Chapter 49: A Grateful Heart

Su Bai and Yang Mengke were witnessing the recording of a live show at such close range for the first time. They watched as two elegant women reminisced about their youthful years as TV hosts, and for a moment, they were filled with emotion. Though it was clearly a program recording, the atmosphere was as warm and comfortable as a casual conversation at home. This, perhaps, was the tacit understanding between the two hosts and the seasoned presence they had cultivated over the years.

Although it was a show, the two women were not alone in the studio; the audience sat below the stage, watching intently. Half an hour slipped by unnoticed. Then, Yang Liuqing brought up a question: “A few days ago, you hosted a talent competition between the newly popular singer Su Bai and the trending star Xu Mingkun. There’s been a lot of controversy online about that event! What are your thoughts on this, Yu Lan?”

Yu Lan smiled and replied, “Actually, what everyone is most concerned about is why Su Bai left halfway through the competition. To be honest, I invited Su Bai all the way from the Magic City to Yanjing just for this. I think it’s best to let the person involved explain the reason himself.”

Yang Liuqing looked at Yu Lan in surprise. “Really? That’s wonderful! This is the hottest topic among netizens right now! Let’s welcome Mr. Su Bai to the stage with a round of applause!”

Amidst the enthusiastic applause, Su Bai, dressed in a white tailcoat, walked onto the stage. After a simple greeting to the audience, he exchanged pleasantries with Yang Liuqing and Yu Lan before sitting down beside Yu Lan.

“Mr. Su Bai, you’ve become quite a sensation online recently, but what everyone truly cares about is why you suddenly left during your talent competition with Mr. Xu Mingkun. Would you be willing to explain this to everyone?”

Su Bai had expected Yang Liuqing to exchange a few polite words first, but she went straight to the point. He didn’t mind. It was better to be direct.

“Here’s the thing. Before I explain, I’d like everyone to watch a video.”

The production team then played the video Su Bai had prepared on the main screen.

The footage began with Su Bai taking out his phone, his face tense, then rushing out anxiously. One could see that, after leaving the hall, Su Bai scanned his surroundings in agitation before sprinting toward a particular direction. He ran to a taxi and pointed at a black car ahead. Though the audio was unclear, it was obvious Su Bai was asking the taxi driver to follow the black car.

The next scene was inside the taxi.

“Sir, unless you tell me who you are and why you’re chasing that car, I won’t follow them.”

Su Bai responded, “To be honest, the people in that car have kidnapped my—” (the next two words were censored). “You can check my phone.”

A screenshot of Su Bai’s phone chat was then enlarged on the screen for everyone to see. Yang Mengke’s profile picture was blurred, as was a photo of her with Liu Ruotong. But it was clear that two people had been kidnapped.

The video continued with a chase, the taxi pursuing the black car. The final scene showed the criminals subdued and the two girls being rescued.

As the video ended, the audience stared at Su Bai in disbelief. None had imagined that the heated online rumors about Su Bai abandoning the competition were because of this.

Yang Liuqing, indignant, exclaimed, “Criminals these days are truly outrageous! Mr. Su Bai, has the full truth of the matter been uncovered?”

Su Bai replied with some regret, “The kidnappers have been apprehended, but whether there’s a mastermind behind them, and who that might be, is still under investigation.”

Yang Liuqing said firmly, “I believe our nation’s police will get to the bottom of this and bring you justice!”

Su Bai nodded, his expression grave.

Yu Lan interjected, “To be honest, when Su Bai left so abruptly, everyone was stunned—myself included. It felt disrespectful to leave without a word. But now, I understand. When a life is at stake, there’s no room for hesitation. As the video shows, if Su Bai had been even a few seconds later, the criminals would have disappeared. Then, finding them would have been nearly impossible. We can’t imagine what tragedy might have occurred if they had managed to escape. If Su Bai had stopped to explain his departure, even for a minute or two, that might have been just the time the criminals needed to get away. In moments like that, every second counts—a matter of life and death. I commend Su Bai for his wisdom and decisiveness!”

As Yu Lan finished, the audience erupted in applause. Yang Liuqing added, “Yes, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. I applaud Mr. Su Bai’s courage!”

With tears in his eyes, Su Bai stood and bowed deeply to Yu Lan and Yang Liuqing, then to the audience. “Thank you all for understanding. Thank you! And thank you to the fans who have always supported and believed in me. Thank you!”

He then turned to Yang Liuqing. “Host, although I’ve explained the situation, I still owe my fans a piano performance. May I use this platform to play a piece for them? To make up for their disappointment, and to atone for what I owe them in my heart.”

Yang Liuqing smiled. “Of course. The audience is in for a treat tonight!”

Su Bai walked to the piano and addressed the crowd. “I dedicate this piano piece, ‘A Grateful Heart,’ to all the fans who have supported and encouraged me.”

As the melody began, everyone present was swept away by its beauty. They could feel Su Bai’s passionate and grateful heart, as if he were telling them that, because of their companionship, he had been blessed with such a romantic journey. Though the song was simple, in Su Bai’s hands, it possessed a special magic.

Everyone felt, deep inside, that something was missing from the piece, as if it wasn’t quite complete.

The second time through, Su Bai couldn’t help but sing softly:

“With a grateful heart, I thank you.
Accompanying me through life, giving me the courage to be myself.
With a grateful heart, I thank fate.
As flowers bloom and wither, I will cherish it all the same.
With a grateful heart, I thank you.
Accompanying me through life, giving me the courage to be myself.
With a grateful heart, I thank fate.
As flowers bloom and wither, I will cherish it all the same.”

When the song ended, the applause was thunderous.

Yes—this was the feeling they had been missing. It was these lyrics that completed the piece!

Everyone couldn’t help but marvel once more: Su Bai truly was a man of great talent. The lyrics he sang off the cuff were so memorable and moving!