Chapter 152: Chapter 152

In the chaos, a man in black clothes suddenly appeared from somewhere. He tightly embraced Shen Jianian, shielding her entirely within his arms, using his back to prop up the falling spotlight.

A dull thud echoed, the sound of the spotlight crashing onto a sturdy back.

The man endured the pain, yet a muffled groan still escaped his lips.

Shen Jianian froze suddenly, and then, her body couldn’t stop trembling. This voice...

Before she could think more, another "thud" sounded; the spotlight fell to the ground, followed by the noise of shattered equipment.

The whole world fell silent, Shen Jianian heard her intense heartbeat and the suppressed breathing above her head. An indescribable sense of familiarity swept over her.

Seconds later, someone reacted, frantically asking questions.

"Mr. Shen, are you okay?"

"Did your leg get hit by the debris?"

Apologetic voices interspersed: "I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Mr. Shen, it’s all my fault. I was walking backward and didn’t notice."

"Me too," another man said.

The two men were so frightened that cold sweat broke out on their faces. Just now, they worked together to move a piano but accidentally knocked over the spotlight, nearly harming Shen Jianian.

The show was about to air, with everything ready. If something happened to Shen Jianian at this time, they couldn’t afford the consequences even with ten heads.

The man who was holding Shen Jianian slowly loosened his arms, saying nothing, and quietly retreated while everyone gathered around to show their concern.

Their voices reached Shen Jianian’s ears, turning into chaotic buzzing noises.

When she remembered something and looked toward the backstage exit, she could only see part of the man’s side profile, wearing a black baseball cap and black mask, his figure straight and his steps hurried, impossible to discern his appearance.

His figure was tall and slender, and his walking posture resembled someone.

"Mr. Shen, are you injured anywhere?" The young girl who had previously warned Shen Jianian to be careful came up to ask.

Shen Jianian withdrew her gaze, falling on the young girl’s worried face, managing a smile: "I’m fine. By the way, do you know the person who saved me just now?"

The young girl’s attention was all on Shen Jianian, not noticing others, only remembering the person in black clothes without showing his face, shaking her head: "I don’t know."

Unwilling to give up, Shen Jianian asked others.

Everyone present thought she might want to thank that person but, when recalling, none had any impression of the man, not knowing what role he played.

"The program hired a batch of temporary workers, probably just a freelancer," someone guessed.

Shen Jianian didn’t know if the person would only appear today, or come during future rehearsals, but even if he came, changing clothes would make it hard to recognize him.

"Mr. Shen, we’ll help you inquire later." The young girl noticed her keen interest in the matter and comforted her.

Shen Jianian nodded slightly, still shaken, her mind muddled. She took a trench coat from the hanger and put it on, sitting in the corner rest chair to calm herself.

The young girl fetched a cup of warm water and brought it over: "Drink some hot water to soothe your nerves."

Holding the water cup, Shen Jianian recalled the thrilling moment earlier, somewhat dazed.

After finishing a cup of hot water, Shen Jianian threw the disposable paper cup into the trash, confirmed with Director Liao that there’s nothing for her next, and left with her cello from the backstage of the grand theater.

The driver drove to the exit, Shen Jianian got in the car, took out her phone, for a moment not knowing whom to confide in, her teeth lightly biting her fingertip, flipping to Bai Changxia’s profile.

After careful consideration, she edited a message for her.

On the screen was what she just typed: "Today, I met a guy who seemed like Pei Che."

A few minutes later, Bai Changxia replied: "Impossible, you might have seen wrong."

After sending the message, Shen Jianian lowered her head, holding the phone against her forehead, trying hard to piece together those undeniable details, each frame vividly etched in her mind.

The phone vibrated, Shen Jianian saw Bai Changxia’s reply content, struggling to describe that feeling to her.

"I didn’t see the person’s face, but his height, body outline, including his walking posture, very closely resembled Pei Che. Is there such coincidence in the world?"

Not just that, even the feeling of him holding her, the scent on him, and the sound of that brief muffled groan, all carried a sense of familiar déjà vu.

Bai Changxia sent several messages in succession to comfort her.

"There are many coincidences in the world."

"Occasionally, entertainment news breaks out about a civilian resembling a certain celebrity, for everyone to talk and laugh about. Think about it, two completely unrelated people having highly similar appearances, then resemblance in other physical traits is nothing surprising."

"Most importantly, you didn’t even see that person’s face clearly."

"Pei Che was speeding on the treacherous mountain, plunging into the sea from the cliff, the car deformed in the crash, even though his body wasn’t found, authorities confirmed he couldn’t have survived. Jianian, are you still dwelling on his death?"

Shen Jianian read every word of the message Bai Changxia sent, starting to doubt herself, could it be a misconception?

Bai Changxia didn’t want her to dwell in unpleasant memories, promptly shifting the topic: "What are you busy with lately?"

Shen Jianian changed her mood, telling her about participating in "Shining Starlight," initially planning to mention it after getting the tickets in a few days, but saying it now seemed fine.

Bai Changxia excitedly sent a voice message: "Really! That’s wonderful! Finally getting to see you shine on stage again! ’Shining Starlight,’ the name matches you so well!"

She felt genuinely happy for Jianian, overcoming that painful experience wasn’t easy.

Listening to her voice, Shen Jianian couldn’t help but tear up, despite the excitement and joy.

Tilting her head back, she blinked away the tears, pressed the voice key saying: "Don’t forget to come to my performance then."

Bai Changxia: "Definitely! Even if the sky falls!"

The two simultaneously laughed across the screen.

As a guest performer, Shen Jianian needed to rehearse twice in advance to confirm every aspect flawlessly, achieving the greatest audience appeal.

Coming for the second rehearsal, Shen Jianian didn’t encounter the guy who saved her. She asked the onsite staff, they privately inquired for her and even checked with the person responsible for registering temporary workers, cross-checking individuals on the list, yet still couldn’t find him.

Shen Jianian felt she might be overthinking it, hence she gave up searching.

Before the show’s official recording, she received "friend and family tickets" gifted by the program, separately giving them to Fu Jichen, Teacher Yan and his mother, and Bai Changxia.

On the night of the performance, Fu Jichen made time, driving over past six o’clock.

Outside, it started drizzling, the temperature dropped a few degrees.

The music hall had comfortably moderated temperature, with drifting subtle fragrance.

Fu Jichen rushed over from the company in a luxurious black business suit, shoes polished, the watch on his wrist discreetly luxurious, his face handsome and indifferent, with a calm demeanor. Upon checking the ticket and entering the hall, quite a few early-arrived audience members cast curious glances, silently amazed at the arrival of such an important person.

The ticket Shen Jianian gave him was in the front row with the best viewing spot, the other tickets were in the same row, adjacent seats.

Just seated, Yan Qiusheng arrived with his mother.

They exchanged glances, Fu Jichen nodded lightly, Yan Qiusheng wasn’t surprised upon seeing him, smiling in greeting.

Mrs. Yan took the opportunity to assess Fu Jichen; last time, he brought Jianian to visit their home, she hadn’t clearly understood his identity, hence hadn’t examined closely.

Is this Jianian’s boyfriend? Appearance and temperament are extraordinary, not inferior to her son. Yet, he seems deeply calculating, not easy to get along with.

She wondered if someone like Jianian with such a pure personality could manage him.

After spending some time together, Mrs. Yan genuinely liked Shen Jianian and hoped she’d find a good match.

"Mom, what are you looking at." Yan Qiusheng slightly lowered his head whispering next to his mother’s ear.

Mrs. Yan softly replied, taking her seat beside her son.

Bai Changxia arrived late, having taken a cab from the hospital, caught in traffic due to rain, but fortunately not missed the start. She sat down in the empty seat on Fu Jichen’s left, nodding to him: "Mr. Fu."

Fu Jichen raised his eyes, faintly smiled.

Bai Changxia turned her neck to glance behind, the vast section of the audience seating was packed, almost no empty space. Director Liao’s program was highly reputed, naturally, many grabbed tickets to watch live.

Once the show aired, Jianian’s fame should spread.

Bai Changxia withdrew her gaze, placing her hands on her knees, sitting properly.

In that instant she turned away, a person sat in the last row near the aisle of the audience seating. Dressed the same as that day, black clothes and pants, wearing a black baseball cap and mask, only revealing a pair of eyes.

No, even the eyes were hidden in the shadow of the cap brim.