Shen Xingsui hadn't quite caught everything.

No, he heard it all but gazed incredulously at Fu Jinxiao. What he saw was Fu Jinxiao engaged in lively conversation with others.

A staff member approached, "Mr. Fu, you're up next. Please prepare yourself."

Fu Jinxiao nodded in acknowledgement.

Bending down, he told Shen Xingsui, "Once on stage, don't get nervous. You have stage experience. Treat this as any other performance. Even if you make a mistake, keep going. Understand?"

Shen Xingsui, ever understanding, nodded lightly.

Satisfied, Fu Jinxiao took the stage.

As he went on, from backstage, Shen Xingsui distinctly heard the roaring applause and cheers. This was the charisma of a national movie star.

The melodious music from the stage started, with the Spring Festival Gala's stunning visuals.

Fu Yingdi's deep and elegant voice echoed as he duetted with a famous female singer. Their harmonious melodies warmed the heart. Having sung for years, his profound skills attracted everyone's attention. On such a grand stage, with the spotlight on him, he seemed to be the only one everyone could see.

Beside him, Teacher Cai remarked, "Doesn't he seem dazzling and incredibly popular?"

Coming back to reality, Shen Xingsui noticed Teacher Cai standing beside him. A bit embarrassed, he nodded in agreement.

Mr. Cai said with a chuckle, “To be frank with you, over the years, you're the first person he's introduced to us. Even new talents within the company have never been presented by him. Despite his popularity, I've seen him alone through thick and thin.”

Shen Xingsui was lost in thought upon hearing Mr. Cai's words.

Deep down, he felt guilt. Maybe Mr. Cai thought he held a special place in Fu Jinxiao's heart, but only Shen knew that wasn't true. It was only because of his family and his mother's request that Master Fu took extra care of him. Without these connections, he might just be another face in the crowd to Fu Jinxiao.

Unaware of Shen's internal struggle, Mr. Cai gently remarked, “Xingsui, I'm glad to have met you today, and I'm happy for him too.”

Shen Xingsui was taken aback.

“Don't see him as invincible,” Mr. Cai said, patting him on the shoulder. “For all his glamour, he's had his share of struggles.”

From Mr. Cai's words, Shen Xingsui could discern a hint of sadness.

As their conversation concluded, a staff member approached Shen for his performance preparations. Despite having no actual role or camera focus, he was essentially just a backdrop.

The moment he stepped onto the stage, he was struck by the sight of a packed audience and countless cameras aimed at him. The overwhelming grandeur of the setting was palpable.

Thunderous applause filled the air.

Spotlights shone brilliantly, 3D music resounded, and the magnificent display of choreography was a feast for the eyes.

It was then that Shen Xingsui felt truly insignificant. Mr. Cai had mentioned that he could stand by Fu Jinxiao's side, but considering his current status, he felt undeserving to stand next to someone like Fu Jinxiao.

The melodic notes of a piano intertwined with the stage music.

The audience below was entranced by the beautiful performance, and as it was being broadcasted live, online viewers began to notice:

“The pianist in the background looks familiar.”

“Such beautiful playing.”

“This piano sound seems so familiar.”

Perhaps due to the barrage of comments, the camera fleetingly panned to the back, capturing a brief glimpse of Shen Xingsui's fair side profile. In the brilliant light, with an elegant piano melody, his shadowed face still offered a captivating sight.

“Wow, he's gorgeous!”

“He has this ethereal, princely aura.”

“Who is he?”

Viewers were left in suspense until the end when Shen Xingsui stepped forward for the curtain call. Recognizing him, the online community erupted:

“It's Xingsui!”

“I admired your talent and saw you as a beloved prodigy. Now, my feelings seem... different.”

“Hahaha, from familial fondness to... something more?”

"Our young talent made it to the Spring Festival Gala, so low-key!"

Although it was just a brief familiar face flash, the new side he presented received a lot of positive feedback. Furthermore, despite not winning the talent show, his personal connections seem to be even better than those of a successful group, hinting at a promising future!

Shen Xingsui stepped off the stage, and it was already late, nearing 11 in the night.

Many teams backstage, having finished their performances, began packing up. Before leaving, there was a buzzing topic among them:

"Did you get a boutonnière?"

"No."

"Has Teacher Fu given out his?"

"Not yet. I wish I could get it..."

Shen Xingsui was puzzled. At that moment, Shen Xingchen, who had just finished his performance in the neighboring hall, came over. Seeing Shen Xingsui lost in thought, he nudged him, "What are you pondering?"

Shen Xingsui whispered, "What's with everyone and boutonnières?"

Shen Xingchen, more informed, explained, "Oh, you don’t know? A few years ago, performers backstage would playfully exchange boutonnières from their outfits. Turns out, two of them got together after the exchange. Since then, there’s this unofficial backstage tradition – if you get someone's boutonnière, you're destined with them."

Shen Xingsui was taken aback!

The chatter continued, and Shen Xingsui felt somewhat overwhelmed.

Shen Xingchen teased, "Got someone in mind to give yours to?"

Blushing, Shen Xingsui protested, "No, no! Stop making things up!"

Shen Xingchen, with a knowing smirk, remarked, "Come on, I know you too well to be fooled."

Shen Xingsui shot him a glare.

But then, he grew hesitant. Part of him wondered who received Fu Jinxiao’s boutonnière, yet another part questioned why he should even care.

As he was lost in thought, a female singer, who had shared the stage with him earlier, approached. He didn't recall her name. He asked, "Hello, how can I help you?"

The singer hesitated, "Hello, Xingsui."

They exchanged a handshake.

She shyly inquired, "Um... Can we exchange boutonnières?"

Shen Xingsui was taken aback.

He had just been thinking about others' boutonnières, and now someone was asking for his!

Shen Xingchen, sensing the fun, mischievously retreated, ignoring his younger brother’s plea for help, acting distracted.

The singer looked expectantly at Shen Xingsui, softly asking, "May we?"

"Well, um..." Shen Xingsui found it challenging to handle girls and stammered, "Why would you want a boutonnière from me? We've just met, haven't we?"

The actress didn't expect Shen Xingsui, the young master of the Shen family, to be so naive. She chuckled inside but replied sincerely, "Is it wrong to be smitten at first sight?"

! !

Shen Xingsui was taken aback by her frankness!

Watching the actress's hopeful gaze, Shen Xingsui felt like fleeing. He replied, "I'm sorry, it's not that I don't want to give it to you; I just have someone else in mind."

The actress, taken aback, grabbed his arm as he tried to leave, "Hey, Xingsui, you don't have to make up excuses to turn me down, do you?"

Shen Xingsui, more nervous now, accidentally dropped his boutonnière. As he bent to pick it up, a deep, elegant voice, seemingly amused but cold, said, "Mr. Shen seems to be quite the ladies' man tonight."

Shen Xingsui froze and turned around.

Fu Jinxiao stood nearby, a familiar, insincere smile on his face, "I was wondering why I couldn't find you in the lounge. You're here enjoying the company of a beauty, I see."

"..."

"What are you talking about, Professor Fu?"

Feeling ridiculed, Shen Xingsui hastily replied, "You've got it all wrong! I wasn't—"

Fu Jinxiao nonchalantly raised an eyebrow and approached, picking up the fallen boutonnière. He scanned the two and quipped, "I hope I didn't interrupt anything."

Seeing his boutonnière in Fu's hand, Shen Xingsui hesitated between joy and sorrow but replied honestly, "Not at all."

The actress, persistent, chimed in, "Professor Fu, I was just chatting with Xingsui."

Fu's eyes briefly darkened as they shifted to her hand still grasping Shen Xingsui's.

While he was certain of Shen Xingsui's innocent nature, seeing him so close with someone else irritated him. Not wanting to take it out on the boy, his ire redirected towards the actress by his side.

His gaze settled piercingly on her.

She felt a chill down her spine. Despite the rumors of Fu being approachable and humble, why did his presence feel so intimidating?

With a smile that radiated mature charm, Fu said, "Wang Chuyan, what a lovely name."

Flushed by his remark, the actress's heart raced.

"Here for a boutonnière?" Fu casually suggested, "If he won't give you his, how about taking mine?"

Both Wang Chuyan and Shen Xingsui stared in surprise.

One ecstatic, the other heartbroken - their reactions starkly contrasted.

Without a moment's hesitation, Wang Chuyan bashfully glanced at Fu Jinxiao and eagerly declared to Shen Xingsui, "Xingsui, I'm truly sorry, but I choose Professor Fu!"

Shen Xingsui: ...

There's no need for you to apologize to me.