Even Xi Su, who was sitting beside me, couldn’t help but said, ” That man is the very definition of beauty! Why is such a handsome man showing up in a bar like this?”
Having fixed our attention on Leon, who was about to perform, we didn’t bother to tell her that man was Leon.
With no smile coming over his face, he nodded to the crowd, and said, “I’m no expert in music. Please bear with me. Thank you.”
Another round applause was heard and again, some girls took pictures of him with their phone, which I no longer found uncomfortable as it was not a rare occurrence.
Xi Su stared at Leon unblinkingly. Such was Leon’s charm that even Xi Su got attracted.
Then music was heard.
Standing in front of the microphone, Leon started singing. It was an English song, which was familiar to me but I didn’t recall its name.
I knew nothing about rock music but still, I found his singing beautiful. Xi Su, being completely captivated by his voice, stood up, and was clapping with the other people to the rhythm.
In the middle of his performance, a girl walked up to the stage with some wine, and wanted to have a drink with him. Leon drank a little because her enthusiasm was not to be refused.
When he finished, the crowd broke into applause. Some people shouted, “More! More! More!”
Leon was indeed a good singer, but he was nothing compared to the professionals. The audience loved him all because of his pretty face.
Leon said thank you and walked away. Some young girls stopped him and took some pictures with him.
Motionless, Xi Su was staring at Leon unblinkingly all along, until Leon walked to us.
“You are an amazing singer. Do you want to join us?” Xi Su said to Leon with great enthusiasm.
“And this is?” Leon asked me, looking at Xi Su.
“She is my sister, Xi Su.” Second Brother introduced.
“You know each other?” Xi Su asked.
“This is the ugly old man you talked about. His name is Leon.” I said.
Leon got confused. “How am I an ugly old man? I’m far from being old, alright?”
Xi Su was astounded. She said, “You are Nala’s former husband?”
Leon looked at at me and said, “What were you talking about behind my back? Why am I an old man all of a sudden?”
I didn’t say that. It’s none of my business.
“Nice to meet you Mr Hua. I’m Xi Su.” Xi Su said politely, which was pretty rare.
Leon also nodded politely and said, “Nice to meet you too.”
“You have an amazing voice and I know a lot of karaoke bars. Maybe we can go together.” Xi Su was very polite.
I had no idea why was she being so enthusiastic. I thought she was so gonna mock us when she learned he was my former husband. But her reaction was quite the contrary. What was she doing?”
Leon didn’t mind Xi Su. He looked at me and said, “How was that? Did I lie?”
“I know noting about rock music so I can’t judge.”
“It was Queen’s song. And Leon was pretty good considering he is not a professional.” Second Brother said.
“Did you hear that? You will have to keep your promise.” Leon would not let it go.
“What did she promise? If she can’t do it, I’ll do it for you. There is nothing that I can not do in Yang City.” Xi Su said enthusiastically.
“Thank you, but you can’t do it.” Leon was getting a little bit impatient at her interruptions.
Xi Su persisted by saying, “What was that? I am sure I can do it. I guarantee you.”
Xi Su was really getting on my nerve now.
“I promised him that I would go back to Hai City with him if he sings a song. Can you do that? Could you please stay out of this? It’s none of your business.” My tone was sharp with anger.
Xi Su was never polite to me. She said, “Who are you to interrupt me when I was taking to Mr Hua? You are only his former wife. Even you are his current wife, you are still very rude to interrupt.”
Just like that, she pretty much dampened my mood and I only wanted to leave by then.
“Xi Su, could you please stay out of this? You are killing everyone’s mood.” Second Brother said.
“I was not meant to make people uncomfortable. This is a bar opening to everyone, and I can come if I want to. Second Brother, why are you always helping other people?” Xi Su was not happy.
At that moment a very loud song was played and it drowned our conversation, which was nice because our argument was bound to end up badly.
Leon whispered to me, “Wenbei’s sister is quite beautiful, but she is too rude.”
I whispered, “She always goes against me, but she is fond of you. Don’t you dare to flirt with her.”
Leon said, “Of course I won’t. She is beautiful but her rudeness totally ruined her image.”
Xi Su didn’t give up easily. She invited Leon for another drink, which Leon did.
When we left that bar it was already late, but Xi Su said she knew other great places and she wanted to invite Leon and Second Brother. But they declined, as her showing up in the first place was already quite disappointing.
Then Second Brother went home and me and Leon came to Nan House. Now Second Brother stopped living there, Nan House became my own place. And Leon also enjoyed living in Nan House.
I felt drunk, and Leon brought me a cup of lemonade and told me it would make me feel better. It was tasty. I sat in the yard, and sipped my lemonade with great ease.
The city was still bustling. Leon sat beside me, and looked where ever I was looking at, and then murmured to himself, “Nan House is good, but you can’t see stars at night.”
I said, “You are such a fool. Of course you can’t see stars in the city. You will have to go to the suburb.
Leon got excited and said, “Then let’s go now. It’s a beautiful day, and if we find a good place, we are sure to see the stars.”
“Are you nuts! ! It’s so late”
Leon said, “Come on! We rarely see each other nowadays, and don’t you want to do something interesting when we are together? Haven’t you had enough of the noise in the city?”