Chapter 401: Chapter 401: Performance
She wore a bright red silk dress with a very low neckline, exposing her full chest, her face as delicate as hibiscus, her eyebrows like willows, and her eyes more enchanting than peach blossoms highly captivating. Her skin was as white as snow, and her black hair was styled into a high, elegant updo, radiating blinding light from the pearls in her hair under the sun. Her bright red lips curved slightly upward, creating the image of a stunningly beautiful woman.
After several months apart, his longing had almost turned into sickness. Unexpectedly, fate played its part in such a cruel way. He had run into her here.
Liu Yiyi turned her head back, her pure and beautiful face blushing slightly as she shyly asked Xiao Han, “Did… did you just call me?”
“Mhm!” Xiao Han nodded.
“Then…” Liu Yiyi paused a moment, and awkwardly said, “Then how do you know me?”
“I…” Xiao Han’s heart pounded vehemently. The girl he had never met, yet longed for day and night. He hadn’t expected their encounter to be so sudden, and although his heart was full of words, he couldn’t utter a single sentence. Xiao Han’s mind was in chaos, and so was his heart.
...
Liu Yiyi was even more curious; she seemed to notice Xiao Han’s nervousness. She smiled gently, her smile seemingly filled with magic which immediately soothed Xiao Han’s restlessness. He took a deep breath and said, “I know, I saw you at the Guzheng Music Store and at Shuimu University as well. It’s just that you didn’t notice me.”
“Oh!” Liu Yiyi hesitated and then said, “So you’re a student at Shuimu University?”
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“Yes, are you also?” Xiao Han asked eagerly.
“I…” Liu Yiyi hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, “Kind of.”
“Then…” Xiao Han quickly asked, “Do you also have a performance today?”
“Yes!” Liu Yiyi nodded, “I have a dance, the Peacock Dance!”
“Is that so? I’m really looking forward to it!” Xiao Han hurriedly said.
“Hehe, thank you.” Liu Yiyi grinned slightly and said, “My performance is about to start, I must go get ready.”
“Okay!” Xiao Han nodded.
Liu Yiyi politely bowed slightly to Xiao Han, then quickly walked towards the back of the stage. Xiao Han watched Liu Yiyi’s retreating figure, his heart pounding with excitement. It was the first time he had spoken to Liu Yiyi. His usually calm heart was now tumultuously excited.
At this moment, Xiao Han was eagerly anticipating Liu Yiyi’s performance.
Soon, Liu Yiyi’s performance began.
She wore a dazzling red dress, shining so brightly among the performers, standing out like an Immortal Crane among chickens. Her appearance was striking, capturing everyone’s attention. Xiao Han was profoundly moved.
Her dance was powerful, with complex movements seeming effortless in her hands. She was graceful and supple, shifting fluidly, completely mesmerizing everyone watching. Liu Yiyi’s figure was sensuous, which also showcased her high-level dance skills. Her foundational technique was solid, impressively so.
After the dance ended, the entire audience stood and applauded continuously.
Liu Yiyi showed no pride or excitement but walked slowly to the front of the stage and bowed slightly to thank the audience.
Just as Liu Yiyi was about to turn and leave the stage, suddenly, a man in a black suit quickly approached her, then helped her turn and leave the stage. At first, Xiao Han felt a pang of fear, thinking the man in black intended harm. However, when he saw him helping Liu Yiyi off the stage, he breathed a sigh of relief.
After they went offstage, Xiao Han quickly approached, “Yiyi, are you alright?”
“I… I’m fine!” Liu Yiyi’s face was pale, and beads of sweat rolled down her forehead.
The man in black quickly asked, “Miss, are you alright?”
“I’m fine, just a bit dizzy!” Liu Yiyi closed her eyes, her complexion even paler.
“Then let me help you back to rest!” the man in black hurriedly said.
“No!” Liu Yiyi shook her head, “I… I will rest here for a while. I want to watch the program a bit longer.”
“Alright!” The man in black nodded, he quickly helped Liu Yiyi into the rest room to rest, then brought her tea and water. Xiao Han stood by, feeling completely helpless. He awkwardly said, “Yiyi, what’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”
“Hmm!” Liu Yiyi shook her head, “Just exhausted too much energy.”
“I see!” Xiao Han said, feeling a bit relieved.
Liu Yiyi’s lips curved into a smile, then she said, “What about your performance? When does it start?”
“Soon.” Xiao Han hurriedly replied.
“Are you planning to play the Guzheng?” Liu Yiyi asked.
“Yes!” Xiao Han hurriedly nodded.
“I’m looking forward to your performance!” Liu Yiyi managed a strained smile. That smile had exhausted all of Liu Yiyi’s energy. After all, for her, courtesy was the most important thing.
“Thank you!” Xiao Han nodded slightly.
Liu Yiyi was too drained, and she eventually fell asleep on the couch.
Xiao Han watched from across, his heart aching. The man in black fanned her gently by her side.
Meanwhile, at the back of the props department of the production team. A few members of the props team were secretly handling matters. Li Haonan rushed out of there, whispering something into their ears as he left, as if he had instructions for them.
“Don’t worry, we’ll handle it!” several people nodded in agreement.
Being part of the TV station, and with Li Haonan being a popular figure, how could they not listen to Li Haonan? Besides, their jobs had interfaced with Li Haonan many times. If they did not coordinate well, they feared they might face consequences in the future.
Li Haonan turned and left.
Fifteen minutes later, it was soon Xiao Han’s turn to take the stage.
After the host concluded, the backstage crew quickly started bustling about. The props for the show were promptly set up. Xiao Han quickly walked up from behind the stage. Once he was in place, the curtains were drawn.
Clap clap clap…
The lights instantly turned on, but when the lights came on, there was an uproar at the venue.
Whoa…
The crowd was stunned. The cloth that was supposed to be behind Xiao Han should have been pure white. Light projected onto it would have created a beautiful, antique pattern. However, this white cloth now had spots of black ink. These blotches of ink were still damp, looking as though someone had splashed ink over it. Although not very large, they made people feel extremely uncomfortable. A sudden ink stain on a white cloth was very jarring.
“What… what’s happening?” someone asked in surprise.
“Who knows!”
“How could this happen?”
The audience in the front row was all stunned. Jiang Xiaoqing was also surprised; she quickly turned to look at Li Haonan. However, she saw a smug smile on Li Haonan’s lips, as if he had succeeded in some vengeance. He looked extremely thrilled.
Xiao Han glanced over and, without saying anything, continued with his own rhythm.
After taking the stage, Xiao Han approached the microphone and first performed a piece in Qin opera style. Then, he turned and walked to the side, flicked his hand, and gently sat on the Meditation Cushion. He then lightly stroked the flexible strings.
The Guzheng trembled and the tones were soothing as he played the piano composition he wrote called “Searching for Her” on the Guzheng. This composition, created by Xiao Han, was also composed for Liu Yiyi. Thus, when this piece began to play, Xiao Han infused it with a lot of emotion. The sound of the Guzheng lingered for three days, never dissipating. Liu Yiyi, who had been resting on the couch, suddenly awoke to the music. She frantically looked around.
“Who… who is playing this?” Liu Yiyi asked excitedly.
“Miss, it’s the gentleman who was just on stage!” the man in black quickly responded.
“Quick, help me get a closer look!” Liu Yiyi hastily said.
The man in black quickly came forward to support Liu Yiyi. When she heard the Guzheng music, Liu Yiyi’s body trembled. Her soul seemed to be telling her that this Guzheng piece was giving her a glimmer of hope. She felt that the Guzheng music touched her soul, bringing her life new sprouts of vitality. Liu Yiyi leaned behind the stage curtain, excitedly watching Xiao Han on stage.
From behind the stage, she could only see Xiao Han’s back. Even just his silhouette was enough to move Liu Yiyi. Watching Xiao Han’s back, Liu Yiyi felt as though she had traversed a love that spanned a thousand years. She felt as if she were the princess of Tufan Country from a thousand years ago, who had fallen in love with a wealthy young man from the Tang Dynasty. Unfortunately, due to certain reasons, they weren’t able to be together, making them constantly yearn for each other as if arranged by fate.
Liu Yiyi never had any feelings for men, but this time was different. Seeing Xiao Han’s back, she felt different emotions stirring within her. This feeling brought immense melancholy and sorrow.
After finishing the piece, Xiao Han turned and looked at the backdrop that had been splashed with ink. He looked up at the large curtain, seemingly pondering.
The audience and the backstage crew seemed a bit surprised and puzzled.
According to the schedule, Xiao Han’s performance should have ended, but this man refused to leave the stage. Since the show was still being recorded, no one dared to come forward to stop him, and no one dared to persuade him. After all, Director Zhao was present at the venue, and if anyone was to remind him, it should have been Director Zhao himself. However, Director Zhao did not speak out. This indicated that every action of Xiao Han was implicitly approved by Director Zhao.
Xiao Han’s lips curved into a mischievous smile, and he suddenly shouted, “Bring me ink and brush!”
Whoa…
The venue was in an uproar again.
Everyone was a bit surprised. A stage assistant quickly ran to Director Zhao’s side and said, “Director, what should we do about this?”