When the light kiss cracks

Ling Chuan picked up the bowl of porridge again and fed it to Qiao Yu spoonful by spoonful.

Qiao Yu asked vaguely, "So, you've been preparing for the concert all this time?"

"Um."

Qiao Yu lowered her eyes, the few sheets of paper in her hand felt surprisingly heavy. "Aren't concerts usually touring? Why don't you have these?"

"Just one, the only one... New Year's Eve concert, so you have to come."

A faint blush slowly crept up her earlobes, and her fingertips traced the concert ticket: "Oh... I see."

December 31st arrived in the blink of an eye.

The morning light, carrying the chill of winter, filtered through the gauze curtains, casting a frosty white hue.

The soft sunlight fell on the bedding, making the cotton comforter feel warm and cozy, and even the air was filled with a faint, lazy atmosphere typical of a late-year morning.

When Qiao Yu woke up, she saw a message that Ling Chuan had sent early in the morning.

I'll be waiting for you at the venue.

Six years ago on New Year's Eve, they walked side by side through the most bustling streets of Haicheng, their arms occasionally touching lightly, and then quietly drawing closer.

She smiled as she pointed to the glittering New Year decorations in the shop window, and he stopped to look with her, as the bustling crowd flowed past them.

At that time, the two did not talk much, but walked slowly amidst the hustle and bustle of the street. Occasionally, he would pull her to his side and gently protect her with his arm to avoid the passing crowds.

Amidst laughter and New Year's greetings, he carved out a quiet corner for just the two of them in the bustling crowd.

......

As dusk fell, long queues had already formed outside the venue, with orange support signs flashing in the twilight as fans held up posters of Ling Chuanye and took photos with each other.

The white Alphard drove to the VIP lane using navigation, where Xiao Zhu was already waiting.

Qiao Yu and the other two put on masks and got out of the car, following Xiao Zhu inside.

The black baseball cap was pulled down low, covering most of Qiao Yu's face. Her low bun looked casual and lazy, and she wore a camel coat that covered her up completely.

Clutching a glow stick with "After Sunrise" printed on it, she gently rubbed the plastic casing with her fingertips, her eyes shining with the same anticipation as any other fan.

Upon entering the venue, it was already packed with people, forming a sea of ​​orange.

As I walked, I could hear the discussions of the fans in the front row.

"I'm really looking forward to Aya's concert."

"Look, look! There are quite a few celebrities in the front row!"

"Could it be that he and Qiao Yu are really together?"

"No way, didn't they say it was a misunderstanding before?"

"Look, your girlfriend is definitely in there."

......

Ling Chuan also reserved the front row for them. Qiao Yu didn't expect that Qin Xiaojiang and Wang and the others would be near her, as well as the crew of "Light Kiss", Director Yu, Lin Tingwan and several assistant directors.

Even more so, there's Su Yu and Qin Moyao, whom we haven't seen in a long time.

After exchanging greetings with everyone, Qiao Yu and the other two took their seats amidst the farewells of the crowd.

Yang Yu leaned closer to her: "What kind of operation is this?"

Qiao Yu shook her head in confusion.

Suddenly, all the lights in the venue went out, and the scattered points of light suddenly merged into one. Countless orange glow sticks were raised at the same time, like a warm tide suddenly spreading out from the night, slowly covering the entire venue.

Qiao Yu clutched the glow stick in her hand, her breath catching in her throat as she looked at the scene before her.

Orange fragments of light swayed gently in the darkness, not dazzlingly bright, but so gentle that they could envelop the heart, just like the sunrise that day.

She also raised her arm, letting the orange light in her hand blend into the sea.

Suddenly, all the lights in the stadium came on again, and the screams that rose and fell seemed to lift the roof off.

Immediately afterwards, a spotlight shone in the center of the stage, and the familiar intro burst from the speakers, once again drowning out the screams of the fans.

His slender figure was drawn out clearly, and Ling Chuan, holding a microphone, slowly rose from the platform, his black jacket billowing with the movement.

The screams from the audience instantly rose, and Ling Chuan, bathed in orange light, was even more dazzling than on the screen.

He raised his hand and lightly pressed the earpiece, his deep voice spreading through the speakers: "Good evening, let's enjoy the sunset together after sunrise."

As he finished speaking, his gaze slowly swept across the audience, pausing slightly when it fell on her, his eyes holding a tenderness that only she could understand.

As Ling Chuanye's fingertips plucked the guitar strings, the chorus began, and the orange glow sticks throughout the venue swayed left and right to the rhythm, forming a flowing river of light.

He occasionally raised his hand to interact with the audience, but his gaze repeatedly swept in her direction.

Qiao Yu held up a glow stick and waved it gently. The corners of her lips were always upturned under her mask. When he sang the lyrical part, her fingertips quietly clenched, letting her heartbeat rise and fall in sync with the melody, and she was immersed in this lively yet private romance.

Ling Chuan sang some of the theme songs he had sung before, as well as some newly written songs. One song after another, when the familiar melodies came, the whole audience sang along a cappella. Classic clips flashed across the big screen, and long-forgotten memories resurfaced.

When the new song was played, the entire venue fell silent for a moment, with only his voice flowing gently.

After a few songs, the dazzling lights returned to calm.

"I'll show you some photos I took. See you in a bit."

Ling Chuan descended with the lift, and his photographic works began to slowly scroll across the large screen as the background music grew louder.

The images shifted frame by frame, showing sunrises he had previously posted, seaside scenes, mountaintop views, rice paddies...

The sun peeks out with a golden hue, slowly rising higher and illuminating the silent city.

Most of the photos were landscape shots, but as the camera switched to the next frame, the entire audience erupted in gasps of surprise.

A sunrise photo fills the field of vision; the orange-red sun has just leaped over the horizon, and the morning mist is gently dispersing, gilding the silent city with a layer of broken gold.

In the picture, the girl is wearing a hooded sweatshirt, a baseball cap, and her hair is tied in a low bun. A gentle breeze blows, and wisps of hair fall to one side as she quietly gazes in the direction of the sunrise...

The scene suddenly appeared before her eyes, and Qiao Yu covered her flushed face under her mask in surprise.

Yang Yu exclaimed, "Wow...this shot is really good, the composition is amazing!"

Xi Da clicked her tongue in amazement: "Teacher Ling is too good at this."

The surrounding discussions grew increasingly heated.

"Oh my god, who's going to go public with this?"

Wow, so beautiful...

"Doesn't that back view look familiar?"

"Look, up ahead, up ahead, a baseball cap and a low bun..."

"Wow, the main character is right in front of us."

......

At this moment, the music switched to soothing strings, the glow sticks in the audience gradually lit up, and a cluster of warm-colored lights instantly appeared on the stage.

The warm light shone on everyone's face, and everyone subconsciously slowed their breathing.

The elevator slowly rose amidst the cluster of lights.

A white grand piano came into view, and Ling Chuan was dressed in a well-fitting black suit with a white bow tie.

The audience gasped again.

He sat down at the piano and tried a few notes on the keys with his fingertips. The crisp sound was particularly clear in the quiet venue.

He slowly turned to the side and raised his lips: "Everyone thinks I'm good at guitar, but actually, I'm best at piano."

As he finished speaking, without any accompaniment, he raised his hand and pressed the piano keys. His fingertips danced across the black and white keys, and a soothing melody flowed out.

He lowered his eyes, his eyelashes casting soft shadows in the warm light. Occasionally, he would glance up at the audience, and when his gaze gently swept in her direction, his eyes would overflow with doting affection.

Immediately afterwards, his clear voice softly rose along with the accompaniment he played—

“I’ve rarely played the piano these past few years, but I know she loves to listen. Every time she sees my fingertips dancing, her eyes crinkle with joy. Those were the happiest and purest times we ever shared.”

The audience fell completely silent. The glow sticks that had been swaying stopped in mid-air. Some people held up their phones and recorded quietly, while others watched quietly, even their breathing became soft.

"I am so glad that I was able to hold onto that summer six years ago, but I missed out on these five summers with her. Now, I can finally stand by her side and accompany her through every summer to come."

I'm so lucky. I loved the person I loved for seven years, and seven years later, she still loves me...

His voice trembled with a touch of gentleness, and the warm light of sunrise lingered on the screen, enveloping the entire venue in a soft halo.

Time is silent, just like you and me. We can also remain silent; a single glance can answer everything...

The lingering notes still hung in the air as he lightly touched the piano keys with his fingertips, not getting up immediately.

The audience remained silent until the first soft applause rang out, followed by ripples that spread outwards, forming a gentle wave.

Qiao Yu sat in the crowd, her eyes slightly warm beneath her mask. She gently raised her glow stick and waved it, the orange color standing out vividly in the dark. He happened to look up and see it, a faint smile curving his lips. He then lightly tapped the piano keys, playing a short, almost echoing melody.

"Today, with this concert, we commemorate the years we've missed, through the twilight of the seasons, and together into the future."

As the light dimmed, all the lights in the venue suddenly came on, and the piano melody had just ended when waves of gasps and applause broke the silence.

Soft exclamations came from the back row: "Ah Ye is so gentle."

"This part is really enjoyable."

"Aya actually confessed her feelings at the concert."

"Got it, got it, it's still a monologue, you're so good at it."

Amidst everyone's amazement, some noticed the blue airplane model rising high in the center of the stage, filled with all sorts of colorful paper airplanes.

Just as Ling Chuan stood up, the paper airplanes slid outwards, and hundreds of them stumbled and fell to various places, swirling and flying into the air like a flock of light, colorful birds in the warm stage lights.

Qiao Yu looked up in surprise, watching the colorful paper airplanes fly overhead and slowly drift down to various places.

Amidst gasps and applause, paper airplanes weaved through the light and shadow. The audience, surprised to receive the paper airplanes, wore incredulous smiles as they opened them to find messages inside.

Thank you for coming.

"Thank you for coming to my eye concert."

"Thank you for your testimony."

......

Ling Chuan also picked up a red paper airplane that had been placed on the piano earlier, with a red ribbon tied to it. He stepped forward and squatted down near Qiao Yu.

They raised their hands and gestured in a language that only they could understand.

Did you hear my confession?

After gesturing, he raised his hand and waved, and the red paper airplane slowly glided toward her.

When Qiao Yu looked up again, holding the red paper airplane, she happened to meet his gaze. The smile in his eyes was clearly visible, and her eyes were curved at the corners.

Unfolding the paper airplane and seeing the neatly written words on it, a smile instantly spread across his eyes.

"With a confession as the starting point and a diamond ring as the promise, you have accepted it; no returns or exchanges."