Chapter 55: Xiao Xiang, Moonlight Shines on the World, Luo Guyun Resolves to Cut Off His Love
At the end of 1962, the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony was held in Oslo Auditorium in Norway.
Xiao Xiangyue, dressed in a formal tuxedo and bow tie, remained elegant and graceful, his demeanor outstanding. His handsome face had lost its youthful immaturity, replaced by the mature charm of time. His every move and gesture was imbued with a calmness and elegance cultivated by time.
The King of Norway personally handed the trophy to him and stood beside him, listening quietly to the award speech by the jury chairman, Donner:
Throughout the long history of mankind, peace has always been the most precious vision. Like the brightest star in the night sky, it guides the way forward for all mankind.
However, reality is often filled with cruelty and helplessness. The shadow of war always looms, bringing endless suffering and pain. But amidst this darkness, there are always some great souls, like shining stars, who, with extraordinary strength, courage, and tolerance, light the dawn of peace for the world.
Today, standing on this podium symbolizing humanity's highest honor for peace, we, with immense respect and deep emotion, award the Nobel Peace Prize to Mr. Charles Francis Xiangyue Xiao. His contributions shine like a bright star in a dark world, bringing the light of peace to every corner.
Mr. Charles Francis Xiangyue Xiao was deeply wounded by the darkest crimes in human history. The persecution and torture left indelible scars on his life. Those painful experiences haunted him like a nightmare. Yet, he dispelled hatred with tolerance and triumphed over suffering with love! With notes as his pen and melodies as his ink, he expressed his condemnation of war and his longing for peace. Each melody embodied his respect and love for life.
His music transcends national boundaries, racial and cultural boundaries, becoming a bridge connecting people of different nationalities and faiths. His works are like a gentle spring breeze, brushing away the barriers and prejudices in people's hearts, and like a clear stream, nourishing hearts parched by hatred.
Mr. Charles Francis Xiangyue Xiao is not only one of the greatest musicians alive today, but also a great warrior for peace. Through his music, he expresses shared human emotions and dreams, fostering communication and understanding among peoples. Through his music, he conveys a strong desire to oppose war and advocate for peace, allowing his melodies to dissolve hatred and allow the seeds of peace to take root in people's hearts. During the war, facing the evil fascism, he willingly sacrificed his own life to ensure the safety of students and the people. Today, with extraordinary courage and artistic appeal, he successfully defuses a crisis that could have triggered widespread racial conflict.
Today, this award is a high recognition of his outstanding achievements and a high tribute to his great spirit.
His greatness lies not only in his exceptional musical talent, but also in his passionate heart, which beats for world peace. He used music as a weapon to proclaim the value of peace to the world, and art as a bond to connect people from all walks of life. His achievements will inspire the light of the human spirit...
Luo Guyun sat in the audience, secretly complaining that the speech was too long and wordy, and was constantly interrupted by applause... Yue'er must have been tired from standing for such a long time and having to bow and thank the audience constantly during the applause...
Xiao Xiangyue's acceptance speech was brief, thanking all those who loved him. It was love that enriched his heart, and it was love that gave him endless courage and strength. That love, as vast as the universe and the sea of stars, was enough to enable him to overcome all hardships.
After the awards ceremony, the Swedish and Norwegian governments jointly held a grand celebratory reception. The event was packed with celebrities, including prominent figures from almost half the globe. Accompanied by the King of Norway and Chairman Donner, Xiao Xiangyue toasted with the countless people around her, exchanged pleasantries, and posed for photos. Even the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the Prince of Monaco could only wait quietly outside the crowd, glasses in hand.
Security was tight, but many reporters were allowed in, snapping photos of Xiao Xiangyue non-stop. Luo Guoyun, of course, wouldn't allow the media to capture him and Yue'er, so he sat in a corner of the hall with a group of friends, sipping wine and chatting.
Paul took a few photos, then ran over to sit with everyone else. Wiping his sweat, he said, "The moon is so popular today, it's hard to get a photo! I won't join in the fun, I'm just enjoying some free time..."
Yi Han raised his wine glass and jokingly said, "This award speech is so flowery and long-winded! Simply put, Yue'er has three major achievements. First, she unified the aesthetic tastes of Earthlings. Second, she unified ideology. Even if two gangs were fighting on the street, as long as they said they were all Yue'er fans, they would be reconciled! Third, she improved the artistic cultivation of the entire nation. From high-ranking officials to peddlers, everyone has become more refined because of Yue'er's music!"
Everyone laughed and nodded in agreement. Luo Guoyun praised: "Second brother's words are still down-to-earth!"
The crowd was in an uproar. The host announced loudly that Mr. Chalaid would sing an impromptu ballad for everyone... The hall erupted in warm applause. Xiao Xiangyue gracefully walked onto the stage, leaned over to the microphone and began to hum softly. Luo Guoyun listened carefully and found that the song was actually sung in English:
Clouds drift across the sky, the moon swims in the water, their companionship filled with joy. Clouds embrace the moon, the moon rests on the clouds, passing beneath the willow branches. Look closely: clouds entwine the moon, the moon chases the clouds, soaring through the heavens. The ethereal clouds, like white handkerchiefs, rub and polish, and the moon becomes brighter. The playful moon quietly rolls, rolls and rolls, resting on the shoulders of the clouds.
Everyone felt the music was light and lively, soothing to the ears, like a tickle, bringing a sense of comfort. The Saudi Crown Prince announced on the spot: "In our Arab culture, the moon symbolizes good fortune and happiness, peace and protection. I will build a Moon Palace in Riyadh for Mr. Xiangyue and invite him to come to Saudi Arabia to lecture and reside permanently."
Yi Shui said to Luo Guyun, "Tsk tsk... Look at you two, you're showing off your affection so elegantly, letting the whole world enjoy it, and they still don't understand why... Yue'er is the same. After just a short while, she's already worried about neglecting her third brother, so she's busy expressing her love and affection..."
Paul lowered his voice and asked curiously, "General and Xiangyue have been together for decades, how come they don't get tired of each other? You are both so outstanding, how do you resist the temptations of the outside world?"
Luo Guoyun gazed at the figure under the spotlight, like a moon surrounded by stars, lost in thought. His Yue'er... that tiny figure who had emerged from Alsophila Valley, had ultimately become the bright, shining moon that the entire world gazed upon... After a long silence, he said, "Perhaps most people in this world love themselves, but Yue'er and I truly love each other."
"How can a man give up the entire forest and sea of flowers for a tree or a flower?" Paul wondered.
Ike laughed. "You don't understand! The General and Xiangyue are like two dazzling twin stars, drawn to each other and tightly entangled. To others, they're not a forest, not a sea of flowers, not even a weed!"
Yi Shui said: "That's the truth! I admire my third brother because of his extraordinary determination! He always knows what he wants to protect, and he is determined, highly self-disciplined, and never lets himself go! He has nothing to do with wine, women, money, anger, eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling! If others think he is unkind and unromantic, they are totally wrong! Anyone who has seen his tenderness towards Yue'er will probably only hate themselves for not having the chance to meet such a man..."
Yi Han smiled and said, "Brother, you don't have to use me as an example... Although others envy the relationship between my third brother and Yue'er, it can't be learned! The probability of meeting the soul mate among billions of people is comparable to a planet hitting the earth! I am addicted to wine, sex, money and power... Because no matter who it is, once the novelty wears off, I feel that they are just so-so, uninspired and boring. I have to find something new to stimulate dopamine..."
Ike agrees: "Most men and women in this world spend their lives wandering around with different people, as if this is the only way to prove their charm. Or they're always searching for the right person. Even if there are those who are wholeheartedly devoted, they mostly rely on patience and repression, which is a distortion of human nature. I've never been in a relationship or married because I'm unwilling to compromise or search. The General and Xiangyue showed me what the highest level of human emotion is..."
Yi Shui echoed, "Mr. Ike sees the same thing as I do! This world is filthy and sordid. So-called love is mostly just temporary satisfaction of one's desires in some way. Love at first sight is mostly based on lust, while love over time is just a matter of weighing the pros and cons. When beauty fades, love wanes; when money runs out, affection fades. Third brother and Yue'er embody the true, high-level love: exclusive, pure, and enduring..."
Luo Guyun sipped his red wine, looked at the shining people in the crowd, listened to everyone's discussion, and felt a lot of emotions. A thought popped up in his mind: if he was not there, would Yue'er have any better choices?
He suddenly hesitated: Do you really love Yue'er, or do you love yourself too?
...Since she was sixteen, oh no, ten, he'd bound Yue'er to his side. When Yue'er placed her wedding ring on his finger before leaving to study abroad, she had a selfish motive. After all, the world was bustling with temptations, and Yue'er was so outstanding, who knew who would snatch her away! He wanted everyone to know that Yue'er was his. Now that he thought about it, if it weren't for him, Yue'er might have already married Princess Bena and had children... Now that Yue'er's fame and reputation had reached its peak, Luo Guyun asked himself: What more could I, now over fifty, offer him?
...For so many years, he took it for granted that his will was Yue'er's will. He took charge of everything and never asked Yue'er's opinion. He remembered that on the cruise ship that day, his sister mentioned the matter of offspring, and it seemed that Yue'er didn't say much, and he was the one who talked. Yue'er always gave in to him and never went against his wishes. With Yue'er's personality, even if she had something in her mind, if it went against her own will, she would probably never take the initiative to say it...A man in his forties is at his most mature and charming golden age. There is still time for everything! Yue'er can still have a more colorful life! If she really loves him, shouldn't she let go and give him freedom?
After the awards ceremony, Christmas was approaching. Xiao Xiangyue, who hadn't been back to Sweden for a long time, returned to his alma mater at the invitation of the Royal Academy of Music to give several lectures. Although he served as honorary dean, he hadn't taught in person for six years. His fame had intensified, and the students had been eagerly awaiting his return. For one public lecture, Swedish television brought state-of-the-art equipment into the classroom and broadcast it live, allowing hundreds of millions of viewers to witness his eloquent lectures simultaneously.
On Christmas Day, Holm Castle hosted a grand party. Many of Xiao Xiangyue's students over the past decade have become renowned musicians. Hearing that their teacher would be returning to give lectures at their alma mater, they flocked to Stockholm from all over the world. Hundreds of teachers and students gathered to showcase their talents. Xiao Xiangyue also performed Mr. Charade's "Vasa Fantasy" and several of her own famous pieces. Students even jokingly sang "Clouds and Moons Forever," the Oscar-winning song for Best Original Song.
The bells rang on Christmas Eve. Xiao Xiangyue, Luo Guoyun, and the others watched the live F1 race in the lounge next to the China Hall. This year's finals were held in Doha, Qatar.
Ike recalled, "Xiangyue didn't go to the Middle East during her world tour. At the Nobel Prize reception that day, leaders of several Arab countries, including Qatar, strongly invited Xiangyue to hold a peace-themed concert."
Yi Han said excitedly, "Great, great! We have been coveting that oil-rich area in the Middle East for a long time, but we have never had the time to spare! If Yue'er goes to the Middle East, it will be just right for her to get a few oil fields!" Yi Shui held his forehead with his hand, "Forget it, forget it. Second brother has been obsessed with money these years... I guess it costs a lot to support your wives and children?" Yi Han said in a rude tone, "That's just a drop in the bucket. Marrying ten or eight more is not a big deal! It all depends on my mood... It's just that my eldest brother always bullies me and compares me with my third brother. My third brother and Yue'er are high-class, but they should also leave us ordinary people a way out, right?"
Ever since the Nobel Prize reception, Luo Guyun has been feeling restless. A fierce internal struggle has been brewing between him and Yue'er... The thought of parting with her aunt pierces his heart, leaving him unable to think... But in the days ahead, he'll only age day by day, so what can he possibly offer Yue'er? Yue'er deserves the best! He can still make many better choices in life... Only letting go can truly express his deepest love for her! Luo Guyun wants to open his heart to Xiao Xiangyue and share his thoughts, but he knows Yue'er won't agree no matter what! Perhaps... leaving quietly is the best solution. Time... time can heal everything! He'll disappear for a while, waiting for Yue'er to find someone new and start a new life. By then, the past will be nothing more than a passing cloud...
Luo Guyun's mind turned over and over again, and he finally made up his mind. Just like when he first realized his feelings for Yue'er in Lizhuang, he secretly made preparations...
For the rest of Yue'er's life, Daxue will be his personal attendant, and Wu Fang will be loyal and reliable, ensuring his safety. Regarding his diet, A Kuan's cooking is perfectly suited to his taste; all he needs to do is teach him to make his favorite dishes. Secretary Fang can assist him with daily chores and correspondence. Wu Xiaoxin will be his external liaison. Regarding his music career, Ike and his senior brother will ensure he has everything he needs. Dr. Jefferson's laboratory has been continuously researching his underlying medical condition for years, and while there haven't been any breakthroughs, Yue'er is performing normally in all aspects. And with Sun Mu around, he truly has nothing to worry about... He simply needs to provide a reasonable explanation to his family and friends so that Yue'er can begin her new life smoothly...
After Christmas, Xiao Xiangyue traveled to various Middle Eastern countries to give lectures and hold concerts. The preparations and rehearsals were grueling, busy from dawn to dusk, and she even spent Spring Festival in Dubai. Although Luo Guoyun accompanied her throughout the trip, the two of them only had time to themselves before retiring to bed.
Xiao Xiangyue always felt that his mental state was not very good recently, and she was very worried: "Brother, you have been running around with Yue'er, but you are too tired? How about Yue'er cancel all the upcoming activities, and we can go back to Yueliang Lake Villa to rest?" Luo Guyun said seriously: "Business is important! The people in the Middle East are eager for peace! They are so eager for Yue'er to come, how can she go back!" Seeing Xiao Xiangyue glaring at him, he hugged her and said with a playful smile: "I learned this from Yue'er... to treat others in their own way! Brother is fine... It's just that I have been discussing the business of acquiring oil fields with various Middle Eastern countries recently. There are too many trivial matters and I am a little upset..."
This year's Lantern Festival was Luo Guoyun's 52nd birthday. Xiao Xiangyue had no activities planned for that day and stayed with him the entire day. She spent the entire afternoon making an Arabic-style birthday cake with dates and honey. In the evening, a birthday party was held in the magnificent banquet hall of the Abu Dhabi Palace Hotel where he was staying. Xiao Xiangyue would write a song for Luo Guoyun on every birthday; it had become a tradition over the years. This year's song was played on the oud, and the melody was cheerful and lively, full of exotic flavor. Xiao Xiangyue wore the traditional costume of an Arab man, with a white headscarf, and after the performance, she improvised a piece of the traditional Saudi dance, the Alda, which made Luo Guoyun laugh heartily. The guests also cheered loudly and applauded.
The next day, Luo Guyun did not go for morning exercise. While Xiao Xiangyue and her family were still asleep, he sat in the restaurant with Yishui and Yihan, brothers, and talked about things while having breakfast.
"My third brother solemnly told us to get up early and meet up last night. Why did that?" Yi Han yawned.
"Brothers, I have something to tell you!" Luo Guyun said seriously, "I...I plan to leave Yue'er and give him freedom!"
Yi Shui raised his hand and touched his forehead: "Third brother, are you talking nonsense?"
A trace of bitterness flashed across Luo Guyun's face: "I have thought about this for a long time. Now the whole world loves Yue'er. He deserves the best, and I shouldn't selfishly possess him..."
Yi Shui was puzzled: "Third brother and Yue'er love each other deeply, their love is as deep as the sea! How can you talk about selfish possession?"
Luo Guyun sighed, "Yue'er has been with me since she was still young and ignorant... For decades, I have tied him tightly to my side. To me, he is a forest, a sea of flowers, even the entire universe! But to him, the world is vast, and there are definitely many better choices... I am over fifty years old, and I will only get older day by day. I can no longer give him anything..."
Yi Han said, "How are you old, Third Brother? Judging from your condition, you look no more than thirty years old!"
Luo Guyun sighed, "Aging is inevitable. When we all grow old, it will be too late... Now is the best time... Because I truly love Yue'er, I would choose to let go and give him freedom and space..." He added, "I need to disappear for a while. Big Brother Sun will definitely not agree with me, so I'm hiding it from him."
"Back then, in order to take Yue'er abroad, you pretended to be injured and even fooled the chairman. Now, to get away from him, you're going to hide and disappear again?" Yi Han said unhappily, "Then what do you want the brothers to do? Introduce a girlfriend to Yue'er?"
Luo Guoyun smiled bitterly: "That's not necessary. The whole world loves Yue'er now, and the love letters she has received have piled up like a mountain. As long as he is free, maybe he and Miss Hepburn can elevate their friendship into love... Last time in Norway, I saw that Princess Aisha of Morocco and her eyes never left him..."
"How are you going to explain to Yue'er? Say you regret it? Say you don't love him anymore?" Yi Shui said sullenly.
Luo Guyun sighed: "There's no need for further words between Yue'er and me. I'll make him understand that I've resolutely left and he no longer has me by his side. As time passes, he might come to his senses and start a new life..."
Yi Han questioned: "What if Yue'er doesn't accept what you think is a better choice and starts a new life?"
Luo Guyun sighed, "At least I should give him a chance to choose again... If he still wants to turn back after going through so much, or if he simply doesn't want to try, I will of course always be there..."
This year, the first of April marked Xiao Xiangyue's forty-sixth birthday, also the day they had been married for thirty years. Luo Guoyun planned to leave her on that day. He warned himself: Don't be too greedy. Yue'er has already given you over thirty years of wonderful time! He needed to start over. It wasn't too late. Perhaps many years from now, with children and an old age ahead of him, their reunion would be a matter of indifference. He could smile and ask, "How are you, Yue'er?"
...As for himself, without Yue'er, how would he spend the rest of his life? Would he really become a monk? Or like Yi Han, with a beautiful wife and concubines? ...Luo Guyun would find that boring. If he hadn't spent these thirty years with Yue'er, he could still make do with just one person or a group of people, it wouldn't matter. But as he said to Yi Shui when they were marching and fighting, every minute and every second with Yue'er was extremely happy, and there is no happiness and beauty in the world more beautiful than this! It makes people feel like they have drunk nectar, and anything else they drink will feel dull...Perhaps this is what the ancients said: Once you have seen the sea, all other waters are but puddles; except for the Wushan Mountains, all other clouds are but mists! ...a love that began at sixteen, a hazy affection, the sweetness of having one's wish fulfilled, the constant yearning during separation, the worry day and night, the feeling of every cell in my body throbbing, every pore open to the excitement of him, the days of disappearance when it was clear that my soul had disappeared, only my body remained...more than that, countless ordinary days of companionship, the moon's smile, the morning and evening together, will never come again...or will I just live on memories? Luo Guyun hasn't made up his mind yet, so he'll talk about the future later...
There were still several days before the first day of April. Xiao Xiangyue ended her activities in the Middle East early and prepared to fly back to her residence on the top floor of the Moen Building in Manhattan with Luo Guoyun to celebrate her birthday and her 30th wedding anniversary.
The Moen Consortium had already acquired several oil fields in the Middle East, and Luo Guoyun, Yi Han, and others had become honored guests of honor at the courts of various royal families. The Saudi Crown Prince hosted a special farewell banquet for Xiao Xiangyue and the other distinguished guests. After the sumptuous dinner, the brothers sat in the VIP box to watch a specially prepared song and dance performance by the royal family.
Xiao Xiangyue looked at the man inquiringly: "Brother, are you hiding something from Yue'er?" With his keen sensitivity to Luo Guyun's emotions, he always felt that something was wrong with him recently.
Luo Guyun almost spilled the cup of coffee he was holding. To cover it up, he took a gulp, choking on his neck and coughing violently. Xiao Xiangyue hurriedly patted his chest and back, repeatedly asking, "Brother, what's wrong... Brother, are you okay..."
Yi Han said seriously, "Nowadays, the Moren Consortium is growing larger and larger, and is spread all over the world. Many decisions have to be made by my third brother personally. There are many things to think about, and sometimes it is inevitable that I feel upset..."
"Yue'er, you don't know that there is a famine in the country now. I heard that many people starved to death in the place where you grew up! Your third brother has been trying to collect food from various sources to provide relief to the victims, but encountered obstacles in transporting it in. He is very worried..." Yi Shui's face was heavy.
Xiao Xiangyue suddenly realized and said angrily, "No wonder! Yue'er has always felt that brother is worried lately! You kept all these bad things from me, for fear that Yue'er would worry! In fact, wouldn't it be better to tell her and let Yue'er share some of brother's worries?"
Xiao Xiangyue's birthday was always a lively affair, with a throng of friends and family. This year, Luo Guoyun, however, wanted some time alone. They returned to the Moren Building and stayed put for several days. Lately, he'd been concerned about Yue'er's fatigue, so their lovemaking had been gentle and brief. These days, he'd been feeling a bit impatient. He'd used the amber-colored moisturizing cream several times, until he'd been completely exhausted.
Xiao Xiangyue felt that Luo Guyun had too many things to worry about recently, so she hoped to divert his attention and tried her best to comfort him and cater to him. The two of them had the same idea in mind, and they entangled fiercely in the bed, clinging to each other. He felt like he was thrown into the clouds, and then swept into the stormy waves. The feeling of ecstasy seemed to make his soul leave his body. Ever since Xiao Xiangyue had just recovered his memory, Luo Guyun had not indulged himself in such pleasure for a long time in order to help him get out of the pain. Xiao Xiangyue panted: "Brother is over fifty, how come he is still as energetic as a young man, is it not enough? It seems that Yue'er can't satisfy you..." Luo Guyun hugged her and acted coquettishly: "Not enough, not enough, it will never be enough..."
On the morning of April 1st, Xiao Xiangyue woke up lazily. Luo Guyun said, "Brother will cook for you today and make all of Yue'er's favorite dishes! Let's have a romantic candlelight dinner!" Xiao Xiangyue hugged him and said coquettishly, "Yue'er's waist and legs are sore, and I don't even have the strength to get up..." Luo Guyun rubbed his waist lovingly and coaxed him, "Yue'er, just lie down and rest. If you don't even have the strength to eat, I'll feed you mouthful by mouthful when it's ready..."
The crystal chandelier cast a cascade of light onto the red forged dining table. Braised soft-shelled turtle, live silver carp, shredded eel with patchouli, shredded duck breast with ginger, Wensi tofu soup, and snails baked in red wine... The frog legs alone were prepared in three different ways: stir-fried with celery, pan-fried in butter, and cooked in rice broth... all of which were Xiao Xiangyue's favorites.
The flickering red candles cast a soft, warm glow around the two of them. The clinking of goblets made a crisp sound, and after a few glasses of red wine, warmth flowed through their veins, and everything felt like falling into an intoxicating dream.
Luo Guoyun asked, "Yue'er, do you still remember that night we were at the French restaurant on Nanjing Road in Shanghai before we went abroad to study?" Xiao Xiangyue took his hand. The two diamond rings shone brightly in the candlelight. She kissed the ring on Luo Guoyun's hand and said, "How could I not remember? I put it on you personally that day... Time flies! It's already been 29 years... Why does Yue'er feel like it was just yesterday..."
The two reminisced about the past, endless words to say, endless feelings to express. Their breaths were filled with the sweet aroma of red wine and brandy. Normally, Luo Guyun would never let him drink too much, but today he didn't stop him. Xiao Xiangyue couldn't handle the alcohol, and her cheeks gradually turned an intoxicating crimson. Combined with the physical exhaustion of the past few days, she soon felt dizzy and lost track of time.
Even though Luo Guoyun had prepared himself mentally countless times, when the moment of separation finally came, he couldn't help but burst into tears. He carried the person who had fallen asleep under the influence of alcohol and a trace of sleeping pills back to the bed, unwilling to let go, hugged and kissed her again and again. The heartbreaking pain almost made him give up his decision. Staring at Xiao Xiangyue's sleeping face, he wanted to leave a letter and write down his thoughts in detail. Until dawn was approaching, thousands of words could only be expressed in a few words:
My dear moon, take care.
The signature is just one word: Cloud.
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