Chapter 64: Xia Yunge Is Slapped in the Face

After confirming her relationship with Qin Feng, Xia Yunge felt her life had been infused with fresh radiance. Though Qin Feng remained busy and had limited time to spend with her, every meeting—even a brief shared dinner or just a few of his comments on her new composition—was enough to let her savor it for a long time. She was immersed in the passion of creation and the sweetness of love, her entire being glowing, as if her music had gained new vitality and power.

One day, she received notification that she had been nominated for the prestigious national music award—the "Golden String Award" for Best Composer. This was an immense honor for any musician. Xia Yunge was naturally overjoyed and immediately wanted to share the good news with Qin Feng.

She prepared an elaborate dinner and waited for Qin Feng in the estate's dining hall. Outside, the moonlight was perfect; inside, candlelight flickered, creating a warm atmosphere.

Qin Feng arrived after finishing his affairs, his expression as calm as ever. After sitting down, Xia Yunge could no longer contain her joy and said cheerfully, "Qin Feng, I have good news! I've been nominated for Best Composer at the Golden String Award!"

She hoped to see even a flicker of happiness on his face, a single approving glance.

Yet Qin Feng merely picked up his utensils, his movements unbroken, not even lifting his eyelids, and simply murmured, "Mm."

As if she had not announced a significant professional recognition, but something trivial like, "The weather is nice today."

In that instant, Xia Yunge's smile froze. Her flood of joy and anticipation was doused like ice water from head to toe, cooling instantly. Her chest tightened as if gripped by a fist, a dull ache settling within.

She had thought he would feel at least a trace of pride for her.

The atmosphere in the dining hall suddenly grew heavy. The candlelight still flickered, yet it seemed to have lost its warmth.

Xia Yunge lowered her head, gripping her water glass tightly, her knuckles turning white. Hurt, disappointment, and a touch of shame surged over her like a tide. She knew she perhaps shouldn't expect too much; she knew he was never one to express emotions easily—but this was recognition she had fought for years to earn!

Did he truly see all of this as utterly insignificant?

After several seconds, perhaps sensing her silence, Qin Feng finally raised his eyes to look at her. When he saw Xia Yunge with her head bowed, lips clenched, eyes slightly reddened, his brows twitched almost imperceptibly.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his tone still devoid of emotion.

Xia Yunge sniffed, suppressing the sting in her nose, her voice trembling slightly: "N-nothing." She dared not look up, afraid her tears would fall.

Qin Feng set down his utensils, leaned back in his chair, and gazed at her slightly trembling shoulders. He was not ignorant of Human Sentiments and Worldly Ways—his way of thinking and focus simply differed radically from ordinary people. Awards and reputation, things others deemed vital, were indeed as light as feathers on his path toward power and the transcendence of life's essence.

But he could sense her emotions.

"That award," he said, his voice clear in the silent dining hall, "is it important?"

Xia Yunge snapped her head up, tear-blurred eyes filled with disbelief. He actually asked that?

"It's recognition of my professional ability!" she couldn't help raising her voice, laced with hurt and passion, "It's the result of all these years of effort!"

Watching her, tear-streaked yet stubbornly explaining, Qin Feng fell silent for a moment. He could not comprehend her obsession with external validation, but he understood the words "effort" and "result."

"Your value," he looked into her eyes, speaking slowly and deliberately, his tone flat yet carrying an unusual penetrating force, "does not need to be proven by an award."

Xia Yunge froze.

"I recognize your music because it moves me in its own right—not because it carries some award label," Qin Feng continued, his words blunt, almost cruel, yet holding a deeper logic, "External noise and judgment are but drifting clouds. Your gaze should be fixed farther ahead."

Like the hidden, transcendent musical secrets possibly concealed behind that ancient score.

Xia Yunge stared at him, digesting his words. The hurt and sorrow on her face gradually gave way to a complex emotion. His words struck like a heavy hammer, shattering the faint pride she had felt from the nomination, and like cold water, jolting her awake.

Yes—she composed because she loved music, because she wanted to express inner emotion. When had she come to let an award's approval so easily sway her joy and sorrow, making her act like a child begging for praise in front of Qin Feng?

Was she pursuing the pinnacle of music—or worldly recognition?

Qin Feng's words were a mirror, reflecting a vanity and fragility within her that she had never noticed.

This "slap," silent, burned more fiercely than any physical blow—not on her face, but in her heart, for her own shallowness and wavering.

She wiped away the tears at her eyes, took a deep breath, and when she looked at Qin Feng again, her gaze had cleared considerably, still faintly reddened, but the hurt and disappointment had faded.

"I understand," she said softly, her voice hoarse yet resolute, "Thank you, Qin Feng."

Thank you for waking me up, so directly, when I was lost in empty fame.

Qin Feng watched her quickly regain her composure, a faint trace of satisfaction glimmering in his eyes. He did not need a partner who merely clung and sought emotional validation—he needed someone who could keep pace with him, at least understand part of his world.

"Eat," he picked up his utensils again, as if the brief exchange had never occurred.

Xia Yunge nodded and picked up her chopsticks. The dinner continued in silence, yet the atmosphere was no longer heavy. After a brief Vibration Technique within her soul, her heart felt washed clean, calmer and more resolute.

She knew that standing beside this man, she must keep growing, breaking free from the constraints of worldly standards, gazing toward a broader horizon.

And perhaps this was the other, more precious Gift he had given her—beyond security.