"I have to say, Zhou Peng is quite capable. This song reminds me of my own ordinary life."
"Exactly. Reality and dreams intertwine. After listening, I felt deeply moved. It's a good song."
"The Hat Duo also performed very well, with their own unique style."
"It seems Ting Yu chose a song about life too. I wonder how his new song will be this time."
"Looks like the pressure is on Ting Yu."
"Slipper Brothers, please don't hold Ting Yu back."
Below the stage.
Fans of the Hat Duo and Zhou Peng cheered wildly.
But the fans of Ting Yu were a bit subdued.
Although they believed in Ting Yu, seeing their opponents perform so well, they couldn't help but feel a bit uncertain.
This time, the singer was the Slipper Brothers.
The duo had only sung "Father."
In the fans' impression, they were just unconventional musicians who were luckily chosen by Ting Yu.
At most, they had the level of bar resident singers, not presentable on a professional stage.
If another producer had chosen them, they would have been heavily criticized by fans. But Ting Yu was different; he had created many miracles.
Despite their worries, the fans' anticipation for the song's performance was greater.
"Next, please welcome Ting Yu and his singer, the Slipper Brothers, to the stage!"
The host's voice was full of energy. He deliberately emphasized the word "Ting Yu" when saying it.
This was because he felt immense gratitude towards Ting Yu.
He had been hosting for many years without gaining much fame.
Unexpectedly, this time, riding on Ting Yu's popularity, he had quickly become famous in the hosting circle.
Now, his popularity in the hosting industry was considered top-tier.
All of this was thanks to Ting Yu. Without Ting Yu, he didn't know how many more years he would have had to struggle to achieve his current popularity.
He was a grateful person, so on stage, he tried his best to secure more exposure for Ting Yu.
"Teacher Ting Yu, fans feel that you choose your singers too casually. Do you have anything to say about this?"
The host's expression was enthusiastic, bearing some resemblance to Gong Ju Ren, but his style was different, conveying more respect.
"Zhao De and Zhou Tao are very suitable for this song," Su Yu smiled and said calmly.
"Indeed, Teacher Ting Yu, as rumored, only chooses the most suitable ones," the host echoed.
"Not entirely. They are my friends," Su Yu added.
The host was stunned.
Zhao De and Zhou Tao were also surprised, feeling an unexplainable warmth.
This was Su Yu; he took care of every detail.
Yes, they were friends.
This statement was directed at those who claimed the Slipper Brothers were not worthy of singing Ting Yu's songs.
Although Su Yu was usually quiet, he would always make heartwarming gestures inadvertently.
"It seems our Teacher Ting Yu is not only talented but also loyal and righteous. Perhaps this is why so many singers are devoted to him."
The host offered timely praise.
Then, he proceeded with the usual introduction.
After a brief introduction of the song's information.
The performance began.
The stage lights shifted.
The style was warm and nostalgic.
On stage, Zhou Tao, wearing a school uniform, sat on the left, while Zhao De sat on the right.
They were quite far apart.
Surprisingly, Zhou Tao's surroundings were set up like a school playground, while Zhao De's setting resembled a conference room with a conference table in front of him.
This stage design was rather unusual.
When the backup dancers came on stage.
A yellowed old photograph appeared on the big screen.
It was a graduation photo.
It showed youthful, energetic smiles.
"Old Boys"
Performed by: Slipper Brothers (Chopstick Brothers)
Lyrics by: Ting Yu (Wang Taili)
Music by: Ting Yu (Ohashi Takuya)
When the song title appeared.
Below the stage, a low murmur of discussion arose.
"The name is interesting. 'Old Boys.' Does it refer to people who are old but have a childlike mentality?"
"The name itself is a contradiction; if you're old, how can you be a boy..."
"In what peculiar angle did Ting Yu write this song from?"
"Stop guessing. You'll know after listening."
The song title seemed contradictory.
It immediately piqued the audience's curiosity.
At this moment.
Zhou Tao, holding his guitar.
Began to strum.
The song's prelude was a simple guitar strumming, not difficult.
However, the simple chords and rhythm evoked a deep sense of nostalgia.
As the prelude progressed, a group of girls in school uniforms gathered around Zhou Tao.
They sat on the props arranged as steps, resting their chins on their hands and looking at Zhou Tao playing the guitar.
Above the stage, a river of stars formed by the lights enveloped the two men in school uniforms and suits.
However, their expressions were different.
"That is the person I miss day and night and love deeply,
How should I express myself?
Will she accept me?"
These few lines of lyrics.
Pulled everyone back to the innocent days of youth.
The song's title clearly indicated it was written for boys.
Therefore, it began from a boy's perspective.
In the era of burgeoning youth, a deeply loved girl.
But afraid to express it, a situation many boys have experienced.
"Perhaps I will never tell her that one sentence,
Destined for me to wander the world,
How can I have attachments?
Dreams are always out of reach,
..."
Beside Zhao De, some people also appeared.
They were dressed as well-dressed urban elites.
In suits and ties, sitting at a conference table, with piles of documents in front of them.
These suits stood in stark contrast to the school uniforms on Zhou Tao's side.
Now, the audience finally understood what the two of them were expressing.
The school uniforms represented their younger selves, the youthful years, with faces full of hope for the future.
While the suits represented their current selves, neat and capable, but with expressions of weariness.
As the two sang in duet.
It was like their present selves conversing with their past spirited and driven selves.
However, the sudden shift from the courage to wander the world to the realization that dreams are out of reach, and the question of whether to give up, created a stark, yet more impactful, emotional rupture.
"Youth is like a flowing river,
Gone forever without a chance to say goodbye,
Leaving only a numb me, without the passion of those years.
..."
The moment the chorus hit.
Some people in the audience had red-rimmed eyes.
The lyrics were very direct.
It felt like an invisible mountain pressing down.
On stage.
The boy in school uniform continued to play the guitar confidently, surrounded by admiring girls.
While the man in the suit in the distance frowned in the conference room, listening to his colleagues' incessant chatter, and was reprimanded by his boss for lacking ideas.
This scene.
Was like a true portrayal of countless ordinary people.
Both the live audience and those watching the broadcast.
Were drawn into the song's mood, and a sense of melancholy instantly arose within them.
The youthful arrogance of the past had been smoothed out by the passage of time.
This was the true reflection of most ordinary people.
This is life!