Chapter 79

On Monday, Yang Jingxing received a call from Gan Kaicheng, who said that "Xiguang" had already been released as a single on the radio and online. This was probably to build momentum for the upcoming award ceremony, but it had nothing to do with Yang Jingxing.

Gan Kaicheng also asked, "Are you preparing to write new songs?"

Yang Jingxing replied, "Yes, I am. I found a singer who is now performing at Huīhuáng. We'll see how it goes."

Gan Kaicheng didn't express an opinion, just let out a long "Oh... I'll come by when I have time."

After dinner at school, Yang Jingxing took An Xin, Yu Xinting, and Qi Qingnuo to Huīhuáng. Monday was the quietest night for the bar, and Qi Qingnuo said that fewer than a dozen people would come all night.

Yu Xinting commented, "It's mainly because it's not very noticeable. Many people don't even know there's a bar here."

Qi Qingnuo said, "Being noticeable isn't always good. Too many people can be a mix. There are many bars, but we're the only one that hasn't closed. It's all about friends and business."

Yu Xinting guessed, "Do people avoid it when it gets too crowded?"

Qi Qingnuo nodded.

When they arrived, it was only 7:30 PM, and there were really only a couple of people. Qi Dawei said Fu Feirong was getting ready. Despite the small size of the bar, there was a lounge and a dressing room in the back.

Qi Qingnuo took Yu Xinting and the others on a tour. The so-called dressing room and lounge were only a few square meters, and six people could barely stand in it. Sister Ran had already finished her makeup and was helping Fu Feirong.

Yu Xinting exclaimed in surprise, "You dyed your hair!"

Fu Feirong glanced at her and forced a smile. Sister Ran was helping her with her eyeliner.

Qi Qingnuo said, "You look completely different."

An Xin also said, "If you didn't say, I wouldn't have recognized you."

Sister Ran boasted, "My skills are so good. Even if my voice isn't great, I can still make a living as a stylist."

Indeed, with a new hair color, a bit of eyeliner and eyeshadow, some lip gloss, and a pair of delicate earrings, Fu Feirong's entire demeanor had changed.

Sister Ran added, "The dress is mine, and it fits perfectly. I have a standard young girl's figure." It was a tight blue dress, making her look like a resident singer.

Yang Jingxing asked, "How are you feeling?"

Fu Feirong cleared her throat, "No... problem."

Sister Ran comforted her, "Don't be afraid. When I was your age, I was too scared to sing alone, but now I'm a seasoned pro. Take it one step at a time."

Yang Jingxing said, "Let's go out."

Yu Xinting gave Fu Feirong a thumbs up, "Pengpeng, good luck!"

After they came out, the group found a spot not too close or too far from the stage and sat down. Yang Jingxing was generous, "Drink whatever you want, I'll pay."

Qi Qingnuo was surprised, "Don't look down on us... Boss, two bottles of Hennessy."

Yang Jingxing ordered beer, while Yu Xinting and An Xin, at Qi Qingnuo's suggestion, ordered non-alcoholic drinks called "Beach Sunset," which had a nice name and a good appearance. Qi Qingnuo said the bartender here was very popular with women, and An Xin looked up and sneered, "I hate long hair."

Qi Qingnuo was angry, "You're talking about my dad!"

An Xin was shocked, "Ah... impossible."

Yu Xinting and Qi Qingnuo laughed, "Her dad also has long hair."

Qi Qingnuo was happy, "I'm used to it... But I wouldn't want a man with long hair."

Yang Jingxing touched his head, "Do you like bald heads better?"

Qi Qingnuo leaned back on the sofa, put her arm behind Yu Xinting's head, and provocatively said, "If you dare to shave, I'll dare to like."

Yang Jingxing asked An Xin, "What about you?"

An Xin said, "I support you."

Yang Jingxing nervously looked at Yu Xinting, "What about you?"

Yu Xinting giggled, "Bald heads aren't attractive."

Qi Qingnuo squeezed Yu Xinting's shoulder, "You traitor."

Yu Xinting bent over to avoid.

After a while, Yang Jingxing's phone rang. It was Liu Miao, "So unlucky, both Xue and I have a cold."

Yang Jingxing asked, "No fever? You were fine yesterday."

Liu Miao coughed twice, "Not too bad. What are you doing?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I'm at a bar."

Liu Miao said, "How dare you, not studying!"

Yang Jingxing laughed, "Who says going to a bar means not studying. Have you taken your medicine?"

Liu Miao said, "Just a minor cold, I don't want to take medicine. Why are you at a bar?"

"To listen to someone sing."

Liu Miao asked, "Is it someone from your school?"

"No."

Liu Miao asked again, "Are you alone or did someone take you?"

Yang Jingxing said, "With friends. The bar is run by her dad. You know the Chenghuang band?"

...

Qi Qingnuo and the others listened nearby. Qi Qingnuo noticed, "It's not Tao Meng."

Yu Xinting didn't care and sipped her drink.

Knowing that Yang Jingxing was with a few girls, Liu Miao became gossipy, "Are there any boys... You're getting naughty!"

Yang Jingxing chuckled, "Jealous? Study hard and get into college."

Liu Miao scolded, "You always say the same thing, nothing new... Are they pretty?"

Yang Jingxing flattered, "Yes, they're all pretty." He got a mocking look from Qi Qingnuo.

Liu Miao said, "I want to see photos next time."

Yang Jingxing said, "No photos."

"Take some!"

Yang Jingxing said, "How can I just take photos of people?"

Liu Miao asked, "Are you just acquaintances?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I'll try to take some photos for you soon."

Liu Miao said, "Forget it, don't make others suspect you have bad intentions."

Yang Jingxing said, "Rest well, I'll call Xia Xue."

Liu Miao said, "Okay, we're planning to go out for Christmas, but it's a pity you won't be there."

Yang Jingxing then called Xia Xue to check on her. Xia Xue said she only had a slight cough, hardly a cold: "Liu Miao is a bit worse, with a headache. I'm watching a movie to practice my listening."

Yang Jingxing praised, "Good balance of work and rest."

Xia Xue said, "But you probably wouldn't like it, it's so boring."

... This made Qi Qingnuo and the others listeners for a few more minutes.

After hanging up, Yang Jingxing continued the previous conversation, "What is An Xin preparing to play?" This Wednesday evening was a piano department concert, and Yu Xinting was given the important task by Li Yingzhen to arrange and coordinate the program. If purely from a technical standpoint, An Xin was actually a bit better than Yu Xinting, with larger hands and longer little fingers, and a more grandiose performance style.

An Xin said she was preparing to play a Liszt etude. Yu Xinting told Yang Jingxing, "Professor Li originally wanted you to participate, but the department head didn't agree, so it was canceled."

An Xin cursed the old department head, saying he hadn't taught any good students but was diligent in politics.

Qi Qingnuo warned the younger students, "The biggest taboo at our school is offending teachers, be careful."

After 8 PM, about twenty people were in the bar. Sister Ran and Fu Feirong also came out. Sister Ran prepared first, and Fu Feirong sat on the side to rest. Qi Qingnuo waved to Fu Feirong to come sit with them, but she shook her head.

Today, Sister Ran's accompanist didn't come, so she used the karaoke accompaniment to sing two songs, and Yang Jingxing and the others clapped. Then Sister Ran introduced the new singer, "Thank you... Today, we have a beautiful young singer joining us. She will now perform a lively and youthful song. Please welcome Fu Feirong."

It was a brief introduction, but Fu Feirong was already standing at attention, her nervousness evident and fitting for her age. Fortunately, with Yang Jingxing and the others, there was applause to welcome her.

Fu Feirong stood straight, her eyes looking forward a bit blankly, and said, "Thank you... I will sing 'Ningxia' for you, I hope you like it."

Yang Jingxing and the others clapped again.

The song was well-sung, quite pleasant to listen to, but Fu Feirong's stage presence was a problem, still stiff. Being a new young beauty, some people still watched her, and her voice was also attractive.

Perhaps the people here weren't so picky, or perhaps Fu Feirong's poor stage presence had a good effect. After the first song, several people joined Yang Jingxing in clapping.

Qi Qingnuo joined in, "One more!"

Fu Feirong smiled gratefully at Yang Jingxing's table and then sang "Fairy Tale." Oh, this one was even better. Her strong and vibrant voice contrasted sharply with the original singer's monotonous and unemotional performance, and there was applause during the interlude.

Yang Jingxing listened intently, and Qi Qingnuo and the others couldn't chat idly. Fu Feirong sang four songs in a row, and while she didn't fully showcase her unique style, it was still refreshing to the ears.

Yang Jingxing didn't let Fu Feirong serve drinks to guests but went to find her and praised her, "Better than I expected. First, get used to the stage, then develop your own style. Keep summarizing and learning."

Fu Feirong nodded, "Yes, I'll try."

Yang Jingxing said, "There are many different ways to sing the same melody. Find the one that suits you best and that you like the most."

Fu Feirong said, "I'm learning from Sister Ran."

Yang Jingxing said, "I can tell. That's why I'm reminding you. You should have your own feel. Don't just imitate singing, sing with your own voice. Do you understand?"

Fu Feirong nodded, "I'll try."

Yang Jingxing continued, "Listen to a variety of music—classical, jazz, folk, pop—try to bring out the full potential of your voice, don't waste it."

Fu Feirong nodded again, "I'll try."

Yang Jingxing said, "Next week I'll bring you a new song. Can you read sheet music?"

Fu Feirong slightly lowered her head without answering.

Yang Jingxing said, "It's okay if you can't, you can learn. Sister Ran is good to you, thank her when you have the chance."

Fu Feirong quickly said, "I know."

After that, Yang Jingxing didn't focus on listening to Fu Feirong sing but started chatting with Yu Xinting and the others, asking who was interested in writing lyrics, specifically those with alternating rhymes.

Qi Qingnuo said, "You're setting the bar too high!"

Yu Xinting said, "It's too difficult, I can't do it."

An Xin didn't even want to think about it, "I'm not good with word games."

Qi Qingnuo suggested, "Find your old partner."

Yang Jingxing refused, "What if she doesn't enjoy it?"

Qi Qingnuo said, "I'll ask my dad."

After a while, Qi Qingnuo came back with Qi Dawei, who asked Yang Jingxing why he wanted such a rare type of song. Yang Jingxing said he wanted to write a round song for Sister Ran and Fu Feirong.

Qi Dawei chuckled, "I'll ask around. What's the theme?"

Yang Jingxing said it should be positive and lively, but the language should be beautiful.

Qi Qingnuo analyzed, "You're into polyphony now?"

An Xin also said, "You're so productive."

Yang Jingxing worried, "I'm afraid I'll suddenly lose the ability to write."

Yu Xinting comforted, "That won't happen. You're just starting, and you're not even at your creative peak yet."

Qi Qingnuo started talking about what she thought was the golden period for an artist's creativity, which should come after a certain amount of life experience and during a personal low, using this to tease Yang Jingxing, "So you really shouldn't be so focused on creation now. You should think more about what you should be thinking about at your age, or you'll regret it later when you can't think anymore."

Yang Jingxing laughed and asked, "What should I be thinking about?"

Qi Qingnuo asked Yu Xinting, "What do you think?"

Yu Xinting giggled, "I don't know... Everyone is different."

Qi Qingnuo said, "We understand each other."

Yang Jingxing asked, "You understand each other?"

An Xin distanced herself, "I don't understand, I don't know what you're talking about."

Yang Jingxing said, "I'm just transferring my thoughts into creativity. If I run out of ideas, I might really stop writing."

Qi Qingnuo laughed, "No wonder you're so productive, it's scary."

An Xin also laughed, "It means you think the most."

Yu Xinting took another sip of her drink.

Yang Jingxing said, "I'll let you all share the load."

Qi Qingnuo asked, "Share what?"

"The results of the transfer."

Qi Qingnuo was disgusted and started tickling Yu Xinting, "I can't stand it, I'll give it all to you."

Yang Jingxing scolded, "Better than you."

Qi Qingnuo hugged Yu Xinting even tighter, almost kissing her. Yu Xinting could only endure, trying not to spill her drink.

When the waitress came over, she teased Qi Qingnuo, "Caught another one?"

Qi Qingnuo proudly pointed at Yu Xinting, "How about this one?"

The waitress pointed at Yang Jingxing with her tray, "This one is better."

Qi Qingnuo was disappointed, "You're insulting my taste."

Yu Xinting laughed and asked Qi Qingnuo, "Aren't you afraid of your dad?"

Qi Qingnuo laughed, "He's afraid of me."

They chatted about various things, each having two drinks, the girls eating some snacks, and listening to Fu Feirong sing a few songs. By 10 PM, Yang Jingxing was ready to take Yu Xinting and An Xin back to school.

Qi Qingnuo scolded Yu Xinting, "You turn into a shy girl when he's around, you were so lively the other day!"

Yu Xinting didn't completely deny it, "You started it."

An Xin said, "She's a boss in the dorm too."

Yu Xinting was a bit embarrassed, "I'm not!"

Yang Jingxing said, "Next time, we'll go somewhere else, and you can be as lively as you want."

Qi Qingnuo suggested, "When should we go singing, Christmas?"

Yu Xinting said, "Christmas is a weekend."

Qi Qingnuo said, "We'll go, the singles' gathering in Room 306, An Xin, you can be the guest."

Yang Jingxing said, "I want to join too."

Qi Qingnuo rejected, "Are you a single?"

"Still am."

Qi Qingnuo comforted, "Don't lose heart, keep trying."

Yang Jingxing laughed, "Let's encourage each other."