Chapter 785 - 270 Li Yuan’s First Solo Concert_3

*I admit it’s really serene...*

*Just like the old grandpa downstairs, yay...*

When Jin Chenchen started singing the female part, every girl in the audience—except for his three official girlfriends, Zhong Tingyue, Bai Weixi, and Xia Zhijin, seated in the front row—joined in the chorus, including Qi Siyu and Liang Jingjing.

Jin Chenchen’s somewhat delicate voice was almost instantly drowned out by the wave of female voices from the crowd.

*I hear you’re still working on some original stuff...*

*Seems like it’s just so-so after all the effort...*

Li Yuan found the perfectly synchronized chorus of girls highly amusing. Carried away by the atmosphere, his own interest was piqued.

*Without any theatrics during those tumultuous years,*

*And that vanished natural beauty...*

As the song ended, the audience’s applause echoed, lingering endlessly.

With a look of shy admiration, Jin Chenchen stared straight at Li Yuan, completely unfazed by the murmuring crowd.

Her intense gaze made Li Yuan’s scalp prickle. He quickly cleared his throat and signaled for the host to hurry up and interview the next person.

Compared to Jin Chenchen and Dilraba, Liu Shishi was several years older and far more mature. She had been in the entertainment industry for many years, and while not a household name, she had a measure of fame. Otherwise, she certainly wouldn’t have won first place based on her looks alone.

Even during her interview, she appeared poised and dignified. She thanked the "Milk Tea Girl" platform and mentioned that she was a fan of Li Yuan. For her talent portion, she played a piano piece, perfectly embodying the grace and elegance of a refined lady.

*This champion, Liu Shishi, is already a minor celebrity. She’s so poised, beautiful, and talented. She might become a huge star in the future...*

*You’re not wrong, but to me, she doesn’t have the same feel as Dilraba and Jin Chenchen. She gives off a cold, unapproachable vibe...*

*Heh, to each their own. I personally like Liu Shishi’s cool, aloof goddess-like aura.*

*Speaking of which, after the awards for the top three "Milk Tea Girl" contestants are handed out, is it time for Xia Hua’s solo concert?*

*Yep, that’s what it says on the program. I’m so hyped! I’ve already warmed up my vocal cords to sing along at the top of my lungs.*

On stage, the awards ceremony quickly began.

"Next, let’s welcome our award presenters: the Vice Party Secretary and Executive Vice President of Daxia University, Ma Tengfei; the Chairman of Yuandian Web, Wu Wenhui; and the Vice President of Wangyi Technology Company, You Wenxuan! They will present the awards to the champion, runner-up, and third-place winner of our ’Milk Tea Girl’ competition!"

***

"To all our friends in the audience and our viewers watching at home, the ’Milk Tea Girl’ awards ceremony has now concluded!"

"Next up is the most thrilling part of tonight’s gala, the moment all you fans have been waiting for."

"Let’s give Director Li our most thunderous applause as he brings us his first-ever solo concert!"

As the host finished speaking, the cheers and shouts from the crowd instantly reached a crescendo.

"Xia Hua!"

"Xia Hua!"

"Xia Hua!"

The unified chant was loud enough to be heard throughout the entire Longyu Building.

Outside the Longyu Grand Hotel, in Longyu Building Plaza, and at all forty "Tea Color Moonlight" milk tea shops across Modu, crowds of fans were packed together, cheering excitedly as they waited for Li Yuan’s performance to begin.

Inside the Tea Color Moonlight flagship store in the Longyu Building, several female employees were gossiping quietly among themselves.

"Tsk tsk, our boss is seriously charming. He attracts all these young, beautiful girls."

"Of course! Our boss is tall, handsome, rich, and talented. It’s no wonder girls are drawn to him."

"Hee hee, I think you forgot one thing. Our boss is so passionate, maybe there’s a chance for a beautiful, romantic encounter, right?"

"Mmhmm, we all get it. It’s an open secret. Take that runner-up, Jin Chenchen. The way she looks at the boss is practically dripping with longing. I bet if he so much as crooked a finger at her tonight, she’d throw herself into his arms in a heartbeat."

"So, do you think if a man as handsome, rich, and fit as our boss wanted to invoke the ’unspoken rules,’ any of these girls would refuse?"

***

「On stage」

Having found his stage presence after singing "Natural Beauty" with Jin Chenchen, Li Yuan was no longer nervous and felt at ease.

It was strange. In his past life, while not exactly withdrawn or introverted, he had never been particularly eloquent either. He had rarely stood on a stage to give speeches or lectures. The only occasions were shortly after starting his government job, when he gave a couple of "Mini Party Classes" to dozens of town and village officials. Even then, he had been on edge, his speech tense with nerves.

But now, after his rebirth, he felt no such nervousness or fear, even standing on a stage before thousands, broadcast live to millions on TV and the internet.

Perhaps this is the fearlessness that comes from true confidence?

These thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.

Li Yuan composed himself, held the microphone, and looked out at the audience with a smile.

"Before I begin, I’d like to share a little about my songwriting journey with all of you.

"Before university, back when I first started writing novels, I met a very important girl. She would chat with me every day, supporting my creative work. She was the number one fan of my novel, ’Battle Starry Sky.’ We were like online friends, with endless things to talk about.

"Then, right as my first semester of university began, she suddenly appeared before me. She asked me to help her write a song for her school’s welcome party, and I agreed.

"Back then, I knew next to nothing about music. I didn’t understand melodies or composition, and I could barely play the guitar. My singing was based purely on intuition. It was this girl who taught me, step-by-step, how to read sheet music and understand instruments.

"I haven’t seen her in a very, very long time. It’s as if she has simply vanished from my world. I don’t know if you still remember me, or if you’re out there in some unfamiliar city, watching me in silence.

"Tonight, I want to sing that first song I ever wrote for you, once again!"