Chapter 161 He finally came back.
One hundred and sixty-one:
The contestants backstage, seeing the four little rascals suddenly appear, and then looking at the prince-like child surrounded by them, simply found him adorable.
"Is this Xiaoxi's Knights?" Cao Xi asked with a smile as he looked at Mu Shaoting.
Mu Shaoting laughed as well, "It could also be a prince group."
Looking at her friends, Ye Qingxi said happily, "Why are you all here so early? It hasn't even started yet!"
“If you’re the first one up any later, you won’t be able to see the whole thing,” Zhong Yan said.
"Xiao Xi, what number are you?" Pei Liang asked him.
Ye Qingxi: ...Then we'll have to wait a while.
"The second one, but the competition was between my aunt and the other two. Only after the individual performances were over did the guest performances begin."
Upon hearing this, Qin Cheng turned to look at Mu Shaoting.
Because he and Mu Shaoting didn't live together, their relationship had always been distant.
It's not that it's bad, it's just not that intimate.
Qin Cheng himself did not have such a request, and Mu Shaoting clearly favored Ye Qingxi, who had always been by his side.
Therefore, Qin Cheng knew about Mu Shaoting's participation in the competition, but that was all he knew.
He couldn't be like Ye Qingxi, spending every week with her.
Mu Shaoting wouldn't need his company like he needed Ye Qingxi.
But now that they've run into each other, Qin Cheng, who considers her his aunt, took the initiative to walk up to her and say, "Good luck, Auntie."
Mu Shaoting smiled and said, "Okay."
She actually liked Qin Cheng quite a bit.
Although he couldn't compare to Ye Qingxi's position in her heart, he was still her brother's son, her nephew, and the little baby of the Mu family.
"When Auntie wins, I'll treat you to something delicious," Mu Shaoting said kindly.
Qin Cheng shook his head, "I'll treat my aunt to something delicious."
"Okay then," Mu Shaoting said without refusing.
After Qin Cheng finished speaking to her, he turned to Ye Qingxi and said, "I'll treat you to some too."
"I'll treat you too," Kang Cong said generously.
“Then I’ll treat you too,” Zhong Yan said, not to be outdone.
"I won't invite you, but I'll give Xiaoxi a gift," Pei Liang said.
“Then I’ll give a gift too,” Zhong Yan said again.
Ye Qingxi listened to their words, feeling both touched and happy.
This was the first time he had ever been surrounded by his best friends before going on stage to perform.
In his past life, whether he was auditioning, performing on stage, or even holding a concert, he was always surrounded by staff and his parents; he had no friends.
Ye Qingxi still remembers being invited to a New Year's Eve party when she was 16 years old.
He saw a group of children performing backstage at the party.
They were dressed in chubby swan costumes, chatting and laughing, keeping each other company, looking very close and lively.
That was an experience he had never had before.
That was also the past he had always longed for.
Now, his friends came all the way from school, arriving early to cheer him on and making promises one after another.
Ye Qingxi felt as if he had become one of the little swans he had seen back then.
But they are not entirely the same.
Because the cygnets he saw back then were going to perform together, and they were already right next to each other.
But his friends were different.
They came for him.
Just for him.
Ye Qingxi felt an indescribable joy, as if someone had blown one bubble after another with love, light and clear.
It made him feel warm and soft all over.
He listened to their back-and-forth conversation, smiling as he agreed, still holding Qin Cheng's hand.
As they were listening, Pei Liang said, "Do you want to go see your grandfather? Your grandfather, uncle, and aunt are all here."
As he said this, he felt a little strange. Why didn't Ye Qingxi's father and uncle come?
That shouldn't be the case.
He still remembers that they all came to the sports meet.
Ye Qingxi is going to be on TV this time. Such a big event, why didn't they come?
Should I secretly surprise him later?
Pei Liang wasn't sure; he wanted to go back and ask his grandfather later.
Ye Qingxi nodded.
Kang Cong immediately replied enthusiastically, "I'll take you there."
As he spoke, he reached out and grabbed Ye Qingxi's other hand.
Qin Cheng, standing to the side: ...
They really love holding his brother's hand!
Qin Cheng was utterly helpless.
"Auntie, do you want to come with me to see Grandpa?" Ye Qingxi asked her.
Mu Shaoting shook his head repeatedly.
Just kidding. If her dad comes, even the TV station director might have to go. What will she have to compete with then?
The station director should just award her the championship trophy.
but……
Mu Shaoting thought about it again and realized that Ye Qingxi's trip probably wouldn't be too bad.
But how could she not let her little nephew meet his dearest grandfather?!
So Mu Shaoting waved his hand, letting Ye Qingxi leave with Li Wei.
Li Jing watched as the group of little devils swarmed in like a beehive and then swept Ye Qingxi away like a tornado, and laughed, "They seem to get along quite well."
It reminded him of his childhood with Mu Shaoting.
Mu Shaoting nodded, proudly saying, "That's right, our Xiaoxi is very popular. Knowing he was coming to the competition, Aunt Zhang cheered him on when he left, and even made him a victory cake!"
Meanwhile, the production team finally began to let the audience in one by one.
Considering that Duan Yi also wanted to go, and that it would be awkward for him, an outsider, to be with his family, Mu Shaoyan asked Mu Shaoting for two VIP tickets.
VIP tickets are prestigious, allowing for first entry and exemption from identity verification.
As Mu Shaoyan and Duan Yi were walking inside, they vaguely spotted a familiar figure.
He quickly chased after him and ran up to the other person. Sure enough, it was his second brother.
Mu Shaoyan: ? ? ?
Why aren't you with Dad?
With a full beard, Mu Shaowu asked, "When did I say I wanted to be with Dad?"
Mu Shaoyan: ...Goodness, he really didn't say that!
Duan Yi approached the two of them and asked in confusion, "What's this...?"
"My second brother, Xiaoxi's father."
Duan Yi: ? ? ? !!!
Duan Yi: ...
This art style is so different from Xiao Xi's.
No wonder Mu Shaoyan wants to take his place every day!
Wait a minute, Duan Yi suddenly realized that his second brother should logically be Mu Shaowu, right?
He knew what Mu Shaowu looked like!
So this is... a disguise?!
"Hello," Duan Yi said politely.
"Hello, Duan Yi, right? I've heard so much about you. My good-for-nothing brother owes a lot to you!" Mu Shaowu said with a smile. "You and Shao Yan are the same age, so just call me brother. No need to be so formal."
"Okay," Duan Yi replied.
"You've come to see Xiaoxi too?" Mu Shaowu asked him.
Duan Yi nodded, somewhat embarrassed.
After all, he and Ye Qingxi were not related by blood.
However, he was indeed very interested in Ye Qingxi's first performance on stage.
"Alright, alright, here you go." Mu Shaowu said, taking a banner out of his pocket and stuffing it into Duan Yi's hand.
Duan Yi: ? ? ?
Mu Shaoyan: ? ? ?
"What is this?"
"A banner? You've never seen one before? Here, have one too." Mu Shaowu took out another one and stuffed it into Mu Shaoyan's hand.
Mu Shaoyan opened it and saw the words written in green pen: 【Xixi, keep going!】
There were also a few small leaves drawn next to it.
Mu Shaoyan: ...
Mu Shaoyan asked, puzzled, "Why is it in pinyin?"
What else could it be?
Of course, it's to cover up the truth!
He's all alone and outnumbered; even if he held up the banner, Ye Qingxi might not be able to see it.
So the clever Mu Shaowu decided to use Cao Xi's fans. As long as he said "xixi" was Cao Xi's "xi", wouldn't all the banners and light sticks in his pocket be able to be distributed?!
As expected of him, he's so smart!
Mu Shaowu whispered something to his younger brother.
Mu Shaoyan: !!!
Mu Shaoyan thought his brother was really cunning!
People in the entertainment industry are truly ruthless! How could they come up with such a shameless method!
"Great idea! How much do you have left?!" Mu Shaoyan asked.
Mu Shaowu patted his bulging bag. "A whole bunch!"
"Give it to me, I'll send it to you."
Mu Shaoyan looked at the beard on his face and said, "With your current appearance, the only reason you sent it to me is because I'm your brother."
Mu Shaowu thought this made sense; compared to himself now, Mu Shaoyan did indeed have more advantages.
So he gave the light sticks and banners in his pocket to Mu Shaoyan.
Mu Shaoyan took the bag to his seat, just as someone sat down in front of him.
Mu Shaoyan quickly said, "Hello, this is Xixi's banner. If you'd like, we hope you can support Xixi too!"
The girl who came all the way to see Mu Shaoting said: "...Sorry, Shaoting, but such a handsome guy handed me something, it would be a real shame not to take it!"
I will silently support you and vote for you!
Banners and all that stuff are nothing compared to tickets, right?!
The girl gently accepted the banner and smiled, "What a coincidence, I'm also a fan of Xixi."
Mu Shaoyan: ...That's really not a coincidence at all!
Seeing this, Duan Yi simply helped Mu Shaowu distribute the remaining banners and light sticks—after all, given Mu Shaowu's current state, it seemed really difficult for him to distribute them.
Before long, the area centered around the three of them was filled with Ye Qingxi's banners and light sticks.
Mu Shaowu took out the largest light board he had commissioned, took a picture of it, and sent it to Ye Qingxi.
Ye Qingxi clicked on it and saw a large pinyin for "xi", with small leaf and sun icons next to it.
Ye Qingxi: ...
Ye Qingxi instantly felt like she was sixteen years old again.
It takes us back to the scene when I first performed on stage as "Ye Qingxi" at the age of sixteen.
At that time, there were also fans in the audience holding up similar light boards.
It's also a bluish-green color, and it's decorated with leaves or small suns.
He still remembers what the fans shouted back then: "May the light of dawn last forever, may the clear light endure forever." It's just a pity that the light of dawn is still there, but he can no longer live in their world.
Ye Qingxi never regretted her death.
His only regret is towards his fans.
They truly loved him; they traveled a long way to attend his birthday party, only to hear of his death.
This must have been incredibly painful and sorrowful for them.
Suddenly, Ye Qingxi felt a strong urge to get a closer look at the light board and see if it resembled the ones held by his former fans.
However, before he could even make a move, he received a second message from Mu Shaowu.
Mu Shaowu: [When you come out later, look right in the center. Your father has already built a magnificent empire for you; the land will be a vast expanse of green.]
Ye Qingxi burst into laughter.
If he hadn't already changed his clothes, he would have run out to check on Mu Shaowu and the others right now.
But it's not impossible, is it? Ye Qingxi thought, as long as he doesn't go over there, he can just take a look from afar, right?
Ye Qingxi looked at Mu Feng and said, "Grandpa, I'm going out for a bit. My dad and the others have arrived, and I want to go see them."
"Okay," Mu Feng replied.
Upon hearing this, Pei Liang finally breathed a sigh of relief.
They've finally arrived. He knew it! It's Ye Qingxi's first time on TV, how could her father not come?
Pei Liang was prepared to secretly call Mu Shaowu after confirming with her grandfather that he wasn't coming.
Now it's all right.
Don't worry.
Pei Liang ate the cherries without worry.
"Xiao Xi, sing well! I came here specifically to hear you sing," Pei Ying said with a smile.
Kang Chi also said, "That's right, let Grandpa hear it, is your singing as good as your studying?"
Zhong Xiang felt that their approach was putting pressure on the children, so he said, "Don't listen to them. It's already amazing that you can stand on this stage, so it doesn't matter how you sing, it's all a good song."
Station Director: ...
You still need to sing it well.
Otherwise, if the singing is too bad, it will be difficult for him to manipulate the votes using his machine—the audience isn't stupid, and it would damage the reputation of their show.
But if he doesn't swipe, given the current situation, with all four of them sitting here, would he dare not let Ye Qingxi take first place?
So it's best if Ye Qingxi sings well, then whether it's vote manipulation or genuine votes, things will end better.
The station director thought about the previous rehearsals and felt much more at ease.
As long as Ye Qingxi can maintain the level of performance she put in during rehearsals, there shouldn't be any problems.
Please, please keep it up!
After finishing her conversation with Mu Feng, Ye Qingxi prepared to leave to visit Mu Shaowu.
Mu Feng looked at him and said, "Go on, and when you come back, we'll have dinner together."
Ye Qingxi nodded, "Then I'll be going now, Grandpa, see you later."
"See you in a bit." Mu Feng gestured for Li Wei to see him off.
However, as soon as Li Wei moved, Qin Cheng also moved.
He had just seen Li Jing, who was clearly his aunt's friend and had come to keep her company. Since Li Jing was Ye Qingxi's brother, he could naturally keep her company as well.
"I'll go with you," Qin Cheng said.
Ye Qingxi felt it was unnecessary.
But he genuinely enjoyed the companionship of his peers before the game, a experience he had never had in his previous life.
So he nodded.
Zhong Yan immediately replied, "I'll go with you too."
Zhong Xiang grabbed his grandson and said, "Just sit here quietly! Don't go and cause trouble for Xiao Xi!"
Zhong Yan retorted, "How did I cause any trouble?"
"My little darling." Zhong Xiang was at his wit's end. "If you go to Xiao Cong, then Xiao Liang will have to go too. There are five of you kids, and only one Li Wei. How can you manage them all?"
Ye Qingxi smiled; this was the truth.
Zhong Yan pouted and said helplessly, "Alright then, Ye Qingxi, good luck to you!"
"Mm." Ye Qingxi nodded.
Kang Cong and Pei Liang both wished him good luck.
Ye Qingxi then walked out the door.
He ran forward and arrived at the opposite side of the audience. He glanced at the distance and saw Mu Shaowu's familiar beard and attire.
Ye Qingxi laughed, and then he realized that the person sitting next to him was none other than Mu Shaoyan, and the person sitting next to Mu Shaoyan was none other than Duan Yi.
Why is Duan Yi here too?
Why didn't you tell him beforehand?
Ye Qingxi thought about it and figured she probably wanted to give him a surprise.
Ye Qingxi was looking at it when her smartwatch rang.
He looked down and saw Qin Yuan.
"Uncle," Ye Qingxi answered.
Qin Yuan had a bit of a headache. "I just landed here and am on my way to your place. I don't know if I'll make it in time, so I'll just give you my best wishes. Sing well, and even if you can't make it to the venue, I'll watch the live stream."
"It's alright, Uncle. Don't worry, if we miss it, it's okay."
"You still have to try your best to catch up. Go and get ready. Your uncle is waiting for your brilliant performance."
"good."
After Ye Qingxi finished speaking, she hung up the phone and turned to look at Qin Cheng, "He's your uncle."
“My mom told my uncle,” Qin Cheng said. “She said my uncle likes you a lot, so he might want to come too, so he called him. But my uncle is very busy and was afraid he wouldn’t make it, so he didn’t ask me to tell you.”
"I see," Ye Qingxi nodded.
He hadn't actually expected Qin Yuan to come.
He and Qin Yuan didn't live together after all, so they weren't as close as Mu Shaoting and Mu Shaoyan.
He hadn't expected Qin Yuan to rush over so hastily for him.
It was as if he were doing something very important, or as if he were a very important person.
Ye Qingxi smiled unconsciously.
He really loves the present moment.
I love the person who's by his side now.
"Let's go," he said to Qin Cheng. "The competition is about to start, and I should go backstage to get my makeup done."
"Mm," Qin Cheng replied.
At 8 o'clock sharp, the live broadcast started on time.
Qin Yuan sat in the car, watching the live stream in front of her, and anxiously urged the driver again.
Qiu Yuexin's company is just starting out, and he's currently out of town on business. He just finished eating and can only watch some live streams in his hotel room.
Mu Shaoting's roommates sat in their dormitory, their table piled high with potato chips and drinks, ready to watch the live stream and cheer on their good friend.
The host looked at the audience with a broad smile: "Welcome everyone to tune in to 'The Voice of Heaven' on Friday night!"
Live chat: [Skip, skip, skip! Who's here to watch you? Start the match already!]
[That's right! I came to see Shao Ting! Go Shao Ting!]
[I've come for Cao Xi!]
[Yu Chang, Yu Chang, I only love Yu Chang!]
[Ahhhh, does anyone know who the guest performers are? I'm so curious!]
[Please, Murong Qing, just show up! It's the finals, Murong Qing, please satisfy my curiosity!]
[I also support Murong Qing. Shao Ting, why don't you treat Murong Qing to a meal? Consider it a birthday present for me!]
The program director, who was patrolling the live broadcast room, said: "Then your birthday present is probably going to be a waste."
Your beloved teacher Shao Ting has chosen a unique and lovable guest singer for you!
I wonder what kind of expressions these fans will have when they see this?
I am indeed quite curious!
Mu Shaoting, who was the subject of everyone's discussion, had already finished her makeup and was ready.
Ye Qingxi looked at her and encouraged her, "Go, Auntie!"
"Mm." Mu Shaoting smiled.
She is a rare player with excellent pre-competition mental fortitude.
Perhaps because her life had been going so smoothly and the results of the finals didn't affect her much, Mu Shaoting just wanted to sing the last two songs well.
On the stage you love, in front of your family, and in front of all the fans who come to listen to you sing, show your true level.
She and Ye Qingxi gave each other a light high five and walked towards the stage.
Ye Qingxi watched her graceful figure as she walked away. She was so beautiful and confident, so lovely and charming.
He will always be her fan.
In the VIP room, Mu Feng looked at his daughter standing in the center of the stage.
She wore a light blue dress, like a solitary orchid, and looked so delicate and beautiful, yet her singing voice was full of determination and strength.
Mu Feng thought, she really is a very good singer.
If only he could be forty years younger.
That way, she could sing the songs she loves forever, do what she likes, and be his most beloved daughter.
Always live like a girl.
Not adults.
After Mu Shaoting finished singing, Mu Feng took the initiative to applaud.
The station director quickly clapped along, saying, "Teacher Shao Ting sings so well! She's the most popular singer in this competition."
“That’s right,” Pei Ying said. “Shao Ting can sing quite well, can’t she, Lao Mu?”
Mu Feng glanced at him but didn't say anything.
Only in his eyes was there a clear sense of pride and approval.
His daughter is naturally very outstanding.
Mu Shaoting's fans immediately flooded the live chat with supportive comments, while Mu Shaoting himself returned to the backstage area.
The makeup artist is applying makeup to Ye Qingxi.
Upon seeing Mu Shaoting return, the other makeup artist in charge of the finals quickly helped her change her clothes and did her makeup.
Ye Qingxi's makeup was finished in no time.
Mu Shaoting's makeup has been changed.
On stage, as Cao Xi's song was coming to an end, Mu Shaoting, a fan of Cao Xi who was sitting behind Mu Shaoyan, asked him, "Aren't we going to raise our banners yet?"
"No rush, no rush," Mu Shaoyan said calmly.
Their little Xi hasn't even played yet.
Mu Shaoting fans: ...
No way, Cao Xi is almost out of the game, and you're not worried at all? Dude, are you really a Cao Xi fan?!
But since she's a fan of Shao Ting, let her not get erectile dysfunction.
She was happy to be impotent.
Soon after, Cao Xi left the stage, and the guest performance segment officially began.
Qin Yuan finally arrived at the TV station.
He made a phone call to his sister.
Qin Luan answered the call and went downstairs to meet him.
The station director was utterly dumbfounded when he saw another person enter the VIP room.
Who is this?!
Qin Yuan greeted the elders politely, and when she greeted the station director, she offered him her business card.
The station director looked down and, wow, it was President Qin from the rapidly rising Yuanfei Technology Company!
Ye Qingxi, how many more bosses do you have that I don't know about?
Why don't we bring them all out for a spin?
How can a living person be so beloved by so many CEOs?!
That's outrageous!
"Sorry I'm late," Qin Yuan said as she sat down. "I didn't miss it, did I?"
"No," Qin Luan said gently, "Xiao Xi hasn't gone on stage yet."
Qin Yuan breathed a sigh of relief; that was good.
He sent Ye Qingxi a WeChat message: 【I made it! I'm with your uncle and the others now ^_^】
Ye Qingxi looked at the message, replied, and put down the phone watch in her hand.
He picked up the silver mask that was placed to the side, looked at himself in the mirror, and slowly put the mask on his face.
Ye Qingxi felt as if she saw a mirror surface distorted like water ripples, and saw another face in the mirror—a face wearing a white cat mask that almost completely covered its face.
He saw the fifteen-year-old boy in the mirror.
That boy who was abandoned by the world, yet rose up step by step.
Ye Qingxi looked at him, and then she saw herself in the present: a light green suit jacket embroidered with golden laurel leaves, a layered European court-style lace shirt, black ankle boots, and a vibrant emerald adorning the collar of the shirt.
"It's really beautiful," Mu Shaoting said.
"Come on, Xiaoxi, let Auntie help you put on your hat."
As she spoke, she picked up a hat from the table. The hat had a wide brim, was slightly curled, and was adorned with a large, soft white feather.
She put the hat on Ye Qingxi's head, and the makeup artist quickly used hair clips to secure it, making sure it wouldn't fall off.
"So beautiful," the makeup artist exclaimed, "she looks like a little elf."
He also resembles an elegant little prince.
Mu Shaoting thought so too.
Ye Qingxi looked at herself in the mirror.
Looking at his illusory fifteen-year-old self in the mirror.
Finally, he was about to step onto the stage again.
Just like when I was fifteen and first stepped onto the New Year's Eve stage, this is the first time in the world that I've stepped onto this stage that belongs to music.
Ye Qingxi felt calm, yet she also felt a faint excitement.
Just like myself back then.
But it's different.
Because at that time, I didn't know what awaited me.
It was either the gasps of the crowd or the scorn of the audience.
He now knows very well that his appearance on stage will only be met with cheers.
All that will be is applause and flowers.
Ye Qingxi turned her head and followed Mu Shaoting out.
It was as if he was walking beside his former self, following the path his former self had walked, and holding the hand of his former self.
He lifted his foot and walked towards the stage.
That former version of myself let go of his hand.
Ye Qingxi turned around and wiped away the illusory image that lingered in his heart.
He saw his fifteen-year-old self smiling gently at him through the mask.
I also saw my fifteen-year-old self take off the mask, smiling shyly and nervously at the audience.
It has only been a little over two years, but it feels like a lifetime has passed.
Ye Qingxi slowly walked to the piano, to the stage she was once most familiar with and proud of.
This place that once gave him hope and gave him a new life.
This place brings him joy and strength.
This is a stage for music.
His stage.
He's back.
He's finally back.
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