Song of Dissolving Sorrow

As Brother Du’s voice faded, the curtains behind him were drawn back.

The stage dimmed instantly. Ji Fanxing appeared in a light, flowing gown, her lips bare of their usual red, her long hair spilling over her shoulders. A solitary spotlight cascaded from above, illuminating her gently fluttering hair as if veiled in radiance.

She stood there, serene as a painting, and the audience below fell quiet without realizing it.

The piano’s notes tinkled like a clear mountain spring, or perhaps the breath of nature itself—a gentle breeze brushing past one’s ear.

Upon hearing such a melody, murmurs arose from the audience:

“A piano performance?”

“Why isn’t Ji Fanxing singing a traditional song? Isn’t she aiming for the invitation?”

“Well, if she’s bowing out, our chances just got better.”

On the chief selection panel, Ye Yu rolled her eyes, a trace of schadenfreude flickering across her face.

“Hmph, Ji Fanxing must be a fool, giving up such a golden opportunity.”

On the mentors’ row, Fang Zhijing was surprised, but was quickly drawn in by the melody, closing his eyes to savor it.

From the very beginning, Ji Fanxing had not intended to compete for the invitation.

This song, "The Wind Rises," was her gift to herself.

Today was May third—the beginning of summer.

In her mind’s eye, the scene faded into black and white.

In this life, the person who had changed her fate…

After a millennium, she stood once more upon this stage, having made it to the finals.

As the prelude ended, Ji Fanxing gently closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her voice was tinged with sorrow, yet carried a thread of hope.

“All along this winding journey, I followed the traces of my youth~
Just before stepping out of the station, I hesitated~
I laughed at myself for growing timid near home, yet it was inevitable~”

Having wandered the Earth for a thousand years, Ji Fanxing had finally returned to her homeland.

Yet, facing this world once more, she found herself adrift and out of place.

Her former dreams, her friends… everything felt distant and unfamiliar.

“And the skies over Nagano~
Are still as warm as ever~
The wind carries memories of before~”

On a bustling street, a young girl gazed in wonder and confusion at the stream of traffic, speaking to the air.

“System, is this really another world?!”

[Ding. Host, do you wish to form a soul contract and begin your mission?]

“In the beginning, this world was all new to me, and I was endlessly enchanted~
The sky at the horizon seemed within reach, and I’d brave any fire or water to walk that path again~”

On stage, Ji Fanxing’s profile merged with that of the girl.

“I’m willing. As long as my wish can come true, I’ll do anything.”

In the audience, Ning Ze stared at Ji Fanxing in a daze.

A strange ache rose in his heart. He realized that the friend he’d grown up with must have experienced countless things he’d never known.

The stories he’d missed were contained in this song.

“I was once lost in the vastness of the world~
Indulged in its dreams and illusions~
I ceased to distinguish truth from lies, stopped struggling, and cared not for ridicule~”

The system's missions had not been easy. When Ji Fanxing first arrived on Earth, life was difficult; growing up in the Dragon Kingdom, she had made many blunders.

“I told you Ji Fanxing’s a fool!
She believed me when I said ‘Mouse Loves Rice’ had won a Nobel Prize for Best Song! Hahaha!”

“Ji Fanxing! How did you even get in here? You can’t tell a guzheng from a guqin—this is basic knowledge!”

“I’m sorry…”

“Fine, then tell me—what is this?”

“It’s… a guzheng?”

“Guzheng, my foot! That’s a yangqin!
Get out! Don’t set foot in my classroom again!!”

The differences between worlds posed great obstacles for Ji Fanxing. Fortunately, she was still young. A newcomer to a foreign realm, she embraced the unknown with passion, willing to walk through fire for her dreams.

In the end, she worked hard to blend into life on Earth.

“My youth once surged for her~
My fingertips once danced through the height of summer~
Where my heart leads, I’ll go with the flow~
I’ll walk against the light, let the wind and rain beat down~”

Her gentle yet powerful high notes echoed in the hearts of all, filling them with boundless strength.

From that moment, her once-restless heart grew firm and fearless.

“System, was this the hint I bought with all my points?”

In the grayscale memory, Ji Fanxing stared in disbelief at the slip of paper in her hand: “The Compendium of a Hundred Healers records that pollen can ease sudden spasms in children.”

[Ding. Yes, Host.]

“But I’m allergic to pollen! And what pollen, how should it be used? This just says it can ease symptoms, but the mission requires a cure…”

[Ding. According to analysis, this is the optimal solution. If you are unable to complete it, per the contract, your soul will be forfeit.]

If she gave up her soul, that would be the end of everything.

“Fine! I’ll do it!”

—

“Why am I in the hospital?” Ji Fanxing lay pale on the hospital bed.

“You ran out of oxygen and passed out from asphyxiation. If we hadn’t found you in time, you’d be dead by now!
Can’t you just change your research focus? You insist on working with pollen despite your allergy. Starting tomorrow, you’re joining your senior in molecular bonding research—”

“No! The temperature in the lab was wrong!” Ji Fanxing yanked out her IV and bolted for the door.

“You’re crazy! Get back here!”

No matter how they shouted after her, she never looked back, pulling the IV from her arm as she ran, wiping away tears from the corners of her eyes.

“I just want to live—for myself!”

“The evening breeze lifts the silver in your hair~
Soothing the scars that memory left behind~
In your eyes, shadow and light mingle, a smile blooming like a flower~
Dusk blurs your unsteady steps~
You walk toward the painting hidden by your bedside~
In the painting, you bow your head and speak softly~”

“Congratulations to Ji Fanxing for winning first place in the ‘Promoting Chinese National Music’ competition!”

[Ding. Congratulations, Host, ‘Rites and Music’ mission complete.]

“Academician Ji’s research has saved countless children.”

[Ding. Congratulations, Host, ‘Divine Healer’ mission complete.]

“Comrade Ji drew most of the enemy fire onto herself, buying us precious time to complete the mission. Her sacrifice saved fifty hostages and ensured her team’s safe retreat…”

[You knew dying might cause the mission to fail—why did you do it?]

“None of your business! I’ve lived long enough—if you want this soul, take it!”

Watching her own funeral as a soul, Ji Fanxing felt a strange sense of resignation.

The system scanned her battered and tattered soul, pausing for a moment.

[Ding. Congratulations, Host, ‘King of Soldiers’ mission… barely passed.]

Chapter Seventy-Seven

“The evening breeze lifts the silver in your hair
Soothing the scars that memory left behind
In your eyes, shadow and light mingle, a smile blooming like a flower
Dusk blurs your unsteady steps
You walk toward the painting hidden by your bedside
In the painting, you bow your head and speak softly”

“In the name of love, are you still willing?”