Qiu Yue's eyes opened to such bright light that she almost felt blinded. She just wanted to turn back and fall asleep but then she realized that there were sounds in the apartment; crackling of a pan as though someone was cooking, shuffling of footsteps...

Qiu Yue blinked once and then sat up straight, thinking of what weapon she could grab to defend herself when she saw him walking into the room.

For a second, just for a split second, it felt like it was Huo Zi Feng. Cooking for her in the morning? Who else could it be?

After all, he'd promised her he'd always be there when she woke up...

But it wasn't. She smiled ruefully at her wild fantasies while looking curiously at Qiao Feng.

"What's up Mr. Manager?"

"Breakfast. Eat up fast and then we need to go back to the agency. You have that live performance and interview scheduled today."

He motioned with his head to the kitchen with a cool look on his face.

Qiu Yue's lips twitched at his response.

"That's all well and good but I meant more along the lines of, why are you here?"

Qiao Feng didn't even bother to wait for her response before turning around and walking away, just leaving behind one sentence.

"It's my job."

Qiu Yue hurried to stand up and stop him but he was already gone. She couldn't help but shake her head. She quickly washed up and then changed to something simple yet cla.s.sy before joining him at the- *her* table.

"I'm pretty sure it's not your job to make breakfast and wake me up."

She shot him a sharp look even as she picked up the fork and started digging into the food.

...food is important okay?

Qiao Feng finally couldn't stop the smile that was creeping into his face when she immediately stopped asking questions after the first bite. She was so cute! Her actions reminded him of a cat, just quietly watching him, asking questions, very languidly and laid back. And yet the moment he got too close she would push him away. It felt like she was a cat that had lived a life of luxury before losing her owner. She knew she deserved the best and wanted nothing else.

After polis.h.i.+ng everything on the table, as she sipped her gla.s.s of grape juice Qiu Yue spoke up quietly.

"Fine. I'll allow you to wake me up and make breakfast every day!"

Such words, perhaps he wouldn't have listened if it had been anyone else, but seeing that sweet teasing smile on her face he just shook his head smiling slightly.

It didn't take long for them to get to the agency. Qiao Feng had his own work, while Qiu Yue practiced for the show that evening. After that, they went to the channel's studio. For a prime time TV show in which every week idols, actors and celebrities would perform their part followed by a short interview. Their ratings were very high and it was very popular.

Having a high status does come in handy, Qiu Yue thought. There was no way she would have gotten this opportunity otherwise. Unlike all those books she'd read about the protagonist being oppressed by the other idols and Stars, it actually wasn't the truth, sure they weren't friendly but they were all polite.

The biggest difference was that none of them had the time to do all that, because they were all on a very tight schedule. And since it was all live it was very important that all the people invited did their parts perfectly.

It was odd, perhaps before she had met Huo Zi Feng the thought of going on to the stage would have terrified her numb, but now it wasn't that scary. Along with seeing Qiao Feng cheering for her, she felt confident.

"You are my idol. There are no chances of anything going wrong with someone I chose."

'Wh that confidence is really amazing!'

Qiu Yue wore just a simple short white dress with a belt. Her wavy hair was left open and the makeup was done in such a way to give it the feeling of dewy spring.

The MC announced her name and then the entire set grew quiet as the lights dimmed. She waited for a second and then walked onto the stage.

For a moment she took in the audience and staff members around her even though they couldn't yet see her. Not many had known she would be here today, in fact, not many knew her at all.

But that would all change this minute.

The pianist opened with the first few notes and the light slowly illuminated just her and gasps rang out in the room.

It was a truly beautiful sight to see. Qiu Yue stood there bare feet, her eyes closed looking like the fairy of spring lost in the winter.

The white light around her made her skin seem translucent and it looked as though her entire being was glowing.

A single feather fell down from above and Qiu Yue opened her eyes slowly, raising her hand to catch it. The cameraman who zoomed in to her face was enchanted by the emotion in her eyes as she slowly started to sing.

"Oh heavens..."

"My only wish... is for you and I to love one another."

"Till the very end of time... without these feelings ever fading.

Slowly she started to dance, as smooth and quietly as the ocean on a dark silent night. Slow movements filled with grace and peace almost akin to that of a feather just floating freely, guided by the wind.

"Only when the mountains are peak less..."

"And these rivers run dry..."

Qiu Yue didn't understand what it was about this song, but the strength it held in its promise was truly amazing. Only while she sang could she let go of her guard and delve into her memories. The memories that brought her more love and more pain than she'd ever thought was possible.

"The thunder roars in the cold winter..."

"Snow falls in the summer..."

"And the earth moves to become one with the sky..."

"Would I dare to sever and abandon my feelings for you..."

Her dance was reminiscent of the falling snowflakes. So beautiful that one couldn't help but reach out to see if it was real, if she was real.

As the last note of the piano resounded and the strings of the violin returned to their silent state Qiu Yue sat down on the stage, hugging her knees with her arms looking up once to see the shower of white feather and the single black feather that floated straight to her.

For a few moments, everyone was silent. It was as though they were afraid the moment someone broke this scene, the beautiful fairy would disappear, fading away into the light.

Qiao Feng remained frozen a strange emotion flickering in his eyes as he watched her, but one thing he knew, she would not disappear and he'd never leave her again.

Why he added again to the end... he didn't stop to think about.

He started to clap snapping everyone else out of that illusion and following him a resounding applause echoed in the studio as staff and audience alike couldn't seem to express their awe.

Qiu Yue wiped the tears that were threatening to fall, smiling at the audience before bowing for them twice and walking off the stage.

Anxiously Qiu Yue hurried to Qiao Feng's side.

"H-how was it?"

She gulped slightly as though dreading his words, and smile tugged at his lips as he took in her s.h.i.+ning eyes looking at him.

"It was amazing of course!"

And just like that, with just a few of his words, a big smile broke out on her face as she looked at him, pridefully asking for praise.

He chuckled before patting her head once and Qiu Yue blinked once, surprised at his action.

Why would she want a pat ah... obviously he should've complimented her more!

Ah whatever, even the pat felt somewhat nice.

After some time, the stage was cleared and two chairs placed for the interviewer and Qiu Yue respectively.

There were drinks placed on the table between them.

Qiu Yue wore high heels this time, and her shoes rang out authoritatively as she stepped out onto the stage once again.

This time, the applause rang out as soon as they saw her. Her performance had been an unforgettable one for the audience, many had been lost in their own memories yet enchanted by it, unable to look away.

"h.e.l.lo, thank you so much for having me! I'm Qiu Yue!"

She smiled sweetly at the interviewer and introduced herself to the camera and live audience.

"It was our pleasure! I'm Chang He Xie, your host for tonight!"

Qiu Yue bowed to the audience before sitting down elegantly on the armchair provided.

"I must say that was quite the performance! At the end, I even thought you'd fade away if I said anything."

The host seemed to be very easy going and laid back making her the perfect interviewer.

Qiu Yue just smiled bashfully at her praise, winning everyone's hearts when they looked at that beautiful face flushed with a light pink hue. Who could resist ah?

"That song is a very popular poem, though this is the first time I've heard it performed quite this way... as such do you have anyone you'd like to dedicate this song to?"

The host smiled cheekily, trying to gauge some information out of Qiu Yue. But unexpectedly Qiu Yue's smile turned sad.

"Shang Ye is... it's my promise to someone. However, that person is no longer here."

Qiu Yue's eyes crinkled as she smiled sadly.

Looking at her, everyone was left silent for a moment. They hadn't encountered any idol who so openly talked about their lovers before their debut even!

"Then is your new alb.u.m meant to win him back...?"

She asked cautiously. Of course, if she messed up and caused the audience to have a bad view of Qiu Yue it could become very messy.

"Ah!"

Qiu Yue laughed a bit before continuing, surprising everyone again.

"I'm afraid that's not possible... that person is gone, somewhere I can't reach him anymore."

A small gasp escaped the host as she realized what Qiu Yue mean and her eyes changed to hold a tinge of sympathy.

"Yes, this alb.u.m is for that person. But more importantly, it's for all those people who've lost someone before. It's for all those people who miss someone. It's for anyone that wants to go back into their memories."

Qiu Yue's words struck each and everyone listening.

Yes, they had all lost someone, family, friends, lovers... perhaps they hadn't died but were estranged. Yes, they all missed someone very much, someone they wanted to talk to again. And yes they all had memories they wanted to relive, to go to those carefree and happy days.

Qiu Yue talked a bit more about the alb.u.m, drawing everyone's attention to it and making sure they would all listen to it when they came out.

For the last question, however, He Xie asked her something she hadn't expected.

"Do you regret it? Knowing that person? Now that you know it's brought you pain...?"

The producers felt that this was too out of the left field, but He Xie genuinely wanted to know, she just couldn't help herself.

"No. He's helped me become who I am. He gave me strength. And I never want to forget him, even though I now understand that love and pain exist hand in hand."

Chang He Xie stretched out her arm for Qiu Yue to shake, with perhaps more sincerity than she'd ever done. With her sincerity, Qiu Yue has truly won all of them over.

Sure there would always be haters, but most, if not all could relate and feel the songs resonate with themselves.

______________________

1. By Heaven! also known as Shang Ye!, Oh Heaven!, and Oh G.o.d!, is a Yuefu poem, a kind of folk poetry, from the Han Dynasty. Yuefu poems are written to accompany music. Even though this poem was collected in the Han Dynasty, it was probably created in an older period. Its author is unknown.

By Heaven! is a poem praying for eternal love. It is one of the most famous Chinese love poems.

Oh heavens!

I wish for you and I to love one another

Till the end of time, without these feelings ever fading.

Only when the mountains are peakless,

And the rivers run dry,

And thunder roars during winter,

And snow falls during summer,

And the sky meets and joins with the earth,

Would I dare to sever and abandon my feelings for you.

Please check the auxiliary chapter for more info!

This is one of my favorite poem, song of all time! I love the song that was written based on this too, which I've included in the auxiliary.