Countless Blossoms: The Actor's Gamble | Chapter 19 | An Evening Invitation | Novela.app

The song Qi Bailu was set to perform was the promotional theme for the film *Dewy Night Run*. Although the movie had yet to be released, the song was already quite popular; two versions had been recorded, with the other performed by a hit singer from the Hong Kong music scene. Since this was his first time participating in such a large-scale gala, he couldn't help but feel a surge of nerves as he stood on the stage facing the empty auditorium, clutching his microphone and following the assistant director’s instructions on his positioning. After several walkthroughs, it was time for a trial run of the vocals. Qi Bailu straightened his back and looked straight ahead, searching for the teleprompter during the brief pause before the accompaniment began. To his surprise, just as he found the prompter, he also spotted Ruan Qiuji sitting in the audience. Ruan Qiuji seemed to have been waiting for him to notice; the moment their eyes met, he broke into a smile. Having been preoccupied with communicating with the staff, Qi Bailu hadn't noticed him sitting down there at all. Ruan Qiuji must have arrived before he even took the stage. Had he been watching him this whole time? The lyrical, soothing accompaniment began to swell. Qi Bailu gripped the microphone with both hands, but when the vocal coach gave the signal, he missed his cue and faltered on the very first line. The music was cut short immediately. Qi Bailu pulled the microphone away slightly and said something to the staff—likely an apology. The vocal coach offered a few more pointers, and Qi Bailu nodded, his face flushing a faint red despite himself. Ruan Qiuji couldn't help but chuckle, resting his forehead against his hand as he watched the stage with a lingering smile. Qi Bailu shot a hurried glance in his direction, intentionally schooling his expression into one of stern gravity and pursing his lips as he waited for the music to restart. This only made Ruan Qiuji laugh more openly. The deputy station director sitting beside Ruan Qiuji noticed his amusement and asked what he was laughing at. Ruan Qiuji leaned in slightly, lowering his head as he whispered with a smile, "He's too nervous." The accompaniment rose again. Watching the vocal coach’s hand signals, Qi Bailu finally caught the melody this time. However, he didn't have the lyrics fully memorized, so he had to glance at the teleprompter frequently. But because Ruan Qiuji was sitting right in the line of sight of the prompter, every time Qi Bailu looked for his lines, he inevitably caught sight of Ruan Qiuji as well. Ruan Qiuji kept his gaze fixed on him, occasionally exchanging a few words with the person beside him. Whatever was said prompted the deputy director to look over at Qi Bailu too, even offering a small nod of acknowledgment. “...” Qi Bailu had no choice but to try his best to ignore the audience and pour his emotions into the song. It happened to be a somewhat melancholy love song; when sung with true focus, both the lyrics and the melody exuded a tragic beauty—like a dewdrop on the verge of falling, destined to vanish without a trace the moment dawn broke. The rehearsal atmosphere was relatively casual and chaotic, feeling more like a session at a KTV lounge. They ran through the song twice; the first time was a bit stumbling, but the second was much smoother, and the music soon drew him in. Qi Bailu sang with deep concentration, his eyes fixed on the empty air ahead rather than the audience. The venue's sound system was excellent. When the final piano chords faded, the stage was left in a momentary, poignant silence. Staff members came up to dismantle the equipment and take the microphone. Cheng Wenhui also walked over. Since the rehearsal was over and there was nothing else scheduled, they were free to leave. Qi Bailu expected him to discuss the arrangements for returning to the hotel, but instead, Cheng Wenhui said, "Mr. Ruan is waiting for you backstage. Do you want to go?" Qi Bailu froze for a moment, instinctively looking back at the seats, but Ruan Qiuji was no longer there. He hadn't even noticed when he’d left. "Did he say anything?" "He said... you mentioned before that you owed him a meal." Seeing the flicker of hesitation in Cheng Wenhui’s expression, Qi Bailu thought for a moment and said, "You head back to the hotel first. I won't be too late." As he spoke, he glanced at the time on Cheng Wenhui’s phone. "Before midnight?" Cheng Wenhui asked. Qi Bailu gave a small, somewhat mocking smile. Cheng Wenhui didn't want to nag him like a worried parent, so he wisely shut his mouth. Ruan Qiuji wasn't anywhere else; he was right there in the dressing room. When Qi Bailu walked in, Ruan Qiuji was leaning against the vanity table, chatting with the cleaning lady who was tidying the room. He looked every bit the suave, debonair gentleman that women found so charming. Seeing him arrive, Ruan Qiuji pulled a hand out of his trouser pocket, straightened up, and smiled. "Good evening." "Good evening." Qi Bailu stood where he was. Behind him, Cheng Wenhui silently walked over to pick up the backpack and coat, handing the coat and scarf to Qi Bailu before taking his leave. Once they were the only two left in the room, Qi Bailu got straight to the point. "So... Mr. Ruan, what would you like to eat?" Ruan Qiuji walked toward him, taking the scarf and gesturing for him to put on his down jacket first. "Are you hungry right now?" he asked. Qi Bailu shook his head, then asked back, "Are you?" The question seemed to play right into Ruan Qiuji’s hands. He watched Qi Bailu wrap the scarf around his neck and said, "I'm not hungry either—do you want to go ice skating?" Qi Bailu thought he had misheard. Weren't they supposed to be going to dinner? Why skating? He looked at Ruan Qiuji’s face with a dazed expression, trying to confirm he wasn't joking. Ruan Qiuji said, "It's on the B1 level of the Cultural Center. You probably haven't been there. It's still early; we can skate for a while before getting a late-night snack." "Won't there be a lot of people..." Qi Bailu’s hesitant sentence wasn't even finished before Ruan Qiuji placed a hand on his back, guiding him toward the door. Only after opening the door did he drop his hand and say, "There won't be." Why wouldn't there be? Qi Bailu’s mind hadn't quite caught up yet, but looking at the open door before him, he followed Ruan Qiuji out anyway. The Cultural Center sat right by the river. Outside the windows, the night view reflected in the water was a dreamlike, hazy blur; the lights of the skyscrapers sparkled like brilliant stars. Walking down the glass-walled corridor with its expansive view, the scenery was beautiful all the way. Ruan Qiuji glanced at him. "You were very nervous when you were singing just now." "I'd be less nervous if no one was watching me." "Are you saying I make you nervous?" Qi Bailu stole a glance at him. Ruan Qiuji’s tone was playful, with a hint of roguishness, but it wasn't unpleasant. Qi Bailu replied, "I think it was the teleprompter." Ruan Qiuji nodded. "Then perhaps it was the teleprompter." He said the words, but his eyes suggested he didn't believe them for a second. Qi Bailu looked away, an irrepressible smile touching his lips; after all, not everyone was willing to take the stairs. Ruan Qiuji’s gaze remained on his face, and Qi Bailu could feel him looking at his forehead. "It's much better now," Qi Bailu said, knowing he was looking at the scar. Ruan Qiuji’s gaze slid down slightly, meeting his eyes. "You seem to have lost weight."