Such days were interrupted by an unexpected phone call.
The call ca from Zhao Fengsheng. Since the end of the Spring Festival Gala, they had maintained so contact and gradually beco familiar with each other. The key was that Zhao Fengsheng had previously asked Xu Qingqiu for help with so matters, which was the most important factor.
"What’s wrong? What did Director Zhao say?" Seeing Xu Qingqiu hang up the phone looking sowhat confused, Chu Tian quickly asked.
"Ah? I’m not sure either. Director Zhao just said he wants to treat us to a al. Do you think sothing’s up?"
"Treat us to a al?" Chu Tian was initially surprised, but after a mont’s thought, he quickly guessed what it was likely about. If I’m not mistaken, it’s probably related to that previous matter.
Back during the Spring Festival Gala rehearsals, Zhao Fengsheng had vaguely ntioned to Xu Qingqiu that he wanted to get in touch with ’Young,’ saying there was an event for which he needed help. What help could ’Young’ possibly provide? Nothing more than writing songs, of course. If it were anything else, Chu Tian might not be certain, but writing songs or similar tasks posed no real difficulty for him; after all, he had the resources of an entire world at his back.
As expected, things unfolded just so. The New Year had just passed, and the first month of the lunar year wasn’t even over, when Zhao Fengsheng sent an encrypted file to Xu Qingqiu’s studio. Aside from a few selected individuals, no one else was allowed to see it. At least, that was the case on the surface. Judging from the circumstances, it seed to be so undisclosed event, but given such a basic thod of confidentiality, it probably wasn’t a very important one.
After all, who had the authority to view it? And who made that decision? So, in such situations, it all boiled down to discretion, as long as the file wasn’t casually disseminated. But if soone stubbornly posted it online or blabbed about it everywhere, they shouldn’t be surprised when trouble ca knocking.
In the end, besides Xu Qingqiu, the only ones who saw the file’s contents were Chu Tian and Sister Hua. And the contents weren’t any highly guarded secret. To summarize, it was an internal military comndation ceremony that also incorporated so celebratory elents.
The crucial point was that the director of this event was, once again, Zhao Fengsheng. Furthermore, the higher-ups had stipulated that the event’s the should be aid at military personnel, with content focused on encouragent. It needed to be positive and uplifting, urging soldiers to train diligently and remain constantly prepared for battle, among other things.
However, the collaborators for the event were mostly internal organizations like performing arts troupes, and their performances consisted almost entirely of outdated material. How could this possibly work? Zhao Fengsheng wondered. If I actually go through with this, never mind being accused of cutting corners, even the leadership won’t be pleased. Therefore, I need to introduce so novelty, ideally so fresh performances, or at the very least, a few new songs. The existing military songs have been heard so often they’re tireso; if a new song were introduced now, everyone would surely love it.
That’s why he had brazenly sought to establish a connection with Xu Qingqiu’s side, making it easier to ask for help later. Even if he was a strong-willed person, he knew when to be diplomatic. Under these circumstances, the docunt detailing the event’s requirents eventually landed in Chu Tian’s hands. He had written a song for Zhao Fengsheng and sent it over back at the beginning of March.
Now, with May approaching, Chu Tian had long forgotten about it. He never expected Zhao Fengsheng to suddenly contact them with an invitation to dinner. Considering the tiline, the event has probably concluded, and this is his way of expressing thanks?
Regardless, they were definitely going. After agreeing on a ti, Xu Qingqiu and Chu Tian dressed ticulously. Without bringing anyone else, Chu Tian drove her to the chosen restaurant.
As soon as they arrived, Zhao Fengsheng cheerily ushered them to their seats. "You’re here! Sit, sit," he said, already pouring tea while chatting casually. "Two months have flown by! I heard you’ve been busy with award ceremonies. How did it go? A good haul, I trust?" Director Zhao’s perceptive assistant director had already excused himself to arrange for the dishes to be served.
Xu Qingqiu, clearly uncomfortable in such settings, replied reservedly, "Not at all, just a few awards. I still need to keep working hard."
"Hard work is for later," Zhao Fengsheng said. "You’ve already co so far; there’s no need for modesty." After so more idle chat, he finally got to the main point.
"This ti, I really must thank you," Zhao Fengsheng began. "It’s a sha Teacher Young isn’t here. If he were, I’d insist on having a couple of drinks with him!" At this, Zhao Fengsheng seed to recall sothing amusing and launched into an animated account, gesturing enthusiastically. "You should have seen it! From the mont the song started, it completely captivated the audience. Those young lads were absolutely riveted!"
"And the song is so easy to learn! I stood there, listened a few tis, and morized it. Now, it feels like I can sing it at the drop of a hat!"
"’It’s a bright morning, the sound of pigeon whistles mixed with the réveille~’" Zhao Fengsheng sang.
Wait, he’s actually singing now? Chu Tian suppressed a smile. One shouldn’t assu so people are so high and mighty. When they clock off and shed that aura of authority, every last one of them is just an ordinary person. What’s singing, anyway? Never mind singing; so people, after a few too many drinks, insist on painting. They’ll jab a brush haphazardly at the paper, and if they get really into it, they might even spit on the canvas and let out a howl—more ridiculous than a shaman’s trance. The crucial part is, even if the result is a pile of dog crap, there will still be people fawning over it and cheering.
"’Soldier brothers, are you ready? When that day truly cos~’"
After singing a full verse, Zhao Fengsheng sat back down, his face alight with excitent. "This song, ’When That Day Cos,’ is truly exceptional! Fantastic!"
"Not only are the music and lody superb, but the lyrics are also excellent—very fitting for the nation’s current situation."
"Those little rascals are always stirring up trouble nearby, and things are so chaotic abroad these days. Who knows when a real conflict might erupt? That’s why I say this song is just perfect!"
Hearing this, everyone finally understood the main purpose of today’s gathering. Previously, Chu Tian had dashed off "When That Day Cos" for Zhao Fengsheng in his spare ti, not giving it much thought. He’d felt such a song might not have much comrcial value, but in a military context, it would be incredibly compelling.
"Co, co, we must have a drink to this! I want to toast you both. Without your song, relying solely on the perforrs from the Song and Dance Ensemble wouldn’t have cut it. You can ask them to put on a show, and they might manage, but expecting any kind of breakthrough from them is asking too much."
Hearing this, Chu Tian felt a twinge of awkwardness. It’s one thing for them to downplay their own people, but what standing do I have? I’m just an ordinary outsider. Saying too much could easily stir resentnt.
In the end, the al was a resounding success, with both hosts and guests thoroughly enjoying themselves, and their relationship deepened further.
After returning from their dinner with Zhao Fengsheng and just as they stepped through the door, Chu Tian spotted several young won huddled excitedly by the elevator, clearly up to sothing. However, the mont they saw Chu Tian and Xu Qingqiu approach, they scattered like mice seeing a cat, heads bowed as they turned to flee.
"Hey, why are they running off?" Chu Tian asked.
Yiyi, who seed to grasp the situation perfectly, replied, "What else could it be? They’re afraid of you two."
"Afraid? Afraid of us? Why?" He pondered. I haven’t been around much lately, and Xu Qingqiu has been with . What’s there to be afraid of?
"What else? They’re worried you’ll catch them slacking off."
"Slacking off?"
"Well, not exactly slacking off. Do you know who they were waiting for by the elevator just now?"
"How would I know? I’m not a mind reader."
"Hehehe, they were waiting for Li Guang to co back."
Li Guang? Chu Tian now had a good idea. Those girls must be fans of Xu Guang. This outco, at least, showed that Li Guang had genuinely beco popular.
It wasn’t entirely unexpected. Earlier in the year, they had to make way for Xu Qingqiu’s new album, so artists like Li Guang and Yang Lin had to take an early break. But since the start of this year, once the timing seed right and the New Year holiday was over, the buzz around Xu Qingqiu’s album had settled to a relatively stable level. This was a godsend for other singers. Chu Tian had then crafted songs specifically for each of them, tailored to their unique styles.
"Exactly, Li Guang! You have no idea how popular he is now. So many girls are absolutely crazy about him."
"And with his new song, that guy has just exploded in popularity, becoming a breakout star!"
Reviews
All reviews (0)