Chapter 56: A Song of Farewell, Silence Falls Over the Audience
This eight-into-six competition was decided over two rounds.
As soon as Shen Qing arrived in Changsha on the first day, he had already decided on 《 Farewell 》, and another song, similar in style and equally touching—《 Father’s Prose Poem 》.
However, Shen Qing was also hesitating whether to choose this song or not.
…
Zhang Liangying’s father passed away when she was 15 years old. She had deep feelings for her father and could never forget him.
If Shen Qing gave 《 Father’s Prose Poem 》 to her, how would she react?
It would likely be intense.
She might break down in tears or burst into loud sobs…
“Let’s go with that one.”
“Singing it early or late, it’s still singing, but singing it later might not have the same stage effect as on the Super Girl stage.”
“Performing on this stage will allow audiences nationwide to see that Zhang Liangying is a filial daughter who wrote a song for her father.”
…
August 3rd.
In the evening, Shen Qing went to pick up Zhang Liangying from class.
Ye Yiqian and Ji Minjia were walking with Zhang Liangying. Upon seeing Shen Qing, they greeted him and left first.
“Hehe, why are you picking me up tonight?”
“I was bored.”
“Hmph, you miss me but won’t admit it?”
“…”
Still smiling!
I’ll make you cry later~
Shen Qing handed her a piece of paper, then got on his bicycle, with Liangying sitting behind him, hugging him.
Two people on one bike, weaving through the streets of Changsha.
The boy riding the bike had his hair fluttering in the wind; the girl sitting behind him was weeping uncontrollably…
This scene looked like a young couple having a spat.
Gradually~
Zhang Liangying wrapped her arms around Shen Qing’s waist, her face pressed against his back, and murmured, “Qing, thank you for writing a song for my dad. Dad must like it…”
《 Father’s Prose Poem 》 and 《 Farewell 》 possess the same magic; they can both stir your soul. The former makes you miss your father, while the latter makes you contemplate friendship and life.
Both are rare songs.
Of course, singing them well requires a lot of practice.
The next day, at five in the morning, Shen Qing took Zhang Liangying to a nearby park to practice singing.
Neither song requires extensive vocal technique. Simply singing the lyrics and melody completely can achieve an unexpected effect.
If…
the performer imbues their voice with emotion, it will undoubtedly be very moving.
When singing 《 Farewell 》, Zhang Liangying still needed Shen Qing’s guidance, as she couldn’t quite grasp what kind of emotion to convey the lyrical mood.
However, when Liangying sang 《 Father’s Prose Poem 》, she didn’t need much guidance from Shen Qing. All he could hear was a continuous stream of emotion—Zhang Liangying’s longing for her father.
…
August 5th.
Competition day.
Song Ke from Taihe Rye Music arrived in Changsha.
“They truly are a perfect couple; I was right to believe in them. I hope we have a pleasant collaboration.” Song Ke said at the dinner.
“Mr. Song, you flatter us. A pleasant collaboration,” Shen Qing replied.
Song Ke: “Don’t worry about the contract. Even if negotiations fail, we can just pay the breach of contract fee. This amount is insignificant compared to your talent.”
Rich people certainly talk differently…
Millions aren’t money to them, right?
He continued, “The competition ends at the end of this month. How about going to Beijing next month? I’ve prepared a two-bedroom apartment within the Third Ring Road for you, and I’ve also arranged for teachers from the Central Conservatory of Music and Beijing Dance Academy for Liangying. Your first album will be produced by Zhang Yadong…”
Song Ke listed seven or eight benefits, which deeply moved Zhang Liangying. “Am I really that outstanding? Or is it because of Shen Qing?”
Shen Qing couldn’t think of any reason to refuse such terms.
The two reached a preliminary agreement for cooperation.
However, whether the cooperation could proceed smoothly ultimately depended on passing Tianyu’s hurdle.
If Tianyu refused to cooperate, they would have to summon the ‘Zhejiang University Legal Affairs Team’ and confront them head-on.
After the meal, Shen Qing and Liangying saw Song Ke off in his classmate’s luxurious Mercedes-Benz, and then they headed to Mango TV.
…
At six in the evening, Zhang Liangying, after much thought, called her mother, Zhang Guiying.
Upon hearing that Zhang Guiying was playing Mahjong in the card room, Zhang Liangying breathed a sigh of relief and instructed, “Mom, play for a while longer. It’s rare for you to play Mahjong.”
Zhang Guiying smiled and said, “Of course. No one is going home until eleven tonight.”
Zhang Liangying: “That’s good, that’s good…”
If she didn’t go home, she wouldn’t have to watch her competition, and thus wouldn’t see her sing 《 Father’s Prose Poem 》.
That’s great.
Mother won’t cry.
After winning a round, Zhang Guiying pressed the remote control, turned on the television, and tuned it to Mango TV. “I’ll turn on the TV first. No matter how fun Mahjong is, I can’t miss my daughter’s competition…”
Time flew by until 8:20 PM.
The weekly moment of excitement arrived once again.
The audience in front of their televisions had already set up their small stools, prepared watermelons, seeds, peanuts, and drinks, quietly waiting for the live broadcast to begin.
Over the past two months, many people had developed the habit of watching the competition weekly. As the Super Girl competition neared its end, they felt increasingly reluctant to see it go.
“Tonight, the Top 6 will be decided, followed by the Top 5, Top 3, and the Finals. Ahhh… Is it ending so soon? I haven’t had enough!”
“I hope it lasts another two months so I can watch to my heart’s content.”
“I feel empty after watching the competition every time.”
“Although the competition is exciting, the Super Girls aren’t having a happy time. Tianyu’s contract is too harsh. I hope the Super Girls can successfully terminate their contracts after the competition and find companies that suit them well.”
“Support their contract termination!!!”
“Liangying for champion!”
“Li Yuchun for champion!”
“…”
Countless viewers were sharing their opinions with friends.
So many people were waiting for the moment the live broadcast began.
…
Mango TV’s Studio No. 1, which could accommodate nearly a thousand spectators.
This was the treatment for being close to the Finals.
The cheers inside the studio resounded to the ceiling, with fans of each Super Girl cheering joyfully.
At this moment.
Hosts Wang Han and Li Xiang took the stage, beginning with their usual introduction.
“First, we’d like to introduce the renowned musician, Teacher Hei Nan.”
“And another is the famous program host and singer, Teacher He Jiong. His latest single is about to be released.”
“Finally, we have our gentle and elegant television producer, Teacher Xia Qing.”
There were quite a few changes to tonight’s program.
Not only were the judges changed, but the competition’s pace was also altered. The opening performance segment was canceled, and the first round of singing began directly.
The purpose of this was to shorten the program’s duration.
The General Administration had notified Mango TV a few days prior, requiring each live broadcast not to exceed 2 hours. Mango TV had to make adjustments.
Executive Director: “Contestant No. 01, Ye Yiqian, will perform the song 《 Do You Know 》.”
This song was the ending theme for the 2004 movie 《 The World of the Crows 》, originally sung by Liu Ruoyin.
…
Since each person’s performance time was not long, it soon came to contestant No. 06, Zhang Liangying.
The fans enthusiastically cheered her name.
However, without the presence of Chen Liang and a few other male students from Zhejiang University, their support felt weaker than Li Yuchun’s fans.
Executive Director: “Contestant No. 06, Zhang Liangying, will perform the song 《 Farewell 》.”
“Farewell? Another new song?”
“She’s so strong, having a new song in every round of the Finals.”
“Let’s see how good it is.”
“It might not be a new song. I heard a song called 《 Farewell 》 before, let’s listen first…”
The piano music began…
“Outside the long pavilion, by the ancient road, green grass stretches to the horizon.”
“The evening breeze rustles the willow, the flute’s melody fades, the sun sets beyond the mountains.”
“At the ends of the earth, among friends, half have passed away.”
“A pot of turbid wine, all joy is gone, tonight’s farewell dream is cold.”
“Threads of emotion, a cup of wine, the sound of the parting flute urges.”
“May I ask when you will return from this journey? Do not linger upon your arrival.”
“…”
Zhang Liangying’s soft, full, and emotionally rich, gentle singing voice filled every corner of the studio.
As she sang each line, the originally noisy hall gradually quieted down. Even the accompaniment softened, leaving only Liangying’s voice.
The reaction to Farewell was too strong.
Pu Shu once said in the media: “I love that song so much. If I had written 《 Farewell 》, I would have been willing to die on the spot.”
Pu Shu’s statement fully demonstrates the excellence of the song 《 Farewell 》.
If sung by a powerful vocalist, it would undoubtedly have an unexpected effect.
And Zhang Liangying is such a powerful vocalist.
Coupled with the influence of 《 Father’s Prose Poem 》, as Zhang Liangying sang, she thought of her father. Her voice was filled with indescribable complex emotions, making it impossible to bear interrupting her singing.
