C1 They Got Divorced in the Beginning and the Love Had Become a Thing of the past

Blue Star, Rhelaweth, Lasthold.

The "Butterfly Dream" upscale music bar.

A man with disheveled hair and a scruffy beard sat slumped in a corner, clutching a glass. This down-and-out drunk was none other than the bar's owner!

A delicate and graceful figure appeared before him.

"Qin Mo, let's get a divorce."

She placed the divorce papers on the table. Her petite, exquisite face was hidden behind a black mask, her eyes betraying a subtle sadness. Her fair skin, striking features, and waterfall of dark hair, combined with her elegant demeanor and shapely figure, caught the attention of the bar's patrons. They speculated about her relationship with the bar owner.

Qin Mo lifted his head, his eyes dazed. He had traveled through time! His memories quickly merged. Unfortunately, the previous Qin Mo, who shared his name, had drunk himself into a stupor, leaving his mind muddled and his memories scattered.

In his past life, Qin Mo was a top talent agent in the entertainment industry. Now, he was a nearly thirty-year-old, unknown singer struggling to make a name for himself. Once a prodigy at a music academy, he had become a nobody, having offended the higher-ups and been shelved by his former company for years. He had given up on himself, drinking until his voice was ruined.

The woman in front of him was Ling Xuerou, his wife. She had been his childhood sweetheart and was now the youngest triple-threat star in the entertainment industry. For six years of marriage, she had selflessly cared for him, using her savings to support their household and even helping him open this artsy music bar. Yet, he had been avoiding his failures, drowning in alcohol, and refusing to even speak to her.

After enduring years of emotional neglect, Ling Xuerou finally decided to give up. Qin Mo, now understanding their relationship, looked at Ling Xuerou's tear-filled eyes with a hint of pity. The poor woman was unaware that her indifferent husband had died from excessive drinking just moments ago.

Although Qin Mo's soul now inhabited this body, his memories and emotions were dominated by his past life. To him, Ling Xuerou was still a stranger. Since he couldn't bring her happiness, it was better to let go gracefully. Their marriage, unpublicized and platonic, wouldn't affect her future.

With a slight smile, Qin Mo picked up the pen for the divorce agreement. After reviewing it, he added a line at the end, "Voluntarily relinquishing all assets," and signed his name with ease. For nearly seven years, it was Ling Xuerou who had been supporting him through his alcoholism.

The shared assets were all earned by Ling Xuerou, and he couldn't take them!

He handed the divorce papers to Ling Xuerou.

Qin Mo apologized, saying, "If I've done anything wrong in the past, I'm sorry..."

Feeling that "sorry" wasn't enough, he added, "If there's anything I can help with in the future, just let me know..."

After all, in his previous life, he was a millionaire talent agent, and his experience was still there. Starting from scratch, he wouldn't do too badly, right?

Ling Xuerou's eyes flashed with surprise. Qin Mo seemed different!

Her eyes also showed pain. She had once loved this man with all her heart! During his darkest days, she had given him the selfless warmth and understanding only a woman could offer. Yet, he never changed...

Too many disappointments had turned into despair, and she just wanted to escape this nightmare of a marriage.

"The bar is yours, as a keepsake. After I'm gone, I hope you can pull yourself together..."

Qin Mo nodded. He didn't want to get into the property matters too much for now; he'd deal with it all later.

His memories of the marriage with Ling Xuerou were few, probably dulled by alcohol.

He smiled gently to reassure her, "Don't worry, I will. You take care of yourself too!"

Ling Xuerou's tears finally fell, glistening as they traced her cheeks. Remembering their childhood together, she felt an intense reluctance to let go.

Qin Mo couldn't bear to see her in such pain. He glanced around and noticed a black piano tucked in the corner of the stage. With a smile, he said, "How about I sing you a song? Let's leave the past behind and wish you a bright future."

Surprised, Ling Xuerou watched as Qin Mo approached the stage and settled onto the piano bench. His long fingers poised over the keys, ready to play.

In his previous life, Qin Mo had been immersed in music, and this new life had only enhanced his musical talent and skills. He was confident he could deliver the classic love song from his memory.

Some patrons in the bar recognized him. "Is the owner performing himself?" one whispered. "Let's see what he's got!"

Others murmured, "I thought he lost his voice. Can he still sing?" "Rumor has it the bar's losing money daily. Maybe he can't afford a band and has to sing himself."

In truth, his voice wasn't completely gone; it was just that this world lacked songs suited for his raspy tone.

Facing the microphone on the piano, Qin Mo began to sing deeply, "I've had a bit to drink, so I'll just sing casually. Here's an original song, 'When Love Becomes a Memory,' for everyone here."

Before stepping on stage, Qin Mo had remembered that this world didn't have the classic entertainment pieces from his past life.

Since the songwriter is no longer around, Qin Mo debuted the song at the bar, with so many people listening and watching, and with phones recording and the bar's surveillance capturing it all. This song was destined to be his, and no one could take that away. He couldn't deny it even if he wanted to. It was better to openly claim it as his original work.

Perhaps Ling Xuerou's sorrow moved Qin Mo, as he sang with extraordinary sincerity.

"Let's not bring up the past."

"Life's already full of storms."

"Even if memories can't be erased."

"Love and hate still linger in the heart."

"We really need to let go of the past."

"So tomorrow can be better."

"Please stop asking about me."

In his previous life on Earth, Qin Mo lived to be forty-five, and these old songs were the ones he was most familiar with and resonated with deeply. His raspy, weathered voice echoed through the bar.

The entire place fell silent.

The simple yet sorrowful melody, the straightforward yet profound lyrics, touched everyone present. The lyrics were filled with a reluctance to let go of love, but even more so with a resignation to reality and a sense of acceptance as time moved on.

"Love is a difficult question."

"It dazzles and confuses."

"Maybe you can forget the pain."

"But forgetting you is too hard."

"You never really left."

"You remain in my heart."

"I still have love for you."

"But I'm powerless against myself."

His husky, smoky voice brought out the song's sense of regret and longing perfectly.

The audience was drawn into the song's world, experiencing its heart-wrenching sorrow. What kind of experience could lead him to such a painful realization?

"Why don't you understand?"

"Where there's love, there's pain."

"One day you'll know."

"Life won't be different without me."

"Life is already too rushed."

"I'm so afraid of always having tearful eyes."

"Forget me, and there'll be no pain."

"Leave the past in the wind."

As the last note fell, the room erupted in applause. The sadness and regret seemed to drift away like leaves in the breeze.

Ling Xuerou stood at the bar's entrance, gazing intently. Her expressive eyes, filled with a mix of sadness and complex emotions, silently watched him on stage. She was surprised. Qin Mo hadn't sung in years, always avoiding reality. How did he suddenly find the courage to sing in public? And so well, with an original song?

The lyrics were truly piercing, Ling Xuerou thought. Perhaps it would take her a long time to heal from this emotional wound.

Ling Xuerou's manager, Faang Yaping, approached. Dressed in a sharp khaki business suit, with short hair and striking features, she exuded confidence. It was Faang Yaping who had discovered Ling Xuerou from obscurity. She spent years propelling Ling Xuerou to stardom, and she was immensely confident in her abilities!

At the same time, she consistently managed Xuerou's work and life.

"Xuerou, is it done?" Faang Yaping's voice was devoid of emotion.

Xuerou snapped back to reality, wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Yes, he signed it."

"The property division..."

Xuerou shook her head. "He didn't want anything. The bar is what I gave him."

Faang Yaping thought to herself that a non-profitable bar wouldn't affect much. She said coldly, "Alright, just remember to focus on your career from now on. Don't waste time on emotions! Let's go!"

With tear-filled eyes, Xuerou glanced longingly at Qin Mo.

"Pingping, it seems like Qin Mo can sing again. Can I help him out?"