Chapter 231: Yu Wei’s Little Scheme
As expected, much better…
Through the glasses, Qi Luo An could clearly see everyone’s faces in the audience, and she felt that their scrutinizing gazes were blocked outside.
This idea was somewhat self-deceptive, but it effectively relieved her tension. This layer of glass seemed to shield external doubts, making her feel very reassured.
Or perhaps it was just because these glasses had been worn by Yu Wei, giving her a subtle encouragement.
In any case, Qi Luo An’s state was far better than she had imagined. Being able to perform a song together with the two of them didn’t seem like something to be nervous about.
The three-person positioning was very simple, so simple that it seemed like they hadn’t rehearsed, but anyone with eyes could feel that they came prepared.
Yu Wei’s posture was clearly that of accompaniment, so this was a song with a double female voice chorus?
Performing a chorus song at this critical moment, right? What does it mean?
The others in the audience weren’t fools either; they instinctively looked toward Lu Li. Today, the only one who won an award with a chorus work seemed to be her.
Lu Li was unusually calm. Whatever moves you have, just use them. She wasn’t scared easily.
This song’s stage had no rehearsal at all, so there were no lights or sound effects. As accompaniment, Yu Wei started first.
For the intro part, he chose simple yet spacious chords.
His left hand gently laid out in the low note area, like the tranquility before a butterfly breaking out of the cocoon, while his right hand added some decorative notes and improvised arpeggios, instantly giving the melody a three-dimensional and fluid sense.
Yu Wei’s piano technique had been on the international stage, so naturally no one would question it. Everyone listened extra attentively.
The piano sound echoed in the inner area, like fine raindrops falling on the lake surface. At this moment, Shen Yutong’s ethereal voice came from the left side of the stage.
“Love until the heart shatters, don’t blame anyone
Just because the encounter was too beautiful
Even if tears run dry and hurt to the bottom
Heart turns to ash, it doesn’t matter.”
Her sense of music was very good. Even without rehearsal, she perfectly captured the entry timing, following along precisely.
The clear and transparent timbre was like a spring in the mountains, instantly earning unanimous recognition from the audience below the stage almost the moment she opened her mouth.
Shen Yutong handled every word and phrase with extreme delicacy. Her slight breathy technique on the turn of sound for “too beautiful” was exquisite, and the emotional expression was very sincere and moving.
Yu Wei was actually hearing them sing this song for the first time too, and he didn’t expect them to sing it so well. No wonder she wanted to start a group; with full gear, why wait to group up?
Actually, Shen Yutong was also realizing belatedly how well she had handled it. Usually, her singing method during practice was very conservative.
Today, she not only made bold choices but also sang in a similarly bold singing method. In a sense, she had burst her limits.
She didn’t have time to think and continued singing along with Yu Wei’s melody. Everyone was attracted by her singing skill, and the site was pin-drop silent.
As a newcomer singer in her early twenties, Shen Yutong’s strength had already surpassed many people on site. Talent does exist, and she put her heart into it.
In an impetuous environment, being willing to settle down and focus on music was her most precious quality.
“She didn’t win the major award?”
“Even the nomination is this top-notch; the award winner must be insanely strong. I dare not imagine.”
“Awkward smear. It’s just Sis Li’s level from two years ago, though she’s been regressing.”
The audience could still tell good from bad. Yu Wei’s accompaniment was exquisite, but compared to a regular performance’s band accompaniment, it wasn’t rich enough after all; he only had one piano.
But precisely because of that, it highlighted the singer’s singing skill. Shen Yutong’s performance was tantamount to showing off skills, even with a bit of a provocative tone.
Lu Li below the stage pursed her lips; her specific thoughts weren’t apparent.
However, the better Shen Yutong sang, the more Yu Wei worried about the next part. Qi Luo An would have a hard time following…
She showed off her singing skill, but what about the half-baked one? How to handle it? The two verses of this song were the same, easily creating a before-and-after contrast.
Don’t end up failing to defeat the opponent and instead collapsing your own teammate.
Yu Wei was still kind-hearted. The piano accompaniment quietly changed; his left hand used a 1535 rhythm pattern, preemptively setting the tone for Qi Luo An’s entry.
Although there was no eye contact, Qi Luo An heard the small breathing space pause that Yu Wei left. She didn’t hesitate at all and instantly followed along.
Her timbre was completely different from Shen Yutong’s, carrying strength and resilience. It was stunning at first listen, but after a few lines, it still fell short.
It wasn’t that she sang poorly, but the former sang too well. In comparison, Qi Luo An’s technique was indeed lacking.
How could eight years of neglect be caught up in one day?
Yu Wei almost subconsciously sped up his hand movements. His left hand used broken chords to support the voice, while his right hand occasionally added short corresponding melodies, forming a dialogue with Qi Luo An’s singing.
Last time playing Castle in the Sky, Yu Wei’s hand utilization was very high, which many industry big shots below the stage had specifically studied. Unexpectedly, they got to see it again today.
Is this kid a bit partial? Just now it was just meticulous accompaniment, but in the second verse, he’s not even pretending, as if afraid others wouldn’t notice…
Learn Teacher Yu Wei’s little clever tricks!
Is making the best use of strengths and weaknesses called partiality?
Yu Wei had words to say: Shen Yutong’s singing skill is strong, so good groundwork is enough; Qi Luo An’s singing skill is a bit weaker, so special treatment for special cases is normal, right?
The accompaniment difference between the two verses was too obvious; even the audience could hear it. This “her” was indeed different.
This wasn’t a method either. Yu Wei still hoped Qi Luo An could sing well. Although she didn’t eat from the entertainment industry bowl, since she was on stage, singing better would surely be more satisfying.
Calling a random passerby to play professionally, he’d definitely hope to show off, even if just for a souvenir; it wouldn’t be a wasted trip.
After entering the chorus part, the piano arrangement became richer. Yu Wei used continuous arpeggios pushing from the low note area to the high note area, creating a sense of breakout of the cocoon and become a butterfly.
Qi Luo An steadily followed along. There were no highlights, but indeed no mistakes either—this was already quite good for her.
She steadied her mind, recalling the two lines she liked most in this part, the part Yu Wei had sung to her over the phone…
“I fly to you, rain gently falls
Like your embrace surrounding me
I fly to you, no matter how far, never tired
Though the journey had pain and tears.”
The instantly soaring singing made even Yu Wei pause. Qi Luo An’s range advantage was showcased, with an obviously thick and powerful bass full of strength. Nearby Shen Yutong unconsciously tilted her head.
Although she didn’t understand the situation, this song was exactly missing this.
The audience was somewhat moved by this performance segment, unconsciously holding their breath, witnessing the moment of the butterfly breaking out of the cocoon.
The butterfly lightly flapped its wings and danced gracefully. Yu Wei’s piano sound was like raindrops firmly landing, perfectly interpreting the song’s artistic conception.
Just like countless rehearsals, Shen Yutong’s voice smoothly cut in. The two voices met for the first time and perfectly blended.
Before the audience could recover from this surprise, Yu Wei’s hands unfolded on the piano keys. Pillar chords surged out like a flood. From now on, it was the real three-person stage.
The interaction between the two female voices showed astonishing tacit understanding at this moment.
Shen Yutong continued her soft and gentle singing style, handling the “butterfly” in “breakout of the cocoon and become a butterfly” ethereally and prolonged.
While Qi Luo An took over “wish to fly double with you” with a more impactful voice, showcasing her range advantage and emotional color on the “fly.”
Strongly contrasting yet harmoniously unified—this was the immediate reaction of the on-site musicians. This song wouldn’t fit anyone else so well.
Yu Wei’s accompaniment was the finishing touch. His wrists were relaxed and flexible, maintaining clarity and graininess for each note even in fast note groups.
Especially in the accompaniment passage for “breakout of the cocoon and become a butterfly, wish to fly double with you,” he even added slight dissonant notes.
Creating tension, then cleverly resolving it, perfectly matching the song’s core while increasing the performance’s richness. The old musician in the first row nodded repeatedly.
This kid has a master’s flair in arrangement. Many arrangers always aim for perfection, not knowing that flaws can also boost the work.
“Shocked, this is what chorus is.”
“This trio’s compatibility feels like they could make even a children’s song take off (no offense to children’s songs).”
“Singing fierce, playing fierce, all maxed out.”
Bullet comments praised extravagantly, but the song had just reached the final sublimation part. The piano intro reappeared, but this time rearranged with richer harmony.
Before transitioning to the final chorus, Yu Wei inserted a short cadenza, with fast and even scalar runs and large chord leaps.
“I chase to you, wind gently blows
As long as you have no regrets, neither do I
Love is so beautiful, my heart is intoxicated
The feeling of being loved.”
Shen Yutong’s timbre kept rising, like a butterfly striving to fly toward the sky, while Qi Luo An showcased her talent, with sustained high notes like a butterfly breaking through the clouds.
Shen Yutong and Qi Luo An’s voices perfectly blended yet each had distinct characteristics at this moment, intertwining and rising with great layering.
One was lingering and plaintive, tender and heartbreaking, portraying love’s softness and entanglement; the other had a clear and independent sense of self, maintaining strength even in total devotion.
Yu Wei’s love songs always seemed to have a little clever twist, completely without that petty feel.
The cleverness in arrangement was shown to the fullest in the coda.
When the song finally reached the ending line “though the journey had pain and tears,” Yu Wei didn’t end with strong chords as usual but chose a gradual fade.
The space between notes grew larger and larger, finally leaving only a single note vibrating in the air. The singing also gradually weakened, as if the butterfly slowly flew into the distance.
This handling was too ingenious. Li Bing Wen in the first row listened with a flushed face, feeling much younger.
At their age, material desires were mostly gone; only spiritual resonance could excite a waning heart.
The young are formidable…
The instant the music ended, the three simultaneously looked up. Their gazes met in the air. Without words, their smiles said it all.
At this moment, the perfect fusion of piano and dual voices reached its peak.
It was as if in these short few minutes, they not only performed a song but told a moving story about love’s growth and transcendence.
Every audience member seemed to see those two rain butterflies entangling and dancing in the piano’s rain curtain, finally breaking through the clouds to see the sun, flying toward their sky.
Normally, they should exit directly after the performance, but the host who suddenly came on stage hurriedly stopped them and politely asked the song’s name.
The organizer was overjoyed at this moment. The popularity of a new song premiere could stuff them full…
“Rain Butterfly.” Shen Yutong looked toward Yu Wei. “It’s this person’s new song.”
