Chapter 555: Chapter 371 Mao Weiang’s "Atonement"_2
Being treated unfairly by the event organizers is one thing.
Then at the Dragon Violin Cup, running into Mao Weiang, and being pointed at by netizens.
This feeling is just like, you’re breaking through barriers with an arch-enemy.
Throughout the process, you go through all sorts of hardships, stumbling over traps meticulously set up for you, and getting back up again.
While your nemesis faces no obstacles, although he puts in a lot of effort, it’s nothing compared to what you have to endure.
Finally, the two of you are about to cross the finish line shoulder to shoulder.
The organizers have arranged for you both to stand together on stage and hold the cup.
Nothing else... just simple disgust!
You know very well that those hardships and traps weren’t arranged by your rival; he’s just trying his best too.
But it’s just hard to hold on.
Lin Tian understands the reasoning.
He genuinely feels that Gan Yanyu deserves better.
So,
Even though the idealistic blueprint of "greater unity in the music world" drawn by Mao Weiang looks meaningful, Lin Tian also thinks it sounds wonderful.
Lin Tian still cannot accept it.
"..."
Gan Yanyu understood Lin Tian’s meaning.
She pursed her lips, still a bit regretful, but said no more.
"I understand what you mean."
Mao Weiang took a deep breath, speaking to Lin Tian,
"It’s alright, Mr. Lin Tian, I can understand your feelings!"
Despite this, Mao Weiang still maintained his gentlemanly demeanor.
"As long as you understand."
Lin Tian said, then stood up with Gan Yanyu.
"Wait... both teachers!" The female agent beside them saw Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu about to leave and hurriedly spoke up.
"Let them go."
Mao Weiang interrupted.
"But....."
"Let them go."
Mao Weiang supported his frail body with his hand, standing up from the sofa,
"Mr. Lin Tian, Ms. Gan Yanyu, I’m still very grateful you could come here today."
Mao Weiang extended his hand.
"Hmm."
Lin Tian took it.
"I’ll give my all at the finals."
"I’m looking forward to it."
Having said this, Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu turned and walked towards the door.
Watching the back shadow of the two leaving, a hint of sorrow flashed in Mao Weiang’s eyes.
Just then, he lowered his head and saw the bottle of mineral water Lin Tian had left on the sofa when he came.
"Mr. Lin Tian, your water!"
Mao Weiang said, bending down to pick up the bottle.
However, at that moment, his legs suddenly gave way.
"Thud!"
Falling heavily to his knees.
"Mr. Mao!" The female agent immediately stepped forward to help.
Upon hearing the commotion, Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu, who had just walked out the door, were startled and turned their heads to see them.
Gan Yanyu quickly walked over, bending down to check, asked with concern:
"Are you alright, Mr. Maozi?"
"No... nothing, just lost balance—poor leg condition, it happens occasionally."
Mao Weiang managed to smile.
"Low blood sugar?" Lin Tian asked.
"Maybe....."
"Mr. Maozi, you..." The female agent beside him looked at Mao Weiang with deep concern, tears about to well up.
"It’s minor."
Mao Weiang immediately put on a serious face, using his eyes to dismiss the agent’s expression.
"..."
Lin Tian frowned, looking at Mao Weiang.
For some unknown reason.
At this moment, his emaciated figure, slumped on the ground.
Reminded him of someone—
The former Gan Yanyu.
"Mr. Mao Weiang, do you have some illness?"
"Liver cirrhosis."
Upon hearing this,
The female agent beside him couldn’t hold back any longer and spoke up for Mao Weiang.
Mao Weiang’s expression immediately darkened, but before he could react,
"Liver cirrhosis?" Gan Yanyu followed up in surprise.
"Yes...."
The female agent explained,
"It’s already late-stage."
The office became so quiet at once.
Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu were stunned simultaneously.
Liver cirrhosis... late stage.
"Then doesn’t it mean there’s not much time left?" Lin Tian added.
"....."
Mao Weiang, who stood up from the ground, remained silent, only keeping a somber face.
Seeing this, Lin Tian realized he had guessed correctly.
No wonder,
From the first moment he saw Mao Weiang, he sensed this person’s abnormal thinness.
That weight, light like the former Gan Yanyu.
Except, this one truly was terminally ill.
Just as Lin Tian had said before coming today.
It’s only the patients who have such a weight.
But what Lin Tian didn’t expect was,
Even with such a thin Mao Weiang, he still seemed energetic, and there was not a single odd moment during their conversation just now.
It was the same as before on stage.
While performing, Mao Weiang showed no semblance of a late-stage liver cirrhosis patient.
Only then did Lin Tian not consider this possibility.
"Can’t be saved?"
Lin Tian asked.
"Can’t be saved."
Mao Weiang laughed a bit and said, as the truth was out, he no longer needed to hide it,
"The doctor says at most there’re 5 months left."
"Good, hopefully, can finish the Keller Cup smoothly, right?"
After Lin Tian said this, Gan Yanyu beside him angrily poked Lin Tian’s waist with her hand.
"It’s fine, I’ve been prepared for a long time."
Seeing Gan Yanyu’s eyes sparkling with potential tears, Mao Weiang hurriedly said,
"Being able to do what I love in my last days, I feel fulfilled every day now."
"..."
Hearing this, Lin Tian finally understood the "regret" Mao Weiang spoke of earlier.
"The only thing unfortunate is, it’s too late."
Mao Weiang raised his head, looking towards the ceiling,
"Actually, I do not like being a producer’s role very much. I love music, and moreover, I love using my own hands to create its sound."
"Unfortunately, when I realized this, it was already late."
"My image and voice condition are not suitable for being a pop singer."
"For thirty years, I’ve kept self-hypnotizing this way, supressing what I truly enjoy, feeling satisfied with my work, earning a decent income, and creating so many beloved musical pieces for people—I always thought, even if I die right now, my life holds value, at least I’ve left so much for future generations. So I have been living each day without much concern."
"There’s nothing wrong with that."
Lin Tian said.
Having lived two lives, he is quite resigned to the matters of life and death in the world.
Increasingly understanding the meaning of "some die but somehow survive."
In fact, he also wants to achieve such things.
"Yes, there’s nothing wrong with it."
Mao Weiang lowered his head, looking at Lin Tian,
"But, when I truly learned my life was reaching its end, I realized everything’s not as I imagined."
Mao Weiang smiled a bit, a trace of sorrow in his eyes,
"I suddenly realized, my so-called ’meaningful life’, when I was about to leave this world, couldn’t give me what I wanted."
"Yes, after I die, my music can always be passed on, countless people will remember me... this has been my life-long pursuit... what do I still begrudge....."
"Finally, I figured it out."
Mao Weiang spoke seriously, word by word,
"I’ve never been that noble, nor can I become one."
"I’ve always been really selfish, those things were never what I truly desired, compared to them, I just want to do what I love, and spend my life in a way I like."
"Unfortunately, realized too late...."
"Stop it!!" The female agent covered Mao Weiang’s mouth. She wiped her arm across the tears, crying like a weeping flower.
"It’s fine... I’m happy every day now."
Mao Weiang gently caressed the agent’s head, speaking softly and tenderly.
.....
Watching this scene, Lin Tian and Gan Yanyu fell silent for a long while.
Lin Tian recalled, what Mao Weiang said earlier about "atoning"....
He sighed,
Finally, walked up to Mao Weiang:
"Tell me, how do you wish for us to collaborate?"