The Book of All Things: Born for Joy

112.

Li Zichun could never know what he had been through; the love, hate, and struggle in the song were heart-wrenching to listen to.

Zhao Qianfan's moving voice is full of love and deep affection. She said that she had waited for him for tens of thousands of years and accompanied him through nine lifetimes before she understood her own feelings. She said that if he was not by her side, what meaning would her life have?

My love for you is nothing more than a persistent high fever, and my longing for you is the persistent cough that follows when you're not by my side.

Those present at the scene and those watching the live stream were deeply moved by the suppressed yet powerful emotions that finally erupted. Every adult has their own unspeakable story. Only some young children, who haven't grown up yet, felt that this song wasn't really a song, that the melody was a mess, and that if this song was good, they could sing it too.

Seeing oneself is so difficult! Zhao Qianfan seems to have drawn on all his memories to encourage himself in this song, and in the end, all that remains is a helpless sense of relief: "What you want but cannot get, what can you do about life? What you want but cannot get, there are no wise people in love."

The entire song "A Song for Myself" is about unfulfilled desires, the most profound of the "three sorrows and eight sufferings" in Buddhism. Unfulfilled desires, unfulfilled desires! In this world, most things we seek are not what we obtain, and what we obtain is not what we seek.

Zhao Qianfan refused to believe in fate; he was determined to force it. "I'm tired of waiting these tens of thousands of years. If possible, let me stay with you until the very end!"

The song successfully moved the adults in the audience and those watching on screen. Only a small number of young people voted, so the final vote count was not high. After the notary office's summary, Zhao Qianfan's final total vote count was 26.58 million.

The other four singers breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this. They knew that to win, they needed a total vote count exceeding one million votes from the others; otherwise, those with similar vote counts would have to compete in a live showdown, judged by a panel of two thousand audience members. This situation was rare in the history of the competition, but not impossible.

Although their vote count is not far behind Zhao Qianfan's, if their performance is amazing and moving, they might still be able to compete for the title of King of Singers.

Soon it was their turn to perform. Some were glamorous, some simple, some passionate, some serene—Li Zichun experienced the power of his peers for the first time.

"I was born for the stage, I live for the stage. I am a born king, a Jedi warrior, fighting to the very last moment. No one understands my desires. That magnificent throne, that supreme glory, are my ideals..."

"Unbeknownst to me, more than a decade has passed. People have come and gone, leaving me desolate and alone. In the quiet of the night, I suddenly realize I also long for companionship. The center stage is always changing..."

"Youth is the stage for passion, for forging ahead and overcoming difficulties. It is our proud, unrestrained, and unbridled expression. We move forward without ever retreating, constantly striving to improve..."

"Tick-tock, tick-tock, time is ticking away. Tick-tock, tick-tock, who can answer this final step? Looking back, I'm covered in scars. For you, for you, so many have rushed towards you. How many times in a lifetime can one have this final throne? Let me go..."

This golden and silver inlaid jade throne, which appears only once every five years in the entertainment industry, stands there quietly, waiting for the coronation of each new owner, witnessing generation after generation of talented young people rushing towards it. Some fall halfway, some turn back halfway, and some fall into the abyss of desire. Only a very few people can see its full beauty.

The five people present were just one step away from sitting on the top of the tower.

Because it was the final round, after Zhao Qianfan's votes were announced, the other performers would not be able to see their vote counts after the performances were completed. Therefore, this final moment of revealing the votes was highly anticipated, truly a moment of national attention and anticipation.

The camera focused directly on director Zhang Xiaochuan and officials from the notary office, who were conducting the final calculations, all broadcast live. It was estimated that the calculations would be completed in about one to five minutes.

Zhao Qianfan looked at the nonchalant Li Zichun and said, "What if I lose?"

Li Zichun opened his mouth, licked his lips, and said, "If you lose, then you lose. Do you expect me to do something to you? You're dreaming."

Zhao Qianfan laughed and said, "Hehe, actually, if it were you, you could do whatever you want to me."

Li Zichun gasped, glancing at him with a seemingly casual look. Was this what he meant? Ever since he let him hold him to sleep last time, this guy had become increasingly audacious.

Feeling a little guilty under his gaze, Zhao Qianfan said ingratiatingly, "I'm very obedient. I won't cross that line as long as you don't agree."

Li Zichun snorted and said, "If you dare, you probably won't be able to have sex in your next life."

Zhao Qianfan swallowed hard, his face twitching. He felt a sudden, chilly breeze blowing against his body, making him feel cold all over. He thought for a moment and said, "You haven't forgotten what you promised me, have you?"

Li Zichun frowned and said, "Hmm? What is it?"

Zhao Qianfan quickly said, "It's what you said before: if I can win the title of King of Singers, you'll grant me one request."

Li Zichun looked at his face and sighed earnestly, "You still remember this? Actually, with your looks and qualities, what kind of person couldn't you win over? Why did you fall for me? I don't seem to have anything about me that's worth your affection..."

Zhao Qianfan looked at his face seriously and said, "Have you ever heard of the phrase 'love at first sight'?"

Li Zichun remained silent, unsure of what to say. Then, recalling Li Xiuyuan's face, which bore a striking resemblance to his own, he added, "Let's win the title of King of Singers first. As long as the request isn't too outrageous, I'll agree to it."

Zhao Qianfan beamed and quickly said, "I will try my best to reach you."

Qi Tong, in Li Zichun's arms, meowed at just the right moment. It turned out that the camera on the big screen was pointing at them. One was as indifferent as frost and snow, while the other smiled like fireworks. It was too beautiful to be true.

Li Zichun looked up at the big screen, slightly twitched the corners of his mouth, and then turned Zhao Qianfan's head toward the camera. This scene was truly heartwarming.

Viewers watching the live stream were practically dying to ship them. The aloof top and the clingy bottom, the younger domineering CEO meeting the middle-aged puppy—it instantly conjured up a short story in their minds, and all they had to do was tap a heart on the screen and wait for the next installment.

Director Zhang Xiaochuan, observing the strangely harmonious scene, coughed twice to indicate that the vote count was in.

Everyone was filled with anticipation. The quality of the songs this year was truly top-notch. Would it be an additional audition or a direct crowning? Everyone was eagerly awaiting the final result.

Director Zhang Xiaochuan swallowed hard and said, "I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting. This final coronation ceremony will probably be delayed. Please look at the big screen."

All the votes were displayed on the big screen. Haoyu Fenghua and Fang Yujia both received more than 26 million votes. Although Zhao Qianfan had the most votes, according to the competition rules, the final showdown required more than one million votes to be considered a success. Therefore, the three of them had to have a final live tiebreaker.

The tiebreaker usually has no theme; participants have to decide their own songs and choose one song for a live showdown, with the winner determined by a vote from the entire audience of two thousand.

The camera focuses on the three of them, letting them play rock-paper-scissors to decide their final performance order, and then they go backstage alone to prepare their songs.

Zhao Qianfan was the second to appear, leaving Li Zichun speechless. He thought it was over and he could leave, but this was the last thing they did. It was really driving him crazy; he'd been sitting there for so long he was about to pee.

Zhao Qianfan, Fang Yujia, and Haoyu Fenghua went backstage to prepare. Before leaving, Zhao Qianfan gave Li Zichun a high five and whispered in his ear, "I will satisfy you."

Li Zichun was also very curious about which song he would choose. Fortunately, he had given him many options beforehand, otherwise he would have been really panicked.

As for the five minutes of preparation time, director Zhang Xiaochuan walked up to Li Zichun and said, "This preparation time is just enough to sing a song. Do you want to go on stage and try it out?"

Seeing that the camera was already on him, Li Zichun rolled his eyes and said, "You really always find a chance to take advantage of me. Since you, the director, have made the request, I'll just sing a song a cappella. I hope the rest of them won't feel pressured."

Li Zichun held the microphone, tilted his head, thought for a moment, and said, "When the last flower of spring blooms, the season is over, and the dust settles. How much do we know? The last flower of spring is the last flower of spring. To match the atmosphere of this competition, I would like to present this song, 'When the Last Flower Blooms,' to everyone."

Li Zichun picked up the microphone and sang Faye Wong's "When the Tea Leaves Fall":

Every ant has eyes and a nose.

Whether it's beautiful or not, whether the deviation is even a millimeter, what does it matter?

Everyone cries when they are sad.

When you're hungry, you eat. The difference between heaven and earth isn't that great; what's so stimulating about it?

There is too much magic and too little reason.

So many games, just out of curiosity

What else is worth being hysterical about?

To be devoted to something

One idol after another is nothing more than this.

The idols I was obsessed with disappeared one by one.

Who has committed heinous crimes? And who is God?

What miracle are we waiting for?

In the end, only I was left, and I couldn't bear to be picky.

In the end, he didn't think much of himself either.

I would doubt anyone who gave me the whole world.

My heart was bursting with joy, but it withered and died.

......

One by one, who is more beautiful than whom?

One by one, who is sweeter than whom?

One by one, each person, who has it easier than whom?

What's so great about it?

......

What does it matter who each ant brushes past so neatly?

Everyone feels lingering fear when they meet the one they love.

Lin Xi said on the show "Day Day Up" that his favorite song among his works is "When the Tea Rose Fades." The tea rose fades, signifying the end and loss of beautiful things, inevitably evoking a lingering sadness.

Li Zichun's voice is bright and expansive yet listless, drifting aimlessly with a grand, desolate quality, capturing the myriad aspects of this competition. Madness, intoxication, chaos, illusion, tragedy, despair, and dazedness—a mix of emotions runs through the song, a chilling mockery permeating it like a wandering ghost. "Who has committed heinous crimes? Who is God? What miracle are we waiting for?" How laughable it is to think that cleaning out the pests of the entertainment industry will strengthen the development of domestic music! Even in ancient times, with so many corrupt officials, emperors didn't dare say they would all be killed. While the eight major entertainment groups deserve to die, those who truly deserve to die are probably others. Consider Yi Ziqiang's condescending official attitude—looking down on you while simultaneously trying to win you over—truly hypocritical.

Li Zichun couldn't change the attitude of those above him; they were people within the realm of national politics, and he didn't want to get involved in that mess. He was certain that if he dared to interfere with national politics or the workings of the world, those three old geezers from Jingxin Temple, Miaoxuan Temple, and Detianyuan in Sanyuanling would dare to capture him and trap him to death on that mountain.

The terror of the Three Teachings' questioning of the heart still haunts him now. He chuckles, "What else is worth being hysterical about? What is there to be so devoted to?"

When Zhao Qianfan, who was backstage, heard the last line, "Everyone meets the one they love, yet feels lingering fear," he smiled happily. He probably understood it.

After Li Zichun finished singing, everyone sensed something unusual in his voice. It was as if he was talking about the entire entertainment industry and the competition, or as if he wasn't saying anything at all, just singing.

A thousand people have a thousand ideas; whatever you hear is what you get.

Li Zichun's singing has always attracted attention. His song "Prelude to Water Melody: When Will the Moon Be Bright?", which he wrote for Li Jiawei, is now being played on repeat in various campuses. Songs such as "Moonlight over the Lotus Pond," "Little Apple," "The Lasso," "Two Butterflies," and "Flying Freely" have long been popular among middle-aged and elderly people dancing in squares. Piano pieces such as "Wedding in a Dream," "Butterfly Lovers," "Dance of the Flowers," and "Castle in the Sky" are also slowly gaining international recognition. It can be said that he himself is a walking focal point.

After listening to his performance, director Zhang Xiaochuan led the applause, saying, "Brother, you are truly talented and courageous!"

Li Zichun nodded, bowed to everyone in thanks, and slowly stepped off the stage, returning it to the contenders for the title of King of Singers. As he left, his gaze lingered on the throne not far away. Whew, it was indeed an extreme temptation. The musical notes and staffs on it were made of gold; it was impossible to ignore. Who came up with this thing? It was undeniably clever, a master of manipulating people's hearts. He couldn't help but think of the Iron Throne from *Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire*, nothing more than a lump of iron covered in spikes, sharp corners, and twisted metal, with many spikes on the backrest—sitting on it would only make one uncomfortable, unable to lean back comfortably.

Just like the throne of the King of Singers before us, inlaid with gems, gold, jade, agate and other rare treasures, its original purpose was to warn those in power to sit upright, listen to opinions from all sides and strive to become role models. However, in the eyes of the contestants, it is a synonym for wealth, fame and status. Everyone stirs up storms and fights openly and secretly for this seat, resorting to any means necessary, and stirring up one bloody storm after another.

Importantly, this selection process, which extends from local to national levels, occurs every five years and continues indefinitely.

PS: Data is from the internet.

"The End of the Bloom" is a song with lyrics by Lin Xi, music and arrangement by cykong, and sung by Faye Wong. It was included in her 1999 album "Only Love Strangers".