Chapter 131: Should Be Green Foliage and Fading Blossoms

Just before the banquet, Yang Wancheng and his party finally arrived. He appeared alongside Han Shanping and others; this was Liu Qingshan’s first meeting with the latter, though they only exchanged a few brief words.

The arrival of Kram’s group drew everyone down to the lobby to greet them, only to discover that relevant government officials were already waiting there. Liu Qingshan, not knowing how to converse with such figures, simply smiled at everyone, careful not to neglect the proper etiquette.

To his surprise, Anuaja was by Kram’s side. The biological mother of Pajei was not yet thirty, and she had been quite kind to him back in India. When Pajei had given Kim Hee-sun a gift, he hadn't mentioned that his mother was coming along, so Liu Qingshan had assumed the senior wife, Ashmita, was the one accompanying the delegation.

After exchanging greetings with the various guests, Kram pulled Liu Qingshan to his side. That display of intimacy was surely noted by many observant onlookers.

The welcoming banquet was as enthusiastic and hollow as ever. Beneath the facade of harmony, there was little of substance; at most, strangers exchanged pleasantries, and acquaintances reminisced about old friendships. By 9:30 PM, under the guise that the guests needed rest, the banquet concluded perfectly.

Those who remained at the hotel to continue talking with Kram, aside from Liu Qingshan and Kim Hee-sun, included Yu Chenhui. The elderly man had come to escort the collection of cold weapons. It was not uncommon for Chinese martial arts circles to gift such items to foreign guests, but it required complete and formal documentation to ensure smooth passage through customs. As the representative of the gifting party, Yu Chenhui needed to sign a tripartite agreement with the Chinese Wushu Association and Kram’s side, which was why he was present.

Unexpectedly, upon learning of Yu’s identity, Kram held him in high regard. Yu, being a forthright man, found a kindred spirit in Kram, and the two hit it off immediately at the dinner table. Despite being sixty-five, the elder Yu spoke fluent English, leaving no language barrier between him and Kram. Knowing that Yu had a close relationship with Liu Qingshan, Kram invited him to stay at the hotel for a few days. After all, the man held the prestigious title of "Sword Saint of China," for which Kram had immense respect.

In the most expensive suite at the Dad Hotel, the conversation flowed so freely that Liu Qingshan and his two companions stayed the night. The following morning, they accompanied their guests to the nearby Snow Territory Studio to finalize the arrangements for the official opening three days later.

Liu Qingshan and Kim Hee-sun departed after lunch, as they had a recording for a China Central Television (CCTV) program at 3:00 PM, where they were to perform the song "Do You Know, Do You Know." Along the way, they picked up Gu Yun; the elderly lady had exerted significant effort to ensure they were invited as special guests by CCTV.

Because the program was broadcast live, although the official recording was at 8:00 PM, rehearsals were mandatory. Unlike other contestants, they did not require a live band, so their rehearsal was straightforward: they walked through their positions, checked the staging during a sound check, and spent the rest of the time in the dressing room. During this time, Gu Yun kept bringing people over to meet them, clearly showing how much she cared for her goddaughter.

Kim Hee-sun used this opportunity to network with many heavyweights of the Chinese music industry, which was a pleasant surprise for her. Gu Yun also took the chance to send out "heroic invitations," asking many to attend the formal adoption ceremony on National Day. The Gu family had long known that Liu Qingshan would likely be in Hong Kong by then.

One should not underestimate these visitors coming and going. Kim Hee-sun was already a top-tier actress, and since the entertainment industry in South Korea had developed years ahead of China’s, the exchange between the two sides was on equal footing. Otherwise, even with Gu Yun’s influence, those big names would not have visited the dressing room of a newcomer. Status mattered. Furthermore, not just anyone could secure a private dressing room at CCTV; even the eight judges, including Gu Yun, only had three rooms between them.

Shi Hui and Park Hyun-hee were also there. Liu Qingshan even brought Pajei along; he was fond of the boy and happy to indulge the child’s desire to follow him around. The presence of the young boy caused quite a stir among the various singers and stars. In the current entertainment landscape, Kram’s arrival was a major event, and the fact that he allowed his youngest son to stay by Liu Qingshan’s side was enough to demonstrate Liu’s position in the eyes of the Bollywood tycoon.

As time drew near, they quickly finished the boxed lunches provided by the station, and it was time for the show to begin. Liu Qingshan and Kim Hee-sun were scheduled to perform at the very start, so they were escorted onto the stage even before the host departed.

This was Liu Qingshan’s first performance in front of a live audience, and it was impossible not to feel a bit of nerves. Fortunately, upon hearing the roar of the crowd—especially when some began to chant his name—he quickly found his rhythm. He was no longer the unknown he had once been. The fame brought by the broadcast of *Detective Di Renjie* was actually quite limited, far less effective than the promotional push from CCTV that had begun the day before. This was why he had been so excited when he heard about the performance the previous night.

The earlier incident had only made people remember his name; the subsequent publicity allowed them to connect all the dots of his past. Coupled with the fact that he was frequently seen alongside Kim Hee-sun, it was no wonder more people were taking notice of him.

However, as soon as they began singing "Do You Know, Do You Know," the audience was clearly moved by the song.

*Flowers bloom by the willow,*
*Seeking fragrance, I miss the pavilion,*
*Drinking in the morning glow for half a day,*
*The wind and rain cannot penetrate,*
*I leave the palace to grow thin,*

*The high terrace holds tears that refuse to fall,*
*Looking back after sending the brocade letter,*
*No years remain to be stolen.*

Regardless of its quality, this work, with its rich, classical, and ancient charm, was at the very least a classic of the genre, even if it could not be called a pioneering effort. While similar songs appeared from time to time, this was the first to feature such distinct Chinese characteristics combined with such lofty, evocative lyrics.

As the song continued, a sense of ethereal depth spread throughout the hall. The beautiful melody of the chorus suddenly gave the entire song a unique and transcendent atmosphere.

*Last night, the rain was light and the wind was sudden,*
*Deep sleep could not dispel the lingering wine.*
*I ask the person rolling up the curtains,*
*They say the begonias remain the same.*
*Do you know? Do you know?*
*They should be green and lush, yet the red is fading...*

Liu Qingshan’s voice was distant and ethereal, while Kim Hee-sun’s voice was simultaneously youthful and weary. Combined with the exquisite melody, the song suddenly pierced everyone’s hearts with a different form of musical expression. This chemical-like effect resulted in a beautiful, fantastical sound that seemed to drift across an endless, empty horizon.

The raw, un-tuned vocals were as clear and ethereal as the sky—delicate and pure. As the song progressed, eyes grew misty, and goosebumps rose across the skin of the listeners. Though their partnership could not yet be called flawless, they complemented each other perfectly.