Chapter 62: Putting Down the Golden Hoop Can't Save You, Wearing the Golden Hoop Can't Love You

In front of the screen, Xu Yunzhou felt the change in her emotions. It was a sense of insignificance produced in the face of a grander narrative and a nobler mission:

"Silly girl, what are you letting your imagination run wild about again?"

His voice seemed to carry the power to smooth out her mood,

"Remember, the ruler to measure achievement is never just one."

"Grandma Wu stepped forward during the years of war, protecting the home, country, mountains, and rivers; Lin Ruoxuan galloped in the business world, pushing forward the transformation of the era. And what about you?"

He paused, his tone carrying guidance and appreciation,

"You use your singing voice to soothe countless exhausted souls, giving so many people the courage and happiness to face difficulties directly."

"Your stage is equally a battlefield, the hope and power you transmit are equally changing the world, just in a different way. Is this not another kind of greatness? Who says only those standing in the light count as heroes? The song you sang yourself, have you forgotten?"

Song Jiaru listened blankly, her eyes gradually lighting up again, carrying a trace of uncertain hope:

"Big Brother... do you really... really think so? My existence is also very valuable?"

"Of course."

Xu Yunzhou's tone was incomparably affirmative,

"Every kind of talent deserves to be respected, every kind of effort shines brightly. You are you, the unique Song Jiaru, no need to compare with anyone. In my eyes, you are equally radiant and dazzling."

"Mhm!"

Song Jiaru nodded forcefully, as if putting down a heavy burden, a brilliant smile blooming on her face again,

"I understand! Big Brother, I will continue to work hard! Thank you!"

...

In the days that followed, under the full operation of Song Jinxuan and the capital behind her, plus the addition of Chang Yuan, an experienced and highly executive manager, to the team, Song Jiaru's career entered a golden period of high-speed development.

A professional team tailor-made her image, connected her with top-tier resources, and planned her development path.

From album production and MV shooting to brand endorsements and media exposure, everything was orderly and advanced efficiently.

Looking at the increasingly busy figure on the screen handling things with ease under the spotlight, Xu Yunzhou knew that in the professional field, the specific guidance he could provide was no longer much.

Her wings were fully fledged, more than ready to soar through a much vast sky.

Therefore, he mostly played the role of a "lyricist and composer."

He sent the classic works belonging to "Singer Song Jiaru" from different periods in the encyclopedia to her one by one according to rough chronological order.

"Beyond Light Years," "The Wind Rises," "Time is a Thief"... Song after song, whether ethereal, warm, or grand, perfectly fit her own growth and the team's planning, continuously consolidating her status and reputation as a "powerful singer."

(TL: Famous Chinese pop songs by G.E.M., Wu Qingfeng, and Yisa Yu respectively.)

Xu Yunzhou frequently clicked the [Fast Forward] button, skipping those repetitive practices, busy schedules, and social engagements, only selectively paying attention to key nodes:

New song releases, important award ceremonies, large-scale performances...

Although knowing clearly that every fast-forward meant the countdown to parting was accelerating.

But there was no longer the previous sorrow in his heart, replaced by an unsuppressible excitement and expectation.

Because after daybreak, the reunion in reality would be right before his eyes.

This expectation diluted all the melancholy of separation.

One day Song Jinxuan called, her excitement hard to conceal:

"Jiaru, the Spring Festival Gala directing team sent an invitation!"

(TL: Spring Festival Gala is the most-watched TV broadcast in China, a massive milestone for any artist.)

Song Jiaru froze for a moment before realizing she had finally reached this step.

She wasn't ecstatic, but subconsciously turned her head, looking toward that void behind her, her eyes full of panic and reluctance to part:

"Big Brother... the Spring Festival Gala... invited me..."

She had a strong premonition—looking at the attribute panel "Big Brother" sent recently, that "90 points" representing clearing the stage was only short of this final kick at the goal.

The very moment she steps onto that national stage, it would likely be... the time he leaves.

Xu Yunzhou offered a gentle, reassuring smile.

"Very good. You are about to stand upon the highest summit."

In the very next second, however, Song Jiaru abruptly turned and sprinted into her private dressing room. Slamming the door shut, she curled herself tightly into a narrow, dark corner, her muffled, agonizing sobs echoing through the empty space.

Xu Yunzhou fell silent.

He couldn't hug her. He could only click the [Reward] button over and over again, almost paranoidly, letting that layer of warm virtual halo envelop her trembling back, attempting to transmit even a tiny bit of comfort.

Who knows how long passed, the crying gradually stopped.

She raised her head, haphazardly wiped away the tears, her eyes showing the decisiveness of breaking the cauldrons and sinking the boats:

"Big Brother, I'll go."

She suddenly smiled, her tear-stained face having a poignantly beautiful fortitude:

"Just like what they said in 'A Chinese Odyssey'—putting down the golden hoop can't save you, but wearing the golden hoop means I can't love you. I will put on the golden hoop, and wait for you to come take it off for me."

(TL: In that show Monkey King(Sun Wukong) must don a restrictive magical golden hoop to gain the divine power necessary to save his loved one, but doing so forces him to renounce all mortal desires and romantic love forever.)

Xu Yunzhou looked toward the darkness before dawn outside the window, solemnly promising:

"Okay, it will be daybreak soon..."

Song Jiaru didn't press for the deep meaning of this "daybreak." She took a deep breath and asked:

"This time, what are we singing?"

"'Sea of Stars'. I prepared it for you long ago."

(TL: "Sea of Stars" dahai is a popular 2021 pop song by Huang Xiaoyun.)

When the sheet music and lyrics surfaced in the void, Song Jiaru hummed softly:

"Whenever you walk toward me, tell me of the sea of stars, distant faint light, walking with me... Will our love, be blown to the sea by the wind, never to return..."

Singing the last line, tears burst the banks again.

She abruptly turned her head, staring fixedly at the void, her eyes full of panic and despair:

"Big Brother! What does this lyric mean? 'Never to return'? Are you saying goodbye to me? What 2025 appointment, is it all you lying to me? Just like the sixteen-year appointment Xiaolongnü left in the Passionless Valley, just a lie to keep me alive?!"

(TL: Reference to Jin Yong's "Return of the Condor Heroes," where Xiaolongnü leaves a fake message promising to meet Yang Guo in 16 years so he won't commit suicide.)

Xu Yunzhou's heart jolted, and he hurriedly denied:

"Don't let your imagination run wild, it really doesn't mean that!"

But she simply couldn't listen, biting her pale lips tightly, word by word, resounding loudly, like making a blood oath:

"Big Brother, listen to me—if I don't see you on May 24, 2025, that night I will jump into the West Lake from the Broken Bridge! I will take this sky full of starlight and go find you in the true sea of stars!"

Xu Yunzhou supported his forehead, secretly rejoicing that he came back to see the continuation. Otherwise, if his brain cramped and he decided not to go, he would be doomed.

...

As soon as the Demo of "Sea of Stars" was delivered, it immediately triggered a nuclear-bomb-like sensation in the Spring Festival Gala directing team.

"This song... is simply born for this era!"

The Music Director slapped the table and stood up excitedly,

"The melody is grand and majestic, the lyrics are affectionate yet full of power. It has both the love of the small self and the sentiments of the greater self! This is absolutely a king-bomb that can serve as the grand finale!"

The directing team made the final decision on the spot:

"The golden time slot right before the zero-hour bell strikes, leave it for Jiaru! This song will serve as the heavy-hitting highlight of this year!"

For a time, the entire team operated crazily around this "divine song."

A masterpiece-tier orchestral arrangement was commissioned, a dreamy, holographic curtain of starlight was engineered for the stage, and Song Jiaru threw herself into rehearsals with a near-masochistic intensity.

She repeatedly polished every enunciation, every breath, every look in her eyes.

Because she knew this wasn't just a performance.

This was the love letter she wrote to him, her final attempt to keep him, and also a grand... farewell.

Time flew by, and New Year's Eve of 2015 arrived as promised amidst the anticipation of hundreds of millions of Chinese people.

This night, the Spring Festival Gala stage was brilliantly starlit.

Andy Lau sang "The Road Home" with deep affection, singing out the heartfelt wishes of wanderers;

Karen Mok crooned "When You Are Old," making the years gentle;

The Chopstick Brothers joined hands with Phoenix Legend, detonating the venue with "Little Apple," opening the era of square-dancing divine songs;

The soon-to-be massively popular sketch "Cater to Their Likes" by Shen Teng and Ma Li produced golden quotes frequently, making everyone laugh out loud...

But everyone had a premonition that the one destined to be conferred godhood tonight was highly likely that new star of the music scene about to step onto the Spring Festival Gala for the first time—Song Jiaru.