Farewell concert 1

He tapped into the trending topic and saw that the other man's final concert would be held in two days.

Comments section

[No matter what, I hope he can bring things to a perfect close here.]

[Sob, sob, sob, I still can't accept it. After going through so much, he's leaving the industry at a time like this.]

[I guess you could call me an insider. Something happened to ysq's younger brother, so he has to go home and hold things together now. Sigh, what a shame.]

[Details, please, commenter above.]

[ysq's family owns that pretty famous company, Yasheng. His younger brother used to handle all the family business, so he could focus on his entertainment career without worrying. Who could have expected ysq's brother to get into a car accident that left him with serious lasting effects? Sigh, poor guy, and so young, too. Now someone has to step up at the company, so ysq has no choice but to leave the industry and go home.]

[Life really is unpredictable...]

[So he's going home to inherit the family business?]

[Even if he is going home to inherit the family business, he's still giving up his dream. He was so close to making it...]

As he scrolled through the comments, Gu Nian'an's expression grew somewhat complicated.

He remembered that the original author had devoted a great deal of writing to Yu Songqing's pursuit of music, and that his father had also hoped, on his deathbed, that he would become an outstanding musician.

Yu Songqing was also extremely gifted in music. Otherwise, he would never have shot to fame on a talent show with just one song, "Butterfly Dream."

Even the diva Ji Baiwei had praised his exceptional talent.

Yet now, because of these unforeseen events...

Thinking of his quiet, reserved, and sensitive nature, so much like his own younger self, Gu Nian'an could not help sighing.

He opened his chat with Yu Songqing, unsure what to say. Only after a long while did he hesitantly type out a line.

Elsewhere, Yu Songqing was handling company documents when a special notification suddenly sounded beside him. His eyes brightened slightly, and he picked up his phone and tapped the screen.

"Can I come to your concert?"

[Kitty peeking out.jpg]

Looking at the message he had sent, a barely perceptible smile appeared on Yu Songqing's lips, only to vanish an instant later as though it had been an illusion.

"Of course. Just let me know when you come."

A reply soon came from the other end.

[Kitty saying thank you.jpg]

Looking at the sticker he had sent, Yu Songqing sighed softly and tossed his phone onto the desk.

He had abruptly taken over the company's affairs these past few days, while his mother had merely given him a few hurried instructions before going to look after his younger brother.

The sheer volume of information left him struggling to breathe, and he had no one around him to talk to. He could only chat with Gu Nian'an occasionally in his spare time.

Gu Nian'an always seemed able to sense his mood and kept finding things to talk about in an attempt to cheer him up.

The thought of him brought a sweet smile to his face, and he felt little flutters in his heart.

Before he could put away his smile, his phone suddenly rang. Yu Songqing picked it up and saw that the caller was his mother.

His breathing seemed to stop for an instant. He pressed his lips together but still answered the call.

A slightly weary female voice came through the phone. "Songqing, I can't come to your concert. Your brother... you know how he is. I can't stop worrying about him."

I knew it would be like this...

At her words, he lowered his eyes, hiding every emotion in them, and merely answered flatly, "Mm, I understand."

Hearing his tone, the woman on the other end felt a little guilty. After a long silence, she spoke again. "Songqing, take care of yourself while you're working."

Yu Songqing's lashes trembled softly, but he did not answer.

When no response came, the woman on the other end opened her mouth, unsure what to say. She merely sighed and added, "I'm going to look after your brother now. Let's talk another time."

With that, she hung up.

The man sat silently in his chair, staring for a long time at the phone in his hand after the call had ended, before slowly closing his eyes.

He should have stopped expecting anything long ago.

Yet he could never bring himself to blame his mother, simply because whenever he woke from dreams in the middle of the night, he could always hear his father's dying request: "I've wronged your mother. Promise me you'll take good care of her and treat her well."

And there were all those moments with his mother during his childhood.

He could never bring himself to blame his mother or hate her.

Only the disappointment and resentment of having his hopes dashed time and again kept entangling him, leaving him in unbearable pain...

He got up and washed his face, trying to clear his head. Looking up at the person in the mirror, he felt nothing but ridiculous and pathetic.

In the morning, Gu Nian'an and Fu Xiuyuan ate at the dining table.

Gu Nian'an suddenly said, "Sir, I won't be bringing you lunch at the office today. My friend is holding a concert. It's his last one, so I'd like to go."

Fu Xiuyuan paused slightly at his words, considering for a moment which friend he meant. After a while, he asked as though nothing were amiss, "Mm. What's your friend's name?"

"It's Yu Songqing, who was on that variety show with me last time. You should know him, sir," the young man answered with a smile.

Yu Songqing. The man silently repeated the name, suddenly recalling that he was the newly appointed vice president of Yasheng, a company he worked with.

And that variety show Gu Nian'an had taken part in...

Their various interactions flashed through his mind.

Somehow, the two had become friends without his knowing. Although they were husbands, he truly had no reason, legally or morally, to interfere with Gu Nian'an's friendships.

Irritation welled up in Fu Xiuyuan's heart, emotions churning in his eyes.

Only after a long while did he casually answer, "Do as you like."

"Thank you, sir." Gu Nian'an smiled radiantly.

Looking at the young man's happy smile, Fu Xiuyuan pressed his lips into a straight line, finding the name Yu Songqing increasingly grating.

He picked a cream-colored sweatshirt from the wardrobe, paired it with black casual trousers, threw them on, and hurried out.

On his way to the concert, he suddenly remembered that many fans gave their idols flowers when a concert ended. Though he was not a fan, he might as well buy a bouquet.

He then walked into a flower shop, where the dazzling array of fresh flowers left him a little overwhelmed by the choices.

Just then, the shop owner came over and asked softly, "What kind of flowers would you like, sir?"

Looking at the different flowers before him, Gu Nian'an felt rather lost and asked casually, "Could you recommend some flowers suitable for a friend?"

"Then I'd recommend these, sir." As the owner spoke, they pointed to some small white flowers nearby.

"These are magnolias. They mean lasting friendship."

Gu Nian'an looked up at the words. Small white flowers clustered on the branches, their petals flawless and white as jade.

Gu Nian'an's eyes lit up, and he immediately decided on them.

After he paid, the shop owner cut off the flowering branches, wrapped them in paper, and handed them to the young man, adding, "May your friendship last forever, sir."

Looking at the owner's sincere gaze, Gu Nian'an smiled slightly and replied, "Thank you. It will."

He soon arrived at the concert venue, which was packed with people. A staff member nearby spotted Gu Nian'an and approached him. "You're Mr. Gu, right? Mr. Yu left instructions for us. Once you arrived, we were to take you to the VIP seats upstairs. He's too busy right now and won't be able to see you until it's over."

Gu Nian'an nodded slightly and followed the staff member upstairs.