Chapter Eight: Aura and Atmosphere
As New Year's Day approached, preparations for the university-wide New Year's Gala were in full swing. As in every previous year, the Music College was in charge of organizing the event, since they could bring together the top bands and singers from across campus.
Of course, a gala also needed variety—skits, debates, and other acts—to round out the program, so certain performances were solicited from the entire university.
...
That day, Ren Qian was in his dorm, cramming through some books to better understand the basic historical trajectory of the Empire. The person in charge of the New Year's Gala, Chen Yiran, president of the music club, called him.
Ren Qian had met him a few times before, so when the call connected, the two chatted amiably for a bit. Then, with the deftness of someone skilled in both organization and leadership, Chen Yiran shifted the conversation.
"Qian, now that your reputation on campus has soared, shouldn't you take the stage and sing at the New Year's Gala? Last year, your performance won over a whole crowd. You can't let such a good opportunity slip away this year."
"That's no problem," Ren Qian replied at once. Back when Mars Entertainment had just started and had no fame to speak of, it was Chen Yiran who invited him to perform at the New Year's Gala, helping him win his first batch of fans. Now, though he had gained some recognition, he was far from letting it get to his head.
It was a simple matter and would only help solidify his reputation, so Ren Qian agreed without hesitation. On the other end, Chen Yiran was silent in surprise for a moment.
"Hey... don't hang up yet. Could you sing two songs this time?"
"Sure. When I come for rehearsal, we can discuss the details. Just let me know what you have planned."
He hung up.
"What did Qian say? He didn't turn us down, did he?" asked Liu Han, another main organizer of the gala. He had tried calling Wang Si and the other two a few days ago, only to be met with ridicule.
After signing with Mars Entertainment, those three had become insufferably arrogant, always acting like big shots and alienating everyone. Liu Han wasn't the sort to beg for a favor from those who looked down on others, nor was he inclined to grovel.
Fortunately, Ren Qian had recently become wildly popular on campus—his "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies" was often played on the school radio.
He was well-known, radiated positivity, and was friendly to everyone. In every way, Qian was a better choice than those mediocre "celebrities."
"Why would he refuse? If you'd told me sooner, we wouldn't have had to suffer anyone's ridicule. Inviting those three losers? That would only lower the gala's standards! Their talent isn't a tenth of Qian's, their character not a fifth, and their looks can't compare either. Yet they act like they're somebody!"
Chen Yiran sneered. His family had connections among the upper ranks of Gushi Entertainment; he'd drunk with pop kings and dined with queens. He truly couldn't understand where those two or three minor stars found the nerve to be so arrogant.
He had no intention of humiliating them, though. With a cold snort—"half a bottle makes the most noise, give them an inch and they'll take a mile!"—he turned his attention to inviting other guests. He needed to send invitations personally to the school leadership and other club presidents.
...
"Ren Qian, want to have dinner together and then go for a walk? I want you to give me the lyrics from that night," the nurse girl said, her voice shy and hesitant. Ren Qian could almost picture her delicately beautiful face tinged with a blush.
"Dinner's fine, but no prying into secrets. As for the walk..." Ren Qian left the sentence hanging, deliberately testing her reaction. She clearly tensed up.
"Of course, walking with a beauty is one of life's joys. I agree," he teased.
"Who's this nurse girl? Call me nurse sister, I'm a year ahead of you!"
Her gentle voice rose by three decibels, turning sharp and almost threatening, as if she were about to wring his neck.
"Huh? You're a student at Jiangnan University too?"
Ren Qian's curiosity was piqued. The nurse girl's refined, luminous demeanor was unlike that of an ordinary girl, but she'd never revealed any personal information—she remained a mystery.
"Yes~ But little brother, don't get too curious."
"..."
Little brother, she called him?
Ren Qian thought of Li Jian's refreshingly unconventional song, "Old Ox Eats Tender Grass." For some reason, a wicked feeling surged in his heart. But looking at things now, who was really being wicked?
"Well... I'm hanging up now..."
Once again, she transformed from a little firecracker into a bashful maiden, her words stumbling over each other, a faint, intoxicating dimple hovering in Ren Qian's mind.
This blend of boldness and restraint was utterly captivating! On the other end, the gentle nurse hung up.
"Ah, the heart of a young girl—sometimes bold, sometimes shy, her feelings hidden and unspoken," Ren Qian mused, idly toying with his phone. He couldn't help but wonder: if the nurse girl saw the lyrics to "It Really Doesn't Seem Real," would she blush, her breath quicken, her heart race like a startled deer, and then—half-resisting, half-yielding—lean on his broad, sturdy shoulder to gaze at the stars together?
Such romance was truly beyond expectations!
...
As the days passed, the New Year's Gala arrived right on schedule.
The opening was set for 6:10 in the evening, with performers beginning rehearsals in the afternoon. Ren Qian spent the whole afternoon in the university activity center's performance hall.
One had to marvel at Jiangnan University's extravagance—the venue was grand and high-tech, able to seat thirty thousand people. The facilities rivaled even those of Mango TV's studios.
Brilliant, dazzling lights swept across the hall, leaving no corner untouched. The sound system, embedded high in the walls, boomed with dynamic force.
On stage, the hosts—full-bodied and melodious—seamlessly linked the acts, keeping the audience engaged. At times they drew laughter, at others, applause that rose and fell like waves.
Ahem...
The host cleared their throat for effect, then announced in a clear, resonant voice:
"Here at Jiangnan University, everyone knows this person. Pass him by on campus and you'll be struck by his sunny charm; spend time with him, and you'll admire his modesty and warmth; listen to his music, and you'll become enamored by his talent!
He is—Ren Qian, whose 'Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies' broke into the Empire's Weibo trending top ten! Let's welcome him with applause as he brings us a truly unique performance!"
The audience erupted in cheers and screams.
"I like those lines," Ren Qian thought as he jogged onstage, preparing himself. He signaled the band to check their instruments, then slipped into rehearsal mode.
His task was to sing two songs: the first needed only to catch the audience's attention, while the second had to build to a stunning climax and bring the house down.
As the rehearsal progressed, all the staff watching from the wings couldn't help but get swept up in the excitement.
In the front row, Liu Han was bobbing his head like a streetwise kid, turning to Chen Yiran.
"Qian is really impressive. Yiran, are you thinking of recommending him to your family? Talents like him, with such solid credentials, are rare..."
"I've already called home. The music industry these days is dominated by old-timers, and creative newcomers never get a chance. In the end, it's the old guard's conservative mindset. Whether Qian can break through depends on his talent," Chen Yiran replied, raising an eyebrow and restraining Liu Han, his gaze fixed on Ren Qian as he sang under the shifting colored lights.
He himself would be joining the upper ranks of Gushi Entertainment in the future, so he needed to study the market closely. What he had just told Liu Han was his own unique perspective. To dare say that someone could break open the industry signaled both ambition and vision.
When Ren Qian finished rehearsing, the other acts followed in quick succession. The gala upheld Jiangnan University's longstanding tradition: achieving twice the result with half the resources. Every performance was exquisite, with meticulous attention to detail—there was no hint of carelessness or shoddiness.
Ren Qian managed to snatch a bit of leisure, sitting in the front row and quietly watching for a couple of hours.
Finally, the gala officially began!
At 6:10, waves of students poured into the venue—some in groups with their roommates, some hand-in-hand as couples, and, of course, a few loners sneaking in by themselves.
A thirty-thousand-seat venue, packed to the rafters!
...
Before the show began, the hall was shrouded in darkness. From above, all that could be seen were students using their phones to light the way, their screens creating a shifting mosaic of color.
On stage, four spotlights picked out the hosts from the shadows: two men in flowing white robes with fan pendants, scholarly but not frail; two women in long hanfu dresses, their hair pinned with silver, dignified and elegant. The four stood at the center of attention, introducing the university's leaders and professors one by one, each rising to wave to the crowd. Some teachers, admired for their charisma, drew enthusiastic cheers.
"Now, please welcome our president, Fang Qianshui, to formally announce the opening of the 2015 New Year's Gala!"
President Fang, a kindly middle-aged man, declared the gala open in a deep, powerful voice, then sat down smiling, ready for the performances to come.
The audience erupted in applause and shouts, the atmosphere boiling over.
"Here at Jiangnan University, everyone knows this person. Pass him by on campus and you'll be struck by his sunny charm; spend time with him, and you'll admire his modesty and warmth; listen to his music, and you'll become enamored by his talent!
He is—Ren Qian, whose 'Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies' broke into the Weibo trending top ten! Let's welcome him with applause!"
This time, the applause was even louder than for the university officials, a thunderous ovation that sent the energy soaring. The leaders straightened up, all eyes on the stage—they, too, had heard "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies," and felt a deep resonance. It was hard to imagine that a young man still in university could write such a grand, stirring song!
Ren Qian took a deep breath.
It was his soul's first time singing before thirty thousand people. In his past life, even in China, he had only sung for a handful of friends.
Now, the crowd's excitement was almost feverish.
The feeling of being the focus of thousands was so overwhelming that it felt as though his very soul was expanding and contracting with the dance of the lights.
Ren Qian sat quietly in the swivel chair while staff adjusted his microphone and guitar. The band, too, lowered their heads to tune their instruments.
To ease the tension of waiting in the darkness, Ren Qian decided to speak a few words.
"There was a time when I was completely disheartened. During that time, I 'wrote' a song—the first song of my life, which helped me rediscover my dreams."
"'Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies'! 'Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies'! 'Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies'!"
...
The audience immediately began to chant in unison, and Ren Qian could even see the faces of a few fervent female fans at the front—twisted in excitement, well, truly twisted.
"It's not 'Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies'~"
With that, he brought his hand to his lips in a shushing gesture. The effect was electric—the massive hall fell instantly silent!
All thirty thousand held their breath, anticipation taut in the air. Many clicked on their cameras, locking their lenses onto Ren Qian, waiting for the moment.
The lights went pitch black at just the right moment—bang!
The microphone stand tapped softly against the wooden stage, a dull thud echoing. The audience's hearts clenched—the ten seconds felt like an eternity, the wait almost unbearable.
Ren Qian cleared his throat. The guitar trembled softly.
A sweep of purple light flashed to life—the audience's hearts tightened together once more.
ps: Voting for recommendations on Monday is a good habit~