Chapter 56: A Song of Death, a World-Shaped Grief; A Solitary Figure in a Winery, Longing Like Wine
Xiao Xiangyue woke from a hangover and felt for her pillow, but no one was there. She sat up a little and saw a small knife on the bedside table... The knife she always carried with her, but had been carried to the depths of the sea by a great white shark in Brazil. Luo Guyun had been upset several times and had promised to forge a new one for him. This knife was identical to the previous one, but the cloud-moon pattern was gone, leaving only a crescent moon on the handle!
Xiao Xiangyue rubbed her eyes, thinking she was blurry. There was a piece of letter under the knife. She picked it up and saw that it read: My beloved Yue'er, take care.
When he looked down again, he found that the ring mark on his ring finger was still there. The wedding ring that Luo Guyun had put on him personally and had never taken off for decades was gone! Xiao Xiangyue panicked, thinking that he had accidentally rubbed it off during his hangover last night. He searched through the quilt and pillow but couldn't find it... He was completely panicked. He opened the door and wanted to call for help... and saw Daxue walking towards the bedroom with an exquisite white porcelain stewing pot. He hurriedly asked: "Where is the general? Did he say where he was going?" Daxue replied: "The general left early in the morning... He didn't say where he was going. He just told Daxue to listen for any noises and wait for Ye'er to get up, and then serve this Pueraria lobata and Scutellaria baicalensis soup that can sober up and nourish the stomach..."
Xiao Xiangyue ran to the study next door and opened the drawer. His father's jade flute, which he had kept as a treasure, was still there. Luo Guyun had given it to him as a betrothal gift when they got married. But his mother's jade pendant was gone!
Xiao Xiangyue was stunned and fell onto the sofa, his mind in turmoil. After thinking for a long time, he finally realized that Luo Guyun was going to break up with him completely!
The roar of a helicopter echoed from the rooftop. It was her brother... Xiao Xiangyue rushed to the helipad. A state-of-the-art Mi-8 Hippo helicopter circled and landed. Yi Shui jumped down the gangway, and Yi Han, leaning on a cane, followed him down.
Xiao Xiangyue's hopeful eyes dimmed.
Daxue came behind me to report that Uncle Sun had arrived. There were two elevators directly to the top floor, and only authorized people could go up.
Sun Mu also came to the rooftop and asked curiously, "What's wrong with Yue'er? Where's my third brother?"
There was no need to say more. Xiao Xiangyue's voice trembled slightly: "Big Brother, Second Brother, did you know this a long time ago?"
"Oh! What is my third brother going to do? Who can stop him? Yue'er, don't worry. The wind is strong on the rooftop. Let's go inside and talk..." Yi Shui said hurriedly.
The atmosphere in the room was solemn.
"My third brother thinks he's old and will get older day by day. Yue'er should make a new choice and start a new life." After a while, Yi Han finally spoke with difficulty, "He wanted us to announce to the public that he went to Nepal to climb Mount Everest. Yue'er has poor lungs, so naturally she can't go with him. Then he wanted us to announce that he encountered an avalanche on Mount Everest. We all thought he was killed, so he disappeared for a while. When Yue'er started a new life, he would reappear... This way the transition will be smooth, and no one will feel abrupt, and relatives and friends will not have any complaints about Yue'er..."
"I was in Dr. Jefferson's laboratory when I received a call from my third brother before dawn. He said Yue'er was not feeling well and wanted me to come over! So that's what happened! I guess he was worried that Yue'er would be too emotional after waking up and wouldn't be able to bear it..." Sun Mu was both shocked and angry.
"This is his style! Even if the person disappears, his protection for Yue'er is everywhere!" Yi Han said helplessly.
Xiao Xiangyue said in a low voice, "Big Brother, Second Brother, do you know where my brother really went?"
Yi Shui sighed: "Third brother is very thoughtful. If we knew where he was going, we would definitely tell Yue'er, so no one would know where he is..."
Sun Mu stamped his feet: "Third brother, you are confused! You think Yue'er can start over without him? How much does he mean to Yue'er? Don't you know it?"
Xiao Xiangyue's eyes were empty, as if she was talking to herself: "Don't blame brother... It's Yue'er's fault... I ignored his feelings..."
Sun Mu saw that he looked pale and was extremely worried. He came over to feel his pulse and said, "Look how worried I am! You're saying that Third Brother is not your brother in front of Yue'er again! So... what are you going to do about it, Yue'er?"
Yi Shui said, "Third brother is a man of noble character. He always stays calm and composed in times of crisis. But he loses his composure when it comes to Yue'er... I think he is confused by the situation. Within two months, he will regret it and show up on his own!"
Xiao Xiangyue's voice was weak but clear: "Brothers, please go back for now. Don't worry about Yue'er. I want to be alone for a while and think carefully..."
Two months passed and there was no news from Luo Guoyun.
The Moen Consortium's intelligence system launched a comprehensive search, hoping to find clues to his whereabouts. However, surveillance footage from Kennedy Airport that morning revealed a blurry figure resembling Luo Guyun's. As for his identity and the specific flight he boarded, there was no way to determine.
For the past two months, Xiao Xiangyue, along with Daxue and Little Roy, had returned to Mr. Charade's courtyard. It was where he and Luo Guoyun had spent the longest time together since leaving the country. After the Dragon Boat Festival, the brothers, concerned about him staying in Sweden, flew to Stockholm Castle for a reunion. Lady Daisy, Lu Hankun, and Ike were also aware of the situation and offered their advice.
"We originally wanted to wait for him to show up on his own, but it seems we underestimated his will!" Yi Shui sighed.
Yi Han said in distress, "With Third Brother's skills, he could easily change his identity every day. He's deliberately hiding himself. In such a vast sea of people, finding him would be like searching for a needle in a haystack!"
Ike sighed, "Deep love is like strong liquor; it intoxicates the drinker's mind. The general is also human, and his extreme love for Xiangyue has filled him with obsession, making him less sober than us bystanders! That's what your ancient Chinese poetry means when it says, 'Deep love seems heartless'..."
"I think no matter where he is in the world, he will always be able to get to know Yue'er through newspapers, magazines and television! For now... let's use the media to disclose all kinds of information about Yue'er... Don't look at his tough talk. If he really sees his junior brother reveling every night and being surrounded by girls, he will definitely be jealous! Then he will take the initiative to show up..." Lu Hankun analyzed.
Yi Han slapped his thigh: "That's a good idea!"
From midsummer to late autumn, Xiao Xiangyue hosted several lavish parties at his Grove Estate in Beverly Hills. Grammy winners, Oscar winners for Best Actor and Best Actress, and most of Hollywood's leading filmmakers were invited. The media reveled in the gossip, with Xiao Xiangyue's presence and photos of him posing with various figures dotting the entertainment headlines daily. Videos of him interacting and dancing with Miss Hepburn were broadcast repeatedly on television as sensational gossip. At the invitation of the European Music Association, he gave royal concerts in various European courts. Images of him and Princess Elsa together were captured by the media and quickly published in major newspapers and magazines. Although Xiao Xiangyue was over forty, he looked no more than thirty. The handsome man and beautiful woman were universally praised as a perfect match. Even at street stalls in remote areas, you could buy magazines with intimate photos of him and Princess Elsa on the cover.
Five months passed, and Luo Guyun still had no news.
On the winter solstice, Xiao Xiangyue flew back to New York from Europe. The brothers gathered in the private club on the 88th floor of the Moren Building.
Yi Han was dejected. "Alas, you two are fighting like gods! Now the Moen Consortium has several cross-border trades waiting for my third brother's decision. He hasn't shown up yet, and we are leaderless. It's really worrying! Otherwise... Yue'er will fulfill my third brother's wish and really marry Princess Elsa. Once the matter is settled, there will be peace in the world! If you don't like Princess Elsa, there are plenty of handsome young men and beautiful women in Hollywood! In short... Yue'er has someone new by her side and has started a new life. I guess my third brother will show up..."
Yi Shui said in frustration, "Third brother is really calm! I thought he would figure it out in a few days! Alas...it's all because we were used to obeying the commander-in-chief's orders when we were marching and fighting...this time, even though we knew it was wrong, we still helped him hide Yue'er. It's all our fault..."
Sun Mu was worried about Xiao Xiangyue's health: "Winter has arrived, and New York is still too cold. How about brother accompany Yue'er to stay at Moon Lake Villa for a while? We can make plans in the spring of next year..."
Xiao Xiangyue was in good spirits and looked very calm, just a little thinner.
In the past few months, he has thought a lot. With his self-blaming nature, he deeply regretted ignoring Luo Guyun's emotions... He felt that it was because he did not care enough about his brother and was not good enough to him that Luo Guyun was disappointed in him, and that is why he disliked him and left him... If he had not accepted the Peace Prize, had not been busy with any performances, had noticed Luo Guyun's thoughts earlier, and had taken the initiative to have a deep conversation with him, his brother would not have left... These days, he often immersed himself in memories, recalling every little bit since the two of them left China... Luo Guyun's worries day and night when he learned of his hidden illness Heart... To fulfill his musical dream, he willingly lived in Mr. Charade's courtyard for nine years, accompanying him day and night, caring for him meticulously... When he first regained his memory, he was immersed in his own emotions. Sometimes, unable to sleep in the middle of the night, he would get up to write music. Luo Guyun did not interfere with him or disturb him, but quietly wrote and drew beside him... No matter what, his brother always put him first, holding him in the palm of his hand... sacrificing, forbearing, restraining, forgiving, giving, without complaint or regret... surrounding him tightly with a deep affection like the sea...
Xiao Xiangyue cried out in her heart, "Brother, come back! What's the point of owning the whole world without you?" He remembered that after more than thirty years of marriage, he had never said the three words "I love you" to his brother. He felt that words were too pale to express it. But when Luo Guoyun returned, he would whisper in his ear every day: "Brother, Yue'er loves you, Yue'er only loves you, in this life, in all my lives, I will only love you..."
He has made up his mind that he will find Luo Guyun in his own way.
On the table lay an invitation. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra would be performing at Carnegie Hall in Manhattan next week, and they had specially invited him to attend and give their guidance.
Xiao Xiangyue was familiar with the Philharmonic Orchestra's current conductor, Karl, having collaborated with him on previous global tours. She picked up the phone and dialed the number. Karl's voice on the other end sounded pleasantly surprised. Xiao Xiangyue told him that she had received the invitation, but that he wanted to personally perform a piece at the concert.
Carl was enthusiastic and excited. "Great! I'll arrange for a new program to be printed right away! However, the ticket prices will also be doubled! I'll arrange for all the extra profits to be deposited into your designated account... It's an honor for us all that you're willing to support our band... By the way, what piece will Mr. Charade play?" Xiao Xiangyue said, "It's a new cello solo piece I composed, titled 'Death'."
Xiao Xiangyue called Paul again and told him that she would be performing a cello solo at Carnegie Hall next week and asked if it could be broadcast live. Paul was delighted: "Of course! We have a BBC branch in New York too! It's just that we got there first this time. Those American broadcasters must be furious!"
Xiao Xiangyue couldn't have furry animals; pets like cats and dogs were strictly prohibited where he lived. Daxue's daughter, Roy, loved cats. Little Roy had grown up on the ship, and Luo Guyun and Xiao Xiangyue loved her so much that they allowed her to have one. They'd kept one on the cruise ship, but it had to be kept in her room and not allowed outside.
Daxue took Roy, the guards, the secretary and others to live on another floor of the Moren Building.
A few days later, Xiao Xiangyue came to Roy's room. The girl was very surprised. She hugged him and kissed him on both cheeks. They sat on the edge of the bed and played with building blocks. The cat curled up on the coffee table and watched the two of them. Xiao Xiangyue suppressed her fear, picked up the cat, unbuttoned a few buttons, raised her sharp claws, and scratched several deep bloody marks on her shoulders. Roy exclaimed: "Uncle, it's bleeding!" Xiao Xiangyue made a hushing gesture and said with a smile: "...Don't tell Mom, don't tell anyone..."
Back in the top-floor bedroom, Xiao Xiangyue faced the mirror, calmly wrapped the area scratched by the cat with a layer of gauze, lay down with her clothes on, and fell into a drowsy sleep.
When he woke up in the morning, he felt a fever and a slight grogginess. The concert began at seven, and the cello solo was the final act, almost nine. He still had to keep going until evening... Xiao Xiangyue calculated the time, got up, washed, and prepared, and reluctantly ate something. He put on a shirt and formal performance attire, and was escorted to the concert hall by his bodyguards.
Wu Fang was driving the car and saw from the rearview mirror that Xiao Xiangyue didn't look very well. He was very worried: "Is Xiangyue sick? Do you want to notify Adjutant Sun?" Xiao Xiangyue felt a little dizzy and said, "I feel a little uncomfortable, but it shouldn't be serious. When the concert is about to end tonight, you can call my brother and tell him to pick me up." He was worried that if Sun Mu arrived early, he would not be allowed to go on stage.
Waves of dizziness washed over him, and cold sweat soaked his shirt. The concert organizer accompanying him chattered on, his words inaudible. He held on, determined only to persevere until the moment he took the stage and finish the piece. He chose the cello because its lingering, delicate, graceful, and mournful tone was perfectly suited to "The Passing." He was thankful he had chosen to play the cello while sitting down today; its tall body provided the perfect support, allowing him to complete the piece smoothly.
Most of the audience who watched the performance today came for Mr. Chalaid. Finally, the last act came, and Xiao Xiangyue's elegant figure finally appeared, and the audience responded with prolonged applause.
The deep, reverberating piano music seemed to emanate from the depths of the soul, traversing vast distances of time and space to reach the heart. The slowly flowing notes were filled with sorrow and loneliness, revealing an inexpressible sadness and lingering longing... An inexplicable feeling of confusion, helplessness, sadness, and loneliness washed over me, leaving me with a wrenching pain. There was no heartbreaking pain, but silent tears... The listeners' hearts seemed to be shattered as well...
Thousands of spectators at the scene and hundreds of millions of viewers in front of their televisions were deeply immersed in the melody that brought the world to tears...
The cello's sobs tear open memories sealed by time. Everyone sighs inwardly, witnessing the sunrise and sunset, the fleeting passage of time and the irrevocable sorrow, helplessly watching youth and years slip through fingers like quicksand, unable to grasp or hold on... The sentimental emotion grows stronger. My beloved! I linger here, waiting here... Every trill is like a sigh from the depths of my heart, a tearful call... Every movement of the bow seems to recall the past, a deep longing... It's as if standing at the end of life, looking back on the past, recounting the affectionate, beautiful, regretful, sad and happy moments... telling of the sorrow of the past...
The packed concert hall was utterly silent, the audience already weeping and forgetting to applaud. The piano music had stopped, and only after a long moment did thunderous applause begin.
Xiao Xiangyue stood up to express her gratitude. Then, with a loud bang, the cello and the person on the stage fell down.
Luo Guoyun left the Moren Building that day, feeling lost. He longed to actually climb Mount Everest, but he felt isolated and communication-impaired on the plateau, where he wouldn't get any news from the outside world. He was worried. He remembered buying a winery in the countryside of Bordeaux, France, a few years ago. It was so remote that even with the power of the Moren Consortium, they wouldn't be able to find him for a while. So he headed to the airport and boarded a flight to France.
Xiao Xiangyue likes to drink some wine, and Luo Guoyun has always had a hobby of collecting high-quality wines. A few years ago, when he was on tour in Paris, the French Red Wine Industry Association recommended him a small winery in southwestern France called Anlebourg. Although the winery's production is not high and the location is remote, the quality of the wine it produces is excellent. He remembered that when he was studying abroad, Yue'er had said in a letter that they would go to make wine together in the future. So he bought the winery with a stroke of the pen. At that time, there was a passport named André on the table, so he signed the contract in André's name. Later, Yue'er fell seriously ill and bought the Moon Lake Villa. After regaining her memory, the two of them traveled around the world... almost forgetting the incident.
Château d'Anlebourg is located in the countryside of southwestern France, dozens of miles from the nearest town, Cenon. The winery is managed by the Gandons, a couple who have been making wine their entire lives, and their deaf-mute son. The new owner has not been seen since purchasing the winery. André's arrival delighted the Gandons.
Luo Guyun temporarily settled down in the winery.
He overestimated his ability to endure, constantly tormented by longing... He'd been separated from Yue'er before, but back then, he'd had hope, yearning for reunion from the moment they parted. Even when she'd disappeared, the hope of finding her never faded... But this time was different. This could be a farewell forever! Yue'er might no longer belong to him... Luo Guyun was distracted every day, the piercing longing and torment causing him to rapidly lose a significant amount of weight.
Gan Deng took him to learn the art of winemaking, meticulously teaching him every step of the process. Luo Guoyun also felt he couldn't afford to be idle, so every day he would either work in the fields or carry hundreds of oak barrels, and when he was tired, he would just fall asleep.
The winery was about an hour's drive from the nearest town, Cenon. There was a small tavern in the town, owned by sisters Emily and Aurelie. They were also devoted fans of Xiao Xiangyue, and the tavern had a collection of his albums. When Luo Guoyun left the Morn Building, he took only a few photos of Yue'er with him. Every evening, after finishing work at the winery, he would drive an hour to the tavern to listen to music, read the newspaper, flip through magazines, or watch the news.
When had such an imposing figure ever appeared in this small town? The middle-aged man Luo Guoyun's charm was irresistible, and both sisters were very interested in him. Luo Guoyun occasionally drank and flirted with them, but never crossed the line.
Both of them felt they had fallen in love with Luo Guoyun and tried every possible way to get close to him. Seeing that he always listened to Xiao Xiangyue's music, they assumed he was also a Yue fan. Emily said, "Mr. Charade's eyes are so captivating, one can easily fall for them if you only take a second look!" Aurelie said, "I've never seen anyone with such perfectly proportioned features! We used to be face-blind to Orientals, thinking all Asian faces were the same, with no real difference. Mr. Charade is so handsome! He's completely changed our perception of Asians... Of course, Mr. Andre is also very handsome. You're both the best-looking Asian men!"
The two sisters would even get excited for a long time when Luo Guoyun would say something extra to someone, wondering if there was some deeper meaning behind it... But this mature and stylish Oriental man seemed uninterested in them, remaining indifferent to all their advances and advances. No matter how lively the conversation, he would leave on time before ten o'clock every day.
One night, the two sisters conspired to get Luo Guoyun drunk and have him stay the night. However, Luo Guoyun was incredibly tolerant, and even when they were both drunk and staggering, he remained calm. He carried the unconscious sisters back to the attic, laid them down on their beds, and covered them with blankets. He then turned off the lights, closed the shop, and calmly departed.
Emily and Aurelie were deeply moved, yet also baffled. They had originally lived in Paris, but had fled to this remote town after their stepfather, a beast, abused them. In their minds, what man wouldn't pounce on a defenseless woman like a hungry wolf? The older sister, more courageous, asked, "Does Mr. André dislike women?"
Luo Guoyun replied: "My lover is indeed a man. But I only like him as a man and have no interest in other men! It shows that love has nothing to do with gender, it only has to do with whether the heart is in love..."
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