Versatile Sword Cultivator
Chapter 334 – With You by My Side

The matter of the gaming pod was finally settled.

Everyone stopped worrying about it.

It was almost eight o'clock, two hours past dinner, and everyone had digested their food.

Next up was the cake.

They opened the cake, lit the candles, and gathered around to sing a birthday song for Niu Naitang in the center.

Niu Naitang clasped her small hands in front of her chest, closed her eyes, made a wish, and then blew out the candles.

"Tang Tang, what did you wish for?" Qin Xiaowei asked curiously.

But Niu Naitang kept her lips sealed, "Tang Tang can't say, if I tell, it won't come true."

Qin Xiaowei smiled and pinched her cheek, "You're so smart, not even telling your Auntie, you little rascal."

Niu Naitang giggled, silently thinking: Auntie, it's not that Tang Tang doesn't want to tell, but if I say it, it won't come true. This wish is about your lifelong happiness~

After the birthday song, everyone shared Tang Tang's birthday cake.

"Auntie, I want to hear you sing," Niu Naitang said while eating cake, her face covered in cream, looking like a little kitten.

"Yeah, Sister Xiaowei, it's been so long since we heard you sing. I miss it. Take this chance and sing a few songs," Ren Lan encouraged.

Qin Xiaowei didn't refuse. She took out her guitar, sat on a chair facing everyone, tuned it a bit, and then started singing gracefully.

Compared to before, when she sang face-to-face with Lin Jichen and Ren Lan, she used to be a bit nervous.

But after participating in a music festival, Qin Xiaowei no longer felt nervous because of the audience. On the contrary, she was more composed than before. As soon as she picked up the guitar, she exuded an aura that drew all eyes to her.

Qin Xiaowei's voice was still as captivating as ever, making everyone who was eating cake stop and listen attentively.

After one song, everyone applauded.

"That was amazing! I just realized, you're the singer of 'First Encounter,' aren't you?"

Liu Xiazi seemed to have discovered a new world and immediately hummed, "Watching the whales dive into the sea, dandelions scatter across the land, this world, so many beautiful sights, worth exploring together..."

Liu Xiazi was singing Qin Xiaowei's song, "First Encounter."

"Qin Xiaowei, I'm your fan! I've been obsessed with your songs lately~ Can I get your autograph?" Liu Xiazi was ecstatic.

She didn't expect that coming here today, she would not only meet her idol but also discover a hidden gem of a singer. It was totally worth it!

"Sister Xiaowei, do you have any new songs? I'd love to hear a new one," Ren Lan asked.

Qin Xiaowei smiled and nodded, "Yes, I do. I recently wrote one called 'With You by My Side.' But if the new song doesn't sound good, don't laugh at me."

"Of course not, Sister Xiaowei, all your songs are amazing. The new one will definitely be even better," Ren Lan flattered.

Qin Xiaowei prepared a bit and then started playing the melody of her new song.

A gentle tune filled the room.

"If you like the pure white sky."

"I'll drive away all the haze for you."

"If you like spring flowers and summer seas."

"I won't let winter come."

"Time, slow down."

"We haven't held hands yet."

"Time, don't stop."

"In a blink, we'll grow old together."

...

The new song was still a slow love song, making people feel like they wanted to fall in love right now.

Everyone listened intently, not noticing that Qin Xiaowei's gaze lingered on Lin Jichen as she sang.

When the new song ended, the room erupted in applause.

"That was amazing! This song is going to be a hit! I swear!"

"Yeah, Sister Xiaowei, you're going to be a superstar, I guarantee it!"

"I really admire girls who can sing."

"This song is so soothing."

...

Everyone started praising her.

Qin Xiaowei thanked them, but her eyes were on Lin Jichen.

Seeing that he hadn't said anything, she couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Lin, what do you think of my singing?"

Lin Jichen frowned and criticized, "Lack of confidence, unstable breath, inaccurate pronunciation, too reliant on throat power, no resonance from the chest cavity, and..."

Qin Xiaowei was stunned, and everyone else looked surprised.

Really? Could he find so many faults in such a beautiful song?

They thought it was already perfect.

After listing a bunch of flaws, Lin Jichen coughed and added, "Those were my singing problems. You have no issues, you sang beautifully."

Pfft~

Hahaha.

The girls burst into laughter.

Ren Lan couldn't help but punch Lin Jichen, laughing and scolding, "You're such a joker!"

Lin Jichen chuckled and stopped joking, "Sister Xiaowei, your song was really good. It made me want to fall in love."

As soon as he said that, all the girls present had a subtle change in their expressions.

Liu Xiazi and Yan Ruyu were fine; they knew they had no chance.

Liu Xiazi decided to gossip and asked Gu Qiuxue, "Sister Gu, are you Little Chen's sister? His real sister? What kind of girl do you like as your brother's girlfriend?"

This question made Ren Lan and Qin Xiaowei inexplicably nervous. They pretended to be calm but kept their eyes on Gu Qiuxue, waiting for her answer.

Gu Qiuxue blushed and explained, "You misunderstood. Although Little Chen and I are like siblings, our relationship is beyond the fifth degree of kinship, so we're not really siblings..."

Boom!

Ren Lan and Qin Xiaowei's minds went blank.

It felt like someone had hit them on the head, and their hearts tightened.

If they still didn't understand Gu Qiuxue's words, they would be fools.

Beyond the fifth degree of kinship meant they had no blood relation and could be together.

Combining this with Gu Qiuxue's attitude and the way she looked at Lin Jichen, how could they not understand?

They had always thought Gu Qiuxue was Lin Jichen's cousin, and her gaze was just a sister's affection for her brother.

Now that Gu Qiuxue revealed her identity, the meaning of that gaze changed instantly.

Right! How did they not think of it? Gu Qiuxue's surname was Gu, and Lin Jichen's surname was Lin. How could they be real cousins?

Ren Lan unconsciously bit her lip, looking at Gu Qiuxue sitting beside Lin Jichen, shy and timid, and Lin Jichen not refuting Gu Qiuxue's words at all.

She felt like her heart was being pricked by needles, a sharp pain.

Qin Xiaowei wasn't much better off. She had always thought that even with Ren Lan around, she still had a good chance.

But now, Gu Qiuxue's confession made her feel hopeless.

The expressions of both girls became subtle, and the atmosphere turned a bit silent.

Ren Lan sat back on the sofa, sulking.

Qin Xiaowei pretended to tune her guitar, keeping her head down.

"You jinx, you've caused trouble again!"

Yan Ruyu said to Liu Xiazi in exasperation.

Liu Xiazi, looking miserable, replied, "Cousin, I know. Why am I so unlucky..."

Proofreader & Editor: Lotas

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.