You didn’t accept my confession, why are you crying because I changed my mind?
Chapter 33 - I Don’t Want to be Famous!

Chapter 33: I Don’t Want to be Famous!

She had truly been frightened at first.

She thought this guy might be a bad person, but then he had protected her.

So, Feng Siruo didn’t have a bad impression of him.

And now, she heard he was going to sing a song he wrote himself.

Feng Siruo’s curiosity was instantly piqued.

At the same time, Jiang Zhou stepped up to the front of the room.

He held the microphone and slowly immersed himself in the mood.

The practice room instantly fell silent. Everyone was waiting for him to begin.

Jiang Zhou slowly closed his eyes.

Then, a calm but emotional voice suddenly rang out, “Along the way, walking and stopping, following the traces of a drifting youth.

“Just before stepping out of the station, I suddenly hesitated.

“Couldn’t help but laugh at this fear of coming home, yet it’s unavoidable.

“And the skies over Nagano, Are still so warm, The wind stirred up the past…”

As the melody played, everyone in the practice room was stunned.

Is this a narrative-style song?

And the tone was rather upbeat.

But it felt like they could see the imagery within the lyrics.

In a vast countryside, along a muddy path where wind brushed the wheat…

A young man stop off a train slowly.

He returned to his childhood hometown. Everything was both familiar and unfamiliar.

But now that he’s here, he’s hesitant to move forward.

At that moment, a breeze sweeps under the clear blue sky, carrying the warmth of sunlight, and the scent of soil.

The breeze brushed his face.

In an instant, the young man seems to be transported back to the past.

So that’s what the title means.

“The Wind Rises” — what a perfect name.

“Back when I first met this world, I was endlessly enchanted.

“Gazing at the distant sky like it was right before my eyes.

“Willing to walk through fire and water, just to experience it all.

“Now, after walking through this world, with endless attachment, I look back over the changing faces of time.

“And suddenly, you appear in my memory, smiling.”

When everyone heard this verse, their emotions were stirred.

If the first part painted pictures, then this part sang about the heart.

The young version of himself longed for the world outside.

He thought it was vast and free.

So even if it meant walking through fire, he wanted to go out and experience it.

His homeland couldn’t keep this traveler from setting off.

Just like how winter can’t keep the wild geese from flying south.

He traveled the world and finally returned to the place he started.

Recalling the people and memories he’d seen along the way…

And suddenly, a smile broke into his memory.

Everyone took a deep breath, their eyes lit with amazement.

A song with such storytelling, what kind of chorus would it have?

But then came the worry…

Because the first half was already so good.

They didn’t want to hear a weak chorus ruin it.

Just then, Jiang Zhou looked toward Feng Siruo.

At the same time, his voice rose powerfully, “I was once entranced by the vastness of the world, Drowned in the dreams spoken within it.

“I didn’t question truth from lies, I didn’t resist, I didn’t fear being laughed at!

“I once poured all my youth into her, Strummed the height of summer with my fingertips. “Wherever the heart leads, let fate take me there.

“I’ll walk against the light, Let the wind and rain fall as they may.”

Hearing this, everyone was struck with goosebumps.

He had once yearned so deeply for the world, so much that it consumed him.

The visions others painted of it were like dreams.

So he didn’t care about truth or lies. He set off anyway.

He later experienced love and all the highs and lows of life.

He grew tougher, more mature.

People’s mouths hung slightly open in awe.

This song… is deep.

But the story wasn’t over yet.

Jiang Zhou continued to sing, “This short road, walking and stopping, has left some distance between us.

“I don’t know if I’m touching a story or a feeling.

“Maybe what I’ve longed for all along… was just to defy time.

“Seeing you again, in the cool morning light,  smiling so sweetly…

“I was once entranced by the vastness of the world,  drowned in the dreams spoken within it.

“I didn’t question truth from lies, I didn’t resist, I didn’t fear being laughed at!

“I once poured all my youth into her, strummed the height of summer with my fingertips.

“Wherever the heart leads, let fate take me there.

“I’ll walk against the light, Let the wind and rain fall as they may.”

At this moment, Jiang Zhou was still looking at Feng Siruo.

This made the shy Feng Siruo lower her head.

Meanwhile, everyone else in the practice room was completely immersed.

The two verses told the story of a traveler returning home.

It was complete, and deeply meaningful.

But… is that it?

Both students and teachers were left wanting more.

Even if the song ended here, it would already be a masterpiece.

But for some reason, they felt there should be more.

And sure enough, Jiang Zhou’s voice did not stop.

In this moment, it became even more gentle.

“The evening breeze stirs the white strands at your temples, soothing the scars left by memory.

“In your eyes, the light and shadow mingle — a smile blossoms.

“Dusk hides your faltering steps, As you walk into the painting hidden by the bedside.

“In that painting, You’re speaking softly with your head bowed…

“I still marvel at the vastness of the world, and am drunk on the sweet nothings of childhood.

“Truth or lies no longer matter. No more struggle, no fear of ridicule.

“I’ve finally returned my youth to her, along with that summer strummed by my fingers.

“Wherever the heart leads, let the wind carry me.

“In the name of love, are you still willing?”

As the song reached its end, everyone seemed to awaken from a dream.

From childhood to old age, finally returning to the self.

Like a traveler who’s wandered half a lifetime, but returns as a boy again.

Yet the goosebumps on everyone’s arms still hadn’t faded.

That lingering resonance had burrowed into their hearts.

Only after a long silence did people open their eyes, filled with shock.

Jiang Zhou paused a moment, then said, “Everyone, cherish those in front of you.

“Walk your path well.

“Even if a strong wind rises, never give up.”

As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted in the room.

Countless eyes stared at him, full of admiration and awe.

To write a song like that, this guy is a genius!

“Bring me the program list!” the female teacher suddenly stood up and called over the person in charge of scheduling.

Then she turned to Jiang Zhou. “What’s your name again?”

“Jiang Zhou. Jiang as in the Yangtze River, Zhou as in a small boat.”

“I’m Yu Manzhu, the director of this performance. You don’t get stage fright, do you?”

“Reporting to Teacher Yu. I don’t.”

“Good. Then I want you to close the show with this song.” Yu Manzhu pushed up her glasses. “Kid, you’re going to be famous.”

Hearing that, Jiang Zhou froze.

Wait, I don’t want to be famous!

I’m just here to flirt with my wife!

What if the whole school’s girls fall in love with me?

Teacher, can we please discuss this?

Can I sing something else?

How about Our Village Folks?

Or maybe Learn to Meow?

Just anything, don’t make me famous!

But before he could say anything, the teacher had already left the rehearsal room, full of excitement.

Meanwhile, Xu Wen’s eyes were filled with despair.

She knew that she had been replaced.

No one would pay attention to her anymore.

Even she had been drunk on that song.