"I definitely don't know them, but I should have heard of them."

Who is it?

"Yang Sisi... is the girl that Cao Xiaobei really likes."

"Oh... so what's your relationship with that?"

"I came to Dali in her car back then."

"Wow, this relationship is quite close!"

I looked at Nicole, then picked up my glass and took a big gulp. The spicy taste stimulated my taste buds and my mood.

...

After a moment of silence, I spoke to Nicole again because of the awkward atmosphere: "Given our relationship, could you give me some special treatment? ...Sing me a song."

"No problem." Nicole readily picked up the guitar from the table and asked, "What song do you want to hear?"

I subconsciously recalled that melody that lingered in my heart, and I said to her in a low voice, "Can you sing Wang Feng's 'Goodbye 20th Century'?"

"I would, but singing this during the Lunar New Year is a bit too sad."

"It's quite fitting, he was saying goodbye to the 20th century, and we are about to say goodbye to this eventful year..." After a slight pause, I smiled and said, "Singing a song that can express one's state of mind, even if it's a bit bitter, can also help one to clear one's mind, right?"

Nicole insisted, "Then I won't sing either."

I smiled helplessly and said, "Your voice is yours, and the guitar is in your hands. I really can't force you to do this... So just find a song you're willing to sing."

Nicole strummed the guitar strings as she thought for a moment, then said to me, "Wang Feng is a big name in the music industry, and besides sad songs, he also has some upbeat ones... How about I play you a cheerful one?"

"Come on."

Nicole struck a pose, as if the stool she was sitting on was a stage, and then said with great ceremony, "I'd like to dedicate a song by Wang Feng, 'You Go Your Way,' to our dear Mr. Michael in the audience... I wish him a clean and refreshing new year. Right now, he's carrying too much of a mental burden... I don't like that."

Nicole sings: "The philosophies about life and death have made me dizzy, the memories of joy and sorrow have also weighed on my heart; now I just like simplicity, directness, and ease, just as loving you is my central nervous system; you go your way, and I go your way; when I stopped, I finally understood this truth; you go your way, and I go your way, when I looked into the distance, I finally understood this mystery; Leonard once wrote these words to awaken me, and perhaps he is here in beautiful Dali in autumn right now..."

When I heard the lyrics related to Dali, I realized why Nicole insisted on singing this song to me. The Dali in the lyrics is a reflection of myself, who is neither simple nor easy. She hoped to have this opportunity to awaken me and teach me to enjoy life from a different perspective.

I understand her intentions, and in the two completely different songs, I saw the multifaceted nature of life... Yes, no one remains unchanged. And behind pain, perhaps, lies happiness.

...

As I was experiencing all of this, Nicole's phone on the table suddenly vibrated. I saw it was a WeChat message, but I didn't know if it was a reply from Ye Zhi.