Merry Christmas, everybody!
Amidst the surprised and curious applause, Pei Yan and Qi Feng slowly walked toward the brightly lit center stage. As the distance between them shortened, they could see the glimmers in each other’s eyes.
Pei Yan’s tall stature carried an aura of authority and command. Qi Feng’s gentle and calm demeanor resembled that of a noble gentleman, with every gesture exuding elegance. This was the first time Qi Feng stood at the most dazzling center spot on stage since his debut. The brightest spotlights shone on his fair and refined features, capturing everyone’s attention instantly. He was even more eye-catching than any first-line male celebrity.
Especially the live audience who saw him in person were shocked and buzzed in discussion:
“My god, so he’s Qi Feng! So handsome!”
“What did he do before? Why have I never heard of such a good-looking star?”
“No wonder even the CEO1Since this is talking about the Donghai Group, not just Donghai Investment, I am using CEO. of Donghai Group is his fan. I want to be his fan too.”
“I’m following his Weibo now.”
“Ahhh me too!”
…
Even the host was amazed: “Wow, President Pei, you look so charming! With that physique and looks, no wonder some say you can debut and crush many top male stars.”
“And Qi Feng, our young talent’s skills are not to be underestimated. There is a reason he became popular so quickly.”
“Standing together, you two could steal all the limelight from the celebrities here today.”
The host had not met Qi Feng in person before, she only knew he would be on the show today. But seeing him up close gave her a huge surprise. This boy was truly good-looking.
So, she blurted out her candid thoughts unintentionally. Little did she know her praises for Qi Feng would make the other stars green with envy.
Qi Feng quickly said, “No no, you flatter me too much. I’m just a newcomer without any achievements. I can’t compare with the seniors here today.”
His gentle voice sounded very pleasant. His humble attitude also made the audience like this boy even more.
The host realized she went overboard and might have caused trouble for Qi Feng. Seeing the boy’s composure and calm response increased her impression of him exponentially. She laughed and said, “Come, Qi Feng, introduce yourself to everyone first.”
Qi Feng’s glance shifted briefly over Pei Yan who had been staring at him. He gave the audience a faint smile and introduced himself: “Hello everyone, I’m Qi Feng.”
That was it.
The audience below waited quietly expecting him to continue. For a moment, the huge stage and auditorium sunk into a short silence.
The host waited for a bit, then laughed and asked, “That’s all? Why didn’t you say more?”
Having his first time on this type of show, Qi Feng was a little confused and asked, “Should I also mention my current work as a livestreamer and endorser?”
So adorable and still somewhat reserved.
The entire audience laughed at this.
“This is your chance to promote yourself!” The host laughed uncontrollably.
As an experienced host, she knew occasional mishaps like this would also bring joy to the audience. She helped smooth things over and said, “Too cute. No wonder the big boss of Donghai Investment became your biggest fan.”
She turned to Pei Yan with the microphone and jokingly asked, “President Pei, so how do you feel meeting your idol in person?”
Instantly, the focus shifted to Pei Yan and Qi Feng.
“I…..am very nervous.” Pei Yan put his hand over his heart and gazed deeply at Qi Feng. “I didn’t expect to see someone I admire so much on the same stage and be able to get so close. ”
His tone was low, but the microphone carried it across the venue. Deep and measured, wrapped in intense emotions. Those who didn’t know better would really think he was excited from meeting his idol.
Only Qi Feng understood Pei Yan was confessing to him in public.
Restarting their relationship in this fashion.
But…..
Qi Feng felt conflicted. Raising his eyes to meet Pei Yan’s, the deep dark pupils seemed to burn with scorching flames, scalding his vision.
“It’s just that I know it was because of the things I said earlier that prompted the director to add this segment. It must have caused you trouble. So…..I’m sorry.”
Pei Yan’s tone carried remorse, wanting to say more but stopping himself as if the next sentence would be ‘Don’t be mad.’
Pei Yan’s identity was the sponsoring investor of this show, the coveted CEO of a corporation that commanded public attention and awe. His manner was usually cold and arrogant with an imposing aura. But now facing Qi Feng, he revealed a deferential posture that came from his emotions.
This contrast surprised everyone present: Was this how a president acted toward his idol? Was this what a diehard fan looked like?
Qi Feng only wanted to escape, to hide from that stubborn blaze of ardor. But they were on stage, with tens of thousands of people watching their livestream both online and onsite.
He only hoped Uncle Pei was not watching this.
“No need.” Qi Feng’s voice was also soft. “Mr. Pei, please don’t apologize.”
The host intentionally gave the space to these two, wanting to provide an opportunity for Qi Feng to interact with a capitalist like Pei Yan. She didn’t expect the boy to remain aloof, seemingly indifferent that someone like Pei Yan could bring a rising star connections, relationships, and opportunities.
Perhaps Qi Feng was still too young and unaware of the ways of the world.
Having struggled in the entertainment industry for over a decade, she quickly reminded Qi Feng: “Qi Feng, now this is President Pei’s fan meeting. As his idol, you can give him some fan service. Let everyone see that our Qi Feng treats his fans very well.”
Hearing the word “treat well”, Pei Yan’s fingertips trembled involuntarily.
He didn’t dare wish Qi Feng would “treat him well”. If Qi Feng just stopped avoiding him and rejecting him, he would be endlessly grateful.
Qi Feng asked: “I’ve never done a fan meeting before. What do I need to do?”
The host grinned and said, “Shake hands, sign autographs, take photos, hug, anything you want. It’s up to how you want to indulge the fans.”
She intentionally hyped up the atmosphere: “Everyone wants to see how Qi Feng treats his fans.”
Perhaps because both men were too pleasing to the eyes, one tall and one slender, one blazing like the sun and one calm as water. Standing together, they looked perfect.
The audience below started shouting:
“Hug!”
“Hug!”
“Hug!”
…..
Host: “Wow, looks like everyone wants to see the handsome guys hug! Shall we have you two hug each other?”
Qi Feng appeared a little embarrassed and took a glance at Pei Yan.
Pei Yan took a deep breath and said, “Let’s forget about the hug. If I can just take a photo together with the person I admire, my wish for today will come true.”
After saying that, he asked Qi Feng’s opinion: “May I ask if you would take a photo with me?” His tone carried a request.
At the very least, better than a hug.
Qi Feng gave a faint smile. “Okay, let’s take it.”
The host stepped aside, leaving the center stage to them.
Pei Yan moved closer to the boy, his arm lightly touching the boy’s slender shoulders. Instantly he could smell the familiar gentle fragrance.
He held his breath, raising the camera high with one hand. Below the lens, the boy’s clear eyes looked at him on the screen. Pei Yan’s breath quivered.
“I’m sorry.”
He said in an extremely low voice.
It was unclear if he was apologizing for making Qi Feng come on stage today or for something in the past.
Qi Feng’s heart was suddenly clutched, aching slightly, and feeling a little sour.
Pei Yan had never done anything to apologize for.
Pei Yan pressed the shutter. After a crisp click, the two were frozen in that moment on the phone screen.
This was their first photo together, and it was taken in front of thousands of people.
“Thank you.”
Pei Yan put away his phone and took a step back from Qi Feng. Looking down at the boy, he said: “I will treasure this photo for the rest of my life.”
“You’re welcome.”
Qi Feng felt his own inexplicable emotions rising, filling him up. Standing on stage, he awkwardly avoided Pei Yan’s gaze.
Amidst the roar of applause, the impromptu fan meeting segment ended. The two walked off the stage in separate directions as the show officially began.
But the brief fan meeting triggered a wave of discussions online.
Some screenshotted the images of Pei Yan and Qi Feng standing together. They were shocked to see that in every picture, Pei Yan’s eyes on Qi Feng were deep as if wanting to pull the other person in completely.
[The way President Pei looks at Qi Feng, so affectionate! Is this how a diehard fan gazes at his idol?]
[Just now he was still cold and aloof, but now speaking so gently and carefully.]
[Is Qi Feng feeling shy and nervous? He seems on edge, avoiding Pei Yan’s eyes the whole time. Not in a disgusted way, more like he doesn’t dare to face it.]
[Omg you guys, don’t they seem so shippable, I want to ship them!]
[Look at the recording, Pei Yan called Qi Feng the person he likes, he said it twice!! Is this a confession, can I really ship them?!]
…..
The hastily added fan meeting segment caused Qi Feng’s popularity to skyrocket. His original program was scheduled in the mid to later section, after the finale performance, when the audience would be most visually fatigued and prone to change channels.
But today, everyone was extremely excited to see what kind of performance the president’s idol would deliver. So even after the finale, the enthusiasm of the audience remained undiminished.
The program right before Qi Feng was a talk show and live performance with a special guest, Master Wu.
After the host welcomed Master Wu on stage, the lighting and atmosphere across the grand theater turned solemn and formal to welcome this veteran musician.
The host respectfully introduced many of Master Wu’s works and his contributions to promoting classical music. The audience below and in front of screens listened in awe.
Master Wu was not modest at all, nor did he need to be.
He said: “Our nation’s classical music has an even longer history than any country in the world. Just take the ancient qin melodies passed down. Which one is not an unparalleled masterpiece? There are even some unfinished scores that are regrettably lost, giving later musicians so much inspiration to recreate, yet still unable to perfectly transcribe.”
The host asked: “Ah, Master Wu, hearing you say this, are you going to perform that rearranged version of the lost qin score again?”
Master Wu nodded: “This qin piece is estimated to be from a thousand years ago. The composer’s identity was an imperial musician, but his name is unknown. He only wrote the main theme, leaving so much space for later adaptations.”
“It’s a pity no matter who does it, the essence of the original melody can never be captured. I wonder what emotions that anonymous musician felt when he wrote this piece. If I knew, I could find a direction to rearrange it.”
The host flattered him: “Among the artists across generations who attempted rearrangements, I’m certain Master Wu’s version is the most successful.”
Master Wu gave a bitter smile and shook his head. Then he started playing his adapted version of the nameless piece.
The aged hands were weathered but firm, fingers plucking the qin strings. The ancient melodious tones immersed everyone present.
It was as if they saw that long-lost qin player from a millennium ago sitting before the mahogany qin stand, performing this ageless masterpiece.
Such was the depth of a veteran artist.
Qi Feng was waiting at the stage entrance for his next program. When he heard Master Wu’s performance, he looked over in astonishment.
The melody the elder played was precisely his own unfinished qin piece.
The anonymous musician Master Wu spoke of was himself from Yong’an Music Hall.
He listened carefully. Master Wu had modified the incomplete sections, making them very complete, but the extra parts deviated somewhat from the main theme. It was not the effect he aimed for when he composed it.
After Master Wu finished playing, thunderous applause exploded below. The host continuously exclaimed praises.
Master Wu sighed while caressing the qin: “What a pity, something still feels off. If only I knew the state of mind of the person who wrote this lost masterpiece, perhaps I could grasp it better. But alas, he left nothing behind.”
Qi Feng stood backstage, smiling in his eyes.
He didn’t expect his own work to be so cherished by later generations, it made him very happy.
Even the unease from the earlier encounter with Pei Yan dissipated.
The host escorted Master Wu off stage.
When the elder walked by Qi Feng, he saw the smiling eyes of the boy and snorted: “Play properly yourself, don’t disgrace that ancient qin on stage.”
Qi Feng nodded slightly to him. “Master Wu, take care.”
Following the host’s announcement, Qi Feng stepped towards the dazzling center stage for the second time today.
The qin Master Wu just played was there, specially prepared by the program team.
He was going to play a qin piece he composed himself, titled “Waiting for the Flowers to Fall”.
It contained both the elegant, tranquil style of ancient melodies as well as the livelier elements he added after learning modern music.
Different from the livestreams, the expansive acoustics of the stage venue carried his music clearly to everyone’s ears, resonating with the listeners.
Below, the audience was enthralled. Such beautiful music, but what was this piece? Many thought this but didn’t dare miss a single note, indulging themselves in the performance.
Only one person was unaffected by the spellbinding music.
Pei Yan gazed up at the boy caressing the qin on stage, his eyes filled with confusion.
Qi Feng sat high above playing the qin, bathed in the spotlight and public adoration. While he…..listened from below. He wanted to reach out and grab the boy, to protect him, cherish him, but they were too far apart. He couldn’t get close no matter how he tried.
This scene felt strangely familiar.
And not just once.
He had seen Qi Feng before! From very very long ago!
As Pei Yan thought this, a picture suddenly flashed in his mind. Qi Feng sitting on the pavilion, with his black hair rolled up and his robes flowing, like an ancient noble prince.
This was the first time he had such a memory while fully conscious.
Not a dream, but a memory.
Pei Yan tried to grasp those fleeting traces of recollection, struggling to search for scattered fragments in his mind. Then a stab of headache and chest pain struck, plunging him back into blankness and weakness.
“Qi Feng…..”
Pei Yan’s brows knitted tight as he murmured the name. “Where on earth…..have I seen you before?”
At this moment, he was absolutely certain he had met Qi Feng before. Their relationship was definitely not ordinary.
It was just, he couldn’t remember.
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