"Perform at the Spring Festival Gala? Me?"
Chen Xiaoxi was stunned.
Anyone in the entertainment industry dreamed of appearing on the Spring Festival Gala. Who wouldn't?
But was it really something you could simply wish for and make happen?
To stand on that stage, reputation, ability, and works—none of them could be lacking.
She had been silent for an entire year. What reputation did she still have?
Even if she did, it was nothing but negative publicity from her recent comeback.
As for ability—she was confident she wasn't lacking there. After all, she had appeared on the Spring Festival Gala before.
But works…
At that thought, Chen Xiaoxi looked at Zhang Yichen in surprise.
Could it be that he had already prepared something for her?
But even with a song, it still wouldn't be enough. The Spring Festival Gala's selection deadline was October 1st.
Clearly, she was already too late.
And even if she somehow made it in time, her reputation still wasn't ideal.
Unless someone of extremely high standing was willing to recommend her.
But with her current awkward position in the music industry, who would bother doing such a thankless favor?
The Spring Festival Gala… Chen Xiaoxi didn't dare to think about it.
She never had.
"Yes. Do you want to go?" Zhang Yichen asked.
This time, his tone was exceptionally firm.
From Chen Xiaoxi's eyes, he saw confusion, nostalgia, longing—and loneliness.
Those fleeting expressions allowed Zhang Yichen to clearly understand what she was feeling.
In the end, he came to one conclusion—
Chen Xiaoxi desperately wanted to stand on that stage.
But he couldn't rush her. He needed to ask first and let her take the lead.
Of course, he would still be the one supporting her from behind the scenes.
"Who wouldn't want to go? But this year… I probably can't."
As expected, her first reaction was self-denial.
"No, you can."
Zhang Yichen gently cupped her face, looking at her with focused sincerity.
"You have the ability. Your voice alone is enough to move everyone."
Her eyes flickered, caught off guard by his unwavering trust.
"But… the Spring Festival Gala isn't that easy to get on. I've only just made a comeback. How could it be possible…?"
"How could it not be?"
Zhang Yichen interrupted without hesitation, his voice firm.
"You were born to sing. The stage belongs to you. I want everyone to see your brilliance again."
Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the hem of her dress, her knuckles turning faintly white.
Her thoughts churned, and that long-buried yearning deep inside her slowly reignited.
It had been far too long since she stood on a stage like that.
The light she once carried felt as though it had been buried beneath layers of dust.
"I… can I really do it?"
Her voice was soft, as if she were afraid of breaking something fragile.
It was obvious—her confidence had been shaken deeply.
"Of course you can."
Zhang Yichen's voice was steady, gentle yet powerful.
"You just need to believe in yourself—just like I believe in you."
Gradually, determination surfaced in her eyes. She took a deep breath, as if making a decision.
"If… if there really is a chance, I'm willing to try."
A relieved smile appeared on Zhang Yichen's face. He reached out and ruffled her hair.
"You've been on the Spring Festival Gala before. What do you think you're lacking now?"
He intended to guide her step by step, letting her find the answer herself.
Only then could she truly regain her confidence.
"Lacking… what?"
Chen Xiaoxi frowned slightly, her gaze unfocused as her earlier thoughts replayed in her mind.
Her fingertips tapped lightly against the table as she unconsciously sorted through her thoughts.
"I lack an opportunity. And I lack a song suitable for the Spring Festival Gala—something like 'I Wish You Prosperity.'"
"But that song isn't my style. It wouldn't really suit me."
Her tone carried uncertainty, as though she were seeking Zhang Yichen's opinion.
"That song doesn't suit you."
Zhang Yichen's voice was calm, his eyes filled with confidence.
"I have a song from an entirely new genre. Do you want to become its pioneer?"
"A completely new genre?"
Her lashes trembled slightly. A spark of anticipation flashed in her eyes—quickly overshadowed by worry.
She didn't know what kind of genre it was.
But she did know that anything new was difficult to accept.
Music especially—new genres required time before they could truly resonate with the public.
Using a brand-new genre to enter the Spring Festival Gala?
Even thinking about it felt unrealistic.
"Have you already written the song?"
Seeing how confident Zhang Yichen was, Chen Xiaoxi couldn't help but feel drawn in.
"It's done. The song is called Rise. I'll go get it for you."
With that, Zhang Yichen stood up, went to the study, and returned with a laptop and a sheet of music.
He handed the score to Chen Xiaoxi.
"Take a look first. If there's anything you don't understand, ask me."
"Mm."
She accepted the score and nodded lightly, her attention already fully drawn in.
Her eyes slowly moved across the sheet music, as if the melody were already playing in her ears.
Sometimes powerful, sometimes graceful—like it was telling an ancient yet entirely new story.
Her breathing gradually quickened, her chest rising and falling more noticeably.
Her fingers unconsciously tapped along with the notes, silently rehearsing a performance yet to come.
"This song…"
She finally spoke, her voice trembling with barely contained excitement.
"It's based on the pentatonic scale."
"Yes."
Zhang Yichen smiled slightly, pride flickering in his eyes.
"It blends traditional and modern elements—classical elegance with modern strength. I think it suits you perfectly. Let me play the accompaniment."
He opened the laptop and played the track.
Chen Xiaoxi closed her eyes, allowing the music to envelop her. The shock in her heart surged like a tidal wave.
"This guzheng arrangement… huh? And there's pipa, piano, guitar…"
She opened her eyes and stared at Zhang Yichen, amazement filling her voice.
"Traditional instruments blended so seamlessly with modern ones—how did you think of this? The rhythm and structure are perfect!"
Zhang Yichen chuckled softly, his gaze gentle and deep.
"Music is born from nature—genius simply stumbles upon it."
How did he come up with it?
He obviously couldn't say he borrowed it.
So he stuck to that line.
Chen Xiaoxi tapped the score lightly against the table, following the rhythm, her expression shifting from astonishment to deep contemplation.
"The lyrics…"
She paused, her voice low but resolute.
"'Our land of vast, bound by benevolence—faith that endures for a thousand years.' This line is incredibly powerful. It conveys an unshakable belief."
"Exactly."
Zhang Yichen nodded, his gaze burning with conviction.
"I want this song to deliver hope and strength—especially now. A lot of people need something like this."
Chen Xiaoxi fell silent for a moment. Then her eyes gradually firmed.
She lifted her head and met Zhang Yichen's gaze directly.
"This song… I want to try it."
A faint smile curved Zhang Yichen's lips, his voice gentle yet full of certainty.
"You'll amaze everyone."
She took a deep breath, her fingers gripping the edge of the score tightly, as if engraving it into her heart.
She could already tell—
This was not going to be an easy song to sing.