The Book of All Things: Born for Joy

Judging from the title, "Birds and Cicadas" is a love song about parting. The lyrics, however, are profound and meaningful, moving beyond the sentimentality of romantic love. Using birds and cicadas, two completely different species, as metaphors for human love, they subtly convey the inevitable nature of meeting and parting.

Li Zichun originally intended to write a song like "Birds and Fish," but it ended up being "Birds and Cicadas." Anyway, it's just an opening act, so he can just sing whatever he wants.

"You proudly fly away, the summer I dwell in, the unheard declaration, repeated for many years, the longing along the northern latitude is blown away by the monsoon, blown away the silent profile, blown away the sung poems..."

Li Zichun's voice is soft and unique, with a slightly husky and magnetic tone that tells a touching story that is both sad and healing.

Nevertheless, simply opening his mouth to sing still caused a huge uproar.

Although the audience was completely captivated, he sang in a female voice. This female voice wasn't a strained, artificial tone; rather, it sounded natural, smooth, gentle, and full of tender emotion.

The scene erupted in excitement. Was it a pre-recorded voice or his own? People watching on TV and the live stream were also confused. This undisguised female voice got everyone hyped.

Li Zichun's previous performances of this type of song were more or less within the range of a neutral voice, but this direct transformation into a female voice is unprecedented.

This stable and stunning stage opening won praise from everyone present.

By the time the host realized what was happening and tried to hand him over for a quick interview, he had already walked briskly down to the dressing room without looking back.

When Zhao Qianfan saw him return, she smiled and said, "Your use of your voice to do this has already caused a huge uproar online."

Li Zichun yawned and said, "You're making a fuss over nothing. In ancient times, most of the leading ladies and leading women in operas were men."

Zhao Qianfan patted his head and said, "While that's true, the demands this era places on people..."

Li Zichun pressed his right index finger to his lips and said calmly, "We live for ourselves, not for the times. Being in the entertainment industry, we are just actors and performers; our own happiness is the most important thing."

Zhao Qianfan nodded and said, "Yes, you're right."

Li Zichun turned around, picked up a cushion from the sofa, lay down on his lap, and muttered softly, "Ugh, I don't know why I've been so sleepy lately?"

Zhao Qianfan touched the stray hairs on his forehead and said, "Oh, is it possible that you stayed up too late writing at night?"

Li Zichun nodded, then frowned and stared at him, saying, "Hmm...hmm? You were spying on me? How did you know so much?"

Zhao Qianfan quickly raised his hand and said, "Absolutely not, don't talk nonsense. It's just that one morning I woke up early and was exercising and preparing breakfast when I heard the sound of typing coming from your room."

Li Zichun gave an "oh" and then fell asleep, leaning against his thigh.

Li Zichun was a light sleeper and never slept for very long. Zhao Qianfan turned the TV volume down to the lowest setting and gently stroked the person in his arms. Qi Tong, leaning on the armrest of the sofa, yawned and lay down to sleep as well.

When the cameras scanned other people's rooms, there were groups of people staring intently at the TV, whispering and discussing with their friends. But when it came to their room, the special effect of an autumn breeze passed, and it became as quiet as a hen in deep meditation, without making a sound.

Zhao Qianfan also squinted and sat upright with her back against the sofa, trying to keep her hair away from the sofa, otherwise her makeup and hair would complain to them again.

Just before Zhao Qianfan's turn to go on stage, Li Zichun stirred and woke up. Opening his eyes, he saw Zhao Qianfan sitting in meditation, like a Buddha on a lotus throne. He slowly reached out and touched Zhao Qianfan's forehead, tracing his handsome nose, cherry-red lips, and sensual Adam's apple...

Zhao Qianfan swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing. Li Zichun laughed, "I was wondering how long you were going to keep up this act. If you don't make a move soon, my hand might just slip somewhere else."

Zhao Qianfan whispered in his ear, "Actually, you can go wherever you want."

Li Zichun was stunned for a moment upon hearing this. Just as he was about to speak, Ma Qian knocked on the door and came in. It was Zhao Qianfan's turn to wait.

He slowly got up, smiled, and followed her out to the recording studio. As he left, he whispered, "Wait for me to come back."

Li Zichun was left standing there, his face flushed, gritting his teeth as he said, "Hmph, I never thought I'd be teased. No way, I'll get my revenge sooner or later and show him what I'm capable of."

Backstage, Zhao Qianfan, radiant with happiness and satisfaction, was preparing to go on stage. Ma Qian, standing beside him, was stunned: Who are these outstanding men dating?!

The theme of this competition, rather than focusing on last week's "earthquake in the entertainment industry," was, in Li Zichun's view, nothing more than a "praise song" for his own actions. In Li Zichun's opinion, while such things may benefit national entertainment, they are actually caused by inadequate official supervision, or even intentional acts by the authorities.

The corruption in the entertainment industry is well-known to everyone, but after so many years, it's only now that it's beyond redemption that they're taking action. In his view, this is actually a blurring of lines between power and responsibility, and it's suspected of shirking responsibility.

Based on his extensive understanding of this sub-world, he has learned that the authorities are actually aware of everything happening in the entertainment industry, and even have a role in encouraging it. This can be seen from the fact that Fan Liwen established an entertainment company; they were determined to make a change from the beginning.

However, after carefully reviewing the list of people involved in the incident, he realized that it was impossible to investigate the ins and outs of all the cases in such a short period of time. This could only mean that they had been planning this for a long time, and they knew everything about the occurrence, process, and outcome of each event. They had been watching from the beginning to the end, seeing how people were wronged, framed, suppressed step by step, and forced to collude with the corrupt and gradually descend into the abyss of desire.

If their own interests weren't being squeezed, suppressed, or damaged, they would definitely turn a blind eye and let it go, and the outcome wouldn't change.

What the authorities really want to hear from this competition, which is about writing a song on this topic, is praise and positive energy.

The song Li Zichun wrote for Zhao Qianfan was none other than "Good Luck," a sister piece to "Good Days."

With a cheerful melody and beautiful tune, Zhao Qianfan sang Zu Hai's "Good Luck" in a warm and sincere voice: "(Good luck, wishing you good luck) (Good luck brings joy and love) (Good luck, we have good luck) (Welcoming good luck, we prosper and spread throughout the world)"

Fold a thousand paper cranes, tie a red ribbon, and may good fortune come to kind people every day. Your diligence brings you a beautiful life, your health ensures you always feel spring, and your life's busyness is all for a smile.

Tie a Chinese knot, let the spring breeze cut the ribbon, and may good fortune come to our motherland year after year. May you enjoy a peaceful and prosperous year, may you soar into a new era, and may your happy homeland welcome a hundred flowers in full bloom.

Good luck! May good luck bring you joy and love.

Good luck is coming! May good fortune bring us prosperity and success across the world!

......

Good luck! Wishing you good luck! Good luck brings joy and love! Good luck! May we all have good luck!

May good fortune and prosperity reach all corners of the world! May good luck come from all corners of the world!

The lyrics of this song are catchy, warm yet grand, filled with sincere wishes and deep humanistic care. It is worth mentioning that, based on "Good Days", lyricist Che Xing added many fashionable elements, making it more humane and easier to sing.

After Zhao Qianfan finished singing, many people below sang along, beaming with joy. This song is played as background music at every prize draw, and whether it's psychological or some kind of mystical force, those who hear it seem to have better luck.

Li Zichun wasn't particularly interested in any of this; he simply watched everything unfold quietly, genuinely hoping there wouldn't be any more unexpected events.

This song, which is rumored to bring good luck, seems to have really brought good luck to Zhao Qianfan. Everyone knows that his silence many years ago was inseparable from the high-level executives of Dynasty Entertainment. Now that they, his old rivals, have suddenly fallen, what else could this be but good luck?

Zhao Qianfan lived up to expectations and won first place, then quietly waited for the competition to end.

Li Zichun was already quietly waiting for his arrival in the creative area, holding the Seven of Bamboo. The remaining members of the King of Singers' teams, shaken by this upheaval in the entertainment industry, were no longer indifferent to him; many happily approached him to chat, enjoying each other's company.

Li Zichun responded with a faint smile. He respected these people; those who had made it to the top ten were undoubtedly capable and of impeccable character, and he would naturally not mind making their acquaintance.

When Zhao Qianfan arrived, he was completely stunned. When did these people get along so well?

Li Zichun smiled and said to everyone, "Alright, let's have another chance to communicate and exchange ideas. We'll announce the theme of the next match in a bit."

The group reluctantly parted ways, and even created a group chat for future communication.

Zhao Qianfan said with a jealous look, "As expected of a brilliant and talented scholar, he has already won over so many people in such a short time."

Li Zichun smiled and patted Qi Tong's head, saying, "Of course. If we can't even handle them, how can we handle you, this proud little singing king?"

Zhao Qianfan snorted and said, "Who said you've got me figured out? I'm quite difficult to deal with."

Li Zichun rolled his eyes and said, "Fine, I won't bother you anymore, later..."

Zhao Qianfan interrupted impatiently, "You really won't do it for me if I say I won't? Don't you care about me at all? Have you ever thought about my feelings, so..."

Li Zichun suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered firmly in his ear, "Be good, or I'll void the request I made to you."

Zhao Qianfan then shut up and whispered, "You can't do this. You promised before."

Li Zichun said with a smile, "So you have to listen to me obediently, otherwise the promise I made to you won't count."

Zhao Qianfan said ingratiatingly, "I'm very well-behaved, aren't I?"

Zhao Qianfan smiled obsequiously, looking every bit the sycophant who would agree to do anything. Li Zichun hooked his index finger and flicked his nose.

While everyone was whispering and discussing, Zhang Xiaochuan had already entered the room to announce the theme of the next episode: "I am very happy to see everyone here after the last competition. The ranking results of this competition have all been announced. The first place winner of this round is still Zhao Qianfan."

The camera focused on Zhao Qianfan, and sparse applause broke out. Something had really happened, and there weren't many people eliminated from the competition.

Zhao Qianfan stood up, bowed to everyone to express his gratitude, and then smiled and hugged Li Zichun next to him.

The rankings of everyone appeared on the big screen. After this competition, only eight people remained, and the show officially entered the final stage. Li Zichun looked around and saw that the four teams he had favored were indeed still there. Ren Tianshou, Fang Yujia, Qian Yuanyuan, and the Haoyu Fenghua group were still closely following Zhao Qianfan in the rankings. It seemed that the title of King of Singers this year was destined to be among these people.

The competition was upgraded in the following stages. Due to time constraints, the elimination mechanism was removed. The final four competitions were replaced with a points system, where points from each competition were accumulated, and the singer with the most votes at the end was crowned the King of Singers this year.

After a round of mutual flattery and awkward business banter, director Zhang Xiaochuan finally announced the theme for the next episode: "Family affection is the most beautiful emotion in the world. It surpasses friendship and is different from romantic love; it is an emotion shared by all things. Crows know to feed their parents, lambs kneel to suckle their mothers, and horses never betray their mothers. It is a beautiful thing in the world that we should not miss. The care, love, harmony, and prosperity between parents and children, and between siblings, are important components for maintaining family prosperity and social stability. For this episode, we ask each creative team to write a song around the theme of 'family affection.'"

After saying that, he left directly, returning the stage to the creative team members present.

Li Zichun yawned and looked at Zhao Qianfan, asking, "What song do you want to sing?"

Zhao Qianfan thought about it for a while, pondering over a large number of relatives, including his father, mother, older sister, younger sister... In the end, he still chose "mother".

Li Zichun said knowingly, "OK, just you wait and see."

After saying that, he turned and went to the recording studio. A dozen minutes later, Zhao Qianfan went in to record. Yes, it was a song he liked. What they didn't know was that shortly after they went in, an uninvited guest arrived. Ma Qian, accompanied by Yi Ziqiang, a leader from the Propaganda Department of the Great Zhou Kingdom, came over and quietly waited for them to finish recording and come out.

PS: Data is from the internet.

"Good Luck" is a song with lyrics by Che Xing, music by Qi Jianbo, arrangement by Zhang Hongguang, and vocals by Zu Hai. It was included in Zu Hai's album "Good Luck," released on January 17, 2004. In 2004, the song won the second prize in the song and dance category of CCTV's "My Favorite Spring Festival Gala Program."