The Book of All Things: Born for Joy

The two of them were both confused when they woke up the next day. Zhao Qianfan said awkwardly, "Didn't you sleep well last night?"

Li Zichun nodded: "Hmm?...Hmm, yes, there are some. After all, there are no fewer than thirty flower-themed songs, so it will take some time to think about them." Zhao Qianfan pouted and said: "That's after the New Year. We can't start thinking about them now. There are still more than ten days left."

Li Zichun glanced at him sideways, and the latter immediately shut up. He said, puzzled, "Aren't you going to keep Jin Dili and Zhao Jinmai company? I don't need you here for the time being, so you should go and keep them company. I'll go out for a walk and think about the new song. There are too many things to do after the New Year, and I'm afraid I'll forget them in a while. I need to be alone for a while. I've been alone for so many years, and it's a little strange to suddenly have someone else around."

Zhao Qianfan was a little worried about Xiao Jinmai and hesitated before asking, "Are you sure you don't need me to accompany you?"

Li Zichun shooed him out the door, saying, "Go on, let me sort out my thoughts. You'll be busy when you get back. There's the singing competition and the international flower fair, so much to do that you might not even have time to rest."

Zhao Qianfan thought for a moment, then nodded: "Take care of yourself. Contact me if anything happens. If you really can't reach me, you can go to Li Ke. He lives in Kowloon Harbour and knows this area best."

Li Zichun nodded and said, "You should go too, have fun."

Zhao Qianfan gave him a big hug and whispered in his ear, "Wait for me to come back."

Li Zichun felt a strange warmth in her heart, and simply nodded obediently, watching his tall figure disappear from her sight.

Li Zichun breathed a sigh of relief; finally, he was all alone. He went back to his room, quickly tidied himself up, changed his clothes, and then went out with the mask, glasses, and baseball bat that Zhao Qianfan had prepared for him.

He wandered around with his phone, following the map through the streets and alleys, taking buses and cruise ships, and finally stopped in front of a three-story old house in the middle of the fields.

Looking at the old house in front of him, which seemed to have stepped out of a 1980s magazine, he couldn't help but doubt his choice.

The walls of the old house are somewhat mottled, with emerald green moss leaving black and gray traces that have been repainted. Ivy sways in the wind on the side walls, and the whole house is dappled with light and shadow under the shade of towering trees, half in light and half in darkness. In the center of the gatehouse hangs a black plaque with red characters that reads "Youjian Detective Agency".

Li Zichun figured that since he was already there, he might as well go in and take a look. Upon entering, he saw a huge screen in the center, and two smiling waiters, a man and a woman, approached and asked, "Do you have a reservation?"

Li Zichun shook his head. He had only done a quick online search and found that this place was quite famous. He thought he would try his luck here, but he didn't expect that he would need to make an appointment.

A man and a woman smiled and said, "If you don't have an appointment, you'll need to fill out our questionnaire before you can have a consultation. We'll take you to the form-filling room, and then we'll proceed with the follow-up arrangements."

Li Zichun was led to a private study room with a long table in the center, on which were paper and pens.

The male waiter smiled and said, "Please fill out the questionnaire first. After you finish, submit it to the review room on the left. There, someone will be responsible for deciding whether to process your request."

After saying that, the two left without looking back, leaving Li Zichun alone to fill out the questionnaire.

Li Zichun picked up the questionnaire and his expression changed slightly. "Damn it, is this place a scam?"

The first question on the questionnaire was easy to understand. The options for the survey content were nothing more than a dozen items such as property investigation and evidence collection, personnel information investigation, personnel whereabouts investigation, online fraud investigation, marital investigation, etc. He calmly wrote "missing person" under the personnel whereabouts investigation.

However, the second question on the questionnaire was baffling: "Is the survey subject a living person, an inanimate object, or something unknown or uncertain?"

Li Zichun wasn't sure whether the person he was investigating was alive or dead, so he could only choose to remain uncertain.

The third question only had three fill-in-the-blank questions: "Risk factor _____, time requirement ______, minimum down payment ______." Li Zichun himself was unsure, so he only filled in "none" and "the sooner the better." He thought about the payment and finally wrote "100,000".

He handed the questionnaire to the review room on the left and quickly received a reply that read, "Approved. Please proceed to room 831 on the second floor for further discussion."

After leaving the form-filling room, Li Zichun was given a questionnaire by a smiling waitress and led to room 831 on the second floor.

The room was filled with the pleasant scent of sandalwood incense. Behind a pile of documents at the computer sat a young man, not very old, with delicate features and a face as white as paper, as if he hadn't seen sunlight in a long time. In the wisps of sandalwood smoke, the young man in front of him seemed like someone living in a painting.

A faint smile came from the other end of the line as he said, "It's been a long time since I've had a case. You're the third one this year. Hello, I'm Yi Zhichun, a senior detective from Youjian Detective Agency. It's a pleasure to serve you."

The other party's tone was gentle and soothing, making one feel very at ease. Li Zichun responded calmly; the follow-up matters were simply questioning the subject of the investigation, explaining the reasons for the investigation, and outlining the expected results.

The two talked for a long time, and several hours passed in the blink of an eye. After saying "I'll wait for good news," Li Zichun finally came out of the room with peace of mind, guided by the waitress.

When he looked back at the house again, he realized that he had been too prejudiced and arbitrary. He could only hope that Yi Zhichun could help him get rid of the future troubles. He didn't want all the results of his last three years of hard work to be wasted.

The people he was investigating this time were his own parents. He had been planning this investigation for a long time, and it was one of the reasons he chose to settle in Kowloon. The private investigators there were nationally renowned and highly respected, operating legally and officially licensed. One detective agency in particular was considered the best among them; in the eyes of Kowloon residents, it was mysterious and enigmatic, operating boldly yet methodically without overstepping boundaries. Even many police officers had sought its assistance.

From the secrets of the wealthy and powerful, to politics and business, to the humblest of peddlers and the search for lost pets, as long as you can afford the price, there is no information you cannot obtain, and you almost never fail.

Li Zichun chose to investigate his parents because in his previous life, too many celebrities in the entertainment industry were ruined by their bloodsucking leech parents.

Even though Fan Shengmei from "Ode to Joy" is far better off in reality—it's a TV drama, an artistically adapted character—life is far more dramatic than any TV show. There are mothers who treat their daughters like cash cows, accusing them of neglecting their parental duties and even falsely accusing them of being poisonous; there are fathers who have been out gallivanting for over a decade, only to suddenly appear with a hideous expression and demand money once they become famous; there are also fathers addicted to gambling, owing millions in debt, and trying to force their daughters into marriage with wealthy men; there are fathers who auction off their daughters' personal belongings after their deaths; there are fathers who run away with millions in debt, leaving creditors to openly display banners outside their companies proclaiming, "XXX's daughter is a superstar, XXX's father owes debts and refuses to pay..."

A series of dramatic and absurd stories unfolded, making life far more exciting than any TV drama. To avoid this unnecessary turn of events, Li Zichun had to ensure his path was flawless, and the first issue to resolve was his identity. The previous "Moon Emperor's Fall" incident served as a reminder; if he had followed the previous path, he would already be famous and had smoothly entered the finals of the "King of Singers Competition," without needing to travel thousands of miles to Kowloon to seek his fortune.

That meeting with Sun Tianxing served as a wake-up call. The two stared at each other for half an hour, exchanging glances without saying a word, yet revealing far too much. Clearly, the old man knew something, and his silence spoke volumes.

Li Zichun had to plan ahead to ensure things developed correctly. Based on his conversation with Yi Zhichun and the latter's advice, he understood that the first thing to do was to eliminate this huge hidden danger.

He made a quick decision and decided to buy the earliest available regular flight to Chengdu.

It was already the Spring Festival travel rush, and all the cabins were full. After waiting on the standby for a while, there were still no seats available, and the next few days would also be full. Waiting like this couldn't go on, so in desperation, he checked his phone and had no choice but to take a series of transfers. First, he took a cruise ship to the mainland, then took the subway to a train station, and finally chose a nearby city with available first-class seats to catch a flight to Chengdu.

Finally, on the evening of the second day, Li Zichun returned to the courtyard where he grew up.

The welfare home has been expanded and renovated, and is filled with a modern atmosphere. The gravel road in the yard has been repaired and paved with cement. The yard has also been divided into zones, and many surveillance cameras have been installed in various corners at Li Xian's insistence.

The moment Li Xian saw him, she was both surprised and delighted. She quickly went up to him, asked him about his well-being, and took him back to her room, which was the room he had been living in before. It was spotless and ready to be occupied at any time.

Li Zichun was deeply moved. Looking at the old woman who had raised the children from childhood without asking for anything in return, her temples already streaked with the frost of time, he was inexplicably touched and explained to her why he had returned from this place.

Li Xian was also somewhat surprised by his reason for doing so, but after thinking about it, she felt it made sense and even felt a little hopeful. However, she still hesitated and asked, "Are you really willing?"

Li Zichun said with a smile, "You raised me all these years, so what's there to say about whether I'm willing or not? As long as you're willing, I'll do whatever you want."

Upon hearing this, Li Xian smiled and nodded, saying, "You must be tired after a long day. Go wash up first. If you're still willing when you wake up tomorrow, then we can go and complete the formalities."

Li Zichun smiled and nodded, saying, "Okay, I'll do whatever you say."

Li Xian left with a heart full of joy and even a bit of anticipation.

The next morning, the two of them took all the relevant documents and procedures to the adoption registration authority and the civil affairs department of the people's government. With both parties' consent, the adoption registration, announcement, signing of the agreement, notarization, evaluation and other procedures were completed in a little over a week. Perhaps because it was almost Chinese New Year, everyone had less work and few people cared whether Li Zichun was really the star who was once so famous that even the Ministry of Culture personally retweeted it. Even if they did know, no one would pay attention to such matters. What hadn't these departments seen? They would not easily disclose the privacy of the public, otherwise they would be subject to administrative penalties if they were found out.

Li Zichun looked at the certificate in his hand, then looked at Li Xian and called out with a smile, "Mom."

Li Xian never expected that she would grow up to be a wonderful son at this age, having never married and having planned to spend her life in an orphanage. She smiled and replied, "Hey, good son, come on, let's go home, Mom will make you dumplings."

Li Zichun laughed and said, "Okay, I want pork, cabbage and scallion filling, and a few chives too."

Li Xian flicked his nose and said, "Okay, whatever you say."

The two chatted and laughed as they went home. Li Zichun never expected to find someone to rely on in this world, but this woman was truly devoted to him. This long-lost kinship warmed his heart, but he couldn't help but worry that if he were to leave this world one day in three years, it would be too cruel to leave her alone.

That very night, he confessed the whole story to Li Xian. Li Xian was shocked by his strange topic, not expecting there to be so many twists and turns involved.

But she just smiled lightly, and quickly said knowingly, "You think I wouldn't know if you didn't tell me? I watched you grow up, how could I not know your capabilities? Being able to write one or two songs that have been passed down is already quite good, it's an extraordinary achievement, let alone a masterpiece like 'Prelude to Water Melody' that can be passed down through the ages. If you weren't from a wealthy family and raised like a rich kid, how could you possibly write something like that? Besides, you've never touched a drop of alcohol, yet you talked about 'raising a cup to ask the blue sky' and other such nonsense. I knew back then that you weren't him, and that one day you would 'ride the wind and return.' I only ask you one question: if you leave, will the original Li Zichun ever come back?"

Li Zichun hadn't expected that the old woman before him had known everything all along and had long suspected his actions, yet she hadn't exposed his identity. She seemed to see through everything, yet remained calm and decisive, acting with composure and knowing when to advance and retreat, neither disturbing nor speaking excessively. Li Zichun couldn't help but admire her. After thinking for a moment, he clearly stated, "I don't know."

Li Xian seemed unsurprised by the answer, and simply smiled faintly, saying, "Whether he comes back or not is not important anymore. I just hope you can live well for him. I don't know how long you will stay in this body, I just hope you can live happily for him. As for whether Li Zichun comes back or not, that's not something to worry about now. Living well in the present is the most important thing. With your mother here, no one can question your past."

Li Zichun looked closely at the old woman he had only met a few times and said with a smile, "Thank you, Mother."

Li Xian smiled and said, "There's no need for thanks among family members. Living well, being free from illness and disaster, and being happy is the best way to repay each other."

Li Zichun nodded and said, "Mom really knows how to live life."

Li Xian nodded with a smile. Li Zichun had spent the entire New Year with her and the children. With him around, everywhere was lively. He and Li Xian had prepared the New Year's Eve dinner for the children themselves, along with several long-time staff members from the orphanage. Everyone had a happy and joyful New Year.

Li Zichun prepared gifts for each child, tested their knowledge, and taught them some natural science knowledge. Although most of it was useless, who can guarantee that they will not need it in the long journey of life?

The news of Li Zichun's return could not be kept from the paparazzi and entertainment reporters. Moreover, he and Li Xian went to many public places together, which caused a lot of speculation. The news of "the return of the Moon Emperor" spread throughout the circle.

Before these rumors could spread, he returned to Kowloon Port a few days after the Lunar New Year. Li Xian knew he was busy with work, so she didn't keep him for long. She just told him to take care of his health and not to overwork himself. She also prepared a lot of local specialties for him to take with him and told him to keep in touch with her often.

Li Zichun simply smiled and nodded in agreement, bidding farewell to her and the children one by one, and warning them that he would check their homework next time they came back, and that anyone who was lazy would not receive a gift.

Li Zichun gave her a big hug, then got into the car and went to the airport. The World Flower and Horticulture Exhibition was about to begin, and he already had a draft of thirty flower-related songs in mind, but he was still selecting them because he had just too many flower-themed songs in his head.