"Encore!… Encore!" Bloomis screamed, their voices colliding into one thunderous wave. The stadium trembled with their longing, hearts unwilling to let the night end.
On stage, Everbloom held hands, bowing again and again. Sweat shimmered under the lights, hair clinging to their foreheads, yet their smiles never wavered. As they stepped off, their expressions remained radiant, perfect — a vision fans would remember forever.
The lights went out, and the stadium sank into darkness. Bloomis held their breath, chests tightening; they thought it was over.
Then, a voice cut through the silence:
"Alright… one more time!"
Spotlights sliced through the darkness as Sun Xiuying strode forward, the rest of the members close behind, faces glowing with excitement. A cheer rippled through the crowd, and for a moment, the girls on stage and the fans shared the same spark of thrill.
As the members moved across the stage, each shining in her own way, the roar of the crowd swelled around them. Soon, they reached their final song: "Shout Out."
Song Meiqi stood on stage, eyes sweeping over the sea of fans. Their deafening screams filled the air, leaving only the rapid thump of her own heartbeat. And yet, at the sight of their waving lightsticks, her aching heart felt a little lighter, as if some of the pain had melted away.
She had come far. Memories flickered in her mind — thirteen-year-old Meiqi, clutching a guitar far too big for her, singing in a quiet park where no one paid attention. And now, thousands were cheering, screaming her name.
If there was anything worth living for, it was them — the fans who loved music as much as she did. She smiled, brighter than she had in days, letting their cheers seep into her chest and chase away the ache.
As she hit the final note, every ounce of her poured into it, singing with all her heart until her voice slowly faded. Fireworks exploded above the stage, and confetti rained down, turning the moment into a brilliant, fleeting dream.
Bloomis couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness — it was truly over.
…
Outside the electrifying Everbloom concert, the night stretched on as red taillights glowed and cars moved through the restless city streets.
Wang Zi Rui's BMW stopped at the red light, its polished surface glowing crimson. Around him, the city pulsed with streaking headlights and distant horns. He gripped the wheel, his mind unusually quiet amid the chaos.
As the towering buildings of the central district came into view, one in particular caught his eye. An LED billboard mounted high on its side burst to life, showing a dazzling concert: five girls in glittering outfits moved in perfect sync, the crowd below surging like a living sea, arms raised, lights flashing — unstoppable, electric.
"EVERBLOOM WORLD TOUR: The Final Night. Let the Night Blossom—Live in H. City, North Wing Stadium, September 30 & October 1."
The words blazed in bold, luminous text, crisp and commanding against the skyline, each letter shimmering like a spotlight cutting through the night.
For a moment, Zi Rui simply gazed at it. His mind drifted back to the day his sister had handed him the Everbloom ticket, leaving without a word. Then Jin Muchen's words echoed in his mind, crisp and sharp:
"You should go…" he had said, eyes locking on him. "…to the concert. Yixiao's probably expecting you."
Zi Rui's jaw tightened, his grip on the wheel firm. The billboard's glow reflected in his eyes, and for a moment, the city's noise seemed to fade.
Maybe… I should go.
…
Far from H. City's bustling streets, Southside City came alive under the night sky, its roads humming with traffic.
Moving through the crowded roads, Si Haoran stepped into a jewelry store. Inside, bright lights reflected off polished glass cases, each display radiating quiet luxury.
He paused, eyes scanning the rings, before settling on one shaped like a delicate flower, its diamonds sparkling under the lights. A small smile tugged at his lips as he lifted it, imagining how it would gleam on Meiqi's fingers.
"Haoran… are you sure? You really want to propose to Meiqi?" his manager asked, leaning slightly closer.
Haoran met his gaze and nodded. "Now that CEO Yang knows… and that our relationship could be exposed at any moment… I want the world to know I'm serious about her." His voice was steady, each word measured, his gaze unwavering.
His manager blinked, momentarily taken aback by the intensity in Haoran's eyes.
Then, a faint, confident smile curved Haoran's lips. He turned back to the ring, holding it as if it were already a promise. "Besides… We've been through so much. I don't think I'll ever find anyone more suitable than her."
His manager sighed in resignation. "Alright… we'll go ahead with tomorrow's plan."
Haoran nodded and set the ring down. "I'll take it," he told the attendant, his voice calm and certain. He watched the ring sparkle one last time before it was carefully wrapped.
Meiqi… you probably thought I'd miss your concert, but you wouldn't expect me to show up. Tomorrow, I'll make your birthday unforgettable, he thought, the weight of the promise settling in his chest.
…
Back at her apartment, Meiqi sank into bed, muscles aching from the night. Soft sheets wrapped her in quiet comfort as fans' echoes faded.
How would she face the day after the concert… alone?
A quiet ache lingered in her chest as she closed her eyes.