Chapter 134: Singing the Crowd to Tears

Lin Chuan’s performance was a great success. His rendition of "Where Has Time Gone" stirred the emotions of everyone in the venue. No, it wasn't just the live audience; viewers sitting in front of their televisions, watching the live broadcast of the awards ceremony, were all moved to tears.

In truth, this effect wasn't entirely due to the song itself. Consider that without the host’s heartfelt setup and the poignant stories shared beforehand, even the most beautiful song would have struggled to bring so many stars to tears. Why? It’s simple: this was the National Drama Awards, an awards ceremony where the atmosphere is meant to be joyful and celebratory. In such a setting, if you were to suddenly start singing "Where Has Time Gone," who would be moved? Of course, that’s not to say it wouldn't have resonated at all; at the very least, it would have made some people reflect on how quickly time flies.

However, with the host’s masterful lead-in, the timely delivery of the song, and the succession of photos displayed on the giant screen, the venue was a sea of tears. The stars seated in the front were relatively composed; some simply let the tears stream down their cheeks, listening quietly, while others tilted their heads back, staring at the ceiling to keep the tears from falling. But the fans in the back? They were crying their hearts out. Many girls covered their faces with both hands, tears streaming through their fingers.

Regardless, Lin Chuan’s song was a success, touching everyone present and all the viewers at home. Uncle Gao was one of them. Though he couldn't attend in person, he had been deeply concerned for Lin Chuan. When the broadcast began, he sat before his television, watching intently. When Lin Chuan appeared on stage and sang that song in front of so many big-name celebrities, Uncle Gao wept—two lines of tears welled up silently and flowed down his face.

"Dad, is this really necessary? Just a song, and you're moved to tears?" Gao Meng had not seen the beginning; she had only arrived while the song was being performed. Seeing her father wiping away tears, she was surprised.

Uncle Gao didn't speak; he acted as if he hadn't heard her, his eyes fixed on the television, his vision blurring.

"Here, take a tissue. I’ve never seen you cry much in all the years I've grown up... Let me count, this must be the third time you've cried in front of me, right?" Gao Meng handed him a few tissues, reminiscing.

"This kid... I wasn't wrong about him. He’s got the makings of a star. A simple song, and he can move so many people. It’s no small feat..." Uncle Gao muttered.

"Oh, you don't have to be like this. It’s just a song. Even if it’s good, it’s not worth crying over... How about this? Tomorrow I'll have Xia Tian sing for you. I guarantee that if you hear him sing, you’ll be absolutely enchanted," Gao Meng said with a laugh.

Uncle Gao turned his head, snatched the tissues, and glared at Gao Meng without saying a word. He had no time to waste on idle chatter; the ceremony wasn't over yet, and he needed to keep a close watch on Lin Chuan. Seeing that her father was ignoring her, Gao Meng felt slighted and, after sitting for a while, turned and went back into her room.

...

At the same time, in a spacious, luxurious office, a woman sat behind her desk, staring at her computer. A closer look would reveal that her eyes were red, and a veil of mist was beginning to form. On the screen, the live broadcast of the National Drama Awards was playing, showing a man with stubble singing "Where Has Time Gone" with his entire heart.

Just as she was lost in the music, the song ended, and the screen cut to the host returning to the stage. Instantly, the woman’s expression changed. Her eyes were no longer red, the tears had vanished, and in their place was a cold, stern indifference that kept everyone at a distance.

"Send Alice to my office." She hung up the phone.

Within two minutes, there was a knock at the door. The woman gave a cold "Come in," and a woman with blonde hair, blue eyes, and skin as white as snow walked in cautiously.

"Ms. An, you summoned me?" Alice asked in English.

The woman looked up, nodded, and said with an icy expression, "Book me a flight. I'm going back home."

"Oh? Back home? Ms. An, returning at this time might be..." Alice seemed fearful of this yellow-skinned woman, her voice trembling and barely audible.

But the woman’s hearing was sharp. Before Alice could finish, she looked up sharply and said with undeniable authority, "I don't want to repeat myself. Do not test my patience."

"Yes, Ms. An, I’ll book the tickets immediately..." Alice’s face paled, and she turned to leave, but stopped after a few steps. "Should I book one for you, or..."

"Book three. Have Bance come with me," the woman said, her tone remaining cold and devoid of any emotion.

Alice nodded, stunned, and carefully slipped out of the office. Once again, the massive room was left to the woman alone. She glanced at the laptop on her desk; the awards ceremony was still ongoing, but the man who had been singing had already left the stage.

...

Back at the venue, Lin Chuan’s song had stunned many. When he returned to his seat, Director Chen and Screenwriter Huang both gave him a thumbs-up, praising him repeatedly. Judging by the dried tear tracks still visible on their faces, it was clear they had been moved to tears as well. Mu Qing, sitting next to him, was the same; her eyes were red, and as Lin Chuan sat down, she offered him a faint smile and a gentle nod.

The ceremony continued, moving on to the category for inspirational dramas. These were few, totaling fewer than five. Then, it moved to the period drama section—first martial arts, then political dramas, and finally historical epics.

Clips of various historical dramas from different dynasties played on the big screen, with *Noble Loyalty* among them. Once the clips finished, two special guests took the stage to announce the winners. The first mentioned was *Noble Loyalty*, which had been released in September. In the few months since, its ratings and impact had surpassed all other historical dramas. Consequently, everyone involved in the production, including Director Chen, Screenwriter Huang, and even a minor actor with only a few scenes, climbed the stage to accept awards.

Only Lin Chuan sat alone in his chair...