The Book of All Things: Born for Joy

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Li Zichun seemed to be provoked by Zhao Qianfan's scrutinizing and amused gaze, and snorted, "Don't look down on me. Although I'm thin, I'm lean and strong, okay?"

Zhao Qianfan's lips twitched, but he said nothing, only letting out a soft hum: "Heh...hehe..."

Li Zichun was furious. If he could beat him, he would definitely spank him.

Li Ke coughed twice, unsure of what to say. "Your figure is really nothing special. If you were wearing women's clothes, I might take a second look."

Seeing the scrutinizing gaze, Zhao Qianfan gave Li Ke a cold look, and Li Ke immediately sensed it and walked away. Zhao Qianfan smiled and said to Li Zichun, "Boys should also respect themselves and not show off to others all the time."

Li Zichun neither agreed nor disagreed with these words, feeling that they were somewhat biased, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what was wrong with them. He simply reluctantly agreed while Zhao Qianfan was giving him a comfortable massage.

Back on set, Li Zichun actually felt that none of the three of them were suitable to sing the next song, but then he tried to convince himself, "Who says you have to sing a certain song at a certain age? All music originates from the human heart. If you want to sing, then sing! Who cares what others say? As long as it sounds good, that's enough."

Li Zichun took a deep breath, looked around at the celebrities and lucky audience members, and said with a smile, "Next up is the last song of this performance. There are many more songs about time, and I'll sing them for you another time. Just like the painting I drew behind me, 'The Persistence of Memory,' time flows like water, and life is like a dream. We are gathered here at this moment, and if we can remember each other's voices and smiles in our leisure time in the future, this moment will be eternal."

Li Zichun rose from the high stool, followed closely by Zhao Qianfan and Li Ke. He smiled and said, "When will the journey north and south ever end? Time flies like an arrow. Only when there is nowhere left to go can one finally cast aside the sorrow of parting."

"The last song is 'The Story of Time,' and I hope everyone here will enjoy it."

Li Zichun and the other two swayed slightly to the rhythm of the music and sang this classic song from bygone eras:

Spring flowers bloom, autumn wind

And the winter sunset

My melancholy youth

I used to think this way out of ignorance.

The windmill in the song of the changing seasons

It flows every day

In the verses of romance and beauty, I grow year by year.

The flowing water carries away the stories of time.

It changed a person

It was during that sentimental and first time

Waiting Youth

Yellowed photographs, old letters

And faded Christmas cards

The song I wrote for you when I was young

You've probably already forgotten.

past vows

Like the colorful bookmarks in a textbook

It depicts so many beautiful poems

But in the end, it was just a wisp of smoke.

The flowing water carries away the stories of time.

It changed two people

It was during that sentimental and first time

"A Youth Filled with Tears"

As he sang this part, Li Zichun smiled and made a face at the two people beside him. He did indeed quite like this feeling. In the past three years, he might meet many people, some he loved, some he hated, but his determination to move forward would never change. Even if they would part ways tomorrow, he was happy to enjoy the present moment.

The three of them were playfully bickering on stage. Li Zichun, caught up in the moment, picked up Qi Tong, who was yawning on the ground, and started swinging him from side to side in the air by his little feet, but his voice remained as steady as a rock as he continued singing:

The distant journey, yesterday's dreams, and the laughter that has faded away.

How much have we traveled since we met again?

No longer the familiar me of the past, yet still harboring the passionate dreams of yesteryear.

It's not the familiar you of the past, but you still have that same smile.

The flowing water carries away the stories of time and changes us.

It was during that sentimental and first recollection of youth that...

The flowing water carries away the stories of time, changing us / Right there in that sentimental and first-time-remembered youth.

"The Story of Time" was composed in late 1980, when Lo Ta-yu had just graduated from the China Medical College but failed the medical licensing exam twice. Anxious and distraught, Lo Ta-yu calmed himself and let music accompany him. Finally, he passed the exam on his third attempt, and inspired by this experience, he composed the song.

During his university years, Lo Ta-yu had a relationship with Hsia Chih-jen, a nursing student. He cherished this relationship and wrote "The Story of Time" about their years of love. That same year, the newly established Rock Records recruited Sylvia Chang and invited Lo Ta-yu to produce her album "Childhood." This was Lo Ta-yu's first album as a music producer, and it included the song "The Story of Time."

This is why Sylvia Chang was the original singer of songs like "Childhood" and "The Story of Time," and of course, their relationship also played a part. But this was Sylvia Chang at her peak, born into a prestigious family, with a distinguished lineage, brimming with talent, and possessing a fresh and captivating beauty—how could anyone not like her? As for Sylvia Chang, this legendary socialite who moved among numerous famous and talented men like Lo Ta-yu, Jonathan Lee, Edward Yang, and Hou Hsiao-hsien, I'll talk about her in more detail another time.

After the three finished singing, they bowed in gratitude, and everyone in the audience stood up and applauded.

The performance caused a sensation and generated immense buzz, comparable to an earthquake in the arts and culture world. The entire performance encompassed painting, poetry, music, and even the stage design was repeatedly mentioned.

After the performance, many wealthy patrons who experienced the event firsthand and investors who watched the live stream offered to buy the painting "The Eternity of Memory," with prices reaching seven figures. Li Zichun simply smiled and refused, then mailed the painting directly to Li Xian's orphanage in Rongcheng.

After the trio finished their performance, they had a few drinks with the guests, took a group photo, and then left without looking back, leaving Yan Xiaoli to clean up the mess. Li Ke wanted to stay and help, but Yan Xiaoli stopped him: "Rest well after the performance. Don't try to steal your manager's job."

In the end, it was Li Zichun who persuaded him to stay and told him to keep up the good work. Before leaving, she whispered in his ear, "Even a strong woman can be spurred on by a persistent suitor," to give him a little push.

Li Ke immediately understood, nodded, and grinned lewdly. Li Zichun, unaware of what he was imagining, simply rolled his eyes and left.

Zhao Qianfan frowned as he listened. What nonsense! If a strong-willed woman doesn't like you, constantly pestering her will only annoy her, and she might even hit you. However, he couldn't be bothered with their affairs. In his opinion, it was impossible for Yan Xiaoli not to have developed feelings for Li Ke during the time she was training him. As for what kind of feelings they were, that was another matter.

Zhao Qianfan and Li Zichun hitchhiked back on their own, and after a lot of back and forth on the highway, they finally managed to shake off a bunch of enthusiastic followers.

Li Zichun felt incredibly tired. This tiredness wasn't from creative exhaustion, but from a mental exhaustion that no one could understand. After all, they weren't from the same era. Even if they reached the pinnacle of this world, what would it matter? It would just be the ruthless crushing of inferior products by a higher civilization.

As he was thinking, he suddenly felt very tired. Qitong jumped up and stood on his shoulder, its soft fur rubbing against his neck, warm and comforting.

As Li Zichun was falling asleep, Qi Tong slowly moved away and lay on his lap. Without the warmth of the blanket, Li Zichun rubbed against Zhao Qianfan. Zhao Qianfan then rested his head on his shoulder, and the comforting warmth enveloped him. Li Zichun fell asleep just like that.

Back in the house, Zhao Qianfan didn't move an inch. She was just speechless at the man who was sleeping so soundly. Luckily, it was her leaning against him. If it were anyone else, they would probably have some complaints about their clothes being soaked with his drool.

Zhao Qianfan secretly took a picture with her phone of the handsome young man leaning on her shoulder, drooling.

Li Zichun wasn't a deep sleeper, and the slightest movement woke him up. Zhao Qianfan quickly put away his phone and said with a smile, "Why don't you sleep here a little longer, or go back to my room?"

Li Zichun yawned, rubbed his eyes, and said, "Huh? How did I fall asleep? Oh, why are your clothes wet? Did I do this?"

Zhao Qianfan shook his head and said, "No, I accidentally bumped into it while drinking water."

Li Zichun smacked his lips twice and said, "Oh, be more careful next time. You're a big star, and you're still so careless."

Zhao Qianfan sighed and rubbed his forehead. He wanted to wipe it with a tissue, but decided against it and left it there. Then he got out of the car and opened the door for Li Zichun.

Li Zichun yawned again: "That's strange, why am I so sleepy?"

After saying that, he stretched.

Zhao Qianfan said with a smile, "Want me to make you some late-night snack? You didn't eat much tonight."

Li Zichun shook his head. He didn't know why, but all he wanted to do today was sleep peacefully for a while.

As soon as Li Zichun got out of the car, perhaps still half asleep, he accidentally stepped into the air and fell right onto Zhao Qianfan.

Zhao Qianfan, looking startled, helped him up as he leaned in. Li Zichun was also surprised, wondering what was wrong with him and why he felt so dizzy.

Li Zichun quickly bounced off Zhao Qianfan's chest; the intense heartbeat had made his head spin and his cheeks flushed.

Zhao Qianfan looked at the nearly cooked apple in front of him and said with a smile, "What's wrong? Are you alright... Did you faint from hunger?"

Li Zichun sighed, shook his head, and said, "It's nothing. I won't eat. I'm a little sleepy, I'm going upstairs to sleep."

Zhao Qianfan nodded without saying anything and watched him go upstairs.

Li Zichun let out a long sigh in his room. What was wrong with him? He was probably just too tired. He should go to sleep early.

He tossed and turned on the bed, the strong, powerful heartbeat of Zhao Qianfan echoing in his ears. He couldn't help but blush and feel his heart race. He smiled and then fell asleep.

Online discussions revolved around the topics and buzz surrounding the entire performance of "Time".

Li Zichun changed his signature to a short poem by Teng Bin of the Yuan Dynasty, titled "Putianle: Lamenting the Passing Time":

Time flies like water.

All your efforts and schemes are in vain.

He rejected right and wrong, shunned fame and fortune, and made a living by writing poetry and books.

Joyful salt, young child, mountain wife.

A few thatched cottages, two acres of farmland—time to return home!

The netizens who were just browsing around were already paying special attention to him. The system would automatically remind them of the slightest movement, and the poem quickly spread in the circle.

When Xu Chengfeng saw this short poem, he probably truly understood his thoughts. No matter how hard he tried, he probably couldn't hold onto this genius's heart. For a moment, he didn't know whether to lament the ruthlessness of capital in the music industry or be indignant at his lack of ambition.

He simply looked at Xu Qiunian beside him and said, "Work hard, he's not someone you can even dream of."

Xu Qiu rolled her eyes at him and said, "Of course I know that, but thinking about it, it's not illegal. It's the same as you, an old man in your sixties or seventies, watching porn in the middle of the night."

Xu Chengfeng coughed twice, choked by the little girl's words. This granddaughter could really make up anything. But how did she find his little film? Could it be his father?

Hmph, you unfilial son! You have a wife now and you're still going through your father's study materials. You deserve a beating.

So, without Xu Qiunian's knowledge, his father was inexplicably punished.

After taking a shower, Zhao Qianfan lay in her room, looked at the drool-covered shirt, shook her head and laughed. She was just as adorable as ever.

Qitong sat in its cat bed, yawning at the moon, its silvery-white fur looking even more beautiful.

The two people inside the house were already asleep, but the comments about him online never stopped.

Especially the phrase "one of the few performances in mainland China," which immediately propelled the show into the top three in terms of popularity. Then, some people actually started calculating: from live performances to street concerts, plus new song concerts, traditional Chinese music concerts, and various other shows, this newcomer, who debuted just over six months ago, has etched her name into everyone's minds. The total number of performances, when added together, is indeed pitifully small; even including her previous performances on variety shows, it seems to be less than twenty.

However, the number of songs he has released and his influence have far exceeded what a top-tier singer should have. Everyone who has sung his songs praises him highly, and even those friends who betray him at the behest of capital only attack him personally and in terms of his work, never denying his extraordinary talent.

What's most intriguing is the "Moon Emperor's Fall" incident. Looking back, everything about it seems suspicious, yet no one dared to investigate the truth. They considered it a frame-up, and no one dared to delve deeper. Li Zichun, however, felt it was unnecessary.

Events in the entertainment industry are always a mix of truth and falsehood; there's hardly any real truth to speak of. And what need is there for an actor or performer like him to clear his name? No one would believe him anyway.

The fact that the official figures themselves have personally intervened and started criticizing the situation speaks volumes.

PS: Information is from the internet.

《光阴的故事》是由罗大佑作词、作曲，张艾嘉演唱的歌曲，收录于张艾嘉1981年3月13日发行的专辑《童年》中，该专辑排在“台湾百大唱片”第20位。之后罗大佑多次对该曲进行重新演绎，分别有三个版本，分别收录于1982年4月21日由滚石唱片发行的专辑《之乎者也》、1989年12月16日发行的《闪亮的日子（情歌选辑1974-1981作品）》和2008年12月19日由滚石唱片发行的《光阴的故事 电视原声带》中。2017年9月24日，罗大佑版《光阴的故事》获得第1届《最爱金曲榜》音乐盛典最爱金曲奖。