Coincidentally, these were things Song Guanyu wasn't very good at. But Ye Yansheng's suggestion seemed to imply he wanted to take a walk with her.
At his proposal, Song Guanyu thought... it was fine, but then she turned her head and frowned, thinking about something.
It was said that many older, traditional men were very conventional in relationships—they liked walking, holding hands, and strolling in the sunlight. It gave a plain, warm feeling. They craved stability, and Ye Yansheng was probably like that.
Seeing her expression, Ye Yansheng asked what was wrong.
She shook her head and smiled at him. "Nothing. I was just thinking that if I weren't such a famous singer, maybe you and I could be like a normal couple. You wouldn't have to hide me, and we'd be more at ease."
Even our marriage would be open and aboveboard.
She really wanted to stick close to Ye Yansheng every day, because being with him gave her a comfort she'd never felt before.
The entertainment industry was complicated; that was why she wanted to find someone outside it.
She wanted to protect her partner while also longing for a happy and joyful love. People were never satisfied.
Ye Yansheng understood her. He quietly lowered his eyes, thought for a moment, and suggested, "Then let's go back to the hotel." At the hotel, he could also help her digest.
Song Guanyu didn't want to go back to the hotel just yet. She was looking forward to the feeling of being with Ye Yansheng—as if the whole world belonged to just the two of them. Besides, she only had these few days free.
In two days, they would return to China, and work would start: preparing for a new album, shooting commercial ads, and she had recently been invited to be a mentor on a music show but declined because she still owed many songs—OSTs for TV dramas and movies, lyrics and composition. In short, she was very busy.
So her time alone with Ye Yansheng was always short.
She looked out the window at the weather. New York's weather was especially good today. Not far from them, there was a music festival—seemingly a tour by a newly debuted band with a heavy metal style. It sounded great, and she wanted to check it out, maybe get some unexpected inspiration.
She also wanted to take Ye Yansheng. He probably had never been to such a place.
Seeing that she didn't want to go back, Ye Yansheng asked, "Then what do you want to do? I'll accompany you."
Her eyes sparkled, as if she had been waiting for that question. With a mysterious expression, she said, "Then I'll arrange the rest of your time. Just follow me."
After saying that, she looked at him expectantly. Ye Yansheng smiled and agreed.
"I'll follow you. Just don't sell me off."
Song Guanyu laughed at his expression. Then she looked down at her outfit today. If anyone could still recognize her, she'd give them an award.
She wasn't someone to be trifled with. Tabloids had all sorts of ridiculous headlines. As long as her face wasn't caught on camera, she would never admit to anything.
She suddenly wanted to rebel, to let loose.
After tidying up, she grabbed Ye Yansheng's wrist and headed out the door.
As they walked, she changed her voice again: "Little Ye Cousin~ Come with me. Your cousin will take you on a thrill."
Ye Yansheng's temple twitched. "..."
But he was also curious about what Song Guanyu had planned for him.
The two of them stepped out onto the street and hailed a taxi. Song Guanyu gave the address in fluent English. The car started, carrying them to their destination.
All the way, Ye Yansheng had a smile on his lips. He completely entrusted himself to Song Guanyu, enjoying the moment. There was a traffic jam for a while, and the closer they got, the heavier the traffic became. Eventually, they arrived smoothly.
When they arrived, they could see neon lights shooting into the clouds. The sound system was deafening, mixed with laughter and cheers.
She led him all the way to a large open-air beach. The sound of waves mixed with rock music, and the air carried a faint smell of sea and the wheaty aroma of beer.
He took a look around. It seemed like some kind of party. The crowd was dense, lights flashed everywhere, and many people were swaying to the rhythm. There were even women in bikinis kissing passionately with half-naked foreigners.
Ye Yansheng quickly looked away, his gaze landing on Song Guanyu ahead.
He pulled her back, pressing his lips close to her ear because the music was loud. "There are so many people here. If you get recognized, we—"
"Little Ye Cousin! We agreed that today you follow my arrangements. You have to do it!"
She continued, "There's an amazing music festival here today. Everyone's celebrating, welcoming the sunset over the Orange Sea! It's super romantic! It'll make your adrenaline spike. You work so hard as a doctor. Let's just relax. Even if I'm recognized, it's no problem for cousins to watch a music festival together!"
After listening, Ye Yansheng looked at the stage. It was set up on the beach. People were surfing in the sea, and around the beach were all kinds of craft beers. The smell of alcohol grew stronger as they walked further in.
Song Guanyu had apparently called ahead. They made their way behind the main control console. Ye Yansheng saw her talking anxiously to a man with shoulder-length hair. Listening closely, he learned their bassist was stuck in traffic, and the performance was about to start. They hoped Song Guanyu could help fill in as a temporary bassist.
At that moment, Song Guanyu didn't have her usual dazed look in front of him. Wearing overalls and white sneakers, she stood beside the tall man, listening seriously to what the man was saying, nodding occasionally.
Though Ye Yansheng couldn't see her expression, he knew there was a look of focus on her face—yes, focus, a focus on music.
It was the same look as that night when she was writing lyrics at the table—very earnest.
Then, as if feeling his gaze, Song Guanyu trotted over and looked up at him.
"Little Ye Cousin, do you want to watch me perform?"
Ye Yansheng had never been interested in music before, but now he wanted to see her on stage. So he nodded. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the long-haired man expressing gratitude to him.
He wasn't helping him; he just wanted to see Song Guanyu shine. Song Guanyu told him to go to the front of the stage to see her better.
Ye Yansheng agreed.
Actually, after he first found out she was a singer, he had searched for her online. In the videos, she was vivid, lively, sweet and cool, exuding freedom like a bird spreading its wings to fly.
But watching a video was different from seeing her in person.
He liked her, so he wanted to understand everything about her, to enter her world and revel with her.
Suddenly, the lights went out. White mist sprayed out. A crowd gradually gathered closer to the stage, with Ye Yansheng surrounded in the middle.
Song Guanyu, holding a bass guitar, went on stage with several tall men. She pulled down the brim of her cap. She was the shortest in stature.
But the feeling she gave off was that "I'm here, and this is my stage."
Each took their positions. The bassist opened the show, as each member of their band had a personal solo improvisation before the performance.
Song Guanyu kept her head down, the black brim hiding her entire face. Fortunately, she had listened to this band before and studied their melodies, or she wouldn't have been able to help.
She looked up and saw Ye Yansheng staring straight at her.
It was the first time she had seen him look at her like that.
He really is infatuated with me, Song Guanyu thought.
She lifted her fingers lightly. The diamond-studded bass guitar in her hand was plucked, producing a particularly rhythmic melody. The audience below was instantly ignited, cheering loudly.
This was a group of romantics' all-night revelry and musical tribute, with the sea breeze and sunset as witnesses. The malty aroma mixed with the air. Ye Yansheng's heartbeat swelled with every pluck of Song Guanyu's strings, filling his chest with countless bubbles like soda pop.
The fizzing sensation of bubbles bursting made his eyes hot.
He stood below, watching her on stage.
Ye Yansheng was like the bass guitar in Song Guanyu's hands. Every time her fingers plucked, his heart trembled, trembling for her, never to be extinguished.
Author's Note:
Sorry, a bit late.