As for the number of readers, there are hundreds of thousands following it legally, and even more reading it illegally.

A lot of people open the short video platform and search for "Charming Mr. Xu."

Soon they find it.

Everyone clicks in, and there's only one video.

The profile picture is still like a new account, just the nickname changed, but not the picture.

Curiously, people click on Xu Lin's guitar-playing video.

But soon, a large group of people exit the video from an emo state.

"Guys, I'm feeling emo!"

"I'm feeling emo too! Why does this song hurt so much!"

"It's really good, truly flavorful, obviously a classic piece, but the pain is real too!"

"Is the author composing for the novel? Is this suggesting that the ending will be tragic?"

"No! I just went through a breakup, don't tell me the novel's main characters won't end up together either?"

Because of this, many people immediately returned to the novel's comment section to express their thoughts.

This piece by Xu Lin really broke down their defenses.

As is well known, words have power, but the most powerful is music, as music has more penetrative force. Music bypasses language; sad music is just sad, happy music is just happy. Xu Lin's piece has directly shaken many people's defenses, making them question life.

Since Xu Lin hadn't logged out of the author backend, upon seeing these emo comments, he took the opportunity to post a single chapter: "This is an if-world line, unrelated to the main storyline, so don't overthink it. I just whimsically wanted to play an emotional piece."

"Great, the novel still ends happily!"

"Author, I almost cried!"

"Curious, is that really the author in the short video?"

"The author's hands are so pale and delicate! Giving sister here a big boy vibe!"

"Heard a rumor, don't know if it's true, that the author just started college this year, probably eighteen or nineteen?"

"No way, so young?"

"Could Mr. Xu also be a handsome guy?"

"Probably not, right? If he were talented and good-looking, that'd be crazy."

"Honestly, in short videos, they usually don't show their face if they're not good-looking (no offense)."

"Who cares about looks? Has anyone noticed, not only does Mr. Xu write well, but he also seems good at guitar. Does anyone know his guitar level?"

"I've played guitar for ten years. If the person in the video is really him, Mr. Xu is already very strong, not any worse than top guitarists."

"I agree as well. Guitar enthusiast passing through."

"Feels like the piece is great too, could it also be composed by Mr. Xu?"

In the comment section, discussions were lively, and many people began spontaneously recommending Xu Lin's piece, saying it shouldn't be just them feeling vulnerable, others around them should too.

Xu Lin didn't release the sheet music for this piece right away, planning to let it brew a bit, so when the time comes, it would have enough impact to let him go viral.

When Xu Lin went downstairs to get his phone, it was already past seven in the evening.

When he opened his phone, there were quite a few messages.

From his mom, Ning Yuhuan, Rong Xiyi.

Just one from Ning Yuhuan: "Honey, have you eaten?"

She wouldn't disturb Xu Lin, asking if he'd eaten, only replying if Xu Lin responded.

But Rong Xiyi was different.

Starting at four in the afternoon, until now past seven, over three hours, there were more than thirty messages.

She really can send messages.

Xu Lin replied to Ning Yuhuan first.

"About to eat."

Ning Yuhuan replied instantly: "Honey, are you at the rented place now?"

Xu Lin said: "Yes."

"Can I come over?"

"Hurry on over!"

"I'm on my way then!"

Ning Yuhuan, currently in her dorm, set off with a backpack and some sticky rice cakes sent from home.

The sticky rice cakes were made by Ning Yuhuan's mom, sent specially, with some for Xu Lin too.

With Ning Yuhuan coming over, Xu Lin sent Rong Xiyi a message saying: "Still busy."

Rong Xiyi: "Xu Lin, have you eaten?"

"About to eat."

"What are you eating tonight? I'm eating in the cafeteria..."

Rong Xiyi sent Xu Lin a photo.

Chatting with her could go on forever, so after a few minutes, Xu Lin stopped chatting.

He went out to the balcony to gather Rong Xiyi's clothes.

Half an hour later, Ning Yuhuan arrived.

"Honey, my family sent some sticky rice cakes, want some?"

"Let me try one!"

Xu Lin was quite interested.

"Here you go!"

Xu Lin saw Ning Yuhuan open the bag, these sticky rice cakes were white, filled with a peanut pork stuffing, and the stuffing had a salty flavor.

They were quite tasty; it was Xu Lin's first time eating this kind of cake.

Beside him, Ning Yuhuan said: "These sticky cakes are best fresh, the outside is sticky and chewy, but once cooled, they get hard."

"No worries, they're quite good this way too!"

"Your mom's craft is truly impressive!"

Xu Lin ate with gusto.

"Eat up if you like it!"

The senior watched Xu Lin eat the cakes, "I thought you'd be picky about rural food."

"No way, I'm not that delicate. Plus, my dad's from the countryside too."

"I see!"

The senior sighed with relief and messaged her mom: "Mom, Xu Lin really likes the sticky cakes you made!"

Xu Lin's dinner tonight was the sticky rice cakes brought by Ning Yuhuan, which he finished, while she only had two. There were twelve sticky cakes in total, with Xu Lin having ten. These cakes were round, about five or six centimeters in diameter, with a thickness of around three centimeters. Not too big, not too small, but quite filling. Xu Lin just has a good appetite, hence he could eat ten in one go.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.