yournovel Chapter 416 is truly invaluable.
Chapter 416 is truly invaluable.
Chapter 416 is truly invaluable.
As Yu Huan listened to Liang Qiaobo's words of reflection, her grip on the steering wheel tightened involuntarily, a complex mix of emotions surging within her.
This veteran musician, who has been deeply involved in the Chinese music scene since the 1980s, has never stopped his efforts, no matter how the Chinese music market has changed. He is purely passionate about music and has his own pursuits.
In terms of seniority, he has witnessed the changes of the times and created countless classic works. In terms of age, he is several generations older than Yu Huan.
However, Liang Qiaobo, who was sitting in the passenger seat at this moment, showed no trace of arrogance or haughtiness, nor any affected mannerisms.
He recounted those past years slowly and calmly, without any attempt to embellish or elevate himself. It was more like he was sharing with a friend the hardships and regrets he had experienced on his journey to pursue his dreams.
Many people who achieve even a little success put on airs and try to use their past glories as a golden signboard, acting arrogantly and condescendingly.
But Leung Kiu-po's humility is truly worthy of respect.
The streets were bustling with traffic and neon lights were flashing.
Yu Huan focused intently on the steering wheel, slowly turning right and smoothly merging into the surging flow of traffic.
At the same time, his words were full of sincere admiration. He said sincerely, "Teacher Liang, in your era, conditions in all aspects were relatively scarce. It is truly commendable and difficult that you were able to uphold your original passion for music and persist in creating original works despite all kinds of difficulties and pressures under such circumstances."
Liang Qiaobo nodded slightly.
My gaze drifted through the car window to the street, its surface bathed in a dim, yellowish glow from the streetlights.
A hint of emotion and wistfulness flickered in his eyes as he slowly spoke:
“Times have changed. Music has become more and more diverse in its forms of expression, and listeners have more and more diverse tastes. Young musicians have more creative space and more resources to support them. Take the song ‘The Wind on the Way Home’ for example. It combines rock, string quartet, and electronic sounds, and even incorporates rap elements. Such a groundbreaking and bold attempt would have been unimaginable in the past.”
In the past, with very limited distribution channels, record companies were indeed quite conservative in their approach to more avant-garde music.
However, nowadays, thanks to the internet, independent musicians can record songs in cramped rooms with just a guitar and a simple recording device. After uploading them online, they may win likes and shares from netizens because of a catchy chorus or a poignant lyric, and their popularity explodes overnight, turning them from unknown to famous.
Even the most avant-garde works can find their own niche if they are good enough.
After a moment's thought, Yu Huan nodded with deep feeling: "Teacher Liang, you're right. In this day and age, more niche music styles have indeed had the opportunity to be heard."
Although Lin Yourong sat quietly in the back seat without saying a word after getting into the car.
But he could almost smell her delicate scent, and the image of her clear, watery eyes involuntarily surfaced in his mind.
Yu Huan continued with a relaxed tone and a bright smile, "I have to thank Lin Su for this. I'm grateful for her favor and for using the song I wrote without hesitation from the very beginning—and for her support."
Although the songs that Yu Huan unearthed had all been tested by the music market.
But Lin Yourong did trust him very much, and she listened to all his suggestions and carried them out without any objection.
As soon as she finished speaking, Yu Huan felt the back of her seat being gently pushed twice.
Immediately afterward, Lin Yourong's soft, slightly reproachful voice came from behind: "Why are you thanking me..."
However, the voice sounded a bit tense and dry, with a slight tremor at the end, perhaps due to a sore throat.
Yu Huan quickly said with concern, "Your voice is so hoarse, don't force yourself to speak, just rest."
Liang Qiaobo overheard their back-and-forth conversation, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up, revealing a knowing smile.
An overwhelming drowsiness rushed into Liang Qiaobo's mind, causing him to yawn, cross his arms, lean back in his seat, and slowly close his eyes.
Upon seeing this, Yu Huan slowed down without hesitation.
With my right foot firmly on the accelerator pedal, I applied pressure gently, keeping the car speed within a just-right range—neither too fast nor too slow, smooth and leisurely.
The car's heater was blowing hot air, making everyone feel warm and cozy.
Liang Qiaobo closed his eyes for a moment to rest and gather his energy for the rest of the journey, until the car body trembled slightly and then the engine came to an abrupt stop.
Suddenly, Yu Huan called softly from the side, "Teacher Liang, we've arrived."
Liang Qiaobo slowly opened his eyes, his gaze still slightly sleepy.
He raised his hand and rubbed his eyes, as if trying to dispel the last trace of drowsiness, then turned his gaze to the outside of the car window.
Upon entering, an antique-style gatehouse comes into view, with vermilion lanterns hanging high on both sides of the eaves, casting a warm glow.
“This place is great!” Leung Kiu-po looked away, speaking in Cantonese as he unbuckled his seatbelt.
"That's right, this restaurant was carefully selected by Sister Ru."
Yu Huan put on her mask, took out her car keys, and got out of the car first.
He quickly walked around to the passenger side and thoughtfully opened the car door for Liang Qiaobo and his wife.
The cold wind, like a wild horse, roared and surged in, carrying a biting chill.
Yu Huan instinctively shrank his neck, feeling a layer of small goosebumps on his neck, but still used his body to slightly block the wind vent to prevent the cold wind from blowing directly into the car and blowing on his wife.
Liang Qiaobo then got out of the car, wrapped his coat tighter, and looked up at the simple and elegant door curtain not far away.
The potted green plants at the entrance rustled in the wind, yet they added a touch of vitality.
He slightly opened his mouth and yawned, still feeling sleepy like a spider's web, then turned his head to look at the riverside scenic belt.
Looking at it from today's perspective, the sculpture of the great man in his youth appears even more solemn and dignified under the careful lighting.
"Are Ji Yan and the others still behind?" Liang Qiaobo asked, turning his gaze away.
Lin Yourong closed the car door behind her.
Since she had just called Xing Yujia from the car to ask, she replied softly, "Teacher Liang, we can go in and wait a little while; they'll be here soon."
"Okay." Liang Qiaobo nodded slightly, his expression calm.
The three of them stepped into the restaurant through the revolving door, as if entering another warm world.
The biting cold wind was firmly kept out of the door, while the warmth, carrying the rich and mellow aroma of the dishes, enveloped the body like silk threads.
The young couple did not act coy or try to avoid suspicion; their intimacy was simply revealed naturally.
Yu Huan habitually took Lin Yourong's hand, gently tucked it into his pocket, felt the slight coolness in his palm, and turned to look at her.
Her eyes, visible between the brim of her hat and her mask, were slightly red, and she also showed signs of exhaustion.
Yu Huan couldn't help but ask with concern, "How does your throat feel now? Does the wind make it even worse?"
A hint of warmth flashed in Lin Yourong's eyes as she gently said, "I'm much better. My throat doesn't hurt anymore, so don't worry about me."
As she spoke, she gently squeezed Yu Huan's large hand.
Yu Huan listened intently to her voice, and the previous dryness and hoarseness had indeed faded considerably, replaced by a clear and gentle quality.
His worries eased slightly, and he quietly loosened his grip on Lin Yourong's hand.
"Relax~" Lin Yourong said lightly, feeling the warmth he was giving her. Though she said this aloud, she secretly thought to herself, "This idiot, doesn't he know that her voice is a little off because she's so touched?"
Liang Qiaobo stood to the side, his gaze carrying a hint of elder's smile as he watched the young couple's interaction.
The three had barely stood still inside the door when a young lady in a cheongsam came to greet them with light steps.
She wore a professional, enthusiastic smile and spoke with a soft, local accent: "Welcome! How many of you are here? Do you have a reservation?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Huan politely replied, "My friend has reserved a private room and will be here shortly. We'll wait here for a while."
The hostess smiled and replied crisply, "Okay, please let me know if you need anything."
"Okay." Yu Huan nodded.
The young woman turned and went back to the reception desk on the other side of the entrance, but her gaze seemed to linger on the three people.
Especially when the focus fell on Liang Qiaobo, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.
Why did she feel that this middle-aged man with black-rimmed glasses looked so familiar?
Then look at the two outstanding young men and women next to them. They are clearly a couple. They are both wearing masks, covering most of their faces. The girl's hat brim is pulled down very low, and she looks very mysterious...
Just as I was filled with doubt and pondering to myself, the revolving door opened automatically, and a group of people walked in amidst laughter and cheerful chatter.
As soon as Sister Ru entered, she waved to Yu Huan and the others who had arrived earlier and greeted them with a "Hi".
He then smiled at her in a natural and generous manner and said, "Little beauty, my surname is Wang. I've reserved a private room here today, it's called the Auspicious Hall."
Upon hearing this, the young woman immediately cleared her mind of all distractions.
The 'Auspicious Hall' is the best private room here, with an excellent view of the river, and it is not open to the general public.
Normally, only very important guests can book this private room.
She immediately responded enthusiastically, "Hello, Ms. Wang, please follow me."
talking.
She then turned slightly to the side and gracefully made a 'please' gesture, leading everyone to take the elevator to the third floor.
After escorting all the distinguished guests to their private rooms, the young lady returned to the reception desk.
She said to another greeter who had just returned from greeting guests, "Hey, I just took a group of guests to the Auspicious Hall. Several people inside were wearing masks, especially a middle-aged man with glasses. He looked very familiar to me, but I couldn't quite place where I had seen him before."
Upon hearing her words, the other person frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and then laughed, "We're not going to have any celebrities come to our store, are we?"
"I don't know," the young woman shook her head.
"Didn't you observe it more carefully?"
"Once they're in the private room, I can't just keep staring at them!"
As the two were talking, the revolving door suddenly started moving again.
A woman wearing a black leather coat stepped in, her hair styled in loose, wavy curls, and the heels of her tall leather boots made a crisp, clean tapping sound as they hit the ground.
The young woman glanced at the other person, who was wearing a mask and even had a pair of light brown sunglasses perched on their nose...
I couldn't help but wonder if this person was also a guest of the auspicious hall?
Thinking this, the guest approached gracefully.
The young woman quickly gathered her thoughts and put on a formulaic, enthusiastic smile again.
She was just about to greet them when she heard a guest's question coming from under his mask: "Excuse me, how do I get to the Jixiang Hall?"
You guessed it right!
The young lady quickly bowed slightly and politely replied, "Hello, the Auspicious Hall is on the third floor. I'll take you there right away."
As she spoke, she turned to the side and raised her hand, gracefully guiding the conversation, her eyes and brows full of respect.
The two entered the elevator, the small space filled with the faint scent of the woman's perfume.
The hostess pressed the button for the third floor, glancing furtively at the woman.
She leaned against the wall of the sedan chair, tilted her head back slightly, and closed her eyes to rest. Her glasses behind her sunglasses were not clearly visible, but the unique aura she exuded clearly carried a coldness that kept people at a distance.
This made the young lady dare not say anything more, and she could only stand obediently to the side, feeling a strange sense of nervousness in her heart.
In a short while, the elevator arrived at the third floor, and a crisp "ding" broke the silence.
The hostess led the woman to the entrance of the auspicious hall and knocked on the door.
A few breaths later, as she slowly pushed the door open, soft light and cheerful laughter poured out.
She heard a "thank you" from her ear, and the woman stepped past her, walking lightly into the room.
The hostess quickly turned her gaze to the private room and looked it over.
The middle-aged man with black-rimmed glasses was sitting facing the door. When he saw the person who came in, he greeted her in a casual tone, "Wenjie, you've arrived."
The thick Cantonese-accented Mandarin stood out vividly amidst the cacophony of conversation.
The hostess was struck dumb, as if by a bolt from the blue. She instantly realized that this person must be the music director from the show "I Am a Singer"!
After all, every singer bowed to him to thank him after their performance, so it was impossible for her not to remember him.
Her eyes widened in surprise, and a surge of inexplicable joy welled up inside her.
It turned out to be him!
No wonder he looked so familiar, he really is a big star!
and--
'Wenjie?'
OMG!
The young woman thought about the woman who came later...
That signature voluminous wavy hairstyle definitely belongs to Shang Wenjie!
She suppressed her excitement, but still tried to maintain a formulaic smile on her face, and gently closed the door of the private room.
She walked briskly on the soft carpet and took the elevator back to the reception desk.
He couldn't wait to say to the other greeter, "Oh my, I remember now! That middle-aged man with glasses is Liang Qiaobo, the one from the 'I Am a Singer' program. No wonder he looked so familiar! And the woman I just took to the Auspicious Hall is actually Shang Wenjie!"
Another greeter looked surprised upon hearing this: "Really?"
(End of this chapter)