Forced into a romantic relationship

Han Zhou was very glad that he had worn a mask and a baseball cap before teleporting. This was originally just to prevent being teleported to a more embarrassing location such as the women's restroom, but unexpectedly it became his biggest "cover".

He didn't know what had happened. He had clearly used "Echoes" at 7:20, which should have teleported him to the nearest deserted spot to Xiao Lengqiu. Who knew he would end up in a corner of the stage?

It wasn't until he saw Xiao Lengqiu standing on the stage in the distance that he realized the problem wasn't "there will definitely be an echo," but Xiao Lengqiu herself.

Xiao Lengqiu wouldn't be unaware of the time, so something must have gone wrong somewhere else.

But no matter where the problem lies, the most important thing now is to find a way to get out of there as soon as possible. With so many people watching from below the stage, even someone as thick-skinned as him can't help but feel a little flustered.

Fortunately, his reaction wasn't slow. The phrase "a person disappearing into thin air" seemed to really fool the audience, who thought it was just a show effect deliberately created by Xu Xiangyang. Even the security guards who were about to go on stage to pull him away looked at each other, full of questions, and looked at Xu Xiangyang's assistant.

The assistant frowned, looking equally confused. She had no idea that this segment was part of tonight's concert. It was clearly an unexpected situation, but so far it didn't seem to have caused any negative impact. On the contrary, it had successfully piqued the audience's interest. She didn't know whether she should stop it immediately.

Fortunately, she didn't have to make things difficult. Xu Xiangyang on stage had already made his decision. He first breathed a sigh of relief as if he had been terrified, then led the applause and laughed loudly: "What a wonderful transformation! I was wondering why the audience was suddenly telling me to look behind me. To be honest, I was really scared when I turned around."

He was actually confused, but as a public figure who was used to big occasions, he had long since honed his ability to handle unexpected situations. Rather than admitting that it was a performance mishap, he decided to pretend that it was an intentional arrangement for the evening.

Therefore, although what he said was true, his tone was quite exaggerated, and he had a shocked look that was over-the-top, which made the fans in the audience burst into laughter.

"Stop pretending, this is a guest you arranged long ago, isn't it?"

"I knew there would be a special program tonight!"

"But why did he have to come out carrying milk tea? Isn't that a rather abrupt entrance?"

"..."

In fact, this was also the question Xu Xiangyang wanted to ask. So he took the initiative to put the microphone to the mouth of the person who had been conjured up and asked, "Friend, can you tell everyone why you brought milk tea on stage?"

Faced with the microphone handed to him, Han Zhou couldn't very well not answer, and said somewhat awkwardly, "I'm just a little thirsty."

"Is it just because you're thirsty?"

"……Correct."

"Even if you're thirsty, you don't need to bring so many cups of milk tea, do you?" Xu Xiangyang pressed for details.

Do you really have to harp on such a trivial matter? Han Zhou paused for a moment, then said, "I'm afraid you're thirsty too."

Xu Xiangyang was taken aback: "Uh... thank you for your concern."

He tentatively reached out his hand, but Han Zhou didn't move, seemingly having no intention of handing over the milk tea.

This amusing scene once again drew laughter from the entire audience, and even Zhong Yin, who had initially looked worried, couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Seeing that the guy still had the energy to joke around, she felt relieved.

"Sister, is that Brother Wukong?" Little Zhongling asked uncertainly.

“Yes, it’s him,” Zhong Yin said with a smile.

Little Bell opened her mouth wide, her eyes sparkling: "Is Brother Wukong a big star too?"

"He can't be a big star."

"why?"

"Because he sings like a monkey."

Thinking of Xiao Yixia's recent comments, Zhong Yin chuckled and then continued, "But I do hope he can become a big star in the future."

"Why?" Little Bell asked.

"Because celebrities are all very rich."

"If I have money, I can come back anytime. It won't be long before we meet again..." she silently added in her mind.

Little Bell seemed to understand, but could tell that her older sister wasn't very happy. After hesitating for a moment, she whispered, "I don't want Brother Wukong to become a big star."

"why?"

Zhong Yin looked at his younger sister and affectionately rubbed her fluffy little head.

"Because Brother Wukong's cooking is so delicious."

Little Bell's eyes lit up. She swallowed hard, then lowered her head and said somewhat shyly, "If Brother Wukong becomes a big star in the future, he won't just belong to us anymore. Then we might not be able to eat Brother Wukong's cooking anymore."

Zhong Yin was stunned.

As the two continued their conversation, the interaction on stage also continued, and many people noticed something – the little girl who was a lucky audience member took the hand of the man wearing a mask and baseball cap at some point, and the man habitually took the little hand in return, the action so natural that it was somewhat heartwarming.

"Did you guys notice? They seem to know each other."

"No way... So the lottery draw was rigged? No way, we have to draw it again, this time I'm sure I'll win!"

"Don't talk nonsense. How could there be such an obvious cover-up? Besides, don't you know Xiangyang's character?"

"It's impossible for that child to actually conjure up people out of thin air and put them on stage, right?"

"Can't it just be a matter of getting along well?"

"What? Round head? Can someone with a flat head win the lottery?"

"..."

These scattered whispers were inconspicuous in the huge venue, and Xu Xiangyang naturally couldn't hear them. However, he knew that despite the minor incident, it was necessary to end the audience interaction session as soon as possible, otherwise it would delay the progress of the entire concert.

So he said with a smile, "My friend who gets thirsty easily, you must have heard it just now. If you want to get the mystery gift I have prepared, you must sing a song for everyone. But this little girl said she can't sing, so could you do it for her?"

Mystery gift?

Han Zhou was stunned for a moment before he realized why Xiao Lengqiu had appeared on stage; she wanted to receive a gift from a celebrity.

He knew perfectly well what his singing ability was, and there was no need to embarrass himself in front of so many people. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly remembered something, looked down at the girl beside him, and asked, "Do you really want this gift?"

His voice was soft, but with the help of the microphone, it was still loud enough to carry throughout the entire audience.

Han Zhou knew very well that Xiao Lengqiu was a person without desires and rarely asked for anything. If she really wanted something, he would do everything he could to try.

Even if it's embarrassing.

Xiao Lengqiu looked up at him, her grip tightening slightly. She first shook her head, then nodded forcefully.

Facing so many people in the audience, she was initially a little uneasy, even her breathing became rapid, but the moment she grabbed that big hand, she was no longer afraid of anything.

"I want it," she answered softly, her voice clear and earnest.

Upon hearing this answer, Han Zhou no longer hesitated, smiled, and said, "Then let's get it together."

For some reason, even though it was just a simple question and answer, many viewers couldn't help but smile warmly. Xu Xiangyang was no exception, and he said loudly, "Let's all clap and give this friend who gets thirsty easily a round of applause, shall we?"

Thunderous applause immediately erupted from the audience.

Everyone looked on with anticipation at the guy who came out carrying four cups of milk tea.

"Can I have a guitar?" Han Zhou suddenly asked.

Upon hearing this, the applause from the audience grew even louder. Xu Xiangyang immediately had someone fetch a guitar, while Zhong Yin stood there dumbfounded, and Xiao Yixia was also somewhat surprised.

Does this guy... also play the guitar?
Han Zhou certainly doesn't play the guitar.

In fact, as early as the beginning of his transmigration, he had considered learning from many previous transmigrators and becoming a music plagiarist, bringing music from his previous life to this world.

Unfortunately, his musical talent was rather mediocre, and making music was an expensive business; at the time, he couldn't even afford a computer, so he had to abandon the idea early on. Since he couldn't even sing well, he naturally hadn't learned any musical instruments. But that didn't matter; he might not know how to play an instrument, but the status bar could teach him—

[Happiness Supreme (Modified) → Happiness (yue) King: Your musical skills have been significantly improved, and you have gained the ability to quickly compose and sing. Consuming 20 points, you can quickly learn any song you are familiar with and reach the 'King' level that you can achieve at your current stage.]

Indeed, in a very short time, Han Zhou came up with a way to avoid making a fool of himself. After all, there were so many people, including Sister Yin and Yi Xia, watching from below the stage. It was best not to embarrass himself if he could avoid it. Therefore, he used the status bar immediately.

Looking at the sea of ​​people in the audience, he couldn't help but sigh once again at the capriciousness of fate.

If I remember correctly, at this point in time, I should be trying to teach myself music composition. At that time, the other person obviously wouldn't know that at the exact same point in time, my future self would be standing on a huge stage by some twist of fate.

This is probably the first and last time in his life that he will stand in such a large place to realize his childhood dream of writing music, so he decided to sing a song from his past life.

But which song should I choose?
"Blue and White Porcelain"?
"Exaggeration"?
"Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies"?
Neither is good.

He's not here to become famous, so he might as well sing a simple and appropriate song.

As for what song would be appropriate for the occasion, he wasn't really sure, but in that instant, a whole host of thoughts inexplicably came to mind—

Thinking of Guzheng and Yixia waiting for me in the future, thinking of Wang Lengqiu who waited for me from the past to the future, thinking of Sister Yin who blushes and smiles now but will always treat me coldly in the future, thinking of the shy senior, thinking of Xiaoxiao, thinking of Teacher Ouyang, thinking of the two autumns I have spent in the past, and the snow I have never seen.

Taking the guitar, Han Zhou pulled himself out of his thoughts and let out a soft breath. Although he had prepared himself mentally, he still felt a little apprehensive when he actually pressed the strings.

"It seems that giving up back then was the right thing to do. I'm really not suited to be a singer." He chuckled to himself.

Fortunately, the status bar never disappoints. The next moment, he successfully played the first note. At the same time, he spoke softly, his gentle voice spreading through the microphone and surrounding the entire stage.

"I haven't really experienced it yet,"

"The climate where snowflakes bloom,"

"We trembled together,"

"You will understand better what gentleness is."

The melody was very simple, and the lyrics were quite plain, but in this unadorned singing, a certain deep and warm emotion, like water seeping into sand, grabbed every ear in the venue without saying a word, and even Xu Xiangyang, who was holding a microphone next to him, was stunned.

Zhong Yin, sitting in the audience, was stunned, not only because she couldn't believe Han Zhou could sing, but also because of the lyrics of the song.

"I haven't even held your hand yet,"

"Walking across the barren sand dunes,"

"Perhaps from now on, I will learn to cherish,"

"May it last forever."

A hint of parting lingered in the gentle melody. Not only Zhong Yin, but also Xiao Yixia, Xiao Lengqiu, and even the usually clueless Xiao Zhongling, all sensed something from the soft singing.

The audience gradually quieted down.

We haven't even walked hand in hand across the sand dunes yet... Does this guy actually miss me too?

Zhong Yin felt a slight pang in her heart, and her fingers unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes.

Xiao Lengqiu on the stage was also clutching the hem of her clothes tightly.

"It sounds great," someone in the audience whispered.

"I told you he was a guest, didn't I?"

"I don't think I've ever heard this song before."

"Me too."

"Could it be an original song?"

Han Zhou, of course, couldn't hear the discussions below the stage. He simply closed his eyes, his fingertips plucking the strings, continuing to sing with focused concentration:

Sometimes, sometimes,

"I will believe that everything has an end,"

"Meeting and parting, both have their time,"

Nothing lasts forever.

Upon hearing this, Zhong Yin's body stiffened slightly.

Nothing lasts forever.

She bit her lip, and the words she had forcibly interrupted that afternoon seemed to be spoken again in this form.

This song is indeed about them.

And their fate, as expected...

But just as her gaze began to dim, the singing on stage suddenly shifted, like light streaming down after the clouds had parted, carrying a subtle tenderness:

"But sometimes I,"

"I'd rather choose to linger and not let go,"

"Wait until you've seen all the scenery,"

"Perhaps you will stay with me and watch the gentle flow of time."

She suddenly raised her head.

On stage, the figure holding the guitar had opened his eyes at some point, his gaze passing through the flickering lights and quietly falling in her direction.

This guy seems to have seen her.

No, not like.

The other person really saw her.

Even with a mask on and his hat pulled low, she could still clearly see the smile in his eyes.

Zhong Yin stared blankly, clearly very happy, yet her eyes stung slightly, and a strange urge to cry welled up inside her.

"Sister, what's wrong?" Little Zhongling looked up at her with concern.

"nothing."

Zhong Yin sniffed, feeling that she shouldn't be so spineless. It was just a song, and it didn't necessarily mean anything.

All she needed to know was that he couldn't bear to part with her either.

Even if the line "watching the gentle flow of water" wasn't sung for her, at least there must be a part of that smile that belongs only to her.

After a brief silence, the girl took a deep breath, and then, as if in response, the corners of her mouth slowly, little by little, turned up.

Finally, it transformed into a bright smile, as radiant as the warm sunshine of early spring.

She has already thought about it.

On the day we part ways, I'll send him off with this smile; I absolutely mustn't cry.

I'd rather choose to linger and not let go.

She really liked this lyric. (End of Chapter)