usatvline Chapter 158 Performance
Chapter 158 Performance
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the whole world was enveloped in a festive atmosphere. The sound of firecrackers rose and fell, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. The air was filled with the unique flavor of the New Year, a blend of the aroma of fireworks and the laughter of people.
Luo Li stood by the window, looking at the lively scene outside, but a sense of loneliness welled up in her heart. In this city, she had no relatives left, and those warm memories of celebrating the New Year together could only be found in her recollections.
She didn't go out to join the festivities; for her, the lively New Year only highlighted her loneliness.
She quietly turned around, went back to the living room, sat on the sofa, picked up a book at random, and tried to immerse herself in the world of words to temporarily forget her loneliness.
Just then, the phone rang, breaking the silence in the room. Luo Li picked up the phone and saw that it was Ling Wei calling.
She frowned slightly, a sense of worry rising in her heart, because the timing of Ling Wei's call was somewhat unusual, at a time when everyone was busy exchanging New Year's greetings.
She quickly answered the phone, and Ling Wei's dejected voice came from the other end, "Luo Li, what are you doing? I'm in a really bad mood. Can we find somewhere to talk?"
Without hesitation, Luo Li immediately agreed, "Okay, where do you want to go? How about we go to a bar? Let's find a quiet place and have a good chat." After agreeing on a bar location, the two hung up the phone.
Luo Li quickly tidied herself up, put on her coat, and left home. The bustling scene outside contrasted sharply with her inner peace. She hurried towards the bar, wondering what had happened to Ling Wei.
Upon arriving at the bar, Luo Li immediately spotted Ling Wei sitting in a secluded corner. Her hair was somewhat disheveled, and her eyes revealed fatigue and dejection; she looked to be in very poor condition.
Luo Li walked over, sat down opposite her, gently patted her shoulder, and asked with concern, "Ling Wei, what's wrong? You look terrible."
Ling Wei forced a smile and said, "Let's have something to drink first." So, the two ordered two drinks and silently took a few sips.
Luo Li knew that Ling Wei needed some time to process her emotions, so she didn't press her immediately, but simply stayed by her side.
After a while, Luo Li felt the time was right, so she began to subtly inquire about the reason for Ling Wei's low mood. "Ling Wei, have you encountered anything bothering you lately? If you'd like, you can tell me. It's very uncomfortable to keep it to yourself."
Ling Wei took a deep breath, put down her wine glass, and slowly said, "Actually, the reason I went to Shanghai to see you last time was because two boys confessed their feelings to me. I was really undecided at the time and my mind was in turmoil, so I went to see you to clear my head."
Luo Li nodded slightly, signaling her to continue. "After I went back, I thought about it for a long time and still chose the first boy, Yu Xuan. The time we spent together was really wonderful. We watched movies, ate meals, and took walks together. I felt happy in every moment." A glimmer of reminiscence flashed in Ling Wei's eyes, but it quickly dimmed again.
"But, I don't know when it started, everything changed. His attitude became more and more indifferent, and every time I talked to him, he would just give me perfunctory answers. We used to talk a lot every day and share our lives, but now he is even reluctant to reply to my messages. I can feel that the feelings between us are slowly disappearing, and that feeling is really painful."
Ling Wei's voice was choked with emotion as she picked up her wine glass and took another big gulp.
Luo Li gently held Ling Wei's hand and comforted her, "Things about relationships are sometimes like that; they're hard to explain. And what happened next?"
“One afternoon before winter break, I couldn’t take it anymore. I mustered up my courage and broke up with him. I know love can’t be forced. Since he has changed, we can’t go back to the past, so I chose to end this relationship.” Ling Wei said, tears welling up in her eyes.
"I've been heartbroken since the breakup. Although I know it's the best choice, I can't help but think about all the little things we did together. I hope he can be happy, but I just can't control my emotions, and I'm feeling really down." Ling Wei wiped away her tears, looking at Luo Li with helpless eyes.
Luo Li looked at Ling Wei with heartache; she understood the pain of being hurt in love. "Ling Wei, don't be too sad. Breaking up is painful, but it's also a new beginning. You're so wonderful; you'll definitely meet someone who truly cherishes you."
Ling Wei smiled bitterly and said, "I understand the道理 (principles/reasoning), but I just can't do it." Luo Li felt a pang of heartache upon hearing this. She gently held Ling Wei's hand and said, "Ling Wei, you did the right thing. Love can't be forced. Although it will be very painful now, time will heal everything."
Ling Wei shook her head with a wry smile: "I know, but I still can't help feeling sad. I feel like I've lost something very important." Luo Li thought for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up: "How about I dedicate a song to you? I want to convey my feelings to you through my singing."
Ling Wei looked at her in confusion: "You're going to sing for me?" Luo Li smiled and nodded: "Yes, believe me, this song will definitely cheer you up."
Luo Li slowly stood up and walked towards the stage where the bar's resident singer was performing. At that moment, the resident singer was standing on the stage, adjusting his pitch, preparing to start the next song.
When he glanced up casually and saw Luo Li walking towards the stage, he was slightly taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Luo Li smiled politely with a hint of apology, and quickly approached the resident singer.
She tiptoed closer to the resident singer's ear, her voice low yet earnest, and said softly, "Excuse me, but I have a very good friend who's feeling particularly down today. I'd like to sing her a song to cheer her up. Could you please lend me the stage for a few minutes?"
She spoke quickly, her words filled with anxiety and sincerity, and her eyes revealed her longing.
The resident singer listened quietly, his surprise gradually replaced by understanding. He glanced at Ling Wei, who sat forlornly in the corner of the audience, and then at Luo Li, who looked expectantly at him, and a touch of emotion welled up in his heart.
He nodded slightly, a friendly smile appearing on his lips. He handed the microphone to Luo Li, thoughtfully adjusting the height for her. Then he gently patted her shoulder, looking at her with encouraging eyes, signaling her to perform with confidence.