Chapter 131: In the Name of Love

Originally, the guests present today were utterly disappointed after watching the earlier performances. Although most acts were barely passing, the contrast with the previous episode’s show was stark—so much so that many doubted whether they were even at the correct live recording of “Heavenly Voices.”

However, when Zhang Yuan took the stage, a number of the audience still held onto hope and anticipation. This sentiment was not merely because Zhang Yuan was the champion of the last episode, but also because her performance involved elements connected to Zhou Ran. After all, the song was a collaboration between the two, lending significant credibility in the eyes of the audience—their reputations were firmly established.

As Zhang Yuan appeared on stage, she was as relaxed as ever, ready to fully enjoy her performance.

Before the song began, Zhang Yuan introduced the piece she was about to perform—an original composition.

The guests had heard many original songs throughout the day. Their feelings had fluctuated wildly, from initial hope to growing disappointment, like an emotional rollercoaster plunging downward. Yet, in facing Zhang Yuan, they still harbored expectations.

“This journey, full of stops and starts,
Following the traces of a drifting youth,
At the moment before leaving the station,
Hesitation unexpectedly arises,
Smiling at the familiar fear of returning home,
Still, it is inevitable.”

A true master reveals their skill immediately. The moment Zhang Yuan began to sing, the audience sensed the song’s exceptional nature. Her voice carried a faint melancholy that perfectly complemented the opening lyrics, as if tailored for them. In just a few words, she captured the feeling of a young man who had wandered far from home, now hesitant upon returning.

The song’s opening juxtaposed the naivety of youth stepping into the world with the weariness of experience upon return, perfectly embodying the theme with just those few lines. Several lyricists and musicians in the audience couldn’t help but admire Zhou Ran’s songwriting prowess.

“And the sky over Nagano
Still holds its warmth,
The wind stirs memories of the past,
When I first came to know this world,
Lingering endlessly,
Gazing at the horizon as if it were right before me,
Willing to brave fire and water to journey once more.”

Zhang Yuan continued with the accompaniment, shifting from the initial melancholy to recount the dream of leaving home.

Her lyrics struck a chord with many musicians present, some of whom had ventured out in their youth with a similar mindset—eager to explore the vast world beyond their hometowns. They had no clear idea of the hardships ahead, only a burning passion to experience life’s trials, no matter how many obstacles lay in their path. Youth, after all, is meant for such daring adventures, a chance to witness the world’s dazzling colors.

Zhang Yuan’s words resonated deeply. As always, only experiences lived can evoke genuine echoes and stir true empathy. Songs themed around youth must connect emotionally with their listeners. Each person’s youth is unique, yet universally familiar.

“The evening breeze stirs the silver at your temples,
Smoothing the scars left by memories,
In your eyes, a mingling of light and shadow, a smile blossoms,
Twilight hides your unsteady steps,
You walk into the painting hidden by the bedside,
In the picture, you lower your head and speak,
I still marvel at the vastness of the world,
And am intoxicated by childhood promises,
No longer tangled in truth or falsehood, no pointless struggles or laughter,
I ultimately return my youth to her,
Along with the vibrant summer plucked from my fingertips,
Where my heart moves, it follows the wind,
In the name of love, would you still be willing?”

The song pressed on, nearing its conclusion and approaching a climactic end.

Echoing the initial theme of the hesitant return home, the song was destined for a tragic finale. The ending mirrored the opening lines.

The protagonist, returning from afar, seemed to glimpse the girl he once cherished, recalling the beautiful memories they shared. But awakening revealed it was merely a painting. He had stepped into her home, seen her portrait, and allowed his imagination to wander. The girl in his heart was nowhere to be found; her fate remained unknown. The only certainty was that he had lost her because of his departure. Now, all that remained was endless longing and fantasy.

She represented his youth. As she vanished, so did his youth, like fleeting clouds carried away by the wind, leaving no trace behind. After years of wandering, his heart bore scars, yet upon returning, he was immersed in memories of the past.

“If I could meet you again, would you still be willing—
In the name of love?”

Would the girl in his heart answer yes?

But all of this could only ever be a dream, a deep meditation in slumber.

After finishing the song, Zhang Yuan added a phrase Zhou Ran had told her before she took the stage—an apt summary of "The Wind Has Risen."

“Love rises with the wind; when the wind stops, the feelings remain unsettled. Thank you all for listening!”

As Zhang Yuan’s performance ended, the audience erupted into the warmest applause. They thanked her for cleansing their souls; this was true original music. The earlier performances had only tortured their spirits.

Listening to the collaboration between Zhang Yuan and Zhou Ran also stirred memories—both joyful and bittersweet.

Unbeknownst to Zhou Ran, Zhang Xiaofeng’s confidence in being with him had been solidified through Zhang Yuan’s performance.

Zhang Xiaofeng refused to follow the fate of the girl in the song, who had vanished upon returning home, leaving only regret. She was determined to seize this chance, to hold onto Zhou Ran tightly.

With this resolve, Zhang Xiaofeng’s gaze toward Zhang Yuan was fierce, her entire being suddenly resolute.

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Chapter 131: “In the Name of Love” Free Reading.