The neighborhood was everything Lu Xuan had imagined it would be. Quiet, serene, and far removed from the chaotic hum of the city center. Nestled between two bustling districts, it felt like a haven—a hidden gem. The houses here were simple, quaint, their facades painted in pastel colors, and the streets were lined with tall trees that whispered in the wind. No grand mansions, no towering buildings, no loud noises. Just the soft sound of life unfolding at a slower pace.
Lu Xuan had rented a small house on a cul-de-sac, far enough from the main road to avoid the noise but close enough to remain connected to the pulse of the city. It was a two-story cottage, with ivy creeping up the sides and a small garden in the front. There was a modest porch where he could sit in the mornings with a cup of tea and watch the world go by. It was perfect. This was his new home—a place where he could finally blend into the background, away from the complications of his past.
After settling in, Lu Xuan started his new job. It wasn't much, just a bookstore assistant at a small, family-owned shop nestled on the corner of the street. The bookstore, called *Whispers of the Past*, was cozy, filled with old wooden shelves lined with books of all kinds—fiction, history, philosophy, art, and more. The scent of paper and ink hung in the air, and the quiet ambiance of the place was exactly what he needed.
He was introduced to his coworkers—a diverse group of people, all with their own quirks and personalities. There was Mei, the bookish young woman who had been working there for years and seemed to know the ins and outs of every single book in the store; Jian, a soft-spoken, slightly awkward man who was always eager to help but had a habit of getting tangled in the store's computer system; and then there was Lili, the lively, outgoing cashier who always wore a smile that could brighten up the dullest of days.
Despite their different personalities, they all shared one thing in common: they were kind, and they welcomed Lu Xuan into the fold without question. It was strange, this normalcy, this simplicity. He had spent so long fighting wars, conquering worlds, and influencing the course of history that it felt almost alien to be part of something so... ordinary.
But it was exactly what he wanted.
---
One Friday evening, as the workweek came to a close, Lili bounced up to Lu Xuan with an excited grin on her face.
"You're coming with us tonight, right?" she asked, her voice full of enthusiasm.
Lu Xuan blinked. "Coming with you? Where?"
"To the karaoke bar! It's just down the street. We all go after work to unwind. You should come, it'll be fun!"
He hesitated. The idea of spending an evening at a karaoke bar was, frankly, not something he had ever considered. In all his past lives, he had been too busy with matters of statecraft, power, and duty to indulge in such mundane pastimes. But now, here, in this quiet life he had so carefully cultivated, perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. The thought of relaxing with his coworkers, sharing in something simple and unimportant, intrigued him.
"Alright," he said, finally. "I'll join you."
---
The karaoke bar, called *The Melody Haven*, was exactly as one would expect—bright neon lights, a cozy atmosphere, and the unmistakable hum of popular songs filling the air. It wasn't a large establishment, just a few rooms with private booths where groups could sing together, but it had a charm about it. The sound of laughter and friendly banter echoed from every corner, and the walls were adorned with posters of famous singers and musicians.
Inside, Lili immediately took charge. She led Lu Xuan to a private booth at the back of the bar, where Jian and Mei were already seated with drinks in hand. The table was covered in snacks—chips, peanuts, and a small bowl of edamame.
"You made it!" Mei said, her face lighting up when she saw him. "You're going to love this."
Lu Xuan smiled politely, though he had no idea what he was in for. He had never been much for singing. His life had always been filled with grand speeches and orations, but those were delivered with power and authority, not for fun. This was... different.
"So," Lili said, sitting down next to him. "Who's going first?"
There was a moment of silence as everyone exchanged glances. Lu Xuan could feel their expectations, their playful challenge hanging in the air. He had been invited here as a newcomer, and the unspoken rule was that newcomers always participated.
"Fine," Lu Xuan said, deciding that he might as well get it over with. He had no real reason to refuse, after all. "I'll go first."
Lili immediately handed him the karaoke remote, as if she had been waiting for him to say that. He took it with a slight chuckle, his fingers tracing the cool plastic. The display on the screen lit up, offering him a list of songs.
"Choose anything," Mei said, her voice encouraging. "We'll sing along."
Lu Xuan glanced through the list, his mind trying to pick something appropriate. He could sing in many languages, having spent countless years in various worlds, but none of that mattered here. He picked something simple, a classic pop song that everyone knew, and pressed the button.
The music began, and Lu Xuan took a deep breath, not quite sure what to expect. He could feel the weight of the microphone in his hand, and for a brief moment, he was back in another life, standing before an audience, commanding their attention with a single word. But no. This was different. This was fun.
As the first few notes filled the room, Lu Xuan started singing—softly at first, almost unsure of himself. But the more he sang, the more he relaxed. The simple rhythm of the song, the familiar lyrics, and the easy camaraderie of his coworkers eased him into the experience. The pressure, the weight of the past, melted away with each note. His voice, smooth and clear, blended easily with Mei's as she joined in.
When the song finished, Lili clapped her hands, grinning. "See? I told you it'd be fun!"
Lu Xuan chuckled, setting the microphone down. "That wasn't as terrible as I expected."
Jian, who had been quietly watching, nodded enthusiastically. "You were good! You should sing more!"
And so, the night continued, with song after song, laughter and conversation filling the room. Lu Xuan joined in on a few more, and by the end of the evening, he was surprised to find that he was actually enjoying himself. There was something freeing about it—the act of just singing for the sake of enjoyment, of being part of something simple, unimportant, and joyful. It was so different from the constant weight of responsibility he had carried for centuries.
When the night finally ended, and they all filed out of the bar, Lu Xuan felt a strange sense of contentment. Maybe the quiet life wasn't as elusive as he had thought. Maybe, just maybe, he could find happiness in these small moments. The world could go on turning, and he didn't need to be at the center of it. He could just... be. And that was enough.
As they walked back to the neighborhood, Lili grinned at him. "See? You had fun!"
"I did," he admitted, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "I think I could get used to this."
And for the first time in a long while, he felt the weight of the past truly slip away.