Chapter 76: Chapter 76: Solid Support

「Around 4:00 PM, at Starlight Avenue KTV near Binhai University.」

“The ocean laughs, waves crash on both shores…”

In a small private room, Yan Feifan held the microphone, singing a heroic martial arts classic with great passion.

Xiao Man and Tian Yu, hearing Yan Feifan sing for the first time, were so shocked their mouths hung wide open, jaws nearly hitting the floor.

Yan Feifan’s singing was just too…

It was pure caterwauling.

The song had only five notes in its scale, but Yan Feifan somehow managed to sing seven.

At first, you could tell he was singing “A Sound of Laughter in the Vast Sea,” but upon closer listening, not a single word was on key.

The problem was, judging by his expression and body language, he was singing with incredible earnestness, passion, and enjoyment.

Tian Yu leaned her head closer to Yan Ziruo and whispered, “Ruoruo, is Mr. Yan in a bad mood? Is he singing like this on purpose to vent?”

Yan Ziruo chuckled. “How could that be? This is Feifan’s signature masterpiece.”

“This is actually one of his better performances.”

“This is him performing *well*?” Tian Yu’s expression was a little strange.

Yan Ziruo put an arm around Tian Yu and gave her a little shake. “What’s the matter? Feeling that heartbreak of a fallen idol, the halo shattering into a million pieces?”

She explained, “Feifan, well, he’s naturally musically inept. Completely tone-deaf.”

“He even once explained it to me in a very serious manner…”

“He said his condition is medically known as amusia.”

“Apparently, it affects about 4% of the population.”

Yan Ziruo thought for a moment before continuing, “Feifan said amusia is caused by some kind of lesion in the anterior part of the frontal lobe of the brain’s left hemisphere. It causes a partial or complete loss of the ability to recognize musical notes, as well as to sing, play, or appreciate music.”

This explanation brought a look of realization to Xiao Man’s and Tian Yu’s faces.

Tian Yu’s face filled with sympathy. “No wonder Mr. Yan’s singing is so awful. It turns out he has amusia.”

She added with a hint of blame in her voice, “Ruoruo, since you know Mr. Yan can’t sing, why did you drag him to KTV?”

“We could have found other ways to help him blow off steam!”

Yan Ziruo smiled. “Xiaoyu, Reporter Xiao, singing is actually a special tradition for my brother and me.”

“In the past, whenever something really good or really bad happened, we’d come to KTV and sing our hearts out for two or three hours.”

“Trust me, coming to KTV is absolutely the best way for Feifan to sort out his feelings.”

Just then, Yan Feifan finished his song.

Yan Ziruo shot up and yelled, “Feifan, my turn, my turn! The next song is my specialty.”

“Reporter Xiao, Xiaoyu, please enjoy my rendition of ’Courage’…”

As Yan Ziruo began to sing the first line with deep emotion, Tian Yu and Xiao Man couldn’t help but exchange a look.

’Oh, great. They really are siblings, through and through. When it comes to singing, it’s six of one and half a dozen of the other. The brother can turn five notes into seven, and the sister can turn seven notes into five…’

Yan Feifan came over and sat down next to Xiao Man and Tian Yu. He picked up a bottle of mineral water from the coffee table, twisted it open, and took a sip.

“Your ears must be suffering, huh?”

Tian Yu quickly shook her head, telling a blatant lie, “No, no, actually, Mr. Yan, you sing quite well.”

“Ruoruo sings well, too. She’s also pretty good.”

Yan Feifan chuckled softly. “My sister and I always thought we were great singers.”

“Then one day, someone who couldn’t stand it anymore finally told us that we were terrible singers and completely tone-deaf.”

“That’s when I learned…”

Yan Feifan said, a little embarrassed, “Our condition is a form of amusia. We’re naturally tone-deaf, sing terribly, and not only are we unaware of it, but we actually love to perform.”

“After that, it’s basically just been my sister and me coming to sing by ourselves.”

Tian Yu said sympathetically, “Mr. Yan, I don’t mind that your singing is awful. I’m willing to be your loyal audience.”

Yan Feifan reached out and flicked her on the nose, chuckling. “How could I subject just you to this torture?”

He looked at Xiao Man and said, “Mrs. Man, the money for the cochlear implant has been raised.”

“It’s just the follow-up auditory and speech therapy…”

Xiao Man said softly, “I’ve already thought about that.”

“I know a family. They’re very good people.”

Xiao Man explained, “They were originally a DINK (Dual Income, No Kids) family. They wanted to have children later on but were never successful, so they just let nature take its course.”

“I’ll go sound them out in the next day or two, see if they’re willing to adopt the little girl.”

Yan Feifan said hopefully, “If we could find a good adoptive family for that little girl, that would be the best possible outcome.”

Xiao Man added her own wish, “Let’s hope this wonderful thing goes smoothly…”

With the Yan siblings having set such a “high” bar, Xiao Man and Tian Yu completely let loose. Their singing was also a mess of off-key notes and strange sounds.

For a while, the small private room was filled with joyous fun.

After singing for two hours, the group had dinner at a nearby restaurant. They had planned to see Tian Yu off on the subway home.

Unexpectedly, the little one absolutely refused to go back. She said the house was too big and that with her there, Mr. Yan wouldn’t feel so lonely.

As for school the next day, Tian Yu swore up and down that she would get up early and take the subway, promising not to be late.

Having no other choice, the Yan siblings had to take her back to Zuimo Court. They also invited Xiao Man to come over and hang out for a bit.

Xiao Man gladly accepted the invitation.

Yan Feifan and Tian Yu rode in Yan Ziruo’s brand-new, grape-purple Audi A3 that she had just picked up today. Xiao Man followed behind in her MG, and they all arrived back at Zuimo Court in just a few minutes…

“The environment in this complex is really nice. A lot of the residents are prominent doctors from the Affiliated Hospital, professors from Binhai University, or rich CEOs.”

In the elevator, Yan Ziruo explained to Xiao Man with a sigh, “The housing prices are ridiculously high, over one hundred thousand per square meter.”

“The problem is, even at this price, you can’t buy one even if you wanted to.”

Xiao Man chuckled. “That’s what you call paying a fortune for good neighbors and a good school district.”

“Living here means you get the whole package: Binhai University’s affiliated kindergarten, elementary school, and middle school.”

“As long as you’re not an idiot, getting into Binhai University in the future is a simple matter.”

“A one-time investment for a lifetime of benefits.”

Yan Ziruo clapped her brother on the shoulder and declared, “Dearest brother, whether my future kids and your future kids can enjoy this all-in-one education package is all up to you!”

Yan Feifan shot her a look, not wanting to engage.

Just then, the elevator doors opened.

The scene before them left the Yan siblings stunned.

Outside the elevator stood at least ten or twenty people.

And they were all familiar faces from Happiness Garden.

There were Tian Yu’s parents, their next-door neighbors Mr. Ge and Mr. He, and Mrs. Yang, Mrs. Chen, Mr. Liang, and Mr. Hao, who often exercised in the small garden at Xingfu Garden District.

Just then, a small toddler stumbled towards them.

Yan Feifan recognized him as the little one who had been choking the day before and quickly picked him up.

Mr. Ge said loudly, “Feifan, there’s no obstacle you can’t overcome. We neighbors are all your staunchest supporters.”

Mr. Tian also chimed in, “That’s right, Xiaoyan. If you need anything, just say the word.”

Yan Feifan glanced at Tian Yu and saw her hiding guiltily behind his sister.

He hurriedly explained, “There’s really nothing wrong with me. It’s all this girl Xiaoyu spouting nonsense and exaggerating things…”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep