"Don't call me sister-in-law anymore, just call me 'sister,' call me Sister Xiaoyu." Wang Lei broke the silence first, and everyone realized they had been inappropriate and started laughing and joking again.

"What's going on?" Qin Xiaoyu held onto Tang Wenwen tightly, pressing her for an answer.

"Wang Lei begged me to bring you here; he fell in love with you at first sight," Tang Wenwen said with a grin.

"Stop it, I don't like puppies!" Qin Xiaoyu said irritably.

"What is a puppy?" Tang Wenwen asked, her curiosity piqued.

"In our time, the term for the man in a relationship between an older woman and a younger man was 'younger man dominant'."

"Hehe, this is so much fun. Wang Lei is such a cute puppy, he's two years younger than you. Sister-in-law, don't take it too seriously, just treat this as a relaxing trip." Tang Wenwen quickly pulled her back and persuaded her when she saw her about to leave.

The band was ready and began to perform.

Qin Xiaoyu and Tang Wenwen sat in the front row, watching the group of people clown around on stage.

Qin Xiaoyu remembered seeing a feature on the internet about music from the 1980s, mentioning the Holton Dance. Classic songs that were popular back then, like "Little Girl Under the Streetlight," have been covered in the 21st century. So when she heard the familiar melody, it felt like she had a little connection to her past life, and she felt inexplicably sad.

"Sister-in-law, what songs did you sing back then?"

"It's not quite the same as now, I can't really explain it, I can't sing."

"Why don't you sing one for us?"

Tang Wenwen clung to him like a piece of candy, and Qin Xiaoyu realized how terrifying girls in love were, like brainwashed idiots.

"I really can't sing. I can't sing a single song in its entirety," Qin Xiaoyu practically begged her.

"My sister-in-law wants to sing a song, please make room!" Tang Wenwen stood up and called out.

"Great! Sister Xiaoyu, come on stage!" Wang Lei started the commotion.

If it were the old-fashioned Master Qin in her work clothes at the barbershop, she wouldn't be very popular; the band members would only see her as Tang Wenwen's sister-in-law.

But Qin Xiaoyu is different today. She exudes an elegant classical beauty. Every smile and frown of hers can instantly make people lose their composure. Whatever she says is right. No matter what era it is, people judge others by their appearance.

Qin Xiaoyu tried to refuse, but they had already dragged her onto the stage without any explanation.

She then realized that the stage lights had been too bright, and she hadn't been able to see clearly that the person sitting behind the drum set was Zhou Xing. She panicked even more.

It was impossible for her to step down now. Qin Xiaoyu's mind went blank. She looked around blankly, hoping to find a lifeline.

She looked up, and the decorative lights in the room twinkled like stars. Suddenly, she remembered a line from a song: "The brightest star in the night sky."

By the way, this song was very popular in college. Once, during a talent show, the teacher organized a group performance of it. This should be the only song that we were able to sing from beginning to end. So, this is it.

"I need a table and a book," Qin Xiaoyu said, trying to recreate the scene, though she wasn't sure. Wang Lei, though puzzled, immediately granted her request.

"Do you need accompaniment?" Wang Lei asked in a low voice.

"No need, you don't know the songs I sing," Qin Xiaoyu said confidently.

"Ha, you underestimate me. I know a lot of songs."

"You really can't."

"Wang Lei, stop messing around! You really can't do it!" Tang Wenwen shouted. Wang Lei could only retreat from the stage dejectedly.

Qin Xiaoyu sat down under the spotlight, took a deep breath, picked up a book, and gently tapped the table to keep a rhythm.

The brightest star in the night sky,

Can you hear me clearly?

Those who look up

The loneliness and sighs in my heart.

The brightest star in the night sky,

Do you remember?

He once walked with me.

A figure that disappeared into the wind.

I pray to have a transparent heart.

And eyes that can shed tears,

Give me the courage to believe again.

Her singing voice rang out, delicate and soft, clearly untrained, without any technique or embellishment, yet pure and innocent, like a clear spring that strikes straight to the heart, clear and transparent, looking directly into the soul.

These people were all musicians with exceptional comprehension. Soon, some started clapping along, and one after another joined in, eventually creating a powerful chorus that didn't drown out Qin Xiaoyu's voice. Instead, it made her voice sound even more gentle and beautiful, just like her—thin, small, so lonely, yet so beautiful, making one want to protect her.

Whenever I can't find meaning in my existence,

Whenever I get lost in the darkness.

oh….

The brightest star in the night sky,

Please light my way forward.

After Qin Xiaoyu finished singing a song, her eyes were already glistening with tears. Memories of her past life flashed through her mind like a movie, and her heart began to ache dully again.

The audience erupted in applause, the highest praise for her. She forced a smile, tears welling in her eyes, but her gaze suddenly met Zhou Xing's. He stared at her intently, as if he didn't recognize her.

"Sister-in-law, you said you couldn't sing, but this is so beautiful!" Tang Wenwen, a sentimental girl, wiped away a tear from the corner of her eye.

"The voice is so-so, but the lyrics and melody are good. I've never heard of it before. Who sings it?" Zhou Xing said lazily, returning to his usual self.

"You wouldn't know him anyway, he's nothing special." Qin Xiaoyu wanted to retort as soon as she heard him speak, and she didn't hold back at all.

"Sister Xiaoyu, ignore him and sing another song?" Wang Lei quickly tried to smooth things over.

"I really won't."

"She's not a professional; her voice won't be able to take it if she sings too much." Zhou Xing was still lazy, but his words were still somewhat palatable, and no one forced Qin Xiaoyu anymore.

"To be honest, sister-in-law, you didn't sing very well, but you were very into it, which was inexplicably moving." Tang Wenwen spoke the truth, and Qin Xiaoyu wasn't angry; it was the truth.

The band members returned to the stage to sing, even more enthusiastically than before, especially Wang Xiaolei, who played the bass with incredible skill, as if he wanted to rush up to Qin Xiaoyu and perform for her alone.

Qin Xiaoyu gradually blended into the atmosphere, clapping, cheering, and whistling, as if she had returned to her student days, innocent and pure.

At this point, she was no longer a young widow with two children; she looked like a female student.

Musicians are naturally emotional, and after witnessing Qin Xiaoyu's transformation, they were all moved. Unconsciously, they all started calling her "Sister Xiaoyu" like Wang Lei, and refused to call her "Sister-in-law" anymore.

Time flew by, and in the evening, the group went out for dinner. Qin Xiaoyu refused, saying that she had already crossed the line today and that she was a person of principle who wouldn't go any further.

Tang Wenwen was originally going to take Qin Xiaoyu home, but she insisted on going to the barbershop to pick up her bicycle. The snow outside was already quite deep, and she was afraid she wouldn't be able to ride the bike tomorrow, but she couldn't persuade Qin Xiaoyu otherwise, so she had no choice but to take her back.

Master Wang had a free day and was knitting a sweater when he saw Qin Xiaoyu's rosy cheeks and excited eyes. He knew she was having a lot of fun, so he kept asking her what was going on.

"It's best to avoid these people. They're not from ordinary families. You never know if they can afford to play these games, but you can't."

Master Wang is a sensible man. Qin Xiaoyu smiled when she heard this, as it was exactly what she was thinking.