Chapter 45: Blue Hyacinth

Li Songyi followed Pan Jun’s assistant, weaving through the corridors to the backstage area.

In the air-conditioned waiting room, he found Li Tingzhou comforting his partner. “It’s fine, you sang beautifully. I didn’t hear any wavering in your voice at all,” his brother said, his tone gentle and his demeanor calm.

His younger brother had grown into a fully mature man.

“Tingzhou.”

Li Tingzhou turned around and immediately came over. “Is it convenient for you to be here?”

The three people who knew the situation—Pan Jun, Ren Shiyu, and Liu Lusi—instantly became alert. Within seconds, they discreetly cleared the waiting room. They moved to the adjacent suite, which was filled with support drinks, desserts, and flowers sent by Ren Shiyu’s friends. Oh, and there was also a bouquet of blue-violet flowers, but it was unsigned, only specifying it was for Mengmeng.

Unfortunately, First Sister and Mengmeng, who had just finished their performance, were in no mood to sort through social obligations.

In the outer room, First Sister was busy panicking with belated anxiety and going over the performance.

In the inner room, the Li brothers, after a brief moment of subdued excitement, fell back into silence.

“It’s Friday. Don’t you have to work?”

Li Songyi reached out and plucked a small glittering sequin from his brother’s hair. It stuck to his fingertip, and he didn’t bother to brush it away, saying casually, “You know better.”

Li Tingzhou shook his head. “I don’t know, I really don’t.”

Clearly, he was recalling some bad memories involving long-distance flights.

“This is my first time seeing your performance live. To be honest, Tingzhou, you did even better than I imagined. It was a bit beyond expectations.” Li Songyi was never stingy with his praise for his brother. “I’ll tell Mom and Dad later. I’ll let them know Tingzhou has grown up and will stand on even bigger stages in the future.”

Li Tingzhou was uncharacteristically coy. “Don’t you go sending them any links. If they want to watch, they can. No one’s forcing them.”

As he spoke, he took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Li Songyi put his glasses away for him. “They love to watch. Everyone loves to watch you.”

Skipping over this topic, which made Li Tingzhou inexplicably embarrassed, the brothers chatted about family matters for a while. When it was about time to face the cameras outside, Li Songyi patted his brother’s shoulder lightly twice. “You’re too wound up. After this busy period, get some proper rest. I know you’re on the rise and have endless schedules. But if your state isn’t right, you’ll live very exhaustingly.”

“Even just a day or two would do. Have a full, deep sleep and replenish your energy.”

Li Tingzhou nodded blankly. “Oh.”

“Don’t see me out. Someone will guide me out.”

After turning to leave, Li Songyi turned back and added, “Don’t let me catch you working all night again. You’re so young, you can’t develop such bad habits.”

Meaning, you can pull all-nighters when you’re my age?

But Li Tingzhou knew when to be sensible. He didn’t talk back, just obediently nodded. “Okay, okay! Hurry back! It’ll be so crowded when everyone leaves. Drive safely on the road, and let me know once you arrive.”

Li Songyi gave him a gratified look that said, “That’s more like it.”

He turned and left, his tall, upright figure like a pine tree slowly disappearing down the corridor.

Returning to the waiting room, Liu Lusi was the first to approach him. “All done? Quickly recover your state, I’ll call them in.” Saying this, she waved the makeup artist over to touch up Mengmeng’s makeup.

The makeup artist, holding a small powder compact, started patting away again.

Li Tingzhou instinctively held his breath, seizing opportunities to breathe.

Just then, First Sister returned, holding a cup of warm water. Pointing at a bouquet on the outer room’s table, she asked, “These flowers are quite pretty. Who sent them?”

A staff member answered, “We don’t know, but they’re addressed to Mengmeng.”

Ren Shiyu called Li Tingzhou over. “Mengmeng, come take a look yourself.”

The bouquet was clearly carefully selected and designed. The main flowers and filler flowers were all expensive, unique, and elegantly simple. The understated logo on the packaging suggested it was fresh flowers delivered directly from a shop in S City.

Of course, the bouquet worth a few thousand wasn’t the real point.

First Sister was mainly worried Mengmeng might forget or outright overlook a social obligation…

Li Tingzhou came out and looked. “Who sent it?”

“No one said. There’s no card inside either.”

Liu Lusi had a general idea. She wasn’t completely certain, but she had over 80% confidence. However, Li Tingzhou stared at the few stalks of blue hyacinth in the bouquet and suddenly picked up his phone. “I just remembered something I need to tell my brother. Sister Shiyu, hold the fort, I’ll be right back!”

With that, he ran out like a gust of wind.

Li Tingzhou moved quickly. His sprint down the stairs was just in time to catch Li Songyi reaching the parking lot.

“Wait!”

Li Songyi on the other end seemed to sense something, turning his head. “What’s wrong?”

Li Tingzhou rushed up and gave his brother a bear hug. “I’ll come home for Mid-Autumn.”

Pausing for a second, Li Songyi hugged him back. “Everyone will be waiting to have dinner together.”

He was waiting for Li Tingzhou to speak, and Li Tingzhou was also thinking rapidly: Given his brother’s salary, subsidies, and spending habits, he really couldn’t afford such nice, expensive flowers. But what if? Even if there was only a 1% chance.

“You—”

“Hold on, a phone call.” Li Songyi pressed his brother’s shoulder and took his phone from his pocket. “This is Li Songyi. Alright, you keep an eye on the scene first, notify the relevant units that need notifying. I’m heading over now, but I can’t stay long. You’d better also communicate with Secretary Huang, yes…”

This phone call blocked the words Li Tingzhou was about to say.

He thought again. It seemed there was no need to ask anymore.

“You’re busy. I’ll go back up too.”

Li Songyi nodded, wanting to touch his brother’s cheek, smooth down his fringe, but seeing it was completely untouchable, he settled for squeezing the back of his neck. He mouthed, “Hurry back.”

Feeling a little deflated, Li Tingzhou turned and walked away.

Riding the elevator up to the 6th floor, he navigated the backstage corridors with familiarity.

Just as he was about to enter the waiting room, Li Tingzhou glimpsed an unfamiliar yet distinctive back figure. A staff member beside him was providing directions. The staffer had sharp eyes, spotted Mengmeng behind, and immediately raised his voice: “Ah, here he is!”

That person spun around abruptly, his gaze astonishingly bright. “Mengmeng!”

Li Tingzhou was slightly surprised. He’d thought Cui Lin would come backstage to say hello, but not so soon. “I thought you were watching the show in the front.”

Cui Lin walked over confidently. “I came specifically to see you.”

He didn’t ask where Li Tingzhou had been, just quickly scanned his expression.

The person who could stir his soul so deeply was so calm.

Cui Lin suddenly remembered his uncle’s laughing curse: “One thing always subdues another.”

Since he’d come all this way, Li Tingzhou felt embarrassed to turn him away. He asked politely, “Do you want to come in? First Sister’s side has tea, snacks, and pastries…”

Remembering his uncle’s instructions, Cui Lin suppressed his delight and nodded with restraint.

Inside, Ren Shiyu jumped in surprise but quickly put on a smile and walked over. “A rare guest! No wonder Mengmeng suddenly needed a plus-one for the relations section. Turns out it was saved for you.”

These words were pleasing to hear.

Cui Lin was about to ask something when the staff member from before returned—

“Teacher Mengmeng, another flower delivery for you. Please come out and sign for it!”

Li Tingzhou was first stunned, glanced at the blue-violet bouquet on the table, then his gaze passed over Cui Lin, whose expression was twisted. He understood instantly. Taking a light breath, he responded, “Coming,” and got up to walk outside.

It was a delicate, small bouquet of blue-violet hyacinths.

Ink-blue wrapping paper lined with white lace-printed paper, the tie a gradient water-blue shade. The blooming hyacinths were intensely colored, almost oil-painting in texture. The bouquet was accented with a few green hyacinth leaves and two young hyacinths just starting to bud, striking a balance between rich intensity and elegant simplicity.

On the small white card were only four characters: “Wishing you happiness.”

When Li Tingzhou carried it back to the waiting room, Cui Lin nearly lost his composure on the spot.

He had imagined many scenarios of discussing photography and flowers with Mengmeng, but never expected that a simple blue hyacinth bouquet, with no extravagant configuration, would surpass the one he had urgently couriered from S City. It hit the target so precisely; his own bouquet with its scattered hyacinths suddenly looked utterly ridiculous…

Ren Shiyu, suddenly facing a high-stakes social situation, her brain kicked into overdrive!

“Next time, I must get them to send me flowers too. Food is gone once you eat it, but flowers stay in my room for ten days to half a month. Lu Si, weren’t you going to take backstage photos for him? Isn’t this the perfect prop for pics?”

Liu Lusi hurriedly chimed in. “What perfect timing, the film you told me to order arrived.”

Saying this, she started fumbling to load the film.

Cui Lin forcibly swallowed his emotions, reaching out to take over. “Let me do it. I’m pretty good with a Polaroid now too. I guarantee I’ll make Mengmeng and First Sister look beautiful and handsome.”

First Sister sighed in relief. “You came all this way, it’s not easy. Take a couple of pictures yourself!”

Cui Lin’s malicious intent was hidden behind his seemingly compliant expression. “Okay.”

The only regret was that Mengmeng insisted on holding that hyacinth bouquet for the photos.

Cui Lin consoled himself: The bouquet I sent was too heavy. He really couldn’t hold it with one hand anyways.

~

As expected, Ren Shiyu and Mengmeng’s group won first place in the Top Five Vocal Concert.

At this point, the outcome was decided ahead of schedule.

When the results were announced, First Sister couldn’t help but cry.

She was a mix of emotions. In the moment the pressure was released, she felt the true meaning of the phrase “hard work pays off.”

The spectacle of Zhao Chenmin’s group during rehearsals had caused anxiety, but her and Mengmeng’s live performance had been superior. The symphony orchestra was truly the ultimate atmosphere-enhancing weapon, seemingly providing an endless supply of confidence and courage. In the end, their rendition of “Torrent” received the highest audience vote of the season so far—96%!

Standing beside her, Li Tingzhou also felt a mix of emotions.

He felt like he had evolved.

It was as if passing through a phase, gaining new insights into his approach and methods.

Pressure truly could stimulate potential.

Before, how could he have ever imagined a life filled with weekly deadlines for compositions, rehearsals, and performances?

But now, he could completely find his rhythm under intense pressure and control it. Whether fully assigned or semi-assigned, he was always quick to grasp the solution and persuade his partner to realize it alongside him. Although there were difficulties along the way, the results were often exhilarating…

The final night was just around the corner. Only one last step remained.

First Sister ordered a late-night snack with revengeful zeal, her scale shocking everyone.

Li Tingzhou was slightly spaced out, but no one disturbed him for it.

In truth, he had already started screening tracks for the finale battle song in his cloud music library.

As for Cui Lin, his mood was jubilant at this turn of fortune. He no longer dwelled on the regret that Mengmeng hadn’t used his flowers for the photos. Because of First Sister’s earnest invitation, Cui Lin successfully joined the late-night snack squad.

Even better, he sat right next to Mengmeng!

Dai Jier was a bit heat-stricken, so Mao Maoyu had taken him back to the hotel.

As for Eldan, although this man was feared by Cui Lin, considering he had known Mengmeng for 7 years, Cui Lin thought: Knew him for 7 years, and both had past relationships—that actually proves this person is safe.

Therefore, Cui Lin could tolerate eating at the same table as this mixed-race Russian.

Eldan was more “Sinified” than he’d imagined.

He used chopsticks extremely well, even serving Mengmeng food.

Cui Lin refused to be outdone, also searching for Mengmeng’s preferred flavors and serving him a few bites.

The two of them went back and forth, secretly competing with their eyes. By the time Li Tingzhou himself snapped out of his daze and looked down, his bowl was piled high. He sighed helplessly. “This much, what if I can’t finish?”

Cui Lin directly extended his own bowl. “Give me whatever you don’t like.”

Even with long arms, Eldan couldn’t reach across the entire table.

A step slow, every step slow. From then on, whenever Li Tingzhou encountered something he didn’t want to eat, he would first ask Cui Lin beside him: “Do you like this? Want some? I haven’t touched it, so take it. It was expensive, don’t let it go to waste.”

Could Cui Lin refuse?

He was even willing to take it directly with his mouth.

Although it was called a late-night snack, they actually dispersed just before 9 PM.

The Top Five Vocal Concert recording went more smoothly than expected. It started at 5 PM and ended just before 7 PM. By the time the recording wrapped and everyone dispersed, it was only 7:30. In just half an hour, they had even efficiently recorded the preview trailer for the King of Singers Night.

Thus, after the meal, everyone could still make it back to watch the 4th Public Performance broadcast in the evening.

Consequently, First Sister earnestly invited Mengmeng for another round.

Li Tingzhou looked at Cui Lin. “Are you staying in G City tonight?”

He felt Cui Lin was very agreeable tonight, at least better than the impressions from previous encounters, so he spoke to him with a calm expression. Cui Lin could still keep his face composed, but inwardly, he had been overwhelmed by this unexpected favor since the meal began: Mengmeng served him food. Mengmeng poured him juice. Mengmeng shared wet wipes with him when wiping his hands. Mengmeng told him to watch his step as they went downstairs…

And now, Mengmeng was even proactively asking where he was staying tonight.

Cui Lin was completely shaken.

He finally realized: So being Mengmeng’s friend felt this amazing?

Cui Lin named a hotel. Mengmeng nodded knowingly, seemingly calculating the distance, then proposed: “We’ll drop you off first, then.” He turned to look at First Sister. “Let’s take Cui Lin back first.”

First Sister nodded and got in the car first.

Next was Eldan, who chose the right-side seat in the second row.

The third row of the nanny van was still empty. Li Tingzhou got in first, then called Cui Lin.

Once seated, Cui Lin inadvertently brushed against Mengmeng’s warm arm. Mengmeng didn’t seem to mind the touch, closing his eyes and resting against the seat as soon as he sat down. First Sister had the assistant play the setlist. Some songs Cui Lin had never heard before, paired with Mengmeng’s incredibly familiar voice, suddenly awakened his ears without warning.

First Sister suddenly said, “I’ve been choosing for three days, and I still like the second one best.”

Though his eyes were closed, Mengmeng answered immediately: “Okay.”

Soon, Eldan also joined the discussion.

Cui Lin felt like an outsider (which he was) and was suddenly left out. He thought further that he was perhaps the one who should pretend to be asleep.

Just as he was enjoying hearing Mengmeng’s unreleased songs and analyzing their topic with slight anxiety, the hand belonging to Mengmeng came over. His fingertips tapped lightly on the back of Cui Lin’s hand. “Hold out your hand.”

Cui Lin reflexively extended his hand.

“No, turn it over.”

Cui Lin obediently turned his palm facing up.

The next second, a mint candy was placed there.

It wasn’t individually wrapped; it was clearly one piece taken from a strip-style pack. Cui Lin asked, knowing the answer: “For me?”

“If you’re not eating it, give it back.”

No way! Cui Lin hastily peeled off the wrapper and stuffed it into his mouth.

The stimulating mint aroma exploded in his mouth instantly.

He heard Mengmeng lazily instruct, “Don’t fall asleep. After you get back to the hotel, support my and First Sister’s show broadcast.”

Cui Lin fought to keep a straight face. “As if I need you to remind me, I—”

“I watch every single episode!”

He almost slipped up. He actually watched the [Watch Only Mengmeng] cut on Tidal Net every episode.

First Sister laughed in the front row. “Then we truly thank Teacher Cui for your support.”

Honestly, before Cui Lin came, she thought he was just being polite.

She didn’t expect him to speak so knowledgeably, even noticing that this guy had watched analyses from various commentary bloggers. Conspiracy theories about the production team, the overt and covert struggles of the contestants—he was aware of it all.

She was curious, but she didn’t ask directly in front of Mengmeng.

Cui Lin hadn’t forgotten his uncle’s instructions: Don’t ask about everything. If you ask too many questions, people will think you don’t use your brain.