The Book of All Things: Born for Joy

Standing on the stage, Yuan Zi'an smiled as he recalled Li Zichun's words of advice. He had been playing along for too long, and he probably never expected to have a true friend in this industry.

It's not fair to say that the time we spent together was fake. We cried and laughed together, as if we had really returned to the carefree campus. Even the teachers came: the upright and dignified senior Zheng Conghu and the tough and strong senior Jiang Yiyi, of course, the "lovable" Li Zichun, the strict principal Zhang Xiaochuan, the bright and beautiful class beauty Feng Zhennian, and of course, the tattletale Zhao Qianfan...

But can we really go back? Let's just consider this a beautiful dream that we'll eventually wake up from; everything is wonderful in a dream.

Thinking this, Yuan Zi'an picked up the microphone and slowly began to sing the classic song that touched an era, "The Moon Represents My Heart":

you ask me how much i love you

How much do I love you

My love is true

My love is true

the moon represents my heart

you ask me how much i love you

How much do I love you

My love is unwavering

My love remains unchanged

the moon represents my heart

A light kiss

Already touched my heart

a deep love

"I still miss you to this day"

Although this song is a love song, the lyrics are rarely vulgar or obscene, and there is no utilitarianism, selfishness, distractions, or preaching. Instead, they possess a kind of traditional Chinese understated beauty.

This song has been covered and performed by many singers from different eras, but Li Zichun only has three versions that are most memorable: Teresa Teng, Leslie Cheung, and Chyi Chin.

One is full of deep affection, the other is unspeakable, the other is someone who seeks but cannot obtain what they desire.

A gentle kiss

Already touched my heart

a deep love

I still miss you to this day.

you ask me how much i love you

How much do I love you

你 去 想 一 想

你 去 看 一看

"The moon represents my heart"

Yuan Zian sang with deep emotion until he finished the last note. He was surprised to find himself crying without even realizing it. Was the dream too beautiful? Why was he unwilling to wake up?

Think about it, go and see for yourself, the moon represents my heart.

As the last note faded, a brief silence fell over the room. No one spoke until he came to his senses and gave him the loudest applause.

Many people at the scene and in front of the screen shed tears. They didn't know why they were crying, but they were probably moved. Perhaps this is the charm of the song, a unique resonance of the soul.

Li Zichun walked up to him with a smile and gave him a big hug. After a long while, she whispered, "That's great."

Yuan Zian hugged him back tightly, and after a while he let go, laughing and crying, saying, "If you had hugged him any longer, Zhao Qianfan would have been jealous again."

He made everyone laugh, and the atmosphere instantly relaxed.

Upon hearing this, Li Zichun took the opportunity to pinch his cheek, pull it from side to side, rub and pat it, and he smiled without getting angry.

As usual, host Li Fei and director Zhang Xiaochuan asked their questions. When it came to the last question, he looked at Li Zichun with deep emotion and said, "You have successfully captured my attention..."

Director Zhang Xiaochuan interrupted the conversation with two coughs. None of these celebrities' antics were easy to handle. He even suspected they might start fighting on the spot just to get a song of their own. Just look at the support trucks lined up like a food street to tell you the truth.

Everyone wants his attention, but they all seem to know that, apart from Zhao Qianfan, no one else seems to have even gotten close to him yet.

A bunch of jealous and petty idiots who've lost all shame in their pursuit of attention and traffic.

Fortunately, he had anticipated this stunt and hadn't agreed to Li Zichun's attempt to attract the live audience; otherwise, it would have been very difficult to explain. Although there was a live stream, everything was under control and didn't affect the live recording.

Director Zhang Xiaochuan didn't bother with him, because the next part of the shoot was the most important.

Dozens of people were setting up the site in an orderly manner, because the main event was about to begin.

To avoid an awkward silence, Li Zichun stood on the stage and recited a poem: "Moonlight."

Sprinkle down a light mist.

Sprinkle down a tranquil mist.

White light was applied to the brown ground.

The moonlit night is incomparably gentle and vast.

Give my soul a bath

I walked in the cold air.

Walking through those cobblestone alleys

Smelling the scent of decaying hay piles by the field

Those dark figures were small huts.

The weary people have all fallen asleep.

No lights, quiet

Even snoring can't be heard.

I walked past them

A longing gently rose to the surface.

I want to walk through all the doors.

I want to reach out and knock on all the doors.

I want to bend down to those who are asleep.

Say something soft so as not to wake them

Like moonlight mist, it flowed into their ears.

"I know them best and like each and every one of them the most right now."

This poem, "Moonlight," was written by Ai Qing on April 15, 1940. If you are not familiar with Ai Qing, you must have heard him write the line: "Why are my eyes always filled with tears? Because I love this land so deeply..."

Anyone who attended nine years of compulsory education in the 1990s should know who Ai Qing is. If not, it only means that textbooks have been reformed, and anything can be deleted or altered, illustrations can be used haphazardly, let alone texts that modern people rarely read.

Li Zichun felt that since they had come this far, they might as well let the works of their ancestors shine. As descendants of Yan and Huang, he had a duty to let the light of China illuminate the world. Wherever they were, their hearts were there, and they were the hope.

A few minutes later, the four corners of the stage were simply set up. The song title "Moonlight" was displayed on the big screen, followed by the smaller print—"Four Songs."

Cheng Xinghe was on the east side. He was the first to sing. The lights were specially treated and shone down from above, making the ground look like a crescent moon that only appears on the first day of the lunar month.

Li Zichun gave him Li Jian's version of "Moonlight": "Oh, the moonlight shines on everyone's heart."

Make the way home have direction

Oh, my hometown, which I've been away from for so long.

With my aging parents

Oh, bathed in the scattered moonlight.

Sing the ancient ballads softly

Oh, wherever you go

Never forget your hometown

The original singer was Xing Tiansu, but Li Zichun gave him a version rearranged by Li Jian and Liu Zhuo, and also invited Zhao Jinmai to record the children's vocal parts.

What power makes us strong?

What is it that makes us sad?

What sacrifices allow us to be open and honest?

What ends makes us grow?

(Children's voices) Outside the long pavilion, along the ancient road, fragrant grasses stretch to the horizon.

The evening breeze caresses the willows, the flute's melody fades, the setting sun shines beyond the mountains.

What power makes us strong?

What is it that makes us sad?

What sacrifices allow us to be open and honest?

What ends makes us grow?

What vows make us fantasize?

What distance makes us watch over each other?

What desires drive us mad?

What storms and hardships have driven us to wander?

Cheng Xinghe's voice is very similar to Li Jian's, with a poetic sense of idealism and vicissitude, no wonder he made it into the top ten.

Oh, the moon hangs high in the sky.

Light for those returning home

Oh, my hometown, which I've been away from for so long.

Hurry back to see your parents.

I've been away from my hometown for too long.

Hurry back to see your parents.

As the music ended, Cheng Xinghe stood up and waved to Li Zichun, his eyes filled with tears. He had shown him the entertainment industry of his dreams, and everything on this set was exactly as he had always wanted. It was wonderful; he was grateful.

As the lights in the east dimmed, a crescent-shaped beam of light shone on Li Ke, who sat facing north. He looked relaxed and began to sing Hu Yanbin's version of "Moonlight" to the rhythm of the music that came to mind:

Moonlight color women's fragrance

Tears break the sword, how long is the love?

How much pain is there? Words cannot express it.

I forgot you.

A lonely soul drifts with the wind

Who would think of the lovelorn man?

This battlefield of the mortal world

"Among thousands of troops, who can become king?"

Li Zichun originally wanted Zhao Qianfan to sing this song, but Li Ke liked it even more, so Zhao Qianfan let him sing it instead.

Li Zichun didn't object. As long as you can sing it, it's fine. Anyway, none of you will sound as good as the original singer Hu Yanbin's recording. It doesn't matter who sings it.

Moreover, Zhao Qianfan also had his own selfish motives. A good song isn't necessarily easy to sing, and the less he sings, the less money he earns. Although money is currently dispensable to him, having some is better than having none.

Who dares to cross the threshold of love?

Gazing at the bright moon, my heart is filled with sorrow.

A thousand years of regret, tasted in reincarnation

With eyes closed, who's the most arrogant?

The unpredictability of this world

Those who dare to love are destined to be hurt all their lives.

Li Ke had practiced this song for so long, and his mastery of it could only be considered barely above average. Li Zichun just smiled as encouragement, because he knew that the song would find its perfect match—like those amazing cover singers from his past life who surpassed the original singers in fame.

"Gazing at the bright moon, my heart is filled with sorrow / A thousand years of regret, tasted in reincarnation / With eyes closed, who is the most mad? / The fickleness of this world means that those who dare to love are destined to be wounded for life."

Although a few of the vocal transitions weren't perfect, Li Ke's performance was still quite good, especially considering that this is one of the songs that even Hu Yanbin wouldn't dare to sing a second time.

Li Ke sang until he was covered in sweat, and Li Zichun gave him an encouraging look and a thumbs-up. He quickly bowed and thanked her, knowing in his heart that his singing was not perfect and was far from meeting the requirements of the score given by Li Zichun. It seemed that he still had a lot more to do.

Next is the west side. That's where Uncle Seven, whom I haven't seen in a long time, is. Li Zichun noticed he hasn't had much to do lately, so he specially invited him over.

The light from the waxing moon, which only appears on the seventh or eighth day of the lunar month, shone on Uncle Qi. He sat in the dim light, his features clearly defined, his expression calm yet tinged with sadness. The song "Moonlight" that Zhao Qianfan had given to Li Ke was originally supposed to be his, but after the audition, Li Zichun said "Keep working hard" and gave him this song instead. It seems that his efforts these days are still not enough; he needs to be even better, otherwise he can't sing many of the songs.

Composing himself after his emotional outburst, he picked up the microphone and slowly began to sing Hu Ge's version of "Moonlight":

I listened to this song on repeat, feeling sad and shedding tears.

Jasmine blossoms drift in the wind as I walk home alone.

Perhaps I took a wrong turn somewhere and at the end of the road, no one was waiting for me.

Time always slips by unnoticed, like a shooting star streaking across the sky, leaving nothing behind.

We cried and laughed under the moonlight.

Under the moonlight, you once said you loved me.

No matter how strong the wind and rain, I will always hold your hand.

I'll cherish you and not let you go.

Listening to this song on repeat, I felt sad and cried all by myself…

(The repeated lyrics won't pass the review; if you want to listen, download it yourself.)

Uncle Qi did a great job, but compared to other professional singers on the scene, his level was only below average. Li Zichun did consider dropping him, but quickly dismissed the idea. After all, no one says a singer has to sing high notes!

Li Zichun gave a thumbs-up, and Uncle Qi almost cried with a smile. If Uncle Qi hadn't contacted him soon, he would have suspected that Uncle Qi had forgotten about him. Although I'm average-looking, average-singing, and my style is average... well, I still have some average songs, right? I can only hope that Uncle Qi won't favor one person over another and forget about me, an old friend!

He was eager to hug and express his gratitude for being able to appear at such a grand occasion, but in order not to disrupt the arrangements, he could only obediently bow and thank them.

The lights gradually dimmed.

A crescent moon shone on Li Jiawei, who sat facing south. Unlike the somber and melancholic tones of the previous male singers, Li Jiawei, dressed in pink, was playful, sweet, and adorable. She was about to sing Wang Xinling's version of "Moonlight":

Dandelions drift under the crescent moonlight.

Like fireworks flashing with a faint light.

Searching for happiness under the cover of night inevitably leads to hurt.

Dandelions are singing on the winding path.

The stars shine where the wind rises.

Riding the gentle breeze, drifting towards the unknown distance, the road to happiness may be long.

When I'm sad, who's there to cry with me?

Failure doesn't matter, you're by my side, the moonlight is beautiful.

Under the crescent moonlight, I sing softly.

From now on, there will be no more sadness.

Close your eyes and feel you beside you.

You are the warm moonlight, you are the happy moonlight.

......"

After Li Jiawei finished singing, she smiled and waved to Li Zichun, blowing him a few kisses. Since the four of them performed together, there was no Q&A session, so they could only express their gratitude in the most awkward way.

While the previous performers could shout a few times as they came off stage, she asked everyone to be quiet because she needed to prepare for the next performance.

A full moon, as large as a jade plate, stood in the center of the stage. The moon phases changed from new moon to crescent moon to waxing crescent moon to full moon. The moon had reached its zenith, and the show was about to begin. This was the climax that Li Zichun had set for the entire performance. Whether the entire performance could be considered legendary depended on this moment.

Because the next act is the highlight of the entire performance, and it's the first time Li Zichun has put his focus on other people, which can be considered a huge gamble for him.

If others mess up their performance, he can step in and cover for them by singing some harmonies to get by, or simply say that the song doesn't count and then sing a new song about the moon. But the following dance is different. The entire performance cannot be interrupted and must be completed by the performers in one go. Otherwise, the audience will easily lose immersion, and the overall effect of the performance will be greatly reduced.

A full moon gradually rose higher and settled on the ground. Yang Qingqing's face was only a dark silhouette in the extremely bright moonlight.

Although Li Zichun was apprehensive and worried for her, the feeling of witnessing herself create a legend was simply too exhilarating.

PS: Data is from the internet.

"The Moon Represents My Heart" is a song with lyrics by Sun Yi, music by Weng Qingxi, and first sung by Chen Fenlan. It was included in Chen Fenlan's album "Dreamland" released on December 1, 1972.

"Moonlight" (Li Jian version) is an original song written and composed by singer Xing Tiansuo. It was released in 2010 and included in Yu Quan's original music album "@Myself" released on April 8, 2011.

"Moonlight" (Hu Yanbin version) is a song with lyrics by Lin Wenxuan, music composed, arranged and sung by Hu Yanbin. It is included in Hu Yanbin's album "Music Bin Chao" released on July 4, 2008.

"Moonlight" (Hu Ge version) is one of the theme songs of the large-scale ancient costume fantasy TV series "The Little Fairy". It was composed and written by Huang Qier, arranged by Hong Xinjie, and sung by Hu Ge. It was released in 2006.

"Moonlight" (Cyndi Wang version) is a song with lyrics by Tan Xiaozhen and Chen Siyu, music by Hashimoto Jun, and sung by Cyndi Wang. The song is included in Cyndi Wang's album "Love You" released in 2004.