Chapter 6

After viewing several properties, Yu An prepared to head home. On the subway, he received a message from Qi Lin.

Qi Lin: [Emergency! Teacher Yu, where are you?]
Yu An immediately replied, "What's wrong?"
Qi Lin: [The Big Boss actually came to listen to the opera again! I feel like he must really enjoy hearing you sing.]

Yu An sent back a confused cat emoji.
Qi Lin: [He specifically asked about your shift schedule!!!!]

The four exclamation marks were enough to convey his shock. After all, besides work, the Big Boss rarely expressed interest in anything.

Yu An froze, the silhouette of the man from the other side of the screen flashing before his eyes. Before he could process it, Qi Lin sent several more messages.

Qi Lin: [So, I'm sorry, Teacher Yu. I was just so nervous under the Big Boss's gaze that I ended up blurting out your name.]
Qi Lin: [Let me treat you to a meal tomorrow; there’s something I want to ask you.]

Yu An replied, "It's okay," followed by, "Alright."

Upon reaching his stop, he left the subway and returned to the Yu residence. It was eleven o'clock at night. He had assumed everyone would be asleep, but he was surprised to see his brother sitting in the living room as he entered.

Not expecting his brother to have been waiting for him, Yu An continued toward his room.

Yu You watched Yu An’s back, his brow furrowing deeply. "Yu An," he called out.
Yu An paused.

Yu You’s tone was filled with thinly veiled reproach. "What is wrong with you lately? Are you still holding a grudge because we didn't visit you at the hospital? Dad told you to come to the company, and I promised to teach you—why do you insist on being so headstrong?"

Yu An turned around to face Yu You, addressing him for the first time since the hospital: "Brother."

He paused before continuing, "I love dancing; it’s my dream. I got into the theater on my own merits. How is that being headstrong?"

Yu You was momentarily stunned and replied instinctively, "But Mom, she..."

Yu An cut him off. "Mom, Mom, Mom... you don't have to keep reminding me! Is Mom's illness my fault? Did I want to get lost? It wasn't my fault, so why should I be the one to bear all of this?"

Even knowing the answer, Yu An couldn't help but let it out. "Why do you always take it for granted that I’m the one who should yield? Why?! Why should I be the one to suffer?"

Yu You was dumbfounded; it was the first time he had heard so much of what was truly on Yu An’s mind. He opened his mouth to speak, but Yu An didn't wait.

"I’m moving out. I won't cause you any more trouble."

With that, he turned and went into his room. He stood at the door for a long while before putting down his bag, sitting on the floor by his bed, and pulling out his phone to check the calendar. He had kept his change of college applications a secret from the Yu family; he couldn't change the address for the admission letter. Calculating the time, it wouldn't be long before it arrived.

Yu An set his phone down, took out paper and pen, and began to calculate his savings. After subtracting what the Yu family had spent on him, what remained wouldn't be enough for rent after paying tuition.

He put down his pen, thinking of what Qi Lin had said. Two thousand per performance—if he could perform five times, he could afford the cheapest studio apartment for a year. He would ask tomorrow.

With that decided, he finally let out a breath and slumped against the bed, a sudden wave of exhaustion washing over him. Just moving from his room to the shower—getting up, grabbing clothes, opening and closing doors, being careful not to disturb anyone—felt like a hundred-step journey.

He opened his phone and played a video he had recorded long ago of himself dancing. It was only five seconds long, a moment of suspension in mid-air, limbs detached from the ground. It felt as if, in that moment, he could cast off all the lingering pain buried in his heart. He closed his eyes, savoring the feeling.

Half an hour later, he got up, washed, and went to sleep.

***

The next day, before Yu An could find Qi Lin, Qi Lin sought him out.

The reason for the meeting was the part-time singing gig. Qi Lin had thought about it all night and decided it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up—a chance to curry favor with the Big Boss.

Watching Yu An’s expression, he said, "Three days a week, eight o'clock in the evening at the theater, for two hours. Whether the Big Boss comes or not, you can leave once the time is up. The hourly rate is one thousand."

Yu An agreed without hesitation.
"Teacher Yu, I'll see you at the theater at eight tonight!" Qi Lin said, pleasantly surprised.
"Okay," Yu An replied.

***

At nine in the evening, Gu Yuzhou finished a meeting and walked out of the tea house.
His assistant approached. "Mr. Gu, the CEO of Qinyuan invites you to tomorrow’s investment conference."
"Decline it," Gu Yuzhou said without a flicker of emotion.
"Understood."

The chauffeur had already pulled the car up and stood by the open door. Gu Yuzhou got in and said calmly, "Back to the company."

The black Bentley moved through the brightly lit high-rises.
The assistant suddenly spoke up, "The theater manager messaged to say they’ve invited Mr. Yu to perform tonight. Will you be going?"

Gu Yuzhou frowned, silent for a moment. Finally, the man in the back seat replied, "To the theater."
"Yes, sir," the driver responded. The car turned at the corner, heading toward the theater.

***

The troupe finished work at five. Yu An practiced for two more hours, showered, changed into his own clothes, and headed to the theater.

It was different this time. The dressing room was crowded and bustling. Qi Lin immediately helped him into his costume and had someone assist with his makeup.
"Is there a VIP coming today?" Yu An asked.
Qi Lin smiled. "Yes, a very important person—the Big Boss."

He had taken a gamble, but since Mr. Gu had actually come, his guess was right: the man did enjoy Yu An’s singing. To be safe, he had asked several other performers to stay. After all, one person alone couldn't carry a full stage.

Yu An consulted with the other performers about the repertoire. He only knew a few dozen pieces well, and the others were accommodating. After hearing him sing a few lines, they settled on a classic piece. An hour passed quickly in rehearsal.

At eight o'clock, Yu An arrived at the back door on time. Qi Lin was waiting, looking as if he wanted to say something, but the music had already begun, so he only managed to say, "Teacher Yu, good luck!"

Yu An nodded, but when he stepped onto the stage, he realized what Qi Lin meant. The screens had been removed, and the distance between the stage and the audience was less than three meters.

Yu An could see the man sitting in the center at a glance. In a bespoke black suit, the golden light catching the bridge of his nose, he looked handsome and possessed a calm, stable composure beyond his years, with an undeniable air of nobility in every gesture.

Yu An looked for a few seconds, then shifted his gaze, immersing himself in the opera.

Gu Yuzhou set down his teacup, his eyes fixed on the youth in the magnificent costume. The boy had makeup on, a red mark at the center of his forehead, and the purple-gold crown on his head made his face look even more exquisite.

As he performed with the veteran actors—lowering his head, furrowing his brows, crying and laughing—every movement was precise, drawing the audience into the story. Gu Yuzhou raised an eyebrow; the youth’s skill and stage presence were even better than he had imagined.

When the performance ended, he stood up to applaud and instructed his assistant to reward everyone.

The Changge Theater was different from others; it rarely had non-stop performances and offered better benefits, creating a pleasant atmosphere. Yu An received his share and wore a faint smile.

Once the others had changed and removed their makeup, Yu An went to the dressing room to pack his things. As he stepped out of the theater, a flash of lightning tore through the night, followed by a crack of thunder. His phone showed that his ride-hailing order had been canceled. He hesitated, intending to book another, but the theater was remote, and with the rain, the waitlist was over a hundred people long.

Just then, a black Bentley pulled out from the side lane.
Gu Yuzhou looked out the window. Upon seeing the youth at the entrance, he said, "Stop the car."

The assistant walked toward the youth with an umbrella. "Mr. Yu, Mr. Gu would like to see you."
Yu An was startled, following his gaze to the car parked in the distance, its back door open. He approached the car and heard the man say, "Get in."

The rain grew heavier, splashing against the car door. He thanked the man and sat beside Gu Yuzhou. The car’s soundproofing was excellent; once the door closed, the howling wind and rain outside were gone. A faint scent, something like lavender, brushed past him.

After the driver asked for the address, Yu An noticed a gaze on him. It wasn't the appraising look from the banquet, but a gentle, elder-like concern.

A slender, jade-like hand handed him a clean towel. "Dry yourself."
Yu An looked at him, then looked away, taking the towel. "Thank you," he said, feeling a bit awkward.

Gu Yuzhou turned on the car’s heater. As Yu An dried his hair, the chill faded from his body, and he finally relaxed.
"Practicing dance by day and singing by night—aren't you tired?" Gu Yuzhou asked.
Yu An shook his head. "No, these are things I love."

Gu Yuzhou’s brow relaxed, and he said nothing more.

An hour later, the car reached the Yu villa. Yu An looked at the man beside him, who had closed his eyes. "Mr. Gu, thank you for the ride."

He stepped out of the car, forgetting about the light rain. Raindrops fell on his head and shoulders, quickly soaking him. The assistant moved to remind him, but the man in the back seat opened his door and stepped out as well.

The entrance wasn't far, but as Yu An jogged forward, a deep voice called out from behind: "Yu An."
Yu An turned. The man was holding a black umbrella, walking toward him. With his long strides, he reached the youth in seconds, shielding him from the rain.

Gu Yuzhou looked down at him. "The road is slippery. Walk home."
Yu An blinked, taking the umbrella. "Thank you, Mr. Gu."

The assistant waited quietly to the side with his own umbrella.
"I'll bring this umbrella to the theater to return it tomorrow," Yu An said.
"Very well," Gu Yuzhou replied.

"I'm heading home now." Seeing the man nod, Yu An turned toward the villa. This time, he walked slowly. After a few steps, he turned back to look; the man had already returned to the car. He continued on his way.

Inside the car, Gu Yuzhou waited a moment before saying, "Let’s go." He looked out the window, his gaze catching the sight of a light, umbrella-shielded figure disappearing into the distance.