They surrounded me right after the breakup.

Jiang Han stood behind the curtain; he hadn't told the woman next to him that he was there to record the show today.

He was wearing a gray suit, his face was calm and expressionless, and he lightly flicked his fingers along the seam of his trousers twice.

After the host finished his introduction, applause broke out.

When the spotlight shone on him, the audience's reaction was different from before.

Someone recognized him and whispered, "It's Jiang Han."

Several young girls in the front row raised their phones, their camera flashes going off rapidly.

It's not because he sang songs, it's because of his face.

The comments section also started to shift: "Jiang Han went on stage," "The boss sang himself," "He is indeed handsome."

The soothing sound of a piano slowly rose into the air, gentle and serene.

Jiang Han chose the soothing song "Forget Time".

How far have we walked in silence?

Looking up, I suddenly realized

Keep going backwards until you reach the starting point.

His voice wasn't loud; it lacked the impact of Linghua's voice and the mellow quality of Mao Buyi's.

But the pronunciation is very clear, each word is distinct, as if you are talking to someone.

No showing off skills, no high notes, just telling a story in a gentle, conversational style, like telling a story to your neighbor.

Some viewers recognized the song as an interlude from the TV series "Fairy Tale". The original singer was Mao Buyi, but the lyricist and composer were both Jiang Han.

The scrolling text on the screen reads: Lyrics by Jiang Han, music by Jiang Han.

"Did he write this song?"

"Did he write the time?"

"I listened to Mao Buyi's version on repeat for a month."

Information was flooding the screen, but the sounds on stage never stopped.

In the control room, Zhang Beihai listened intently.

When Jiang Han sang this song, it was noticeably different from when he sang it as a guest performer.

Last time he sang with restraint, as if he were telling someone else's story.

He stood there, wearing that gray suit, the lights shining on him. He wasn't looking at anyone, but everyone felt like he was looking at them.

When the song reached the part where the singer gradually forgot that he couldn't make it to tomorrow, the comments section went silent for a moment.

Then someone posted: "Is he singing about himself?"

Some people have astutely drawn the connection to the recent media storm.

The trending topics are still there, Ji Bochang's long post is still there, and Shen Qingning's chat history is still there.

All those insults, screenshots, and comments are posted online.

But Jiang Han stood on this stage, offering no explanation, offering no response, and simply sang a song.

When the song reached the line "As long as you hold on tight to your longing," a little girl in the front row had tears in her eyes.

She recalled the days when she listened to this song repeatedly after her breakup, back when she didn't know what the person who wrote the song looked like.

The comments section started flooding with messages again.

"I think I understand him a little better now."

"Someone who can write songs like this doesn't seem like the type to steal someone else's girlfriend."

"The song is really good, I won't comment on the person's character!"

There are all sorts of opinions, but the number of people criticizing him has clearly decreased.

The last time the chorus is played.

"Your smiling face will be gone tomorrow."

You've never left my heart.

When Jiang Han sang the last line, the microphone was very close to his lips, and his voice was very low.

The outro is still playing, the piano music circling around and around, like memories that can't be escaped.

After finishing the song, he bowed and left the stage.

After going over the procedures with the director, Zhang Beihai went to the rest room on his own initiative.

"President Jiang, you sang very well today."

"Thanks!"

Zhang Beihai paused for a moment: "I don't care about what happens online, but after you finish singing this song today, I believe you."

His expression was serious, not just polite.

After the final match, the audience gradually left.

Bicui Manor Villa.

Shen Qingning leaned back on the living room sofa and turned off the TV.

She placed the remote control on the coffee table and stared at the black screen for a few seconds.

The living room lights were off, only the kitchen light was on, with light coming in from the hallway.

She hasn't left the house for several days.

The food in the refrigerator was all gone, and the takeout boxes were piled up in the garbage bag by the door.

She didn't answer the phone when her agent called, and later the agent stopped calling.

Xia Yutong came by the day before yesterday. She rang the doorbell for ten minutes, but she just sat inside without moving.

Before leaving, Xia Yutong sent a message: "I bought you some food and left it at the door, remember to pick it up."

She waited until dark before opening the door and bringing in a bag containing milk, bread, and several boxes of ready-made meals.

She had heard the song Jiang Han sang on stage.

Mao Buyi's version, the ending theme song of the TV series, she always fast-forwards when she listens to it.

Those lyrics were like needles, pricking her and Jiang Han's ten years together.

Today, Shen Qingning listened to the entire story from the first sentence to the last, without getting up or changing the channel.

Shen Qingning stood up, walked to the study, and turned on the computer.

The cursor is blinking on the white page.

She stared at the cursor for a long time, placed her fingers on the keyboard, and then began to type.

"I am Shen Qingning. Regarding the recent chat logs and related statements circulating online, I hereby make the following statement:"

She felt the writing was too calm.

They should have gone a little harder to let everyone know that this wasn't a public relations effort, but her own choice.

Shen Qingning deleted that line and retyped it.

"I am Shen Qingning. Every word I say below is my own decision. No one instructed me or forced me."

His fingers hovered above the keyboard for two seconds before continuing to type.

"First, regarding my chat history with Mr. Ji Bochang."

I did say those words, I don't deny it, but those words were said before Jiang Han and I officially broke up.

He didn't interfere in anyone's relationship; I was the one who ended it. I betrayed Jiang Han.

She paused, read it once, and continued writing.

"Second, regarding the Jianghan Plain."

He is the most sincere, gentle, and talented man I have ever met.

Every song he wrote was a labor of love.

He got to where he is today because of his work, not because of anyone else's resources.

Those who say he rose to power through women, please listen to the songs he wrote.

If after hearing this you still think he's incompetent, I have nothing more to say.

The cursor moved to the next line.

Shen Qingning took a deep breath and typed out the last paragraph.

Third, regarding my acting career.

I have decided to retire from the entertainment industry.

From today onwards, I will no longer participate in any public events, film any movies or TV shows, or accept any media interviews.

This decision has nothing to do with anyone else; it is my own choice.

I did something wrong, and I should bear the consequences.

Jiang Han doesn't need me to clarify anything for him, but I owe him an apology, and I owe an explanation to everyone who likes me.

Shen Qingning finished typing, read it from beginning to end, changed two punctuation marks, and deleted unnecessary characters.

There were no traces of tears, no trembling hands.

The entire statement reads like a legal document: calm, restrained, and leaving no room for compromise.

Shen Qingning saved the document but did not send it immediately.

She wants to wait until everyone is discussing Jiang Han's songs, and until the hashtag "Believe in Jiang Han" is trending on social media.

Because no one would say that Shen Qingning had been bribed by the public relations department at that time.

Shen Qingning turned off the computer and returned to her bedroom.

My phone lit up; it was a message from Xia Yutong.

"Qingning, are you alright? I'll come see you again tomorrow."

"Need not."

After sending the message, Shen Qingning put her phone next to her pillow and turned off the light.

The bedroom was very dark; not a single ray of light could get in.

My mind is filled with images of Jiang Han singing on stage, standing alone in the center of the stage.

Shen Qingning turned over and pulled the blanket up to her chin.

Let's settle these matters tomorrow, and then she'll be free.