Chapter 58 – The Modest ‘Creative’ Singer

Chapter 58 - The Modest 'Creative' Singer

Time Culture's online maneuvers, directed by Zhou Weichuan, were like a unpredictable swing of a double-edged sword. Fans were caught off guard, yet thrilled, while the innocent music industry was left dazed and enraged, stepping in to retaliate.

The rivals rejoiced, as if in a delusion, thinking, Without our intervention, Time Culture would have ruined Tang Fei themselves!

In a hotel in Jiangzhou, Zhou Weichuan stayed up all night working online with Time Culture's audio processing department to produce a decent digital audio version of Tang Fei's song.

"Boss, is it done?" Zheng Haisheng entered the room, seeing Zhou Weichuan listening to music through headphones.

"It's done. The audio signal bandwidth is 19kHz, with a bitrate of 1600kbps – CD quality," Zhou Weichuan said, removing his headphones.

Given the raw footage captured on-site, the audio production team at Nine O'Clock deserved praise for creating such high-quality audio files.

"I've informed them to take a three-day break. Would you like to rest a bit too?"

"I'm not in a hurry. There's still plenty to do for the signing ceremony tomorrow. Where is Tang Fei now?" Zhou Weichuan checked his watch, realizing it was already half past ten.

"She went to visit the filming location."

"Let Du Mei's costume team join us at the film studio," Zhou Weichuan rose, stretching his stiff muscles after sitting still all night.

"You're quite considerate," Zheng Haisheng remarked before promptly leaving, leaving no room for Zhou Weichuan to refute with philosophical arguments.

The online world was abuzz with the news of Tang Fei releasing an original song. Gossip reporters were scrambling to uncover exclusive information.

Within Time Culture, there was a complete silence. The production team suspended fan visits and reception events. Only a few peripheral figures posted on Weibo, "Tang Fei's song is so good!"

The news was tightly controlled, leaving only sporadic praise from minor sources, tantalizing fans and critics alike with anticipation for the song's release later that afternoon.

At the Jiangzhou Film Studio.

Tang Fei concealed herself thoroughly, carrying a thermos of red date and goji berry tea. She strolled leisurely with He Zhou to the A-group shooting location.

Yesterday's barbecue stall by the stream had transformed into a fully-fledged set. The tombstone, marked "In Memory of Li Xiuyun," bore signs of age, suggesting a long passage of time.

This scene involved extensive post-production effects. Tang Fei sat on a small stool, sipping her tea, observing the set arrangements and the director's instructions. Actors performed their 'empty-handed' scenes at marked points, indicating the passage of over a hundred years since Li Xiuyun's death in this segment, which marked the climax of the Spirit Surge story. It was now the countdown to Su Yang's lifespan.

For over a century, he took no more companions and had no offspring. Instead, he chose to teach a group of disciples to carry on his legacy.

Su Yang remained as youthful in appearance, the only difference being that his once clear eyes now held a turbid, weathered look.

As his lifespan neared its end, he strolled from the village, carrying with him the Peach Blossom Wine they had secretly shared in their youth, Li Xiuyun by his side in spirit.

Arriving at the gravesite, he spoke to the tombstone as if in an ordinary conversation, recounting the day's happenings in the village.

Gently caressing the words on the grave marker, Su Yang whispered, "Xiuyun, we're almost reunited."

The dancing lantern grass emitted a faint glow even in daylight. Three blooms adorned the tombstone, each like chatty flowers bickering with one another.

"You always enjoyed the hustle and bustle; I doubt you'd mind their chatter," he said fondly.

By the graveside, a stream flowed against its natural course, its surface shimmering with leaping golden carp. A gentle melody carried on the breeze, harmonious and soothing, while the babbling brook seemed to play an accompaniment. The lantern grass danced in the air, adding to the performance.

Su Yang's life was one of constant battles, fought for himself, his friends, his neighbors, and eventually, all humankind, until humanity regained control of the world.

His life appeared to be one of fulfillment.

Yet in his heart, an essential piece was forever missing.

Su Yang poured Peach Blossom Wine into the stream, and schools of fish leaped, forming a bridge in mid-air; their shimmering scales reflecting the sunlight.

"Xiuyun, I could protect everyone except you. If we meet again in our next lives, will you still remember me? Suddenly, I'm afraid that you might not want me anymore."

As dusk fell and the sun sank below the horizon, Su Yang closed his eyes, leaning against Li Xiuyun's tombstone. The world had become safe, but she was no longer there.

And now, finally, he could be with her.

...

"Alright, let's get a few close-ups." Xu Jianguo directed the crew to capture some intimate shots of Su Yang.

After they were done, Xu Jianguo turned his attention to Tang Fei, who stood quietly by the side.

The sparkle in his eyes made Tang Fei uncertain; what was going on with the director? Why did he seem like a hungry man who had just spotted a chicken leg after three days without food?

"Little Tang, you're here. Did this story resonate with you? We've already prepared a draft for the background music. The theme song for this part is 'Unchanging.' Give it a listen."

Tang Fei was still in a daze when Xu Jianguo had already instructed someone to play the song, inserting headphones into her ears.

First, a melody of ancient charm filled her auditory senses, followed by a sweet female voice singing:

What vision lies beyond, in the way you describe, radiant with light?

I wonder, what fruit turns sour, what herb brings bitterness, what sugar brings delight?

In the starlit night, brilliance adorns your face, aglow with life.

In the fragrant sea of flowers, who narrates voyages yet to come, strife?

Singing fish leap, while shimmering grass takes flight,

Towering towers pierce the skies, and against the current, a stream tastes sweet.

This world, both perilous and wondrous,

When shall I meet the wonders it conceals?

...

Unable to walk side by side with you,

Yet your image is etched in my heart.

Hoping for a reunion in the next life,

This affection remains unwavered.

"Xiao Tang, are you interested in rearranging this song?" Xu Jianguo asked.

"Director Xu, what a joke! How would I know how to revise it?" Tang Fei replied, unaware of any underlying implications.

All eyes around them turned to focus on Tang Fei.

See, now that's what humility looks like!

As a rare singer-songwriter in the music industry, Tang Fei had always kept her talents hidden, enduring slanders without bothering to refute them.

A cold and aloof goddess!

An untouchable flower on a high peak!

And yet, she was also kind and magnanimous. No wonder Yao Hui had brought such misfortune upon himself with his actions.

An introverted genius like Tang Fei had been plagued by them for eight long years.

Eight years that were the most vibrant and productive of her life!

What a waste of a precious treasure!

Yao Hui would forever be stained by this!

"Ms. Fei looks so adorable when she's modest, and her smile is so gentle. It's obvious she's talented and has great temperament," said someone. She was truly different from those other flashy and insincere artists.

"Considering how skilled you are at composing, being overly modest is just another form of arrogance," Xu Jianguo commented.

He Zhou nodded in agreement, "Auntie concealed this from even me. She's too secretive!"

Tang Fei's eyes widened. What happened? Did I compose something without knowing it? How could I not know about it myself?

"I think there's been a misunderstanding. I can't compose music," Tang Fei shook her head vigorously. "I can only sing a few pop songs."

"Miss Fei, if you consider yourself incapable of composing, then those singers would barely qualify as amateurs."

"Miss Fei's acting skills are top-notch! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I'd have never believed you couldn't compose."

Tang Fei fluttered her large, innocent, and sincere eyes. "I really don't know how..."

"Little Tang, did you get so drunk that you blacked out? You don't remember what happened last night?" Xu Jianguo slapped his thigh. "Still pretending, huh? Hey, bring over Tang Fei's masterpiece from last night."

Confused, Tang Fei took the phone that was being handed to her. The phone was playing a video of her, eyes closed and swaying with the wind, drunkenly singing a song from her previous life by her favorite singer, Mao Yi.

She had even randomly altered the lyrics.

This song had been taken as an original creation by them...

Tang Fei's face flushed crimson, wishing she could find a hole to bury herself in.

She would abstain from alcohol from now on!

"I'll say it now - I heard someone else singing this in a dream. I really can't compose lyrics or music, and I can't read sheet music. I'm musically illiterate. Would you believe that?"

" Sister Fei is quite the jester."

"Sister Fei's humor is on point!"

"No matter whether you believe it or not, I don't."

"It's confirmed - Sister Fei is a genius in both singing and acting."

Amidst the praise from the crowd, Tang Fei put down her phone and gazed melancholically at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle.

This misunderstanding was enormous.