The Book of All Things: Born for Joy

137.

Before we knew it, it was time for the last song. After sharing our hopes for a better tomorrow and our motivation to move forward, it was time to set off.

Zhao Qianfan and Li Zichun stood on the stage and sang "Departure" by Shui Mu Nian Hua together:

Just as we set off, let me sing you a song.

Remember to think of me when you're lonely.

We'll sing this song again when we meet again.

It's as if we've never parted.

Don't be afraid of parting now.

Smile, wave goodbye.

Tomorrow I'll wait at the next intersection.

No matter how far the scenery, we will reach it.

Say goodbye to the sadness of the past.

Let's cherish the present.

The happiness you seek is not far away.

It's the path you've been walking on right now.

As we embark on our journey, let me sing you a song. I wonder if we'll ever see each other again.

......

No matter the moment, please remember this song, and remember that our commitment has never changed.

Whatever the future holds, please remember this song.

Remember that our dream has never changed.

Remember, our dream has never changed.

The music of "Departure" returns to a simple and natural state in terms of melody and arrangement, while the lyrics are full of emotion and profound meaning. Both the lyrics and music of "Departure" are typical campus folk songs, catchy and easy to sing. There is no intro with accompaniment; instead, the intro is sung a cappella, using harmonic progressions to gradually intensify the melody before introducing the main melody, making it brighter and more rhythmic. The melody itself isn't overly complex, but through constant repetition, it creates layers in the song, giving the listener a sense of power and inspiration.

After the two finished singing, Li Zichun said with a smile, "Everyone will embark on many journeys in their lives. The road of life is winding and full of unexpected hardships. We must learn to say goodbye to the sadness of the past and cherish the present. If you are really tired, just lie down and rest for a while. After you have rested, we will set off again. I wish all my fellow students a bright future, to live well, to do the right thing, and to become better people. I hope we will meet again someday."

After they finished speaking, the two left the stage amidst cheering applause.

Li Zichun encountered Lü Fang and Lou Yideng, who had been waiting for him backstage. They embraced each other warmly and comforted one another.

The four of them were old acquaintances, with a teacher-student relationship and having recorded programs together, so their bond was naturally unmatched by others.

Li Zichun greeted everyone with a smile, and then was led by Lü Fang to Principal Fang Xueqing, where he was given a brief explanation of the situation.

Li Zichun listened to the introductions and praises for a long time, and after a round of mutual flattery, they finally got to the point. It turned out that the school hoped the two of them could come to the school to teach and give lectures every year as external guests.

Li Zichun squinted and said with a smile, "Did I hear that right?! Teacher, I'm only twenty years old, I'm afraid I don't meet the requirements."

Fang Xueqing continued to push the issue, saying that with his current reputation and abilities, she would give him the title and benefits of a professor once the time was right.

These conditions are indeed quite tempting. But for Li Zichun, whose lifespan is limited, it's unnecessary. Although having the status of a professor would make it much easier to interact with various forces and people, Li Zichun also knows that he won't live to see that day, so he shouldn't waste too much time on it.

After some polite refusals, the two left.

Li Zichun and Zhao Qianfan took a taxi by themselves. The reason they agreed to come here for their graduation performance was partly because they wanted to come back and visit, and partly because they wanted to introduce Zhao Qianfan to their mother.

When the two arrived at the orphanage, Li Xian was already waiting at the entrance. Because of Li Zichun, donations from all sides had brought the orphanage's renovations and conditions to a top-notch level. Even without that, the royalties from Li Zichun's book "To Live" alone would have been enough for the orphanage to live very well.

The children, having heard the news beforehand, stood at the door, eagerly awaiting their arrival. They knew that without them, their lives wouldn't be so good, and they wouldn't be so well-fed and healthy.

After a brief exchange, the two settled down there.

That evening, Li Zichun briefly introduced Zhao Qianfan to Li Xian, explaining that he was her current boyfriend.

It was also Zhao Qianfan's first time meeting her parents, and she was so nervous that she didn't know what to do with her hands. She just sat upright and let her parents look her up and down.

Li Xian wasn't some old-fashioned person, and besides, Rongcheng wasn't just any ordinary place; she'd seen all sorts of people these days. She was just a little taken aback; she'd thought the two were just good friends on TV, but it turned out they were this kind of "good friends."

Li Xian nodded and chatted casually, while Zhao Qianfan went back to his room to rest, leaving the mother and son staring at each other.

Seeing that he had left, Li Xian went straight to the point and asked, "How long have you two been together?"

Li Zichun didn't expect to be asked this suddenly. After thinking for a moment, he said, "If we're going to confirm our relationship, it's been one month and twenty-three days since the end of the National Singing King competition."

Li Xian was also taken aback by his question. He had calculated it quite precisely. Holding her teacup, she said calmly, "So, when did you two meet?"

Li Zichun thought for a moment, then slowly counted on his fingers and said, "Hmm, let's start from Chapter 3."

Li Xian didn't understand and frowned, saying, "What the heck?"

Li Zichun coughed and said, "Ahem, it was around the time I first joined Huating Entertainment, and then I agreed to sign him to me, and it's been like this ever since. If you think about it carefully, it's been almost a year since I bought him."

Li Xian nodded and said, "Oh, it's been a year? Is he good to you? Has he bullied you?"

Li Zichun patted his chest and said, "He's been pretty good to me. He hasn't bullied me. Well, to be precise, I'm usually the one ordering him around."

Li Xian thought for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "So, did you two... you know?"

Li Zichun was puzzled and didn't quite understand what she was saying, but when he saw her index finger and thumb of one hand forming a hole, and the index finger of the other hand going in and out of the hole, he immediately understood what she was referring to.

Li Zichun coughed twice, pressed her hand down, and said, "Well... um, a few times."

Li Xian narrowed her eyes slightly and said, "You've been together for over a month, and only a few times? Is he impotent?"

Li Zichun swallowed hard and said, "How could that be! I don't really care about these things, it's only happened a few times."

Li Xian raised an eyebrow and didn't press further, saying casually, "Well, whatever makes you happy. But remember to be safe; it's good to have insurance."

Li Zichun nodded, waved his hand, and said, "I understand. I was in charge of all of this. If I didn't want him to, he wouldn't have touched me."

Li Xian nodded in agreement and said, "That's more like it. However, this is an orphanage, so you all need to behave yourselves at night. I'll arrange separate rooms for you."

Li Zichun nodded speechlessly: "Relax, I'm not that thirsty, and he wouldn't dare to be presumptuous."

“I’m worried you’ll corrupt the children.” Li Xian paused for a moment after saying that, then asked out of the blue, “By the way, did you tell him that you’re not the original owner of this body? What are you planning to do after the three years are up?”

Li Zichun didn't expect her to ask this suddenly. She pursed her lips, spread her hands, and said, "I did mention it, but he didn't seem to take it too seriously. So, I didn't bring it up again. Maybe our relationship won't even last three years."

Li Xian flicked his little head and nodded, saying, "I don't know what you're thinking, but I suppose you have your own plans. Besides, you're both doing quite well now, you've both won the title of King of Singers, and you have no worries about food and clothing, so I won't interfere any further. Just be happy."

PS: Data is from the internet.

"Departure" is a song with lyrics and music by Lu Gengxu, arrangement by Lu Gengxu and Liang Bo, and sung by Shui Mu Nian Hua. It was included in Shui Mu Nian Hua's album of the same name, released on May 11, 2010. On March 6, 2010, the song won the Top Ten Pioneer Songs Award and the Best Premiere Song Award at the Music Pioneer Chart.