At 5:30 AM on New Year's Eve, Lu Zhixian woke up.

The sky outside the window wasn't fully bright yet, but windows in several buildings in the distance were already lit.

He lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling for a few seconds, then turned over and grabbed his phone.

Brother Zhao had sent a message at 4:00 AM. "Are you awake?"

Lu Zhixian replied with a "Mm."

Brother Zhao replied instantly. "I'm downstairs. The car is warmed up."

Lu Zhixian sat up and tossed his phone onto the bed.

"Brother Zhao, today is New Year's Eve."

"I know."

"Aren't you going to spend time with your wife and kids?"

"I had them go to my mother-in-law's place first. I'll watch your broadcast from the car tonight."

Lu Zhixian stared at this message for a while.

Then he typed a line. "Thank you, Brother Zhao."

"Stop being sentimental, come down quickly."

Lu Zhixian chuckled and got up to wash.

At 6:10 AM, the car arrived at the building entrance.

The station was much livelier than usual; red decorations were hung everywhere, and there were three or four times as many people coming in and out.

Security at the entrance was a notch tighter than usual; everyone entering the backstage area had to swipe their work ID.

Lu Zhixian swiped his ID and walked inside, running into several acquaintances along the way.

There was an older guy from the lighting crew who nodded at him, and two young directors who shouted from afar, "Happy New Year, Teacher Lu!"

He smiled and acknowledged them all.

Brother Zhao followed behind and whispered.

"Look, now everyone is polite when they see you."

"They were polite before too."

"It's different. The politeness before the official announcement was just on the surface; today's politeness carries weight."

Lu Zhixian didn't respond and entered the dressing room.

The makeup artist was already there, having arrived even earlier than him.

Seeing him enter, the artist smiled. "Teacher Lu, you're here very early today."

"Couldn't sleep."

"Shall we start then?"

"Mm."

He sat down and closed his eyes.

The makeup artist's hands were steady, the foundation brush sweeping lightly across his face.

Twenty minutes later, the makeup was finished.

He opened his eyes and glanced in the mirror.

A black suit and a red shirt—clean and crisp.

No unnecessary accessories.

"This is good," he said.

At 9:00 AM, the final full dress rehearsal for the entire show began.

All programs were run through in order.

Lu Zhixian sat in the backstage waiting area, still holding a bottle of mineral water.

Han Zhaofeng's program was scheduled before his.

On the screen, Han Zhaofeng was in that same golden long robe, with eight backup dancers, and the lighting was very full.

Lu Zhixian watched for a moment, then looked away.

After Han Zhaofeng's program finished, it was time for a scene change. During the gap while the stagehands were moving equipment, Brother Zhao leaned over and whispered,

"Director Fang said something over the intercom just now."

"What?"

"He said you were as steady as an old dog."

Lu Zhixian glanced at him.

"Director Fang would say something like that?"

"It's the first time I've heard him say it too. Zheng Weiyuan heard it and glared at him."

Lu Zhixian chuckled.

"Is Director Zheng here today too?"

"Yes. He's been watching the whole process today; he arrived even earlier than you."

Lu Zhixian didn't say anything more and unscrewed the cap of his mineral water bottle.

His program rehearsal began.

From stepping onto the stage to the final note falling, two minutes and forty seconds—done in one take.

After he finished, Director Fang's voice came from the control room.

"Program number eleven, it's set. No need to run it again later."

Brother Zhao let out a heavy sigh of relief beside him.

Lu Zhixian finished the mineral water. "Let's go, time to eat."

At noon, the backstage boxed lunches were laid out on a long table.

Lu Zhixian took one and found a corner to sit in.

Brother Zhao sat opposite him, opening and closing his boxed lunch, having no appetite.

"You can eat?"

"Why wouldn't I be able to eat?"

"I thought you'd be nervous today."

"I was nervous last night for a bit."

"Last night?"

"Mm. I lay in bed thinking for a while, then I fell asleep."

Brother Zhao stared at him for two seconds and shook his head.

"You really are something."

Lu Zhixian ignored him and lowered his head to eat.

Halfway through the meal, there were footsteps nearby.

He looked up.

Han Zhaofeng.

Han Zhaofeng was also carrying a boxed lunch; he stood by the table and glanced at him.

Lu Zhixian noticed that his state today was a bit different from the previous few times.

His eye bags were a bit swollen, and there was a hint of blue under his eyes, but his spirits were fine.

"Teacher Lu."

Han Zhaofeng began.

"Teacher Han."

Han Zhaofeng sat down opposite him.

He placed his boxed lunch on the table, picked up his chopsticks, and picked up a piece of diced chicken.

After eating a couple of bites, he looked up at Lu Zhixian.

"Good luck tonight."

Lu Zhixian looked at him for two seconds and nodded.

Then he picked up a cup of water from the table and stood up.

Han Zhaofeng was stunned for a moment, then also stood up.

The two of them clinked their paper cups together.

"You too, Teacher Han."

Lu Zhixian said.

Han Zhaofeng smiled.

That smile was more genuine than the previous few times.

"Alright."

Han Zhaofeng said.

"See you tonight."

"See you tonight."

Han Zhaofeng walked away with his boxed lunch.

Brother Zhao waited until he was far away before speaking.

"Why is his attitude suddenly like this today?"

"He realized something."

"Realized what?"

"He realized that some things can't be changed just by tripping someone up."

Lu Zhixian finished the last bite of his meal and closed the lid of the box.

"Instead of wasting energy on others, it's better to sing one's own song well."

Brother Zhao thought about it.

"That's true."

3:00 PM.

Lu Zhixian walked alone to a corner at the end of the backstage hallway.

Not many people passed by here; it was relatively quiet.

He took out his phone and dialed home.

It was answered after two rings.

"Hello?"

It was Lu Jianguo's voice.

In the background, there were sounds of pots and pans, and Song Min shouting, "Pass me the soy sauce."

"Dad."

"Zhixian!"

Lu Jianguo's voice went up an octave.

"Why are you calling? Aren't you preparing for the Spring Festival Gala?"

"I finished the rehearsal. Just taking a break."

"Have you eaten yet?"

"I did. Boxed lunch."

"What nutrition is in a boxed lunch? You wait, I'll have your mom send you something."

"Dad, I can't eat too much before going on stage tonight."

"You still need to eat more."

"I know."

Lu Jianguo was silent on the other end for a second, then said.

"Don't worry, everything is arranged here at home. A whole table of people, and your mom has been cooking since morning."

"How much did you make?"

"Sixteen dishes and one soup. Your mom said it's for good luck."

Lu Zhixian chuckled.

"She doesn't even mind the fatigue."

"She said she's not tired. She's happy."

Lu Jianguo paused.

"I'm happy too."

"Dad."

"Mm?"

"Don't be too nervous."

"What would I be nervous about?"

"Your voice has changed."

Lu Jianguo was silent on the other end for a second, then burst into laughter.

"What would I be nervous about! I'm just, I'm just happy!"

Suddenly, Song Min's voice came from the background.

"Is that Zhixian? Give me the phone."

"Your mom wants to talk to you."

Lu Jianguo said.

Song Min's voice came through on the other end of the line.

"Zhixian."

"Mom."

Song Min didn't say as much as Lu Jianguo.

She just said three words.

"Don't be nervous."

Lu Zhixian held the phone, silent for a second.

"I'm not nervous."

He said.

Song Min gave a soft "Mm" on the other end.

"Go get busy."

She said.

"Mom will watch you tonight."

"Okay."

The call ended.

Lu Zhixian stood in the hallway with his phone for a while.

He took a deep breath, put his phone back in his pocket, and turned to walk back.

5:30 PM.

Lu Zhixian returned to the dressing room and changed his clothes.

Black suit, red shirt, just like during the morning rehearsal.

He sat in front of the mirror, looking at himself in the mirror.

The makeup artist had already touched up his makeup.

The light shone down from above the mirror onto his face.

Twenty-eight years old.

He looked into those eyes.

In his past life, he never imagined that one day he would stand on this stage.

Now that day had come.

He stared at himself in the mirror, not moving for a long time.

Then he smiled.

6:00 PM.

All performers went to the backstage waiting area.

The dressing room began to get lively.

People were coming and going in the hallway; some were checking the schedule, some were rehearsing lines, and others were touching up their makeup.

Lu Zhixian sat in his seat, not moving.

Brother Zhao pushed the door open and entered.

He walked up to Lu Zhixian, stood for a moment, and didn't speak.

Then he gave a thumbs up.

Lu Zhixian looked at him and nodded.

Brother Zhao turned and left.

He walked to the door, looked back once, and then gently closed the door.

Only Lu Zhixian was left in the dressing room.

He took out his phone.

Lin Shiya sent a WeChat message.

"The TV is already on. The whole family is watching."

It was followed by a fist-pumping emoji.

Lu Zhixian looked at this message and typed a few words.

"Say Happy New Year to your uncle and aunt for me."

"I did. My dad said to sing well."

"Mm."

"My mom said not to be nervous."

"...Why is everyone telling me not to be nervous?"

"Because we all know you won't be nervous."

Lu Zhixian looked at this message and was silent for two seconds.

Then he typed a line.

"See you in a bit."

"What?"

"You'll know in a bit."

"What exactly are you up to?"

Lu Zhixian didn't reply. He placed his phone on the table and closed his eyes.

8:00 PM.

The Spring Festival Gala officially began.

The large backstage screen was lit up, showing the stage of the studio.

The host walked onto the stage and delivered the opening remarks.

Lu Zhixian sat on a chair backstage, eyes closed.

He listened to the sounds of the programs ahead, one by one.

The first program: song and dance. The opening was lively, and the tempo was fast.

The second program: a skit. Laughter came from the TV.

The third program: a song.

The fourth.

The fifth.

His fingers were silently tapping the beat on his knees.

He was very calm.

Even calmer than he had imagined.

It was as if he had been waiting for this day for a long time, and yet, it was as if this day was no different from any other.

"The sixth program—"

The host's voice came from the TV.

The sixth. The seventh.

The eighth.

Han Zhaofeng's program began.

Lu Zhixian opened his eyes and glanced at the screen.

Han Zhaofeng stood on the stage, in his golden long robe, with eight backup dancers. The lighting was very full.

He sang very steadily.

Lu Zhixian listened for two segments, then looked away.

Three minutes later, Han Zhaofeng's program ended.

Applause came from the TV.

The host's voice sounded again. "Thank you, Teacher Han Zhaofeng, for the wonderful performance. Next up—"

Lu Zhixian's fingers stopped.

He looked at the screen.

"Please enjoy the song 'wishing you prosperity.' Performer—Lu Zhixian."

The dressing room door was pushed open.

A staff member stood at the door.

"Teacher Lu, it's your turn."

Lu Zhixian stood up.

He straightened his suit collar and picked up the microphone.

As he walked towards the door, he took one last look in the mirror.

The person in the mirror, in a black suit and red shirt, had very bright eyes.

He smiled.

Then he pushed the door open and walked out.

The hallway was brightly lit, and light shone through from the direction of the stage in the distance.

He walked in that direction.

Every step was steady.