Chapter Four: "Elopement"

Most of the main audience at the concert were still fans of Luo Xiaoyi. As she began her performance, the crowd gradually quieted down, their discussion about Chen Nian fading away. At the same time, Lin Xinrou and Ai Ting took the stage almost simultaneously, and their concert was being broadcast live to all online members. The intention was obvious: to siphon away Luo Xiaoyi’s audience and drive her entirely out of Heartmark Entertainment.

“Damn! Ai Ting’s concert just started, and the mysterious guest is none other than Goddess Lin!” someone shouted from Luo Xiaoyi’s audience, instantly drawing most people’s attention.

“How do you know?” someone asked.

“Don’t you know? Ai Ting’s concert is live-streamed to all members tonight—anyone with a subscription can watch it for free!”

Word spread like wildfire, and soon, a small number of Lin Xinrou’s fans in Luo Xiaoyi’s audience took out their phones to watch Ai Ting’s concert live. Luo Xiaoyi, standing on stage, took in all their actions but was powerless to stop it. For now, though, things were still manageable. At least, after Chen Nian had sung “Sunny Day,” no one had left the venue. As long as they could maintain a ninety-five percent attendance rate, there was still hope of winning this high-stakes bet.

“Goddess Lin is performing the title track from her new album tonight, ‘Love Unattainable.’ Anyone who skipped Ai Ting’s concert to come to Luo Xiaoyi’s is seriously missing out!”

“What!” Lin Xinrou’s fans in Luo Xiaoyi’s audience were stunned as they watched the barrage of messages streaming through the live chat. “Love Unattainable” was hailed as the highest-quality song since Lin Xinrou’s debut, and as her devoted fans, they had anticipated this moment for nearly half a year. No one expected the live debut would be at Ai Ting’s concert instead.

Unfortunately, tickets to Ai Ting’s show had long since sold out. At best, they could rush over to catch a glimpse or listen from outside, but it hardly seemed worth it.

“Why don’t you all come over now? Goddess Lin just announced that anyone who gets to the venue within fifteen minutes will have their taxi fare reimbursed!”

Just as both concerts were reaching their climax, Lin Xinrou dropped a bombshell that could decide the outcome. The reason behind this move was clear: to cut off Luo Xiaoyi’s escape route and eliminate her completely.

The news sent Lin Xinrou’s fans at Luo Xiaoyi’s concert into a frenzy. The two venues were only five kilometers apart—fifteen minutes was more than enough time to get there. The live debut of “Love Unattainable” meant everything to Lin Xinrou’s true fans. Besides, if an unknown amateur like Chen Nian could write a song as touching as “Sunny Day,” then Lin Xinrou, the hottest rising star in the music industry, must have created something even more extraordinary after six months of work.

In short, it had to be even better than “Sunny Day.” If they couldn’t hear it live the first time, they would truly regret it as Lin Xinrou’s loyal fans.

Many fans exchanged glances, stood up in silent agreement, and quickly left the arena. Luo Xiaoyi saw this from the stage, her heart gripped with anxiety, but all she could do was pour herself even further into her performance, hoping to keep those who were about to leave.

But for those whose minds were set on going, nothing Luo Xiaoyi did could make them stay. Flustered, the staff relayed the situation backstage, asking if any remedial measures should be taken. Sister Mei, having never faced such a crisis, could only look to Chen Nian for guidance. But in the end, she sighed and gave up the struggle. Chen Nian had already performed “Sunny Day”—repeating it would never have the same impact. As for whether Chen Nian had other works, one “Sunny Day” was shocking enough; Sister Mei simply could not believe an amateur could produce two such groundbreaking songs.

Chen Nian, however, simply smiled, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. The Chinese music scene had spanned the globe for more than forty years—if one “Sunny Day” was enough to startle them, then they were in for a surprise. That was just one song from his repertoire; he had thousands more of that caliber.

Ignoring Sister Mei’s worried face, Chen Nian picked up a pen and began writing furiously on a sheet of paper. Soon, the lyrics to “Endless Love” were neatly transcribed. To be safe, he took out his laptop and recorded a rough demo.

Sister Mei watched his every move, her face full of confusion. But when he began to sing, her confusion turned to shock, awe, and utter amazement. After years as a manager in the music industry, Sister Mei felt, for the first time in ages, that there was hope—not for Luo Xiaoyi’s concert, but for the Chinese music scene itself, which had languished for more than a decade. Chen Nian’s arrival made her believe there was still hope for this industry that had long seemed dead.

“Give this to Xiaoyi later, along with the demo I just recorded. Tell her to listen to it a few times and get familiar with the song as quickly as possible.” Chen Nian handed the newly written lyrics to Sister Mei.

“All right, I’ll do exactly as you say.” At this moment, Chen Nian was like a god to Sister Mei—whatever he said was right.

After giving his instructions, Chen Nian picked up his guitar and returned to the stage. Seeing him appear, the audience erupted in wild excitement, clamoring for him to sing again—even a repeat of “Sunny Day” would be enough.

“You wrote a song for me?” Luo Xiaoyi asked, her face full of curiosity. She found Chen Nian more and more enigmatic.

He nodded, said nothing more, and took the microphone from her, addressing the audience.

“Everyone, Xiaoyi has already sung so many songs. Let’s let her rest for a while—how about I sing something for you now?”

“Yes!”

“We want to hear ‘Sunny Day’!”

“Sunny Day! Sunny Day! Sunny Day!” the fans chanted in unison.

“I’ve already performed ‘Sunny Day.’ How about I sing another original of mine for you?”

“No, we want ‘Sunny Day!’” they protested.

Chen Nian just smiled, refusing to give them a chance to object, and began to strum his guitar.

“Next, I’ll perform a song called ‘Elopement.’”

This song was entirely different from “Sunny Day.” While “Sunny Day” expressed, with delicacy and restraint, the regret of a love lost for lack of courage, “Elopement” was a vibrant celebration of youthful longing—for freedom, for true love, for happiness, and for the courage to pursue it.

Chen Nian always sang with deep emotion, so unlike his typically reserved demeanor. On stage, he was passionate, as though confessing to the girl he still deeply loved.

As he began, everyone present was moved.

“Give my youth to the splendid city behind me,
We pay the price for this beautiful dream,
Leave love to the truest girl by my side,
You sing with me, you wander with me,
You share in my bruises and scars…”

When he finished, the audience suddenly realized an undeniable truth: in one night, two masterpieces had been born. The name Chen Nian, after tonight, would be known everywhere.

“What’s going on? Did I miss something?” Lin Xinrou’s fans who had just left frantically messaged their group chat.

“You missed out big time! As soon as you left, Chen sang another new song—it’s incredible!”

“Is it as good as ‘Sunny Day’?” someone replied instantly.

After hearing “Sunny Day” live, Chen Nian’s name was already etched deeply in their hearts.

“It’s completely different from ‘Sunny Day.’ I recorded a video—sending it now!” Someone shared the video of Chen Nian performing “Elopement,” sparking a frenzy in the group.

“What did I just miss?” one of Lin Xinrou’s fans, who had left midway, muttered in shock.

But at least as they neared Ai Ting’s concert, they wouldn’t miss Lin Xinrou’s new song. After all, compared to an unknown like Chen Nian, it was Lin Xinrou’s performance they had most anticipated tonight.