The Book of All Things: Born for Joy

Zhao Qianfan's male and female voices switch smoothly and naturally, are pleasant to the ear, captivating, and irresistible.

The final harmony was pre-recorded and mixed in with the accompaniment, sometimes with live male voices and sometimes with live female voices, making it hard to tell the difference between the real and the fake.

"The Princess Changping" was created in Hong Kong in the 1950s by the playwright Tang Disheng. He wrote this masterpiece after reading the original work by Huang Xieqing of the Qing Dynasty and referring to the ancient song "Autumn Thoughts at the Dressing Table".

When Li Zichun was teaching him, he told him that the opening line, "Falling flowers fill the sky, obscuring the moonlight; let me offer a cup of wine on the Phoenix Terrace," must be sung clearly, loudly, dignifiedly, and mournfully, so that the following lines would have a melodious and memorable effect.

Zhao Qianfan did a great job; the entire performance was amazing.

The lyrics are elegant and refined, and the melody is melodious and pleasant to listen to. The judges gave it rave reviews and approved it on the spot.

Zeng Ziwei and Zhen Yuling both felt that the live performance gave them goosebumps. They received a request from the audience, and Zhen Yuling stepped forward and said, "That was amazing! Because the ending used harmonies, many viewers both in the studio and watching on TV thought it sounded like a recording. Could you perhaps demonstrate the male and female vocals separately without accompaniment?"

Zhao Qianfan smiled wickedly. He had never been afraid of anyone, and as long as it wasn't a matter of underhanded tactics, few people could beat him.

He casually shook his hand and said, "With my voice, I don't need to sing male songs anymore."

Zhen Yuling then realized how absurd it was to have a boy sing a male voice. Before she could speak, Zhao Qianfan continued, "But since Sister Yuling wants to hear it, I naturally have to perform a short piece just for you, only for you. The others are just incidental."

As Zhao Qianfan spoke, he took a few more steps toward her. Zhen Yuling stared at him with a lovesick expression. How could someone be so handsome? Why bother singing? Just looking at his face is enough.

Seeing her completely mesmerized, Zeng Ziwei coughed at the opportune moment, reminding her to be mindful of her image. Zhen Yuling then snapped out of her daze, rolled her eyes, and thought, "Damn it, I forgot there's this spoilsport next to me."

Zhao Qianfan said with a smile: "Listen carefully, I'm starting now. Fallen flowers fill the sky, obscuring the moonlight / I borrow a cup to offer on the Phoenix Terrace / The Princess Emperor offers incense with tears in her eyes / I wish to give my life to thank my parents / I secretly look, secretly gaze / She is secretly sad with tears in her eyes / I am half in fear / I fear the Prince Consort will cherish the phoenix and dragon pair / He is unwilling to die for love and accompany me to the underworld."

Without accompaniment, his voice sounded even more distant and lingering, like a sob or a lament, carrying an unfathomable sorrow.

Zhao Qianfan smiled intently, "This is the female voice. Mr. Senluo told me to be fully immersed in the song, to sing with a sense of life and death, every note resonating deeply. That's why I practiced the first verse the longest, and it's the most memorable. The male voice that follows is simpler; I don't need to change my tone, just sing my own voice. Here it comes. 'My heart longs to be buried with you / To be together like a pair of mandarin ducks / To build a new house on the grave / To find that peaceful alley in the underworld.'"

He sang with ease and naturalness, his expression never showing any ferocity, but rather adding a touch of sorrow, making one want to smooth away the thousand strands of worry between his brows.

Nevertheless, although Zhen Yuling was completely captivated, she still caught the information in his words and asked curiously, "You just mentioned Mr. Senluo, does that mean Senluo is a man?"

Viewers in front of their televisions also felt that there was still more to say. Both "Autumn Regret on a Journey" and "The Princess Changping" were written about women's experiences and feelings, and for a time, the public began to speculate whether the lyricist and composer "Senluo" might be a woman.

Li Zichun rolled his eyes so hard they almost flew to the sky. The public's curiosity was truly peculiar. He couldn't help but recall Qian Zhongshu's line in "Fortress Besieged": "If you eat an egg and find it delicious, why bother getting to know the hen that laid it?"

Zhao Qianfan exaggeratedly covered his mouth and said, "Sorry, I forgot to mention it."

There was a burst of laughter from the audience. He then said with a smile, "Don't worry about whether Senluo is male or female. 'Sir' is just a polite title. He doesn't like being disturbed by too much attention. Li Ke and I have to be very respectful when we see him, for fear that if he gets upset and puts on a stern face, he will train us to death."

Zhen Yuling asked in confusion, "Is it just the two of you? What about Li Yuehe? Doesn't she need to practice?"

Zhao Qianfan calmly said, "She's very clever and knows how to please people. No one would be willing to punish her; they'd love to feed her the best songs."

Li Ke, sitting in the audience, nodded in agreement and looked at Li Zichun, who was charmingly tossing her long hair to the side.

Come on, they're all a bunch of drama queens.

Zeng Ziwei, standing to the side, said in confusion, "Haha, how could that be? You two men are so good-looking, doesn't Senluo have any feelings for you?"

Zhao Qianfan shook his head and sighed, "Sigh, that's right. Mr. Senluo finds us annoying, and said that the only thing we two have to offer is our faces. We have no voices and no figures, it's really worrying."

As he spoke, he kept touching and searching his entire body, as if showing off his looks and physique, while his expression was full of lamentation, making people itch with desire.

Zeng Ziwei almost rolled his eyes to the sky. Damn it, is this Versailles-like place even meant for human survival?

Zhen Yuling said with a smile, "Don't be sad, I support you."

Zhao Qianfan replied, "Thank you, thank you. I support you too."

Zhen Yuling smiled and nodded, saying, "The final round of selection is just around the corner. Are you ready for the upcoming competition?"

Zhao Qianfan shook his head and said, "No. Mr. Senluo always conducts an on-site audition before giving us songs. If any of us fails, we are not qualified to sing his songs. Just like the Mandarin version of 'The Truest Dream,' I lost to Li Ke. Otherwise, how could it have been his turn?"

Li Ke, sitting in the audience, straightened his clothes and held his head high like a victorious rooster. That was his moment of glory—defeating Zhao Qianfan.

The interview was so packed with information that it elicited gasps of amazement from everyone present. Were all three of them this meticulous? If the director hadn't started urging them to move on to the next person, they would have loved to keep going, hoping to uncover even more.

After the competition, the three of them went back and had another beer and barbecue feast, sprawling out in a frenzy. To maintain his figure, Li Zichun naturally had to stay away from the two idiots, eating congee and side dishes and drinking juice on the side. It really made one sigh at the unfairness of life; he had put in the most effort, yet he couldn't enjoy anything to his heart's content.

Frustrated, he casually pulled a steamed bun from his chest, took two vicious bites, then his eyes lit up, and he threw it directly onto the barbecue grill to roast.

The three of them ate and drank, and when they got tired, they would lie down on the lawn, in a rattan chair, or in a rocking bed. With a gentle breeze blowing, life was truly delightful.

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Xu Chengfeng sat basking in the sun in his courtyard house in the capital, the songs of the Three Heroes of the Wind and Dust playing in his ears. "The Princess Changping," "Rouge," and "Autumn Regret on a Journey" played in turn, and when he tired of them, he switched to a few popular songs. His favorite was still "What Does Life Seek," especially those lines: "Searching everywhere, yet losing it all / Unexpectedly in hand, what I didn't hope for, I haven't obtained / I can't explain gains and losses, mistakes and omissions / Just as I heard or saw it, it changed, I don't know where to trace it..."

He shook his head and said with a smile, "As expected, talented people are admired wherever they go."

During this period, many people have been asking him who the three "Lone Tree," "Cheng Lin," and "Sen Luo" are. In particular, Sen Luo's "To Live" has now become a phenomenon in literature, and many directors want to contact the author through him to buy the copyright. Because Xu Chengfeng, as the chairman of the judging panel, had already instructed that the author's information should not be revealed, no one else could find him.

What kind of director dares to ask for the copyright to this book? Have some shame! The Chinese entertainment industry can't even tolerate someone like Li Zichun, what hope is there for it?

He had witnessed the entire "Moon Emperor's Fall" incident from beginning to end. Sun Tianxing wouldn't stoop to such a masterful manipulation of conflict and using others to achieve his goals; it must have been one of the other seven companies. However, judging from the subsequent gains, Dynasty Entertainment was no longer a threat. Huating Entertainment acquired the copyrights to Li Zichun's songs and suppressed the influence and alliance of Fan Liwen and Gu Quan. Veteran singers from other companies no longer needed to contend with the rise of newcomers. Even if their songs became signature hits, they were only one in a month, posing little threat. Audiences would tire of them in a few months, while new songs were endless; time would eventually erase everything.

Xu Chengfeng calculated and concluded that this guy had offended a lot of people. Although there were no direct conflicts of interest, affecting the interests of others naturally led to criticism, which was a natural phenomenon. He was taking too big a step, releasing ten songs in a row and clearing all the charts. There are so many singers in the entertainment industry; they need to make a living too. If your team takes all the music, how are they supposed to support their families? Who else would they target if not you?

Now, starting anew under the name of Senro, let's hope this time we can go further.

If I have the chance, I'll ask him to introduce me to Li Yuehe. It's amazing that he didn't use such a mysterious beauty before, keeping her hidden until now. He's really good at holding back.

Xu Chengfeng looked at his beloved granddaughter Xu Qiunian, who was practicing the pipa, and couldn't help but look forward to what would happen after he came to the capital. If he could bring a talented man like him into the family, he thought he could protect the Xu family for another fifty years.

Capable people always need more practice and refinement; otherwise, those who are always arrogant and conceited are destined not to go far.

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Li Zichun was naturally unaware of how many people were eyeing him, "Li Yuehe," and "Senluo." Ten genius musicians had suddenly disappeared, a mysterious songstress with an exceptional figure had appeared out of nowhere, and a musician who might be a bestselling author had emerged.

Any one of these three would be enough to spark the imagination of the public.

The most speculated identity for "Senluo" is undoubtedly Li Zichun. After all, previous rumors suggested that wherever Li Zichun was, Zhao Qianfan would also be present. Their previous CP (couple) videos are still online, and they have become an untouchable white moonlight in the hearts of many.

Both were good-looking and talented, with a perfect 10-centimeter height difference, countless intimate gestures between them, and they carefully approached each other, but now it has become an eternal regret.

But Li Zichun, the protagonist, was completely oblivious, treating it as an online joke and not even bothering to glance at it. He was focused on his career, telling all matters of love and romance to go to hell. He was a man destined to become an immortal, and he couldn't be swayed by worldly love and affection.

At that moment, Li Zichun was lying on a yoga mat on the third floor of Kowloon Harbour, doing some unbelievable movements. Li Ke and Zhao Qianfan, who were practicing singing nearby, were dumbfounded. There were only two matches left in the national company ranking competition. Was it really necessary to push themselves so hard?!

Li Zichun stared at the two of them like they were idiots, and said nonchalantly, "You two haven't succeeded enough to not care about looks and figure. Work hard, or I'll teach you a lesson if you slack off again."

The theme for the final round of the regional preliminary rounds of the National Singing King Competition has been announced. Influenced by Li Zichun's previous performance of one song with two lyrics, this final round requires each contestant to prepare two songs, one in Mandarin and one in Cantonese, for the final showdown. This is naturally a piece of cake for Li Zichun, who has a wealth of songs to his name.

He only had two final performances left, and he wondered whether he should just go for "Blue and White Porcelain" as his trump card. After all, he didn't plan to go north to the capital to fight for his rights. Since he had put aside his grudges and affections, he should just focus on protecting his own little corner of the world. After some thought, he decided to wait a bit longer and choose a classic hit from the popular music scene first.

What Li Zichun didn't expect was that the last two theme scores in the National Music Company Ranking Battle were also one song with two lyrics, but without the restriction of Mandarin and Cantonese. He felt that this competition was cursed. Why did they always do this? Couldn't they come up with something new? Since that's the case, don't blame me for being unethical and using cannons to blast you unconscious.

As the competition time approached, accompanied by Li Zichun and Zhao Qianfan, Li Yuehe, dressed in a stunning red gown, surveyed the newly renovated venue, nodded slowly, and as the music began, she took the microphone and sang Anita Mui's favorite song, the highly controversial "Song of the Setting Sun":

The setting sun shines infinitely, yet its brilliance lasts only a fleeting moment.

As the clouds and sunset fade, the lost glory will never return.

The long years have passed, and the vicissitudes of life are hard to bear.

Like drifting clouds gathering and dispersing, they entwine this weary face weathered by time.

A long journey, and suddenly time seems to have slipped away.

Joy is always fleeting and never returns.

Who can see through my dream of a mundane life?

I have encountered many storms and upheavals

Weaving my intertwined dreams

I once met you in your sincere embrace.

walk with me through adversity

Rushing to the Center

The road is full of twists and turns

One day I thought of returning home, but it was already too late...

Li Zichun's expression was sorrowful and poignant. As he sang, he actually began to like his current identity. Wearing a veil, no one knew who he was, and he could just sing the songs he loved. He would never have this feeling again.

"ah

The setting sun is boundless

Unfortunately, its brilliance lasted only a fleeting moment.

As the clouds gradually dispersed

The lost glory will never return.

Long time

Unable to bear the vicissitudes of life

Like floating clouds gathering and dispersing

Entangled in this weary, weathered face

Long road

Suddenly feeling the passage of time

Joy is always fleeting and never returns.

Who can see through my dream of a mundane life?

I have encountered many storms and upheavals

Weaving my intertwined dreams

I once met you in your sincere embrace.

walk with me through adversity

Rushing to the Center

The road is full of twists and turns

One day I thought of returning home, but it was already late.

Born alone, my heart is gloomy.

The road is filled with wind, frost, tears, laughter, and another bend.

One day I longed to return, but it was already late. / I've encountered countless storms, weaving my intertwined dreams. / I once found your sincere embrace, accompanying me through hardships. / My heart is weary from the journey, yet another twist and turn on the road ahead.

One day I thought of returning home, but it was already late.

I've weathered countless storms, weaving my intertwined dreams. I've found true comfort in your arms, which guided me through hardship. My heart, once weary from the journey, now feels weary. The road is fraught with twists and turns, and I long to return, but it's already too late.

After finishing the song, Li Zichun felt a deep sense of sorrow and melancholy, as if he had used up all his strength. Only after being reminded by Zeng Ziwei and Zhen Yuling did he slowly step off the stage, waiting for the opportunity to sing the second and final song.

PS: Data is from the internet.

"Song of the Setting Sun" is a song with lyrics by Chan Siu-kei, music by Koji Makaino, and sung by Anita Mui. It was included in Anita Mui's album "In Brasil," released on August 1, 1989. The song is the theme song for the film "A Better Tomorrow 3: Song of the Setting Sun." In 1989, the song won the Top Ten Gold Songs Award at the Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Music Awards Presentation.