The Book of All Things: Born for Joy

166. A good song can only last three and a half lines (Part Two)

After Li Zichun finished singing, he put down the microphone, leaving Du Zihua with his eyes closed, loudly singing "Later Our Love": "Later our love went from serious to perfunctory / Later our love went from vows to lies / Later our love was slowly taken back and stranded / Until I could no longer see / The colorful world / The more we love, the more dangerous it becomes / I pressed the pause button / Cleared everything / Our love went too far / I can no longer see it."

The scene at the venue and the live stream was filled with screams and cries of anguish. "You people are just shipping us like this! One second it's so sweet, the next it's heartbreaking!"

Do you think this is over?

The song title on the TV had changed to "Waiting for the Flowers to Bloom," and Du Zihua continued singing: "Love is like a kite with a broken string, drifting away helplessly / Forgetting the message in a bottle of love left in the sea / I look forward to colorful clouds after the rain / Just like I'm waiting for you to come back / Our love is like autumn leaves waiting for the flowers to bloom / Our love is like dust floating in the wind / After the ending, I suddenly understood our love / Our love was originally just an accident."

Li Zichun and Zhao Qianfan sighed and then sang a duet of "Mandarin Duck Debt" together: "All things turn to nothing, what can compare to the depth of love? / (Tonight, the lights are bright, I borrow a cup of fine wine to get drunk, and exchange my tender feelings for your clear autumn water) / The good time has been missed again, where can I ask about the flowing red petals? (The foolish child is most afraid of the sparse rain at dusk, and the weeping paulownia tree is not as good as the peach and plum trees marrying the east wind.)

Spring has gone, autumn has gone, and a perfect match is hard to find again.

(The courtyard is deep and spring is endless. That day I saw you embroidering. I wanted to welcome you but held back. My heart is full of thoughts of love and children.)

A life full of twists and turns, a tragic love affair with no mercy.

(Why lean on the railing, heartbroken? A moment of spring night stirs our hearts together. A thousand miles of love cannot be severed. A piece of paper for fame and fortune awakens us from our spring dream.)

Joy is fleeting, what can life and death do?

(Longing is the most useless thing, only because fate is too cruel. In this life, I wish to be intertwined with you, but in the next life, I regret that we cannot be together again.)

Such a beautiful time, such a lovely scene, how many pairs of lovers can share it with me on my pillow?

(When encountering beautiful scenery, how many pairs of acquaintances can be found beside one's pillow?)

Who will resonate with this devoted lover?

Which act is it, both on and off stage?

The bright moon over the five lakes remains unchanged through the ages, still illuminating separations and reunions.

Li Zichun already had the erhu handed to him by a staff member in his hand, and he played a short, heart-wrenching piece. The strong sense of fate and helplessness directly touched every listener in the audience.

The viewers in the live stream were also in an uproar, not only amazed by Li Zichun's androgynous opera singing, but also by his poignant and melancholic voice. They really wanted to hear such a perfect performance live.

After the poignant and plaintive interlude ended, the venue fell silent. The audience erupted in waves of applause—a spontaneous cheer that even CCTV hadn't seen in a long time. A moment of gasps and silence followed, then a deafening roar of applause.

Netizens also flooded the barrage with a string of traditional Chinese phrases, asking, "Is this what you call a 'half-finished product'? These few short clips alone are enough to rake in a fortune. If this can't be published, then 80-90% of what they've been listening to before was just 'corpse rice' (a derogatory term for a group of people who are obsessed with something)."

Now everyone understands what high standards mean in Li Zichun's eyes, and what it means to be responsible for one's own work. Not every song written casually can be considered a work of art.

Once everyone had calmed down, Li Zichun handed the erhu back to them.

Then, after the cheers subsided, he softly sang "The Wind Urges the Rain" in a theatrical voice filled with a sense of fate and heartbreak:

Petals covered the ground, a deep sorrow welling up within.

The shattered rain watched the fragrant dust depart.

Never to meet again, tears fall silently.

Looking back at those few glances in the corner of my eye

A three-inch pen cannot express all my thoughts; I cannot wake up, and with you, we will never be together again.

Sorrow arises when rain falls from the sky.

I remembered crossing the bridge with an umbrella.

I keep thinking of you as we part.

So sad and miserable

A wisp of crimson petals, poised to meet the rain.

Listening to a song of longing gives me love.

Li Zichun's voice has a unique magic that makes people feel sorry for him and heartbroken, and the scene instantly fell silent.

People have lost count of how many songs have been sung so far. They just find these short musical melodies very pleasant to listen to, but they can't quite put their finger on why. They just want to keep listening to them.

The live stream attracted over 30 million viewers and was featured prominently on the front page of major websites and media outlets. The broadcast was projected onto screens in buses, subways, and public squares.

Everyone finds these fragmented songs novel, beautiful, and moving. How can they not be considered good songs? Aren't the standards too high?

Do songs have to have profound meaning? Do they have to be philosophical? Are good songs only those that you can't forget after you've heard them?

In this era, most people listen to music simply to relax and relieve fatigue. World-famous songs are certainly good, and classic songs are undoubtedly impeccable, but the fleeting pleasure of numbness is also happiness.

Li Zichun looked at Xue Qingrou beside her, who nodded and slowly began to sing "A Stunning Guest in the Human World": "Disturbing half a lifetime of longing, I sigh that the world is gone and only youth remains / I lightly tread the white horse, seeking mountains and seas to compose poems / Drunk among the flowers, I recall the wind and moon in my dreams / New plans are being made, but it's getting late, so I'll borrow some money for wine from the innkeeper."

Then Zhao Qianfan, Du Zihua, and Li Zichun performed a rendition of "Mirage": "So calm down, the mirage in my dream / I transform into her outside of my dream / The moon on the sea, the flower in the mirror / Who loves, who hates, who fears? / The ending is frozen and collapse / Why expose it to the sun and then melt it again? / The deserted blue sea tries to swallow / The grandeur and extravagance in my dream / The mirage is like a fairy tale / It is etched into the years in my eyes."

Xue Qingrou paused for a moment, then continued with "Making Wine": "I use mountains and rivers to make wine / To toast your unparalleled tenderness / Even until death I will not rest / I ride a lone boat / Drifting on the river / Only my deep affection remains."

Li Zichun stood up and smiled at everyone: "Did everyone enjoy listening to this? Whether you enjoyed it or not, half an hour has passed, and we are all very happy."

There was a burst of laughter and noise from the audience, and then Li Zichun stood up and said with a smile, "The next song is even shorter, so everyone should stay focused, or it will be over in no time."

Li Zichun nodded to the band, then smiled and began singing "Aiya Aiya": "Aiya, you damned devil/You have such a silver tongue/You said roses aren't as beautiful as me, yet you won't give me a single one/Aiya, I've committed a terrible crime/Meeting you, you heart-stealing thief/Tonight you're all dressed up so beautifully, yet you just fall asleep/Love is hard to let go, love is hard to pursue/To whom should I give my happiness/Thinking of you is so tiring/It's all your fault, you damned devil/If you're willing to stay with me forever, then I'll accompany you for life/Face to face, exchanging wine glasses, romance is only for this one/Only the magistrate is allowed to set fires, but I'm not allowed to shed tears/After all, once my heart is loved, it can't be taken back..."

As everyone was savoring the song, Du Zihua continued singing "The White Swan and the Gray Crow": "How could a white swan fall in love with a black crow? / A withered rose is cheaper than wild grass / You only loved me briefly / Yet I foolishly dreamed of having a home with you."

The love of the swan cannot be given to the crow.

Hollow sycamore trees will never sprout again.

How many years of my youth I gave for you

But it can't compare to the cinnabar mark on your chest.

Xue Qingrou then sang "Rain is God's Fireworks": "Look, rain is God's fireworks bestowed upon the world / Crows wear wedding dresses, disguised as passersby / Will we in parallel worlds miss each other?"

Li Jiawei picked up the microphone and then turned the page to sing "The Banished Immortal": "Jade robe and long sword are dashing / Mountains and rivers do not remember the past / Composing poems is crazy without sorrow / Called a banished immortal, it is hard to stay in the Jade Palace / Go to the mortal world to drink wine in the Red Chamber / Amorous eyes / Several more cups of poems are written / Pour the strongest wine in the world / Lie in the tall building of Chang'an / See who in the world can be as carefree as him."

Zhao Qianfan and Du Zihua then performed "Sighing for Loneliness": "Drinking the last drops of wine from the bottom of the sky / Since ancient times, love is hard to sever and intentions are hard to fulfill / I lie drunk under the railing, laughing at Tao Qian / Half a lifetime of dreams in the empty courtyard / Just to seek a moment of peace in this life / I look up and see the smoke of war / I can't find my words from back then / I search for them in the mountains and rivers but they are nowhere to be found."

Li Jiawei recited a passage from "Treading on Snow": "The wild goose rises and treads through the clouds and mist, among thousands of mountains and rivers / Eating frost and drinking snow, I have spent ten years forging a sword / Watch me ride alone to the pass, daring to make ten thousand men not smile / The wild goose rises and treads over the glacier, its sharp edge cutting through the nine heavens / Braving the frost and snow, do you not see the cold at the top / Follow me and take the lead, the wind rises in the east and the flag is bright."

Xue Qingrou followed with an a cappella rendition of "The Other Side of the River of Oblivion": "Red spider lilies / Petals scattered all over the ground / Who cares if she is crying? / Kneeling before Buddha for a thousand years / Yet Buddha shows no mercy / I long to see you again / I have crossed the River of Oblivion and walked to the other side / Hoping she can look back / The River of Oblivion is difficult to cross, blocking her way / If Buddha will not ferry her, then I will ferry her."

Li Jiawei waited a few seconds before starting to sing "Waiting for Your Return": "I wait for you in the mortal world, I wait for you in the human world, guarding the world beyond prosperity / Embracing all the stars in my arms, a thousand rivers return, turning into a vast ocean / I wait for you in the netherworld, I wait for you in paradise, gazing at the flowers blooming on the other shore / Facing the floating white of three lifetimes, fearless and unchanging, crossing the past and the future."

Du Zihua then sang "Geng": "Are you smiling? / Do you still have any worries? / Do you still have any regrets? / Do you dare to answer? / It's another summer / Do you sometimes think of me? / Do you still have any regrets? / Why don't you speak? / I really hate growing up / I've learned how to hide my emotions."

Zhao Qianfan nodded three times, then began to sing "I Want to Find You": "Some people love so much they forget themselves / And end up utterly defeated /

Some people are forever dreaming, yet they're always just one step away.

What is the most beautiful thing in the world? Love is definitely a miracle.

I know there will be a heart waiting for me to come closer in the distance.

Oh, I want to find you/No matter north, south, east, or west/My intuition will guide me/If I fall in love with you/Don't ask why/I'll ​​recognize you at first sight/Oh, I want to find you/Call your name/Open the box of happiness/Let me find you/From that moment on/Let's walk together for a lifetime.

When it was Li Zichun's turn, he sang "I Was Born Free" in a light and gentle tone: "I was born a free bird, a free wind / Even in the cage of worldly affairs, I can remain different / I can't learn to fake a smile to conform / This world is surging with people and bustling with traffic."

I was born a wandering cloud, a chilly winter / I feel more at ease when I'm alone, and I don't feel empty around me / I don't have time to wallow in those fleeting moments / I only want to stay true to my original purpose in this life.”

There was a brief silence after Li Zichun finished singing, followed by applause and cheers. This was a song that he might never sing again, yet it evoked a sense of reluctance in the audience.

After finishing his song, he gently picked up the microphone and softly continued singing a cappella: "My life needs no audience / A single act of courage is enough to live a vibrant life..."

He smiled, sat on a high stool, picked up the microphone, and said with a smile, "I'm sure you're all tired of hearing so many segments, so I'll give you all a complete song as a token of your love and care over the years. After this song, the concert will come to an end. I hope you all have a wonderful evening."

PS: Song information is from Baidu Baike.

"Later Our Love" is a song performed by Lu Jie (awr), released on August 15, 2022, and included in the album of the same name, "Later Our Love".

"Waiting for the Flowers to Bloom" is a song with lyrics and music by "Don't Get Fat Anymore" and sung by Pro. It was released on May 18, 2022.

"Mandarin Duck Debt" is a song performed by Yu Li (Uri) and Miao☆Jiang, and is the theme song for the mobile game "Paper Wedding Dress 3: Mandarin Duck Debt".

"Wind and Rain" is a song with lyrics by Shi Man, music by Nan Lingzi, and sung by Zhuo Yao. It is included in the album of the same name, "Wind and Rain," released on January 28, 2022.

"A Stunning Guest in the Human World" is a song with lyrics by JBS-Yang Chen, music by JBS-Yang Yuqiao, arrangement by Tao Yunfei, and sung by Ye Li. It was released on September 4, 2020.

"Mirage" is sung by Sanshu Shuo, with lyrics by Zhang Zhiyu and Zhi Weibiao, and music by Song Zichu. It was released on December 2, 2021.

"Making Wine" is a song performed by Doubao and released on January 18, 2022.

"Aiya Aiya" is a song with lyrics by Yi Yi/BlackBenz and music by BlackBenz, sung by Dahei/Wang Xiaopang, and was released on April 27, 2023.

"The White Swan and the Gray Crow" is performed by Ear Convenience Store, with lyrics by Zhou Canen and Bo Liuyuan, music by Bo Liuyuan, and distributed by Shui Haibo and produced by Huihuo Music.

"Rain is God's Fireworks" features lyrics by Lin Wanxing and music by Wei Jin.

Arranged by Nan Haha and sung by Wei Jin, this song was released on July 13, 2023, and included in the album of the same name, "Rain is God's Fireworks".

"The Banished Immortal" is a song with lyrics by Wang Ying, music by Wang Zhongyi, arrangement by Liu Zheyu, and sung by Yige Saiting and Ye Li. It is included in the album of the same name, "The Banished Immortal".

"Sighing for Loneliness" is a song with lyrics and music by Wang Zhuang and sung by Sun Xiaolei.

"Treading in the Snow" is a song with lyrics by Ye Xiaomo, Fox Hu Tianyu, and Manjie Babycloth, music by Manjie Babycloth and Fox Hu Tianyu, and sung by Deng Yujun (Deng Yujun)/FOX Hu Tianyu. It was released on December 4, 2021, and included in the album "Yu Jun".

"The Other Side of the River of Oblivion" is a song with lyrics by Fu Sheng, music by Fu Sheng, arrangement by Ming Rui, and vocals by 7. It is included in the album of the same name, "The Other Side of the River of Oblivion," and was released on July 15, 2020.

"Waiting for Your Return" is a song with lyrics and music by Ning Que, sung by Cheng Xiang, and arranged by Qu Bi A Qie. It was released on January 17, 2021, and included in the album "Waiting for Your Return".

"Geng" is a song sung by Wang Sulong, with lyrics and music by Wang Sulong and He Wenrui, and arrangement by Zhang Chuxian and Hu Hao. It is included in the album of the same name released on May 29, 2019, and is also the theme song for the graduation season of the movie "The Best of Us".

"I Want to Find You" is a song sung by Chen Ming, with lyrics by Lou Nanwei and music by Chen Yaocuan. It was included in Chen Ming's album "Happiness" released on April 1, 2000.

"I Was Born Free" is a song with lyrics by Wang Xueyao, music by Zhuangzhuang/Muqing L, arrangement by Wang Peng, and sung by Wang Yijia. It was released on October 11, 2023.