"Sometimes, sometimes,
I believe everything has an end,
Gatherings and partings all have their time,
Nothing is eternal..."
The chorus entered very smoothly, without any abruptness, but rather with a sense of natural, seamless flow.
Still no hysteria, still no overly intense lyrics or melodies.
Yet, it conveyed a gentle melancholy that lingered in the heart, impossible to shake off.
On stage, Jiang Xiao'e stood there without any other movements, her hair falling down, dressed in a simple elegant gown. Her naturally delicate and pitiable aura had now transformed into immense confidence. Her beautiful eyes were slightly raised, and her pretty face showed a spectrum of emotions.
At this moment, Jiang Xiao'e already possessed the aura of a queen.
Countless people had witnessed her growth along the way.
However, even now, they couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration.
"Jiang Xiao'e is the fastest-growing singer in the Tingyu Singer Group," Liu Huan nodded to himself in the audience.
"I've actually been paying attention to her for a long time. Her singing skills were already very good, but she lacked that bit of confidence. Now, standing on this stage, with Tingyu watching from below, she possesses the confidence of a diva. Naturally, her voice is even more captivating."
Han Qi's critique was sharp and to the point.
Besides Lin Yanyu, Jiang Xiao'e was currently the hottest female singer among the younger generation.
As a female singer herself, Han Qi naturally kept an eye on this rising star in the music industry.
"Young people these days are too terrifying. I couldn't sing a song like this..." Yin Na gave her assessment.
After speaking, she looked towards Liu Huan and Han Qi,
hoping to see some agreement in their eyes.
"Heh, Tingyu's songs are all created based on the singer. Others just can't capture Jiang Xiao'e's feeling," Liu Huan said, trying to break the ice when Han Qi didn't respond.
"That's true. I really hope for an opportunity to collaborate with Tingyu, preferably with the program team footing the bill." Yin Na nodded, her expression full of anticipation.
"You're dreaming," Han Qi said with a huff.
Tingyu's current fees made it impossible to get anything for free. And what program team in the Chinese entertainment industry could afford to invite such a big star like Tingyu?
"I was just saying..." Although Yin Na had a somewhat difficult personality, she didn't dare to act superior in front of Han Qi. When criticized, she could only mumble a few words softly.
Liu Huan shook his head helplessly, watching Yin Na try to force her way into their circle.
Why bother? Wouldn't it be better to show off in front of the younger generation than to endure Han Qi's cold shoulder here?
...
"But sometimes,
I'd rather choose to linger and not let go,
Until all the scenery has been seen,
Perhaps you'll accompany me to watch the slow stream of life..."
On stage, Jiang Xiao'e's performance continued.
In the camera's focus, her eyes were slightly closed, completely immersed in the song's emotion.
The meanings of love songs in the Chinese entertainment industry were largely similar, often about not being able to move on after a breakup. It was about who could write something novel and unique within this theme.
This song, like Zhang Wei's "Tomorrow's Today," depicted the experience of a breakup and the unwillingness to move on.
Even after seeing all the scenery in life, one still chose not to let go.
What people lack is what they desire the most. In this fast-paced era of relationships, such a view on love is rare, but it is deeply moving.
"Haven't yet, for you, brewed the red beans,
Into lingering wounds,
Then sharing them together,
Will bring a deeper understanding of love's sorrow..."
The moment the second verse came out,
quite a few audience members let out gasps of surprise.
Many music producers in the audience, upon hearing the lyrics, realized that unlike the first verse's more mundane narrative, Tingyu had intentionally arranged a different second verse, still beginning with "Haven't yet," like a poetic contrast, vividly rendering that sorrowful and melancholic emotion!
This indeed brought them a lot of surprise, as the emotion in the second verse was more intense. Jiang Xiao'e's ethereal voice, tinged with sadness and regret, was filled with detail, showcasing her solid foundational skills in singing!
"Haven't yet properly felt,
The tenderness of waking kisses,
Perhaps by my side,
You are pursuing solitary freedom..."
As if knowing what the audience wanted to see, the camera moved away from Jiang Xiao'e's face, zoomed out to a wide shot, and then cut to the "Song Gods" like Mo Yan in the audience!
At this moment, Mo Yan was enjoying the song with his eyes closed, as was his usual style, while Jiang Qian, Fang Lingyu, and Chen Shuhao next to him wore expressions of surprise.
"These lyrics have some substance!" Chen Shuhao took a deep breath.
"It's perfect. From the initial calmness to the small burst of energy in the chorus, and the emotional progression in the second verse, Jiang Xiao'e's performance perfectly interprets this song. Having a singer like this is the greatest fortune for a producer!" Fang Lingyu couldn't help but exclaim.
"Heh, Tingyu doesn't find singers for his songs; he finds singers first and then writes the songs," Jiang Qian reminded with a smile.
She had already witnessed Tingyu's terrifying prowess during "King of Love Songs."
His grasp of themes and singers was too perfect, so perfect it was unbelievable.
"Listen to the song, don't talk."
Mo Yan said faintly, without opening his eyes.
The others quickly fell silent.
Even though they were also Song Gods, Mo Yan still held the highest prestige among them. Although he had retired, his status in the music industry remained, and everyone deeply respected him.
...
"But sometimes,
I'd rather choose to linger and not let go,
Until all the scenery has been seen,
Perhaps you'll accompany me to watch the slow stream of life..."
The moment the entire song finished,
Su Yu was the first to applaud: "Perfect!"
"Xiao'e has really grown a lot!" Lin Yanyu also joined in the applause.
She had a very good relationship with Jiang Xiao'e and was naturally happy to see Jiang Xiao'e's perfect performance this time!
"She's already close to being nominated for Diva, so naturally, she won't be as timid as before. She just lacked confidence, and now that she's achieved success, she has the backing," Su Yu understood Jiang Xiao'e quite well.
With Su Yu leading the way, the audience also erupted into warm applause.
Of course, at such a large-scale event, the cheers wouldn't be as intense as in a show or competition. They were all peers, and applauding after being moved by the song was already a sign of respect. After all, many of them still had to maintain their idol image and couldn't lower their guard too much.
Now that Jiang Xiao'e had finished singing,
everyone's gaze shifted towards the backstage.
Without the host needing to announce, everyone knew who was next.
Gong Ju Ren!
He was the singer who had sung the most songs by Tingyu, bar none. Even Lin Yanyu hadn't sung as many!
And what kind of new song would this man, so favored by Tingyu, bring to everyone?
Both the audience present and those watching on television sat up straight, eagerly anticipating!