Forced into a romantic relationship

Below the stage, the huge audience seats had fallen silent at some point, with only the gentle singing voice flowing through them.

The song Han Zhou sang was called "Red Bean." He chose to sing it because it was relatively simple to sing, and because, in his opinion, the lyrics were quite fitting, as if they were speaking for the night.

"I haven't given you the red beans yet,"

"It has become a lingering, painful wound,"

"Then share them together,"

"You will understand better the sorrow of unrequited love."

With the added boost from the status bar, his singing gained an inexplicable charm; it wasn't loud, but rather like a night breeze brushing against your ear, easily seeping into your heart.

In a daze, many people saw images floating before their eyes. Perhaps it was a yellowish afternoon, or perhaps it was a turn away without time to say goodbye. The melody was gentle, and memories lit up like stars—those regrets, warmth, sweetness, and bitterness, all gently swirling in the song.

To the soothing melody, some smiled, some lowered their eyes, some quietly wiped the corners of their eyes, and many more silently clenched the hand beside them.

Red beans symbolize longing, a tradition that has been passed down since ancient times. But whether the taste of longing is bitter or sweet, only those who have experienced it can truly understand.

Or perhaps, the taste of longing is never simply bitter or sweet; it's more like tonight's night, with the gentle moonlight and the cool starlight, all of which eventually brew into an indescribable, bittersweet feeling in the heart.

"I haven't really experienced it yet,"

"The tenderness of a kiss while awake,"

"Maybe around me,"

"You are the one who pursues the freedom of solitude."

Xiao Yixia quietly sat up straight, pulled her hat brim up, and looked intently at the figure on the stage.

Sometimes, sometimes,

"I will believe that everything has an end,"

"Meeting and parting, both have their time,"

Nothing lasts forever.

"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."

When the final chorus began, many people closed their eyes.

It wasn't fatigue, but rather a desire to focus more intently and fully capture the feeling of this moment in my memory. Until the last note gently dissipated in the air, the entire place remained silent, as if no one had the heart to disturb the lingering charm tinged with a touch of melancholy.

It wasn't until the crisp sound of applause came through the microphone that the audience snapped out of their daze.

Immediately, a tidal wave of applause swept through the entire venue.

"Great song!"

"Sounds good!"

"One more song!"

"Better than the lead singer!"

The shouts were deafening. Anyone who didn't know better would think that Han Zhou was the star of tonight's concert, and that Xu Xiangyang, who was helping to hold the microphone, was really just there to hold it.

Faced with the fans' teasing, Xu Xiangyang was not annoyed. Instead, he played along and joked, "Brother, tell me honestly, did you come prepared tonight?"

Didn't you ask me to sing it?

Han Zhou was puzzled, but after thinking for a moment, he replied, "I guess so."

The songwriting ability indicated by the status bar far exceeded his expectations. If he honestly answered, "I just crammed at the last minute," it would seem too pretentious.

"Oh? What do you say?"

Xu Xiangyang's eyes lit up, and he immediately adopted the posture of a gossip reporter, practically shoving the microphone into Han Zhou's face, "Did you sing this song specifically for someone?"

"Yes."

Actually, this song wasn't just sung for one person, or rather, there wasn't a specific recipient. But Han Zhou just wanted to get away as soon as possible, so he didn't explain much and just nodded in agreement.

Little did he know, this answer immediately stunned Zhong Yin, who was sitting in the audience.

It was sung specifically for a certain person...

"Could it be that I guessed wrong... this song was actually sung specifically for me?"

Xiao Lengqiu's eyes brightened slightly, but quickly returned to normal. She said nothing, but quietly approached Han Zhou and gently took his hand.

Han Zhou habitually gripped her hand in return, then lowered his head and smiled at her.

Xiao Yixia also seemed to be deep in thought.

The entire audience erupted in "wows," with many craning their necks and looking around, curious about who the main character in the song was.

Xu Xiangyang was equally interested and pressed for details, asking, "Did that person arrive at the scene today?"

"At the scene," Han Zhou continued in agreement.

Xu Xiangyang asked several more questions, and Han Zhou nodded in agreement with all of them. Soon, an image of someone who planned to make a heartfelt confession at tonight's concert was created.

Zhong Yin's heart raced. Han Zhou had only brought her and three children to the concert tonight. It was impossible for him to be interested in children. So... could the person he was going to confess to be her?

But if that's really the case, then what were those things he didn't say that afternoon?

Xu Xiangyang didn't continue gossiping, and asked one last question with a smile: "Can I ask what the name of this song is?"

He had just learned from his assistant that this was an original song that had never been performed before.

Like most of the audience members, he also really liked the song.

“Red Bean,” Han Zhou replied.

"A romantic name."

Xu Xiangyang handed the gift box his assistant brought to Xiao Lengqiu, and said with a somewhat apologetic smile, "Thank you both for your cooperation. This is the gift we agreed on. I'm sorry, I really only prepared this one."

"Thank you," Xiao Lengqiu said softly.

"Let's give another round of applause to this brave little girl and this friend who gets thirsty easily, shall we?"

Thunderous applause erupted once more, and under the gaze of countless people, the two walked off the stage side by side. Halfway down, Xiao Lengqiu suddenly tugged gently at Han Zhou's sleeve, then tilted her head back and raised the gift box in her hand slightly higher.

"Would you like me to hold this for you?" Han Zhou asked with a smile as he accepted the gift box.

Xiao Lengqiu nodded, then shook her head.

"This is for you," she said softly.

When she said this, she seemed unusually awkward, not because she was shy, but because the gift was actually obtained for her by the other person, and it seemed a bit strange to give the other person a gift that the other person had won.

She had no money and couldn't afford any decent gifts, so when she heard there was a special gift to receive, she naturally went up on stage.

Han Zhou was taken aback.

At that moment, he finally understood why this usually quiet and unassuming girl had appeared on that stage where she would be watched by countless people.

She just wanted to prepare a gift for him.

After a moment, a gentle smile appeared in his eyes, and he reached out and gently rubbed the top of the girl's head.

"You're amazing. When I was your age, I wouldn't have dared to stand alone in front of so many people."

He paused, then lowered his voice and said softly, "Thank you, I like it very much."

At this moment, the two people with their backs to the stage were unaware that their figures were still captured by the camera. The big screen clearly showed two figures, one tall and one short, and the gentle gesture of rubbing the top of someone's head.

No one could hear their whispers, but that didn't stop everyone from feeling that the scene was heartwarming, to the point that almost everyone held their breath, not wanting to disturb them.

"What a gentle boy."

Behind Zhong Yin, a girl said with a hint of envy, "I wish he had confessed to me."

"If you're bold enough to make a move, you might still have a chance," a friend joked.

"That's not a good idea, isn't he already got a girl he likes?" "He's only at the confession stage, they're not actually together yet, it's not too late for you to make your move now," your friend continued to urge.

"Will you come with me?"

"Okay, first come, first served."

The two were clearly joking, and Zhong Yin knew this perfectly well, but she still felt very uncomfortable.

She inexplicably recalled what Xiaoling had said not long ago—

"If Brother Wukong becomes a big star, he won't just belong to us anymore."

Then, she remembered what Xiao Yixia had said—

"If I like something, I want it all. I want to get my hands on it completely before anyone else can take it from me."

She suddenly realized that she was less aware of the importance of competition than her two children.

About two minutes later, a figure suddenly sat down beside him; it was Han Zhou, who was holding Xiao Lengqiu.

Han Zhou didn't care anymore. He originally just wanted to sneak in and pretend to be a staff member to watch the concert, but since it was already attracting so much attention, he might as well be bolder and watch it while seated.

He had already discussed it with Xiao Lengqiu, and she didn't mind sitting on his lap.

It wasn't until he sat down that he suddenly noticed his face on the big screen, in high-definition close-up. If he hadn't been wearing a mask and a baseball cap, you might have been able to see even the moles on his face.

Han Zhou's lips twitched. Had this photographer forgotten who the boss was? Why was he keeping the camera pointed at him?
To his relief, Zhong Yin, who was sitting next to him, had obviously noticed this beforehand and had also put on a mask and baseball cap before he sat down. So, although he was also in the camera's view, his face was not exposed.

Wait, something seems off...

Han Zhou suddenly realized something.

Just now, weren't Xiao Zhongling and Xiao Yixia sitting on either side of Sister Yin? Where is there an empty seat next to her?

He turned his head and realized that Xiao Yixia had taken the seat that originally belonged to Xiao Lengqiu, which made the seat next to Zhong Yin empty.

Just as he was about to say something, he felt his arm suddenly touch something soft, and at the same time, he heard a voice that sounded somewhat awkward but undeniable.

"No, don't move."

On the big screen, the girl next to him leaned closer and hugged his arm tightly.

"Ahhh!"

All the audience members saw this scene on the big screen. In an instant, the whole place erupted in cheers, and good-natured laughter and blessings surged towards the two of them like a tidal wave.

Everyone was excited, except for the two girls behind Zhong Yin.

The joke had backfired, making the two of them incredibly awkward.

"Together!"

"Together!"

"Together!"

Amidst the rising and falling waves of cheers, the scene finally shifted. On stage, Xu Xiangyang, microphone in hand, shouted, "I've changed my mind! Tonight I'm going to sing a love song! I want to dedicate it as a blessing to all the couples here, and to those who are about to become couples!"

"Next song, 'I've Always Been Here'!"

The music suddenly became more exciting, and with a powerful, almost shrill, intro, he shouted, "Friends who can sing, sing along with me!"

Just like the song title suggests, its lyrics revolve around a couple who have been together since childhood and are now in their later years. It is undoubtedly a very touching story, but it does not take into account the feelings of those who will eventually separate.

If they weren't childhood sweethearts, if they hadn't spent many years together, and if they hadn't even accumulated enough memories, would their future be destined to be a tragedy?

Zhong Yin didn't believe it.

If a relationship is only complete if we grow up together and grow old together, then what about the stories of those who drift apart along the way?

She heard a massive chorus of nearly ten thousand people singing in her ears, and colorful lights flashed overhead. She tilted her head to look at the profile of the person next to her, which was flickering in the lights, and suddenly felt that it was too noisy.

It wasn't the singing that was loud, it was the sound of my heartbeat.

"Han Zhou!"

Her singing was so loud that she had to exert all her strength to break free from the surging sound.

"What's wrong!" Han Zhou shouted in response.

She took a deep breath: "What was that sentence you wanted to say to me this afternoon?"

"Can't we talk about it tomorrow?"

"I suddenly want to listen to it again!"

Han Zhou was stunned for a moment and turned to look over, but Zhong Yin was also looking at him at that moment, and since they were both wearing baseball caps, the brims of their caps overlapped, which blocked their view of each other.

"The hat is in the way, take it off!" Zhong Yin said loudly.

The moment she took off her baseball cap, the girl's long, flowing hair cascaded down, filling the air with its fragrance, which reminded Han Zhou of the hair tie currently on his wrist.

Infected by the enthusiastic atmosphere at the concert, Zhong Yin seemed a little excited. He could see the expectation in the girl's eyes, as well as the little bit of nervousness and excitement in them.

He was well aware, of course, that once those words were spoken, all those emotions would vanish in an instant, losing their intensity.

But since the other party wanted to hear it, he had no reason to hesitate at this time. It's better to end things quickly than to suffer for a long time. Some things are better said as soon as possible.

He slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, and as he removed his baseball cap, he concealed all the complex emotions in his eyes, calmed himself, and said earnestly, "Sister Yin, actually I..."

"and many more--"

Zhong Yin interrupted him, "I can't hear you! The mask is also getting in the way. Take off your mask and look me in the eye when you speak!"

As she spoke, she took off her mask and turned to look directly at him.

Han Zhou paused for a moment, first giving a bitter smile, then becoming resolute again.

Should I say something cruel to your face...?

If Sister Yin thinks that this will soften his heart, then she is being far too naive.

He took off his mask, turned his head, and met those eyes without fear. Just as he was about to speak, he heard only one sentence: "Don't move."

The next second, his pupils shrank sharply.

Without any warning, amidst the deafening roar of thousands and the dazzling lights, two soft lips pressed down forcefully.

Soft, hot, her breath trembling slightly, carrying with it a burning body temperature and the girl's almost resolute will.

"Sister Yin, you..."

His mind went blank. He wanted to speak, but could only make "uh-uh" sounds. His lips ached, and he could barely breathe.

He never imagined that one day he would be forcibly kissed.

He never imagined that his first kiss would be given to Sister Yin.

what is this?
Is this revenge for that forced kiss through the mask that day?
He didn't understand and tried to push Zhong Yin away, but soon heard a "mmm" sound. The girl said again, "Don't move."

The two girls behind him were dumbfounded.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhong Yin finally released his mouth, his breathing rapid and heavy.

She raised her arm and hastily wiped the drool from her lips. Although the blush on her face had spread to her neck, she still tried her best to appear calm and composed, her gaze towards Han Zhou unwavering.

She was waiting for his question.

"elder sister……"

However, at that moment, Xiao Zhongling beside her suddenly tugged at her sleeve cautiously and spoke weakly, pointing straight ahead.

Zhong Yin, somewhat bewildered, turned her head slightly in the direction her sister indicated.

My gaze passed over the revelers and landed on the enormous circular screen in the very center of the stage.

The next second, she was struck dumb.

On the enormous screen, countless cameras precisely captured and magnified the images, making them clearly visible to the nearly ten thousand people in the audience—

It was herself.

That face, flushed from the rapid heartbeat and the kiss just now, with even a hint of moisture in the corners of its eyes, appeared before her. (End of Chapter)