The Book of All Things: Born for Joy

Li Zichun fled back to his room, took a shower to clear his head, and figured that this damned reaction was just because he had been lonely for too long.

The impact of the cold water quickly suppressed the inexplicable restlessness beneath me. The cool, clear water gliding over my skin was refreshing and soothing, quickly bringing me back to my senses.

That evening, in the April weather of Beijing, with the cool water and chilly wind, Li Zichun finally caught a cold.

The next day, Zhao Qianfan finished her workout with great confidence and prepared a loving breakfast. When she was waiting for Li Zichun to come downstairs, she found that he hadn't come down at all. Even when the slovenly and unkempt Li Ke came downstairs, Li Zichun still didn't show any signs of getting up.

Zhao Qianfan quickly realized something was wrong and shouted, "Seven of Bamboo, go check it out!"

The seven-armed tiger, who was sunbathing in the garden, suddenly shuddered, ran over, meowed, and began to climb the wall.

Li Zichun slept in a room on the second floor near the window, and Qi Tong quickly climbed up the pipe.

Li Ke, who was standing to the side, was dumbfounded. He had only ever heard of training dogs, but he never thought that there was such a thing as training cats. No wonder Li Zichun could not escape your grasp. It turns out that you have people everywhere. I admire you. I admire you very much!

Qitong quickly pried open the window and entered the room. It meowed twice in front of Li Zichun's bed, and when there was no response, it jumped onto the bed. When its little paws touched Li Zichun's forehead, it felt like it was touching a stove, and it quickly withdrew them.

Qi Tong walked to the door, jumped high and opened it, meowed a few times downstairs, and Zhao Qianfan quickly rushed upstairs.

Li Zichun had a long dream, in what seemed like a lava valley, where a furry giant beast approached him, sniffed him, and pawed at him a few times, scaring him so much that he broke out in a sweat. But in the end, it seemed to think he was too thin and wouldn't taste good, so it left. Half-asleep, he felt himself floating up, and vaguely felt someone pick him up, his cold face pressed against a warm chest. He couldn't help but rub against it a few times, and soon fell into a deep sleep again. This time there were no monsters or lava, only a feeling of great peace.

When Li Zichun woke up, it was already evening of the next day. The first thing he saw was white walls and sheets, mixed with the faint smell of disinfectant. He was momentarily disoriented.

Wasn't I sleeping in my room? How did I suddenly end up in the hospital? I glanced at the water bottle hanging beside my bed, then at the dazzling array of fruits and supplements around me. It seemed quite a few people had already been here. Had I been unconscious for a long time?

He was about to get up when Zhao Qianfan walked in from outside and quickly helped him sit up, using pillows as cushions to make him more comfortable.

Seeing his anxious expression, Li Zichun thought he had some incurable disease and asked softly, "What's wrong with me?"

Zhao Qianfan sighed and said, "How old are you? You didn't even realize you had a cold. Luckily, Qitong likes to run around the house and we found out in time, otherwise I was afraid you would have damaged your brain from the fever."

Li Zichun finally relaxed and calmly said, "Oh, it's just a cold and fever. Looking at you like this, anyone who didn't know better would think I had a terminal illness..."

Zhao Qianfan covered his mouth and said, "Don't talk nonsense."

Li Zichun looked somewhat embarrassed. That flirtatious gesture... ugh, so annoying. This unrequited affection...

Zhao Qianfan seemed to notice his unease and withdrew his hand with a smile, saying, "Don't worry, I won't do anything to you before I get your permission. I was too hasty and impolite yesterday, so don't take it to heart."

Li Zichun paused for a moment upon hearing this, then calmly replied, "Oh, I see. It's so good to have you here."

Just as the two were getting intimate, Li Ke came in carrying dinner. Seeing that he was awake, she smiled and said, "Oh dear, did I come at the wrong time? Or should I leave?"

Li Zichun rolled his eyes and said, "Shut up, you're such a busybody. Hurry up and bring the things over. I've been sleeping for so long, I'm starving."

Zhao Qianfan took a bowl of porridge, tested the temperature, and then calmly fed him. Seeing this, Li Zichun glanced at his hand, which was still receiving an IV drip, thought for a moment, and then opened his mouth to eat.

Li Ke, who was munching on an apple, squinted and smiled. "Heh, they were so reluctant yesterday, but they've already hooked up in the short time it took to buy food? Tsk tsk, that's fast."

After the doctor examined him again, there was nothing seriously wrong. He just told him to rest more and keep warm, and the group quickly went home.

Li Zichun was carried back by Zhao Qianfan, who carried and held him the whole way, so his feet barely touched the ground. Li Zichun originally wanted to get down and walk by himself, but in the end he found it quite comfortable not to do anything. It felt so good to lean against that broad, warm back, so he stopped struggling. He even instructed Li Ke to take the tonics back with him, so as not to waste them. They could be used to treat illnesses or to strengthen the body.

So the three of them returned to their lodgings openly and legitimately.

The paparazzi had been waiting outside for a long time. During his illness and hospitalization, all sorts of rumors circulated. As celebrities, they naturally didn't care. As long as it wasn't too outrageous, it was understandable; being a celebrity, like being an actor, meant being subject to gossip. As the old saying goes, everyone talks about others behind their backs, and everyone is talked about behind their backs. Just walk your own path and let the paparazzi talk.

In the days leading up to the start of the competition's recording, under the care of Zhao Qianfan and Li Ke, Li Zichun lived a life of ease, with everything done for him. In his spare time, he would turn on his computer to read the news, do some writing, and discuss the script and cast actors with Director Zhang Yimao and others on his phone. When he got bored lying around, he would exercise with Zhao Qianfan and Li Ke. He was living a comfortable and carefree life, which couldn't be more enjoyable.

The happy days didn't last long, and soon it was time for the next recording. Whether it was because the news of Li Zichun's hospitalization was too outrageous or because of the rumors, Ma Qian and the others looked at him with meaningful expressions and said, "Teacher Li, how are you feeling?"

Li Zichun was baffled by her question. It was just a minor cold, and he had recovered long ago. Seeing their unnatural expressions, he inquired further and learned that various people had been giving all sorts of stories about their condition lately.

Breaking News: Famous singer Li Zichun sought medical attention for unknown reasons, with suspicions of sudden death.

"Chrysanthemums bloom on the mountain, but he remains unconscious."

"Zhao Qianfan is playing a very risky game; Li Zichun was rushed to the hospital."

"The Three Heroes of the Wind and Dust Fall into the Wind and Dust, Shockingly Revealing That No One Can Be Seen in the Backyard."

"Using the pretext of seeking medical treatment to conceal the corrupt practices within the hospital."

......

Li Zichun was numb, but he still read it with great interest, and occasionally said to Zhao Qianfan, "Hey, this is well written. Look, it says you're the one who's helping me get treatment, but actually you're the one I've messed with."

Zhao Qianfan took the phone and glanced at it; his expression turned extremely grim.

Seeing him speak so calmly, Ma Xi asked curiously, "So, the truth is..."

Zhao Qianfan looked at her curious expression, unable to resist watching the drama unfold, and rolled her eyes resignedly: "It's just a cold that I went to the hospital and got a few IV drips. What's the big deal? These entertainment reporters have nothing better to write about. Anyone with a little ability to look at medical records wouldn't make up such outrageous stories."

Ma Xi asked curiously, "Aren't you angry about them making up stories about you?"

Li Zichun said with a smile, "What's there to be angry about? A portion of the money we celebrities earn comes with the risk of being criticized. There's nothing to make a fuss about. If your heart can't even handle these rumors, what kind of celebrity are you? As long as the rumors aren't too outrageous and involve illegal activities like pornography, gambling, or drugs, we'll turn a blind eye."

After a series of questions and answers, netizens understood the truth of the matter, which led to a small increase in the number of followers on the company's account.

Li Zichun and Zhao Qianfan quickly arrived at their dressing room. Because the competition was a points-based system, each singer's votes would not be repeated. The audience could vote for whomever they wanted, and duplicate votes were fine as long as the song was good.

Zhao Qianfan appeared fifth in the order of appearance. Ren Tianshou, Fang Yujia, Qian Yuanyuan, and Haoyu Fenghua group, who had been holding back until now, also showed their full strength. Those who made it into the top ten in the country are all truly talented singers. They brought out their personal characteristics to the extreme, such as deep emotion, ethereal, dynamic, and youthful. These people have very distinctive and recognizable voices. If they had a song that suited them, they might actually be able to surpass Zhao Qianfan in the number of votes.

It's just a pity that they encountered the golden duo of Zhao Qianfan and Li Zichun.

There are many songs about family in the entertainment industry, after all, who doesn't have loving parents, siblings, and friends? But while few can become classic hits, there are still plenty.

Li Zichun thought it over and over, because it was already the final points battle, and any carelessness in any match could turn an advantage into a disadvantage.

From a long list of songs in his mind, he selected two for careful consideration and comparison: "Come Home Often" and "Where Has the Time Gone?". After consulting Zhao Qianfan, he finally chose Wang Zhengliang's "Where Has the Time Gone?", a song that had moved countless people.

The old tree in front of the door sprouts new buds, and the withered tree in the yard blooms again.

Half a lifetime has passed, yet so many words remain hidden within a head full of white hair.

My memories of tiny feet and chubby little mouths

She gave him her whole life's love, just for that one word: "Mom and Dad".

Where has the time gone? Before I could truly savor my youth, I'm already old.

Raising children is a lifelong commitment; my mind is filled with their cries and laughter.

Where has the time gone? My eyes have already grown dim before I've even had a proper look at you.

Half a lifetime spent dealing with the mundane realities of daily life, and in the blink of an eye, all that's left are wrinkles on my face.

......"

"Where Has the Time Gone?" was co-written by musicians Dong Dongdong and Chen Xi. The production team of the TV series "The War of the Lao Niu Family" invited the two to compose the theme song for the series. After thinking about it, they reached a consensus and wanted to write a song with an emotional similarity to "Come Home Often".

The lyrics to "Where Has the Time Gone?" were written by Chen Xi after celebrating her mother's 60th birthday. Seeing her mother, who had spent half her life dealing with the mundane details of daily life, now only had wrinkles left on her face, Chen Xi was moved by the realization that time had slipped away unnoticed and wrote the lyrics in one go. After Chen Xi finished the lyrics, Dong Dongdong immediately composed the music.

A good song has a vibrant life force. The simple and unadorned lyrics of "Where Has the Time Gone?" touch the heart and express the love of parents in a heart-wrenching way. The soothing melody also flows with deep affection, which shows the tacit understanding between the lyricist and composer and their sincere understanding of love and life.

Zhao Qianfan's voice, which is controlled and nurtured by Li Zichun, is gentle, melodious, simple and moving. Coupled with the lyrics, which are simple, delicate, and deeply moving, it touches the hearts of every listener.

In the name of time, we write of the many emotions that life brings. Whether it's familial love or romantic love, it will eventually fade away with time. But as long as we live, these emotions will continue to be passed down through our bloodlines.

Zhao Qianfan's song silenced the entire audience and the online comments; there's really no way to criticize this kind of song, it's just so good.

The lyrics, told from the perspective of an elder looking at a younger generation, incorporate the unique family culture of the Chinese people, making it easy for readers to relate to them.

Li Zichun wanted to use this song during the third round of the "Time" themed competition, but he held back until now.

This song's discussion about time is actually more thought-provoking. "We've grown old before we've even had a chance to truly experience youth"—this is the reason why people often feel confused and sentimental.

In his previous life, Li Zichun had read a British survey and a study from the School of Public Health at Peking University. The "timetable" of human aging was unbelievable: after age 20, the brain and lungs begin to age; after age 25, the skin begins to age; after age 30, muscles and joints begin to age; around age 40, the eyes begin to age; after age 40, the human body loses approximately [number missing] brain cells every day. This decrease in brain cell count leads to a decline in memory, thinking, and logical abilities.

When Li Zichun first heard this song, he also asked himself a question: When exactly did I grow up and grow old?

Haruki Murakami said, "I always thought that people grow old gradually, but that's not true. People grow old in an instant."

It seems like that's how people are. At first, we think we'll grow up gradually, but then we realize that growing up happens in an instant. That instant might be suddenly seeing the hunched backs of our parents, experiencing hardships that only adults go through, or letting go of someone we loved but couldn't have...

Having endured hardship, come to understand certain things, and met certain people, even the most immature person will grow up overnight; everyone is like that. Walk each path you must take well, and leave the rest to time. Life is about what you can't control, and what you must experience. Cherish the road ahead, and don't ask questions of those who have already gone before.

PS: Data is from the internet.

"Where Has the Time Gone?" is a song performed by Wang Zhengliang, with lyrics by Chen Xi and music by Dong Dongdong. It is included in Wang Zhengliang's albums *Love's Choice*, *The Time You Can Hear*, and *Story Island*. This song is also the theme song for the TV dramas *The War of the Lao Niu Family* and *Empty Nest Grandpa*, and an interlude in the film *Personal Tailor*. In 2014, Wang Zhengliang performed "Where Has the Time Gone?" at the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, playing and singing the song himself. The song won several awards in 2014, including the 13th "Five-One Project" Award for Spiritual Civilization Construction (2012-2014) and the 10th China Golden Record Award for Best Music Producer (Comprehensive Category).

Reference: "Daily Health Tips: The Human Aging 'Timeline' - It Starts Quietly at This Age, and It's Unbelievable"