The Book of All Things: Born for Joy

Zhao Qianfan's "A Spray of Plum Blossoms" is beautiful and melodious, naturally winning widespread praise.

Next, it was Li Zichun's turn to take the stage. He said with a smile, "Alright, we've finished talking about and singing about plum blossoms. It's time to introduce the next flower."

A blue water lily appeared on the large screen behind them. Li Zichun smiled and said, "Next, we'll be introducing this blue lotus."

The blue lotus, scientifically known as the water lily, is also the national flower of Thailand, Egypt, and Bangladesh. In ancient Egypt, the water lily, like the lotus in the Zhou Dynasty, was regarded as an embodiment of purity and beauty and was often used as an offering to the goddess.

Water lilies are beloved for their rich colors and long blooming period, and are often grown as potted plants. Their roots can absorb toxic substances such as lead, mercury, and phenol from the water, making them valuable plant materials for water purification. Therefore, they are highly valued in urban water purification, greening, and beautification projects.

The audience members whispered among themselves, wondering if this flower really had so many uses. Why hadn't anyone mentioned it before?

Li Zichun continued, "Water lilies can also be used to create unique and unexpected effects when placed in exquisite pots or basins in front of buildings, sculptures, or artificial rocks, depending on the needs of the landscape. Miniature varieties of water lilies can be planted in exquisite small pots and paired with elegant pot stands to decorate rooms."

The background behind him also changed constantly as he introduced himself, with different places, different scenes, and different effects.

Li Zichun sighed and said, "Chinese botanists pay far less attention to water lilies than lotus flowers, but that doesn't stop people from appreciating their beauty. Just as most of our lives don't receive much attention, does that mean we don't bloom and bear fruit? I dedicate the song 'Blue Lotus' to all of us who strive to live our lives."

The song "Blue Lotus" was originally written by Xu Wei as a tribute to the famous Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang, expressing his respect for him. The entire song has a strong Zen Buddhist flavor. Without a rousing melody, it has deeply moved countless people and given them strength!

Li Zichun struggled quite a bit in choosing this song. He actually wanted Zhao Qianfan to sing it when he participated in the singing competition, but then he thought there were so many good songs, so he just sang it casually. Could he really expect Zhao Qianfan to sing it all with his photographic memory?

Li Zichun sang "Blue Lotus," a song that had touched countless people:

Nothing can stop it

your yearning for freedom

An unrestricted career

Your heart is free of worries.

Having traversed those dark years, I have also felt lost and confused.

You only realize the path beneath your feet when you look down.

The free world in my heart

so clear

blooming and never dying

Blue Lotus

......

The free world in my heart is so clear and lofty.

"Blooming with an everlasting blue lotus"

"Blue Lotus" sings of a precious spirit of unwavering pursuit of dreams. The lyrics of this song contain no grand pronouncements, and the melody has no dramatic ups and downs. The whole song is sung in a calm and peaceful tone, yet it has touched the hearts of millions.

The song wasn't very long, just a few lines repeated over and over, but the energy conveyed by the music seemed particularly moving, and many audience members felt touched.

Li Zichun's final recitation of "Blue Lotus" seemed to stir the hearts of many who heard it, causing their own blue lotuses to tremble and slowly bloom as he chanted.

The adults applauded with emotion; who doesn't dream of a vast, free, and beautiful world?

Li Zichun smiled and nodded, feeling as if he was also getting into the song. He had been moved by this song before, with its sense of courage to just go, its unwavering ambition, its refusal to be swayed by external things, its focus on the present, and its ability to forge its own path.

After the applause subsided, Li Zichun continued, "The blue lotus flowers are in the water at Qiushui Pavilion. Children, please remember to view them with adult supervision. Although the flowers are beautiful, please do not go into the water to pick them."

Next, I'll introduce the figurative raspberry flower, also known as raspberry, marin (Russian name for raspberry flower), and in Northeast China, it's commonly called marin fruit. It's also called "Zhaigong" (it's popular to pick wild ones in the mountains to eat in late spring and early summer).

Its unripe fruit, after processing, becomes the raspberry medicine in the "Compendium of Materia Medica". According to the classics, it has the effects of tonifying the kidneys and strengthening essence and reducing urination, nourishing the liver and improving eyesight, anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-aging, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. It is often used for symptoms such as seminal emission, frequent urination, impotence and premature ejaculation, and blurred vision. It also has the effect of strengthening yang and tonifying the kidneys.

In short, it's great for men's health and good for women's beauty and complexion. Those who want some can buy it at the fruit shop near the store entrance. Limited quantities available, first come, first served.

Buy it, you won't regret it! Perfect for yourself or your husband. It's also a great gift for relatives and parents. Just be sure to check the manufacturer and production date on the packaging; make sure it's from the well-established Lin family brand to avoid buying a fake.

Li Zichun felt a bit disgusted by this sudden advertisement. If Lin Xuehua hadn't specifically told him to say a few more words and help promote the product, he would have skipped the song altogether.

Sigh, what can you do when they're the client? For the sake of money, you just have to put up with it.

I'll eat as much of this small, expensive thing as possible these few days while it's free. Even though I don't need it down there, who doesn't want to be in great shape?

Seeing the amused expressions on the scene, Li Zichun smiled and said, "Life is tough, so the three heroes perform for money. Right now, they'll sing 'Red Berries Bloom' for everyone."

Red berry flowers bloom in the fields and along the riverbank

I was walking with a boy outside the woods

But we will eventually have to separate.

I have so many words of farewell, but I can't say them.

......

At this time last year, at this place, on the horizon at dusk

My first encounter with the boy, lingering amidst the shadows of clouds.

A cluster of raspberry flowers blooms serenely by itself.

The days of youth hold all things to look forward to.

......

What will become of us many years from now?

Do you still remember the love we shared at this moment?

Youth is gone forever, time will never turn back. May you remember this moment when the raspberries are in bloom.

May you remember this moment when the raspberry flowers are in bloom.

The last three lines had a rising and falling key reminiscent of a military song, and Li Zichun felt a sense of elevation.

Li Zichun said with a smile, "Alright, thank you everyone... thank you for your applause. We've reached the last two songs. We're having so much fun singing that we don't want it to end. So let me do some random interviews and interact with you all. I'll just sing a couple of songs, not included in the setlist. Is there anything you'd like to hear?"

Zhao Qianfan, who was about to sing the next song, helplessly held her face. You really know how to handle things.

Li Zichun took another microphone from Zhao Qianfan, slowly walked off the stage into the crowd, and said with the microphone, "You only have three chances, so please raise your hands."

Upon hearing this, a large number of people immediately raised their hands. Li Zichun walked among the unfamiliar faces and said with a smile, "Raising your hand doesn't guarantee a chance to request a song. You have to answer my question correctly first."

Li Zichun randomly picked a handsome young man from the crowd and asked, "Hello, what's your name?"

The handsome young man said excitedly, "My name is Tang Gangyi. Can I request a song?"

Li Zichun rolled his eyes and said, "Hello Mr. Tang, you need to answer my question correctly first before you can request a song. Are you ready?"

Tang Gangyi said with a smile, "Come on, be ready at any time."

Li Zichun said with a smile, "Alright, now listen to the question. Name three white flowers within ten seconds."

Li Zichun held the microphone up to Tang Gangyi and began the countdown. The latter, looking nervous, said, "White, white... lilies, lilies... jasmine..."

Li Zichun deliberately slowed down his counting, but the surrounding audience was not happy, each of them wishing he would count quickly so that it would be their turn.

Tang Gangyi was almost sweating with anxiety. His face was visibly tense, reflected on the big screen. The people around him were gloating, and many were saying, "Time's up." Li Zichun had also deliberately slowed down, but he seemed to have a mental block and couldn't come up with a third option.

Li Zichun's face twitched. He wanted to say, "Are you a terrible student?" All that he had just said on stage was for nothing. Lupines, white roses, pear blossoms, chrysanthemums, crabapples, plum blossoms, lotus flowers, etc., you could have just picked any one of them.

It's really amazing how I met you first!

Li Zichun's slow lips moved as he slowly uttered the final "three, two, one," which took almost ten seconds. The girl who had come with him couldn't bear to watch any longer and whispered in his ear, "Cherry blossom grass."

Tang Gangyi stood up abruptly as if struck, slamming his head against the microphone and saying, "Cherry Blossom Grass."

Li Zichun exclaimed and stepped back, saying, "Slow down, slow down, don't break your teeth, I can't afford to pay for it."

Tang Gangyi seemed completely unconcerned, shyly touching the back of his head.

Li Zichun said with a smile, "Alright, since you answered correctly, please tell me what kind of flower you would like to hear as a song."

Tang Gangyi smiled and looked at the girl beside him, saying, "What song do you want to hear?"

The crowd cheered, but the girl wasn't embarrassed. "I've already reminded you, there's no point in being coy anymore." She took the microphone confidently, glanced at her boyfriend next to her, and said, "You can forget what you just saw? Your memory only lasts three seconds."

Li Zichun smiled and looked at the boy next to her who seemed to have something to say, and asked, "Can you tell me the reason?"

Tang Gangyi blushed before slowly saying, "Everyone's looking at you, who's going to look at the flowers?"

A chorus of cheers erupted from the crowd, and the girl's face flushed instantly: "Hmph, who wants you to look?"

Tang Gangyi muttered softly, "You're just so good-looking."

Li Zichun coughed twice, took back the microphone, and said, "Ahem, I'm never dating another couple again. You guys have really fed me enough dog food."

The audience burst into laughter. Li Zichun said irritably, "So what song do you two want to hear? How about you sing 'Sakura Grass'?"

The two smiled and nodded without saying anything more, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Li Zichun couldn't help but roll his eyes inwardly, cursing them as "a pair of lovey-dovey scumbags."

Nevertheless, Li Zichun said with a smile, "Since there was no accompaniment, I just sang a few lines a cappella."

The audience fell silent, and he slowly began to speak: "Before I start singing, let me first give you a brief introduction to what cherry blossom grass is."

Primrose, a perennial herbaceous flowering plant belonging to the Primulaceae family and the Primulaceae genus, is also known as primrose, spring herb, and annual flower. Its main flower colors include white, pink, light pink, blue, yellow, orange, and purple.

Primroses are the embodiment of the tragic love story of the Greek water nymph. A water nymph, unable to speak, fell in love with a handsome young man, but he was surrounded by admirers. Unable to express her love, the goddess could only sadly watch him leave from afar. Day after day, the goddess's life faded, but her love continued to watch over the young man. And so, where she died, lovely little flowers grew… these are the primroses.

The flower language of primrose is: I love no one but you.

Tang Gangyi, do you understand?

I love no one but you.

Tang Gangyi looked up in shock upon hearing the last sentence, then glanced at the girl beside him who had turned her head away and was looking elsewhere. She nodded with a silly grin. What an idiot who only understands when you explain it clearly. No wonder her eyes were filled with such clear stupidity.

The audience members all exclaimed "Oh~" upon hearing this, realizing that this was indeed a large-scale public display of affection.

Li Zichun said with a smile, "Alright, I wish you happiness. Now let me sing this song for you."

Li Zichun held the microphone and hummed softly:

The evening breeze rustled through the bamboo grove, and the moonlight stretched the shadows long.

Fireflies twinkle, coins flutter all over the mountain.

The Milky Way shines in the sky, and the wind chimes sing on the ground.

Vega is in the distance – an ancient and romantic myth.

The flowing water passes through the changing seasons of spring, summer, and autumn.

Happiness is spreading; loving you is eternal, I'm never alone.

Cherry blossoms in the hands of lovers, smiles as they stroll through springtime.

Planting seeds of vibrant youth

Cherry blossoms in my lover's arms, I can hear my heart beating against his chest.

Secretly longing for each other—that's the mark of our love.

The distant bells are ringing, and the frogs are croaking a lullaby.

White sand beach, crescent moon, I love you in my sweet dreams.

The Milky Way in the sky is shining.

The wind chimes on the ground sing

Vega is in the distance

Make a wish for love.

......

Secretly, I'm longing for that taste of our love.

"Sakura Grass" is a lyrical ballad with a subtle Japanese flavor. Like a beautiful fairy tale, although the melody is simple, it is so beautiful that it evokes the image of cherry blossoms falling gently, all the colors radiating in their fluttering dance, and the tranquil longing expressed in the song.

Li Zichun's sweet and warm voice sang softly beside the two, creating a fresh and romantic atmosphere. The scene was sweet and adorable, and the whole venue seemed to be filled with pink bubbles.

After Li Zichun finished singing, he glanced at the two people who were secretly holding hands and said with a smile, "Be happy. Okay, never mind them, let's draw the next lucky audience member. Come on, Tang Gangyi, just say a lucky number."

PS: Data is from the internet.

"Blue Lotus" was written, composed, and sung by Xu Wei. It is from the album "Time Stroll" and has been featured in movies and TV series multiple times. It was released on December 18, 2002.

"Red Berries Bloom" is a Soviet song with lyrics by Isakovsky and music by Dunayevsky, expressing a young girl's longing for her sweetheart. It was also the theme song for the Soviet film "A Happy Life," both of which won the Stalin Prize for Literature and Art in 1951. In China, singer Gege covered the song, and her version was featured on CCTV's daily pop music program "Wonderful Music Showcase." In 2020, Mao Buyi's cover of "Red Plum Blossoms Bloom" was used as the end-credits song for the film "Lost in Russia," arranged by Peng Fei and released on January 23, 2020.

"Sakura Grass" is a song with lyrics and music by Li Tianlong, arrangement by Xu Hengrui, and performed by the Taiwanese duo Sweety. It was included in the album "Flower Talk" released on June 23, 2006. The song was used as the theme song for the TV series "Miko, GO!" and as an insert song for the TV series "Star Apple Paradise".