The Book of All Things: Born for Joy

When the five of them arrived at the entrance of the hot pot restaurant and got out of the car, Li Zichun saw the driver's full appearance for the first time.

It was only through Ma Qian's introduction that she learned his name was Liu Wancun, and he was her personal driver responsible for the entire trip for the competition.

Li Zichun looked him up and down for a while, and had already made up his mind. His handsome and rugged appearance, despite wearing loose clothes, still made him stand out with his bulging chest and abdomen and his tall and straight figure.

Li Zichun swallowed hard and whispered to Zhao Qianfan beside him, "Can we beat them?"

Zhao Qianfan smiled, put her arm around his shoulder, and softly replied, "Okay."

Li Zichun laughed and slapped away the hand that was wrapped around his arm, rolled her eyes and said, "Aren't you going to lead the way?"

Zhao Qianfan laughed and said loudly, "Okay. I've already made a reservation, come with me."

As Li Zichun walked, he chatted casually with the three men. If he wasn't mistaken, these three should belong to the same unit. It seemed that the higher-ups really intended to carry out the "cleaning up of the entertainment industry" operation to the end, but he didn't know to what extent.

Water that is too clear has no fish; this is the natural order. The government can't really crack down on the entertainment industry; that would collapse the entire national entertainment system. So, in the end, they'll probably... target specific cases.

And what could be more representative than these people who were just one step away from becoming the king or queen of singers, and those who already had a certain status in the entertainment industry!

Li Zichun quickly reviewed the path he had taken in his mind, and after confirming that he had not violated any rules or laws, he quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

If I don't have it, then could it be Zhao Qianfan? No way...

Hmm, probably not. They're probably still in the evidence-gathering stage. If they had solid evidence, they would have already made arrests. After all, everyone is equal before the law; otherwise, how could they gain the trust of the people?

After confirming that everyone could handle spicy food, Zhao Qianfan still ordered a half-and half-half hot pot and said to Li Zichun, "Eat less spicy food, or you'll get a sore throat."

Li Zichun said with a smile, "Aren't you eating too? It's just a competition. If you lose, you lose. It doesn't matter where you sing. The title of King of Singers isn't determined by a single trophy."

Many people felt that this statement, though crude, was true. In recent years, many famous singers and divas have experienced problems such as cracking their voices, choking on phlegm, and not being able to keep up with their breath during live performances. These frequent musical disasters have made the public frown and have also damaged the credibility of the authorities.

Li Zichun savored the flavors of this century-old restaurant. Indeed, good food is a universal commodity in any country, and it is also the best way to bring people closer together. While eating and chatting, he had already figured out the preferences and strengths of these three people.

The three also felt that Li Zichun and Zhao Qianfan were different from the celebrities they had in mind. They did not have that aloof attitude or untouchable distance. Their lives were even more ordinary than those of an ordinary person.

As the five of them interacted, an indescribable understanding and affection gradually developed between them.

That's probably how relationships between people work. Some people you don't like at first sight, and you can't talk to them at all. But others you feel happy with at first sight, like you've been looking for a long-lost friend. You want to bring them into your life and wish you could keep talking forever.

Fortunately, they belong to the latter group.

After the meal, everyone felt that their relationships had become much closer.

Before leaving, many customers and staff members came over to take photos with them, and the two of them agreed to take photos with each one. Anyway, there weren't many people, so it wouldn't take up much time.

But they underestimated their influence. Just as they were about to leave, they found the road blocked by a massive crowd. People from other nearby shops also gathered around. How many times in a lifetime do ordinary people get the chance to see a celebrity? People who knew them and those who didn't all came to join the fun.

Shoving and jostling among the crowd, Li Zichun couldn't help but roll his eyes and shout, "Hey, who's touching my butt?"

A burst of laughter and commotion erupted in the crowd. Ma Qian gave Liu Wancun a look, signaling him to make his move.

Liu Wancun understood immediately, and shouted, "Ah~ all of you, stand back~"

Li Zichun was also startled by his sudden shout. Wow, goodness, that's quite a long breath. No wonder he was recruited by the state.

Fearing a disturbance, he loudly proclaimed, "Thank you for your enthusiasm and support. Please maintain order and do not disrupt other people's dining. Those who want to listen to music, please go over there."

Li Zichun pointed to a street performer's stall not far away and said, "I can sing three songs for everyone. If you want to listen, you can go over there, but don't block the road and affect traffic."

After saying that, he gestured for the four people to walk around him in that direction.

Because this area is a well-planned food street, there are often street performers playing music along the way. Li Zichun casually pointed to a stall and headed over there.

The street musician had originally planned to join in the fun, but when he saw him coming this way, he felt a little excited. He had never seen a celebrity or so many people before, and he even felt a little flustered.

Before Ma Qian could even negotiate much, and after only a couple of sentences, the other party had already nodded and given them the stall to sing at. It was simply impossible to ignore the performances of Li Zichun and Liu Wancun.

A large crowd surged forward. Li Zichun stood on the edge of a tall flower bed and called out loudly, "Please be mindful of your personal safety and belongings. Don't lose anything while joining the fun. Also, please leave the middle path clear so as not to block the flow of people or garbage trucks, as that will cause trouble for the management. Please consciously supervise each other. Thank you."

Under his direction, everyone changed from a fan shape to a straight semi-enclosed shape, and the people coming later also consciously stood on both sides, separating the way for people to pass.

Ma Qian was also amazed, because in her impression and in media reports, such celebrity outings usually caused huge traffic jams, and even large-scale stampedes.

She'd never seen anyone like Li Zichun, who immediately started planning and supervising the team. She also suddenly realized, how come neither of them had managers or assistants? It was a miracle they'd made it all the way to the singing competition.

Li Zichun watched as the crowd automatically dispersed and everyone took their seats before saying with satisfaction, "Hmm, not bad. Since everyone is cooperating, I have no reason not to sing. Is there any song you'd like to hear? Okay, no."

Li Zichun asked and answered his own question, which amused everyone present. Some of the more curious people even came up with a few song titles.

Li Zichun said with a smile, "Oh, it seems we really do have some fans. But I won't sing the song a second time. If you want to hear it, Zhao Qianfan will have to sing it."

"want you."

"Want both."

"..."

A commotion broke out at the scene. Right in front of everyone were the currently popular "Moon Queen" and "Flower Ancestor". Such an opportunity was rare, so how could they not try their best to take advantage of it?

Li Zichun said with a smile, "Alright, that's enough interaction. It's getting late, so we'll only sing three songs. After we're done, please go home and have your meals or go home. Don't go hungry."

"it is good."

The audience was surprisingly well-behaved, much to the surprise of Ma Qian and her two companions; their manners were truly remarkable. Then, she suddenly remembered something and gestured for Jia Hui to turn on the camera, which he readily accepted and began recording.

Li Zichun smiled and didn't mind, then continued, "Alright, what songs to sing depends on the environment. Since we're all in a food street, I'll sing three songs about food for everyone."

"it is good."

Li Zichun said with a smile, "Since there is no accompaniment, it's an a cappella performance, so please just enjoy it."

Zhao Qianfan moved the microphone cable slightly closer to him to prevent him from getting hooked on it.

Liu Wancun and Ma Qian sat by the flower bed, exchanging a glance, wanting to see if he could really improvise a good song. They were already very familiar with everything about this man from the information provided by their superiors, so they weren't surprised.

This unconventional man seems to have a particular fondness for street performances. From street auditions at Wah Ting Entertainment to new song concerts, and then to several masked street performances in Kowloon after he became famous, he seems to completely disregard the opinions of those around him and his own identity. Good songs and melodies come to him effortlessly, making him a true free-spirited talent.

Jia Hui was recording with a camera, and the three of them were curious about what kind of song he would sing.

Li Zichun said with a smile, "What should we sing for the first song?"

He glanced around, then an idea popped into his head. He smiled and said, "Let's play 'Boiled Fish' then."

The crowd cheered, everyone was curious about what kind of song could be written about boiled fish.

Boiled fish, also known as boiled river fish or boiled fish slices, is a famous specialty dish from the Sichuan and Chongqing regions of China, belonging to the Sichuan cuisine. It is typically made with fresh grass carp, bean sprouts, chili peppers, and other ingredients. It originated in Cuiyun Township, Yubei District, Chongqing. Its characteristics include being "oily but not greasy, spicy but not dry, numbing but not bitter, and with tender, smooth meat."

Li Zichun chuckled and coughed twice: "Here you go, the person recording, hold on tight. Don't drop your phone and break it."

The audience burst into laughter, and then he began to sing Wang Rong's "Boiled Fish":

Riding a 28-inch bicycle, freely weaving through the alleys.

As we turned the corner, I remembered our first date.

Right here in this little shop, you're sweating buckets from the spiciness.

She even packed a bowl of side dishes for me, keeping me incredibly busy.

I love you like I love eating boiled fish.

I want to keep you in my frying pan forever.

I love you like I love eating boiled fish.

I love your handsomeness and your cuteness

Oh, may you have fish every year!

I love you. Let's go eat boiled fish.

The burning sensation makes me think of you every day.

I love you like I love eating boiled fish.

Love your good and your bad

I can't live without you

All of this is actually not simple.

Love cannot be drawn by lot, and it cannot contain lies.

All of this is actually quite natural.

Love is like boiled fish—it needs to be intensely spicy.

All of this is actually not simple.

Love cannot be drawn by lottery.

There must be no lies.

All of this is actually quite natural.

If you are sure

Never change

......

I am in your world

我的世界有你

What a lovely life

Never forget

The Story of Boiled Fish

The good times continue

The Story of Boiled Fish

Never forget

The Story of Boiled Fish

He probably remembered this once-popular slow rock song because of its title. After all, it's a song about food, and the inspiration for the song comes from food. It blends the details of love and life into the rhythmic and touching music—there are so few songs like that.

The audience was amazed by his extremely magnetic and unique voice, a voice they had never heard before, pure yet with a hint of sultryness, and the distinctive fishy smell.

Li Zichun also felt that he didn't sing well, but so what? Anyway, no one in this sub-world has ever heard it, so he can sing however he wants and do whatever makes him happy.

Zhao Qianfan could tell from his little expression that he hadn't sung well, but he stubbornly acted as if nothing was wrong, which was really adorable.

Li Zichun said with a smile, "Well, now it's time for the second song. What should we sing? Hmm... I'll dedicate 'Selling Tangyuan' to everyone."

The reason I chose this song is because a mother was feeding her child glutinous rice balls not far away, and the little boy was throwing a tantrum and didn't want to eat.

Li Zichun smiled and said to the distance, "Be good, little one, listen to your mother."

A child not far away was suddenly called out. He was a little confused, but when he saw everyone looking at him, he obediently ate his glutinous rice balls.

Li Zichun sang with a smile and clapping the rhythm:

Selling glutinous rice balls.

The waiter's glutinous rice balls are round and round.

A bowl of soup, perfectly round and full. Three cents for a bowl!

Tangyuan (sweet rice balls), selling tangyuan. Tangyuan can be eaten as a meal.

Hey~ Hey yo

Tangyuan, Tangyuan, selling Tangyuan

Glutinous rice balls can be eaten as a meal.

Selling glutinous rice balls.

The waiter's glutinous rice balls are round and round.

A bowl of soup, perfectly round and full.

Three cents for a bowl

Tangyuan (sweet rice balls) for sale. Fair trade, returns and exchanges accepted.

Hey~ Hey yo, Tangyuan, Tangyuan for sale!

Fair trade includes returns and exchanges.

Selling glutinous rice balls! Selling glutinous rice balls! The waiter's glutinous rice balls are round and perfect!

Come buy some tangyuan (sweet rice balls) if you want some! Eating tangyuan brings good fortune and family reunion.

Tangyuan, tangyuan, selling tangyuan! If you're even a step too slow, they might all be sold out!

Hey~ Hey yo

Tangyuan, Tangyuan, selling Tangyuan

If we're a step too slow, they might sell out.

If we're a step too slow, we might sell out of glutinous rice balls.

The song "Selling Tangyuan" has been covered by countless singers on various occasions. Because of the song's connection with the Lantern Festival, every Chinese person can experience the festive emotions of joy, reunion, humor, and wit in the song every Lantern Festival.

PS: Data is from the internet.

"Boiled Fish" is a song performed by singer Wang Rong, with lyrics by Wang Rong and music by Wang Rong and Lao Mao. It comes from the album "More Love" and was released on June 3, 2005.

"Selling Tangyuan" is a Taiwanese folk song with lyrics by Yao Min, a prominent 20th-century Chinese lyricist and composer, and music by Di Yi (Chen Dieyi). It was first sung by Fang Jingyin and was featured in the 1957 film "The Village of Peach Blossoms in the Storm." It is included in the album "EMI China Era Songs 19: Fang Jingyin Selling Tangyuan." Because of its festive atmosphere and lively delivery, the song has remained popular to this day.