The Kyoto of late July was bathed in a gentle evening breeze.
Being in the city center, the dazzling city lights obscured the sight of the star-filled sky.
After "The King of Love Songs" concluded, Su Yu had intended to leave, but he received a message from Mo Yan, asking him to go out for a stroll.
They walked aimlessly, with Mo Yan remaining silent, creating a somewhat somber atmosphere.
Shen Jinghong and Gong Juren followed behind the two, looking enviously at Su Yu walking alongside their teacher.
"What are your plans next, Teacher Mo Yan?" Su Yu asked, breaking the silence.
Mo Yan's lips curved slightly as he gazed at the distant, myriad lights, then suddenly sighed, "I've retired. I suddenly feel so relaxed, it's time for me to enjoy my twilight years."
"You could actually continue. That kind of public opinion shouldn't affect you, right?" Su Yu could sense that although Mo Yan spoke with ease, he harbored regret.
Just as he had said on the show earlier, he had dedicated the greater part of his life to the Chinese music scene, from wanting to prove himself in his youth to later becoming the "God of Composition," aiming to bring Chinese music to the world.
His personal goals had all been achieved, and remarkably so. However, his ultimate aspiration remained unfulfilled.
This was his greatest regret.
And Mo Yan still possessed the ability to continue. Even if he wasn't composing songs, it was truly a pity to give up now.
"I can't," Mo Yan shook his head, a self-deprecating smile playing on his lips.
He didn't elaborate on the reason but instead looked at the distant lights and chuckled, "In this world, gain comes with sacrifice. Just like that bustling scene, if you want to be a part of it, you must give up the sky full of stars. And now, it's time for me to chase the starry sky."
His words implied that he was tired and desired a different lifestyle.
Su Yu didn't press him further.
After walking for a while, Mo Yan's car arrived. As the door opened, a middle-aged woman was visible driving, smiling and waving at Mo Yan and the others.
Mo Yan yawned, "Once people get older, they get drowsy. I'm leaving now. You young people have fun."
With that, he walked towards the car. Seeing this, Shen Jinghong quickly followed.
Su Yu watched his retreating figure. Despite Mo Yan's outwardly ordinary demeanor, Su Yu could still feel a sense of loneliness in his back, different from his usual nonchalant air.
It felt as though he had grown old.
"Teacher Mo Yan," Su Yu called out.
Mo Yan stopped in his tracks.
"Remember to come to the finals of 'Era Music King'."
Mo Yan's body trembled slightly. Without turning around, he waved at Su Yu.
Su Yu took a deep breath and looked up at the sky. Although there were no abundant stars, a bright moon and a few scattered stars were still visible.
He understood Mo Yan's intentions. If Su Yu hadn't risen, Mo Yan would certainly not have retired at this time, as he knew the Chinese music scene still needed him. But things were different now; Su Yu's era had arrived, and he was willing to give this young man a complete stage to shine on his own.
In that case, Su Yu would not disappoint him either. He would carry on Mo Yan's dream, striving to bring Chinese music to the world!
"Why are you following me?!"
Just as Su Yu and the others were about to leave to find a place for dinner, Mo Yan's angry shout echoed from a distance.
"I... I'm following the teacher home," Shen Jinghong said meekly.
"Follow me home? Look, did Xiao Yu follow anyone home! Get lost!!"
Amidst Mo Yan's shouting, the minivan's engine roared to life. In just over three seconds, it accelerated, leaving behind a trail of dust.
Shen Jinghong stood frozen, his face a picture of confusion, his hands spread helplessly.
"I didn't get in the car!"
"Teacher, I haven't gotten into the car yet!!"
...
After "The King of Love Songs" concluded,
The songs of the four producers instantly hit the trending charts.
On the Love Song New Releases Chart,
"Qing Tian" (Sunny Day) held the undisputed first place.
Following closely were the songs by Jiang Qian and Zhou Qingshan.
However, Mo Yan's song "Shi Ba Sui" (Eighteen Years Old) was absent from the Love Song Chart.
Because the song wasn't about romance, the platform had classified it under the motivational new releases chart. It had already climbed to number one and its downloads and listens were ten times that of the second-place song.
Therefore, strictly speaking, Mo Yan's final song had deviated from the theme.
But no one paid much attention. Everyone knew that Mo Yan hadn't intended to compete with Su Yu. He simply wanted to use the show, and his final song of his career, to share his feelings with his fans, offer them encouragement on their life's journey, and draw a period to his professional career.
"The King of Love Songs" concluded with Listening Rain maintaining an undefeated record.
And with Mo Yan's retirement, he had definitively become the undisputed number one figure in the Chinese music scene, marking the complete arrival of an era that belonged solely to Listening Rain!
...
However, just as everyone expected Listening Rain to dominate the top ten trending topics after the show, as they had in the past, they found that the number one trending topic this time was about Mo Yan's retirement.
In Listening Rain's fan group.
"Latest news, Listening Rain wants to give Teacher Mo Yan the number one trending spot for a few days."
"Everyone, calm down. Let Teacher Mo Yan stay on the trending list a while longer."
"Teacher Mo Yan and Listening Rain have a very good relationship. Giving him the number one trending spot is only right. Let's talk less about Listening Rain's topics these few days."
The fan leader was a professional operator from Xinghui, responsible for managing the fans' discourse.
For the finals of "The King of Love Songs," it was expected that the trending topics would be filled with news about Listening Rain's "Qing Tian." However, at Su Yu's behest, they decided to give Teacher Mo Yan the number one trending spot. Therefore, Listening Rain's fans had significantly reduced their activity on Weibo, striving not to overshadow Mo Yan's retirement and allowing more people to recognize this veteran artist who had dedicated half his life to the Chinese music scene.
#Mo Yan Retires, The Entire Audience Moved to Tears!#
#If You Are Well, Then It Is Sunny; Listening Rain's "Qing Tian" Evokes Countless Youthful Memories!#
#Wishing "Shen Mo Ji" Great Sales and Happy Birthday to Chen Zhe!#
The top three trending topics were Mo Yan at first, Listening Rain second, and naturally, the popular actor Chen Zhe, who had previously been in a dispute with Mo Yan, at third.
...