After checking out, from the supermarket to Zhao Yuan’s home, it was already past 7 PM.
Bian Liming’s home didn’t have a TV, so they couldn’t watch the live broadcast of the comprehensive news. Fortunately, Zhao Yuan’s parents were away on a business trip, and there was no one else at home, so the two decided to celebrate at Zhao Yuan’s place.
Since “Comprehensive News” was broadcasted on every channel, they didn’t even need to change the channel after turning on the TV.
They sat side by side on the sofa, quietly staring at the screen. The snacks and drinks they had bought were forgotten, and both were intensely focused on what was being shown on the television.
As the opening credits of “Comprehensive News” began, accompanied by the familiar music, Zhao Yuan, despite being so familiar with it, felt a suffocating nervousness. He took deep and heavy breaths, but it didn’t alleviate much.
After the host reported the date, time, and a few key points of the news for the day, they waited until the last item. Finally, the host said:
“The ‘Huazhang Cup’ Young Pianist Competition was successfully held and concluded last Sunday. Newcomer Dark Horse Bian Liming broke the two-time champion Yu Zhicai’s dominance, securing consecutive victories. A rising talent in our country’s piano performance community.”
Only now did Zhao Yuan feel that Bian Liming beside him, like himself, had secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Outside the window, the sky gradually darkened. The room was still unlit, and no one moved to turn on the lights. The only source of light in the entire room was the LCD screen in front of the two.
Zhao Yuan opened a bag of potato chips, took two pieces for himself, then handed the bag in Bian Liming‘s direction, saying while chewing, “Cultural news that doesn’t involve politics is usually reported later. Most news programs have an unwritten rule about this.”
Bian Liming sighed, smiling, “Got it. I’m an adult; I shouldn’t be concerned about this.” He then picked up a can of lemon tea that Zhao Yuan had chosen, pulled the tab, and handed it to Zhao Yuan.
Zhao Yuan quickly loosened his grip on the potato chips and used both hands to take the can of lemon tea. In an exaggerated tone, he said, “Oh! How can the precious fingers of our Big Pianist be used to open a can for me!”
Bian Liming clicked his tongue, and, pretending to be cool, retracted the hand holding the can of lemon tea. Despite the act, a smile leaked from the corners of his mouth, “Then open it yourself!”
Zhao Yuan giggled, reached forward, and took the can of lemon tea from his hand. Tipping his head back, he took a sip, closed his eyes, and savored the taste, “Indeed, there’s a taste of success in an ordinary lemon tea!”
Bian Liming, somewhat exasperated, put a hand to his forehead. He felt a bit inexplicably warm and, with a smile, patted the top of Zhao Yuan’s head, “Dr. Zhao! Can you be a bit more materialistic?”
The two sprawled on the sofa, eating, drinking, watching somewhat “irrelevant” political and economic news, and engaging in meaningless discussions unrelated to the news.
Bian Liming regretfully mentioned they should have bought some alcohol. A party without alcohol felt somewhat lacking.
Zhao Yuan immediately retorted, “The party is lacking people, that’s why it feels somewhat lacking!”
Zhao Yuan immediately regretted his words. Although it was a joke, there was a suspicion of unintentionally touching on someone’s sore spot. However, LBian Liming didn’t seem to be downcast because of it. He chuckled softly, “Just you here is enough; I’m satisfied.”
Throughout the entire time, Zhao Yuan kept an eye on the progress of the broadcast and the time in the upper right corner of the screen. At 7:55 PM, the camera cut back to the control room, and he nudged Bian Liming with his elbow, indicating that it was his turn.
Bian Liming, with a somewhat suppressed excitement, sat up a bit straighter on the sofa. He picked up his phone from the side, ready to take photos when the news about him appeared.
At this moment, an unknown hand appeared in the footage, placing a piece of paper in front of the host. Then, the host announced:
“Breaking news. At 7:41 PM today, a shooting incident occurred at the entrance of the National Government Hall in the independent country of Honshu, resulting in multiple injuries. Our diplomat and staff member of the Foreign Affairs Bureau Military Affairs Division, Bian Liqin, was shot in the head and died on the spot. The suspect is yet to be determined. The Honshu Independent Country police have launched an investigation. Please stay tuned for further updates on this channel.”
The air solidified.
Zhao Yuan felt like his head was completely empty, unable to engage in any coherent thinking. His limbs trembled uncontrollably, and he felt cold all over, but he couldn’t say a word or make any movement. He couldn’t even bring himself to turn and look at the motionless Bian Liming beside him.
Soon, before the two in front of the TV could react further, the camera quickly cut back to another host:
“Next is the last piece of news for this episode. Last Sunday, the ‘Huazhang Cup’ Young Pianist Competition concluded successfully.”
The TV screen transitioned to footage from the day of the competition. The red backdrop was as red as fresh blood, filling the entire rectangular TV screen, aggressively dazzling to the eyes. Participants in elegant attire stood on the stage, their faces reflecting the flickering lights from the camera flashes. Then the camera cut to a medium-close-up, showing Bian Liming holding flowers and a trophy, his face expressing surprise, joy, and a confident smile.
In the background, the host continued at a steady pace, “Bian Liming, an undergraduate student at Yancang University participating for the first time, successfully stood out and defeated the previous two-time champion Yu Zhicai with a solo performance of Mendelssohn’s ‘Spring Song,’ claiming victory. He became the first participant at the undergraduate level to win the first prize in the competition since its inception.”
“The ‘Huazhang Cup’ Young Pianist Competition has a history of more than thirty years since it started at the end of the last century. It has given rise to many renowned pianists, not only active domestically but also widely recognized internationally. It is known in the industry as the ‘touchstone for the potential of pianists.'”
The scene changed, showing Bian Liming on TV holding flowers and a trophy, facing the camera. His somewhat stiff cheeks were flushed by the stage carpet and backdrop, and the bright eyes sparkled with excitement and happiness.
“It’s an honor to win the championship in this competition! I hope that, with the promotion of the competition, the artistic environment in Yancang City and the Southern Flower Country can become better and better. I hope more performers can be known, recognized, and loved by the audience. Thank you all!”
That was probably the happiest day for Bian Liming since he was born.
