Empathy

Deep within, a gentle sigh escaped from Renly. He withdrew his gaze and sincerely said to Derek, "I'm sorry, Derek."

Derek, however, shook his head, offering a smile to Renly. "You don't need to apologize. I should be the one thanking you. I'm not a competent father." A trace of self-blame appeared on Derek's face; today, he should have been the one taking Hazel out, but he had broken his promise. "Thank you, thank you for being with Hazel all day today."

After leaving the movie theater, Renly updated Derek on the situation right away, trying to record today's happy moments through photos and sending them to Derek whenever he found a moment, aiming to reassure him.

Judging from Derek's appearance when he had arrived, he must have just finished a busy workday and rushed here. Renly knew both Derek and Ellie were doing their best.

"If I take all the credit, Paul will be mad," Renly joked lightly, slightly easing the tension. Derek promptly expressed his gratitude to Paul as well.

In the midst of their conversation, Lily and Hazel emerged once again.

Hazel's eyes were a bit swollen, but she had managed to regain her usual appearance. However, a hint of loneliness still lingered in her expression, and her forced smile couldn't conceal the underlying disappointment.

Derek could tell Hazel was feeling down, but he found it challenging; he wasn't sure how to communicate with his daughter. He wished Ellie were here.

Derek felt a bit anxious and didn't know where to begin. Checking the time, he realized it was already past Hazel's usual bedtime. Worried about her health, he temporarily suppressed his concerns and bid them farewell.

Hearing Derek's words, Hazel looked up at her father, wanting to say something, but in the end, she remained silent and slumped back into her wheelchair. Even if they stayed a bit longer, what difference would it make? Eventually, everything had to end. Even if not now, this wonderful day would still come to an end.

Derek's struggle, Hazel's dejection—Renly saw it all. Even though he wanted to help, he didn't know where to start. As a friend, his ability to assist was quite limited; the position of family couldn't be replaced by anyone.

After thinking for a moment, Renly smiled and persuaded, "Derek, how about you all take a seat and rest for a while? Let Hazel enjoy her youth a bit more. The night is still young. You can also relax and have a little something to eat." Renly spoke casually and then joked, "By the way, I'll be performing on stage later. I'm a bit worried that the audience might not buy it. Would you be willing to stay and show your support?"

Derek opened his mouth but didn't know how to respond, and he couldn't help but chuckle softly. His gaze landed on Hazel, catching the faint hint of anticipation in her eyes. Since they were already out, and they didn't know when the next outing would be, what harm would it do to delay for another half an hour?

"Sure," Derek nodded in agreement. Hazel's face brightened up once again, which in turn slightly eased Derek's mood.

Paul looked at Renly with astonishment, his face full of disbelief. How did he never know that Renly had plans to perform tonight? Renly hadn't mentioned it at all!

Renly patted Paul's shoulder without explaining further and walked toward the stage with a cheerful smile. He left Paul looking utterly bewildered, casting questioning glances at Hazel and Lily. "What's going on?"

Lily, standing by the side, was equally puzzled, not comprehending what was happening. She leaned over to Hazel and asked in a hushed tone, "Renly can sing?"

Hazel burst into laughter. Amused, she began to set the stage for an explanation. "Don't you know? Renly is famously tone-deaf. Many people come just to hear him sing off-key."

Little did Renly know, he had just been teased by Hazel. This impromptu performance had been his decision.

In Hazel and Derek, Renly saw reflections of himself and Ding Yanan. In Hazel, he saw himself.

They were the same, always trying to communicate but always failing. They attempted to understand each other, yet they never found the right path. Would things be easier if they could build a bridge of dialogue between them?

He didn't know, and he wouldn't have a chance to know. But at least, Hazel, Derek, Ellie—they had a chance.

As an observer, he couldn't and shouldn't interfere in the affairs of others' families; he didn't have that right. He could only, as a friend, offer a stepping stone, hoping to become the starting point for their communication. The remaining questions, they could solve together. That was at least what he could do.

As for a catalyst, what could be more suitable than music? The same song, in different ears, during different times, would yield different experiences.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the jazz performance had just concluded, and Neil stepped onto the stage to engage the audience, "tonight's formal performance has come to an end. However, we have a small unexpected surprise tonight. We've specially invited an old friend to share this wonderful night with all of you. Please welcome, Renly Hall."

In an instant, whistles and applause resounded in the venue. Regulars began to cheer and holler, creating a cacophony of various shouts. Lily was completely stunned, looking around in confusion, utterly unprepared for this turn of events. Even Paul wore a surprised expression, his eyes filled with incredulity.

Hazel, however, suddenly fell quiet. She had been waiting for this day, hoping to witness Renly's live performance. But she hadn't anticipated it would happen like this. The day had been too splendid, as if it were a dream. It felt as though waking from this dream would mark the end of her life, and that faint sorrow continued to linger in her chest, impossible to dispel.

Merely watching Renly step onto the stage, Hazel's vision blurred. But this time, she didn't break down. Instead, she raised her hands high, applauding vigorously. She joined the others in cheering and shouting, wholeheartedly and freely relishing this moment.

Carrying a guitar on his back, Renly walked to the center of the stage and casually joked into the microphone, "It seems like there are quite a few people tonight who want to see me make a fool of myself." Laughter instantly rippled through the audience.

Seated on a wooden chair, Renly adeptly began tuning the strings. "It's a beautiful night, at least New York isn't under a snowstorm. I hope I won't ruin this beauty." His playful words once again elicited laughter. Afterward, he lifted his left hand, crossing his index and middle fingers, making a praying gesture, which further entertained the audience.

Renly quieted down, allowing his thoughts to settle gradually. Yet, his mind involuntarily conjured up the image of Ding Yanan.

He had once complained about how his mother had restrained his wings, wondering if his life would have taken an entirely different trajectory. He had been angry about his mother's imposition of ideas on him, imagining if he could have chased his dreams freely. He had also regretted that his mother's excessive care had cost him a happy childhood.

But with the passage of time, those negative emotions had faded away. Because he understood that life was composed of countless choices, each choice shaping the person he was today, whether they were right, wrong, or impossible to judge.

Perhaps he could have had a happier childhood. Maybe he could have pursued his dreams recklessly. Perhaps he could have had a different future. However, he wouldn't have been himself, and he wouldn't have become the Renly Hall of today.

In his life, Ding Yanan was an irreplaceable and crucial part. On the roads of happiness, hardship, sweetness, and pain, she had always been by his side, never giving up.

Raising his head, he looked past the golden halo, faintly discerning the location of Hazel and the others. Derek was seated by her side, unwavering.

A faint curve tugged at the corners of his mouth. Without touching the strings, he cleared his throat and began to sing:

[

Oh my love, don't you worry

When the world gets cold

I'll hold your heart when it's heavy

And I won't let go, no

'Til my blood runs dry

I will never leave your side

Don't you worry

Oh, I know we'll carry on

]

The lyrics were sincere and plain, free from any unnecessary embellishments. They flowed effortlessly like a letter penned to a loved one, to a dear friend, to a cherished relative. The dry paper exuded the aroma of ink, and fingertips could sense the rise and fall of the brush strokes. He pictured the scene of writing at the desk in his mind, and the distance seemed to vanish, even the barriers in their minds were pierced.

Hazel sat there, entranced, intently listening. The gentle words danced lightly on her eardrums, like sunlight filtering through dense treetops on a midsummer afternoon. She could clearly envision the dust particles dancing in the air. Time seemed imprisoned beneath that square meter of sunlight.

His moving voice effortlessly struck the tenderest chords of her heart. Bitterness spread on her tongue, a smile curved on her lips, tears welled in her eyes. Before she could react, the stage lights blurred, and warm happiness surged in her chest. It was subdued, a little achy, but undeniably real.

So, this was the shape of happiness.

Beneath the bath of light, Renly lowered his head, stopping his singing. His gaze fell on the strings as his fingertips gently brushed them. The clear notes chimed like tinkling springs, as if one could see musical notes like spirited fairies dancing between the strings.

It was that simple, simplicity carried to its extreme. Without any flashy embellishments, it was beautiful enough to intoxicate the heart. The lively melody surged, pulling the corners of lips into a smile, making people instinctively tap along with the rhythm. Warm notes formed a river, gradually melting everyone in this blissful moment as they floated gently.