The turmoil gradually subsided.
Eshan Venture Capital sold off most of its current holdings and assets, barely managing to pay off a portion of its debts.
The five entertainment companies under Han Qu’s name all ceased operations for restructuring and were later completely divested.
FALSE’s official Weibo account only posted a notice about ‘indefinite adjustment of training’ and then went silent.
Rounding up, it was essentially a disbandment, just more euphemistically stated.
Some fans, brainwashed too deeply, still waited painfully, believing from start to finish that their beloved brothers were the victims of a frame-up.
As autumn turned to winter, Huo Ren rarely appeared on shows or in the news anymore.
He quietly made music, occasionally meeting with Xie Lianyun for a few drinks, playing tennis and hiking with Mei Shengyao, or attending a couple of Professor Bo’s lectures at ShiDu Music.
He spent more time with Pei Ruye, and alongside Xiao Chi, slowly moving forward, witnessing his whole process of abandoning crutches and leaving the wheelchair.
Although Long Jia finished most of the sudden onslaught against the Han family, the Xuan Yu Group still had many projects needing trustworthy family help.
He negotiated for two more years of bargaining, agreeing to work blindly for the family for two more years before handing everything over to his brothers and sisters, then continuing his search for the life he wanted.
Life passed quietly and joyfully; it didn’t matter what the paparazzi captured.
For Huo Ren, this was indeed the case, though it was tough for the fans waiting for his brothers to resume operations.
On September 17, it first broke that Long Jia and Bo Jue were truly engaged, then at night Huo Ren not only sang but also publicly kissed; that day was truly a carnival for the fans of various couples.
Fans of Long Jue had been covertly looking for sweet moments since Corona was established, producing countless drawings and writings. After many ups and downs, even after the group disbanded and everyone went their separate ways, the matter still left many feeling unsettled.
Yet now, to suddenly admit and announce an engagement was truly thrilling!
Everyone was eagerly waiting for more news, even though some cynically said it was all for publicity—still, most were happily awaiting more sweet moments.
Unexpectedly, after September 17, Professor Bo resumed his usual classes, CEO Long continued his meetings and overtime, Huo Ren seemed to vanish from the public eye, and Pei Ruye went back to the U.S. to reorganize his business.
[Come on, operate! Where’s the hot search! Where’s the news! Even if there’s no show, a street kiss would do!!!]
[Whoever previously accused them of publicity stunts, come out! Have you ever seen such a situation where they greet and then disappear!!! Continue the hype, I want to see more!!!]
[Red Egret Channel, aren’t you always so capable? Is it so hard to do a celebrity dating reality show? With a couple from Long Jue, a couple from Night Fire, are you worried about ratings? Call SPF now, immediately, right now—]
[Sister above is such a genius sugar addict! I single-handedly plead for the dating reality show to go live!!]
The only consolation was that another batch of freshmen squeezed into Professor Bo’s class, reporting from the front lines that the professor wore his engagement ring every day during class.
“That sapphire is really… so big… clearly chosen by CEO Long!”
“Hahaha, poor my god Professor Bo!”
Despite many calls for action, the few of them were really just busy with their own matters, no longer deliberately sharing their lives with the world.
In the era of Corona, this would have been nearly impossible.
As the new year arrived, Huo Ren accepted an invitation to perform for the Spring Festival, singing on stage with Mei Shengyao.
Snow fell in large flakes, and the streets still played lively tunes, mixed with a few old hits from the Crown.
On February 15th, as usual, was the OSC live award ceremony.
After the downfall of FALSE and its dissolution, OSC also released detailed investigative reports.
Not only were several core judges and management personnel expelled, but the assessment and selection mechanisms were further optimized to strive for complete transparency.
The music industry had indeed been thoroughly reformed.
Pei Ruye was still abroad attending meetings, and Huo Ren casually chose a white suit for the occasion.
He still wore the four-leaf clover pendant close to his body, his steps calm and relaxed.
Many familiar faces waited at the red carpet area, all smiling joyfully.
Feng Jin and Feng Yi sat together sipping champagne, Mei Heng chatted casually with friends, and blinked with a light laugh upon seeing Huo Ren.
Qi Lin adjusted his black bow tie in front of the mirror and, when he saw his good friend arriving, his eyes curved into a smile.
“Brother Ren, long time no see!”
All the disturbances gradually calmed down, and it seemed as if nothing had ever happened.
The red carpet remained brilliantly starlit, with the rapid shutter sounds like ceaseless sudden rain.
Huo Ren walked alone through countless gazes, pausing midway to wave and smile in greeting.
He was aware of the current trends in the music industry and also knew the outcomes of tonight.
Yet as he walked along this long red carpet, it seemed many voices whispered past his ears.
Like the fleeting sound of the wind.
“You must continue forward, stepping over fatigue and pain.”
“You must face criticism and slander to make your choices.”
His steps never faltered, moving through the long aisle of cheering fans, passing through the incessantly flashing photography area.
Picking up a pen, signing, pausing for photos, placing the pen down, and then continuing forward.
“You must become the only light.”
The road ahead seemed very long.
Senior peers at the end smiled and waved him over, while juniors followed behind him anxiously and admiringly.
“What do you want to become?”
“ACE.”
“Yes, this is my choice, and it will not change.”
Every step he took seemed to reawaken every second of the past ten years.
From 2009 to 2019.
For ten years, he had navigated through this world of fame and fortune.
“Now, we need to talk about the future—a long-term and uninterrupted sacrifice.”
“Eating, sleeping, privacy.”
“Love, emotions, speech.”
“Health, space, freedom.”
“Everything that contracts cannot clarify or bind,”
“Will be sacrificed to the endless pursuit of fame and fortune.”
Fortunately, that long period of tempering had ended.
He had glimpsed the light at the end of the inferno.
Chen Yan, holding his daughter, stood on the side of the audience, waving and smiling at him.
“Huo Huo! You really did it!! You are amazing!!”
Aunt Lu’s eyes were red with emotion. Seeing him reach this point, she hurriedly wiped her eyes while smiling and waving at him from a distance.
Huo Ren paused, realizing he was nearly at the end of his path, and waved back with a smile.
They greeted each other across the barriers and lights, and then one side watched the other continue forward.
“Prosperity, decline, destruction, reputation.”
“Praise, ridicule, suffering, joy.”
“The four favorable and four adverse winds, unshaken.”
The young man’s gaze remained clear and unconfused, his voice deep and strong.
“Huo Ren, don’t forget your original intention.”
Huo Ren looked up and realized he was already at the end of the red carpet.
The grand doors were open, with celebrities and dignitaries gathered together.
Qi Lin cheered and hugged him tightly, while Mei Heng patted his shoulder from the side.
“The new album is fantastic. I sneaked Jue Jue into the concert; the view from the VIP box was excellent!” Qi Lin said with a beaming smile, “We’ll sit together tonight!”
“Qi has two nominations this time, not bad at all,” Mei Heng remarked. “Busy with filming and still found time to write songs?”
“After all, Director Jiang was with me~”
Huo Ren couldn’t help but smile, walking inside with them.
After sitting down, the awards were announced one by one.
Some cried with joy, others showed discontent.
The new juniors were full of aspirations, already imagining themselves standing on the stage receiving awards someday.
Huo Ren was caught on camera several times, but at this moment, his mind was calm, free from any distractions.
Finally, Feng Yi, as a guest, was responsible for announcing the winner of the most prestigious award.
As she opened the envelope, her eyes twinkled, and her smile was warm and gratifying.
“The recipient of this year’s Crown Award is—”
“Huo, Ren.”
Applause filled the room like thunder, and whistles sounded as if birds were soaring high.
Huo Ren stood up steadily and walked towards the center of the stage amidst everyone’s gaze.
“Today, we also have another special guest to present the award,” Feng Yi smiled. “Guess who it is?”
Huo Ren instinctively looked towards the other side of the stage, hesitant to say the name aloud.
“No matter who it is,” he couldn’t even take his eyes off for a second, looking towards the other side, “it’s my honor.”
A familiar figure appeared in his sight.
“The other guest, once known as the King of Urban, is the founder and CEO of XV Dance Group, Night Fire Media, and now a short video platform.”
“Let’s welcome with applause, Pei Ruye!!”
The man, dressed in a deep black suit, was as handsome as an English gentleman.
He was holding a dazzling crown, smiling as he walked towards him step by step.
Huo Ren stood rooted to the spot, his eyes reddening.
A pigeon-blood ruby was embedded in the center, with small diamonds adorning the sides.
Sapphires scattered like stars, and the gold base shimmered brightly.
His lover, holding his dream, walked towards him slowly, his eyes full of love like roses.
“I’ve been waiting for you at the finish line for a long time,” Pei Ruye whispered. “How do you like this congratulatory gift?”
Huo Ren reached out and embraced him, planting a kiss on his face.
Laughter and applause filled the room, all filled with approval.
Some even heckled, asking them to kiss again.
Feng Yi stood three steps back, smiling as she watched the young men’s romantic moment.
Huo Ren suddenly thought of something, and in a moment of misalignment, exchanged a look with his fiancé.
The latter, understanding his intentions, stepped back slightly, handing the tray to him in front of the cameras, and the two smiled together for a photo in front of the cameras.
Feng Yi waited for another round of applause to subside before continuing with the interview.
“Huo Ren, now that you’ve received this milestone award as an individual, is there anything you’d like to say?”
Holding the heavy tray, Huo Ren first glanced at Pei Ruye by his side, then looked towards the brightly lit hall.
“Once again, thank you to everyone who has accompanied me on this journey.”
“Thank you for your gaze, your smiles, and all the love you have given me.”
“If there’s anything I’ve learned over these ten years since my debut,” he paused for a moment, showing a sincere smile, “I think… the most valuable thing is probably the word ‘trust.'”
“Trust in friends, trust in dreams, and also trust in oneself.”
Trust in one’s own abilities, trust that one will have a future, honors, and every peak that seems unreachable.
Even if one has felt utterly hopeless at times, even if it seemed like all was lost.
“Thank you to the world for everything it has given me.”
Huo Ren smiled gently, holding the crown and bowing deeply.
“I love you all.”