Help from the stage

The music faded, and the lights came on again.

Anna slowly emerged from the lingering melody of the song, nervously scanning the audience below.

The silence in the audience made her feel somewhat lost.

Louis slowly opened his eyes and chuckled at Anna's nervousness. Anna sang beautifully.

Cicc, curious, looked around at the uncles and aunties, wondering why they all seemed teary-eyed. Didn't Mom sing well?

At her tender age, she didn't understand that they were reminiscing about the past.

But none of this mattered to Cicc. She reached out her little hand, trying her best to clap for her mom.

In the next moment, like a chain reaction.

Thunderous applause filled the entire venue, tears in their eyes, everyone offering their support to Anna onstage.

In the live broadcast room of Star Song Union, the barrage was overwhelming.

"It's indeed a masterpiece from Cic! Not disappointed at all! Amazing!"

"I'm in tears! This isn't just a breeze, it's a tornado, stirring up memories buried deep in my heart for years!"

"Can't deny it, Anna sang out the emotions contained in this song perfectly! From today on, I'm a fan of this singer!"

"Waaah! Beautiful song! Beautiful person! I'm totally in love!"

"Guys! I just stepped into society! Now I feel like being impulsive! I want to go back for her! I don't want any regrets in my youth!"

"Supporting you upstairs! Keep going!"

"I'm quite lucky! My wife is my childhood sweetheart! Although I have no regrets in my youth, I'm still touched by this song!"

"Anna? Cic? Is there something going on between them?"

"You upstairs dare to shake my heart! Waaah! Cic is mine! I've been his loyal fan since his first song!"

With a song like "Rise of the Wind," everyone was won over. At this moment, no one remembered that Anna wasn't initially favored.

It was thought to be just filling the numbers, but it turned out to be a trump card from the start.

Just like the lyrics sang, caught off guard! Breaking into everyone's hearts.

This also put pressure on those who followed.

You're so strong right from the start.

Anna, on stage, bowed to the audience, then cast a lingering look at Louis and Cicc before retreating behind the stage.

The competition continued, and it was Ada's turn to perform.

Ada didn't know when she had gotten up from the ground. Watching Anna pass by, she inexplicably felt a deep sense of powerlessness.

She didn't know how she got on stage. Even when the music started, she was still lost in thought.

Unfortunately, she was still half a beat too slow, and the opening didn't go smoothly.

The audience below booed in unison, which made her feel even more flustered, causing her singing to go off-key involuntarily.

After singing in a daze, the sparse applause below made her want to cover her face and run away.

Backstage, the director, Liam, frowned as he watched the real-time viewing rate. What was Ada up to? He knew her singing skills had always been good, but why was she like this today?

But Liam just felt a little annoyed for a moment and didn't think much more about it.

Anyway, she's going to lose for sure. What's there to think about? Today's ratings have exploded, that's enough.

Undoubtedly, the final voting result was 5-0, a crushing victory.

At this moment, a message came from Anna, asking Louis to meet her at the backstage exit.

Seeing this, Louis didn't pay attention to the rest of the competition and left the venue early with Cicc in his arms.

As soon as Anna arrived backstage, she was greeted with a big hug from Freya.

Freya's eyes were red, tears swirling in her eyes.

And Thalia behind her was the same, eyes slightly red, looking at Anna, the two of them smiled tenderly.

After so long, seeing Anna standing so brilliantly on stage again, they felt an indescribable excitement in their hearts.

"Alright, stop crying. Things will get better from now on!"

Anna held Freya's hand, saying seriously.

Freya nodded heavily, finally breaking into a smile through her tears. Today, Anna pressed Ada to the ground and rubbed her. She should be happy!

"Let's go. Louis is waiting for me at the door!"

Anna didn't want to waste any more time. Right now, she just wanted to see them as soon as possible, to hold Cicc in her arms and cherish her.

This was the first time Anna had been away from Cicc for so long. Not only did Cicc miss her, but she also missed Cicc immensely.

"Oh! Louis is here!"

Freya widened her eyes in surprise, unsure how to greet Louis now. She used to hate him to death, but now she felt he was quite alright. It was complicated.

Anna didn't give her much chance to think, pulling her quickly towards the exit.

It was already late outside, with street lamps lit on both sides of the road. As soon as Anna came out, she saw Louis holding Cicc, standing straight under the street lamp.

They were looking in this direction from afar, and the orange light stretched their shadows long. Anna suddenly felt a surge of happiness in her heart, the kind of happiness where the husband waits under the light with the child for his wife to come home from work.

Plain and simple, yet extremely warm.

Louis saw her the moment Anna appeared. She looked beautiful tonight, but her beauty now was different from on stage. On stage, she was like a fairy descended to earth, dazzlingly beautiful and unapproachable. But now, she was like a breeze of summer, warm and welcoming, so natural that he couldn't help but want to get close.

"Mommy!"

Cicc couldn't wait, squirming out of Louis's arms and running towards Anna in small steps.

"Hey!"

Anna immediately crouched down, her face beaming with a bright smile, and embraced Cicc as she rushed over.

Louis approached at this time, smiling and greeting Freya and Thalia.

Thalia nodded lightly in response, with a hint of gratitude in her eyes.

Freya's gaze dodged, but she also nodded gently in response. Since she found out Louis was Cic, her perception of him suddenly wasn't so bad.

After all, how bad could someone be who could write songs like "A Lifetime with You" and "Only Want the Ordinary"?

Anna stood up with Cicc in her arms, and Cicc kept rubbing against her, refusing to lift her little face.

Louis smiled and looked at Anna.

"How about it? Is this surprise okay?"

A blush rose on Anna's face, but she still looked directly at Louis, her almond-shaped eyes curved.

"Yeah."

Anna replied softly, then lowered her head again, looking at Cicc in her arms, and answered again.

"Very surprising!"

"Then let's find a place to eat? Neither Cicc nor I have had dinner yet! I'm fine, but Cicc's little tummy has been grumbling for a while!"

Upon hearing Louis's words, Thalia stepped forward.

"Let's go back to the apartment. There are still ingredients there, and the food at home is reassuring."

Anna and Louis nodded in agreement at the same time, and the few of them walked side by side towards the parking lot.

Little did they know, at this moment, all their actions were seen by Ada and Yuanjie who had just come out from backstage.

Ada was holding her phone at this time, watching Anna's departing figure, her eyes flashing with resentment.

She suddenly came up with a brilliant idea, a perfect plan to ruin Anna's reputation.

Since she had already lost completely! She was determined to drag Anna down as well! What she couldn't get! Why should Anna be able to get it?