When the actors heard Chu Duxiu admit it, they were instantly satisfied, laughing together in a bustle, and generously declared they would support the “family member’s performance” to help Xie Shenci hold up the scene.
Scallion said, “Nothing we can do – just have to apologize to Director Shang and Mr. Shang.”
Bei He chimed in, “What can we say, there’s a bonus policy for family members.”
Amid the cheerful banter, the stage lights shifted again, beams of warm yellow light swaying as the next program of the annual gala began. A small band was set up at the side of the stage – just now they had accompanied Shang Xiaomei and the others, and now the musicians straightened their backs, clearly about to strike up a new piece.
Wang Nali, seeing who stepped onto the stage, hurriedly said, “Here they come, here they come – quick, give the family member a round of applause!”
Hearing that, Chu Duxiu quickly turned her head, and sure enough, saw Xie Shenci appear. He was also dressed formally, but unlike Shang Liang’s stern and solemn style, his white shirt and deep black trousers carried a casual ease. His handsome features, lit by the stage lights, really made him look like a ballad singer on television.
She stared at him without blinking – only to see him suddenly glance her way and wink.
As he waited for the band’s cue, Xie Shenci let his gaze fall toward where she was sitting.
Chu Duxiu curved her lips into a smile, raised both thumbs high, and cheered him on from afar.
The others didn’t notice their subtle exchange. The actors were already cheering loudly, their voices full of energy. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the stage, waiting for Xie Shenci’s performance to begin.
Amid everyone’s anticipation, gentle music began to flow like spring water. With no lengthy prelude, a catchy melody rose, and English lyrics drifted toward the audience.
“Started out as friends, only friends, but I knew from that moment, I knew from that moment.”
“That I was falling fast, falling fast, but you never noticed, you never noticed…”
His magnetic, low voice, the graceful winding tune, and the meaningful lyrics made his tone softer than usual – like a fresh forest breeze, carrying the damp haze of morning dew, slowly spreading through the hall.
Bathed in soft light, Xie Shenci stood before the standing microphone, loose strands of hair falling across his forehead, his gaze fixed and unwavering – still locked on Chu Duxiu.
In the audience, she met his eyes, and in that instant, her heart stirred.
It was the first time she had ever heard him sing. She had worried he would be unprepared, but he turned out to be far more outstanding than she had imagined.
Perhaps it was the enchanting notes, perhaps it was the emotional lyrics – but this man, usually reserved, quiet, and reluctant to appear in the spotlight, was at last revealing his heart through song.
“Knew you better than you knew yourself, yourself, couldn’t get you alone, so I’d sit by the phone, I put myself through Hell, could you even tell？”
“Thank God I waited, thank God that I waited, cause my love never faded.”
“I just needed patience, it was always you.”
“Yeah it was always you.”
Shang Liang said, “These lyrics…”
Xie Shenci was singing an English love song, telling the story of a man and woman who began as friends, slowly fell in love, and finally became each other’s destiny.
As he sang softly, his gaze never left her.
Perhaps he and she were the same – whether it was love at first sight or a resonance of souls, it was hard to say. All they knew was that by the time they realized it, love had already taken root.
This song was no less than a confession; everyone in the room knew exactly who he was singing to.
The springlike, melodious music filled the hall, instantly setting off screams from the audience – a mighty wave no less powerful than the previous two performances.
If Shang Xiaomei and Shang Liang’s act had been a gift to everyone, then Xie Shenci’s song was clearly different – dedicated to just one person in the audience.
Those who understood the lyrics had already turned their heads, eagerly watching Chu Duxiu, their eyes brimming with amusement and teasing smiles.
Bei He sighed. “Looks like we don’t even need to hype it up – Mr. Xie has mastered the essence of the show.”
Scallion said, “We don’t need this today!”
Wang Nali shot a glance at Scallion. “…And you’ve got the nerve to say that?”
Shang Xiaomei protested, “Shameless – when you can’t outdo others, you start using shipping as your strategy!”
The saxophone solo rang out, adding richness to the layers of the song and making the atmosphere in the hall even more romantic.
Before the gala, Chu Duxiu had repeatedly pressed Xie Shenci, wanting to know what he planned to perform, but he had kept his lips tightly sealed. She never expected it would turn out to be something connected to her.
Xie Shenci removed the microphone with one hand, and with the other, drew out a single red rose – no one knew where it had been hidden before he came on stage. Amid the crowd’s playful cheers, he slowly stepped down from the stage and walked straight toward Chu Duxiu, holding the rose out to her.
This time, he was even closer. His gaze softened, and he began to sing the song again.
“Thank God I waited, thank God that I waited, cause my love never faded.”
“I just needed patience, it was always you.”
“Yeah it was always you.”
The stirring lyrics and the tender fragrance of the blossom – unlike the pure love symbolized by a white rose, the red rose radiated passion and sincerity.
Between them was a tacit understanding, a connection of hearts, as well as a candid, open confession of love.
As she listened to the moving melody, ripples spread across the lake of her heart, and before she knew it, her cheeks grew warm.
Perhaps it was the dazzling music and the surging atmosphere that pushed everything forward, but Chu Duxiu gathered her courage, reached out to accept the red rose, and at the same time took his hand. Rising from her seat, she sparked an even louder cheer from the crowd.
The two exchanged a smile and simply stood hand in hand. With the microphone in Xie Shenci’s grasp and the red rose swaying in Chu Duxiu’s, they walked side by side among the round tables, accompanied by the playful uproar of those around them.
“Thank God I waited, thank God that I waited, cause my love never faded.”
“I just needed patience, it was always you.”
“Yeah it was always you.”
The lights rippled gently through the hall like waves, while the singing spread around them like a veil of gauze.
Normally the two kept a very low profile, yet now they stood hand in hand before everyone. Xie Shenci lifted the microphone toward her, and their duet began.
He and she gazed into each other’s eyes as they sang the final lines.
“Yeah it was always you.”
“Yeah it was always you.”
“Yeah it was always you.”
The couple’s duet undoubtedly pushed the annual gala to its climax, leaving the rest of the crowd fired up and brimming with excitement.
Everyone seemed to have gone back to their carefree school days, casting aside past worries and pressures, joking and shouting with boundless enthusiasm – like a buzzing swarm of bees.
“Commanding all the lords through King Chu! Who would dare not clap now!” [1]
“Too sly – actually bringing a family member to sing along–”
“Kiss! Kiss!”
Even after the song ended, the audience didn’t calm down, their cries of excitement refusing to stop.
A relationship born from stand-up comedy, a performance witnessed by fellow comedians – everyone was overjoyed, feeling the sweetness flowing in their exchanged glances, shouting and squealing excitedly on the side, as if wishing they could chain the couple together forever.
Hearing the noise, Chu Duxiu, facing the jubilant crowd and mindful of the scoring criteria, simply turned her head and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
Xie Shenci froze, then pressed his lips together – but couldn’t hide his smile.
“Waaah!!!”
At that moment, the screams erupted, the uproar far louder than for any other performance.
Shang Liang cursed inwardly at his friend’s scheming tricks and clicked his tongue. “…Sure enough, underhanded methods beat all skill.”
Was this supposed to be a contest of performance level? Clearly it had turned into a contest of personal connections!
He knew it – some people just couldn’t manage without relying on their cash cow!
Shang Xiaomei, both exasperated and amused, slapped the table and stood up. “No way, I can’t hold back anymore! Who doesn’t have family, huh? Mr. Liu, get over here- we’re going on too, quick, help me win some votes!”
Xie Shenci and Chu Duxiu’s duet had set off a wave, and soon other couples and spouses in the company were pushed onstage to sing together as well.
For a while, the hall was full of music and dance, laughter and chatter, as everyone enjoyed a joyful time together.
Chatting, dining, singing, and raffles – they completely let go of the year’s exhaustion. After indulging themselves at the year-end party, they were ready to welcome the long, happy Spring Festival holiday.
At the end, Bei He went on stage to announce the results of the competition. The cheers for all three founders were equally enthusiastic, so the ones tied for first place – and also tied for last – had to come on stage together for another duet, to give the Shanle Annual Gala a perfect conclusion.
For the encore, Shang Xiaomei pulled her husband onto the stage, eager to challenge Xie Shenci and Chu Duxiu again in a rematch. Hand in hand with Chu Duxiu, Xie Shenci accepted the challenge with calm composure, unruffled in the face of battle.
On stage, only one person seemed completely out of place in this “war”: Shang Liang, clutching his violin. Stuck in the middle of this inexplicable duel, his face alternated between pale and green, a sight both tragic and comical.
Bei He exclaimed: “Too cruel, far too cruel! Couples and spouses are fighting, yet it’s Mr. Shang who gets hurt!”
Was this really a tiebreaker?
No – this was clearly extra-time torture for Mr. Shang!
*
At the close of the annual gala, after all the performances were over, it was time for the employee raffle.
The company had set up first, second, and third prizes, as well as lucky prizes. The rewards ranged from expensive electronics and cash bonuses to quirky mystery gifts like “3 days of paid vacation” or “+1 month to the year-end bonus.” Basically, everyone walked away with something – the whole point was excitement.
Wang Nali truly lived up to her reputation as the “program’s lucky charm.” Not only could she scrape through contests by the skin of her teeth, but she also managed to stand out in the raffle, winning the latest model smartphone. By comparison, Chu Duxiu and Scallion’s prizes were more about “participation.” The former got “1 day of paid vacation,” while the latter received “1 extra chicken leg at the cafeteria lunch.”
“Wow, they look about the same, but her vacation is definitely better,” Wang Nali remarked. “Luckier than a side dish.”
Scallion shot back, “Nonsense, clearly the chicken leg is luckier.”
Chu Duxiu asked, “How is that possible?”
“You never take vacation – so the vacation day is wasted on you.” Scallion’s eyes rolled slyly as he offered, “Since you love overworking, why don’t we swap? The chicken leg suits you better. See how thoughtful I am?”
“…”
She refused flatly, “No. I’m definitely taking leave this Spring Festival.”
As the Shanle annual gala drew to a close, everyone chatted and laughed while comparing their prizes. Chu Duxiu also spotted Xie Shenci in the corner. He was still dressed in his white shirt and black trousers, and perhaps sensing her gaze, he instinctively turned his head – just in time for their eyes to meet.
Chu Duxiu quickly ran over, asking curiously, “What did you draw? How’s your luck?”
“I didn’t. The three of us never take part in the raffle,” Xie Shenci said, glancing at the slip of paper in her hand. “What did you get?”
The founders never joined the company raffle, so of course they didn’t receive any prize tickets.
“A single day of paid leave – I’m planning to use it during Spring Festival,” Chu Duxiu muttered. “So pitiful… we even performed on stage, and they still didn’t let you draw. Bei He’s really got a cruel heart.”
Xie Shenci pondered for a few seconds, then suddenly said, “Since I’m so pitiful, why don’t you draw one for me?”
Chu Duxiu asked, “How? It’s already over.”
Unexpectedly, he stretched out his hand. In his palm were three slips of paper, identical to the raffle tickets. “Go on, draw one for me.”
Chu Duxiu, intrigued, casually picked one. Unfolding it, she saw the words: “Spend Spring Festival with outstanding employee Chu Duxiu.”
Chu Duxiu: “?”
Not believing it, she opened the other two. They read: “Trip to Wencheng” and “Accompany outstanding employee Chu Duxiu to visit her parents.”
“???” What kind of company raffle prizes were these supposed to be?
Chu Duxiu’s gaze grew complicated as she silently fixed her eyes on him.
Schemer that he was, Xie Shenci still wore an innocent face and said calmly, “Three wins in a row. Looks like I’ll have to go three years in a row.”
Translator’s Notes:
[1] The original ancient text here should be: “To hold the Son of Heaven (the Emperor) hostage in order to command the feudal lords.”. This comes from the Warring States / early Han period. A warlord who didn’t have the legitimacy to rule would “control” the emperor, using him as a political tool. Even if he had no real power himself, the emperor’s symbolic authority gave him control over other lords.
