Hearing someone tell her to wait, Yan Qi paused in surprise and turned toward the source of the voice.
There, she saw a middle-aged man standing with an apologetic expression.
“Uncle, why did you suddenly ask me to wait?”
Yan Zhenyi and Li Caifeng, who had also heard the man’s voice, turned to look at him, their faces showing mild confusion.
Feeling the gazes of the family of three on him, the middle-aged man quickly explained, not wanting to be misunderstood.
“Little girl, I asked you to wait because I wanted to know the name of the song you just played.”
Hearing his reply and recalling the beauty of the song she had sung, Yan Qi instantly understood. Smiling, she said,
“Oh, so you wanted to know the name of that song!”
“Not just him—we’d all like to know the name of that song too.”
Before the middle-aged man could respond, more voices chimed in from nearby.
Yan Qi was taken aback and glanced around.
To her surprise, she realized that dozens of people had gathered around the pavilion, encircling her family.
After a brief moment of shock, she grasped the situation and asked,
“Did all of you come here because of the song too?”
The surrounding crowd didn’t deny it and quickly confirmed.
“Yeah, we were drawn in by the singing.”
“Such a beautiful voice—who wouldn’t want to listen?”
“Little girl, could you tell us the name of the song, as well as the composer and singer?”
“Miss, could you share the song’s name with us?”
“Please, little sister, tell us the name! I really want to follow the singer!”
Listening to the scattered replies, Yan Qi was now certain they had all been captivated by the song from her phone. Seeing no reason to refuse, she answered,
“Alright, since you all want to know so badly, I’ll tell you.
The song is called The Courageous One, and both its composer and singer are the same person—the virtual idol Jizi Ge. Got it?”
“The Courageous One, virtual idol Jizi Ge—got it! Thank you, little girl!”
The middle-aged man, now armed with the information he’d wanted, thanked Yan Qi profusely.
The other onlookers also expressed their gratitude.
“Thanks for telling us, little sister!”
“Thank you! Want me to buy you ice cream?”
“I’m so grateful! Without your help, it might’ve taken me forever to find this song.”
“Thanks, miss!”
As thanks and offers poured in from all sides, Yan Qi quickly shot a meaningful look at her parents.
Seated in the pavilion, Yan Zhenyi and Li Caifeng had also heard the crowd’s appreciation. Understanding their daughter’s signal, they promptly stepped in—accepting the thanks on her behalf while politely declining the invitations.
Soon after, the family of three made a quick exit from the pavilion.
“I never expected that song to attract so many people,” Li Caifeng remarked in amazement as they walked down the street.
“It makes sense. The song is really good, and it’s brand new,” Yan Zhenyi replied.
Nodding in agreement, Li Caifeng said,
“You’re right. Something this high-quality yet under the radar is bound to draw attention.”
“Alright, Mom, Dad, enough about that. It’s so hot today—let’s hurry home,” Yan Qi interjected, adjusting her sunglasses as the scorching air weighed on her.
“Yeah, it’s already 2 PM—the hottest part of the day.”
“Let’s take the bus back like we planned.”
Feeling the heat themselves, Li Caifeng and Yan Zhenyi quickly agreed.
With that settled, the family soon arrived at the bus stop across the street to wait for their ride home.
But as they stood there patiently, a loud argument suddenly erupted from a nearby sales office of Daheng Real Estate.
Drawn by the commotion, all three turned to look.
“What’s going on? Why are they arguing in there?” Li Caifeng wondered aloud.
“Probably a dispute between a buyer and the sales staff,” Yan Zhenyi speculated.
Ignoring her parents’ exchange, Yan Qi peered through the glass. Inside, she saw a middle-aged man—dressed in a heavy coat despite the sweltering heat—gesturing wildly in agitation.
Facing him was a young man in a crisp suit and gold-rimmed glasses, speaking calmly with a practiced smile, though his eyes occasionally flickered with disdain.
A bad feeling crept into Yan Qi’s heart.
But before she could voice her unease to her parents—
The furious middle-aged man in the sales office suddenly ripped off his coat, pulled out an old-fashioned pistol, and aimed it at the young man, revealing a belt of explosives strapped to his body.
“No way… they’re going this far?!”
Witnessing the scene and realizing her worst fears had come true, Yan Qi’s eyes widened in disbelief.