Chapter 362: Mother and Daughter

Chongran is a Gao Zhongsheng.

And she's good friends with Yuan Wanqing's daughter?

The audience clearly paused in surprise upon seeing this answer.

After all, not everyone follows Weibo, and not everyone enjoys browsing online gossip.

In fact, many people wouldn't even know Yuan Wanqing's guest singer for the duet was her own daughter unless they'd watched the show.

And when people learned Yan Zhusheng was Yuan Wanqing's daughter, most were merely surprised, without thinking further.

They didn't even care when Yuan Wanqing got married or had a child.

Now, upon suddenly learning Chongran is also a Gao Zhongsheng, everyone was stunned.

The person behind so many hit songs for Yuan Wanqing is just a Gao Zhongsheng?

Previously, online speculation had only been guesses; now, Yuan Wanqing and Yan Zhusheng have confirmed it outright—this changes the credibility entirely.

【Gao Zhongsheng???】

【Wait… when I was in high school I was still playing with mud, and you were already writing songs?】

【I just got home from school and turned on the show, still counting down the days until winter break—how can people be so different?】

【Alright alright, writes songs, writes novels, and still a Gao Zhongsheng—why don't you just fly to the sky?】

A flood of comments scrolled past, with a string of question marks floating by, reflecting the audience's shock.

"You're really going to be famous now," Xu Youyu laughed, shaking with mirth under the covers.

On the other side, Ying Chanxi asked curiously: "Why did Zhusheng just say it outright? Aren't you exposed now?"

"It's fine—before the show started, she called me to ask." Li Luo sighed, "The production team asked Aunt Yuan if they could talk about Chongran during the finals, so Zhusheng called to check."

"I figured since everyone at school already knew, might as well say it."

"Some rumors have already spread online—confirming them doesn't hurt, and it gives Zhusheng a topic to use on the show, so she won't seem like an outsider."

In this regard, Li Luo was fairly thoughtful.

After all, for Yuan Wanqing, her marital life is clearly not something suitable to bring up on a singing stage.

Under these circumstances, as an outsider, Yan Zhusheng's popularity is clearly far lower than the other well-known guest singers.

But curiosity about "Chongran" had reached a peak over the past two months.

Thus, using Yan Zhusheng as a medium to discuss Chongran naturally transfers public attention toward Yan Zhusheng herself.

It prevents her from being cut too severely in screen time and content allocation.

Singing variety shows are manageable, but in later-era variety shows, after heavy editing, you won't just lose the "One Cut Plum"—they'll turn your words into nonsense.

Even a variety show has the concept of "screen time."

After all, the total runtime is fixed—if you speak more, others speak less; it's a zero-sum game, and time allocation naturally differs.

Especially during the finals, even casual chats in the green room can influence the audience's perception of the singer—every move and word must be carefully watched.

"It's not just me—others are curious too," the host said, chatting with Yan Zhusheng on the sofa beside her, smiling toward the others. "Teacher Han Hong said backstage how good the lyrics are, right?"

"Yes, we're very curious," Han Hong chuckled.

"So, Zhusheng, could you reveal who exactly Chongran is?" the host probed gently.

But Yan Zhusheng wasn't fooled; she shook her head, face serious. "I can't say."

"He says he needs to study hard and make progress, and doesn't want to be disturbed for now."

"So everyone should just enjoy the songs."

The host laughed at this: "Study hard and make progress—yes, yes, you're at that age, you should focus on school. So how's your grades? Chongran writes songs and novels—does he even have time to study?"

"His grades are excellent," Yan Zhusheng blinked. "He's always top forty in school—I only manage around a hundredth place."

"That impressive?" the host asked, surprised. "From what you say, you must be classmates at the same school?"

"Mm," Yan Zhusheng nodded. "We're desk partners—he even tutors me in my lessons."

"Huh?" The host was stunned. "So Chongran wrote all these songs during school hours?"

"Yes," Yan Zhusheng admitted. "'Light,' 'Chaser of Light,' 'The Sky Has No Limits'—all written last year. I even sang them at school. I thought they were beautiful, so I recommended them to Mom."

【???】

【Holy shit! Writes songs, writes novels, sits next to a superstar's daughter, and still gets top grades—what kind of protagonist template is this?】

【Insane. I thought it was already insane, but it just got worse.】

【Where does he get all this energy? He's not even human, holy crap.】

【Others invite singers from within the industry—Yuan Wanqing just invites her daughter, right?】

【Other singers: So this is how you get invited?】

【Others: Time to have a beautiful daughter!】

【Chongran is the ultimate life winner—damn him!】

【Wait—is Mo Qinghan actually Yan Zhusheng? She looks a bit similar, and her tone of voice is almost the same.】

【Holy crap—could his novels be based on real life?】

【What novels?】

【Chongran's Online Novel—strongly recommend you read it.】

Seeing these comments, Li Luo's face darkened: "Just watch the show—why bring up novels?"

"Hahaha~" Xu Youyu, seeing these comments, felt a sudden urge and squeezed into Li Luo's lap, typing a reply directly into the Mango TV live stream.

【Maybe the other two heroines, Shen Dongdong and Jiang Mingyue, also have real-life prototypes?】

【This bastard—what kind of godlike life is he living?】

【Impossible! Absolutely impossible!】

【Aren't novels all fantasy? Do people really write their diaries like this?】

【I know Chongran! I testify! He's really writing a diary!】

【I'm Chongran's classmate! He was already juggling three people back in school!】

【I testify! He didn't even spare his teachers!】

【They even lived together!】

Li Luo: "???"

"No… are these people serious or not? What's with the teachers?!"

"Hahaha~" Xu Youyu laughed heartily, shaking with mirth under the covers, "Most of what they said is actually true."

"Where did I juggle three people? Don't spread false rumors." Li Luo denied firmly.

"You've slept with them already, and you still won't admit it?" Xu Youyu pouted, "Chanxi, look at this guy—he's terrible. He tricked us sisters into giving him our bodies, then turned his back on us."

Hearing this, Ying Chanxi next door instantly blushed bright red.

She wasn't as bold as Xu Youyu; she was so flustered she stammered and couldn't speak.

But she knew Xu Youyu was just teasing, so she didn't take it seriously—just felt a shy, playful curiosity as she sneakily glanced at Li Luo's reaction.

Li Luo's face darkened; he quickly denied it: "When we slept together, I didn't lay a finger on you! I'm a proper gentleman—how dare you slander me like this?"

"What do you mean slander? Where's the slander? Let me see?" Xu Youyu snorted, immediately reaching out and groping wildly across Li Luo's chest—he yanked her hand away in alarm.

Ying Chanxi watched this scene, her mouth opening slightly, but she didn't know what to say. She knew Xu Youyu was just playing, yet she still felt a pang of envy.

If only I were bolder—could I also have such intimate contact with Li Luo?

The three of them tumbled around on the bed while the show on screen steadily progressed.

Under the host's guidance, the backstage atmosphere was lively; a singer even smiled and waved at Yan Zhusheng, asking if she could ask Chongran to write a song for her.

Yan Zhusheng was stingy at home—she insisted on reviewing every one of Li Luo's songs—but in public, she was well-behaved and immediately nodded in agreement.

Soon, after some chatting, the host pulled out a lottery box and handed it to the singers to draw lots.

"The rules for tonight's performance order are simple," the host said. "The duet rounds will still use a lottery system, but for the final solo performance, the order will be determined by the duet rankings—the higher your duet rank, the earlier you can choose your solo slot."

"In short, if your duet wins first place, you can choose to perform last in the final round."

"So let's draw lots—who wants to go first?"

Everyone politely deferred, saying Yan Zhusheng was the youngest and should draw first.

Thus, under Yuan Wanqing's nod, Yan Zhusheng obediently stepped up to the lottery box and reached in to pull out a slip of paper.

"It's number one," the host took the slip, held it up for the camera, "Miss Yuan, that's a bit unlucky—you're going on first tonight."

"A good start is fine," Yuan Wanqing smiled.

Soon, after all the draws were confirmed, Yuan Wanqing led Yan Zhusheng backstage to prepare.

After announcing the results, the host confirmed the backstage was ready, then stepped to center stage and announced with a smile:

"Next, please welcome tonight's first duet performance: mother and daughter, Yuan Wanqing and Yan Zhusheng, with their new song—'Mother and Daughter'!"

"Here it comes, here it comes!" Cui Suling had just come out of the bathroom when she heard Xu Rongsheng calling from the living room; she washed her hands quickly without drying them and rushed out to sit on the sofa, "Has it started? Has it started?"

"Just about to begin," Xu Rongsheng pointed at the TV screen, "They're about to sing."

"What's the song called?"

"'Mother and Daughter,'" Xu Rongsheng said. "Looks like it's about family—listen carefully."

"You listen carefully too," Cui Suling rolled her eyes. "Think about why it's not called 'Father and Son.'"

"That's nonsense," Xu Rongsheng chuckled and shook his head. "Li Luo wrote it for Yuan Wanqing and Yan Zhusheng—of course it's called that."

"Alright, alright, shut up," Cui Suling waved her hand. "It's starting."

"Who's been talking nonstop?" Xu Rongsheng muttered, then immediately fell silent and focused on the show.

On the TV screen.

. ￠o

As the stage lights gradually dimmed.

The screen plunged into darkness.

Soon, the stage was set.

A figure slowly walked forward.

Soft, growing light fell upon her.

Yuan Wanqing stepped to a home-style chair on the left side of the stage, microphone hanging by her ear, hands resting on the chair back, then gently sat down beside it.

The orchestra on both sides of the stage, following Yuan Wanqing's movements, began playing a gentle, tender melody, laced with longing and warmth.

Unlike her outfit in the backstage lounge, Yuan Wanqing now wore a light brown home robe; her makeup was subtle, her appearance soft.

This attire, paired with tonight's song title, instantly shifted her identity from pop star to mother.

As the audience wondered where Yan Zhusheng was, the music swelled—and Yuan Wanqing, one hand stroking the table, the other resting on her chest, sang softly and gently:

"My child~"

"I don't know if I've done enough?"

"I'm a first-time mother~"

Her voice was tender and sincere—especially the last line, "first-time mother," which struck Cui Suling's chest like a fine needle, triggering a quiet, unexpected ache.

"Then every time you left home~ waving goodbye~"

"When parting became easy~"

"My heart still grew empty~"

The next few lines pierced straight through Cui Suling's heart.

Listening to the lyrics, she thought of Xu Youyu now—each time she came home, stayed barely long enough, then fled to Bihai Lanting.

Her wave goodbye was so casual, yet seeing the empty living room, the vacant bedroom, Cui Suling felt a hollow loneliness settle in.

But before Cui Suling could feel sad, a slightly childish yet clear voice rang out on stage.

"Dear mom~"

"I don't know if I did well enough?"

"I'm doing this for the first time as a daughter~"

"But it's also the first time I'm being me~"

As the lyrics progressed, a figure slowly walked forward from behind the stage.

Unlike the casual clothes she wore earlier in the lounge, Yan Zhusheng now wore a blue-and-white school uniform, stepping gracefully from the rear.

She carried a backpack, walked to the right side of the stage, turned her head back toward Yuan Wanqing, and sang thus.

Watching this girl in school uniform on TV, many were instantly pulled back to their own school days—memories blurred yet suddenly sharp.

"Children will walk through the rain~ to understand life's truths~"

"I can only nag because I can no longer help you~"

Yuan Wanqing stood up from her chair, clasped her hands over her heart, sang the first two lines toward the audience, then turned to face Yan Zhusheng far away, extending one hand as if to draw near—yet hesitated.

"Mom will stay in childhood~ calling you often~"

"Saying the flowers in the yard have bloomed, then hanging up—on the subway~"

But Yan Zhusheng had already turned back, backpack on her shoulders, facing away from Yuan Wanqing, raising her right hand to her ear, then letting it fall.

"Did you eat breakfast? Did you sleep on time?"

"Forgive me for knowing only how to intrude in your life~"

—"But I didn't even manage that~ so I stayed silent~"

"Did you eat?"

—"I didn't want to lie to you~ but I feared you'd be sad~"

"Are you tired?"

—"After hanging up quickly~ I realized~"

The mother and daughter's hurried, conflicting exchange—Yuan Wanqing stepped closer step by step, Yan Zhusheng turned slightly bit by bit.

Until finally, their hands clasped tightly—"I miss you so much~"

In that instant, Cui Suling's entire head went numb, as if a string of electric currents flashed along her spine, racing straight to her scalp.

As if a tiny brush kept gently scratching the softest part of her heart—over and over—sweeping her tears out.

Thinking of her own well-behaved daughter not by her side, Cui Suling felt a fresh pang of sorrow, clutching her chest tightly, tears streaming down.

At this moment, on stage, Yuan Wanqing and Yan Zhusheng turned to face the camera, still holding hands.

The second verse began, Yuan Wanqing sang softly:

"My child~"

"I don't know if I did well enough?"

"If letting go is a lesson~"

"Mom never passed it~"

Yan Zhusheng released her hand, stepped aside, her tone now tinged with a hint of defiance and stubbornness.

"I didn't eat on time~ being busy isn't my fault~"

"If you knew, it would make me feel guilty~"

"Your concern and care—I know it's for my good~"

"But it also makes me feel I'm not trusted~"

Yuan Wanqing hurried forward, grabbed Yan Zhusheng's hand, and sang on:

"One who isn't worried isn't a mother~"

"I know~ I know it all~ but my heart aches~"

Yan Zhusheng shook her head hard, shook off Yuan Wanqing's hand again, then turned to face her and sang fiercely:

"Please let me go~ to my own life~"

"You're so brave and kind~ I'm like you, so I'm not afraid~"

Yuan Wanqing stepped forward slowly, took her daughter's hands, and sang tenderly: "One day~ you too~ will become a mother~"

Yan Zhusheng pressed her lips together, sang softly, head bowed: "Will that day~ we~ embrace deeply?"

Then, finally, they embraced tightly, turned again to face the audience, and sang with deep emotion:

"Like a stream~ circling the world~ embracing back the river it was born from~"

"I hope you are loved~"

"I hope you are happy~"

"I hope my hands can shield you from the wind~"

……

"Wherever you are, I have a path home~ come home~"

In the final chorus, the mother and daughter sang a heartfelt climax, their simple, plain lyrics striking each word into the audience's hearts.

At this moment, Cui Suling's eyes were already blurred, weeping uncontrollably.

Xu Rongsheng only then realized his wife had turned into a tear-stained mess; he froze for a moment, then remembered something, smiled gently, and quickly grabbed tissues from the coffee table to wipe her tears.

Meanwhile, on stage, the two fell silent again.

Yuan Wanqing held Yan Zhusheng's small hand, faced her daughter, eyes glistening with tears, and reached up to stroke her head.

"My child~"

"I don't know if I did well enough~"

"But there's one thing I'm absolutely certain of~"

"You are the best daughter~"

"Please believe in... yourself~"