Chapter 75: This is What I Call Being in Form, Come On, Kill the Competition
August 21, 2005.
For the entire day, Shen Qing had been practicing songs with Liangying in the Sichuan Conservatory of Music’s practice room. The two highly paid teachers were very professional, guiding Zhang Liangying through the song again and again.
In terms of technique, Zhang Liangying had already met Shen Qing’s requirements, but she was still lacking in emotional expression.
Take the simplest 《Crazy for Love》, for example. If you can’t sing it to Liu Ruoying’s standard, then don’t choose this song.
Because once it’s sung on a live stage, the audience will compare, and then feel a huge gap.
“What is this? She sings so much worse than Liu Ruoying.”
“It would be better to sing an original song.”
“Yes, with an original song, we have no comparison, but your rendition of Milk Tea’s 《Crazy for Love》 is truly terrible.”
“Although it’s also quite good, there’s still a gap.”
“…”
These comments are bound to appear.
Even if Liangfen doesn’t say anything, Li Yuchun’s and Zhou Bichang’s fans will definitely make a big fuss about it.
Passersby who don’t understand will subconsciously think that Zhang Liangying’s singing is not good.
Only by being better than the original singer.
Or, by singing a different feeling than the original singer, will people give you a thumbs up.
In his past life, Shen Qing thought Jin Zhiwen was the best at cover songs.
Back then.
Jin Zhiwen participated in the first season of The Voice of China and sang this song, which amazed Yingzi, Liu Huan, Harlem Yu, and Yang Kun.
Many viewers were won over by him.
The 《Crazy for Love》 that Shen Qing gave Zhang Liangying is Jin Zhiwen’s version.
Only in this way can she sing with a different flavor than Milk Tea and deeply move all the audience.
…
After practicing for three consecutive days from August 21st to 23rd, Zhang Liangying finally found the feeling for 《Crazy for Love》, but what about the remaining two songs?
There are only 3 days left until the live broadcast.
Zhang Liangying was almost crying with anxiety.
“I’m so stupid.”
“Shen Qing, I’m sorry.”
“Wuwuwu…”
‘The championship might not be mine anymore.’
She cried her heart out in Shen Qing’s arms. Shen Qing hugged her with concern, patting her back.
“It’s okay, relax. Even if you don’t win the championship, you’re still my most loyal First Class Private.”
“Yes, yes, Officer, Liangying will always be your most loyal First Class Private.”
“Good!”
“Officer, I want to sing!”
“It’s already eleven o’clock at night. Go to sleep first, and we’ll talk about it tomorrow morning.”
“…”
The next day.
Shen Qing didn’t rush Zhang Liangying to practice songs.
He borrowed a VCD player from the two teachers and rented some discs from outside. He and Liangying snuggled up in the hotel to watch movies.
There were wuxia masters Hu Jinquan’s 《Heroine》 and 《Dragon Gate Inn》.
There were also revolutionary films like 《The Great Decisive Battle》.
In addition, there were some classic documentaries about history and geography.
These were all rare gems that could help Zhang Liangying find the 【chivalrous spirit】 and 【heroic passion】.
After all, the songs Shen Qing chose were 《Moonlight》 and 《Myriad Lands》. These two songs, though different in style, both required the singer to possess these qualities, otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to convey the right feeling.
For example, why did Li Yugang go to places like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City for inspiration when singing 《Myriad Lands》, and Wang Leehom when singing 《Heaven and Earth Dragon Scales》?
It was to capture that indescribable feeling.
The two of them watched from seven in the morning until three in the afternoon. Zhang Liangying felt that she had a direct understanding of 【chivalrous spirit】 and 【heroic passion】.
However, Shen Qing did not have her continue practicing songs.
Instead, he was intimate with her twice in the hotel room, once from four to five in the afternoon, and again from seven to eight in the evening, for a total of two hours.
Then, they fell asleep before nine o’clock.
They were refreshed the next day.
At a little past six in the morning, Shen Qing took Zhang Liangying by taxi to a mountain near Changsha. They climbed to the summit where they could overlook the entire city of Changsha.
A red sun rose in the east. In the distance, green mountains were like ink, rivers meandered, and mist swirled, presenting a vivid picture of a thousand miles of rivers and mountains. Looking back was the city of Changsha with its towering buildings, and turning around was the magnificent landscape. The emotion in Zhang Liangying’s heart rose and expanded like the red sun.
“Officer, I feel like I’m going to explode!”
“Excellent, First Class Private. Ying! I’ve been waiting for you to say that. I now order you to stand in front of me and sing 《Myriad Lands》 and 《Moonlight》.”
“Yes, Officer, Ying won’t disappoint you!”
This time, Zhang Liangying did not disappoint Shen Qing again. The moment she opened her mouth, she amazed Shen Qing.
“Got it!”
“This is the feeling.”
Shen Qing was overjoyed.
Who understands the joy of this kind of nurturing!!
“The red sun rises in the east,”
“Its great path is full of rosy clouds.”
“How fortunate I am to be born in your embrace,”
“Inheriting a lineage of flowing blood.”
“Sharing hardships, sharing blessings, standing tall with our backs straight.”
“…”
Looking at the magnificent landscape before her, Zhang Liangying sang the songs Shen Qing wrote for her, line by line. Gradually, the indescribable emotion in her heart completely erupted.
“Yes, this is how you sing it!”
“Keep going!”
“Continue…”
Shen Qing silently cheered for her.
And at this moment.
In his heart, there was also an impulse, like the first time he heard 《Myriad Lands》, a tingling sensation.
“No, what’s missing!?”
“Stubborn head, think quickly, something is missing…”
Shen Qing frowned. By the time Zhang Liangying finished singing, he still hadn’t figured out what was missing.
Seeing his expression, Liangying’s heart clenched: “Have I still not met the requirements?”
Suddenly.
Shen Qing snapped his fingers and laughed, “I got it! I knew why it felt off, it was missing the acapella part by the little girl at the beginning!”
Seeing Liangying’s worried expression, Shen Qing grabbed her shoulders and smiled, “You sang wonderfully this time, I’m very satisfied. You can go on stage.”
Zhang Liangying chuckled, stood at attention, and said, “Yes, Officer!”
Shen Qing: “Let’s sing the next song, Moonlight. This one is more difficult and harder to grasp.”
…
August 26, 2005.
Competition day.
Arrived as scheduled.
The whole country was watching the live broadcast tonight.
Mango TV had already quadrupled its advertising fees, yet it was still difficult to secure ad slots. Many manufacturers tried to get in through the back door to air their advertisements.
This shows the popularity of this competition.
From the moment they woke up in the morning, Liangfen, Corn, and Biqin fans from all over the country were inexplicably excited and restless, as if the competition tonight was their own.
Those who had computers at home opened Tieba early to surf the web, and fans without computers rushed to internet cafes early.
It was too difficult to celebrate alone.
They desperately wanted to find like-minded people to discuss tonight’s competition, and only then could their hearts be satisfied.
Around noon, fans could be seen gathered everywhere on the streets of Changsha, holding up signs of their idols and urging passersby to vote for their idols.
It could only be described as madness~
Many years had passed since such a scene was witnessed.
Elderly man: Indeed, I’ve lived long enough to see everything. I don’t understand the world of these young people.
Meanwhile.
Backstage at the studio, Zhang Liangying, Li Yuchun, and Zhou Bichang were chatting and laughing together.
They seemed very close.
But only they knew what was in their hearts.
