Chapter 68 Su Chen’s Version of “Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies”

“This place feels so familiar!”

Su Chen was left speechless at her words.

She’d said the same thing again.

Who knew how many times it had been.

“I really have seen this place before!”

Noticing Su Chen’s expression, the girl hurried to explain herself.

“It’s just that I can’t quite remember right now. Let me think… Let me think…”

Su Chen smiled and said to her, “Don’t worry about it, I was just asking.”

But the girl was persistent.

“Can I take a picture of it with my phone?”

She’d seen how old and worn the photo had become in Su Chen’s hands, and guessed it must be precious. It didn’t feel right to keep holding onto it, scrutinizing every detail. Yet she desperately wanted to prove she really had seen this place before. So she made this rather presumptuous request.

Su Chen hesitated for a moment, but eventually nodded.

There was no one in the photo, only a house. He didn’t mind too much.

After she’d taken the picture, the girl quieted down. She kept staring at her phone, glancing this way and that, furrowing her brow in thought, scratching her head in confusion—a somewhat adorable sight.

By now, the performances on the stage had begun.

“Hello everyone, welcome to our Masquerade Concert!”

“This is a stage fueled by passion!”

“Here, there are no hierarchies, no differences in singing skill!”

“Anyone can put on a mask and sing out for their dreams!”

The emcee’s opening remarks instantly ignited the atmosphere.

“Woohoo!”

Swept up in the excitement, the audience started to cheer.

At most bars, there are usually fixed singers or bands performing. Many customers just sit quietly and listen, with hardly any expectations about what songs will be sung. Especially for regulars, it’s hard to feel anything new.

But this stage was full of surprises!

It drew out the emotions of everyone present. And being outdoors, with the crowd swelling, the energy was incredible!

Su Chen joined in the cheering a few times, then glanced back to see the girl still wrestling with the photo, making him a little helpless.

“It’s fine, if you can’t remember, don’t force it.”

“No rush, the show’s started!”

But the girl shook her head and kept studying the picture.

Su Chen could only give a wry smile.

He wasn’t the one fixated on it, but he’d dragged this girl into his own web of obsession.

Soon, the first singer took the stage.

She wore a fox mask.

Even though it was night, she’d donned a full set of Han-style clothing for the occasion. Paired with the mask, she gave off a whimsical, fantasy-like aura.

Judging by her outfit, was she going to sing “White Fox”? Su Chen wondered privately.

But the moment she began to sing, he nearly lost his composure!

“Your goodnight is a reflexive kindness, I stay up late to heal sleepless dreams, That handwritten letter stays at the bottom of my suitcase, I never got to give it meaning for the journey…”

It was “Mist Turns to Rain.”

Seriously? Was this how it was going to be? Then what was the point of the costume?

As soon as she started, the audience burst out laughing as well.

Clearly, many had the same thought as Su Chen.

But the girl on stage seemed to relish the surprise her choice brought, waving her right hand in greeting to the crowd!

What a character!

Still, to be fair, she sang quite well.

Other than her mismatched attire, there was nothing to criticize. At the very least, she was a karaoke queen!

When the song ended, applause thundered from the audience.

Interactive moments sprang up across the crowd.

The place was truly buzzing now.

The second contestant was a guy in a bull mask, reminiscent of the Demon King from old tales.

He sang an old classic by the superstar Lu Yuanqing.

He seemed steady enough, but when he opened his mouth, the performance was downright painful.

Tone-deaf and still brave enough to go up there?

Many audience members who’d been hesitant about going on stage themselves began to feel emboldened.

Since it wasn’t an official competition, there was no registration deadline. You just had to sign up and wait your turn.

Several people began heading toward the sign-up area.

“Hey! Stop worrying about it, I’m about to go on stage!”

After a few more performances, Su Chen softly reminded the girl next to him.

He realized she really could be stubborn!

Convincing her was pointless, and saying more was useless!

Hearing Su Chen’s words, the girl finally lifted her head, eyes still dazed as if she’d just woken from a dream.

When her pupils refocused, she asked in confusion, “You’re going up?”

“Good luck!”

She pumped her fist in encouragement.

Su Chen, infected by her enthusiasm, punched his own fist in the air.

“Let’s welcome contestant number twelve, who will be singing ‘Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies’ for us!”

As the host finished the announcement, chatter rippled through the crowd.

“Whoa! He dares to sing that? That song’s tough!”

“Yeah, I’ve tried it at karaoke and couldn’t keep up, my voice cracked halfway through!”

“What’s so hard about it? At worst, he’s still better than number two!”

“Haha, you can’t be sure!”

“I hope he does it justice and doesn’t ruin one of my favorite songs!”

A mellow cello note floated out.

Amidst the hubbub, Su Chen walked to the center of the stage.

Looking out at the sea of faces, he was filled with emotion.

Here, in this world, he was finally standing before an audience with a perfect voice.

In that instant, countless images flashed through his mind.

In his past life, being eliminated from a talent show, forcing back tears as he walked out the doors.

Waiting three hours at a film set for a boxed lunch, just for a bit part.

Being evicted by his landlord for unpaid rent…

“I once doubted myself, Walking in the desert, Never bearing fruit, No matter what dreams I’d sown…”

Wait—

This…

Unlike Luo Jiaxing’s soaring rendition, Su Chen’s voice began with a hint of hoarseness, like someone at a low point pouring out helplessness.

His singing seemed to have a kind of magic, stirring up everyone’s memories.

In that moment, the crowd below was as if under a spell—frozen in place, goosebumps rising all over.

Every eye was fixed on the Monkey King standing on stage, as if trying to see through his mask to his true face.

Who was he?

Why did he sing so well?

Could he be a famous singer?

People always said the Masquerade Concert was full of hidden talent, and tonight it seemed true—a real stroke of luck to be here!

He could rival the original artist!

The girl who’d dragged Su Chen over to sign up could only stare in shock at his figure on stage, as if he were shrouded in dazzling light.

He…

How could he sing so beautifully?

She’d only thought he was easy on the eyes and wanted to get to know him better, never expecting she’d pulled in a king!

“Luckily, I never looked back, Finally discovering, there truly is an oasis. Every drop of sweat makes life richer. Only by leaving sadness behind can you see a new universe…”

Su Chen’s voice grew clearer and more powerful.

In the depths of despair, he hadn’t given up—instead, he kept moving forward.

At last, he broke through the clouds and found the light!

Unlike the lively atmosphere of earlier performers, the audience was now completely silent.

Except for some onlookers at the perimeter whispering in confusion, there wasn’t a sound near the stage.

The speakers boomed; patrons from nearby bars stood up, drawn over by the music, curious to see what was happening.

“Boundless oceans, vast skies after courage, With persistence, break the chains of fate. Cold-hearted people, thank you for seeing me clearly, For making me unbowed, living more splendidly…”

Here, Su Chen’s voice soared to its peak, bright and uplifting!

It was as if one could see all the strivers out there, pouring their hearts into breaking through obstacles, forging ahead through adversity!

Facing the future’s challenges, utterly unafraid!

A lonely kind of strength!

“Boundless oceans, after storms and tempests, Turning back, laughing off past sorrows, Those who know me best, thank you for silently staying by my side, For giving me stories worth telling…”

He performed the unburdened spirit atop the summit to perfection.

As the song ended, Su Chen let out a long breath.