Chapter 307: Charity Event

“Do you feel anything?” Chu Ge asked Gu Ruoyan. “The emotions that the music is invoking.”

Gu Ruoyan: “…”

Chu Ge found it strange and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t understand music, I don’t even recognize sheet music,” Gu Ruoyan said with a straight face. “So all I can feel is that it sounds amazing.”

Chu Ge nearly burst out laughing.

Gu Ruoyan had the demeanor of a white-collar worker and worked in the field of editing. Chu Ge had always imagined Gu Ruoyan to be a sophisticated and artistic type. However, upon closer thought, this wasn’t necessarily the case. Just like himself, who was a legitimate literature student, his knowledge of music was only superficial, and these two fields didn’t have much in common. Gu Ruoyan, as a bureaucrat, might even be relatively traditional in her thinking.

Thinking about the people from the publishing company he had cursed a few days ago and Chen Bozhong from the Writers’ Association, their ideological views might be quite similar to her. It was quite amusing to think about it, the glamorous young lady is actually a country aunt.

“What’s with that expression on your face?” Gu Ruoyan glanced at him and said, “I at least knew that the previous piece was ‘Für Elise.’ Do you know the name of this piece?”

Chu Ge puffed out his chest. “I don’t know either.”

Both of them laughed, and Gu Ruoyan continued, “But I can feel the sadness in this piece. If you listen carefully, it can make you feel low.”

Chu Ge nodded. “That’s the power of music, creating emotional resonance. You and I might not understand it very well, but people who truly understand music can appreciate the artistic depth and become enraptured by it.”

Gu Ruoyan looked around and was surprised to see that some people were already shedding tears.

This was quite exaggerated, wasn’t it?

When watching TV programs, there were often scenes of singers on stage and the audience shedding tears, but Gu Ruoyan had always assumed those were actors. Yet this time, without cameras and with no need to act, she could feel the melancholic and emotional atmosphere, which meant the emotions of the audience were genuine.

It was impressive. Only two or three pieces had been played so far, and they were already able to move people’s hearts. What was even more remarkable was that there were no fluctuations of supernatural abilities; it was purely the power of music.

On the other hand, Chu Ge and herself, the two ordinary people who didn’t understand music very well, seemed to be less affected by it.

Gu Ruoyan found this amusing but also realized the potential implications.

The power of pure music was already significant. Once someone with supernatural abilities joined in, what kind of results could that lead to?

The arrangement of music wasn’t just about the individual pieces; the sequence of songs throughout the entire concert was an art form in itself. The successive pieces grew increasingly mournful, as if each song was pulling the listener deeper into the depths of despair, where there was no sunlight, only hopelessness.

When the entire theater was already filled with tearful eyes, at the most oppressive and rock-bottom moment, a ray of sunshine gently spilled in. It was as though an angel reached into the sea, rescuing those drowning from the depths where they couldn’t see the light, offering a warm hand and soft light to save them from their inner despair.

The rising sun, the circling birds, the singing gospel—it all gave the listeners’ souls a profound cleansing and redemption.

Even with Chu Ge’s limited musical knowledge, he was easily able to feel the impact of the performance. When he looked at the people around him, their faces were glowing, as if they had seen Jesus himself.

As the music gradually faded into silence, the entire audience rose to their feet in applause, the applause lasting for a long time.

Chu Ge and Gu Ruoyan also stood and clapped, but their expressions seemed somewhat solemn.

Gu Ruoyan whispered, “I’ve never seen such a terrifying music concert before…”

Chu Ge asked, “How many music concerts have you attended?”

Gu Ruoyan: “…”

Chu Ge continued, “I’ve heard that many people who attend concerts by popular stars become super fans afterward. Maybe it’s somewhat similar. But this one is a bit over the top. We’re both formidable ability users, yet we couldn’t control our emotions. What about ordinary people?”

Gu Ruoyan responded, “The more people understand music, the deeper they’re affected. Overall, it’s not too bad. Ordinary people don’t understand music that well, so at most, they form fan circles. As long as it doesn’t involve supernatural abilities, it’s not my concern.”

Chu Ge added, “Forming fan circles is already impressive.” He had just experienced the demonic sword himself and still had lingering trepidation. He wondered about the impact of such a global fan community.

However, Gu Ruoyan was correct. Ordinary people should be fine as long as it didn’t involve supernatural abilities.

On the stage, Daniel Robin finally stood up, took the microphone and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, good evening!”

He greeted the audience in fluent Chinese, and the crowd erupted in cheers, “Your Chinese is really good! We love you, Robin!”

Chu Ge let out a small chuckle.

Gu Ruoyan raised an eyebrow and asked, “Why do you seem so dissatisfied? Foreigners learning Chinese, isn’t that a good thing?”

Chu Ge replied, “Sure, it’s a good thing. But is there anything particularly praiseworthy about it? You speak English well, but will you get praised in the US or UK for that? If you come to China to make money, isn’t it natural to learn Chinese? If you don’t know Chinese, why are you here?”

Gu Ruoyan fell silent.

“Still stuck in the days when foreigners were applauded for simply giving a thumbs-up and saying ‘very good’?” Chu Ge continued, “Our thinking should progress a bit.”

Gu Ruoyan remained silent.

With these few sentences of conversation between them, Daniel Robin said a few more courteous words on stage. He finally mentioned, “The theme of this concert is war and redemption. We hope for everlasting peace.”

The audience below erupted in applause and cheers once more.

Gu Ruoyan glanced at Chu Ge with a raised eyebrow and asked, “Is there anything else you want to criticize?”

Chu Ge replied, “Of course! A little criticism here and there.”

Gu Ruoyan laughed, “You…”

“Our concert isn’t very long, and there’s a charity reception afterward. That’s the main purpose of my visit to Nanjiang—to make friends with all of you,” Daniel Robin said with a smile. “This event is co-hosted by the Nanjiang City, and I would like to thank the Secretary-General for the tremendous support.”

Someone in the VIP section turned around, waving their hand and showing a look of camaraderie.

Gu Ruoyan’s brow furrowed.

This was definitely not just regular support for a cultural event. It might involve overseas investments and other business-related matters, potentially local economic development initiatives.

The so-called charity reception was likely a networking event for businesspeople.

As expected, the Secretary-General of Nanjiang City, with a beaming smile, said, “Thank you, Mr. Robin, for establishing your Seaside Music Theme Park in Nanjiang.”

Seaside Music Theme Park.

Chu Ge’s initial reaction was that it was related to the pearl he had obtained from the underwater clam. It had been crafted into a Guanyin pendant and still hung around his neck.

Gu Ruoyan, on the other hand, recalled the drug lord’s yacht in the open sea.

The two exchanged a glance, both having a strange premonition. Yet they knew that these things had no direct relevance to their mission.

“Continue to participate and observe,” Gu Ruoyan whispered, “Don’t be too impulsive. Matters involving foreign guests and economic development can be quite complicated.”

Chu Ge responded, “Don’t think I’m hot-headed just because I got a little indignant. I’m an ordinary person who has to make a living.”

Gu Ruoyan gave a bright smile and said, “I hope so.”

As they proceeded to the so-called “charity reception,” they found that the event had no real connection to the theme of “charity.” Or even if they claimed it was related, it was not clear who would be the actual beneficiaries of any donations. Robin auctioned off a few “collector’s art pieces” at rock-bottom prices, with the proceeds supposedly going to charity.

However, Chu Ge believed that there might be some genuine donations since the purpose of the event was to boost Robin’s reputation.

The theme of the event was clearly related to the upcoming Seaside Music Theme Park. There were several associated projects, including infrastructure development and various supply channels. As Daniel Robin was unfamiliar with the area, he used this event as a “meeting to make friends.”

Chu Ge held a glass of red wine, leaning against the corner wall, observing the situation with a critical eye. The charity auction hadn’t started yet, but the atmosphere at the event was already making him uncomfortable.

He had attended similar high-end receptions in Shanghai before, such as the project launch banquet for Xie Wenyuan. The nature and significance of these events were similar to the current charity reception, serving as opportunities for networking and collaboration with potential partners. However, there was a distinct difference in the atmosphere this time.

Daniel Robin was accompanied by a substantial business and artistic team, and most of the guests were foreigners. Perhaps it was because of the Secretary-General’s presence or the concert’s ability to create fans, but the environment felt more like sycophantic flattery than an equal exchange. People swarmed around the the team, fawning over them, and if they couldn’t get to Robin, they’d fawn over his assistants. Chu Ge found this situation very distasteful.

Nevertheless, it wasn’t something he could address, and it wasn’t under Gu Ruoyan’s jurisdiction either.

Gu Ruoyan stood a few meters away from Chu Ge, raising her glass while leaning against the wall. Both of them remained silently observant.

“Both of you seem somewhat unfamiliar,” said a spirited elderly man, approaching them with a raised glass. He looked around before offering a polite greeting, directing his gesture first to Chu Ge. “How should I address you?”

Chu Ge was surprised and pointed to himself, “Are you asking me?”

“Yes,” the elderly man smiled. “With so many stars gathered, it’s amusing to see someone sulking in the corner. I’d like to get to know you.”

Chu Ge responded, “I came here to listen to the music, not to watch them brag. If this was truly a charity event, I would gladly participate in charity. But the current scene leaves me uncertain about who the charity is for.”

The elderly man laughed heartily and said, “True charity is about action, not about holding a reception. A display of compassion among the rich, amid wine and meat, is ironic in itself. Any event labeled as a charity gathering primarily serves the organizers.”