Echoes of July

4

The plagiarism incident was just the beginning of Cheng Yuan's tragic fate.

Yang BaiHua returned home and listened to Cheng Yuan's despairing cries. He held Cheng Yuan's shoulders and said, "XiaoCheng, calm down."

Cheng Yuan, with red eyes, pleaded, "Lao Yang, believe me, you have to believe me."

Yang BaiHua assured him, "Of course, I believe you."

Cheng Yuan clung to Yang BaiHua, repeatedly confirming and seeking help, "You watched me write the song, right? I even played it for you..."

Yang BaiHua clasped Cheng Yuan's hands, pressed them against his chest, and said, "I know everything."

Cheng Yuan leaned into the solid and warm chest, like a stray leaf finally finding shelter in a storm. Listening to the heartbeat, his ears tingled and heated, feeling as if this was the safest place in the world.

With this reassurance, Cheng Yuan's bloodshot eyes ignited with determination. He gritted his teeth and said, "I can't let this go. I want to sue Tang Huan, I want..."

Yang BaiHua hesitated, stroking Cheng Yuan's back, "XiaoCheng, you're too impulsive now. Don't make decisions at a time like this."

But Cheng Yuan couldn't control his emotions.

He suffered from a severe headache, having taken two pills before Yang BaiHua came home, yet they weren't working. The pain and anger shook him, making him sweat profusely, "Why? This is my song, I can't let her steal it and accuse me—"

Yang BaiHua frowned, pushed him away, and raised his voice slightly, "XiaoCheng, calm down and listen to me. You can't sue her."

Cheng Yuan opened his mouth soundlessly, looking at him, awaiting an explanation.

Yang BaiHua sighed deeply, "…This matter, it was Xiao Yan who messed it up."

Yang BaiHua's cousin, Yang XiaoYan, enrolled in a secondary teacher training college in the same city a year and a half ago. She was entrusted to Yang BaiHua's care by Uncle San of the Yang family.

She often ate at Yang BaiHua's house and was the first in the Yang family to know about his orientation, even leveraging this knowledge for several grand meals from Yang BaiHua.

The Yangs were generally good-looking, and XiaoYan was no exception, with a clean oval face. She loved music, composing small tunes and publishing them online. Her lyrics resonated with melancholic teenagers, earning her ten thousand followers. This made her quite proud, calling herself a talented woman.

But Cheng Yuan didn't particularly like her.

Every time she visited, she would pester Cheng Yuan about how much a song could sell for, or if he had connections to sell songs. Cheng Yuan found this annoying and usually brushed her off, but XiaoYan didn't pick up on his discomfort and even complained to Yang BaiHua, "Big Brother, look, XiaoCheng has connections but won't help me, how disappointing."

XiaoYan lived in a dorm with three other girls from the city. To keep up, she bought cosmetics and branded clothes, but this led to frequent borrowing from Yang BaiHua, who never refused, even skipping meat dishes for a month to accommodate her expenses.

Seeing this, Cheng Yuan felt heartbroken and started learning to cook.

Staring blankly at Yang BaiHua, Cheng Yuan asked, "…What did you say?"

Yang BaiHua, frustrated, explained, "Just after I hung up your call, Xiao Yan called. Do you remember when your parents and Third Sister came to the city last time, you moved out, and her phone ran out of power, so she used mine to browse Taobao? She accidentally opened your demo, liked it, and asked if you wrote it, praising you."

Cheng Yuan widened his eyes slightly.

Yang BaiHua, hesitantly, continued, "I didn't think much at the time and said yes. She nodded and kept playing with the phone. I didn't expect her to..."

Cheng Yuan finally understood, incredulous, "She stole my song to sell? And you let her?"

"Don't speak so harshly," Yang BaiHua said helplessly, "I didn't know about this. Xiao Yan... she just likes your songs. She told me she needed money and wanted to earn on her own but couldn't sell her own songs, so she thought of mixing yours with hers to try, and unexpectedly sold six songs. 'Words of Heart' and 'Autumn Thoughts'... were picked by Tang Huan."

"Just likes?" Cheng Yuan bristled, "She asked me what names I planned for the songs. I told her one was called 'Words of Heart.'"

He grabbed his phone, lit the screen, and showed Yang BaiHua a line from Tang Huan's album, "...Lao Yang, what is this?! She copied the title too? Is this not intentional?"

"…You've written so many songs, never released. She didn't expect you'd submit them," Yang BaiHua's tone was unusually stern, grabbing Cheng Yuan's wrist, "This got blown out of proportion, she didn't mean it. She was scared and cried when she called me."

Cheng Yuan thought numbly, why was she crying?

Yang BaiHua pleaded, "She knows she's wrong. But she's young, you must allow room for mistakes. If you sue her, it'll ruin her school life and my standing with the family."

A chill ran down Cheng Yuan's spine. He clutched Yang BaiHua, agonizing, "…And me? What about me? How am I supposed to live?"

Yang BaiHua gently cupped Cheng Yuan's face, "It's okay, I believe you. Those netizens don't know the truth, just spouting nonsense. Unplug the internet, and no one can hurt you."

Cheng Yuan, who had always sailed smoothly, was shaken to the core. Yang BaiHua's certainty swayed him, "…Is that so?"

"Yes." Yang BaiHua coaxed, "Think about it, my parents treat Xiao Yan like a daughter. If our relationship is exposed because of her, and she's disgraced, how will they accept you?"

Cheng Yuan hugged his head, curling up.

"…Why?" Cheng Yuan murmured, "Why…?"

His dreams, his music, all shattered. His lover chose his family over him. If he didn't take the blame for Xiao Yan, his future with Yang BaiHua would vanish.

Love or dream, which should he choose?

Cheng Yuan, always obedient, had no other hobbies besides music. Yang BaiHua was the first person he cherished deeply.

Loving someone meant holding them tenderly in your heart, afraid it wasn't soft enough.

Yang BaiHua was kind, gentle, soothing Cheng Yuan's artistic temperament, steady, diligent, and compatible in bed.

Cheng Yuan couldn't bear the thought of tearing open his chest, bloody, to extract the person he loved for three years.

He couldn't do it.

Clutching Yang BaiHua's shirt, he whispered, "With this reputation, how can I write songs? Will anyone want me?"

Yang BaiHua, sensing his capitulation, breathed a sigh of relief.

He embraced Cheng Yuan, "I want you."

…This wasn't the answer Cheng Yuan wanted, but the best he could get at this stage.

Cheng Yuan's company swiftly issued a statement, condemning the plagiarism and terminated his contract, demanding compensation for breach of contract.

At a critical moment, Cheng Yuan's elder brother, Cheng Jian, rushed over, scolding him, "Cheng Yuan, you've grown wings? Such a big deal and you don't contact family? Don't want to be a Cheng, say so!"

Cheng Yuan was silent.

His reputation was ruined, and since he decided to hide it, he had to hide it from his family too.

After scolding him, his brother paid the compensation, spent money deleting posts, and personally engaged in online arguments.

Netizens, noticing their comments deleted, reacted strongly, escalating the situation. Tang Huan's company didn't miss the opportunity, hiring trolls and influencers to fan the flames. A prominent supporter of Tang Huan, with over 500,000 followers, posted several mocking tweets, one saying, "The plagiarist must be shaking in fear [dog emoji]."

Underneath, fans rejoiced, hurling insults.

Cheng Yuan was terrified. He shut off messages, turned off his phone, and isolated himself. Despite Yang BaiHua's patience, he was new to work and couldn't accompany him constantly.

Cheng Yuan thought, it would blow over, just wait it out, and he could start anew.

But he found he couldn't write songs anymore, couldn't touch the piano. Every note reminded him of the carefully crafted intro of 'Words of Heart', making him nauseous, unable to play a complete piece.

After several attempts, he clenched his fists and slammed them on the piano.

The piano moaned.

In college, the prodigy Cheng Yuan could carry an orchestra alone, but now he couldn't play 'Ode to Joy.'

That day, he cried uncontrollably.

When Yang BaiHua returned, he comforted him, "Can't write, don't worry. I'll support you."

Yang BaiHua was always gentle, acting as if this wasn't a big deal, promising to stand by him.

But Cheng Yuan was deteriorating.

He sat by the bed all day, aimless; sunlight scared him; he suffered from anorexia and occasional binge eating; he forgot where he put keys and wallets; notes on his desk remained unchanged.

He knew he was ill, but when he confided in Yang BaiHua, he simply said, "You're just down, go out more."

Three months later, after a fight with his brother, Cheng Jian secretly visited him, shocked by his emaciated state, dragged him to see a psychologist.

Presenting the diagnosis of moderate depression to their parents, Cheng's mother broke down.

Their once healthy son was now like this. Cheng's father immediately contacted Yang BaiHua's parents, asking their thoughts.

Meeting Yang's stunned parents, Cheng's parents learned Yang BaiHua never told his family about their three-year relationship.

Cheng's parents were clear: the environment was unsuitable, they planned to move Xiao Yuan to a quiet European town for recuperation, where a specialized hospital treated depression.

Xiao Yuan's condition required Yang BaiHua's presence, which Cheng's parents could arrange via work visa or immigration.

The town had legalized same-s*x marriage years ago.

This was a significant concession from Cheng's parents.

They expected opposition from Yang's parents, prepared with persuasive arguments, but the next day, they agreed.

Cheng Yuan and Yang BaiHua immigrated together.

In the second year abroad, Cheng Yuan improved, able to play the piano again. When he sat at the piano, he smiled like a child, "Lao Yang, what do you want to hear? I'll play it for you."

That year, they registered their marriage and had a simple church ceremony.

The third year, Yang BaiHua's career advanced, proposing to sponsor his parents' immigration, Cheng Yuan agreed.

The fourth year, Yang BaiHua grew busier. One day, returning home, Cheng Yuan noticed his shirt wasn't the one he wore yesterday.

Cheng Yuan resumed medication.

He didn't know how to ask Yang BaiHua, nor wanted to know the answer. Yang's parents were distant, neither bad nor good, rarely speaking to him despite living under the same roof.

Yang BaiHua was too busy, leaving Cheng Yuan alone with two silent elders.

But he didn't want his parents to worry, so whenever he called, he forced a bright smile, "I'm fine, don't worry."

He wasn't really fine.

After relapse, he often thought of death but dared not, fearing guilt towards his parents and hurting Yang BaiHua. So he struggled to live, to rise above the mire.

He wasn't afraid of being muddied, just of dirtying those he valued.

One day, during Yang BaiHua's vacation, Cheng Yuan went to the supermarket but forgot his wallet, overhearing Yang's mother talking in the kitchen.

Yang's mother complained, "Xiao Cheng is like a mute, barely speaks five words in two days."

Yang BaiHua, still gentle, said, "Xiao Cheng isn't talkative, Mother, don't be angry."

Cheng Yuan lowered his head, embarrassed.

…Actually, he used to be quite talkative.

Thinking this, he tiptoed to fetch his wallet, when he heard Yang's mother say, "Our immigration visas are ready, when are you divorcing him?"

Cheng Yuan froze, staring at the floor, waiting for Yang BaiHua's response.

Yang BaiHua was silent.

Cheng Yuan felt suffocated by this silence.

Yang's mother continued, "Being with a man, no children, isn't sustainable. Your father and I lied to relatives, saying you worked abroad, everyone praises you. Your uncle called, asking if you married a foreigner, had a child. How do I answer?"

Cheng Yuan trembled, stomach churning.

He bent over, hugging his thin frame tightly.

"A foreign wife, you can't bear," Yang BaiHua's voice, after a pause, continued, "Recently, a Chinese girl joined our company. We're quite close."

Satisfied, Yang's mother asked, "How will you tell Xiao Cheng?"

Yang BaiHua was silent longer.

Cheng Yuan didn't wait for an answer, but didn't prolong Yang BaiHua's dilemma.

That night, in the music room, he cut his wrist with a utility knife.

Thus, Chi XiaoChi genuinely wanted to run Yang BaiHua over at first.

Yang BaiHua liked Cheng Yuan, but only liked him.

Affection Points 72, 13 points from failing, worth a card, a burst of fireworks.

Chi XiaoChi accompanied Yang BaiHua home.

The living room played city news, occasionally punctuated by Yang BaiHua's phone calls.

Chi XiaoChi changed into casual wear, rolled up his sleeves, and washed the accumulated dishes.

Relaxed, he had a nonchalant look, standing before the clogged sink, eyelids lowered, letting water slide over his slender fingers, exuding a lazy elegance fitting Cheng Yuan's identity.

But his dishwashing technique was remarkably skilled, unlike someone who never did chores.

The system asked, "You can wash dishes?"

Chi XiaoChi said earnestly, "I can cook too."

The system didn't believe him, as Chi XiaoChi's seriousness was often unserious.

He then asked seriously, "By the way, do you have rat poison in the warehouse?"

The system firmly replied, "No."

Suspecting Chi XiaoChi was scouting for crime scenes, the system said, "Chi, is there a less violent solution?"

"There is." Chi XiaoChi meticulously dried and arranged the dishes, finally saying, "Tomorrow, I plan to meet Cheng Yuan's elder brother."