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It's very common for celebrities and public figures to participate in charitable activities, and the public has grown quite used to it.
Take Chen Fei'er, for example, she spends millions every year on charity work and was once honored with the title of "Ambassador of Charity for Huaxia," earning her official recognition.
This honor allows her to bypass many of the unspoken and hidden rules of the show business community, it's like a protective charm. That's why many celebrities are enthusiastic about charity work, using it to boost their status and reputation.
So, the fact that Lu Chen donated money to a sick fan isn't something particularly newsworthy. But the charity crowdfunding project he launched to help Meng Meng, a leukemia patient, was something out of the ordinary.
This project concluded on the 26th, having raised over 4.7 million yuan in charitable funds, which went on to support 12 leukemia patients, including Meng Meng, who were in urgent need of help.
Mu Chen Crowdfunding Company has already publicly posted a full financial report and future fund allocation plan on its official website.
Thanks to the spread of this campaign on Wave Blog, what began as Lu Chen's personal act of kindness turned, supported by many influential figures from the show business community, into a nationwide charitable movement with a huge social impact.
Because of this, Lu Chen was interviewed and featured by the central-level newspaper China Youth Daily.
Mu Rong, the interviewer, focused on this aspect in the interview, not only as a fresh angle to generate buzz, but also as a way to stay politically correct. Capital City Television's footage of interviews with the leukemia patients who had received assistance was especially moving, which significantly enhanced the emotional effect of the show.
Whether they were Lu Chen's fans, regular audience members, or staff present at the scene, the applause was warm and sincere.
In their eyes, Lu Chen had done something truly amazing.
It was even more meaningful than his dramatic rescue of Tian Tian.
With his palms pressed together, Lu Chen humbly expressed his gratitude to the audience.
He said earnestly: "I feel quite ashamed, honestly, the ones who really made this possible are the many warm-hearted people out there. Without everyone's help, this crowdfunding initiative could never have been such a success."
"Also, I'd like to thank Big Brother Tan Hong, and Sister Chen Fei'er, they both donated generously."
Mu Rong added sincerely: "In my view, this charity crowdfunding effort shows that there are countless kind people all around us. When we're in need, there will always be someone willing to lend a helping hand!"
Lu Chen nodded: "Yes."
Mu Rong turned to the audience with a smile: "I've been talking to Lu Chen for a while now. It's time to let our audience join in. Does anyone have a question for Lu Chen?"
The 45-minute show Star Talk had already been filming for 20 minutes by that point.
The conversation between Mu Rong and Lu Chen had stayed well within the pre-approved framework, with no controversial topics, something that can make an interview show feel too rigid and formal.
So now came the audience Q&A segment.
There were no strict restrictions on audience questions, which made things more interesting and interactive. And since it was a pre-recorded program, any problematic content could simply be edited out before airing.
As soon as Mu Rong finished speaking, over 200 hands shot up in the air!
Mu Rong laughed: "The audience is really enthusiastic! Who should I pick to ask the first question?"
She paused deliberately, then added with a grin: "Actually, why don't we let Lu Chen choose instead?"
Lu Chen chuckled and graciously pointed to a young girl in a white dress sitting in the front row.
She looked to be just a teenager. Taking the microphone from a staff member, she boldly asked: "Lu Chen-ge (Brother Lu Chen), do you have a girlfriend?"
Her daring and straightforward question immediately sent the whole room roaring with laughter.
Mu Rong also laughed: "That's a personal question, huh?"
Still, it wasn't over the line, anything too controversial would be cut during editing anyway.
Lu Chen smiled and replied:
"I used to. Not now. But in the future, definitely yes. Thank you!"
The audience laughed and applauded.
The girl in white followed up:
"Then, can you tell us what kind of girls you like?"
Her gaze was fiery and direct, showing her admiration and crush on Lu Chen without any attempt to hide it. That was just how straightforward she was!
Lu Chen thought for a moment before replying: "I haven't really thought about that. Liking someone is a feeling. If the feeling is right, then it works. It's not about them fitting a certain mold. No one's perfect."
As he answered, Chen Fei'er naturally came to his mind.
Did Lu Chen like Chen Fei'er?
Yes, he did.
The girl in white clearly wanted to ask more, but Mu Rong didn't give her the chance. She invited Lu Chen to choose the next audience member.
Lu Chen pointed to a young man.
The guy stood up excitedly, almost dropping the microphone in his hands.
He asked: "Lu Chen, in that rescue video, how did you pull off that coat-throwing move?"
Lu Chen hadn't expected that question, but there was nothing to hide.
He explained: "That move actually comes from traditional martial arts. It's called 'Overlord Shedding Armor'. With enough practice, you can do it too."
The boy's eyes lit up: "Can you do it again for us?"
Lu Chen: "Uh…"
Mu Rong, quick to read the room, interjected: "Why don't you just rewatch the video, okay? It's not very convenient to demonstrate it here, thank you."
After all, this was a talk show, not a martial arts performance. The request was a bit too much.
The boy realized his mistake and blushed deeply with embarrassment.
To ease the situation, Lu Chen stepped in and said, "How about this, next time, I'll film a short martial arts video and upload it to my blog."
He could understand the boy's curiosity.
After all, what man hasn't dreamt of being the hero who saves the beauty?
The boy gratefully replied,
"Thank you."
Lu Chen then picked three more audience members and answered their questions one by one. Finally, the microphone returned to Mu Rong.
She asked, "Lu Chen, now that you've achieved such success, who is the person you most want to thank?"
It was a rather standard, official-sounding question.
As Mu Rong asked, a series of faces flashed through Lu Chen's mind: Xu Bo, Mo Ran, Fang Mingyi, Chen Jianhao, Tan Hong, Chen Fei'er, some from his dreams, some from real life.
But in the end, only one name remained in his heart.
Lu Chen answered, "The person I want to thank the most is my mother."
Mu Rong's expression softened. In a gentle voice, she asked,
"Can you tell us why?"
Lu Chen paused for a moment before saying,
"First of all, I wouldn't even exist without my mother, and I certainly wouldn't be sitting here today. More importantly, she taught me many life lessons. She taught me to be strong and independent."
Though this was a television show, Lu Chen still chose to open up sincerely on such a personal topic.
He was most grateful for his mother.
Mu Rong listened quietly to Lu Chen's words, then asked,
"Here and now, on this talk show, is there something you'd like to say to your mother?"
Lu Chen thought for a moment and replied,
"Actually, I'm like most people, I'm not very good at expressing my feelings. It's hard to say what's really in my heart to those I love. So I'd like to express it through a song."
Easterners differ from Westerners in this respect, emotions are usually expressed more reservedly. Words like "I love you" aren't often spoken aloud, but are shown through actions instead.
Mu Rong's eyes lit up: "That's wonderful!"
Before she could say more, the audience spontaneously broke into applause.
A staff member brought Lu Chen a guitar.
Lu Chen held the guitar, tested the sound, and once everything was ready, said:
"This song is for my mother."
"It's called 'When You're Old.'"
He gently strummed the strings, playing the intro. The studio instantly fell silent.
Everyone listened intently to the music, to the heartfelt words coming from Lu Chen.
**"...
When you're old, with white hair,
Drowsy with sleep,
When you're old, and can no longer walk,
Dozing by the fire,
Recalling your youth.
Many have loved your moments of glad grace,
Loved your beauty, whether sincere or false,
But only one still loves your faithful soul,
And the wrinkles on your aging face.
When you're old, with lowered brows,
The lamplight flickering dimly,
A breeze carries your memory to me,
And that's the song in my heart.
..."**
This version of When You're Old was adapted from the famous poem by Irish poet W.B. Yeats, originally written for the woman he loved but could never have. The poem is deeply emotional and sincere.
Now, with Lu Chen singing it to his mother, it carried just as much soul-stirring power.
The melody was gentle and filled with warmth, deeply folk in style. It didn't have dramatic highs, but it was profound and memorable, moving every member of the audience.
Beauty fades, youth passes, this is life's natural course.
To admire beauty and yearn for youth is only human.
But when a mother gives all of her youth to her children, how could that ever be repaid?
**"...
When you're old, with white hair,
Drowsy with sleep,
When you're old, and can no longer walk,
Dozing by the fire, recalling your youth.
Many have loved your moments of glad grace,
Loved your beauty, whether sincere or false,
But only one still loves your faithful soul,
And the wrinkles on your aging face.
When I grow old, with lowered brows,
The lamplight flickering dimly,
A breeze carries your memory to me,
And that's the song in my heart.
When I grow old, I truly hope
This song is for you!"**
Lu Chen's voice rose from gentle to powerful, full of emotion but never overblown, like clouds surging to the snowy peaks, only to drift apart softly, leaving a lingering resonance behind.
Only when he finally put down his guitar did the audience seem to awaken from a dream, and burst into thunderous applause!
Opposite Lu Chen, Mu Rong's eyes were already red with tears.
She rarely showed such raw emotion on her shows, but Lu Chen's song had genuinely moved her.
Mu Rong was already forty, and the mother of two children herself.
Was there a child out there who would sing to her like Lu Chen did?
"When you're old, only one still loves your faithful soul,
And the wrinkles on your aging face!"
Original poem: When You Are Old by W.B. Yeats
Adaptation and composition: Zhao Zhao (赵照)
(End of Chapter)