Chapter 114: Time Is a Butcher’s Knife

"A daughter married off is like water poured out." Or rather, as the saying goes, a grown daughter can no longer be kept at home. Between her mother and Su Tong, Gao Litong chose Su Tong without hesitation, sending her younger brother and sister to the Jinbi Garden residential complex, which was owned by her father's company.

Yang Feifei's villa was located right there.

It had to be said, among the many girls Su Tong knew, apart from Sister Yaya—well, although Sister Yaya had been out of school for over two years, Su Tong still thought of her as a girl, just a bit of a "big sister" type—Su Tong considered Gao Litong to be the type most suitable to be a wife. She was pure and pretty, simple-minded, and had a kind of endearing, silly charm.

Such a wife was a blessing; a woman who was too shrewd would only exhaust a man.

"I want to be a big star, to earn lots and lots of money—hundreds of millions a year—so that I can be worthy of you. That's why there’s a purpose to me hanging out with a big star like Yang Feifei. I help her write songs, and she provides me with connections. Don't worry, with her temper, how could I ever fancy her? Even if she offered hundreds of millions in a dowry, I wouldn't want her." Su Tong felt a bit guilty; coaxing Gao Litong was like coaxing a child, and the most important thing was that she actually believed him.

"I wasn't worried at all. You can be with whoever you want." Gao Litong was thin-skinned, and her face flushed instantly.

In the past, her feelings for Su Tong were simple, free from any domestic interference. That was why she hadn't wanted him to be in the limelight. But once her mother got involved, she realized that if Su Tong were merely a small-time streamer or writer, the meager money he earned would never catch her mother's eye.

Consequently, her perspective shifted. If Su Tong wanted to shine, let him shine. In any case, other women could look, but they couldn't touch—he was still hers.

"Go tell your mom that the foreman called again—another truckload has arrived. I have to go lay some bricks and work hard to earn enough to marry you; I don't have time to come to your house." Su Tong took Gao Litong's delicate hand in his. Her skin was smooth and soft, and for a moment, Su Tong felt as though he were holding a whole world in his grasp. It was too wonderful.

After parting, Gao Litong naturally wasn't foolish enough to repeat Su Tong's exact words to her mother when she got home. She forgot whatever she was supposed to say because she was so incredibly happy; as soon as she finished, she ran off to play video games with her sister.

At the entrance of the villa complex, the three Su siblings met Xiao Jie, who led them to Yang Feifei's villa.

As soon as they entered, Su Tong saw Yang Feifei storming down the stairs, looking furious. However, upon seeing Xiao Yu and Xiaoxiao, she proved herself a true award-winning actress; her expression changed faster than turning a page. She smiled, pulled the two sisters over, and treated them like precious treasures.

Lin Yin was also happy. Girls loved fluffy, cute things, and Xiaoxiao, with her delicate, porcelain-doll features, was very endearing.

Xiaoxiao’s large eyes were filled with curiosity and wonder as she looked around. What a beautiful house, and what a beautiful big sister!

Xiao Yu was ten years old. Unlike the ignorant and fearless Xiaoxiao, she was cautious and quiet in front of strangers. Still, the luxury and beauty of Yang Feifei's villa made her feel nervous and reserved.

The surprise and joy in her big eyes were impossible to hide, which made Su Tong’s heart ache.

"We'll have a place like this in the future, too," Su Tong said, pulling Xiao Yu aside. "Do you believe in your big brother?"

Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up, and she nodded firmly.

"Don't be afraid. Just treat this place like our own home. It wouldn't matter if you accidentally broke a few of her vases. It would be even better if we tricked Xiaoxiao later into catching the fish in her tank so we could grill them," Su Tong chuckled.

Just as he finished speaking, he noticed Sister Yaya standing beside him with a smile.

"You shouldn't teach children like that." Sister Yaya pulled Xiao Yu away and said to Su Tong, "You and Lin Yin go to the music room. Feifei will look after the two sisters, and I’ll go with Xiao Jie to prepare dinner."

The music room was on the first floor, a spacious area with a large rectangular mirror covering one wall, making it look even bigger. It was also suitable for dance practice.

"A piano, a guitar... this is great!" Su Tong was pleasantly surprised by the equipment. As expected of the wealthy; whether it was the apartment in the Imperial Capital or the villa in the coastal city, they were fully stocked with musical instruments.

"Sister Yin, you're in luck. The main instruments for the accompaniment of this song are piano and guitar, and both are here," Su Tong said excitedly. He had loved this song in his previous life; it was sung by the "Cow Coffee" band.

It was titled *The Older I Get, The Lonelier I Become*.

Su Tong had listened to both the early version and the version recorded several years later. It had made him feel so melancholy at the time. In the early version, the voice was raw, innocent, and pure. Years later, she had "grown up," shedding that innocence and blossoming into maturity, though she had likely been "plucked" countless times by then.

Time is a cruel butcher's knife.

"Xiao Tong, did you really write a good song for me?" Lin Yin was pleasantly surprised. She and Su Tong had no prior connection, yet Su Tong’s songs were all gems—classics for nursery rhymes and classics for inspiration.

"Of course. I tailored it specifically for you. I even gossiped with Sister Feifei to ask about your past relationships for this," Su Tong said. He walked over to the piano, sat on the round stool, and pulled two sheets of paper from his pocket, handing them to Lin Yin.

Finally, she was going to have her first song, written by the most mysterious figure in the industry, Nian Nujiao. Lin Yin excitedly took the papers, unable to wait as she looked at the lyrics and sheet music.

Lin Yin wasn't a professional singer, so she looked at the lyrics before checking the music.

*"Years later,*
*You return to my side,*
*Insecurity fills your weary eyes.*
*Look at me,*
*And tell me,*
*Do you still believe in fairy tales?*
*You once told me every heart is lonely,*
*Every heart is fragile and longs to be touched,*
*But your heart is burning forever,*
*Never retreating.*
*The older I get, the lonelier I become,*
*The older I get, the more uneasy I feel.*
*I have to watch the wings of my dreams be broken,*
*I have to take back the words I once said and ask myself,*
*Where have your innocent eyes gone?*
*..."*

As she read, Lin Yin fell silent. The lyrics struck a chord and brought tears to her eyes.

She turned and looked back at herself growing up. It was no longer easy to find friends to walk alongside her as it once was. Having experienced the trials of the world and suffered so many wounds, not just her, but everyone wrapped themselves up tightly, afraid to open their hearts again, making themselves lonelier and more isolated.

This song, *The Older I Get, The Lonelier I Become*, was the most helpless sigh from the depths of her heart.

Family, friendship, love—one by one, they were lost in the process of growing up.

"Xiao Tong, I’m not sure if I can sing it accurately just by looking at the music. Could you sing it once for me?" Lin Yin looked at him with anticipation. She felt that not only were the lyrics perfectly suited to life, but the melody was also beautiful—a kind of beautiful, bone-chilling sadness.

Su Tong shook his head and said solemnly, "Sister Yin, if I sing it, you might not be able to sing it well later."

"Why?" Lin Yin asked, puzzled, but she understood quickly.

That was true. Su Tong’s singing ability had once been described as divine by Yang Feifei’s music production team, who believed few in the Chinese music scene could surpass him.

Su Tong was a typical powerhouse performer, yet also a typical idol-tier talent. If he really entered the entertainment industry, he would immediately become the new generation's heartthrob, sweeping across the entire Great Qin Empire.

Whatever pretty-boy trends or newcomer sensations there were, they would all have to step aside.

"I’m not afraid that you don't know the goods, I'm afraid of comparing the goods," Su Tong laughed. "Actually, it’s fine if I sing it. Just be mentally prepared, Sister Yin. You’ve only just entered the music scene. Recognize your own position; don't compare yourself to me or those singers who have been immersed in the industry for decades. Your voice is very special, and you have a good ear. With hard work, you’ll be a powerhouse singer. In short: be neither humble nor arrogant, neither proud nor impatient; be confident, but not conceited."

Lin Yin's beautiful eyes lit up, and she spoke in a voice so sweet it was almost cloying: "Xiao Tong, you’re amazing! You can talk, sing, and write. I worship you, mua!"

Su Tong smiled. Having been trained by god-tier teachers in the system space for years, and being naturally gifted himself, the system would have abandoned him long ago if he weren't excellent.

"I’ll play it once. I won't sing; you follow along and sing slowly," Su Tong said to Lin Yin, then sat up straight, placing his hands on the keys.