The rebirth of lickspittle

The National Ethnic Orchestra began their second instrumental piece, Hundred Birds Worshiping the Phoenix. After that, Han Leina was scheduled to perform Kangding Love Song.

While the audience was immersed in the forest-like ambiance of Hundred Birds Worshiping the Phoenix, Zhang Fan quietly left his seat. Even when Han Leina was about to start singing Kangding Love Song, he still hadn't returned.

Gulina Ba, feeling uncomfortable, muttered, "What's taking Zhang Fan so long? Did he fall into the bathroom or something?"

At this moment, Han Leina walked onto the stage, picked up the microphone, and addressed the audience:

"My sincerest apologies, everyone. The next song was supposed to be Kangding Love Song, but we've decided to add another piece to the program. Please enjoy!"

No one objected to an extra performance. On the contrary, applause erupted throughout the hall—some even hoped for more songs.

However, the next moment left everyone stunned. On the stage of the ethnic music hall, staff wheeled in a grand piano. The piano wasn't the only surprise. Shortly after, they brought in a set of chime bells! This massive instrument required several trips to transport and assemble completely.

Following that, a guzheng, a bamboo flute, a xylophone, a pipa, and a yangqin were all brought onstage. All of these were traditional Chinese instruments, except for the grand piano, which looked conspicuously prominent in the center.

As microphones were set up and performers took their places, even Gulina Ba, Aisha, and Gu Youan couldn't hide their shock. Zhang Fan appeared on stage too!

Amidst performers dressed in traditional costumes, Zhang Fan, wearing a sleek black tailcoat, stood tall and strikingly handsome at the center.

The internationally renowned superstar Han Leina was now relegated to the role of announcer. She said, "Please welcome Mr. Zhang Fan, who will perform his self-composed Chinese-style pop song, Blue and White Porcelain. Please enjoy."

Zhang Fan showed no sign of embarrassment as he smiled confidently.

While Blue and White Porcelain was originally created by Jay Chou in 2007, this was 2005—so Zhang Fan decided it was "his" creation now.

Gulina Ba was dumbfounded. Grabbing Gu Youan's arm, she whispered, "Can he really perform Chinese-style pop music? What if it's terrible or just doesn't work? That would be so embarrassing! Should we ask him to step down?"

Gu Youan smiled and reassured her, "Relax. Zhang Fan isn't a child. He knows what he's doing."

Backstage, Shen Chuchu, holding ten tickets to Andy Lau's concert, caught a glimpse of Zhang Fan in his tailcoat preparing for something. They exchanged a glance, and though Shen Chuchu wanted to say something, she saw Zhang Fan being ushered to the stage.

Curious, she decided to circle around and see what Zhang Fan was up to.

Zhang Fan approached the piano and bowed deeply to the audience with a smile. This single gesture made every woman in the hall—except Gu Youan—momentarily mesmerized by his charm, including Gulina Ba and Shen Chuchu.

Zhang Fan leaned toward the microphone and said, "This song is dedicated to a certain girl here tonight."

With one sentence, the female audience erupted into cheers. Many clutched their chests, their faces lit with joy, each thinking, Could it be me?

Gulina Ba's eyes widened as she wondered, Is it for me? Or for Youan? I was the one who asked him to sing, so it must be for me, right?

From the side of the stage, Shen Chuchu stared in astonishment, her heart racing: Is this song for me?

Zhang Fan raised his hand, and the chime bells resonated with two deep, solemn notes.

The rhythm began with clappers and drums, followed by the guzheng's melody. Every musician had a copy of the sheet music Zhang Fan had prepared for them.

Sitting at the piano, Zhang Fan—coming from a wealthy family—played the instrument with mastery. The piano's notes intertwined seamlessly with the guzheng, painting a vivid image of misty Jiangnan water towns, where ink-wash figures danced in harmony.

Zhang Fan began singing softly:

"The plain base outlines the blue and white, the brush's strokes shift from bold to soft.

The porcelain vase depicts peonies, reminiscent of your first adornment.

The lingering sandalwood wafts through the window, revealing my thoughts.

Yet my brush halts midway on the rice paper."

The melody was captivating, and the fusion of the piano and traditional Chinese instruments was so seamless that even superstar Han Leina was left astounded.

Gulina Ba, with her bright eyes, was frozen in disbelief. She clung to Gu Youan's arm, and even the usually composed Gu Youan was visibly shaken.

The audience and performers alike were enchanted by the perfect harmony of melody and lyrics.

As Zhang Fan continued into the chorus, his voice grew more profound:

"Sky blue awaits the rain, and I await you.

Curling smoke rises, separated by a thousand rivers.

On the vase's bottom, I write Han script akin to ancient grace,

A prelude to our destined meeting."

The profound imagery left everyone speechless.

Back on stage, the musicians gave it their all, treating this performance as sacred. Not one dared to make a single mistake, fearing they might ruin the magic of the moment.

Gu Youan closed her eyes, as did many others in the audience, savoring every note and word.

This wasn't just a song, nor merely a fusion of Chinese-style music and pop. It was a heartfelt poetic confession of love.

Zhang Fan's words captured the hearts of every listener:

"Sky blue awaits the rain, and I await you.

The moonlight retrieved reflects an ending untold.

Like a timeless blue and white porcelain, it gracefully exists,

With your smile etched within."

In the final verse, a clue was revealed:

"Beyond the rain, the ivy grows around the gate, copper-green patinas linger on the door.

As I passed by Huayang University, I was drawn to you."

Huayang University!

The audience quickly pieced it together. The girl Zhang Fan sang about must be from Huayang University.

At this realization, Gu Youan, Gulina Ba, and Shen Chuchu all thought the same thing:

This song… it must be for me!