The melody of the song filled the air like a warm breeze, gently brushing over the audience's ears, and the venue fell silent involuntarily, with mouths slightly agape, quietly listening.
At this moment, the big screen also displayed the name of the song.
"Rising Wind"
The name was simple, but the lyricist and composer below it made everyone's eyes slightly narrowed.
Cicc!
This unfamiliar singer actually managed to invite the mysterious Cicc to write a song for her!
Everyone instinctively perked up their ears, eagerly wanting to hear Cicc's new song and see what it was like.
Backstage, Ada was already dumbfounded. If one looked closely, they could see her hands trembling uncontrollably.
The prelude was simple yet firmly grasped everyone's ears, and Anna's voice followed suit.
"On this journey, with stops and starts, tracing the traces of drifting youth.
Just before stepping out of the station, there was a hint of hesitation.
Can't help but laugh at the shyness near home, still unavoidable.
And San Francisco's sky is still so warm, as the wind brings back the past."
The wind rises! Memories resurface!
The venue remained as silent as a pin drop, as they followed the music, seemingly seeing the footsteps of their own youth, which never ceased.
Yet, after half a lifetime, upon seeing the familiar hometown, that ingrained shyness near home made them vaguely excited.
Anna was already completely immersed in the song. She had practiced this song countless times, but this time, she was most invested, a kind of openness, and she looked down at the audience.
There were the two most important people to her - they were both here!
"Having once known this world, with myriad distractions, watching the sky seemingly within reach.
Also willing to brave the unknown to experience it all.
Now having traversed this world, with myriad distractions, seeing different sides of the years.
Unexpectedly, stumbling into your smile!"
Another heavenly song!
Whether in the audience or watching the livestream, everyone was completely infected by the song at this moment. In their minds, memories flashed like slides, recalling countless familiar yet strange profiles, finally settling on one person's smiling face.
That was the most unforgettable person in their youth!
So this was the rising wind! Stirring within them was the wind of youth long buried in their hearts!
Cicc! This force, stirring their heartstrings once again!
The song continued, and everyone was enchanted.
"I once couldn't help but be captivated by the vastness of the world, and indulged in dreams within it.
Not discerning true from false, not struggling, not fearing ridicule!
I once turned my youth into a torrent, and once plucked out the peak of summer from my fingertips.
Let the heart go wherever it desires~
Walking against the light, letting the wind blow and the rain fall!"
In the vast stadium, not a sound could be heard, as everyone was plunged into reminiscence.
Backstage, Ada sat down on the ground, her face gray, her mouth trembling uncontrollably. She no longer had the courage to perform.
Anna's radiant appearance, her flawless singing skills, combined with this almost invincible song, completely shattered her courage.
Ada's agent stood not far away, her eyes filled with confusion.
Who was the real music master?
She had heard the song that William wrote for Ada, and now hearing this song from Cicc, she felt that Ada's song wasn't even worthy to be compared to this one!
The agent smiled bitterly. When one's skills were inferior, they were inferior. Even though they were once oppressed and still oppressed upon the other's return.
Not only backstage, but even the mentors on the judging panel were also infected by this song at this moment.
As mentors, they were seasoned singers, and at this moment, they couldn't help but feel a little envious of Anna.
If they had such a song to pave their way back then, they might have become kings and queens of the music world long ago!
Unfortunately, there was no second Cicc in the world!
The melody of youth continued, and Anna, dressed in a flowing gown, took a few light steps forward, like a butterfly spreading its wings, tracing the trajectory of everyone's youth.
The short journey, with its stops and starts, also brought some distance.
Whether it caressed stories or emotions, it was uncertain.
Perhaps all that was expected was to defy time.
Seeing you again, in the faint morning light, smiling so sweetly.
Though it seemed to narrate insignificant matters, upon returning, she was still there.
Yet, in the hearts of the audience surged infinite regrets. They too wished to wander for half a lifetime, returning with their original intentions unchanged.
But regrets were ultimately regrets, and they seemed to see the smiling face in the faint morning light slowly fading away.
At this moment, someone wrote on the live broadcast barrage.
"I wondered why we parted ways, turns out the wind was rising."
The previously quiet barrage suddenly exploded, with countless people's eyes brimming with tears as they joined in.
All netizens broke down at this moment. After listening to this song, their hearts were filled with regrets of youth.
With tears streaming down their faces, they flooded the barrage, recounting their own youth stories.
In the end, it all unified into:
"I wondered why we parted ways, turns out the wind was rising, love rises with the wind, but the feelings are hard to settle!"
It was at this moment that Anna's performance gradually came to an end. Her voice, as deep and mellow as wine, seemed to soothe everyone's emotions, yet also provide an answer to youth.
"The evening breeze lifts the white hair on your temples, smoothing the scars left by memories.
In your eyes, there is a mix of brightness and darkness, blooming with a smile.
The twilight obscures your faltering steps, leading you to the painting hidden by the bedside.
In the painting, you speak with your head bowed~"
The end of the song.
It was like giving oneself an explanation. Everyone woke up from the dream of youth, realizing that life continued, and those memories were just sentimental recollections.
Although memories were regrets, how could youth be called youth without regrets?
Youth should be bold and unrestrained, with memories tinged with regret, yet infinitely nostalgic.
It exploded! It's unclear when! The backstage viewing data exploded, far exceeding the viewership of previous years.
Director Liam wiped away the tears from the corner of his eyes. He too was moved by this song. After all, who hadn't had their youth?
But now he wanted to be happy, yet also wanted to shout loudly.
This rollercoaster of emotions made his heart race, and he couldn't help but chuckle bitterly.
This was Cic! A person who could make you cry and laugh, who on earth was this person? What kind of charm did they have to have such great charisma!
When Anna first arrived, other supervisors were still a bit dismissive of her. She seemed like a nobody. If it weren't for Ocean Entertainment's insistence, he would have wanted to kick Anna off the show.
But things changed so quickly. Now, he wished he could elevate Anna.
The song was great! The person was great! She had everything she wanted!
Liam didn't feel embarrassed at all about his change in attitude. Making money! No need to feel ashamed!
The song on stage was still playing, and everyone let go of their wandering thoughts and continued to listen.
The wind ceases, memories drift away with the wind, the melody of youth fades, yet summer remains vibrant.
No matter how turbulent youth may be, it will eventually come to an end.