The chirping of crickets carried the essence of summer, washing over them.
Then, a cheerful and youthful guitar melody began.
Even just the prelude evoked the beautiful scenery of fields as the wind rustled through the waves of wheat, as if a fragrance of rice wafted by, bringing back childhood memories for countless viewers and calming their hearts.
Although this song, "Dao Xiang," was written by Jay Chou after the earthquake with the intention of healing everyone, and the lyrics did not mention the earthquake, the entire song was positive and uplifting, truly a top-tier healing song.
True healing meant forgetting pain, not rubbing salt into wounds.
Therefore, Su Yu chose this song, "Dao Xiang," to encourage everyone to move past the pain caused by the disaster as soon as possible.
"If you have too many complaints about this world,
And dare not move forward after falling,
Why must people be so fragile, so degenerate..."
Due to the lack of stage decorations, the large screen behind him displayed some temporary videos of rice fields.
However, Su Yu's singing was already excellent. The moment he opened his mouth, a gentle yet encouraging atmosphere, like a gentle breeze, caressed the hearts of the audience.
It made them involuntarily relax their minds and enjoy the peace and beauty brought by the music.
"Please turn on the television and see,
How many people are fighting bravely for life,
Shouldn't we be content and cherish everything, even if we don't possess it..."
Preachy words are generally difficult for the masses to accept. However, this song did not force those grand principles onto the audience all at once. Instead, it encouraged them in a casual and gentle manner.
The guitar accompaniment, coupled with the croaking of frogs and the chirping of insects in the rice fields, gradually eased the expressions on everyone's faces. They quietly watched Su Yu sing. The heavy atmosphere was broken by this cheerful song. Although their eyes were still red, they could feel the sadness gradually diminishing.
The power of music is infinite. This is the meaning of songs. People can draw strength from music, find resonance in music, and soothe their inner pain.
"Remember, you said home is the only castle,
Following the scent of rice, the river continues to run,
A faint smile, I know the dreams of childhood,
Don't cry, let the fireflies carry you away,
The countryside's folk songs, an eternal reliance,
Go home, return to the initial beauty..."
In the chorus, the light rhythm, combined with Su Yu's gentle voice, made people involuntarily close their eyes and enter the healing world of music.
The lyrics painted a picture of childhood days running in the rice fields, a super healing scene. People's happiest times were in childhood, playing without a care in the world, running and playing on the field ridges.
The folk songs echoing in the fields, and the dreamy, beautiful fireflies of summer.
These scenes were the happiest memories deep within many people's hearts.
"Don't give up so easily,
Like I said,
If you can't catch your dream, just change your dream,
Color your life vividly,
First, paint love with your favorite color..."
As he sang to this point.
The accompaniment suddenly paused.
When the audience was confused.
Su Yu's lips curved slightly, and he continued to speak.
"Have a smile, achieving fame is not the goal,
Making yourself happy, that's what it means,
Childhood paper airplanes,
Have finally flown back into my hands..."
As if by magic, when they heard the incredibly gentle "Have a smile," the heavy atmosphere on stage instantly dissipated. The rescue team members and the program staff's lips curved into faint smiles.
"This song is really nice!"
"I thought 'Listening to the Rain' would write a tear-jerking song, but I didn't expect it to be a truly healing song."
"It's great. I think this approach is better. Although crying can relieve stress, healing with such a song can also eliminate sadness. My lips couldn't help but curl up when I listened to this song!"
"As expected of 'Listening to the Rain,' his ideas are always so unique and unexpected."
"The effect is great. At least the heavy atmosphere at the scene is gone. I believe everyone will get better!"
"That's right, keep going!"
'Listening to the Rain's' inspirational songs have always been very touching. This song, "Dao Xiang," added a touch of warmth to its inspiration, making it even more moving.
"What they call happiness,
Running barefoot in the fields chasing dragonflies, getting tired,
Stealing fruit, getting stung by bees and being afraid,
Who is secretly laughing?
I leaned on the scarecrow, feeling the breeze, singing songs, and fell asleep, oh, oh..."
His highly personal rap, with its strong imagery, struck the audience's hearts.
It perfectly presented the scenes of childhood.
The carefree atmosphere, coupled with simple, pure happiness, and the healing scenes of playing in the fields, made people feel warm inside.
Forgetting worries, forgetting pain.
Nodding along involuntarily to the rhythm.
So, this is pure happiness!
As they grew older, these simple joys were gradually replaced by life. The smiles on people's faces were no longer pure, and their dealings with others became more pragmatic. Yet, those memories never faded from their minds.
"Afternoon guitars, clearer amidst the chirping of insects,
Oh, oh, the sun shines on the road, and we won't be afraid of heartbreak..."
In a small restaurant.
The middle-aged man held a wine bottle, staring blankly at the television screen on the wall.
His family was poor in his childhood. In that era, there were no mobile phones, no computers, and even getting enough to eat was a problem.
But, playing with his friends in the fields was exceptionally happy.
His parents were working in the fields, and he chased dragonflies and caught frogs at the edge of the fields. That simple childhood, the scent of rice ingrained in his bones, seemed to appear before his eyes again.
"Can't go back..." he said in a hoarse voice, taking another gulp of wine.
Although still sad and in pain, there was a hint of relief in his voice.
His parents, wife, and children were all gone, having perished in this disaster.
"There's no one left in this world but me..."
Saying this, he took out his phone, scanned the code to pay for the meal and wine, picked up his jacket from a nearby stool, took a deep breath, and walked outside.
The restaurant owner watched his departing figure, opened his mouth, and finally said nothing.
The middle-aged man's hunched back straightened slowly as he walked. As he stepped out of the shop, he roared at the night sky, then smiled bitterly, shook his head, and disappeared into the street.
"Sigh... this is everyone's life."
With that, the restaurant owner tidied up the bowls and chopsticks on the table, then hobbled into the kitchen. After cleaning up, he pulled down the shop's rolling shutter.
He went to the cash register and took out a photo from the drawer.
It was a photo of him, his wife, and his son.
"Five years..."
A car accident five years ago left him living alone in this world.
He liked to counsel others because, in counseling others, he was also counseling himself.