Because it was known that Su Yu's performance was scheduled, the students of Qing University were all full of spirit and anticipation.
The first performance was by a senior student singing "Da Yu" (Big Fish). This senior was also an debuted singer, though newly so. She had specifically asked Jiang Xiao'e and learned that Jiang Xiao'e was singing a new song, which is why she chose this one. The senior's singing was quite good; at least she could perform the song completely. Although slightly inferior to Jiang Xiao'e, she still received enthusiastic applause from the students.
Next, several other singers took the stage. "Houlai" (Later), "You He Bu Ke" (What's Wrong with Not), "Xiao Xingyun" (A Little Bit Lucky)... As each song was performed, the students' expressions gradually changed. Was this a freshman welcome party turning into a Ting Yu song festival? It had to be said that the students performing were all quite good. After all, they were all students of vocal performance with a solid foundation, and these songs were not too difficult. Their performances looked very impressive. After each song, the entire audience didn't cheer for the singer, but rather in unison shouted "Ting Yu!"
"Ting Yu fans are ecstatic!"
"This is an entire school of fans!"
"It's ridiculous, they're all singing Ting Yu's songs?"
"Shocked, the whole school are my fans!"
"I'm so envious. If my school were full of my fans, what would that be like?"
Although the live stream was filled with Ting Yu's fans, seeing this scene, they couldn't help but feel a little envious. Especially those students. At their age, they all fantasized about being the center of attention. Perhaps they didn't have much concept of going viral online, but the idea of the entire school being their fans was very relatable. Just thinking about it was incredibly satisfying.
...
After a few students had performed, Jiang Xiao'e appeared on stage in a light green dress. The music started. It was her latest song, "Yizhi Hen Anjing" (Always Been Quiet).
"Empty street scene,
Wanting to find someone to confide in.
Making this decision,
Is loneliness being my neighbor..."
The promotional video for "Chinese Paladin" was recorded in a studio, but the live performance offered a different feeling, more impactful than the recorded version. The charm of a live performance lay not only in the atmosphere created by the live audience but also in the spontaneity. This song, already quiet and melancholic, prompted the students of Qing University to take out their phone flashlights and sway them with the music. The school's anniversary celebration felt like a concert. Jiang Xiao'e's singing had also improved significantly. After the song concluded, "Jiang Xiao'e!" "Senior Jiang, you're amazing!" "Senior, you are the best!" This time, the cheers were all for Jiang Xiao'e's name.
Jiang Xiao'e looked at the sea of lights illuminated for her, imprinting the feeling deep in her heart. One day, she vowed, she would become a music queen and have her own support color. She still remembered what Su Yu had told her on the stage during the city competition: "It's not too late to thank me when you're standing on the stage receiving the music queen award." She had always kept those words in her heart!
...
After Jiang Xiao'e's performance, it was Zhang Yang's turn. He sang "Shen Shi" (Gentleman). During his time at home, he occasionally live-streamed, not only singing but also his fitness routines. Zhang Yang's fitness routines were now trending. His "Jianzi Dance" (shuttlecock dance), choreographed to Su Yu's "Cao Mu Gang Mu" (Compendium of Materia Medica), had inspired many to imitate it. Online, many people referred to themselves as "Zhang Yang Girls" or "Zhang Yang Boys."
"Haven't seen what role for a long time,
Carefully dressed,
In a white shirt,
The cufflinks were given by you..."
Two consecutive sad songs had cast a somewhat somber mood over the venue. After Zhang Yang finished, the audience called out for him to dance the Jianzi Dance to liven things up. However, since the performances were all rehearsed in advance and he hadn't prepared the music for that, he could only decline.
...
The performances were scheduled in advance, so after the somber atmosphere, it was naturally time to liven things up.
"Doo doo doo doo..."
As the catchy intro played, a group of hot, short-skirted girls rushed onto the stage. They lined up neatly and began dancing a plaza dance to the accompaniment.
"Sing along with us if you know it!"
"1! 2! 3! I planted a seed,
Finally it grew fruit,
Today is a great day..."
"I'll pick the stars for you,
Pull down the moon for you,
Let the sun rise for you every day..."
Zhou Tao and Zhao De, the "Compromise Brothers," lived up to their reputation as the comedic duo. With their performance of "Xiao Pingguo" (Little Apple), they instantly ignited the venue. On stage, the scantily clad senior students danced the plaza dance, a visually delightful sight.
"Damn it, I finally managed to stop thinking about this melody, and now it's back!"
"This song is too brainwashing, it's simply the pinnacle of plaza dance music!"
"Slipper Brothers yyds!!"
"Slipper Brothers, you're awesome!"
"Holy cow, I love this dance!!"
"If plaza dances were all like this, I wouldn't even play games. After dinner, I'd go straight to the plaza to watch the girls dance!"
"I'm moving to the plaza permanently!"
A single song, "Xiao Pingguo," completely swept away the somber feeling. The students in the audience all got up and started dancing to the rhythm. After the song finished, they reluctantly sat down again, still gazing at the stage as the Slipper Brothers and the hot seniors retreated backstage.
...
Next was Gong Ju Ren's performance. He wore a long robe and a wig, looking like an ancient scholar. When he appeared, the cheering that had just subsided erupted again. Gong Ju Ren's popularity at Qing University was second only to Su Yu and Lin Yanyu. Not just at Qing University, but even in the entire Chinese music scene, his popularity rivaled that of top-tier singers. This was because everyone knew he was a favorite of Ting Yu and sang more of Ting Yu's songs than anyone in the singer group, even surpassing Lin Yanyu, the "official" one.
As the slightly eerie bird chirping intro began, the cheers in the venue escalated another notch! The song "Qian Bai Du" (A Thousand Times) had long since captured everyone's hearts, and Gong Ju Ren, as the original singer, performing it again naturally sent the audience into a frenzy.
"In wild roadside inns beyond the pass, smoke and fire extinguished, how can guests sleep?
When the cold comes, who will add two layers to my sleeves?
In the third or fourth watch, snow still blows, continuing through the night,
It's just a pity that the emaciated horse has not had a good rest..."
The lyrics of "Qian Bai Du" had been analyzed countless times by various renowned literary figures and were still a topic of much discussion. The quality of these lyrics surpassed the concept of mere song lyrics; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to study them as classical poetry. And Gong Ju Ren's rendition of this song clearly showed his dedicated effort. The entire live performance was flawless.
...
After his performance, Gong Ju Ren did not leave the stage. He walked to the side of the stage and looked towards the entrance of the backstage. The venue gradually returned to a calm anticipation. Everyone craned their necks, looking towards the backstage entrance. They knew that what was coming next was the most anticipated part of the evening: Su Yu's new song was about to be released!
Just then, Su Yu, holding Lin Yanyu's hand, walked onto the stage with the rest of the singer group. As they took the stage, the song information appeared on the big screen.
"The Initial Dream"
Performed by: Ting Yu / Lin Yanyu / Gong Ju Ren...
Lyrics: Ting Yu
Music: Ting Yu
"May all students ride on their dreams, and not waste their youth!"
As the song information appeared, the venue instantly erupted. This song turned out to be a grand ensemble!