398 empathize
Letting out a breath deep in his heart, Renly withdrew his gaze and said sincerely to Derek, "I'm sorry, Derek.”
Derek shook his head and smiled at Renly, "You don't need to apologize. I should be the one expressing gratitude. I'm not a competent father." Derek showed a look of self-blame on his face. He was supposed to take Heather out today, but he missed the appointment. "Thank you, thank you for accompanying Heather all day today.".”
After leaving the cinema, Renly updated Derek on the situation as soon as possible, and tried his best to record today's happy moments with photos, looking for opportunities to send them to Derek, trying to reassure him..
Judging from Derek's state when he appeared, he should have just finished his busy work and rushed over immediately. Renly knew that Derek was doing his best, and he and Ellie both.
“If I take all the credit, Paul will be angry." Renly made a small joke, which lightened the atmosphere a little, and Derek quickly expressed his thanks to Paul..
During the conversation, Lily and Heather walked out again.
At this time, Heather's eyes were a little red and swollen, but she had finally returned to her usual appearance, but her expression was still a little lonely, and her forced smile could not hide her inner loss..
Derek could tell that Heather was feeling a little down, but he found it difficult and didn't quite know how to communicate with his daughter. It would be nice if Ellie was here..
Derek was a little anxious, but had no idea what to do. He looked at the time and found that it was already past the time Heather usually went to bed. Because he was worried about Heather's physical condition, Derek could only temporarily suppress his worries and leave..
When Heather heard Derek's words, Heather raised her head and looked at her father, wanting to say something, but in the end she didn't say it, and fell into the wheelchair again dejectedly. Even if she stayed for a while, so what? ? The end will eventually end. Even if it is not now, this beautiful day will still end..
Renly saw Derek's struggle and Heather's frustration. Even though he wanted to help, he didn't know where to start. As a friend, the help he could provide was very limited; in the position of family, no one could replaced.
After thinking about it, Renly persuaded with a smile, "Derek, why don't you sit down and rest for a while, let Heather enjoy her youth, she is still young at night; you can also relax and get something to cushion your stomach." Renly said calmly, and then joked, "Wait a minute, I'm going to perform on stage. I'm a little worried that the audience won't buy it. Are you willing to stay and support me?"？”
Derek opened his mouth, but didn't know how to respond. He couldn't help but laugh. His eyes fell on Heather, and then he caught his daughter's faint expectation. Now that they have come out, he still doesn't know what the next time he will go out will be. When, what's the point of delaying for another half hour?？
“Okay." Derek nodded and agreed, and Heather's smile appeared again on her face, which made Derek feel slightly more relaxed..
Paul looked at Renly in shock, with confusion written all over his face - how come he never knew that Renly had plans to perform tonight? Renly didn't mention it at all.！
Renly patted Paul on the shoulder, without explaining too much, and walked towards the stage with a smile. Paul was left with a stunned look on his face, and cast an inquiring look at Heather and Lily, "This is What's going on？”
Lily, who was standing nearby, was even more confused and didn't understand what was going on. Then she approached Heather and asked in a low voice, "Renly can sing."？”
Heather burst into laughter and said triumphantly, "Don't you know? Renly is a tone-deaf tone-deaf, and he is famous for it. Many people come here to listen to his singing, which is off-key..”
Renly didn't know that he was being teased by Heather. The live performance was a temporary decision he made..
He saw the shadows of himself and Ding Yanan in Heather and Derek; in Heather, he saw himself.
The same is true for them, always trying to communicate, but always failing; they try to understand each other, but never finding the right way. If they could build a bridge of dialogue, wouldn't things be easier?？
He doesn't know, and he has no chance to know. But at least Heather, Derek, and Ellie still have a chance..
As a bystander, he cannot and should not interfere in other people's family affairs. He is not qualified to do so. He can only offer advice as a friend, hoping to become a starting point for their communication, and they will work together to solve the remaining problems. Solve it. That's the least he can do.
As for the introduction, what could be more appropriate than music? The same song will have different experiences in different people's ears and at different times..
“Gentlemen and ladies." The jazz performance had just ended, and Neil walked onto the stage to join in. "Tonight's formal performance is over, but there is a little surprise today. We specially invited a An old friend, I would like to share this wonderful evening with you all. Next, the Pioneer Village is dedicated, please, Renly Hall.”
In an instant, whistles and applause rang out from the scene, regular customers started to cheer, and all kinds of shouts came one after another. Lily was stunned and looked around at a loss. She did not expect such a situation at all. ; Even Paul showed an expression of surprise, his eyes full of disbelief..
Heather suddenly became quiet. She had been waiting for this day, hoping to see Renly's live performance. Unexpectedly, it actually came true. This day was so beautiful, as beautiful as a The dream, it seems that the moment she wakes up from the dream, is the end of her life, that kind of faint sadness is always floating in her chest, lingering.
Just watching Renly walk onto the stage, Heather's vision was blurred, but this time, she did not collapse. Instead, she raised her hands high, clapped hard, and followed everyone in her mouth. Shout, enjoy this moment as much as you want.
Renly walked to the center of the stage with his guitar on his back, and casually joked into the microphone, "It seems that there are quite a few people who want to see me embarrassed tonight." This immediately made everyone burst into laughter..
Sitting on a wooden chair, Renly began to tune the strings skillfully, "This is a beautiful night, at least there is no blizzard in New York. I hope I won't ruin this beauty." His joking words once again caused laughter. After saying that, Renly also raised his left hand, crossed his index and middle fingers, making a praying gesture, which made everyone even happier..
Renly calmed down and let his thoughts slowly settle. But in his mind, he couldn't help but think of Ding Yanan..
He once complained that if his mother had not restricted his wings, his life would have had a completely different trajectory; he had been angry, if his mother had not imposed her thoughts on him, would he have been able to pursue his dreams freely? Dream; he once regretted that if it weren't for his mother's excessive love and care, then he could at least have a happy childhood..
However, after the passage of time, those negative emotions have disappeared. Because he knows that life is originally composed of countless choices, and each choice makes him who he is now, including those choices that are right, wrong, and impossible to judge..
Maybe he can have a happier childhood, maybe he can pursue his dreams wildly, maybe he can have a different future, but he will no longer be him, and he will not become the blue man he is now. That’s it.
In his life, Ding Yanan was an irreplaceable and crucial part. Because she was always by his side on those happy, difficult, sweet and painful roads, and she never gave up..
Raising her head, through the golden halo, she could vaguely see where Heather and others were. Derek was sitting next to her, never leaving her..
The corners of his mouth could not help but outline a slight arc, and his fingertips did not outline the strings, so he sang with a clear throat.：
“My beloved, don’t worry anymore. When the world is freezing cold and my heart is heavy, I will hug you warmly and never let go. Never, until the blood dries up, I will stay with you. Don’t worry anymore. I firmly believe that we are Will move forward bravely (Carry-On）.”
The sincere and simple lyrics, without any unnecessary embellishments, flow and flow in one go. They are like a set of letters written to a loved one, a close friend, or a dear relative. The dry letter paper exudes the smell of ink, and you can touch it with your fingertips. Feeling the ups and downs of the gestures, I pictured in my mind what it was like when I was sitting at my desk writing. The distance in space seemed to disappear quietly, and even the psychological barriers were broken..
Heather just sat there in a daze, listening intently. The gentle words danced lightly on her eardrums, as if the midsummer afternoon sun passed through the dense treetops of the forest and fell on the green grass, which could be clearly understood. I could see the dust flying up and down, and time seemed to be imprisoned under that meter of sunlight..
The moving voice hit the soft spot in the heart without any obstacles. The bitterness spread on the tip of the tongue, a smile raised at the corner of the mouth, and tears rolled up in the eyes. Before I even had time to react, the lights in my vision blurred. Warm happiness rushes through my chest, dull and aching, but so real.
It turns out that this is the shape of happiness.
Under the bathing light, Renly lowered his head and stopped singing. His eyes fell on the strings, and his fingertips moved gently. The clear strings tinkled like gurgling spring water, as if he could see each musical instrument. The talisman is like an elf with wings, dancing among the strings of the piano..
It's so simple, to the extreme, without any fancy modifications, but it's so beautiful that it makes people enchanted. The brisk melody is surging, and the corners of the mouth are drawn up. I can't help but follow the rhythm and beat it together. The warm musical notes merge into a long river, allowing people to melt into this happy moment little by little and wander gently..
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