Early the next morning, Luo Xi drove over to pick up Rong Xu.

Just as Rong Xu came downstairs, the young girl widened her eyes and stared in surprise at the artist’s neck. After looking for a full minute, Luo Xi finally murmured, “Xiao Xu, the temperature is pretty warm today. Why… why are you wearing a turtleneck sweater?”

Opening the car door, Rong Xu sat directly in the back seat. While fastening his seatbelt calmly, he replied, “I think I caught a bit of a cold last night. But Sister Xi, didn’t I also wear a turtleneck sweater yesterday?”

Luo Xi: “…Uh, it does seem like that.”

The young man smiled and said, “Lao Yang should already be waiting at the company. Let’s hurry up and go. I think if everything goes smoothly today, I can finish recording the last song, and then take a few days off…”

Luo Xi didn’t notice anything unusual about the young man. If it had been Luo Zhentao, he probably would have noticed something was off right away.

Rong Xu rarely talked this much. Usually in the car, he was the quiet listener, with Luo Zhentao and Luo Xi doing most of the talking. But today, he spoke for a long time, making Luo Xi gradually forget the question she originally wanted to ask.

Indeed, Rong Xu wore a turtleneck sweater yesterday too, but that one was nothing like today’s—it wasn’t nearly this high.

This collar was so high it almost covered his chin, not a bit of his neck was visible!

However, the topic was changed by the young man, and when Luo Xi began talking about her conversations with fan moderators the night before, Rong Xu slowly exhaled and leaned back into the soft sofa cushion, subtly reaching toward his neck.

After feeling through the thick turtleneck for a moment, the young man took out his phone and looked down at the screen.

【Rong Xu: Today, I’m the one feeling wronged.】

Qin Cheng, who was brushing his teeth, suddenly received this message. Raising an eyebrow lightly, he asked:

【Why?】

Rong Xu pursed his lips:

【Even Sister Xi thinks I’m overdoing it with this outfit.】

If even Luo Xi noticed something was wrong, how could they hide it from Luo Zhentao and Lao Yang once they got to the company?

Qin Cheng’s lips curled slightly:

【My bad. Dinner’s on me tonight.】

Rong Xu didn’t think much of it and smiled lightly, replying, “That’s your promise. I want you to cook it yourself.” Then he moved on to other topics. They chatted for a while until the car steadily pulled into the parking lot of Huaxia Entertainment. Rong Xu and Luo Xi took the elevator upstairs together.

Upon arriving at the recording studio, sure enough, both Luo Zhentao and Lao Yang’s eyes instinctively focused on Rong Xu’s thick turtleneck sweater.

Lao Yang asked in surprise, “I didn’t know this was a trend among young people recently—to wear turtlenecks this high?”

Luo Zhentao was also very surprised: “I haven’t heard of that.”

Rong Xu stepped forward with a smile and changed the subject: “Lao Yang, I listened to the demo a few times at home yesterday and think I’ve caught a bit of the feeling. Let’s not delay—shall we start recording?”

To Yang Changzheng, recording was far more important than sweaters. Hearing Rong Xu’s words, he immediately began preparing the equipment.

The whole morning, Rong Xu recorded the lead single ten times. By the ninth take, Yang Changzheng told him to stop, and the two discussed carefully the feeling the song needed.

“What is the most desperate thing in this world? It’s not that you’re going through hardships, or that you encountered obstacles—it’s that no matter how hard you try, you can’t see the end,” Yang Changzheng said seriously. “What we want to express is how you stubbornly keep moving forward when faced with true despair.”

Rong Xu thought for a moment: “The saddest thing is, I want to move forward, but I can’t see the end.”

Yang Changzheng was slightly surprised: “Yes, that’s the most desperate state I mentioned. But what you must express is not just despair—you must show how you grit your teeth and keep going, until one day you suddenly see hope.”

Lao Yang spoke simply, and Rong Xu understood the principle. But how to convey that struggling spirit was not something that could be explained in a few words. After discussing some more with Lao Yang, Rong Xu walked alone to the lounge and stood by the window, looking down on the bustling cityscape of B City.

From such a high floor, countless people looked as tiny as ants, slowly crawling on the ground. The majority of people in this world were ordinary; not everyone could be a hero or a great person, but every life had its meaning.

People live not just for themselves, but for everyone who loves them, to make the world better. Even the most ordinary life has value, and what you need to do is to keep moving forward, seeking a happier tomorrow.

Rong Xu stayed in the lounge for more than half an hour. Behind the door, Luo Zhentao and Yang Changzheng watched the young man’s slender, upright back.

Only then did Luo Zhentao suddenly realize that the white sweater Rong Xu was wearing made him seem somewhat cool and distant. When sunlight shone through the window onto the turtleneck, his slender waist and narrow shoulders looked delicate and handsome. Even just from behind, he seemed very striking, as if out of place in this world.

Such an outstanding person always seemed destined to be lonely for a lifetime…

“Do you know why I want to work with Xiao Rong?”

His thoughts were interrupted. Luo Zhentao quickly turned his head and saw Lao Yang holding a cup of hot tea, smiling warmly at him. After thinking for a moment, Luo Zhentao shook his head, then nodded again: “Xiao Xu’s vocal condition is very good. And although I don’t know why, his singing skills themselves are also quite strong, with good technique.”

The implication was clear—his artist was excellent, and this choice was natural.

But Yang Changzheng shook his head: “There are at least ten to twenty singers with better skills and voices than Xiao Rong in the music scene. He’s excellent, but he’s not the only one. Even Ling Xiao back then had a good voice and technique, but he became Ling Xiao because of his talent for composition—not just because he could sing well.”

Luo Zhentao was suddenly stunned.

Yang Changzheng didn’t answer directly. He turned his head, meaningfully looking at the young man in the lounge. His gaze was calm and deep, seasoned by years. After a long moment, he smiled and said: “The song Rong Xu sang at Lin Xuan’s concert was what made me want to collaborate with him. His voice pierced the soul in that concert.”

Luo Zhentao immediately understood: “You mean ‘Lost Wings’?”

Unexpectedly, Yang Changzheng denied it: “No, it was ‘Silent.’”

Luo Zhentao frowned tightly. He wanted to ask more, but Lao Yang carried his cup and turned to pour some water, giving no chance for questions. Luo Zhentao thought it over carefully but couldn’t understand—at that concert, Rong Xu was the first to sing ‘Lost Wings,’ which received more praise online, while ‘Silent’ was a duet with Lin Xuan and hadn’t stirred much response among fans.

How could ‘Silent’ be better than ‘Lost Wings’?

Half an hour later, Rong Xu came out of the lounge and exchanged a glance with Lao Yang, then continued recording.

After the tenth take, Yang Changzheng frowned deeply, remaining silent for a long time. Rong Xu sat quietly in the studio, watching him.

After a while, Yang Changzheng smiled: “It’s already at eighty percent of the feeling. It’s noon now, Xiao Rong, let’s have lunch and continue this afternoon. I believe today we’ll definitely finish recording.”

Lao Yang was right. In the afternoon, they recorded seven more takes. By the sixth take, Rong Xu had one breathy sound that wasn’t handled well, but Yang Changzheng excitedly said, “Good! That’s the feeling! Don’t stop, keep going!”

After the seventh take, the song “Counterflow” was finally completed.

Lao Yang, one of Huaxia’s top musicians, was so excited he rushed into the recording room and gave Rong Xu a tight hug. Rong Xu laughed awkwardly but returned the hug. Then the group left Huaxia Entertainment, with Lao Yang treating everyone to a big meal.

Lao Yang waved his hand casually: “I’m paying—eat up. Anyone who eats less is disrespecting me—except Xiao Rong.”

Luo Xi immediately widened her eyes: “Lao Yang, why except Xiao Rong?”

Lao Yang replied matter-of-factly: “What if I overfeed him today and then have to call him back for more recording in a few days? You, little girl, want to come help me record?”

After the meal, Luo Zhentao drove Luo Xi and Rong Xu home. Since it was on the way, he dropped off Luo Xi first. When it was just the two of them in the car, Luo Zhentao simply relayed Yang Lao’s words from the afternoon. When he mentioned “Lao Yang prefers that song ‘Silent’ more,” Rong Xu interrupted, “Silent?”

Luo Zhentao nodded: “Yes, ‘Silent.’ Lao Yang said when you sang that song, it pierced the soul—those were his exact words. Xiao Rong, do you know why? I think you sing ‘Lost Wings’ better, so why does Lao Yang like ‘Silent’ more?”

With a slight smile, Rong Xu chuckled softly: “I don’t really know—maybe he has his own reasons.”

Luo Zhentao muttered something and didn’t say more. Unbeknownst to him, in the back seat, the delicate and handsome young man couldn’t help but smile, as if he had realized something.

“‘Silent’—that song ‘Silent’—he sang it looking at Qin Cheng.”

That night, the man wore a heavy mascot costume. Hidden beneath the thick outfit, he held up a light board with three words written on it—

“I love you.”

This was the man’s silent confession to him. But in front of thirty thousand fans and countless livestream viewers, he couldn’t respond; he could only softly sing the melody of “Silent,” intently gazing at that man, as if by doing so, he could see through the mascot suit and clearly recognize the person hiding behind it—the one he deeply loved.

As for “Lost Wings,” he somewhat understood for whom Ling Xiao had written that song and understood Ling Xiao’s feelings for that person, but he couldn’t truly experience it himself. However, “Silent” was different. Qin Cheng had given him that silent “I love you,” which inspired his song “Silent.” It was their secret, their sweetest secret.

His mood involuntarily brightened. After arriving downstairs, Rong Xu thoughtfully reminded Luo Zhentao, “Don’t be too busy, Brother Luo. You’re at the peak of your career now, but some things are more important than your career.” Pausing, he smiled and added, “This is what Lao Yang wants to tell you, and what I want to tell you as well.”

Luo Zhentao was stunned: “Huh? When did Lao Yang want to say that to me?”

The young man raised an eyebrow: “Isn’t that what Lao Yang meant in the song we recorded today, ‘Counterflow’?”

Luo Zhentao: “Ah?!”

Without further explanation, Rong Xu happily entered the apartment building and took the elevator upstairs. Standing in the elevator, he thought about what kind of big meal a certain man had prepared for him and recalled the moving feelings that man had given him at the concert, unable to help but laugh softly.

However, ten minutes later, in the bedroom—

Rong Xu: “Qin Cheng! What about that promised big meal! You jerk, wah…”

The exquisitely handsome man calmly kissed his lips while his fingers skillfully undid buttons: “Aren’t I your big meal?”

Rong Xu: “@#$^$^#%!!!”

Who wants to eat that kind of big meal? Return, return, return!!!

What feelings? What silent confession? It was all a lie!

How could he have ever fallen for such a shameless man?!

No matter how much he complained, eventually Rong Xu also got caught up in it, tightly holding the man’s hand as they reached their climax together. Rarely having a break, unlike last night when they only managed once, they stayed in bed all night without getting up until the morning sunlight streamed through the curtains and Rong Xu slowly opened his eyes.

He wanted to get up but his waist hurt. Just as he was about to support himself with his arms, his whole body collapsed back down.

They had been together so long that Rong Xu’s body was used to being with the other man in that way, but this time, the exertion had left him unable to get out of bed—showing just how intense the night had been. With a crooked mouth, the young man immediately slapped that man’s chin. Qin Cheng grabbed his hand: “Why did you hit me?”

Rong Xu glanced: “Then why did you pretend to be asleep?”

The man hugged the youth tightly, calmly asking back, “Did I?”

Rong Xu: “…Shameless!!!”

All morning long, that man resignedly massaged the youth’s waist and legs for the sake of their future happiness. While massaging, his fingers wandered to a forbidden place and were quickly caught by Rong Xu.

Qin Cheng looked up; Rong Xu hummed lightly: “I have plans with Lin Xuan tonight.”

Qin Cheng pursed his lips: “Since when have you been so close with him?”

Mimicking the calm expression the man had this morning, the youth calmly asked: “Am I?”

Qin Cheng: “…”

By evening, no matter how unwilling Qin Cheng was, Rong Xu still went out. In his previous life, he had a driver’s license, and in this life, he’d pulled some strings to get one quickly. Now he could drive by himself. Qin Cheng couldn’t stop him and could only stand at the entrance calmly asking, “Are you willing to leave me eating dinner alone at home?”

Rong Xu smiled lightly: “Don’t even think about it. You’re not coming.”

Qin Cheng: “…”

When Rong Xu arrived at the upscale club and entered Qin Fengfeng’s group’s private room, everyone exchanged pleasantries and started eating. During the meal, Wen Xuan mentioned that Lin Xuan was trending on Weibo again today due to a scandal, so Rong Xu opened his phone but accidentally saw another Weibo post.

【Lotus Paste Orange Filling: Angry! So mad! Super mad! He went out partying alone without bringing the baby, leaving the baby to eat cold food at home!!! Hmph, I’m mad. He’d better not come back, and if he does, I won’t talk to him the whole day! <(‵^′)>!!!】

Opening the post, all the replies below were from Rong Xu’s fans.

【Hahaha, Goddess Orange is too cute, and you’re pouting with your hands on your hips! Haha, I’m dying laughing.】

【Such a cute, rich beauty Orange, dump that stinky man and come be with me~ Yuri is the way 2333】

Rong Xu calmly skimmed through these comments, then after a moment, sent a message back:

【I probably won’t come back tonight.】

The reply came instantly.

【Qin Cheng: Drinking? I’ll come pick you up.】

The youth smiled slightly: 【Do you want me to come back that much?】

【Qin Cheng: What’s wrong?】

Looking at the reply on the screen, Rong Xu opened Weibo again, seeing that sentence “He’d better not come back, and if he does, I won’t talk to him,” and sighed helplessly. Silently, he opened his alt account.

【How to perfectly eat an orange: Tip 5 — Actually, I’m not easy either. Feels like I’m spoiling him every day. So hard ^_^】

That night, Rong Xu didn’t drink and drove home himself. After taking a shower, he saw a certain man blocking the door. Before he could react, Qin Cheng suddenly leaned down and kissed him.

—He’d better not come back?

—I’m here to pick you up.

—Not talking to him the whole day!

—Muah muah.

So yes, he really wasn’t having it easy.

Time flew by, and the short vacation ended amidst all their sweet teasing and playful bickering. On April 15th was the annual Golden Phoenix Awards ceremony. Before that, Rong Xu had already participated multiple times in promotional events with the crews of “Black Clouds” and “Silent.”

On April 17th, a voting event started on Weibo. Every netizen could choose the work they thought would win awards—from simple technical awards to the grand prize. Fans could vote freely, and the official organizers would randomly select three viewers who guessed correctly to receive gifts.

This event stirred up a frenzy among netizens. Many weren’t just interested in the gifts; they wanted to vote for their favorite works and actors. Even those who hadn’t cared much about the Golden Phoenix Awards before decided to watch the live broadcast because of the event.

Thus, amid such widespread anticipation, April 18th arrived on time, and the 2045 Golden Phoenix Awards commenced as scheduled.