LR – Chapter 32

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Chapter 32 – First Concert

He Yujing’s first concert was held in Modu, marking the official start of his world tour after a two-year hiatus. The tour shared its name with the title track of his new album—

— EVIN World Tour
— Advent Of Dawn

15th August, ⟪Advent of Dawn⟫’s premiere

A massive poster in red and black, its font vibrant and dazzling, stood outside the arena capable of holding tens of thousands. Even without the singer’s face on display, the distinct style alone made it clear who the star of this concert was.

The concert was set to begin at eight in the evening. When Jiang Liusui arrived, the sky hadn’t yet darkened, but the venue was already swarming with fans. Outside the arena, the crowd was packed so tightly it was nearly impenetrable, and traffic crawled along even slower than he’d anticipated. Through the car window, he saw countless people holding light boards, banners and official light sticks, while fan clubs distributed support items at every entrance…

After He Yujing’s first concert was announced, Shen Sijia had specially bought a new camera, determined to capture outrageously handsome photos of her gege. She was probably busy at one of the entrances. Jiang Liusui watched the bustling scene outside with curiosity.

This was his first time attending a concert, and the scale of it all felt entirely new to him.

Was it any surprise, though? This was He Yujing, after all—the one who could draw so many people together, each one arriving with eager anticipation, just to watch him perform.

He Yujing’s assistant, Lin Chong, had been waiting in the underground parking garage. Spotting Jiang Liusui getting out of the car, he hurried over. “You’re finally here. Let me take you backstage.”

“There was traffic,” Jiang Liusui said apologetically. “Sorry I’m a bit late.”

Lin Chong waved it off at once. “No, no—it’s fine! It’s just that Yu-ge kept asking. He was worried you wouldn’t get here in time.”

He Yujing had called three times in a row earlier, checking if Jiang Liusui had arrived. Lin Chong had grown a bit anxious from the inquiries, never expecting He Yujing to care so much.

In the past, He Yujing had invited friends to his concerts too, but he always had an assistant escort them directly to their seats. Bringing someone backstage to see him in the middle of preparations was a first.

“Really?” Jiang Liusui was slightly surprised, a soft smile curling his lips, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners. “I thought he’d be too busy to make time.”

Lin Chong was momentarily captivated by that gentle smile. Although they hadn’t interacted much, Lin Chong had always felt that Jiang Liusui’s demeanor was remarkably comfortable, making people want to accommodate him.

No wonder he got along so well with He Yujing.

Jiang Liusui followed Lin Chong as they made their way forward. Dressed in a simple all-black outfit, his snow-white skin stood out even more strikingly. JIn a crowd, his complexion immediately drew attention—not a hint of sickness, but the soft, almost creamy Paired with his tall, perfectly proportioned figure, the staff they passed along the way couldn’t help stealing glances at him.

Someone whispered, “That one who just passed by looks like a celebrity. Is he one of Teacher He’s friends?”

“It’s Jiang Liusui! Haven’t you heard of him? He’s really popular lately…”

Lin Chong led Jiang Liusui into the makeup room. He Yujing’s makeup artist had worked with him for years. Seeing Lin Chong bring in an unfamiliar young man, she first showed surprise, then whispered to He Yujing, “EVIN, aside from your family, this is the first time I’ve seen you bring someone backstage.”

He Yujing said lightly, “You’ll see more in the future.”

After saying that, He Yujing rose and walked toward Jiang Liusui. The makeup artist’s initial surprise quickly gave way to a knowing smile.

Jiang Liusui watched as He Yujing approached. He had already completed his first look for the opening scene. He Yujing wore a dark red knee-length robe with intricate patterns shimmering under the lights. The outer robe was lavish, but underneath he wore a matching shirt and simple black trousers; even his shoes were deliberately understated.

The makeup artist had lined his eyes, blending dark eyeshadow closely along the lower lash line to further accentuate He Yujing’s sharp and cool features. A long, single earring dangled from one ear, its cold and dazzling metallic texture making him appear even more imposing and unapproachable.

But noticing that Jiang Liusui kept staring at him, He Yujing quickly couldn’t help but laugh. The crescent-shaped puff under his eyes became particularly prominent when he smiled, instantly bridging the distance.

“What are you looking at?”

“Impressed by how handsome you are,” Jiang Liusui spoke honestly.

He Yujing’s lips curled up: “Like it this way?”

His peacock-like display was far too obvious. The makeup artist and Lin Chong exchanged a glance, both feeling a little embarrassed. Jiang Liusui obediently nodded. Seizing the opportunity, He Yujing said, “If you like it, you can wear it like this too.”

He had a lot of clothes and jewelry. If they confirmed their relationship, they could swap clothes and wear matching accessories. However, their heights and body shapes were different… he could just buy the same items in different sizes when shopping.

The thought of Jiang Liusui wearing the same clothes and accessories as him—like a private symbol only they shared—filled He Yujing with pleasure.

Jiang Liusui usually dressed very simply, but he wasn’t opposed to changing styles and would probably agree to let him play dress-up. With his doll-like appearance, dressing him up should be very interesting…

As He Yujing’s imagination wandered, Jiang Liusui considered that aside from filming, he probably wouldn’t dress too elaborately. But he always tried to be supportive of his friends: “If there’s a suitable opportunity.”

There was still over half an hour until the show started. Even though He Yujing wanted to talk to him for a bit, he still had to go to the next location to prepare. Don’t leave right after it’s over,” he said. “Lin Chong will come to find you. Wait for me backstage with him for a bit.”

Jiang Liusui assumed it was a celebration party after the first show and asked naturally, “Going for drinks?”

“No, you don’t drink anyway.”

Seeing his confused expression, He Yujing vaguely added:“But if you want to drink, that’s fine too.”

Jiang Liusui didn’t quite catch what exactly was planned, but it was obvious He Yujing had other matters to handle. He didn’t press the issue and just assumed it was a celebration party.

He nodded in reply and smiled at He Yujing. “Wishing you a successful performance, superstar.”

He Yujing had reserved him a seat in the first row of the VIP section. As eight o’clock approached, the arena with tens of thousands of seats was completely full. Lin Chong guided him to his seat, and after hearing it was his first concert, gave him a few last reminders before leaving.

The young girl sitting nearby glanced at Jiang Liusui several times before finally gathering the courage to ask: “Um, hello, are you perhaps…”

He had put on a black mask before coming out from backstage. When the girl caught sight of his face, her gaze fell on his glistening eyes, and she immediately blurted out, “Is it Suisui?!”

Jiang Liusui answered gently, “Mm.”

The girl yanked at her friend beside her. The other girl, who had been snapping photos nonstop, squealed, “Hey! Why are you pulling me—oh my gosh! I’m not imagining things, right?? It’s really Sui Sui!!”

The two girls looked at him and then at each other, both wearing expressions of excitement as if their dreams had come true.

Just last night, they had been speculating in their chat group whether Jiang Liusui would show up at He Yujing’s first concert. And here he was, right in front of them! For CP fans, could anything be more blissful than this?

And he was even more handsome in person…

One of the girls couldn’t resist asking: “Suisui! You just came out from backstage—did you see gege? Did you two—”

Her companion quickly pinched her, afraid she might say something inappropriate and offend Jiang Liusui: “How was Yu-ge We’re all so excited for tonight’s performance!”

Jiang Liusui didn’t answer directly but smiled and said, “He’s in great form. I’m really looking forward to it too.”

Seeing that he kept his gaze on them as he spoke, the two girls gradually blushed and mustered the courage to add: “Suisui, please act in more dramas! We’ll always support you and Yu-ge!”

Jiang Liusui gave a soft acknowledgement. They were about to say more when suddenly, the entire arena went dark.

The crowd immediately fell silent, understanding what was coming. Scattered lights twinkled across the massive central screen, a deep and sweeping symphony filled the air, and screams erupted from every corner!

The giant screen lit up with a VCR, opening on a dark, crumbling dungeon. Vivid neon-colored sewage snaked through streets and alleyways. The costumes, makeup, and props of beggars, pickpockets, assassins, and hunters were so meticulously detailed that a single glance revealed exactly who each character was. The camera darted upward through the shadows of the underground, until the view suddenly flipped, revealing a dazzling white circular stone pillar stretching into the sky—majestic, like a sculpture from ancient Rome.

Jiang Liusui recognized it at once—this was the spot where He Yujing had stood in the ⟪Advent of Dawn⟫ MV.

That scene, evoking revolution and the birth of a new king, had left a deep impression on him and had also sparked frenzied discussion online. On the night the MV dropped, it went viral, cementing itself as one of the most iconic moments of He Yujing’s latest album.

The arena was suddenly flooded with light. The white lift slowly ascended, perfectly aligning with the massive white stone pillar on the screen behind. The backup dancers were dressed entirely in white, but at the center, He Yujing stood alone in a dazzling dark red outfit, like the beating heart of the shadowy city behind him.

Screams surged around Jiang Liusui like crashing waves, nearly shaking the arena itself. His own heart raced in response, and he couldn’t take his eyes off the figure in the center, tracking every motion with unwavering focus.

He Yujing pressed one hand downward, and the backup dancers sank low in response. The slightly dark intro of ⟪Advent of Dawn⟫ began to play in the venue—

He Yujing bent slightly at the waist, then straightened up as if pulled by invisible strings, before his body jolted and hit the beat perfectly.

~ They keep pointing fingers, never self-aware,
Too busy applauding, like they don’t even care.

In the next heartbeat, daylight starts to rise,
Crossing the lines drawn by rules we were taught to abide. ~

This was the first time Jiang Liusui had seen him dance live. Shen Sijia had once said He Yujing’s dancing was so stunning it could make her forget to breathe. Jiang Liusui didn’t forget to breathe—but his full attention was completely captivated.

He Yujing’s dance style was highly distinctive—a pure, masculine elegance brimming with strength. Every movement was expansive and unrestrained. Even the rhythms that required softening his body, he completed perfectly while maintaining his clean and precise style.

Even while dancing so intensely, his singing remained steady. The voice transmitted through the in-ear monitor hardly wavered—

~ Blind to the truth or refusing to change,
They’ll still lift their hands and shout out my name.

Go ahead, guess wildly, don’t get in a rush,
Breaking through the gray, watch the colors flush.
Right or wrong, it bends and sways,
Step aside, I’m carving my own way. ~

When He Yujing’s figure appeared on the large screen, the crowd around went wild. The carnival atmosphere was so immersive that breathing became somewhat difficult. Jiang Liusui simply took off his mask, tightly gripping the light stick Lin Chong had given him before leaving. Only after the opening song ended did he realize his palms were drenched in sweat.

The figure on stage seemed tireless, singing several songs back-to-back. He Yujing’s commanding stage presence reflected his personality perfectly—unrestrained and audacious, commanding the entire stage alone. The energy in the arena was so electrifying it felt like the end of the world. Suddenly, the giant screen cut to a close-up. He Yujing lifted his eyes slightly, and the crowd erupted. Sharp-eyed fans immediately noticed something unusual—the color of his in-ear monitors was completely different from what he usually wore.

“Gege is wearing pure white in-ear monitors! I’ve never seen him use a single color before!”

“Seriously!! His in-ear monitors were always as flashy as possible!”

Jiang Liusui looked closely and was immediately stunned.

He Yujing was actually using the in-ear monitors he had given him when filming wrapped.

Before purchasing them, Jiang Liusui had specifically consulted friends and classmates knowledgeable about such equipment, learning that most singers need custom in-ears molded to their ears. Without access to He Yujing’s measurements, he could only, following a friend’s advice, pick the priciest brand and choose the model that would fit most people.

It was meant to be a practical gift. Later, after asking Shen Sijia, he discovered that all of He Yujing’s monitors were custom-made—more comfortable to wear and with colors that were always vibrant.

He didn’t know this when buying, so he chose pure white, which he liked, thinking He Yujing wouldn’t actually use it.

Jiang Liusui looked at the screen and couldn’t help slowly curling his eyes into a smile.

After more than two hours, the concert was slowly winding down. When the last segment of the VCR ended, He Yujing changed into his eighth outfit of the night.

The final song was a gentle, lyrical ballad. The changing lights made the fog from the dry ice swirl into colorful patterns. The extended stage platform was raised to its highest position, where He Yujing stood alone, singing softly. Unlike his arrogant demeanor while dancing, he now appeared tender and serene.

Confetti rained down from the sky, and soon the entire arena was singing along. The girl beside him wept while singing along, only to scream He Yujing’s name the next moment, unable to contain herself.

The world around them was dull, gray, and barren—but he shone, brilliant and iridescent, all on his own.

In He Yujing’s singing, Jiang Liusui heard the sound of his own heartbeat.

After the concert ended, Lin Chong brought Jiang Liusui backstage lounge.

“Please wait a moment, Yu-ge will be here soon.” Considering that he hadn’t had water for more than two hours, Lin Chong asked, “Do you want some water?”

Jiang Liusui gave a quiet “Mm,” and Lin Chong went to fetch a bottle. He twisted off the cap and took a slow sip, his mind replaying the concert in flashes, scene after scene rushing past.

Concerts were actually this much fun.

No wonder Shen Sijia made it a point to chase every single one whenever she could.

This room seemed to be a backup dressing room. Not far away, rows of mirrors gleamed under the lights, and the makeup tables were lined with an array of cosmetic products. The space was quite spacious, with a few pieces of clothing scattered on the central sofa. Jiang Liusui guessed they might be He Yujing’s spare outfits.

He had expected to wait at least twenty minutes, but before long, the door to the lounge was pulled open from the outside and He Yujing walked in. Up close, it was clear he had sweated quite a bit, and his makeup was slightly smudged, yet it did nothing to diminish his striking appearance—if anything, they added a hint of raw, untamed charm.

“You were so handsome today!” Jiang Liusui stood up. The moment he saw He Yujing, he was reminded of how he had looked on stage. After a brief pause, Jiang Liusui suddenly smiled and reached out, pulling He Yujing into an unexpected hug under his surprised gaze.

It was a solid, heartfelt embrace. Jiang Liusui’s arms wrapped tightly around his shoulders, and his words and actions left no doubt—he was genuinely happy for him. He Yujing, catching on, hesitantly reached out and patted his back, then laughed with rare embarrassment. “I’m all sweaty…”

But Jiang Liusui didn’t seem to care at all. He pointed to his own ear and asked, “Did the in-ear monitors fit well?”

“They fit perfectly, almost like they were custom-made.” He Yujing lowered his gaze to look at him. “When I tried them during rehearsal, I thought it was amazing.”

When he realized the in-ear monitors Jiang Liusui had given him felt no different from the ones he usually used… it sounded a little silly, but at that moment, it felt like fate.

Jiang Liusui released him, took a step back, then flashed a sly smile, as if about to confess a secret. “Honestly… I never really understood why Shen Sijia liked you so much before. I even thought she was exaggerating.”

“……”

“But today, it all became clear.” Jiang Liusui’s eyes glimmered as he recalled He Yujing standing alone on the lift, singing softly. “You were so dazzling on stage.”

He Yujing met those beautiful eyes, shimmering with countless tiny, dizzying sparks of light. Standing here alone with Jiang Liusui, he was more nervous than he had been moments ago facing tens of thousands of fans.

Jiang Liusui kept talking, but He Yujing could barely hear the words anymore. The admiration and excitement radiating from him was magnetic, drawing him in. Even knowing this wasn’t exactly the right moment, a wild urge to get closer spread through him.

If he confessed his feelings now…

… would Jiang Liusui agree?

Jiang Liusui wasn’t usually the talkative type, but now he couldn’t seem to stop. “You truly deserve all the love in the world…”

Touched deeply by these words, He Yujing replied softly but with conviction, “You deserve all the love in the world, too.”

Jiang Liusui froze slightly. That familiar feeling—one He Yujing had deliberately blurred countless times in various ways—surged up once more, but this time with a clarity sharper than ever, nearly leaving him breathless.

He Yujing was still in the outfit from the final song, as if the brilliance that had held thousands of eyes on him just moments ago had not faded at all.

He fixed his gaze on Jiang Liusui, his eyes sparkling with life, yet utterly focused. At the peak of his radiance, he willingly shed all his lofty prestige, baring his heart to just one person.

“I like you.”

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Author’s Note:

To confess to someone at the height of your brilliance.

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