Chapter 146: Silence is Gold

"I believe many people must be surprised, right? After all, the God of Songs has been away from the entertainment world for many years..."

Ren Qian stepped aside to let the God of Songs enter from the waiting area, then bowed modestly as thunderous applause erupted behind him.

This was not out of blind flattery toward the God of Songs, but rather a reflection of Ren Qian's personal virtue.

Be humble when meeting your peers, and respectful when meeting your elders.

If he couldn't even grasp this simple truth, he would truly be unworthy of his name.

Of course, he hurried over to offer a supportive arm—after all, the man was ninety years old.

"No need to support me, I'm as sturdy as they come!"

Refusing to show his age, the God of Songs gently swatted Ren Qian's hand away and strode forward with bold, long steps, sending the audience into bursts of laughter.

Such spirited, silver-haired, and kindly elders were the epitome of elegance and the objects of universal envy.

Ren Qian smiled and straightened up.

He had truly underestimated the physical stamina of the God of Songs. Advanced in age though he was, stepping onto the stage meant his commanding presence remained undiminished—unrestrained and free-spirited.

The prelude began.

Lightly plucked guitar strings evoked the imagery of a wandering martial artist traversing the world with a solitary jug of untamed wine. Through the swift and rhythmic sweeping of the strings, one could visualize a carefree, peerless hero walking into the sunset, gradually fading into the distance.

Just by hearing the prelude, one knew this song would be extraordinary. It conveyed not merely an emotion, but an attitude—a detached, transcendent, and effortlessly elegant outlook on the mundane world.

"Stop playing that silly game right now and watch the show with me! Ren Qian and the God of Songs are singing a duet. Doesn't this mean Ren Qian is about to inherit the mantle of the God of Songs? Even the legendary figure who hasn't appeared in fifty years is collaborating with him..."

A girl in pajamas looked poutily at her boyfriend, who was hunched over the computer, pleading until he reluctantly dragged himself over.

"Do you think the God of Songs can pull it off? What if his voice cracks? After all, he hasn't sung in decades."

Some young people were deeply skeptical. Having never lived through the era of the God of Songs, they had no idea just how formidable he truly was, so such doubts were entirely natural.

"After fifty years, our former idol is singing for us once again..."

Meanwhile, sitting before television sets across the country was an entirely different demographic: groups of septuagenarians and octogenarians who remained fiercely loyal fans of the God of Songs.

"How I've missed this feeling."

"The young man is not bad either."

...

As the prelude reached the twenty-seventh second, the hearts of the audience members in front of their screens suddenly skipped a beat. For the God of Songs had begun to sing.

That was no exaggeration.

Everyone has likely experienced something similar: casually walking down the street when a song unexpectedly strikes you to the core, causing you to halt your hurried steps and stand still to listen.

The audience was deeply shaken by the timeless voice of the God of Songs, defying his century-old age.

The five hundred members of the judging panel in the auditorium burst into fierce applause, while viewers at home cheered and shouted in acclaim.

"The God of Songs is truly a legend! Even at ninety years old, he can still effortlessly master a song."

The God of Songs is truly worthy of his title; you can tell his caliber the moment he opens his mouth."

*‘The autumn wind blows chill and stern, as I look back upon the dusty past~*
*For I was once filled with wrath and unrest~*
*False accusations and blame weighed heavy in my chest,*
*Reacting to malicious rumors with bitter distress~’*

This passage, broad-minded and transcendent, delivered by the ninety-year-old God of Songs, was a true performance drawn from lived experience. Such was the narrowness of youth, when the soul was clouded by dust, unable to withstand the erosion of gossip and helpless against slander and accusation. Hence, carrying the heavy burdens of the world.

"Between the lines, I see a high-spirited yet misunderstood youth. The God of Songs was once like this, and Ren Qian was once like this..."

"An inspirational song! Ren Qian's style is shifting once more. This should be of the same style as *A Prodigal Son's Voice*."

"Hearing this makes me naturally hum *A Prodigal Son's Voice*. If the God of Songs were to sing that song, it would undoubtedly be magnificent. His commanding presence is simply unmatched. Lines like 'What is destined to be yours will come in time, what is not should never be forced'—such wisdom could surely reform thousands of prodigal wanderers..."

After finishing his lines, the God of Songs smiled warmly at Ren Qian. He had established his unique style from the very first note, and he hoped Ren Qian wouldn't be overshadowed by it, otherwise, the duet would be flawed.

Yet, as a generation-defining legend, his stage presence was immense. In his era, no one who ever shared the stage with him could avoid being influenced by his rhythm.

However, Ren Qian seemed entirely unconcerned as he began to sing with profound emotion. The moment he opened his mouth, his style proved to be entirely distinct.

The silence is gold of the God of Songs was a transcendence born from seeing through the fickleness of the world—an attitude of detachment from mundane affairs.

In contrast, the silence is gold of Ren Qian was a deliberate composure before action—an unwavering conviction of 'walk your own path and let others talk.'

One possessed an open mind, while the other held an unshakeable will.

One carried the trials of glorious years gone by, while the other was destined to capture the gaze of millions in the future.

Yet regardless of their differences, they shared a single defining trait: solitude.

Walking the path alone, shutting out the external clamor, keeping their feet firmly on the ground, and earnestly pursuing their dreams...

*‘Lessons have been learned, guided by the wisdom of books~*
*Now I see through it all, no longer trapping myself within~*
*Feeling the measure of things, no longer as foolish as before.*

*Wipe away the tears of sorrow, and walk forward with a light and cheerful smile!’*

This, too, was a form of magnanimity and indomitable resilience for Ren Qian—eight or nine out of ten things in life do not go as planned, so one must never fall into despair and self-limitation. To wipe away tear stains and walk onward with a light smile was such a correct attitude. Listening to the melody, one could feel the heroic spirit embedded within Ren Qian's singing.

Walking forward with a light smile. Perhaps it was not merely walking, but having the entire world step aside to clear the path as he strode forward with unyielding vigor...

"This young man Ren Qian is truly impressive. Sharing the stage with the God of Songs, he shows not a trace of panic, nor is he overshadowed by the legend's style; instead, he brings an entirely contrasting yet complementary flavor to the song."

"Just like the God of Songs back in the day, soaring with boundless ambition, unstoppable! This old man feels as though he's seeing his own youth again, ha ha ha ha."

"Oh, Grandpa, look at you—your smile stretches from ear to ear."

"Of course! A once-in-fifty-years grand spectacle. Who knows how much longer this old man has left? This might just be the last time I ever get to hear the God of Songs sing."

...

*‘In the unseen design, wealth or poverty are long since decreed!*
*Right is forever right! Truth is forever truth!*
*Say what you will, I shall keep to my own duties~*
*And steadfastly believe that silence is gold~’*

This section was a duet, the voices of Ren Qian and the God of Songs blending to absolute perfection. It possessed both the sharp edge of youth and the tranquil wisdom of age, creating a uniquely mesmerizing atmosphere.

...

As the song came to an end, the audience could not wait to rush online to share their listening impressions.

"I always thought the God of Songs was just an old grouch, but today's duet completely shattered my preconceptions. Such a respectable, kindly elder—he's truly amazing!"

"I love the emotional resonance this song brings me. Letting others laugh or curse while living life freely and unburdened! It's hard to imagine these lyrics were written by Ren Qian, a young man barely twenty years old. Such profound state of mind puts my thirty-year-old self to shame."

"The God of Songs of Music always brings us surprises. Perhaps even the God of Songs was pleasantly surprised by him? Haha! Ren Qian, when you're old and grey, we will still be just as crazy about you as we are today~"

"The collaboration between the God of Songs and Ren Qian is simply fantastic."