Chapter 80

On Wednesday, the opening ceremony of the seventh "Hundred Flowers Cup Composition Competition," jointly organized by the Puhai Musicians Association and several other units, was held in the auditorium of a high school. It was quite lively, with over five or six hundred people in attendance, including dozens of leaders. He Hongwei was one of the leaders of the association, serving as the vice chairman of the Music Creation Committee. Li Yingzhen was also present, but not as a leader; her title was the Honorary Advisor of the Puhai Musicians Association. It was unclear what her role entailed.

There were many celebrities, but no stars. These celebrities included senators who were also singers and civil servants who were performing artists, many of whom had to give speeches. Zhang Jiahe, the chairman of the Puhai Musicians Association, was beaming with joy, saying that the "Hundred Flowers Cup" was becoming more successful and larger each year. This time, they received over eighty entries, and the forms were diverse, including songs, operas, traditional plays, solos, and ensembles.

As per tradition, the participants were divided into two groups: those under 36 and those 36 and older. Two-thirds of the entries this time were from composers under 36, indicating that the music industry in Puhai and the country as a whole had a promising future and was thriving.

This was a city-level competition, with no participants from outside the city. Puhai Conservatory of Music submitted over thirty entries, most of which were from students, with a few from teachers. According to the rules, anyone with even a slight connection to the participants could not serve as a judge, so the professors from the conservatory had to recuse themselves.

There were ten judges in total, all of whom were highly influential in the field. Some of them were from music associations and similar organizations in other provinces and cities, visiting as guests.

With so many leaders involved, the competition was clearly important. To win, it was best to have some main theme works. Looking at the winners of previous years, most were songs praising the beauty of the country. These works often had the good fortune of being performed by renowned singers at large-scale galas, accompanied by grand orchestras and dance performances, which were beyond the reach of ordinary stars.

In fact, most students at the conservatory aspired to join one of the three major ensembles in Puhai after graduation. The three major ensembles were the Puhai Symphony Orchestra, the Puhai Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Puhai Chorus. Joining these ensembles not only provided good benefits but also plenty of free time to enjoy. It was much safer and easier than competing in the cutthroat entertainment industry.

In reality, few professional singers were graduates of music schools. The students at the conservatory, who were pursuing degrees, were often unwilling to endure the hardships or the potential embarrassment. If they only managed to become second or third-tier stars, meeting old classmates and hearing, "Oh, you're a star," would not be a pleasant experience.

Qi Qingnuo and Yang Jingxing sat in the back row of the auditorium, uninterested in the speeches on stage. They whispered to each other until the elderly composer Ding Sangpeng, who was in his eighties, stepped up to the microphone to give a speech, at which point they perked up their ears.

This was Qi Qingnuo's second time participating in the competition. Last time, she submitted a popular song, which did not win. This time, she submitted an ensemble piece called "Clouds Dispersing," mainly for the experience. Considering the age and positions of the judges, their tastes were likely far above those of the participants.

Qi Qingnuo whispered, "To put it simply, they are in politics, and we are in business. We can't collude, as different fields are like different mountains."

Yang Jingxing laughed, "We should understand the policy trends."

Finally, the opening ceremony ended, and the presentation of the works began. The Puhai Symphony Orchestra was responsible for performing the instrumental works, and the youth ensemble of the Puhai Chorus was responsible for the vocal works. Participants were not allowed to perform their own works, for reasons unknown.

It took two days to present all the works. Yang Jingxing and Qi Qingnuo's works were scheduled for Friday afternoon, but as participants, they had to attend the entire event.

They listened to songs all morning, some with pre-recorded accompaniment, some a cappella, and some with live piano accompaniment. There were popular, folk, and classical songs. One of Qi Qingnuo's classmates wrote a pop song with a nice melody, but the singer's sharp, high-pitched voice seemed unsuitable.

The composer, sitting next to Qi Qingnuo, looked frustrated, "I told her hundreds of times, she can't sing like that!"

Xu Xuesi, sitting next to Yang Jingxing, said, "She thinks she's here for a singing competition." Xu Xuesi submitted a piano piece, which Yang Jingxing had heard. It was a standard piece, with a simple melody and ordinary chords, not unpleasant but also not meaningful.

After the morning session, Yang Jingxing, Qi Qingnuo, and their group found a place for lunch, ultimately choosing fast food, such as noodles and fried rice.

There were three first-year students and four third-year students. Among the first-year students were Yang Jingxing, Xu Xuesi, and the Puhai girl Luo Jiaqian, who wrote a song. Among the third-year students, Qi Qingnuo was the only girl, and the three boys sat with her, as if to distance themselves from the first-year students.

They had been in class together for months, and although they hadn't spoken much, they were familiar with each other. Luo Jiaqian knew about Yang Jingxing's room 402 and said she wanted to visit sometime, to which Yang Jingxing responded positively.

Luo Jiaqian asked, "Did you write a song for Duan Liying?"

Yang Jingxing nodded, "Who told you?"

Luo Jiaqian said, "It's been circulating. Can you recommend us to her?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I had help from someone else. If you have a song, I can help pass it to Gan Kaicheng, though I'm not very close to him."

After they started eating, Qi Qingnuo tapped Yang Jingxing's back and turned with her small steamer, saying, "I'll share two with you; I can't finish them."

Yang Jingxing asked, "Are you on a diet?"

Qi Qingnuo frowned, "I still have noodles."

Yang Jingxing picked up two steamed buns and put them in his bowl.

Luo Jiaqian asked Yang Jingxing, "Is your girlfriend coming tomorrow? They say she's very pretty."

Yang Jingxing said, "I like that rumor."

"How so?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I don't have a girlfriend."

Luo Jiaqian didn't press for the truth, saying, "Choose one then."

Yang Jingxing was confused, "Where do I choose from?"

"Anywhere."

Yang Jingxing asked Xu Xuesi, "Is that a good deal?"

Xu Xuesi said, "Even if it were, it wouldn't be my turn."

Later, Qi Qingnuo's classmate said to her, "You should choose one."

Qi Qingnuo laughed, "Dream on, it's not your turn."

The guy laughed, "Forget it, let's find the first-year girls."

Xu Xuesi was enthusiastic, "No, we're already few in number."

The other guy was generous, "We'll trade, this one is yours."

Xu Xuesi could only see Qi Qingnuo's back and didn't know what to say.

After a while, Qi Qingnuo turned around, "What? Do you feel cheated?"

Xu Xuesi was embarrassed, "No... how could I."

Yang Jingxing pointed at Xu Xuesi and Qi Qingnuo, "If you trade, we'll benefit."

The group laughed, and Qi Qingnuo asked, "Luo Jiaqian, between him and me, who do you choose?"

Luo Jiaqian sighed, "You."

Qi Qingnuo looked down on Yang Jingxing, "Still not your turn."

In the afternoon, they continued listening to songs, focusing on works by participants over 36 years old. A few received enthusiastic applause due to the composers' names or reputations. However, true masters wouldn't participate in such competitions, competing with juniors for a few thousand dollars in prize money and unnecessary fame, so it was hard to find truly inspiring works.

At five o'clock, they dispersed, and a few of them went to take the subway home or back to school. Qi Qingnuo stood next to Yang Jingxing, holding the handrail and swaying slightly with the train, and asked, "Should we call Yu Xinting for dinner?"

Yang Jingxing guessed, "She's probably eaten by now."

Qi Qingnuo called Yu Xinting and decided, "Let's go to Fu Feirong's place; I'm hungry... of course, she'll treat us, we're both broke... it'll be another half hour, wait for us... whatever."

On the way, Qi Qingnuo and Yang Jingxing discussed professional issues. She suggested that Yang Jingxing should write love songs, as they were the mainstay of the current music market.

Yang Jingxing said, "Without life experience, I can't write well."

Qi Qingnuo lamented, "Even if you haven't eaten pork, you've seen pigs run. It's a shame we have so many beautiful girls."

Yu Xinting and An Xin were already waiting in the parking lot. Yu Xinting said she wanted to call Fu Feirong, but Yang Jingxing said it wasn't necessary. At Fu's barbecue, the owner welcomed them warmly, and the busy owner also came out to greet them. Fu Feirong was there, helping, but she had to leave soon for a performance.

Yang Jingxing asked, "Have you eaten? Let's eat together."

Fu Feirong said she had already eaten.

Qi Qingnuo noticed, "You're treating us."

Fu Feirong nodded, "I'm too busy... I'll order for you."

Yu Xinting, of course, wanted grilled fish. The owner heard and called the newly hired server to fetch a large fish, saying, "Pick a big one, no need to weigh it."

Yang Jingxing said, "No, it must be weighed!"

The owner was sincere about treating them, but it seemed Yang Jingxing wasn't just being polite. The owner was anxious and said, "Pengpeng is treating you, not us."

Fu Feirong nodded, "Yes, I should treat you."

Yang Jingxing said, "You treat them, and I'll benefit, okay?"

The owner said, "It's the same, what else do you want?"

Yang Jingxing said to Yu Xinting and the others, "Thank you in advance."

Qi Qingnuo scolded, "Can you stop being illogical?"

Yu Xinting also said, "We should thank Pengpeng."

Fu Feirong was a bit embarrassed, "No need... it's my duty."

Yang Jingxing said to Fu Feirong, "I'm busy the next few days and can't write lyrics. Let's meet tonight. Can you come back by midnight?"

Qi Qingnuo helped answer, "About that time."

Yu Xinting asked excitedly, "Is the new song ready?"

Yang Jingxing said, "The melody is almost done, but there are no lyrics. I thought, let's just use chanting."

Fu Feirong asked, "How will you chant?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Let's eat first, we'll talk about it later... you're treating us, so you should eat too!"

The owner helped Fu Feirong move a chair, "Sit, join them."

Qi Qingnuo also said, "No problem, why go so early, you're a singer!"

After the dishes arrived, the owner brought two more bottles of beer, saying, "Pengpeng will drink beer with him, you drink soft drinks."

Yang Jingxing proposed a toast, "Let's wish Fu Feirong success in her singing."

An Xin said, "The premiere of the new song must wait for us."

Fu Feirong nodded, "I need your guidance."

Qi Qingnuo said, "You're being modest, thank you for this meal... tell your sister-in-law not to bring more dishes, we can't finish."

The owner was very generous, bringing seven or eight dishes, ignoring other customers. Yu Xinting was particularly delighted, "Smoked meat, sausages... so delicious!" Her chopsticks trembled with excitement.

Fu Feirong said, "Brought from my hometown."

Yang Jingxing said, "Not on the menu, you eat them yourselves?"

Fu Feirong asked, "Can you eat them?"

Yang Jingxing and Qi Qingnuo said they were fine, and An Xin also tried them, but Yu Xinting liked them the most, "Almost the same as my grandmother's." She complained that Puhai's smoked meat and sausages were not authentic, not half as good as those from her hometown.

Fu Feirong really wanted to toast Yang Jingxing, who drank it, saying, "To our successful collaboration."

An Xin said to Fu Feirong, "I should ask for your autograph now to keep as a treasure."

Qi Qingnuo said, "Don't put too much pressure on her, let's drink to her future success. Come to Huiguang to support her."

Fu Feirong didn't resist, saying, "Enjoy your meal."

They finished eating around seven, and Fu Feirong had to leave. Her sister-in-law saw Yang Jingxing and the others off. The smoked meat and sausages moved Yu Xinting to tears, and she kept saying thank you. The owner invited her to come back often.

Yang Jingxing asked Qi Qingnuo if she wanted to go to the station, and Qi Qingnuo said, "Let's see your new song, can we?"

Yang Jingxing said, "It's not finished yet, I'll work overtime tonight."

Yu Xinting said, "We won't disturb you, I'll go online with An Xin."

An Xin said, "I'll go back to the dorm to wash clothes."

Qi Qingnuo asked, "Don't you have him wash your clothes?"

An Xin said, "Underwear."

Yang Jingxing complained, "So stingy."

An Xin and Qi Qingnuo laughed.

The three returned to room 402, where Yu Xinting brought her laptop and shivered from the cold. Qi Qingnuo sat next to Yang Jingxing, watching him finish the new song. Indeed, there were no lyrics, just two words, "ah" and "um." Yang Jingxing marked the phrasing to prevent Fu Feirong from running out of breath.

The melody and rhythm suggested a gentle, melancholic feel. Yang Jingxing's main task was to complete the piano accompaniment chords and slightly modify the melody. He Hongwei had said that Yang Jingxing had a good understanding of chords, not only familiar with common usage but also innovative in his own compositions. However, today, he stuck to the standard, completing the chords skillfully to match the gentle melody.

As a professional and senior, Qi Qingnuo didn't comment, just watched Yang Jingxing work. They didn't speak for a long time, only when Yang Jingxing asked, "Like this?" and Qi Qingnuo nodded, "It's fine."

Yu Xinting occasionally looked over and noticed that Yang Jingxing used mostly simple chords for improvisation, but they were functionally sound.

From 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, they finally finished. Qi Qingnuo stretched and stood up to move around. Yang Jingxing reviewed it carefully and said, "Come, you sing, Xinting plays."

Yu Xinting said, "It doesn't have a name yet."

Yang Jingxing said to Qi Qingnuo, "It's your turn this time."

Qi Qingnuo was modest, "Xinting, you do it."

Yu Xinting said, "You name it."

Qi Qingnuo said, "Let's feel it out first."