The melody began to play like a warm breeze brushing gently past the listeners’ ears. The entire venue subconsciously quieted down, mouths slightly open, listening in silence.

At that moment, the title of the song appeared on the big screen.

“The Wind Rises”

A simple name—but the lyricist and composer listed underneath made everyone’s eyes narrow slightly in surprise.

Xingyao!

This unknown singer had actually managed to get the mysterious Xingyao to write a song for her?

Everyone instinctively perked up their ears, now desperate to hear what Xingyao’s new song sounded like.

Backstage, Liu Qian was already stunned. If you looked closely, you’d notice her hands were trembling nonstop.

The intro was simple, yet it hooked everyone instantly. And right after that, Xia Xiyao's voice came in.

    “Along this road, I walked and paused,
    Tracing the trail of a drifting youth.
    The moment I stepped out of the station,
    I hesitated for just a breath.
    I chuckled at my own fear of returning home,
    But I couldn’t help it.
    The sky over River City
    Is still so warm.
    The wind stirs up memories of the past.”

The wind rises. Memories awaken.

The venue fell into pin-drop silence. Accompanied by the melody, everyone seemed to see their younger selves stepping forward, never pausing.

And yet, now that half a life had passed, seeing a familiar hometown stirred up that deeply rooted ache of returning home—an ache that made their hearts tremble faintly.

At that moment, Xia Xiyao was completely immersed in the song. She had practiced it countless times, but only now was she truly giving her all—heart wide open. Her eyes shimmered as she gazed toward the audience.

Down there were the two most important people in her life. They were both here!

    “Back when I first discovered the world,
    Everything dazzled me.
    The far-off sky looked as close as my eyes.
    I would’ve walked through fire and water just to live it once.
    Now I’ve walked through this world,
    Lingered through every chapter,
    Brushed past faces shaped by time.
    And suddenly,
    I burst into your smile.”

Another divine song.

Everyone at the venue, and even those watching the live stream, were completely moved. In their minds, images flickered like a slideshow—so many familiar yet distant profiles—until it settled on one unforgettable smiling face.

That person was the one they’d never forgotten from their youth.

So this is what it meant when the wind rises—it stirred up the breeze of youth that had long been buried deep in their hearts.

Xingyao—this guy again—he just had to come stir their emotions!

The song continued, and everyone was utterly entranced.

    “I once couldn’t pull myself out of the vastness of the world,
    Lost in dreams whispered by strangers.
    I stopped seeking truth,
    Stopped struggling,
    Unbothered by ridicule.
    I once transformed my youth into her,
    Let my fingertips play out the height of summer.
    Where the heart goes, let fate follow.
    Walking against the light,
    Let the wind and rain strike me.”

In the massive stadium, not a single sound was heard. Everyone had been pulled into memories by the song.

Backstage, Liu Qian collapsed onto the floor. Her face was ashen, lips trembling uncontrollably. She no longer had the courage to perform.

Xia Xiyao had taken the stage with dazzling brilliance and perfect vocals. With this nearly invincible song, she had utterly shattered Liu Qian’s confidence.

Yuan-jie stood not far away, her eyes filled with daze.

Who really was the music godfather?

She’d heard the song Wu Fan wrote for Liu Qian. But now, listening to this one from Xingyao, she felt Wu Fan’s song wasn’t even worthy of carrying this one’s shoes.

Yuan-jie gave a bitter smile. Outclassed—completely and utterly outclassed.

She’d been crushed before, and now, even with Xia Xiyao’s powerful return, she was still being crushed.

And not just backstage—even the veteran mentors sitting at the judges’ panel were deeply moved by the song.

As experienced mentors and seasoned singers themselves, they couldn’t help but feel a little envy.

If only they had had such a song to pave their way back in the day—who knows? They might’ve become legends long ago.

But unfortunately, there was only one Xingyao in this world.

The melody of youth continued. Xia Xiyao, in her flowing dress, took a few light steps forward, like a butterfly spreading its wings, tracing the arc of everyone’s youth.

    “A short road walked with many pauses
    Created a small distance.
    I don’t know whether I’m brushing past a story
    Or a fleeting emotion.
    Maybe what I hoped for
    Was simply to defy time.
    Seeing you again,
    In the cool morning light,
    Smiling so sweetly.”

It sounded like a simple, insignificant story. But seeing her again upon returning—she was still there.

And yet, the audience felt a surge of sorrow. They, too, wanted to live a lifetime and return unchanged.

But regret would always be regret. That smile in the cool dawn light seemed to blur and fade away.

At that moment, someone in the livestream comments posted:

“So this is why we drifted apart... it was because the wind rose.”

The quiet chat feed exploded instantly. Countless eyes filled with tears, and comment after comment flooded in.

Everyone broke down emotionally at that moment. After hearing this song, all they could feel was the regret of their youth.

Tears fell as they typed, sharing stories from their own pasts.

Eventually, it became unified:

“So this is why we drifted apart… it was because the wind rose. Love rose with the wind, but when it stopped, the feelings remained unsettled.”

And at that moment, Xia Xiyao’s song slowly approached its end. Her voice, rich and mellow like fine wine, seemed to soothe everyone’s heart—like it was giving youth a final answer.

    “The night breeze lifts the white hair at your temples,
    Soothing the scars left by memories.
    In your eyes,
    Shadows and light intertwine—
    And your smile blossoms like a flower.
    Dusk hides your faltering steps
    As you walk toward the painting hidden at the bedside.
    In the painting,
    You speak softly with your head lowered~”

The song’s final note.

It felt like closure. Everyone awoke from their dream of youth. Life still had to go on, and the memories were simply triggered by this scene.

Even if they were tinged with regret—what is youth without it?

Youth was meant to be bold and reckless. Though recalling it brings sorrow, it also brings deep longing.

It exploded. No one knew exactly when, but backstage, the viewer count began to skyrocket—far surpassing any ratings from previous years.

Director Ren Chao wiped the tears at the corner of his eyes. He too had been moved by the song—after all, who didn’t have a youth of their own?

But now he was both elated and wanting to shout.

This rollercoaster of emotions made his heart race, and he couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly.

This is Xingyao!

The person who could make you cry and laugh—just who was this god-tier figure with such overwhelming charm?

When Xia Xiyao first joined, Ren Chao hadn’t thought much of her. She had nothing. If it weren’t for Yin Hai Entertainment insisting, he would’ve kicked her off the show.

But now? Everything had changed so fast. He practically wanted to worship Xia Xiyao.

Great song, great person—she had it all!

Ren Chao felt no shame about his attitude change. Business was business—no need to be shy!

The song still echoed onstage. Ren Chao pushed aside his messy thoughts and kept listening.

    “I still marvel at the vastness of the world,
    Still intoxicated by childhood whispers.
    There’s no truth or lies,
    No more struggle—
    Let the ridicule come.
    In the end,
    I returned my youth to her,
    Along with the summer my fingers once played.
    Where the heart moves,
    Let the wind carry it away~
    In the name of love—
    Would you still be willing?”

Everyone who heard this part couldn’t help but smile.

The wind had stopped. The memories had drifted away. The melody of youth had ended—but summer still remained.

No matter how restless, youth would eventually come to a close.