Green plums cannot become lovers.

"Oh? How so-called celebrities?" Akane Akasaka asked casually, sitting down on a bar stool nearby. She was happy to learn more about another side of An and Asuka from these onlookers.

Miyuki immediately launched into a long explanation: "Asuka-kun is amazing! You wouldn't believe it, he was only thirteen when he first came here, right? He was carrying a guitar case that was as big as him, and he came to say he wanted to be a support musician. We were all shocked at the time, who would come to a livehouse looking for a job when they were so young?"

Rena picked up the conversation, her tone tinged with a nostalgic smile: "According to the rules, people under the age of fourteen are not allowed to perform in livehouses, so we never let him in, hehe."

"And guess what happened?" Miyuki slammed her hand on the table excitedly. "Somehow, this guy managed to sneak in. And then he just became unstoppable. Whenever a band needed someone temporarily, he was the first person they thought of. Drummer, bass, guitar, keyboard... it seems like there's nothing he can't do."

Akane Akasaka listened quietly, but her gaze involuntarily drifted towards Anwa Asuka, who was talking quietly with a sound engineer not far away.

The boy's profile was sharply defined in the dim light, his expression focused and calm. She found it hard to imagine how a thirteen-year-old could carve out a place for himself in this adult world through talent and resilience.

“It wasn’t easy for him at first.” Rena’s voice lowered, with a hint of heartache. “Because of his age, there were many limitations. But he never complained. As long as there was a performance opportunity, no matter how small the venue or how troublesome the band, he would accept it. Gradually, everyone got to know him and genuinely liked and admired him.”

Miyuki nodded vigorously: "That's right! And Asuka-kun is a really nice guy. Not only is he technically skilled, but he also helps mediate conflicts between band members and gives advice to new bands. Now, many local bands are willing to have him listen to their rehearsals and give them feedback. Don't let his young age fool you, he's incredibly professional!"

A ripple of emotion stirred within Akane Akane's heart.

These seemingly trivial details paint a more authentic and multifaceted picture than any glamorous resume. An and Asuka are not merely talented young musicians, but individuals possessing a maturity, resilience, and personal charisma beyond their years. They have, in their own way, taken root in this small community and earned respect.

Just then, the Livehouse door was flung open, and several panting young people rushed in, their faces filled with anxiety. They looked around, and when they saw An and Asuka at the front desk, their eyes lit up immediately, as if they had seen saviors.

"Asuka-kun! Great! You're here!" The leader was a young man with dyed blue hair and wearing a leather jacket. He almost ran up to An and Asuka. "Help! Our lead singer suddenly got acute gastroenteritis during tonight's performance and was sent to the hospital! We can't find anyone to fill in!"

An and Asuka frowned: "This..."

He looked at Akane Akasaka, who was standing to the side.

"Please! Asuka-kun!" Another girl, who looked like a bassist, clasped her hands together, almost crying with anxiety. "Tonight's show is very important to us. Several production companies are coming! If we cancel, our band might..."

"Double the pay! No, triple it!" the blue-haired youth gritted his teeth. "And the songs are all regular pop-rock, we have the lyrics and chord charts! Asuka-kun, you'll definitely be fine! Didn't you fill in as the lead singer for other bands before? They all said you sang incredibly well!"

An and Asuka fell silent. He looked at Akane Akasaka, his eyes filled with apology: "Akane-nee, I'm sorry, it might be necessary to..."

"It's alright, go ahead." Akane Akasaka immediately expressed her understanding, but a greater wave of emotion was surging within her.

Lead singer? This young man even filled in as the lead singer? And judging from what the young man said, the effect seemed quite good?

"Thank you so much!" The blue-haired youth was overjoyed and immediately handed the folder in his hand to An and Asuka. "This is the song list and sheet music. The show starts in an hour. We'll be waiting for you backstage!"

Several people thanked An and Feibiao profusely and dragged them backstage.

At the front desk, Miyuki and Rena exchanged a smile, seemingly unfazed by the situation.

“Asuka-kun is going to have to save the day again.” Miyuki rested her chin on her hand. “But the lead vocalist… I remember the last time he stepped in as lead vocalist was three months ago when he helped ‘Grey Tone’? Everyone was really surprised back then.”

Rena nodded and explained to Akane Kousaka, who looked on with curiosity, "The lead singer of that band also lost his voice at the last minute, and Asuka-kun was dragged up on stage. As soon as he opened his mouth, the whole place went silent."

His vocal abilities weren't particularly outstanding, but his singing intelligence was extremely high, his emotional expression was exceptionally nuanced, and he played the guitar steadily with great stage presence. After that performance, many people said that if Asuka-kun focused on being a singer-songwriter, he would definitely make it big.

Akane Akasaka felt her heart racing. Guitar playing and singing? Stage presence? These fragments of information, combined with her previous understanding of An and Asuka—a composed drummer, a genius composer—gradually revealed a more astonishing whole.

She checked the time and asked, "May I... go backstage? It won't disturb their rehearsal." She asked one of the two receptionists.

“Of course! Go in this way, turn right and you’ll find the band’s dressing room and rehearsal room,” Miyuki said enthusiastically, pointing the way.

After thanking her, Akane Akasaka followed the faint sound of instruments towards the backstage area. Equipment cases were piled up on both sides of the corridor, and the walls were covered in graffiti and posters. She found the rehearsal room with its door open; inside, An and Asuka were already engaged in a tense rehearsal with the band they had urgently requested help from.

The boy took off his jacket, revealing himself to be wearing only a simple black T-shirt, and held an old-looking electric guitar in his hands. In front of him was a music stand covered with densely packed lyrics and chord markings.

He was communicating quickly with the other band members, his tone calm and his thoughts clear.

"...In this chorus, the harmony can be a bit thicker. Reiko, you go for this root note, Kenta, lay out a simple tone, and I'll take care of the main melody and rhythm...Yes, this will make the layers better."

"The original version has a guitar solo in the interlude, but I saw on the sheet music that it can also be transferred to keyboard? In that case, I suggest keeping the guitar solo, but I'll simplify it a bit, focusing more on the melody and coordinating it with the drum beats..."

"At the end of the last song, we can do a diminuendo, with the drums stopping first, followed by a long note from me and the keyboard, and finally the bass finishing... to create a lingering effect."

As he spoke, his hands never stopped moving, occasionally plucking the strings to demonstrate, or gently tapping the rhythm with his foot. The young man, who had been extremely anxious, was now listening intently, nodding frequently, his eyes filled with trust and reliance.

Akane Akane leaned against the door, not going in to disturb them. She quietly observed An and Asuka offstage, noting that they were somewhat different from the quiet boy on stage or in everyday life.

At this moment, he resembled a confident commander, quickly understanding the mission, analyzing the situation, and formulating a feasible plan. The professionalism and control he exuded were strikingly different from his age.

The rehearsal lasted about forty minutes, mainly going over the eight songs on the setlist and focusing on refining the coordination and flow. Time was tight, so perfection was impossible, but the band's atmosphere had become much more grounded from the initial panic.

"That's about it." An and Asuka put down their guitars and wiped the sweat from their brows. "Everyone, relax and treat this as just a regular performance. Just remember the key points we agreed on earlier. The rest... leave it to me."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a strange, soothing power. The band members exchanged glances, nodded, and their tense expressions relaxed considerably.

The audience began to enter, and the livehouse gradually grew noisy. Akane Kousaka returned to the front of the audience and found a seat that was close to the front but not inconspicuous. She was filled with unprecedented anticipation. Tonight, she would witness this boy's brilliance in another role.

The lights dimmed, and the stage lights came on.

The members of "Azure Fault" walked onto the stage, with An and Asuka leading the way. He had changed into a slightly more theatrical dark gray shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and he was holding his electric guitar in his arms. He nodded slightly to the audience, his face calm and focused.

The blue-haired band leader and guitarist walked to the microphone, took a deep breath, and said, "Good evening, everyone. I'm sorry to inform you of some unexpected news, but our lead singer will be unable to perform tonight."

But luckily, we managed to get a really talented backup musician to save the day—An and Asuka! Please give him, and our band, a huge round of applause!

Applause erupted from the audience, interspersed with cheers and whistles from some familiar faces.

"It's Asuka-kun!"

"Is it another emergency rescue? This time it's the lead singer?"

"That's interesting! He was so cool when he played the drums last time!"

An and Asuka walked to the microphone stand, adjusted the height, and tested the sound. Then, he looked at his teammates and nodded.

The first song's intro is a fast-paced pop-rock tune.

When An and Asuka sang the first line of the lyrics, Akane Akasaka felt her breath catch slightly.

His voice, as Rena had said, was not the kind of exceptionally gifted, highly distinctive, ornate voice. It was clear, clean, with the unique clarity of a young man, but slightly thin. However, almost the instant the first syllable fell, Akane Kousaka realized she was wrong—terribly wrong.

What truly amazed her was not his voice itself, but the way he used it, the emotions he infused into the lyrics, and his seamless integration with the music.

His singing lacked any flashy techniques, yet every word was enunciated clearly and with great emotion. His pitch was impeccable, his sense of rhythm was extremely strong, and what was even more astonishing was his delicate handling of dynamics and variations in tone.

In cheerful songs, his voice is full of vibrant sunshine; in slightly melancholic ballads, his voice becomes calm, carrying a restrained gentleness that touches the heart.

Moreover, he didn't just stand and sing. He played the guitar as he sang. The chord changes were smooth and precise, and the occasional improvisational interludes added just the right touches to the songs. His body moved naturally to the music, his movements small yet full of confidence and relaxation, and his eyes made natural contact with the audience.

Akane Akasaka is a professional; she has heard countless concerts and seen countless performances. She knows that the most valuable quality of an excellent performer is not perfect technique, but the ability to "speak" the song into people's hearts, the infectious power to make listeners forget to judge technique and be completely immersed in the emotions of the music.

And at this moment, An and Asuka on stage possess this rare infectious power.

The third song was a slow ballad with a folk style. An and Asuka sat on high stools at the front of the stage, accompanied by only simple arpeggios.

The spotlight focused on him; the boy lowered his head slightly, his eyelashes casting soft shadows beneath his eyes. When he sang the line, "Oh, lost summer, do you still remember the promise we made under the stars," his voice was as soft as a whisper, yet it carried a soul-piercing melancholy.

Akane Akane felt her eyes welling up slightly. She could clearly see that many audience members had also quieted down; some had closed their eyes, while others swayed slightly, completely immersed in the atmosphere created by the music.

This wasn't a simple "replacement" or "rescue." It was a complete, high-caliber performance. An and Asuka didn't just fill in for the lead vocals; they even reinterpreted the songs, giving them new life.

As the performance entered its second half, the atmosphere grew increasingly heated. An and Asuka seemed to have fully entered the zone, performing with even greater ease and confidence on stage. He even engaged in a brilliant improvisational guitar exchange with the original guitarist, eliciting screams from the audience.

The last song was an original composition by the band, with a strong and powerful rhythm. An and Asuka let loose completely, their voices switching freely between shouts and chants, and their guitar playing was full of energy. When the song reached its climax, he executed a beautiful strum, leaning back slightly, his black hair damp with sweat, and under the lights, the young man's face seemed to glow.

"Thank you everyone!" As the song ended, he panted and gave the audience a bright smile, a stark contrast to his usual calm demeanor.

At that moment, deafening cheers, applause, and whistles erupted from the audience.

"Peace! Peace! Peace!"

"awesome!"

"One more song!"

The sound almost lifted the roof off. The other band members excitedly gathered around, and the blue-haired youth patted An and Asuka on the shoulder with a look of relieved elation.

Akane Akasaka sat in the crowd, her heart pounding. Looking at the boy on stage, surrounded by applause and lights, at his rare, bright smile befitting his age, the emotions that had been churning within her finally broke free.

Surprised? It's more than that.

Surprise? That's not enough to describe it.

It was a complex emotion, a mixture of shock, excitement, pride, and even a touch of awe. She finally understood what Miyuki and Reina at the front desk had said, and why this boy could win everyone's love and respect in this small livehouse.

He wasn't just "playing music." He was embracing music with his life, and music, in turn, rewarded him with a brilliance that transcended his age.

This was the "light" she was looking for. No, this light was more brilliant, more diverse, and more resilient than she had imagined.

As the performance ended and the crowd gradually dispersed, Akane Kousaka went backstage and saw Anwa Asuka settling accounts with the members of "Azure Fault"—the blue-haired youth insisted on giving more, but Anwa Asuka insisted on only accepting the amount agreed upon beforehand.

Upon seeing Akane Akasaka, An and Asuka approached, their faces still flushed and glistening with sweat from the performance. "Sorry, Akane-nee, we kept you waiting."

Akane Akasaka shook her head, looked into his eyes, and after a long while, whispered, "Asuka, I was wrong."

"Huh?" An and Asuka asked, puzzled.

“I said before that I might be witnessing the rise of a composer of an era.” Akane Akasaka’s voice was soft but extremely serious. “But now I feel that I might be witnessing… the rise of a true, all-around musical genius.”

An and Asuka paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "You flatter me. I was just... doing what I could."

“No,” Akane Akane stepped forward, gently placing her hands on his shoulders, forcing him to look at her, “Listen, Asuka. Your talent far exceeds your own imagination, and even my initial judgment. You are not just an excellent drummer, a genius composer. You are a true performer, an artist who can create worlds with music and touch souls.”

Her eyes were burning with determination: "I will use all my resources and abilities to pave the way for you. Not because you are of the Anhe family bloodline, not because I promised Grandma Tiantong anything. Simply because—you are Anhe Asuka, and you deserve it."

A boy like that deserves her doing this.

As An and Asuka looked at the undisguised admiration and determination in the eyes of their newly recognized older sister, a crack seemed to quietly appear in the hard shell of their hearts.

Warm light shone in.

This was the first time in his life that someone had been willing to go to such lengths for him.

It was late at night when the two walked out of the livehouse. The city lights shimmered gently in the night.

“Asuka,” Akane Akasaka suddenly spoke up, “whether it’s that song ‘Summer’ or the previous ‘Hotaru no Hikari’…they remind me of a phrase.”

"What kind of mountain-shaped flag-shaped temple language?"

“Some people are born to illuminate the world.” Akane Akasaka looked up at the night sky, a gentle smile playing on her lips. “And you, Asuka, you are that light.”

"..."

An and Asuka paused for a moment and walked on in silence, without responding.

He never thought about light or fire; he simply did what he felt he had to do.

Volume 1: Chapter 154 Anhe Family [16,000 words]

The night gently enveloped the city. Akane Akasaka stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window of her hotel room, holding her phone in her hand, her fingertips hovering over the screen for a long time.

Outside the window, the lights of that quiet little town shone like stars scattered on the ground, distant yet warm. Her gaze drifted in the direction where An and Asuka lived, a complex mix of emotions surging within her.

Finally, she took a deep breath and dialed the number.

The waiting time before the call connected seemed exceptionally long. When the familiar and gentle voice came from the other end, Akane Akasaka's heart involuntarily quickened.

"Good evening, Grandma Tendo. I'm Akane."

"Ah, it's Akane." Anwa Tendo's voice came through the receiver, carrying the kind and slow tone characteristic of the elderly. "It's been so long since I heard from you. How are you?"

“I’m fine, thank you for your concern.” Akane Akasaka paused, gathering her thoughts. “Actually… I’m in Aichi Prefecture right now.”

"Oh? Aichi? Is that where you're going to work?"

"I suppose so. But I encountered something... very interesting here." Akane Akasaka chose her words carefully, her tone filled with barely concealed excitement. "Grandma Tendo, I met a very impressive young man here."

“Very… extraordinary.” Akane Akane carefully chose her words. “He is a musical genius. At fourteen, he is almost an all-rounder, composing, playing, and singing. Yesterday, I heard him play a guitar piece he wrote himself called ‘Summer’… Grandma Tendo, that piece reminded me of the soundtrack from the movie ‘Summer’s Echo’ that you starred in when you were young. It’s not that the styles are similar, but… that kind of power that strikes the soul.”

There was silence on the other end of the phone. Akane Akane could imagine Anwa Tendo's expression at that moment—the national treasure-level actress who had been active in the entertainment industry for more than half a century and witnessed the rise and fall of countless geniuses must have slightly narrowed her eyes, a habitual gesture when she was listening attentively.

“To be described by you like that,” Anhe Tiantong finally spoke after a long silence, his voice carrying an indescribable emotion, “I really want to see this child with my own eyes.”

Akane Akasaka's heart skipped a beat. Her fingers tightened slightly around her phone, her nails digging into her palm.

“Yes,” she heard herself say, her voice steady, but only she knew the complex emotions behind it. “In a few days, I will bring him to Tokyo to see you, and let him... meet you.”

Three days later, Tokyo Station.

The Shinkansen slowly pulled into the station, the doors opened, and a surge of people poured out. Amidst this hurried flow of people, the figures of four teenagers stood out conspicuously.

An and Asuka carried simple backpacks, wore clean white shirts and dark trousers, and maintained their usual calm demeanor. Marina, standing beside him, was the complete opposite; her long golden hair was tied in a high ponytail, and she looked around, her amber eyes filled with excitement and curiosity.

"Wow! Tokyo Station is huge! It's so much bigger than our station!" Marina tugged at Shizuka's sleeve. "Shizuka, look! Isn't there a shop over there that sells Tokyo banana cake? I heard it's super delicious!"

Kuze Shizuka smiled gently, her face beneath her black bob haircut carrying the novelty of her new arrival in Tokyo, but her demeanor was noticeably more restrained than Marina's: "Marina, don't get lost. Asuka, where do we go next?"

Ai Hoshino walked on the other side of Anwa Asuka, her purple hair gleaming softly under the bright lights of the station. She didn't speak, but her amethyst-like eyes were silently observing her surroundings—the dense crowds, the soaring ceilings, the dazzling array of shops, everything was so unfamiliar, yet full of some kind of alluring energy.

"Sister Zhu Yin said she'd wait for us at the exit." An Hefei glanced at his phone. "Let's go, don't keep her waiting too long."

Sure enough, they saw that familiar figure at the central exit.

Akane Akasaka was dressed in a simple beige suit today, her long hair pulled back, her makeup exquisite—a picture of a capable professional woman. But the moment she saw the four of them, an unusually warm smile, quite incongruous with her attire, bloomed on her face.