They surrounded me right after the breakup.

When Xiao Yuanshan walked onto the stage, the audience fell silent.

Those who know him well know that the old man doesn't like to talk much, and the vice president usually reads the script at the group's annual meeting.

It's rare for someone to volunteer to go on stage today.

Xiao Yuanshan stood in front of the microphone, without a script in his hand.

"Distinguished guests, thank you for coming."

At this one sentence, someone below applauded, but Xiao Yuanshan waved his hand, indicating that it wasn't necessary.

"The Xiao Family Hotel has been open for twenty years, and this is the seventh one. I don't quite remember how the first six hotels opened, but I'll never forget this seventh one!"

"My daughter has argued with me at home at least twenty times over this hotel. She argues with me about everything from the location to the decoration to the positioning. I can't argue with her, so I just let her do whatever she wants."

Some people laughed below, and Xiao Yuanshan shook his head and smiled bitterly.

"Today is the hotel's grand opening. I won't say much more; everyone who comes is a guest, so please eat and drink well! Please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality!"

Xiao Xiao stood to the side of the stage, her eyes a little red, but she held back her tears.

Next up are a few regular programs.

First came flash videos featuring other businesses under the Xiao Group, which were well-edited and had rousing background music.

Then Xiao Yuanshan's old friend took the stage to give a speech. He was the president of the Jingzhou Chamber of Commerce and said some polite words, such as the Xiao Group being a benchmark for local private enterprises.

Next came the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Xiao Yuanshan, Xiao Xiao, and two government leaders, holding golden scissors, snipped the red ribbon, and another round of applause rang out.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, today's concert performance will begin.

First came a string quartet, with four cellos playing some popular pieces, followed by a song and dance performance.

"Thank you all for the wonderful performances! Next up is today's grand finale. Please welcome Ms. Xiao Xiao and Mr. Jiang Han, Chairman of Xingyue Media, to perform the song 'Little Love Song' for us."

A few whistles were mixed in with the applause.

Jiang Han stood up, straightened his suit collar, and walked onto the stage.

Xiao Xiao came up from the other side.

The two walked to the center of the stage, stood still, and the microphone stand had already been adjusted to the correct height.

The stage lights dimmed considerably, and a spotlight shone on the two people.

The intro begins with a light and gentle piano melody, carrying a sweet pop feel.

Jiang Han spoke first.

I am still searching

A reliance and an embrace

Who will pray for me and worry for me?

She gets angry and makes a fuss over me.

His voice was steady, without any showing off, and he sang in a straightforward manner.

Xiao Xiao then continues with the second paragraph.

"Happiness begins to show signs"

Fate brought us closer together.

Then loneliness was swallowed up.

"Boredom has turned into something to talk about, things have changed."

Her voice was tighter than during rehearsals, but when she sang the line "things have changed," the tone actually loosened up.

The chorus is sung by two people.

"Your dimples and long eyelashes are your most beautiful features."

I can't sleep every night because I miss your smile.

You have no idea how important you are to me.

With you, my life is complete.

Below the stage, Xiao Yuanshan leaned back in his chair and watched from the stands.

An aunt from the Xiao family leaned over and whispered, "Brother, Xiaoxiao and that young man look quite well-matched."

Xiao Yuanshan didn't respond.

The aunt then asked, "That young man is quite handsome, what's his background?"

"Start an entertainment company."

"Oh, you're an artist!"

In the second row, several younger members of the Xiao family were whispering among themselves.

"That's the boss of Xingyue Media? He's so young?"

"I heard that he's the one who made Mao Buyi famous."

"What's his relationship with Xiao Xiao?"

"Who knows? Look at the way Xiao Xiao looks at him."

Xiao Xiao's gaze towards Jiang Han was indeed a bit off; she couldn't help but glance at him and smile every time she sang.

The second chorus.

Xiao Xiao took a small half-step towards Jianghan, and the flashbulbs of the cameras below the stage went off a few times, indicating that the media were taking pictures.

The interlude is quite long before the last chorus is sung.

The piano plays a melody, with the drums gently supporting it.

Jiang Han turned to the side and stood close to Xiao Xiao, his broad palm enveloping the girl's slender hand.

This was a move that hadn't been made during rehearsals, and Xiao Xiao's body trembled slightly.

Just then, the side door of the banquet hall quietly opened.

Lin Yaoyao and Qiu Siyao walked in.

They were wearing the same gowns, floor-length, fitted at the waist, with off-the-shoulder designs, the fabric shimmering under the lights.

The burgundy one is Lin Yaoyao, and the champagne-colored one is Qiu Siyao.

The styles are exactly the same, and the makeup and hair of the two people were also specially done.

Lin Yaoyao's hair was tied up, revealing her smooth neck, while Qiu Siyao's hair was loose, with large curls at the ends.

They remained silent, standing at the side entrance, without going inside.

On stage, Jiang Han caught a glimpse of the side door out of the corner of his eye and saw those two splashes of color.

His voice paused, almost unnoticed by anyone, but Xiao Xiao, who was close by, sensed the change in his aura.

Xiao Xiao followed his gaze and saw Lin Yaoyao and Qiu Siyao.

The curve of her lips froze for a fraction of a second, then she turned back to Jiang Han and sang the next line.

Fate brought us closer together.

Then loneliness was swallowed up.

"Boredom has turned into something to talk about, things have changed."

Her voice was still sweet, but there was an indescribable emotion mixed in with that sweetness.

Xiao Xiao gripped the microphone tightly, her knuckles turning white.

She knew they were there to see Jianghan, but she hadn't expected them to appear dressed like this or in this way.

Same style, different colors.

One is like a wife, and the other is also like a wife.

They are asserting their sovereignty, on their home turf…

Jiang Han finished singing the last line without putting down the microphone.

The song also has a repeated chorus, and according to the rehearsal, the two of them should sing it together again.

Xiao Xiao's eyes never left the side door; the wine red and champagne colors clung to the corners of her eyes.

She knew they were watching her, and she knew what they were waiting for.

After Jiang Han finished singing this song, after he walked off the stage, after they took his arm and led him away from her.

On what grounds?

When the thought popped into her head, Xiao Xiao was startled.

She released her other hand from the microphone stand and turned to face the Yangtze River.

Jiang Han was singing the last line of the chorus and didn't notice her movements.

Xiao Xiao stood on tiptoe.

She was wearing low heels, just a few centimeters off the ground, but that was enough.

When her lips touched Jiang Han's cheek, she felt him freeze.

His voice trailed off on the word "good" in "perfectly just right," and the microphone emitted a short, sharp hissing sound.

The entire room fell silent.

It wasn't a gradual quiet; it was a sudden, choking silence, like something was choking you.

The spotlight was still on, shining on the two people, their shadows overlapping on the curtain behind the stage.

Xiao Xiao's lips pressed against Jiang Han's cheek for two seconds, maybe three seconds.

All I remember is that Jiang Han's skin was warm and had a pleasant scent.

Someone in the audience gasped...