Chapter 73: The Evening Star is Like Your Eyes, Killing and Setting Fires

Chapter 73: Chapter 73: The Evening Star is Like Your Eyes, Killing and Setting Fires

"Huh?"

"Why hasn’t it started yet?"

"Yeah?"

"What’s taking so long?"

...

Just as the crowd was filled with anticipation, a small problem occurred on stage.

"Hm?"

At this moment, the university leaders on the main platform couldn’t help but frown.

"What’s going on?"

President Li Lingming turned his head and asked in a low voice to Director Chen, who was sitting next to him sporting a comb-over.

This was a live broadcast, after all!

And this time, they had invited so many prominent figures from the business world to attend. If something really went wrong, it would be a huge embarrassment!

"President, I’ll go ask,"

Director Chen replied in a hushed tone.

After speaking, he discreetly got up to make inquiries.

At that moment, it wasn’t just the audience who was confused. Gu Yizhou, on stage, was also a bit baffled, because he had no idea what was happening either!

While everyone was wondering, the hostess suddenly rushed to Gu Yizhou’s side and whispered in his ear, "Senior Yizhou, there’s a sudden issue with the equipment backstage. We need some time to adjust it. Could you help me stall for a few minutes?"

Gu Yizhou: "..."

’Of all the things that could happen, this had to happen to me.’ Gu Yizhou didn’t know what to say.

He shook his head helplessly and said, "Alright. Just tell me what you need me to do."

"Okay!"

The hostess nodded.

She then raised her microphone and addressed the audience. "Everyone, since Senior Yizhou will be performing an original song, the backstage crew needs a little more time to adjust the equipment. Please be patient for just a little while longer. We can chat a bit to pass the time."

"Oohh~"

Hearing the hostess’s words, the audience, though still a little confused, didn’t say much.

"Um... Everyone, I’m sure you’re all curious about the original song Senior Yizhou has prepared, right?"

"Actually, I’m very curious too!"

With that, she turned the microphone towards Gu Yizhou and asked, "So, Senior Yizhou, what’s the name of the song you’re going to perform?"

At her question, the audience’s interest was immediately piqued.

Since they were just waiting anyway, hearing about the song’s creation process sounded quite interesting.

"Um... The song I’m going to perform is called ’Mohe Dance Hall’."

Gu Yizhou said, playing along perfectly.

"Mohe Dance Hall?"

The hostess was slightly taken aback, then she continued to ask, "That’s a very unique name, Senior Yizhou. Does the title have any special meaning?"

"Well... the title is the name of a place."

Gu Yizhou thought for a moment before saying, "Actually, there’s a special story behind this song."

"Oh?"

The hostess’s eyes lit up when she heard Gu Yizhou’s words.

"Senior Yizhou, could you share the story behind this song with us?"

she asked, looking at Gu Yizhou.

"Mm... Of course!"

Gu Yizhou nodded.

In an instant, everyone in the audience was intrigued.

"Um..."

Gu Yizhou paused in thought for a moment before speaking. "The story behind ’Mohe Dance Hall’ takes place by the Mo River, in the coldest, northernmost region. It’s a story about an old man and his wife.

"The first time the old man saw his wife, he was captivated by her dancing. He ardently pursued her, writing her poems and dancing with her in a crowded warehouse. You could say that was the most brilliant time of his life.

"But one day, a sudden, massive fire swept through all of Mo County. The news reports called it a ’skyfire.’ In just half a day, the county was reduced to ashes. And among the 193 people who died... was the old man’s wife.

"For the next thirty years, the old man never remarried.

"They had no children. For thirty years, without fail, he wrote letters to his wife, expressing his longing and love, but no reply ever came from heaven.

"Every evening, as night falls, the Mohe Dance Hall welcomes this lonely old man.

"The music plays, the lights sway, and he stands in the center of the dance floor, as if he’s back in that small warehouse, dancing gracefully with the person he loved most.

"One of the letters the old man wrote to his wife went like this: ’The suffering has passed, the world is a wonderful place, and I have grown much older.

"’Why do people become beautiful, and why do they wither away? Did we anger the resting gods, or were even they jealous of your beauty, granting you such a fiery entrance, and then such a fiery departure.

"’We will fall in love. Of this, I have no doubt.’"

Gu Yizhou’s voice was low and deep. After hearing his story, everyone in the audience was deeply moved.

The images and scenes he described appeared in their minds, and the eyes of many of the more emotional girls in the crowd were already turning red.

They were all touched by the old man and his wife’s tragically beautiful love story.

"Hooo..."

Gu Yizhou let out a long breath.

’In this chaotic era, a love story this poignant is perhaps a final sanctuary for the human soul.’

’Although in this world, there was no such place as Mo River.’

But Gu Yizhou had no intention of changing the lyrics.

Because this was the greatest respect he could show for the old man’s love!

Standing beside Gu Yizhou, the hostess’s eyes were red-rimmed, lost in the story and unable to pull herself away for a long moment.

Just then, a notice came through her earpiece from the crew: the equipment was ready.

And the piano Gu Yizhou needed for his performance had also been tuned by the staff.

Displaying her professionalism, she quickly composed herself, raised the microphone, and said, "I never expected there to be such a poignant and moving love story behind Senior Yizhou’s song."

"After hearing the story behind it, I’m even more curious about Senior Yizhou’s ’Mohe Dance Hall’!"

"I’m sure our friends in the audience feel the same way, right?"

"Alright, enough talk."

"Let’s give the stage to Senior Yizhou!"

After speaking, she quickly walked offstage.

Seeing this, Gu Yizhou said no more. He silently turned, walked over to the piano in the center of the stage, and sat down.

After slightly adjusting the microphone, he looked out at the audience and said slowly, "This next song is ’Mohe Dance Hall.’ I hope you all enjoy it."

As soon as his words fell, the audience instantly grew quiet.

After all, they were all highly educated people; they had that much courtesy.

TING—

As the introductory music slowly began to play, Gu Yizhou brought the microphone to his lips and closed his eyes, gathering his emotions.

After the intro, he began to sing:

[I have never seen a village where the aurora appears, nor have I seen anyone set off fireworks in the dead of night...]

[The evening stars are like your eyes, murderous and ablaze; you said nothing, and the wild wind startled me...]

...