The Book of All Things: Born for Joy

The audience was very satisfied with both of their performances and couldn't help but secretly compare them.

But Zhao Qianfan is the king of singers after all, and his handsomeness is different from Li Ke's hidden wild beauty. He is more gentle and handsome, which conforms to the public's aesthetic, so he is better in comparison.

No wonder the judging panel in Kowloon preferred to choose Zhao Qianfan, who had parachuted in from there, rather than Li Ke, a native of Kowloon, as the representative of the King of Singers.

After Li Ke finished singing, he let out a long sigh of relief. He had practiced this song for a long time, and it really strained his voice.

He smiled and looked at the live stream, saying, "Alright, we've finished five songs. Now it's time for the classic Q&A session. We'll be picking three questions from the comments on the big screen to answer, so please feel free to participate."

Countless comments flashed rapidly on the large screen behind him. Li Zichun glanced at director Zhang Xiaochuan, thinking to himself that this weird segment must be his doing again.

Director Zhang Xiaochuan whispered in his ear, "Xiong Wei called and asked me to add it, saying that it would make the performance more like a concert. I think this kid just wants to extend the time."

Li Zichun had no objection to this, but Qi Tong looked at him with disdain and slapped his trouser leg with her little paw.

Li Ke looked at him, unsure how to draw a question. Finally, a staff member came over and told him, "Just call 'stop,'" and he understood how to play.

Li Ke smiled and said, "Oh, I see... Stop."

The sound of a screenshot appeared on the big screen. After excluding the nonsense like "So handsome" and self-praise, the first question came up: "I want to ask Teacher Zhao Qianfan, now that you've won the title of King of Singers, will you consider releasing a new album? Will it still be Li Zichun's songs? Looking forward to it."

Zhao Qianfan smiled and said, "That depends on our favorite Moon Emperor. I'll listen to him; whatever he says goes."

The screen was also filled with phrases like "golden partners, divine friendship", "I'm totally shipping them", and "the Civil Affairs Bureau has moved here, please get married right here".

Zhao Qianfan said with a smile, "Everyone, don't just randomly kowtow. Kowtowing to anything will only harm you."

Li Ke interjected at the opportune moment: "My album is already being recorded, and it's all produced by your favorite piano prince. Please give it your support when it's released."

The screen then started rotating again, and this time the screenshot showed two questions: "Isn't the Moon Emperor singing tonight? I really want to hear it, sob sob sob," and "I read in the report that the Three Heroes of the Wind and Dust live together. What's their relationship? It seems so confusing."

Li Ke was amused by the question and said with feigned jealousy, "Hmph, what kind of relationship could it be? Isn't it always the case that when three people are together, there's always a third wheel? Of course, I'll be the one to shine."

Zhao Qianfan rolled her eyes, shoved him aside, and said, "The last two songs are choral pieces. We'll be singing with the others in a bit, so don't worry. Alright, we've finished asking all three questions, so let's continue singing. That way you can hear the Moon Emperor's voice sooner. Here's 'Swallows Return to Their Nest' for everyone."

Zhao Qianfan held her breath, took a deep breath, and quickly got into character, singing "Swallows Return to Their Nests" with a steady, unwavering voice:

After the rain, dawn breaks over the riverbank. How many old boats and new passengers do they know?

In the distance, bamboo groves and fragrant grasses appear amidst the mountains; the morning breeze caresses the banana leaves, turning them green.

The plum blossoms have all fallen, marking the end of winter; the swallows, carrying the promise of spring, long to return to their nests.

The scenery along the way, the people I miss, and the long-distance love between us.

Willow-leaf oars splash peach blossom waves; cranes gaze into the distance from Tingzhou.

Sip a cup of lingering fragrance, sing a song of bygone days

The song echoes through the mountains and rivers, echoing the burning passion of longing.

Two lines from last year's letter brought tears to my eyes again.

Bathed in the warm sun by the water's edge, my long-lost hometown is nestled amidst the misty waves.

How have you been? You're always in my heart.

......

The window of my childhood, the aged wall—have they turned in different directions?

When you and I meet in the hall, will we remain silent or pour out our hearts?

The song echoes through the mountains and rivers, echoing the burning passion of longing. Two lines from last year's letter home bring tears to my eyes again.

Bathed in the warm sun by the water's edge, my long-lost hometown shrouded in mist and waves—how have you been? You are in my heart.

"Hope you're doing well, you're always in my heart."

"Swallows Return to Their Nest" was originally a song composed by Xu Song for the 2015 Spring Festival Gala, themed around "wanderers returning home," and was intended to be performed by Jane Zhang and Jason Zhang. However, the song failed to pass review during the third rehearsal for the Gala, and was thus excluded from the performance. Jane Zhang and Jason Zhang hoped the song could still accompany their fans during the Spring Festival to make up for the disappointment of not being able to perform it live, so they took the time to record a studio version of "Swallows Return to Their Nest."

The song's lyrics are meticulously crafted, possessing the imagery and charm of classical literature. Musically, it incorporates elements of the pipa and shepherd's flute, with a melodious style that, combined with Zhao Qianfan's rich, bright vocals and gentle, melodious voice, fully expresses the homesickness of a traveler. The song creates a beautiful Chinese painting, melting the traveler's longing for home into the misty rain, bringing poetic and picturesque beauty to life in the song.

This Chinese-style song even made the surrounding celebrities spontaneously applaud as they listened to it; it really is quite good.

Next up was Li Ke, who was to sing Fish Leong's "Swallowtail Butterfly." This song reflects Fish Leong's decision to end her long-term relationship with her boyfriend, Ah Guan, after both parties rationally wished each other well. She firmly believed that it was fortunate for both of them to accept the intangible changes that occur in a relationship.

When they were in love, they believed they were one and only. When they broke up, they wished each other freedom. At this time, Liang Jingru, who was emotionally empty, was like a swallowtail butterfly, always ready to make up her mind to love, unafraid of being hurt or loving again; even if the world is vast, she is not afraid of anything.

Mayday's Ashin specially tailored "Swallowtail Butterfly" for Fish Leong. The "Swallowtail Butterfly" is renowned for its beauty, large size, and unique patterns, making it a focal point of attention. Its rarity further enhances its preciousness; just as Fish Leong's image and voice are unparalleled in the current Chinese music scene. This also echoes the enduring impact of Fish Leong's signature song "Courage," encouraging courageous transformation, courageous love, and courageous joy.

Li Ke was already on the stage, singing "Swallowtail Butterfly" to the rhythm:

The exhilarating emergence from the cocoon, the urge for a magnificent rebirth, the search for a splendid world, a beautiful dream.

Who controls love? They recklessly rush into the flames, even if reincarnation is only to highlight it.

Your laughter, your tears, your every action are my Bible, something to be cherished and memorized.

My joy, my sorrow, my life—I'd give up my freedom for you, I'd be at your beck and call.

You are fire, you are wind, you are the web-weaving demon.

The broken swallowtail butterfly still dreams its last beautiful dream.

You are fire, you are wind, you are the temptation of an angel.

Let me be a swallowtail butterfly, embracing my last beautiful dream, letting me have a brief moment of happiness. I am deeply moved.

The exhilarating emergence from the pupa, the impulse to be reborn, the search for the world of love, a beautiful dream.

Since we're not caterpillars, we should bravely rush into the fire; our fleeting youth should be like fireworks.

This life, this love, this moment—I'll squander it all, squander my colors in your sky.

You want me to do it, you say you want me to do it, actually I'm very happy, all because of...

You are fire, you are wind...

It brought me brief happiness and touched me deeply.

Yes, even if you loved the wrong person, don't speak ill of them when you break up. Because even if the time you spent together was short, the happy times you shared can't be faked, and you should leave with gratitude. Just pretend the other person was a blind devil.

The camera focused on Li Ke, who had already tidied up and began singing "White Fox":

I am a fox who has loved for a thousand years; a thousand years of love, a thousand years of loneliness.

In the long night, do you know for whom I mend my red makeup?

In this mortal world, do you know for whom I comb my beautiful hair?

I am a fox who has waited for a thousand years, a thousand years of waiting, a thousand years of helplessness.

When love runs deep, watch me dance for you with my beauty.

When love hurts, listen to my song and let me tell you my story.

Years of hard study, our vows of eternal love are etched in our hearts.

The wedding night, though a golden list, is a distant memory, a journey between strangers on different paths.

Can you let me cry for love?

I am still the white fox who loved you a thousand years ago.

How many springs have come and gone, day and night?

I will be your fox for all eternity.

Can you let me cry for love?

I am still the same white fox I have been for thousands of years.

So many springs have come and gone, day after day, in the next life I will still be your fox…

The lyrics of this song have been revised and rearranged several times; the version used here is the final version.

Although this is an online song, when people listened to it back then, they were drawn into the story of "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio," which made it quite touching and memorable.

After Li Ke finished singing, it was Zhao Qianfan's turn. He was going to sing "Birds and Fish." This song was originally a duet by Qi Yu and Qi Qin, but a solo performance didn't seem to diminish its beauty.

However, Zhao Qianfan didn't want to sing this song alone. He insisted on having Li Zichun sing it with him, and Li Zichun had no choice but to agree. After all, it was a favor he had done, and there was no need to drag them along to repay it, especially since Zhao Qianfan was a newly crowned and highly sought-after singer.

Zhao Qianfan composed himself, then solemnly and earnestly began to sing "Birds and Fish" in harmony with Li Zichun:

I am a fish, you are a bird.

If it weren't for your sudden loss of speed and drift...

If I hadn't looked around and paid attention...

Where did this ill-fated love and affection come from?

You are brave, I am destined.

You are a bird that can perch anywhere.

I am a fish that has long since lost its body temperature.

Blue sky, blue sea, it's so hard, so hard for you and me.

What about heaven and earth, the four seasons, day and night?

What sea and sky merging into one color, hell and heaven, evening drum and morning bell?

Always together, forever apart

Always together forever apart~

What about heaven and earth, the four seasons, day and night?

What sea and sky merging into one color, hell and heaven, evening drum and morning bell?

Always~ together forever apart

Always together, forever apart

Sleepless nights, mornings I can't wake up

How can we know the autumn fruit from the spring flowers?

How can today's misery forgive yesterday's blindness?

How can a bird love? How can it fall in love with a fish in the water? Birds and fish...

Chyi Yu once watched a movie where the male protagonist was a human by day and a wolf by night; the female protagonist was a human by night and an eagle by day, and the two lovers could never meet. Touched by this movie, she wrote about her own feelings about love in the book "Birds and Fish".

Chyi Yu also wrote the synopsis and notes for "Birds and Fish," explaining in detail her creative inspiration: the love affair between birds and fish is all caused by desire. In winter, one longs for summer; in the heat of summer, one yearns for autumn and winter. Humans traverse this simplest and most uncontrollable dissatisfaction throughout their lives. One winter, she mustered the courage to love a bird. They fell in love, each carrying their own burdens and freedom, filled with envy and curiosity about the other's world. After several years, they finally discovered that letting the bird and fish swim together was not gentle enough; and the bird lifting the fish high into the air was not merciful either. But why did this love still last for several years? Simply because both sides used unparalleled courage to fight against fate, and wouldn't give up until their last breath. Chyi Yu remains pessimistic about the story of birds and fish. The sea and sky are one color, spring, summer, autumn, and winter are connected, hell and heaven are relative, day and night alternate, the evening drum and morning bell are parallel—the seemingly connected worlds are actually incompatible. Always being compared, forever passing each other by... Birds and fish can fall in love, but where can they build their nests?

"Birds and Fish" follows Chyi Yu's signature lyrical style, with lyrics by Chyi Yu, music by Chyi Chin, arrangement by Tu Huiyuan, guitar by Jiang Jianmin, and harmonies by Ma Yufen. The music video for "Birds and Fish" won the "Annual Audio-Visual Award" from Chinese Satellite TV Music Channel in 1999. It uses poetic and beautiful metaphorical visuals to complement Chyi Yu's ethereal voice, conveying a sense of destiny that "it's easy to fall in love but difficult to stay together."

This sense of destiny—that it would be difficult to stay together for long—struck Zhao Qianfan's heart. He knew about Li Zichun's three-year assessment, but he had to pretend he didn't know. He wanted to be with him as if this was the only time in his life, as if they would soon be separated again, and cherish and protect him as if they were about to be far apart again.

This was the ninth song, and it was originally supposed to be sung by Li Ke, with him closing the song. However, after listening to it, he preferred to exchange this song with Li Ke for the final song, because he felt that this song was more meaningful to him.

PS: Data is from the internet.

References: Excerpt from "Chyi Yu's Handwritten Notes"?

"Swallows Return to Their Nest" is a song with lyrics and music by Xu Song, arrangement by Wan Jiaming, and sung by Jane Zhang and Jason Zhang. It is included in the album "Swallows Return to Their Nest". In 2015, the song won the "Most Popular Duet Song Award" at the 15th Global Chinese Music Awards.

"Swallowtail Butterfly" is a song performed by Fish Leong, with lyrics, music, and arrangement by Ashin of Mayday. It was included on Fish Leong's sixth album, *Swallowtail Butterfly: A Determination to Love*, released on September 10, 2004, by Rock Records, and is also the album's title track. In 2005, the song won a series of awards, including the 5th Global Chinese Music Awards' Top 20 Songs, the 5th Pepsi Music Awards' Song of the Year, the 3rd Southeast TV Pop Music Awards' Best Album, and the 2005 Metro Radio Mandarin Music Awards' Best Song.

"White Fox" was written by Sun Hongying (online name: Yuzhuoer) and composed by Li Xuhui (online name: Fenglin). Originally sung by Chen Rui, it was later selected as the ending theme song for the 2007 TV series "Liaozhai 2" starring Ye Xuan, Sun Yaowei, and Chen Haomin, and was sung by Ai Yiman. It later became the theme song for the 2013 hit fantasy romance 3D blockbuster "White Fox", sung by Xie Rong'er.

"Birds and Fish" is a song written and sung by Taiwanese singer Chyi Yu, with music composed by her brother Chyi Chin and arrangement by Tu Hui-yuan. It was included in Chyi Yu's album "Camel, Bird, and Fish," released on December 9, 1997. This song is one of Chyi Yu's representative works. In 1998, "Birds and Fish" was nominated for the "Best Lyricist Award" at the 12th Golden Melody Awards in Taiwan, and Chyi Yu also won the "Best Mandarin Female Vocalist" award at the Golden Melody Awards for the album "Camel, Bird, and Fish." In 1999, the music video for "Birds and Fish" won the "Annual Audio-Visual Award" from Chinese Satellite TV Music Channel.