"What do you know, kid? This is Gu Yue! She's just been admitted to the Classical Music Institute, do you think she can't play well?"
The audience consisted not only of Qin Qiejian's fans but also of Gu Yue's fans, who were drawn in by Qin Qiejian's music.
Hearing An'an speak about their goddess that way, they naturally became displeased.
"If you don't understand, don't speak. Whose child is this, so ill-mannered, speaking nonsense as soon as they open their mouth."
As other fans were about to continue speaking, Qin Qiejian, dressed in traditional Chinese attire, walked onto the stage, and they quickly turned back to cheer.
Huo Rou rubbed An'an's head to comfort him, "You're right, she plays poorly. They say that because they can't tell good from bad."
"I know, Mom. Can adults overlook a child's misstep?"
"Mhm, you can think of it that way too." Huo Rou chuckled softly.
On stage, Qin Qiejian performed one song after another. Huo Rou breathed a sigh of relief, his voice almost drowning out the guzheng music, so she wouldn't have to suffer.
Qin Qiejian's vocal timbre was gorgeous and ethereal, highly adaptable, capable of handling songs that conveyed sorrow or exuded high spirits.
Huo Rou listened and nodded with satisfaction. The singer Zhao Xianjun found was quite good.
During the intermission, Qin Qiejian interacted with the audience. As soon as he appeared on stage, he saw his older brother sitting in the audience, holding a child with a similar appearance.
Curiosity piqued, he looked a few more times and then noticed the beautiful Huo Rou sitting beside them.
He had always been a free spirit, backed by the formidable Qin brand. He had always done whatever he pleased, as seen in the recent Weibo incident.
When the intermission arrived, it was time for interaction.
He finally seized the opportunity, "Let's try something different today."
"Alright!" the fans below shouted loudly.
"Instead of randomly selecting with spotlights, today I want to personally pick someone to come on stage to sing a duet with me." Qin Qiejian flashed a mischievous smile, full of youthful vigor and exploding hormones.
"Me! Me! Pick me, pick me!" The fans below shouted frantically, trying to attract his attention with their volume.
Huo Rou and her companions sat amidst the excited crowd, feeling completely out of place.
Qin Qiejian's gaze swept across the audience before finally landing on Huo Rou. She didn't seem like his fan, not excited at all?
Qin Qiejian pondered for a moment, "It doesn't matter if she's a fan or not. As long as she's here, I can pick her!"
"Then it's you!"
The bright smile on the young man's face was broadcast on the big screen, and all the fans screamed, "Brother is so handsome! So handsome!"
The camera then panned across the audience in the direction Qin Qiejian pointed.
Huo Rou met Qin Qiejian's alluring smile, completely unfazed, and didn't think it was about her.
Unexpectedly, Qin Qiejian described her more specifically, "That young lady with black hair, who is very fair."
The camera seemed to understand his thoughts, or perhaps Huo Rou's appearance was the most striking within the range. It cut to a close-up of Huo Rou.
The entire audience gasped.
What divine beauty was this?
After admiring her appearance, they then calmly began to ponder. Qin Qiejian had smiled so alluringly just now…
Could their brother have taken a liking to this person?
Huo Rou's eyes showed resistance, but in front of people, she was always accustomed to appearing approachable.
She smiled gently at the camera and waved her hand.
A staff member came to invite her, and Huo Rou politely refused, "Please choose someone else. I'm just here to watch the show, not a fan."
As soon as her voice came out, the entire audience gasped again.
So sweet!
Naturally sweet!
Qin Qiejian's interest deepened. He raised his eyebrows, "It's alright, I'll sing, you listen."
"Ah! Brother, no!" a frenzied fan shouted. Qin Qiejian could treat everyone equally, but he couldn't have exceptions.
"Refuse! Refuse!" Fans from one direction shouted loudly in protest, "Vixen! Vixen!"
"You shouldn't say that," Qin Qiejian glanced dismissively in that direction, his voice trailing off at the end, "I'll be angry."
The words "I'll be angry" were delivered in a commanding and captivating manner. Ordinary fans were immersed in this soul-stirring defense, while the hatred in the eyes of the fans in that direction intensified.
Seeing that they had stopped their insults, Qin Qiejian turned back to Huo Rou, his expression conveying that if she didn't come up, he would wait there indefinitely.
He ignored his agent's pleas through his earpiece, even taking it off.
His eyes were only on Huo Rou, and he couldn't see his brother's darkening expression beside her.
Pretending was Huo Rou's greatest skill. Since she couldn't avoid it, she might as well go up.
She nodded, "Alright then."
Qin Ning reached out to grab her, but Huo Rou's gaze stopped him.
If he were to forcibly drag her away on the spot, it would cause too much of a scene and attract even more attention. It was better for her to go on stage; it would only take less than a song to come down.
When Huo Rou went on stage, Qin Qiejian's gaze became even more fixed.
He liked her.
He had confirmed it with just one glance.
However, it wasn't appropriate to tell her now; it would definitely cause dissatisfaction among his fans and bring her trouble.
After it was over, he would have his agent intercept her first.
Qin Qiejian thought far ahead, even planning where to hold their wedding.
"Since you're not my fan, it's no use asking you to choose a song. How about I sing you a new song?"
Qin Qiejian didn't wait for her agreement. He held the microphone and looked at her affectionately.
"Willow winds, like my sorrow. Pear blossoms half-dyed, on the willow tips. Heaven's affection unspoken, past in misty rain, longing empty."
A song filled with sorrow, it eloquently expressed the heartache of loving someone.
Qin Qiejian's voice was lingering. The spotlight shone on both of them. He portrayed the role of a deeply devoted lover to perfection, looking at Huo Rou with gentle eyes.
"After another dream, I embrace you in my arms, sharing two cups of clear tea with you. After another dream, endless thoughts of you, leaving me to meet you alone with two cups."
He had promised to sing a segment, but the song had already reached its climax. Qin Qiejian's microphone suddenly went silent.
The backstage manager, with a look of despair, pressed the volume control button, watching the footage of Qin Qiejian singing softly to Huo Rou. His heart was bleeding!
Exposing it prematurely without prior arrangement would incur a substantial compensation fee! His phone rang at the opportune moment, and Zhao Xianjun was already calling to demand compensation.
He bowed subserviently like a lackey, "Yes, this is our little Qin's fault. We will compensate according to the contract. I will transfer ten million to you immediately."
"It won't happen again next time, it won't happen again."
The manager, pained, contacted the finance department to arrange the transfer.
He gritted his teeth, staring at Qin Qiejian on stage, who was acting like a peacock.
No, even if it meant losing face, he had to go on stage and drag that kid down. He was truly infatuated!
Beauty was costing him a fortune!
On stage, Huo Rou saw that his microphone had been silenced by the backstage crew and smiled politely, preparing to leave.
"Hey!" Qin Qiejian, using the silent microphone, blurted out, "What's your name?"
Huo Rou's phone suddenly rang.
Qin Qiejian had listened to this melody repeatedly for days. It was the prelude to the unreleased new song he had just sung.