, shameless!”

“I have a ‘heart as pure as ice in a jade pot.’ You all don’t understand me.”

“Haha…”

The four girls burst into laughter.

Two days later, Tian Yuxi brought the rehearsal plan for Tian Nana. Reluctantly, Song Haowen followed the plan and rehearsed a few times with the dance troupe, successfully producing the record.

After submitting the duet with Tian Nana to the school, it was broadcast on the campus radio station, immediately causing a sensation.

Soon, the song “Morning on the Campus” echoed in the campuses of nearby universities such as Qinghua, Renmin, and the Music Academy.

Before long, the national radio station also broadcasted this popular song, propelling it to national fame.

As one of the lyricists and performers, Song Haowen gained fame once again. The campus beauties in the university, one after another, cast admiring glances toward him.

Occasionally, Song Haowen had to go on tours with Tian Nana to various places around the country. He quickly became a well-known figure and turned into a popular star.

Though female fans were not as bold and explicit as in his past life, there were still daily love letters flying towards him. Some Fans even paired him with Tian Nana, forming a “Golden Boy and Jade Girl” couple. It seemed enviable to others, but in reality, it left him somewhat bemused.

In truth, a life with fame and fortune wasn’t something Song Haowen particularly cared to cherish. Like all young people, he enjoyed being in the limelight, admired by others, and adored by the opposite sex.

He also liked the idea of getting rich overnight. However, he didn’t want to be burdened by fame and fortune, hiding from fans, unable even to go out and eat skewers on the street. Therefore, despite having a knowledge about full of great songs from his past life, he didn’t want to bright it altogether.

Song Haowen began employing the “Refusal” technique, resolutely declining any performance he could avoid, regardless of the high fees offered. He remained steadfast in his commitment to work at the store. Gradually, the halo of stardom around him began to fade, and the phenomenon of fans gathering around him decreased. Love letters practically disappeared.

Tian Nana was very puzzled by this. She had tried to persuade Song Haowen multiple times, asking him to cherish his hard-earned fame, reasoning with him, appealing to him emotionally, even shedding a few tears. However, Song Haowen remained resolute in his decision.

Tian Yuxi initially didn’t understand Song Haowen’s behavior either. She had joined her sister in trying to persuade him. However, as she had no desire to become an entertainer herself and lacked a strong desire for fame and fortune, she began to admire his ability to stay focused on doing what he loved even in the face of great fame.

Though Zhu Hongyu and Ren Hua felt it was a pity for Song Haowen to repeatedly turn down appearances with fees exceeding tens of thousands (bearing in mind that in the current era, tens of thousands were no less than millions in his past life), they actually respected him more. They believed he had a clear mind and wasn’t swayed by fame and fortune.

One snowy day in Beijing, which was the first snowfall of the year, the entire city was covered in a thick blanket of snow. This drew the attention of many people. Men and women wearing colorful skiing outfits were shuttling through the silver-coated world, creating a joyful and festive atmosphere.

It was a weekend, and full of youthful energy, Tian Yuxi, dressed in a goose-yellow skiing outfit, arrived at the store early in the afternoon, joining Zhu Hongyu, Ren Hua, and Song Haowen. Due to the snow, there were no customers, so the branch decided to close early.

Song Haowen and Qian Youlai lit a fire in the living room and heated the kang in the two rooms. The interior became warm, and everyone soon took off their skiing outfits.

Wang Li turned on the recorder, and the voice of Taiwanese singer Liu Wenzheng singing the campus song “Lan Hua Cao” echoed from the speakers. The four girls gathered around a square table and started playing poker. The two guys sat on opposite sides of the counter, playing chess.