Chapter 14.1 – Birthday Celebration (Part 1)
Novel Title: 一屋暗灯 (Ephemeral Light)
Author：麦香鸡呢 (McChicken)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists: 宋谨 (Song Jin -MC), 宋星阑 (Song Xinglan -ML)
*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*
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Since that day, Song Jin began to be forced to avoid being alone.
Apart from attending classes and going out with groups, Song Jin almost always stayed in the library and dessert shops. As long as there were others around him, he felt a little more secure.
As autumn approached, the weather had started to cool down slightly. During this time, Song Xiangping contacted Song Jin several times, asking him to come home for a meal together. But Song Jin refused with various excuses.
He couldn’t abandon everything and leave the city without a care. So he could only try his best to keep his distance from the Song family.
“How about having dinner together tomorrow?” Song Jin was sorting out receipts when He Hao suddenly came over and put his arm around him. “Do you have other plans?”
“How come you suddenly want to have dinner together?” Song Jin asked.
“What? Are you serious?” He Hao’s face was all scrunched up. “Tomorrow is your birthday, Jin.”
Song Jin was stunned for a moment He then said, “Oh… that’s right.”
It had been so long since he had celebrated his birthday. It was so long that he had completely removed the concept from his mind and ignored it altogether.
He didn’t value the significance of this day. Nor did he feel there was anything worth celebrating about it.
“Never mind. There’s nothing worth celebrating.”
Song Jin crumpled the receipt and threw it into the trash can. He watched as the paper slowly unfolded after losing the external force. But it only unfolded a little bit. In the end, it was still a wrinkled ball and motionless.
“Well, that won’t do. It’s my responsibility to care for my employees,” He Hao said. He then turned to the work area and shouted, “Right, Tang Min?”
Tang Min replied, “Yeah. Song Jin, he’s volunteering to sacrifice. So you should indulge him.”
Song Jin could only smile and say, “Well, thanks, manager.”
“You’re too polite!”
He Hao and Tang Min knew a little about Song Jin’s family background. His parents divorced when he was young and later his mother passed away. Song Jin returned to his father’s side and is now in university, supporting himself through part-time work and group projects. So, when it came to his birthday, they naturally wouldn’t ask if his family would take him out to celebrate. Some things were understood without needing to be spoken.
***
It rained a little in the evening. They had dinner at a Japanese restaurant. While Song Jin went to the restroom, He Hao settled the bill. According to Tang Min, He Hao’s expression seemed like he had actually been cut.
Song Jin: “Let me see the bill.”
He Hao: “Nope. I don’t know your character yet. You might try to transfer money to me later.”
Song Jin was about to speak. But He Hao interrupted him, saying, “Shut up. It’s your birthday today. We’re going to a bar later. I’ve been so busy lately, I haven’t had a nightlife in ages.”
Song Jin hesitated, “I’m not going to the bar. I’m not really used to it.”
Tang Min said, “It’s okay. We’ll just have a couple of drinks. It’s our first time celebrating your birthday. So we want to take you somewhere different, right?”
He Hao nodded enthusiastically, “Tang Min has already booked a table. He said he’ll settle the bill at the bar.”
Tang Min chuckled, “You’re really a shrewd businessman.”
***
At the bar, after they were seated, the surrounding noise was quite loud. Tang Min leaned in and said to Song Jin, “The lead singer on stage is from our department.”
A bit puzzled, Song Jin asked, “Aren’t you guys from the broadcasting major? How come…”
Tang Min chuckled, “Can’t broadcasting majors perform here? Our manager, like you, studied surveying and mapping. But now he’s running dessert shops everywhere. I’m also from the broadcasting major. But don’t I make small cakes every day?”
Song Jin paused for a moment and said, “I envy you guys a bit.”
His voice was very low. Tang Min didn’t hear clearly. So he leaned in and asked, “What did you say?”
“Nothing,” Song Jin said.
He seemed to have always been a person who followed the rules. In high school, he studied hard for the college entrance examination. After entering university, he always limited his future career to his major. It was as if he had never thought about breaking through or trying a different path.
He knew he was a cautious person, afraid of taking risks or challenges because he didn’t have the capital. He was afraid that if he failed miserably, it would be very difficult for him to stand up again.
Song Jin thought that all his rebellion in this life was probably focused on his sexual orientation. Only in this aspect, although he knew he was different from most people, he had never thought about changing or correcting it. This was because it was fundamentally unchangeable.
If there was one more thing that was not going according to norm, it was Song Xinglan. He was an existence that rendered Song Jin powerless even more than his own sexual orientation. His existence was capable of pushing him to the brink of collapse and shattering all the norms in his life.
“Why are you two so close?” He Hao just returned from the bar and pushed a Bellini in front of Song Jin. “I ordered you a beginner’s drink. It’s not strong. Give it a try.”
“What about mine?” Tang Min asked.
“What do you want? Order it yourself. I don’t have time to babysit you. Who are you trying to fool with that innocent act?” He Hao replied.
The cocktail was refreshing and sweet, with the fragrance of peach liqueur. After drinking a few sips, Song Jin felt much better. The band on stage was playing jazz improvisation and the music made people feel relaxed and comfortable.
“I know you don’t like it too loud. So I specifically booked this place. It’s a bit quieter,” Tang Min said. “But it’s still early. It will get busier later.”
Song Jin nodded and took another sip of his drink.
“Tang Min, how’s it going with your girlfriend?” He Hao, after a few sips of his drink, began gossiping animatedly. “I haven’t heard you two talk on the phone recently.”
“We broke up,” Tang Min said. “The relationship wasn’t that deep to begin with.”
“Tsk.” He Hao pointed at Tang Min and said to Song Jin, “Look at your colleague here. He looks like a sunny and warm guy on the outside. But he’s actually a scumbag!”
“I didn’t cheat. So how am I a scumbag?” Tang Min laughed and threw a piece of fruit at He Hao.
“Really? I don’t believe it.” He Hao caught the fruit and popped it into his mouth. “I bet you’ll bring a girl back from here tonight.”
“What’s the bet?” Tang Min asked.
“I bet our dessert shop’s income tomorrow,” He Hao said.
“Then you can wait for it to go bankrupt,” Tang Min replied.
The three of them joked around for a long time. As more people gathered around them, Song Jin drank two more cocktails that He Hao got for him. He rarely drank alcohol and had a very average tolerance. By now, he was feeling a bit dizzy, like he was floating in the clouds. But there was a kind of unfamiliar pleasure to it. It was as if he could temporarily forget all the unpleasantness.
“Song Jin, you can drink without worries,” He Hao said. “I’m going back to school tonight to pick up my girlfriend. I can give you a ride home.”
Song Jin smiled at him, propping up his head. Under the dim lights, his features softened and He Hao was momentarily stunned. “Your vibe really doesn’t suit this bar,” he said.
Tang Min had just turned down the fourth girl asking for his WeChat. He stood up and said, “Wait for me.”
Song Jin saw him heading towards the stage. It was clear that the singer recognized him, as they spoke during the intermission. Then Tang Min pointed in Song Jin’s direction and the singer nodded.
When Tang Min returned to his seat, he said, “Song Jin, tonight will be unforgettable for you.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a spotlight shone directly on Song Jin. It wasn’t too bright. But it was enough to make him stand out. The music on stage instantly stopped and almost everyone turned to look in Song Jin’s direction.
Song Jin was stunned. He was already not very sober from the alcohol. And now being illuminated like this, with everyone staring at him, his mind was buzzing. He didn’t know what to think. Or even if he could think at all. He just stood there, slightly opening his eyes, staring blankly.
The singer on stage didn’t say much in the way of introduction. He just smiled at Song Jin and said, “Song Jin, happy birthday. This song is for you.”
Then the music started. And he began to sing ‘Rainy’;
When this rain stops
Let’s go to the library
Riding our bicycles
Let’s go leisurely
If that child who likes sunflowers
Starts crying
Let’s gently
Put a straw hat on them
Pretending to be strong
Because I was lonely
Being alone
Was a little tough
The singer’s voice matched this city pop song perfectly, clear with a hint of huskiness, and his Japanese pronunciation was extremely accurate. He enunciated slowly, capturing the song’s damp atmosphere just right, making it feel moist and as if the light wasn’t shining on him. But rather like he was being sprinkled by a fine rain.
As the song ended, the spotlight dimmed.
Although it was a very soothing song, Song Jin didn’t know the meaning of the lyrics. But in these short few minutes, it seemed like it really was raining. Just like the damp weather outside this night, raindrops fell into puddles, creating ripples, one after another, as if you could hear the echoing drip-drop sound.
It took He Hao quite a while to recover. He said, “Tang Min, how many girls have you picked up using this trick?”
“Come on. I’ve only used it for the first time today. And it just happened to work out,” Tang Min smiled and turned to look at Song Jin, asking him, “Did you like it?”
Song Jin nodded, “I like it. Thanks.”
During those few minutes, he was completely dazed, unable to even feel surprised or embarrassed. Now that he had regained his senses, he didn’t feel embarrassed either. It felt like a dream. It was short and precious, maybe because he was a bit drunk and didn’t have the time to think too much.
After chatting for a few more moments, someone walked up to their table. “Song Jin.”
Song Jin looked up. The lights were flickering around him. Not completely sober, it took him a few seconds to recognize, “Han Zhuo?”
“It really is you.” Han Zhuo smiled, “I heard the singer call out ‘Song Jin’ just now. But I couldn’t see your face clearly from the private room. So I came over to take a look. Didn’t expect it to really be you.”
Han Zhuo was a senior from the year ahead of Song Jin. And he is also his ex-boyfriend whom he had dated for over two months.
Song Jin was dazed for a moment. It had been a long time since he had seen Han Zhuo and they hadn’t really kept in touch on WeChat either. He couldn’t believe he would run into him today.
He Hao and Tang Min were unaware of Song Jin’s sexual orientation. However, as Song Jin’s ex-boyfriend, seeing him sitting here with two other guys, and with many people having witnessed Tang Min going up to the stage to arrange for the song to be sung for Song Jin, Han Zhuo couldn’t help but think that something was going on.
“Are you here celebrating your birthday with friends?” Han Zhuo smiled and asked when he saw Song Jin’s momentary confusion.
“Yes… They’re taking me out to celebrate my birthday.” Song Jin felt a bit overwhelmed. It seemed noisy around him again. His mind was a bit muddled and he really wanted to wash his face to clear his head. So he got up and said to Tang Min and He Hao, “I’ll go chat with my friend. You guys keep drinking.”
They didn’t inquire further when Song Jin said the other person was a friend. “Okay, then. Go on,” Tang Min said.
Song Jin stood up in the aisle, swaying a bit. Han Zhuo reached out to support him and asked in a low voice, “Had too much to drink?”
“No. I’m just feeling a bit dizzy,” Song Jin rubbed his forehead. “I want to go wash my face.”
“I’ll accompany you then,” Han Zhuo said.
Song Jin nodded.
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*Translator’s Note: Some chapters are divided into parts by the author. I have no idea why. I’ll just follow her arrangements. Usually, when MC receives a lot of attention in a story, the ML will come crashing the party later, right? The song was sung by roly poly rag bear (the artist name was not capitalised). It’s in Japanese but I’m too lazy to paste the Japanese lyrics in the story haha. The lyrics in this chapter is the translated version. You can check the youtube link to listen to the song. By the way, GOOD NEWS! This novel will be updated daily from now on. -K
Next update: -Daily-
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Youtube link to song: https://youtu.be/fr0bGUN-mcU?si=78Uj_8-lSkLRkWyC
