Listening to music, singing, practicing songs, writing songs—he had learned all of these in the music club.

Everyone present understood music. As Ethan Brooks wrote out the composition and lyrics, all of them gasped in astonishment.

"This... this..."

"This song..."

"Teacher Bai Li, could you..."

Shawn Anderson even looked at Ethan Brooks with a faint trace of longing in his eyes.

"You are not suited for this song."

Ethan Brooks said.

Shawn Anderson thought for a moment, then finally sighed with deep regret.

"Everyone, get used to it, and then let's start recording."

"Alright."

The group couldn't wait to familiarize themselves with the melody.

Off to the side, Grace Brooks watched in a bit of a daze. Was her little brother really this amazing?

Even Shawn Anderson, who was now among the ranks of top singers, was so out of sorts?

...

Lunchtime arrived.

But...

Not a single person mentioned eating.

Three hours later.

Ethan Brooks stood in front of the microphone, memories of that dim and bleak life flowing through his mind one by one.

The melody began.

"I once crossed mountains and seas, and also passed through seas of people. I once had everything, but in the blink of an eye, it all drifted away like smoke. I once was lost, disappointed, lost all direction, until I realized that ordinariness is the only answer. I once destroyed everything I had, just wanting to leave forever. I once fell into endless darkness, struggling but unable to escape. I once was like you, like him, like those wild grasses and wildflowers—despairing, yearning, crying and laughing, living an ordinary life..."

Silence.

Utter silence.

As Ethan Brooks's voice faded, the recording studio was enveloped in quiet. Everyone was lost in the life painted by this song, unable to come back to themselves for a long time.

"Once, ah..."

Ethan Brooks sighed in his heart: "So, in this life, I want to be an all-around excellent student, worthy of those who were heartbroken and disappointed in me, to live an ordinary life, practice martial arts, read books, listen to music, sing songs, love life, love beauty, enjoy being alive... Anyone who tries to disturb my peaceful life, who makes me feel fear or panic, must die."

Shawn Anderson kept his eyes closed for a long while before opening them again.

He looked at Ethan Brooks and said solemnly, "Teacher Bai Li, in the future, if you have any songs that suit me, please be sure to contact me."

Earlier, when he called him "Teacher Bai Li," it was just a polite phrase, but now, these four words were spoken with genuine sincerity.

"I will."

Ethan Brooks replied.

Meanwhile, in the control room, a middle-aged man in his thirties or forties also walked out: "I'm a music enthusiast. In the future, if Teacher Bai Li has any songs to record, you can come directly to me. As long as the quality reaches this level... no, even if it's only half as good, I, Edward Harris, will record it for free. Even if you want to release it, I can have my big brother Robert Harris help out."

"Then I'll be counting on you in the future."

Ethan Brooks said.

He had watched many TV dramas before and paid attention to many characters, but what impressed him most was not those characters, but...

The background music that accompanied their appearances.

Since he wanted to enjoy life, this could also be a small goal.

Having your own theme music when you appear...

No, that's not right—it should be a portable music player.

...

"Little brother, there's no future in practicing martial arts."

This was already the fourth time Grace Brooks had said this after leaving Edward Harris's house.

Even if Grace Brooks couldn't tell the quality of a song, from the attitudes of Shawn Anderson, Edward Harris, and the others, she could tell that her little brother was clearly suited for the path of a literary youth.

"Alright, it's getting late. We're not going back today. Let's find a place to stay and take a look around Sumen City."

Ethan Brooks didn't argue with her about this topic.

"You should think about it too."

Grace Brooks pressed on relentlessly.

"I will think about it."

"Think about it seriously."

Grace Brooks said firmly.

Then she took Ethan Brooks to the city center and got a room near the bus station. After all, they were siblings, so sharing a room was no big deal.

After settling in, Ethan Brooks found an excuse to separate from Grace Brooks.

Checking the time...

Six in the evening. In August, there was still some time before it got dark.

"Jiang Martial Arts School..."

Recalling the route he had checked last night, Ethan Brooks boarded the No. 2 bus.

Chapter 0008 Double Kill

The Jiang family rose to prominence at the very beginning of the Kingdom of Xiya's independence, with the three Jiang brothers carving out a place for themselves in Sumen City, earning the title "The Three Heroes of Jiang."

In recent years, the three Jiang brothers began to go legit, founding the Jiang Martial Arts School. The school does not openly recruit students, but has more than a dozen nominal disciples, each a prominent figure in Sumen City's underworld. The head of the school, Adam Carter, also serves as a special advisor to Sumen City's judicial team.

Ethan Brooks walked toward the Jiang Martial Arts School.

Though called a martial arts school, it was actually a residence located in an alley in the old city center.

Anyone going to the residence had to pass through a sixty-meter-long alley. Strangers passing through would be scrutinized with a watchful gaze.

Just like now, as Ethan Brooks approached, two loafing men at the entrance of a karaoke bar at the mouth of the alley stared at him for quite a while, their gaze like they were looking at a plaything, making one feel very uncomfortable.