The Book of All Things: Born for Joy

78. Watching Over the Wheat Field

After he shared Zhao Qianfan's song, he also tagged Li Ke, reminding him that it was time for him to release a song.

Li Ke sang the Cantonese version of this song, "Watching Over the Wheat Field":

The wind blows across the wheat fields; the fields must eventually be harvested.

Perhaps it remains in my internal organs

My heart collided with yours like mining sand.

Perhaps it can make me shine.

Together with you are like stars and clouds, rising and falling.

How could we be bothered by each other? Beauty outweighs regret.

We are like wind and dust, walking together or not.

May we live as long as heaven and earth, even if we can no longer love each other.

Arriving empty-handed, departing empty-handed, crossing mountains and rivers.

Those in the water don't necessarily need to advance or retreat together.

I came with unforgettable memories and returned with peace of mind; it's not as if I had nothing left.

A day spent deeply in love can feel like a year.

Water evaporates into clouds; rain is discarded by the clouds.

Perhaps it comes from your sweat.

A hand brushes against your face; a kiss from someone else.

Perhaps it will remain in my palm.

It's like you...

......

A day spent deeply in love can feel like a year longer.

Li Zichun, naturally, couldn't show favoritism, so he forwarded it to him as well, adding a classic quote from J.D. Salinger: "I always imagine some bunch of little kids playing games in a big field of rye. Thousands and thousands of little kids, and nobody around—nobody big, I mean—except me. And I'm standing on the edge of some bastard cliff. My job is to be there and catch any kid who comes running down the cliff—I mean, all the kids are running and don't know where they're going, and I have to come out from somewhere and catch them. That's what I do all day. I just want to be the catcher in the rye. I know it's a bit of a fantasy, but that's what I really enjoy doing. I know it's ridiculous."

Closer to home.

Zhao Qianfan's performance was undoubtedly a great success. His mature yet slightly rock-infused music and arrangement, along with his Zen-like lyrics, won unanimous praise from the audience, making him the winner of the day once again.

Li Zichun sat in the choreography area with his cat, waiting for the rankings on stage to end. Many people came over to greet him, but he only responded indifferently.

The other songwriters present saw that he was indifferent to everything he did, and was too young, obviously not experienced much of the harsh realities of life. They didn't say anything on the surface, but in their hearts they were all thinking, "What's with the arrogance? He's just got a little talent, he'll get burned by outsiders sooner or later."

Li Zichun had seen a lot in his previous life. These people were not to his aesthetic standards in terms of appearance. He was annoyed by their hypocritical and two-faced manner. They were not sincere at all.

He himself felt a bit out of place. These musicians brought by the "King of Singers" were all in their thirties or forties, seasoned veterans, worldly-wise, technically skilled, and possessing their own unique and convenient creative methods. But asking them to write songs for young people was indeed a bit difficult.

A nostalgic theme like "Time" is alright, everyone performed decently, and the arrangement was quite good. But to achieve mainstream popularity is a bit difficult. If it weren't for these renowned singers performing, he estimated that the number of listeners would be at least one-fifth less.

Of course, he himself is not a professional, but the musical literacy cultivated by the Chinese music library in his mind allows him to appreciate good songs in a basic way.

Zhao Qianfan quickly finished her performance and came to him. Li Zichun looked at this person who looked almost identical before and after makeup and wondered, "So why do we wear and remove makeup? Is it just to pass the time?"

Zhao Qianfan was also puzzled by his gaze, but she enjoyed it and said smugly, "What's wrong? You didn't just fall for me today, did you?"

Li Zichun rolled his eyes, stroked Xiao Qitong and said, "You don't even have a hair, what do you have to charm me with? Right, Xiao Qitong?"

After saying that, he didn't forget to hold up the small seven-ball and wave it in front of him, indicating that this was the thing that could bewitch him.

Zhao Qianfan said stubbornly, "Dead cat, humph, how can there be no fur? You can still see the fur even if it's naked."

The other people around them coughed lightly as they listened to the conversation. What were they saying? They should go inside and talk in a cabinet.

The two chatted back and forth rhythmically. Every now and then, Qitong would brush its tail against Li Zichun's chin, making him feel ticklish.

Just as the two were chatting enthusiastically, a message came over the loudspeaker: Director Zhang Xiaochuan came in to announce the theme of the next episode: "Love, this eternal topic of humanity. With the development of the times, everyone's definition of love seems to have changed, yet it seems to have remained the same. The definition and classification of love are also becoming more and more diverse. Therefore, the theme of this episode is love. We invite all songwriters to use their unique perspectives to write about love as they see it."

Li Zichun knew the theme was "love" when he heard the first two lines.

Good heavens, how am I supposed to write this? Countless songs are popping into my head all at once. His hands tapped rhythmically on the table. Which song should he choose? Love, ah, it's so difficult.

Zhao Qianfan sat quietly beside him, keeping him company as he pondered. She didn't say much, just sat and waited for his reaction.

After much deliberation, Li Zichun decided on the song within two minutes and quickly entered the recording studio.

After obtaining his permission, Zhao Qianfan also entered the recording studio and quickly became familiar with the lyrics and music, practicing on his own in silence.

After submitting their submissions, the two prepared to leave.

Zhang Xiaochuan stopped him before he got into the car and said bluntly, "I'm sorry about last time. The leaders watched the new song concert on the left. I hope that next time your 'Time' performance can be organized by us."

Oh, so you don't mind me anymore? You've seen the good stuff and want to keep it all for yourself. But there's no such thing as a free lunch.

Li Zichun said with a smile, "I can't make that decision. We already have plans for the next performance and are making arrangements, so I'm sorry. We could consider a 'love' theme for this show, but it would be the last new song concert, so it depends on whether you dare to take it on."

Zhang Xiaochuan said with some surprise, "The last one? Why not continue? With your talent, isn't it something you can do effortlessly?"

Li Zichun smiled but remained silent. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Do you say the same thing to other songwriters? Being too outstanding is not a good thing for me."

Although Zhang Xiaochuan was somewhat unwilling, upon reflection, it made sense. While watching the monitors backstage, he didn't know exactly what the songwriters were saying, but as competitors, it certainly wasn't anything pleasant. These writers were masters of sarcasm and irony; otherwise, he wouldn't have only targeted Li Zichun.

Zhang Xiaochuan thought for a moment. One competition was already good enough; the questions did indeed get harder as the competition progressed. But he still smiled and continued, "One competition is fine. It would be best if you had more songs to sing for the later competitions. But it's okay if you don't; I won't force you. Shall I submit my application now?"

Li Zichun nodded in agreement, but what he meant by "report it" was that whether it would be approved was another matter entirely. These leaders' ideas changed every day, endlessly, and they couldn't stand seeing their subordinates idle, so they liked to mess around with people recklessly.

I don't work for you, so I won't indulge you.

After the conversation, Zhang Xiaochuan let them leave. He thought to himself, if they still wouldn't let him through this time, he'd just leave.

Li Zichun and Zhao Qianfan returned to their house. As soon as they entered, they saw Li Ke wearing a tight-fitting tank top, doing physical training under Yan Xiaoli's guidance, humming a song that Zhao had prepared for him while exercising.

Li Zichun looked at his muscular body after he took off his clothes and nodded with interest, "Hmm~~"

Zhao Qianfan coughed twice and said, "I can do it too."

Li Zichun withdrew his gaze, glanced at him, and couldn't help but recall the time he helped him wipe his body when he was drunk. He unconsciously swallowed.

He looked a little embarrassed and said perfunctorily, "Okay, I'll go back to my room first. You guys keep practicing. I have to go out tomorrow and will check your performance when I get back."

The three nodded, knowing what he was going to do.

Zhao Qianfan nodded and said, "Do you need me to go with you?"

Li Zichun thought for a moment, then shook his head: "No need, you stay home and practice singing. I'll take a taxi myself and listen to some opera while I'm there to find other inspiration for the upcoming performances."

Seeing his reaction, Zhao Qianfan wanted to say something more to try and persuade him, but Li Zichun went upstairs to collect his clothes and take a shower, and that was the end of it.

The next day, Li Zichun followed Dai Rong's map to his theater, Pengzhuan Pavilion.

This name is hardly appealing... Scattered across the land, from north to south, like tumbleweeds, shrouded in mist and rain. Willow catkins roll in the alley, swallows flit over the walls, I recognize the old red mansion. It stirs up idle emotions as tender as grass, It agitates new sorrows as chaotic as a sob, And yet, those grieving for spring are still asleep.

Dai Rong was already waiting at the door and came out to greet them personally.

The two walked and talked together. There were quite a few people in the theater, but they were mostly elderly people and children. A few young people saw him and looked hesitant and surprised, whispering to their companions.

Is it a real person?

"Right? They look quite similar."

"Yeah, he looks even more handsome than on TV."

I wonder if I'll have a chance to hear him sing today.

"Probably so."

"Huh? Why is he sitting in the audience?"

"They probably came to watch the opera too. What a disappointment."

"Ugh......"

As Li Zichun walked, he unexpectedly ran into an old acquaintance, Xu Chengfeng, and his granddaughter, Xu Qiunian.

Xu Chengfeng hadn't expected to run into him here, and said unhappily, "Old Dai, you're not being fair. If I hadn't come today, I would have missed this big star."

Li Zichun said with a smile, "Please don't tease me, I'm just a minor celebrity. If we're really talking about who's better, I can't beat you, a literary giant."

Xu Chengfeng was very pleased with what he heard, and the four of them chatted casually while waiting for the performance to begin.

The four sat in the middle of the first row. Li Zichun was a surprise guest performer for the show, and he was going to perform a few short segments, so he didn't need to wear any special costumes.

Moreover, because Dai Rong doesn't like too many "fakes" and only wants to surprise those who truly love theater, he didn't really promote it. He just mentioned it briefly on the poster, saying it was up to you whether you came or not, since he's not short of money anyway.

So there weren't many people there. Li Zichun glanced around and saw that out of the 500 seats, there were less than 200 people present.

Li Zichun and Xu Qiunian sat comfortably among a group of veteran performers, watching the wonderful performance on stage. The actors' singing, recitation, acting, and martial arts skills were indeed solid, showing that Dai Rong had put in a lot of effort.

Xu Qiunian's gaze would occasionally drift towards him, sometimes adjusting her clothes, sometimes fiddling with her shoes, her little actions were numerous.

Xu Chengfeng, who was standing to the side, couldn't stand it anymore and whispered, "Just watch the show, why are you making such a fuss?"

Xu Qiunian then sat there quietly, but her eyes would still wander from time to time, just like a young girl in love.

Dai Rong shook his head and rolled his eyes, while Li Zichun pretended not to see it and focused intently on the stage.

Today's performance of "The Purple Hairpin" was a great success, with only a few scattered applause after the actors took their curtain call.

There were no surprises here, just the usual stuff with no changes. It's like they're just fooling people. Many audience members seemed a little disappointed. But everyone remained seated, although a few had already stood up, they all sat back down after seeing Li Zichun led onto the stage by Dai Rong.

The theater cameras were also set up and recording began.

Li Zichun smiled and asked in confusion, "So you're only recording my part? The rest of the performance wasn't recorded?"

Dai Rong laughed and said loudly, "Those who want to see the performance will naturally come to watch. How could a recorded version be better than the live performance?"

Li Zichun said with a smile, "Alright, you're the boss, you call the shots."

He said calmly, "Thank you, Mr. Dai, for inviting me here. I'll sing a few short songs that I know. If you sing well, please give me a round of applause. If you don't sing well, then you can come up and sing yourself."

The crowd burst into laughter, which only added to their anticipation.

Li Zichun made a starting gesture, his eyes changed, and he began to sing a section from "The Peony Pavilion" called "[Shang Diao] Zao Luo Pao": "Originally, the flowers were in full bloom, but now they are all given to broken wells and crumbling walls. What a pity for such a beautiful day and scenery. Whose courtyard enjoys such delightful pleasures? Morning flights and evening rolls, clouds and rosy hues, rain threads and wind fragments, misty waves and painted boats. People behind the brocade screen take this fleeting time for granted."

These two casual lines stunned the entire audience. The melody was magnificent, yet tinged with a touch of melancholy. The lyrics were both a description of the scenery and an expression of emotion. They were sincere, heartfelt, and full of charm.

After Li Zichun finished singing, Liu Bo closed his eyes, and all the emotions in his eyes disappeared. He truly seemed to have passed through life and death.

He smiled and said, "I am not very talented, I wonder if my singing is pleasing to your ears?"

PS: Data is from the internet.

"Watching Over the Wheat Field" is a song with lyrics by Lin Xi, music by CYKong and Adrian Cha, arrangement by CYKong, and sung by Faye Wong. It was released on September 10, 1999, and was first included in the album "Only Love Strangers".

"The Peony Pavilion" is a repertoire piece from the Kunqu Opera "The Peony Pavilion". The author is Tang Xianzu, a playwright of the Ming Dynasty in China. The most captivating part is the love story between Du Liniang and Liu Mengmei, which is both real and dreamlike.