Huayu 2021: Isn’t he in the technology field?

Chapter 343 The Most Eye-Catching Wildflower
Zhang Ruonan's singing voice is like a lost child, stumbling and falling in the night sky of the grassland, but she herself is completely unaware of it, singing with complete passion.

As the song ended, Jiang Qing's subtle comment of "having personality" seemed to flip a switch, and the laughter in the lounge area almost lifted the roof off.

"I don't care! I am the music library!"

Zhang Ruonan, hands on her hips, cheeks flushed, announced to the crowd who were still wiping away tears of laughter.

"Next song, what's the next one? I'm sure I'll sing it too!"

Yin Zheng finally caught his breath and wiped his eyes.

"Nan Nan, please let us go! Or... how about we ask President Jiang for some pointers? He's sung at Tao Hua Wu and Wang Sulong's concerts, and he's known for his great voice!"

"Yes, yes! Mr. Jiang, give us a song!"

Huang Xiaoming immediately started a commotion, and the others followed suit, all turning their gazes toward Jiang Qing with anticipation and a hint of pleading, "Please save my ears!"

Zhang Ruonan's eyes lit up, and she immediately shoved the microphone into Jiang Qing's hand, her movements so quick it was as if she was afraid he would change his mind.

"President Jiang! This is a lifesaver! Show everyone what real singing is all about!"

She herself was very curious; she had watched those scenes from Peach Blossom Village repeatedly, and hearing them live would definitely be even better.

Jiang Qing, supported by the crowd, smiled helplessly but did not refuse.

He took the microphone, swiped a few times on the song selection screen, and selected "Special Person".

The soothing prelude flowed out, carrying a gentle rhythm that instantly calmed the previous commotion.

He adjusted his posture, without deliberately striking a singing pose, and began to sing naturally.

The voice flowed through the microphone, deep and magnetic, like a cool breeze on a grassland night, gently brushing past everyone's ears.

"Loving someone might require generosity."

"If all I want is to be loved~"

"There was no more dialogue in the end..."

There is no showing off of skills, no deliberately exaggerated emotions, just a calm and sincere narration.

Every word he uttered was crystal clear, his pronunciation as precise as a program he had written, yet his emotions were full and restrained.

He lowered his eyes slightly, completely immersed in the atmosphere of the song.

The lounge area gradually quieted down.

Huang Xiaoming and Chef Zhan exchanged a knowing look, while Yin Zheng, a graduate of a professional music academy, nodded slightly, showing his appreciation.

Yin Tao and Chen Linong listened intently.

Zhang Ruonan sat in a corner of the sofa. She had been smiling, but as she listened, her smile gradually faded and turned into a focused gaze.

She rested her chin on her hand, her gaze falling on Jiang Qing, staring at his calm eyes as he sang.

The song was like a gentle key, unintentionally unlocking the box of memories.

She burst into the VIP lounge at Beijing Capital International Airport, dropping her phone at his feet.

She thought he was a fan and foolishly signed his autograph on the title page of "The Innovator's Dilemma".

The way he raised an eyebrow and teased her back then, saying, "Physical image stabilization? Not really a good idea," is still etched in her mind.

Later on the plane, he started spouting nonsense with a straight face, saying he was some kind of tractor repairman...

She actually believed it!
I even thought this person was really interesting.

Then, the red carpet at the Bazaar Charity Night.

The advertising van emblazoned with the sponsor's huge logo stood as a shameful dividing line, and the hostess's formulaic smile and unyielding gestures made her feel as if she had fallen into an ice cave.

It was him again, like a ray of light cleaving through the unpleasant gloom, extending his arm towards her, "Let's go together, Teacher Zhang."

The voice was so calm, yet so powerful.

On the autograph board, he had her sign in the blank space, and then steadily placed his own name above hers.

During the auction, her item, which was him sitting quietly, ultimately fetched a respectable price far exceeding expectations.

During the group photo, when she was feeling awkward and marginalized, he walked back to her and gave her a central position in that star-studded and turbulent occasion.

At that time, she did have a faint but bold guess in her mind.

Could it be that he... cares about me a little bit too?
Otherwise, why would he have been able to help her out of trouble both times?

That secret expectation, like a tiny seed, was quietly planted in my heart.

However, time, like the wind on the prairie, blew away those unrealistic fantasies.

After that, he was like a pebble thrown into the ocean, leaving no ripples.

His WeChat account lay quietly in his friend list, and the nickname "Savior + Meal Creditor" never lit up with a red dot.

She then realized that it really was just something she did on a whim.

People like him probably lend a helping hand to countless others, and Zhang Ruonan is just one of them.

The seed that had just sprouted was extinguished by the cold water of reality before it even had a chance to feel the sunlight.

"You are someone special to me~"

"I wish you were the last one..."

Jiang Qing finished singing the last line, and the last note faded gently into the quiet air.

He put down the microphone, a relaxed smile on his face after completing his task.

"Great!!! You sang wonderfully, Mr. Jiang!"

"This is such a wonderful song, Mr. Jiang! You should definitely consider becoming a singer!"

"This is absolutely professional level!"

"One more song!"

A burst of enthusiastic applause instantly pulled Zhang Ruonan out of the vortex of memories.

She felt a slight panic, as if a carefully treasured secret had almost been discovered. She quickly clapped along, her face beaming with the same bright smile as before, and loudly echoed the chorus.

"That's amazing! Mr. Jiang! With your talent, you could debut as a professional singer right now!"

Jiang Qing smiled and waved her hand, handing the microphone back to Yin Zheng.

"I've made a fool of myself, you guys keep playing."

The atmosphere became lively again, but Zhang Ruonan seemed a little distracted.

Afterwards, Yoon Jung sang a few more songs, and she joined in the commotion, saying she wanted to sing along, but it was noticeably less boisterous than before.

When Huang Xiaoming suggested that everyone get some rest since they needed to prepare food for tomorrow, she was almost the first to respond.

"Great! I had so much fun today! Thank you for the song, Mr. Jiang!"

Her tone remained cheerful as she deftly got up to tidy up the scattered snack wrappers.

Everyone said goodnight to each other and went back to their rooms.

The grassland was completely quiet at night, with only the chirping of unknown insects in the distance and the rustling of the wind through the grass.

The lights in the room went out one by one.

After washing up, Zhang Ruonan lay in bed, but tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep.

The image of Jiang Qing singing, along with those scenes from the past, kept intertwining in my mind.

My heart was pounding like a rabbit's.

She got up, put on a light coat, and quietly opened the door to her room, walking to the small terrace that connected to her room.

The cool night breeze dispelled the daytime heat, and looking up, one could see a dazzling Milky Way, a rare sight in the city, hanging low as if within reach.

The air smelled of clean grass and soil.

She leaned against the wooden railing, took a deep breath, and tried to let the cool air soothe her chaotic thoughts.

My gaze unconsciously swept across the terrace of the guest rooms across the street.

Most of the rooms were dark, except for the terrace of the last room, where a blurry figure seemed to be leaning against the railing, facing the boundless starry sky.

It's Jiang Qing!
Her heart skipped a beat.

He wasn't asleep either?

What is he looking at?
He's leaving tomorrow, isn't he?
Return to Luyang?
Back to the capital?
Or are they flying off to another meeting?
When will we meet again?

Will there ever be another opportunity like today, to listen to him sing and watch him cook under the starry sky on the grassland?
An impulse surged into my heart.

That little flame, extinguished by time but quietly stirred by the memories of the song tonight, is now restlessly flickering in my chest.

She recalled how she had waved her arms and shouted "Go for it!" at the air in the parking lot of the Bazaar Charity Night.

As if guided by some unseen force, she left her terrace and quietly walked down the stairs.

The grass was soft and slightly cool, and it made almost no sound when you stepped on it.

A distance of just over a hundred meters seemed exceptionally long in the quiet night.

She could clearly hear her heartbeat getting faster and faster, thump-thump-thump, like a drumbeat.

Step by step, she walked toward the figure leaning against the railing.

The closer you are, the clearer you can see.

Jiang Qing, dressed in a simple white T-shirt and casual pants, stood with his back to her, head slightly tilted back, gazing at the starry sky.

The night breeze ruffled the stray hairs on his forehead, and his silhouette appeared calm and reliable under the starlight.

She stopped a few steps behind him, walking very quietly.

Jiang Qing seemed to sense something and turned her head slightly.

Upon recognizing her, a hint of surprise flashed across his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a gentle smile.

"Teacher Zhang? Still not resting?"

Zhang Ruonan's heart was pounding even faster, almost bursting out of her throat.

She took a deep breath, trying to make her voice sound steady and natural, deliberately adding a touch of her usual straightforwardness. "Couldn't sleep, so I came out for some fresh air and to look at the stars. I didn't expect you, Mr. Jiang, to be having trouble sleeping too?"

She casually walked to the railing next to him, and, imitating him, leaned up to look at the same starry sky.

The two were about an arm's length apart.

"Well, it's rare to see the starry sky over the grassland, so let's look at it a little longer."

Jiang Qing explained with a light laugh.

The night breeze rustled through the grass.

There was a few seconds of silence between them, with only the starlight flowing quietly between them.

Zhang Ruonan's fingers unconsciously dug into the rough wooden railing, her initial reckless courage fading slightly in the silence.

But the thought of him leaving tomorrow, with no end in sight for the next meeting, brought back that resentment.

She turned her head and looked directly at Jiang Qing's profile.

"Jiang Qing."

She no longer used the title "President Jiang," and her voice, though soft, carried a resolute seriousness.

"Ok?"

Jiang Qing also turned her head and met her gaze.

Starlight shone into her eyes, making them sparkle. Gone was her usual carefree smile; only an almost obsessive inquiry remained.

"I……"

Zhang Ruonan felt her cheeks burning again, but the words were already out, and she didn't want to back down.

"I've always wanted to ask...why?"

"why?"

Jiang Qing raised an eyebrow slightly, not quite understanding what she meant.

"Why help me?"

Zhang Ruonan decided to be direct, speaking rather quickly, as if trying to shake off her nervousness.

"At the airport that time, I thought you were a fan and foolishly signed an autograph for you... Later, at Bazaar, on the red carpet, on the advertising truck, on the autograph board, in the group photo... every time, you just happened to show up and help me."

Her voice lowered slightly, carrying a hint of confusion that she herself was unaware of.

"Back then... I actually secretly wondered if you... also thought... me... was... not bad at all?"

She was too embarrassed to say the words "has feelings for me".

"But later, you never contacted me on your own initiative. I realized that for you, it was probably just something you did casually, right?"

She laughed self-deprecatingly, then turned her head back to look at the starry sky, as if that could hide her embarrassment.

“Actually, I understand. We’re not from the same world at all. You’re a genius who works in technology, runs a company, and dreams of changing the world, while I’m just a struggling actor in the entertainment industry, thinking about how to act well and how not to be eliminated… The gap is too big.”

Her voice gradually faded, filled with unspeakable disappointment.

The night breeze carried the unique coolness of the grassland.

Jiang Qing did not answer immediately, but listened quietly until she finished speaking, her gaze falling on her slightly lowered profile.

That face, which always radiates a vibrant smile in front of the camera, now reveals an unusual vulnerability and confusion under the starlight.

"Zhang Ruonan."

He spoke, his voice very soft.

Zhang Ruonan stiffened slightly and slowly turned her head to look at him.

Jiang Qing's gaze was calm, without pity or condescension, as if stating a very simple fact.

"Helping you was just something I did on a whim."

He admitted it frankly.

Zhang Ruonan's heart sank suddenly, and a bittersweet feeling of "I knew it" instantly welled up inside her.

She instinctively wanted to turn her face away or cover it up with a joke.

But Jiang Qing's next words froze her in place.

"But I'm not someone who can be easily satisfied with just anyone."

He spoke as if it were a trivial matter.

"At the airport that time, your phone fell next to me. When you picked it up, I saw a cartoon band-aid on the back of your hand. I guess you got injured while filming? When you apologized, your smile was very sincere. You didn't have that celebrity airs of being recognized. Instead, you seemed a little embarrassed. Later on the plane, you chatted with me and talked about falling off a tricycle while filming. You were also very open and self-deprecating. Your eyes were bright and lively, even though it was very hard."

Jiang Qing's gaze seemed to pierce through the darkness before her, returning to the scene from that time, and her expression softened.

"That time at Bazaar, when the hostesses led you to the advertising truck, the expression on your face wasn't anger or flattery, but a pure sense of embarrassment and helplessness, with a touch of grievance, like a primary school student being punished by the teacher. On the autograph board, I pointed out your spot, and you signed without hesitation, without thinking much about why. During the group photo, you were squeezed into a corner, your eyes a little unfocused, but you didn't try to squeeze in; you just... stood there resignedly."

He smiled softly.

"It's quite rare to be able to maintain an expression of resignation rather than resentment at that time."

Jiang Qing's gaze refocused on Zhang Ruonan's face, filled with admiration.

"There's something about you that's rare in this industry. You're genuine, unpretentious, you'll grimace when you fall and hurt yourself, your grievances will be written all over your face, and you'll laugh without a care in the world when you're happy, like..."

He found a suitable metaphor.

"Like those wildflowers on the grassland, which are particularly vigorous and not afraid of wind and rain, they bloom vigorously as soon as the sun comes out."

Zhang Ruonan was completely stunned.

She had imagined many possible answers, such as "It was nothing", "I like you", or even "There's no particular reason".

I never imagined he would remember these trivial details, describe her state at the time so clearly, and even... use "wildflower" to describe her?
She stared blankly at Jiang Qing, starlight falling into her eyes, rippling outwards in a delicate wave, forgetting to react.

"As for contacting..."

Jiang Qing's tone returned to its usual calm.

"The nature of my work means I'm mostly in a non-social state. For me, initiating contact with anyone requires a special reason and opportunity. And..."

He paused, his gaze sincere.

“I think it was fine the way it was back then. You don’t need to feel indebted to me because I did it on a whim, or have any other thoughts. Just stay the way you are, and that’s fine.”

His words were like the wind on a prairie night, blowing away the long-suppressed confusion and resentment in Zhang Ruonan's heart.

It turned out to be the case.

He didn't help her because she was "Zhang Ruonan," nor was it because of any other ambiguous intentions.

He simply... saw something he admired in her, so he gave her a push.

There was no condescending charity, nor any ambiguous hints, only a kind of goodwill based purely on observation.

The heavy stone in my heart seemed to fall with a "thud," not into an abyss, but firmly settled on solid ground.

What followed was an unprecedented sense of ease, and also an indescribable warmth.

It turns out that in his eyes, she was not insignificant at all. He saw all her clumsy moments and gave them the beautiful meaning of "vigorous vitality".

The sour feeling disappeared, replaced by a bright and refreshing feeling.

A smile returned to Zhang Ruonan's face, not the kind of sweet smile that's for show, but a genuine smile of relief from the heart. Her two dimples sank deep into her cheeks, clearly visible under the starlight.

"Jiang Qing."

Her voice was clear and crisp, carrying a sense of relief and lightness.

"Thank you for telling me this."

She paused, her tone becoming serious.

"Really, thank you so much. Not just for helping me, but also for letting me know... that I'm actually quite good this way."

Jiang Qing looked at the radiance that had returned to her face, her smile even purer than the sunshine on the grassland, and a gentle smile appeared in her eyes.

You're good to begin with.

Zhang Ruonan nodded vigorously, as if she wanted to engrave these words into her heart.

She took a deep breath of the crisp, clear air of the grassland and felt refreshed and invigorated.

Those anxieties and worries vanished, leaving only the motivation to become better.

She turned her head to look at the endless grassland in the distance.

"Mr. Jiang."

She used the title again, her tone relaxed and natural.

"Have a safe trip tomorrow! After leaving the Chinese restaurant, next time... next time we meet, I'll try to sing in a less eccentric way!"

She turned around and made a face at him, with a touch of playful self-deprecation.

Jiang Qing was amused by her, and her shoulders shrugged slightly.

"Okay, I'll wait for the inspection. It's late, everyone go home and get some sleep. Goodnight."

He smiled and nodded at her, then turned and walked towards his room.

"Good night."

Zhang Ruonan waved gently, stood still, and watched his tall figure disappear through the door.

She didn't leave immediately, but leaned on the railing, gazing at the star-studded sky with a relaxed and bright smile on her face.

"Zhang Ruonan."

She spoke softly but firmly, in a voice only she could hear.

"Go for it! Be the brightest little wildflower!"

The wind from the grassland brushed against her hair, making her pretty face look even more vibrant.

(End of this chapter)