Chapter 1885: Chen Yan’s Performance

"Teacher, Ah Yan has really been preparing for this performance for a long time..."

"Is there any way you could make an exception?"

Yao lowered his posture, almost begging the teacher.

The teacher sighed. "It’s not a matter of making exceptions; we have no control over the school's arrangements..."

"Or, instead of cutting Ah Yan’s program, could we just shorten the time? That way, both he and the choir could perform?" Yao asked, still unwilling to give up.

Seemingly losing patience after being pestered by Yao for so long, the teacher looked at the boy in the worn-out cotton jacket,

"It’s impossible. I think you brothers should stop wasting your energy on this."

"Performances and such are trivial matters. Going back and focusing on your studies is more important than anything else."

With that, the teacher continued toward the backstage without looking back.

Yao’s heart gave a slight jolt.

Just as he was about to chase after him to say something else, another teacher ran over hurriedly.

"Teacher Li!" he said urgently. "Which class is Chen Yan in? The high-ranking leader just specifically requested to hear him sing opera."

"What??"

Teacher Li was stunned.

"Doesn't he dislike opera... why the change of heart?" Teacher Li was baffled. "And he specifically named Chen Yan to perform?"

Teacher Li seemed to realize something, his gaze shifting to the boy in the gray cotton jacket with a strange expression.

These Chen brothers... did they have such strong backing?

"Teacher Li, hurry up, it’s about to start." After the teacher said this, he hurried away.

“……”

Teacher Li looked at Yao, coughed twice, and finally spoke:

"Well... you heard it, for this program, we still intend to give Chen Yan a chan..."

Yao didn't wait for him to finish; he rolled his eyes and turned to walk straight toward Chen Yan.

Teacher Li stood there awkwardly.

"Brother..."

"It’s okay, Ah Yan, just go up and perform as usual." Yao patted Chen Yan’s head. "That Mr. Lin has incredible powers; he solved it for you."

Yao had already guessed Chen Ling’s identity and naturally understood the kind of power Chen Ling possessed. He didn't need to give face to anyone in this school; Chen Yan would definitely perform on stage today.

"...Mr. Lin?" Chen Yan was a bit dazed.

He turned his head and happened to see Chen Ling walking straight toward them.

"Why are you still standing here?" Chen Ling smiled slightly. "Isn't the performance about to start?"

Yao glanced at the teacher still standing awkwardly in the distance and said to Chen Yan:

"Go on... perform well and show them what you've got."

"...Okay."

Chen Yan nodded hesitantly.

Chen Yan went with the teacher to the backstage to prepare. Chen Ling and Yao didn't intend to follow; they exchanged a glance and walked toward the playground together.

Just then, Chen Yan’s voice rang out from behind them again:

"Brother!"

Chen Ling and Yao turned around at the same time.

Seeing both of them turn around together, Chen Yan was stunned... he pursed his lips and said:

"I... I'm a little nervous."

The two of them smiled.

The stage lights illuminated their figures in the night, their shadows standing side by side, looking remarkably similar.

"No need to be nervous..." Yao said gently.

"Just do it like you do in your daily practice," Chen Ling calmly finished the sentence.

For some reason, their simple words gave Chen Yan great confidence. He took a deep breath, adjusted his mindset, and nodded heavily.

"Yeah!"

……

Most of the programs at the school gala were quite boring.

Chen Ling and Yao stood on the side, quietly waiting for time to pass. After a fairly interesting skit ended, the lights on the stage dimmed bit by bit...

"Here it comes." Yao gripped his hands nervously, eyes fixed on the stage. "This should be the program."

Even though it was Chen Yan’s first performance, Yao looked even more nervous than he did.

As the stage lights came back on, a boy in an opera robe with exquisite makeup stood somewhat awkwardly under the spotlight... His youthful eyes swept over the crowd below; it was his first time having so many audience members.

Whispers broke out among the audience as they saw Chen Yan.

But Chen Yan couldn't hear them anymore.

In his mind, the expectant gazes of Chen Ling and Yao from just moments ago resurfaced, and the melodic opera singing of Chen Ling from last night echoed in his ears.

He parted his lips, and a pure, crystal-clear opera voice echoed under the night sky:

"The little nun is just sixteen,

In the prime of youth, her hair shorn by her master.

Every day, burning incense and changing water in the Buddha hall,

Seeing young men playing beneath the mountain gate.

He casts his eyes toward me,

I cast my eyes toward him.

He and I, I and he,

Both of us full of longing..."

“……”

Watching the boy in the opera robe finally standing under the spotlight, a complex look appeared in Chen Ling’s eyes, and the knot in his heart that had never been untied gently slipped away.

An opera solo wasn't a very attractive program for the young students in the audience. Some were drawn by the novelty, some were truly intoxicated by the singing, and some were whispering absent-mindedly...

But regardless of the audience, Chen Yan was already immersed in his own performance.

As the final note fell,

the audience below gave enthusiastic applause.

Chen Yan stood on the stage, beads of sweat sliding down his cheeks. Feeling the applause from the audience, the fatigue in his body vanished, replaced by an unprecedented sense of joy and satisfaction...

He turned slightly and bowed deeply to the audience below and to the two figures at the edge of the seating area.

The boy in the cotton jacket was clapping enthusiastically; Chen Ling, in his overcoat, had a smile in his eyes.

The school stage wasn't great, and the audience wasn't large. Even without such grand conditions, even without so many cheers and applause, at this moment, on this small stage...

Chen Yan’s performance came to a perfect end.

……

*Click—*

Warm lights came on in the living room.

Chen Yan kicked off his shoes and trotted into the house, the sleeves of his opera robe fluttering in the wind. Chen Ling and Yao followed him in and closed the door.

"I was a bit nervous on stage today and sweated a lot... I'm going to go change my clothes first!"

Chen Yan seemed very happy today. He waved at the two of them and walked into his room.

"Alright, come out to eat once you've changed," Yao said with a smile.

Yao washed his hands first, then went to the kitchen, turned on the stove, heated the pan, and began stir-frying the dishes he had prepared earlier.

Chen Ling glanced toward Chen Yan’s room and said to Yao:

"I'm going out to get something."

Just as Chen Ling turned to leave, Yao suddenly looked at him:

"Actually, you don't have to leave."

"Ah Yan likes you very much and respects you... although I don't know why you came here, if you're comfortable staying here, it's fine if you stay for good."

"You can leave the past behind; we... we can live together."