The Book of All Things: Born for Joy

149.

Zhang Fenglin originally planned to use rumors and public opinion to eliminate strong opponents like Zhao Qianfan and Li Zichun. Even if Yuan Chengzhi was left in the end, he could have his fans chant slogans like "The old man should step aside," "He's hindering the advancement of younger generations," and "He's obstructing the healthy development of the music scene," creating a war of words and press releases to make him back down...

Finally, with the support of his team, his status as a music producer, and the backing of substantial capital, he will make a name for himself on the international stage and become the number one person in the Great Zhou Kingdom.

Even if he doesn't achieve a good ranking in the global competition, he can manipulate his fans to release press releases using excuses such as "different musical tastes at home and abroad" or "not understanding" to cover it up. When he returns to China after the competition, he will still be in the spotlight for the next five years. Before the next singing competition, his popularity will rise again.

All of this could have been done without anyone noticing, but he had offended Li Zichun, who uncovered all the people behind him and exposed all his plans.

Zhang Fenglin thought he had done everything secretly, but Li Zichun would never let such a villain get away with it.

Before he left, he had already compiled the information and sent it privately to all the contestants. After they understood it, everyone was on the surface friendly, but in private, they had built a high wall around their hearts and were more cautious and wary of Zhang Fenglin.

When Zhao Qianfan saw these messages, he was furious, but he kept a calm expression and held back, saving his big move. He was going to make sure that the other person could never rise again in the entertainment industry.

And all of this is no longer relevant to Li Zichun.

He has decided to retire from the industry and will no longer care about future competitions.

After getting off the plane and completing the formalities, he embarked on his European journey with the Seven Bamboo Stalks on his back.

Li Zichun had already entrusted someone to handle his passport, animal quarantine certificate, and other documents for going abroad, which is why he was able to leave Beijing so quickly and with a clear conscience.

Li Zichun had been preparing these documents for some time, not to guard against Zhao Qianfan, but to give himself the confidence to leave at any time.

He never considered himself a trumpet creeper that relied on climbing up to the top by attaching himself to a wealthy family, because he himself was a wealthy family.

With his linguistic memories from his previous life on Earth, combined with his musical talent in this life, he can become a guest of honor wherever he goes.

However, Li Zichun had no plans to look for anyone for the time being. Instead, he wanted to take a walk around and visit the local libraries, museums, art galleries, and science and technology museums to see how far the area had progressed in its development.

He also took the opportunity to learn about and compare the culture of this sub-world.

Ever since he only got seventh place in the singing competition with the theme of "Reading" and sang "Who Says Scholars Are Useless", he began to carefully examine everything in this alternate world.

Even incomplete cultures and fragmented, taken-out beauty can produce masterpieces. Just as Mr. Mu Xin wrote about Japanese culture in his "Essays, Volume One": "Japanese culture comes from the ruins of Tang Dynasty China; it's a misunderstanding of Chinese culture—a well-deserved misunderstanding!" The kimono, a shortened version of ancient Chinese clothing, the meticulous sanctity of the tea ceremony, and the vibrant life of Japanese gardens, calligraphy, and flower arrangement—all these are misunderstandings of foreign cultures, which I would call "a remarkable misunderstanding."

Just as there have been clever and remarkable misunderstandings about foreign civilizations in China, the relics are in Dunhuang. Because "the misunderstandings have all been interpreted as an outstanding Chinese style, and a great style of extraordinary significance."

Li Zichun hasn't had a chance to properly enjoy life in this alternate world, or experience its artistic and architectural beauty. Since transmigrating into the body of this poor student, all he's done seems to be making money. He relentlessly pursues fame and fortune to achieve the system's goals, and purposefully befriends all sorts of people.

He felt he was becoming less and less like himself.

Now that he finally has both money and free time, he naturally wants to enjoy life to the fullest.

With his memories from his previous life, he began to travel through major cities and tourist attractions, speaking fluent European languages, and living a fulfilling life that belonged only to himself.

For a long time afterward, he did not return to the Great Zhou Kingdom.

-----------------

While Li Zichun was enjoying a carefree life outside, the singing competition had already entered its final battle.

Zhao Qianfan stood on the stage and sang her last song, "Unfortunately, It's Not You":

This moment suddenly felt so familiar, like it was playing out simultaneously yesterday and today.

The way I said it, it sounded like you—isn't that proof that we loved each other?

I almost lied to myself and to you. Love and being loved are not necessarily proportional.

I know that being loved is a matter of luck, but I can't completely give myself away.

I tried my best to change for you, but I couldn't change the foreshadowing I had laid.

I thought being by your side meant forever.

It feels like yesterday, but yesterday is already so far away.

But I can still see even with my eyes closed.

It's a pity it wasn't you who stayed with me until the end. We walked together, but got lost at that crossroads.

Thank you for holding my hand; I can still feel that tenderness.

We were once so close, I think I have even more right to care about you.

Perhaps you've already stepped into someone else's scenery; how you wish you could also see the reflection of starlight.

......

Thank you for holding my hand and warming my heart.

The pain of loving deeply but being unable to keep the love is something that, besides feeling sorry for the person, there's nothing more that can be done.

Zhao Qianfan's emotional voice revealed a deep sense of regret, making everyone in the audience feel sorry for this ill-fated relationship.

However, Du Zihua, who knew the truth, did not think so.

For the past week, he's been completely fed up with this gossip. After learning about Zhao Qianfan's family background, he's rolled his eyes countless times. Why didn't he think of this sooner? Does he really think everyone wants his crappy rich family background? He's been testing and exploiting people endlessly. No wonder he got dumped.

So you're lamenting? Ha, you're lamenting losing Li Zichun, this golden toad that brings in wealth! Having your cake and eat it too, no wonder they say belated affection is worth less than grass.

Stop with your self-indulgent tears.

Du Zihua rolled her eyes, feeling indignant on Li Zichun's behalf, but then realized she had no right to criticize others, so she shook her head and sighed.

When he got on stage, he took a deep breath and calmed himself down before he began to sing "For You I Endured the Cold Wind":

For you, I endured the cold wind and shed tears in my loneliness.

Someone asked me about right and wrong. I said it was right and wrong, but who really cares about whom?

If love is beyond saving, just say so, it doesn't matter.

There's no need to comfort me; why fear my sorrow?

I'll just consider this my way of keeping my true feelings hidden from everyone.

I will try to let go of the past, no matter how beautiful it was.

I will also try not to think about how you surrounded me with love.

That deep feeling

I hope I can let go of the past and forget how beautiful it was.

I do not wish for the end of our relationship to leave behind compassion, although I once thought so.

I really think so~~

......

But who really cares about whom? Who cares about whom? Who will care about whom?

Because of you, I don't care about all the cold words and harsh words I hear. Since I don't care, then what's the point of having you?

Du Zihua's singing had a sense of carefree wandering, even a hint of smugness, as he was happy for Li Zichun's clarity and departure, while also revealing the bitterness of being a lonely wanderer in a foreign land.

Actually, Du Zihua chose the less troublesome song between the two. When he learned that Zhao Qianfan was singing "Unfortunately, It's Not You", Li Zichun directly gave him a few song titles. He originally wanted to choose "Happy Breakup", but after thinking about it, he gave up. "Bubble" was too targeted, and "Decent" was not worthy of Zhao Qianfan... In the end, after picking and choosing, only this song was left.

Hmm, it sounds like she's aggrieved, and there's a hint of self-pity in it, which is quite nice.

The audience was amused by the antagonistic attacks between them. Director Zhang Xiaochuan was naturally happy to see this kind of healthy competition in the music industry. Thinking this, he looked at Zhang Fenglin next to him and thought, "It's really embarrassing to compare people like this."

When Hara Seiji finally took the stage, everyone was stunned to find that the song's lyricist and composer was listed as "Li Zichun."

So, three songs from the same producer are being promoted to Zhang Fenglin alone? It seems Zhang Fenglin isn't very popular. They gave him the songs, but not you; he should reflect on his own shortcomings.

Li Zichun sang Tengger's signature song "Heaven" for Yuan Chengzhi:

Blue sky, clear lake, green grassland—this is my home.

Galloping horses, flocks of white sheep, and you, my daughter—this is my home.

I love you, my home, my home, my paradise...

Hara Seiji's unique vocal style and distinctive performance, with the inherent power, breadth, and boldness in his voice, gave listeners goosebumps and made the song an instant hit.

Among a bunch of nice slow songs, Zhang Fenglin's dance-pop electronic music sounds noisy and unpleasant, making it unappealing.

It's obvious that Zhang Fenglin will never win the championship, and even if he goes abroad to compete, he, as the fourth-place finisher, will not be chosen.

In the unanimous vote of the audience, Yuan Chengzhi won the title of God of Song, and he led Zhao Qianfan and Du Zihua to the international stage.

Li Zichun didn't care about any of that. He just wandered around every day, and when he got tired of playing, he would study, read books, visit art exhibitions, and listen to foreign music. It was as if all the dirty stuff in the Chinese entertainment industry had disappeared from his life.

PS: Data is from the internet.

"Unfortunately, It's Not You" is a song with lyrics by Li Zhuoxiong, music by Cao Xuanbin, arrangement by Chen Feiwu, and sung by Fish Leong. It was included in Fish Leong's album "Silk Road" released on September 5, 2005.

"I Endure the Cold Wind for You" is a song with lyrics and music by Jonathan Lee, arrangement by Jenny Chln Mhc Chew, and sung by Sandy Lam. It was included in Sandy Lam's album "Love, Sandy" released on January 25, 1995.

"Heaven" is a song written, composed, and sung by Tengger, and included in his 1997 album "Leaving". An English version of the song was also released in June 2001.