Chapter 43
On the evening of the seventh day, there were only a few hours left of the program recording. The group had just barely completed the task of planting ten mu of rice fields, planting them crookedly, with inconsistent spacing, full of perfunctory effort.
It was impossible to exchange the extra farm work for the personal items detained by the program team. Even if Tu Bu didn’t consider the strong demands and complaints from the guests’ fans, and only for the sake of his future directing career, he couldn’t really confiscate those things.
Although he was quite envious of those two watches…
“Cough, cough.”
First, a tactical cough to attract everyone’s attention. Tu Bu then continued,
“It seems you don’t have enough time to finish planting enough fields to get your things back. How about this? I’ll give you another chance to showcase your talents. As long as I’m satisfied, you can exchange for one thing back.”
Qi Zhiyi, who had always been supportive, questioned, “Director Tu, my brother mortgaged four items to you, right? Do we have to exchange for them one by one?”
Tu Bu nodded, “Mm, you have two people, don’t you?”
Zong Mo didn’t quite believe that Ruan Chi’s watch could be exchanged back with just one personal skill. He also said, “Director Tu, we don’t need the pillows and quilts anymore. Why don’t we just do an equivalent exchange?”
“You’ve also consumed a lot of ingredients. Those pillows and quilts are all second-hand now, not worth much,” Tu Bu refused flatly. “Especially you, Zong Mo. Your quilt is the most unclean. We refuse to recycle it.”
Zong Mo: ?
Did he really do something unclean in his dream?
Ruan Chi: …
Hope seemed to appear at just the right time, rubbing against Zong Mo’s leg and letting out a sweet “Woof~”
Zong Mo squatted down and petted the dog’s head, putting the previous interlude behind him.
Qi Zhiyi took the lead, pulling Qi Nanfeng along, and said, “My brother and I will perform a song and dance. Let’s do our debut song. But we haven’t been on stage for many years, so we don’t remember many of the moves…”
Beforehand, both brothers were shy, but the moment they stood in the center of the courtyard, it was as if they were on some world-class stage. Their entire demeanor changed from head to toe, their confidence and charm radiating out for free.
The beat of the song and dance music was strong. Even though it was a song from many years ago, it didn’t seem rustic. It was the first time Zong Mo had heard this hit song from the book world. He listened attentively. Coupled with the smooth and beautiful dance moves, he was unknowingly immersed in it.
Unfortunately, the twins had to perform for the staff and the row of cameras on their side. The other guests could only see their side profiles.
It was the first time in his life he had seen a concert, and at such a close distance. Zong Mo couldn’t help but crane his neck out, trying his best to adjust his viewing angle.
As he watched, a chill ran down his spine, as if an invisible ice pick had pierced him.
Zong Mo: …
He obediently sat back, upright and proper, his eyes straight ahead.
Singing and dancing was extremely physically demanding. The two brothers hadn’t performed in many years. Qi Zhiyi was panting heavily and waved his hand, “A train wreck. Please forgive us. Little Han, why don’t you sing a song and wash everyone’s ears.”
Qi Zhiyi didn’t show any signs of dejection. A smile still hung on his lips. It was clear he was just being self-deprecating.
Zong Mo could guess that the moment he said that, the bullet comments would be full of “Don’t say such things, wuwuwu, mama will always love you,” “My baby is the best,” “In my lifetime, wuwuwu.”
Tsk, mother fans are so good.
The manager had long told Ling Han to show off his voice more often, but he was not a person who was keen on performing, nor was he thick-skinned enough to rush to show off his skills.
Since Qi Zhiyi had specifically called his name, he went along with it, took a few breaths to calm his nerves, and completed the task uncomfortably.
The young man’s voice was clear and clean. A melodious love song flowed from his throat. The original sadness seemed to be gradually washed away by a gentle stream, cleansed, reminding people of the shy, naive, unrequited, and even unrealized love of their youth.
Zong Mo had been busy working and taking care of his younger brothers and sisters in the orphanage and had never liked anyone during his school days. But excellent music did have such magic, able to evoke different emotions and memories in different people.
He remembered the wind blowing on the rooftop alone during breaks, a rare moment of relaxation for him.
After Ling Han finished his song, the most supportive was still Qi Zhiyi, who clapped and cheered wildly. Even Lu Bo smiled and nodded, praising, “I hope we have the opportunity to cooperate once. Your voice is very suitable for singing OSTs.”
Although Lu Bo was an actor, his fame was also a part of his strength. His affirmation was even more weighty than that of an idol singer. Ling Han was slightly stunned, while the bullet comments scrolled non-stop.
【I also think Ling Han’s song is good. I didn’t expect my husband and I to have the same taste, hehehe】
【Stop being a Monday morning quarterback!!】
【I’m going to buy and listen to Ling Han’s entire album right now.】
【Although I also like Teacher Lu very much, isn’t he just making empty promises? He hasn’t filmed in over a year, right!?】
【Eh, wasn’t there news before that Teacher Lu was filming in L City?】
Zong Mo also sincerely praised, “This song is really good. Did you write it?”
But Ling Han’s expression suddenly turned cold.
This was the title track of his debut album last year, produced by a renowned lyricist and composer in China known as the “Godfather of Music.” It became an instant hit upon its release and was popular all over the country.
And Zong Mo actually asked if he had written the song himself?
Ling Han’s mood was quite chaotic at this moment. He began to be unable to judge whether Zong Mo’s acting was good or bad. Such flattery was hypocritical and clumsy, and also exposed his ignorance of the Chinese music scene. He really wasn’t ashamed of himself.
Ling Han didn’t really want to answer, but Zong Mo continued, “But this is a love song, and the melody is high. It doesn’t seem to match your voice and temperament…”
Ling Han’s eyes widened in horror. Is Zong Mo really an idiot? How dare he say anything in the live stream, not afraid of being cursed at at all?!
He might even get himself a reputation for disrespecting his seniors!
Just as he was thinking about what to say to shut Zong Mo up, he heard him say, “Why don’t you try writing your own songs? Only you know what style you like best and are most suited for.”
Ling Han’s scalp tingled, as if he were sitting on pins and needles. He glanced at his manager, who was hidden among the staff, and saw his brows furrowed tightly.
He chose his words carefully and replied coolly, “I’m not good at writing. The songs I have now are all written for me by my seniors. I like them very much and feel they are very suitable for me.”
Zong Mo asked seemingly harmlessly, “Didn’t you sing an original song when you participated in a show as a child?”
Ling Han: …
Now he was certain that Zong Mo was doing it on purpose, and even deliberately brought up his dark history from childhood to embarrass him in the live stream!!
Zong Mo pressed on, “When I went back to the bedroom to get the quilt, I saw a piece of paper with lyrics on it. Did you write it?”
Qi Zhiyi timely interjected, “I didn’t see it. But my brother and I haven’t sung in a long time, let alone write songs.”
Ling Han: …
Zong Mo: “Since you’ve already written it, why don’t you sing it here?”
To save this broken kid, Ling Han, he had really done his best!
Tu Bu, observing the situation in the bullet comments, also pushed the boat along, “Since you’ve written it, just sing it. We’ll have to pay you copyright fees for it later.”
Only then did Ling Han reluctantly bring over the guitar he meticulously cared for every morning and strummed it a couple of times.
“Then I’ll just sing a little,” Ling Han lowered his head and said with some embarrassment, “Please forgive my poor performance.”
Zong Mo secretly marveled: Tsk, a duplicitous little brat.
Ling Han’s voice was naturally clear, with the unique shyness and cleanness of a young man. At this moment, he changed from the fast-paced, emotionally rich love song to a soothing and melodious, slow and flowing country tune.
“I don’t remember when I saw him
He was always there, waiting for me to speak
Perhaps it was at night, on the cabin, the paper-thin moon,
Along the wheat waves
Or perhaps it was during the day, in the fields, by the well,
The clear fingertips, the semicircular arc on the nails…”
The lyrics carried the jumping thought process and wild imagination of a young man, illogical, not talking about love, but like a gentle evening breeze, making people feel very comfortable.
The lyrics were about the moon, but the more Zong Mo listened, the more he felt something was not right.
Playing the role of the main shou with a natural charisma for too long had made him paranoid.
But it was really unreasonable for Ling Han to fall for him. Just as he thought of this, the singing stopped abruptly, like the unrequited love of a young man.
Ling Han said with some regret, “I’ve only written these few lines.”
Zong Mo clapped his hands in support, as encouragement. Qi Zhiyi, on the other hand, once again praised enthusiastically, “It’s very good. I really hope you can write songs for us in the future~”
Familiar business flattery. Ling Han nodded noncommittally. Just as he looked up and glanced at Zong Mo, he heard Tu Bu also clapping on the side and saying, “Not bad, but you don’t seem to have anything mortgaged with me?”
Ling Han lowered his head and thought for a moment. Logically, he should thank Qi Zhiyi, who had lent him a quilt for a week, and Lu Bo, who had exchanged for a pillow for him. But the Qi Zhiyi brothers had plenty of talents. They could get everything back by performing one more time. Not to mention the Film Emperor Lu…
“What personal skill do you have?” Ling Han spoke in Zong Mo’s direction.
Zong Mo didn’t expect him to suddenly ask him. After a slight pause, he said, “Uh… acting?”
Ling Han: …
Zong Mo’s acting was even more famous than he was, notorious.
“Exchange for Zong Mo’s Polaroid,” Ling Han said, his voice getting lower. “Thank you… for the food you made.”
Although Zong Mo didn’t have much acting experience, he had gotten Director Yang’s approval on his first try. He felt his acting wasn’t that terrible. But to showcase his acting skills in front of the official Film Emperor Lu and the wild Film Emperor Ruan Chi, in a live stream that couldn’t be edited…
Really not okay.
Ling Han’s move was exactly what he wanted. He was stunned again and suddenly found this broken kid much more pleasing to the eye.
Zong Mo said thank you, but it wasn’t over yet. Ruan Chi said to him again, “My watch.”
Zong Mo: …
“I’ll go next,” Lu Bo interjected. “I’ll just act out a scene from a new movie.”
The heavyweight film emperor made his entrance, and the bullet comments instantly exploded.
【What???】
【I told you the rumors about Teacher Lu joining a crew were not rumors, ahhh】
【And it’s not a TV drama, it’s a movie!!】
【Ahhh looking forward to Film Emperor Lu!】
Amidst the anticipation of the bullet comments, Lu Bo walked calmly to the center of the courtyard, instantly turning the previous stage into an atmospheric theater.
Zong Mo: …
Wait a minute, there doesn’t seem to be a solo scene for Lu Bo in Chasing the Light Boy*. How is he going to act?*
Lu Bo stood still, came to his senses, and cast his gaze remotely towards the other guests.
Zong Mo: …His intuition was always damn accurate.
Although he was very afraid that Lu Bo would drag him out, the lines for their two scenes were pitifully few. Without the context and flashbacks, they couldn’t be acted out. He was a little curious to see how Lu Bo would act.
Lu Bo’s gaze only lightly touched him, then he walked to the diagonal corner farthest from him, just at the edge of the main camera’s frame.
Then, he took heavy steps, walking and stopping along the way. When he returned to the center of the courtyard, his sharp and powerful aura was all gone, leaving only a suffocating, fateful sorrow.
“Ten years have passed. I’ve finally returned here,” Lu Bo began slowly. His monologue was not abrupt. Due to the full emotional tension, it was more like the final solo scene before the curtain fell on a play.
“He’s grown up, and he’s back with his biological father. I think he must be doing well,” Lu Bo’s eyes lowered, his gentle voice like an invisible hand, pulling at the hearts of the listeners.
“But if I’m really so sure, why did I have to come back and see him one more time?”
As Lu Bo spoke, he suddenly looked up, his deep gaze as if it had the power to penetrate time and space.
“Later, I often thought, if I had come back two years earlier, would everything have been completely different?”
Zong Mo was suddenly stunned. For the first time, he forgot to avoid Lu Bo’s gaze.
Where did the two years in the script come from?
He couldn’t be blamed for being sensitive. Didn’t the main shou start being sponsored by the sponsor two years ago?
With his acting level, he couldn’t tell at all whether the Film Emperor Lu was acting.
Lu Bo let out a light sigh, finally reciting the lines from the script, interrupting his thoughts, “Little Chi, I’m your big brother.”
