r18novel Chapter 3 Original Ethnic Song "The Story of Spring"
Chapter 3 Original Ethnic Song "The Story of Spring"
"Beep...beep..."
After a few rings, the call was finally answered.
"Hello, Mom. It's me, Xiaoye."
Zhang shouted happily.
The highly recognizable voice of Teacher Li Guyi came from the other end of the receiver: "Xiao Ye? Why are you calling at this hour? Why do you sound so anxious? Are you coming over for lunch? Mom made some winter melon and pork rib soup; it's hot today, so it'll help you cool down."
"Mom, I won't go to dinner." Zhang felt a warmth in her heart, but was immediately pulled back to reality by business. "I have to get back to school right away. There's something urgent I need your help with."
That neighbor lady, Zhang Ye, was actually acting coquettishly.
"Oh? What's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry? Tell Mom."
Zhang swallowed hard, organizing his thoughts: "Aren't you a judge for the folk singing category of this year's CCTV Young Singers Competition? I'd like to ask you for a favor, to get the organizing committee and the band to make an exception and change the song for the contestant. It's for tonight's semi-final, the first contestant in the folk singing category, Lin Hanjiang."
There was a brief silence on the other end of the phone, a silence that made Zhang Ye's heart leap into his throat.
"Sigh! You're really giving me a hard time. You go to the CCTV building yourself, and I'll call and tell them."
Li Guyi couldn't resist Zhang Ye's coquettishness.
I've watched this child grow up since he was a baby; he's even more precious than a biological mother.
"Thank you, Mom! Thank you, Mom! You're the best. I'll go right now."
Zhang thanked him repeatedly, and before Li Gu could give him any further instructions, he gently put the receiver down and hung up with a soft "click".
The afternoon sun slanted through the dirty glass of the phone booth.
Across the street, the loudspeaker of the grocery store was playing Yang Yuying's sickeningly sweet "I Don't Want to Say".
She took out a neatly folded piece of paper from her canvas bag and checked it again.
The note unfolded, revealing Lin Hanjiang's slightly messy handwriting.
Title: Song name.
Below is his handwritten sheet music and his suggested orchestration.
With an orchestral base, a piano leading the way, and a few folk instruments as embellishments, preferably flutes or xiao, the piece highlights a contemporary feel that emphasizes both grandeur and lyricism.
The names Lin Hanjiang are clearly written after both the lyrics and music composition sections.
Original folk songs.
Zhang hummed a few words softly, almost swearing.
"Once Hanjiang finishes singing, you must buy the copyright so I can sing it."
……
Evening had not yet completely dissipated the heat of Kyoto.
The backstage area of CCTV's studio building was already brightly lit and bustling with noise, filled with the tension and excitement before the competition.
Under Zhang Ye's escort, Lin Hanjiang finally made it backstage before the show started.
Zhang also spent the entire afternoon practicing the new song with Lin Hanjiang.
She didn't even tell the teacher, just said that Lin Hanjiang would definitely prepare well for the competition.
Making it to the finals is no problem.
Zhang now understood why the teacher said Lin Hanjiang's talent was no less than hers.
If this original song comes out, it's no problem for them to win first place in the finals.
His order of participation was temporarily adjusted to the last in the folk singing category, obviously due to a chain reaction caused by the song change, which required the band to have more time to familiarize themselves with the new score.
This subtle change has made him, an originally unremarkable player, attract the attention of some people with ulterior motives.
The singers in the professional group are not all from professional music academies.
There are also singers who make a living by singing, such as vocal performers in art troupes, vocal instructors in cultural centers, and vocal teachers in colleges and universities.
It was just a change of singing positions; a few people whispered a few words about it, but nothing more.
The backstage aisle wasn't very spacious and was crowded with contestants about to go on stage and busy staff.
Lin Hanjiang stood quietly in the corner, wearing the performance outfit that Zhang Ye had ironed for him—an ordinary white shirt and black trousers.
But my gaze was involuntarily drawn to the area on the other side.
That was the waiting area for popular singing contestants.
It's clearly more "star-studded" there, or rather, more in line with current trends.
He saw Sun Hao, the singer who sparked a refreshing folk music trend with "Chinese Folk Songs," who was holding a guitar and humming softly, looking relaxed.
Beside her was Han Hong, who looked slightly immature but already possessed an undeniable aura. She was only slightly chubby and quite cute, and was resting with her eyes closed.
The song "It's Dawn" had not yet become popular throughout the country at that time.
Not far away is Chen Hong with a sweet smile. Although her song "Come Home Often" will not become popular all over the country for several years, her beautiful image is already attracting a lot of attention at this moment.
Then there's Jiang Tao, a singer known for his masculine and rugged image. His representative work, "The Foolish Old Man Who Moved Mountains," also needs time to mature, but his upright figure stands out in a crowd.
Lin Hanjiang was all too familiar with these faces.
They represent the emerging new force in China's mainland pop music scene, and the vigorous vitality and huge commercial potential of popular singing in this era.
"What are you looking at?"
Zhang Ye's voice rang in my ears.
"Don't get distracted! The band has been working hard to get the score right, and the band members' eyes lit up when they looked at it. They said this piece... has potential. But time is too tight, so we can't guarantee a 100% perfect result. Also, I haven't dared to tell the teachers about your song change yet. If it's a disaster, we're both doomed. You have to make me proud!"
Lin Hanjiang withdrew his gaze and looked at Zhang Ye: "Senior sister, don't worry. I won't let you and the teacher down."
Time slipped away little by little amidst anticipation and torment.
One contestant after another took to the stage, and the melodies of folk songs, some loud and clear, some gentle and beautiful, could be faintly heard through the heavy curtains.
It was accompanied by enthusiastic applause.
Finally, a staff member poked their head in: "Lin Hanjiang, the last member of the folk singing group, is ready to go on stage."
Lin Hanjiang suddenly opened his eyes, the last trace of distracting thoughts in his eyes completely suppressed, leaving only a clear-headed determination.
We must make it to the finals!
He stood up, and Zhang helped him straighten his clothes.
Lin Hanjiang took the handheld microphone handed to him by a staff member; it felt slightly cool to the touch.
"Keep it up," Zhang said with a smile, encouraging him.
On stage, host Liu Lu announced in a warm and enthusiastic voice: "Next, please enjoy a song performed by Lin Hanjiang, a professional singer in the folk singing category..."
Liu Lu paused noticeably, glanced quickly at the card in her hand, and seemed to confirm it.
When I was memorizing it last night, it wasn't this song.
"The Story of Spring!"
A slight commotion immediately arose from the audience.
It wasn't applause, but more like the sound of countless people whispering to each other.
"The Story of Spring? What song is that?"
"Never heard of it?"
"Is it a new song? An original song?"
"Singing a new song now? Or is it the semi-finals?"
"The name is also out of place; it's already the end of May..."
On the judging panel, the expressions of several veteran artists also showed subtle changes.
Li Guyi remained expressionless, only leaning slightly forward, her gaze fixed firmly on Lin Hanjiang, who had already stepped onto the stage.
Her ex-husband Jin Tielin's prized student shouldn't disappoint her, right?