Chapter One Hundred and Two: The Light of Friendship

Chapter 1 of 3

"Congratulations, Host. Your popularity value has surpassed ten million. Reward: special effects technology!"

"At last, I have a decent skill!"

Jiang Yun felt deeply gratified.

After checking the special effects technology, he discovered it could be compiled into a file and used by others, allowing him to form a special effects team. That realization made him quietly pleased.

If it could only be used by himself, and he had to act in films, sing songs, and then handle special effects as well, he would truly be stretched too thin.

Jiang Yun grew excited for a moment, then calmed himself. He got up, drank a cup of warm milk, and murmured, "Sleep, sleep. In all the world, nothing is greater than sleep!"

He lay down on the bed, closed his eyes, and within two minutes was fast asleep.

Early the next morning, Jiang Yun rose at dawn, changed into a suit, and tied his necktie in front of the mirror.

Fully dressed, he began changing and washing the bedsheets and duvet covers.

When Jiang Yun stepped out of the room, Huang Kang had already prepared breakfast.

"Good morning, everyone," Jiang Yun greeted them.

"Good morning, Senior Jiang Yun!"

"Morning, Jiang Yun!"

Chen Long came to the table and was startled. "Well now, Jiang Yun, all dressed up like that, where are you off to later?"

"I have to record The Voice this afternoon, and once I'm back in Metropolis, I still need to go by the company and take a look!"

"So that's why you're dressed so formally."

He Ling, Huang Kang, and the others began teasing him.

"Our great talent doesn't need to dress so formally just to record The Voice, does he? Anyone who didn't know better would think you were getting married."

"Nonsense. I look more like the best man!"

Jiang Yun replied with a smile.

After breakfast, the group arrived at the fork in the road, where several Cadillac cars were already waiting.

"Sigh, the time for parting has come again. Why do I feel so melancholy?" He Ling said with a theatrical sigh.

Huang Kang said, "What the hell are you being melancholy about? You're just dying to get home and keep your wife company!"

"Heh heh!"

"Ho-ho-ho!"

Zhao Mai made a heart shape toward the camera. "Director, I'm leaving now!"

She got into the car and leaned out the window. "Everyone, goodbye! I hope in the future we can still gather together like we did these past two days!"

"Goodbye!"

Zhao Mai's car slowly drove away.

Cai Kun climbed into another car and poked his head out. "Everyone, goodbye! I'll miss you!"

"Hurry up and go already!" Chen Long laughed and cursed.

Cai Kun was utterly embarrassed.

Chen Long patted Jiang Yun on the shoulder. "Jiang Yun, remember what you promised me. Come make a cameo in my film!"

Jiang Yun nodded. "It's a deal!"

"Good!"

Chen Long got into the car and left.

"He Teacher, Huang Teacher, this time it's my turn to leave first!"

"Then go on, don't delay the recording of The Voice!"

Chapter 2 of 3

"Be careful on the road."

Jiang Yun nodded. "All right!"

In his suit and tie, Jiang Yun looked every inch the polished man.

He opened the trunk, put in his small suitcase, and then opened the back door.

Jiang Yun got into the car. The vehicle started, and he departed with effortless grace.

About forty minutes later, Jiang Yun arrived at Xiaoxiang Airport. By then it was only a little after nine in the morning.

He went to the self-service kiosk to collect his ticket, and somehow, Lin Xiaohe came to mind.

"I wonder how Xiaohe is doing now. Since she left, I haven't received a single call from her, no news at all."

Jiang Yun reached the security checkpoint and joined the line.

By chance, he glanced aside, and a familiar figure appeared in his field of vision.

"Hey, buddy, keep moving forward!"

"Oh, oh, oh!" Jiang Yun took a few steps ahead. When he looked again for that figure, it was gone.

"Hey, buddy, you're up!"

Jiang Yun stepped through the security gate, and a staff member began scanning him with the detector.

Jiang Yun, with his jet-black hair and unreadable expression, showed no sign of what he was feeling.

"Sir? You may proceed."

Jiang Yun lifted a foot and was about to go through, but suddenly drew it back.

"Sorry, I won't be taking this flight after all!"

He turned and ran.

Jiang Yun dashed toward where the figure had just appeared. "Xiaohe? Lin Xiaohe?"

He shouted her name at the top of his lungs among the crowd.

He looked around, but Lin Xiaohe's figure had vanished without a trace.

The noisy terminal made his head spin.

Jiang Yun gave a wry smile and shook his head. Perhaps this was for the best. Even if he truly did meet Lin Xiaohe, he would not know what to say.

Lin Xiaohe had not continued in the competition, and he had been unable to help her. Jiang Yun felt a faint sense of guilt.

He could only smile bitterly.

Just as Jiang Yun was preparing to leave, he caught sight of a little girl sitting on a bench through the gaps in the crowd.

A sign stood in front of her: Lost and Found.

Jiang Yun stepped over.

Lin Xiaohe was sitting there with her chin resting in both hands, humming softly and gazing blankly ahead.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of her, blocking her view.

Lin Xiaohe looked up, stunned. "M-Mr. Jiang Yun?"

"Ah..."

Jiang Yun sighed inwardly. Not being able to help Lin Xiaohe remained a regret.

Without any polite small talk, he got straight to the point. "Xiaohe, do you still want to take part in The Voice?"

Lin Xiaohe froze for a moment, then shook her head.

Jiang Yun fell silent, then after a moment said, "Do you have paper and a pen?"

"Yes, Mr. Jiang Yun. Please wait a moment!"

Chapter 3 of 3

Lin Xiaohe took a pen and a notebook out of her little backpack.

Jiang Yun accepted the paper and pen.

"System, exchange for Song of Friendship!"

Ding! Congratulations, Host. Exchange successful. Ten thousand popularity points deducted. Current popularity value: 9,903,086.

Jiang Yun wrote the lyrics of the song in the notebook. Since Lin Xiaohe had never studied music, he did not write out the score.

He handed the notebook to her. "This is a song in Cantonese. I’m giving it to you to sing."

Lin Xiaohe froze for a moment, then took the notebook and glanced at the lyrics. Immediately, delight blossomed across her face. "Mr. Jiang Yun, are you really giving this song to me?"

Jiang Yun nodded.

"Mr. Jiang Yun, how should this song be sung?"

"Listen while I hum it for you."

How many bosom friends does one have in a lifetime?
How much friendship can truly endure?
Today we part, hand in hand, side by side,
Yet friendship lives forever in our hearts.
...

Though mountains stretch for ten thousand miles, keeping two lands apart,
No need to meet face to face; in the heart, one still knows.
Friendship cannot be changed.
...

"Mr. Jiang Yun, I love this song so much!" Lin Xiaohe held the notebook in both hands as though it were a treasure.

Jiang Yun smiled. "From now on, you are the original singer of this song."

Phew.

Jiang Yun finally let out a breath of relief. At last, he had made amends for the guilt in his heart. If he did nothing, he would always feel uneasy, with his conscience unresolved.

"Mr. Jiang Yun, did you come to Xiaoxiang to record At Home with Life?"

"Yes, it's already finished. I'm about to return to Metropolis."

"Mr. Jiang Yun, did I hold you up?"

"Not at all." Jiang Yun smiled. "All right, let's say goodbye here. Remember to call me often!"

"Okay!" Lin Xiaohe nodded.

Jiang Yun waved farewell to Lin Xiaohe.

Then he ran back toward the security checkpoint.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard XX International Airlines Flight CA182 to Metropolis..."

Jiang Yun boarded the plane. Looking out at the world beyond the window, he felt light and at ease.

"At last, one matter has been settled."

The plane took off. Jiang Yun gazed at the blue sky and white clouds outside the window, and soon fell into a deep sleep.