Chapter 94

Xiaoshuxia and Xiaoshuyun didn't return until four in the afternoon. They had changed their hairstyles, and their faces looked much smoother and more radiant. The time spent that day was not wasted. However, Xiaoshuyun didn't have as good a base, so her glamorous makeup didn't look as natural compared to Xiaoshuxia.

During dinner, the two sisters were still discussing this. Xiaoshuxia tried to persuade her sister to get a fruit acid peel, but it seemed to take a long time and was quite painful, so Xiaoshuyun hadn't made up her mind yet. Wang Hui also joined in the conversation, and she was even more extreme, wanting to have her facial bones shaved!

Looking at Yang Jingxing, who was wolfing down his food, Xiaoshuxia felt a bit proud: "You're lucky to be in my belly!"

At seven in the evening, there was a New Year's Eve party organized by the student council, and Wang Hui had decided to watch it at noon. Xiaoshuxia was very unhappy with Yang Jingxing because he hadn't participated. She regretted even more that the last time Yang Jingxing collaborated with New York, she hadn't brought more relatives and friends.

The party was held in the old music hall, and there were quite a few people, almost filling the hall. Yu Xinting and An Xin helped reserve seats, and six people sat in a row.

The content of the party was rich, with magic shows, crosstalk, and more. However, the main focus was on singing and instrumental performances. The school's Kunqu Opera Club also put on a play, and although Xiaoshuxia pointed out many flaws, she still enjoyed it.

At nine o'clock, after a soprano aria that made both Xiaoshuxia and Xiaoshuyun shake their heads, the host announced the next act: "Next is a piano and trumpet duet, composed by Yang Jingxing, performed by..."

Huh, all the women around Yang Jingxing looked at him. Yang Jingxing stretched his neck: "No one told me."

The two people who went on stage were the sophomore piano major and the brass major who had hidden outside the classroom to listen to Yang Jingxing and Tao Meng's duet. There was some commotion from the audience, indicating that the two on stage had a special relationship.

The boy sat at the piano and said to the audience: "This is a special polyphonic work by Yang Jingxing, a first-year composition major. He didn't tell us the name or give it a number, but I believe everyone will like it. I wonder if he's here..."

Yu Xinting raised her hand slightly and then lowered her head, but Yang Jingxing hid even lower. However, someone had already spotted Yang Jingxing and pointed him out like a rat in the street: "There, there he is!" Everyone turned to look at Yang Jingxing.

Yang Jingxing's head was pulled up by his mother's ear, causing Yu Xinting to lead a burst of laughter.

After Yang Jingxing waved to acknowledge the audience, the performance began. As soon as the piano prelude started, the music hall became much quieter. Yu Xinting looked at Yang Jingxing, and it was indeed "Through the Storm."

This was probably the longest act of the night, lasting over eight minutes. It was clear that the female trumpet player was working hard, while the piano performance was much better.

The beautiful and full melody rose and fell, and the five or six hundred audience members listened in silence, occasionally glancing back at Yang Jingxing. The performers played without sheet music, and the attention to detail showed that they had practiced diligently.

When the performance ended, Xiaoshuxia raised her head with a smile to accept the整齐而热烈的掌声. Many people looked at the stage, and many also turned to look at Yang Jingxing. Yang Jingxing was also clapping, and Yu Xinting followed suit.

This was better than "Morning Glow" and more pleasant to the ear than "Rachmaninoff's Third." Xiaoshuxia said that when Yang Jingxing got home, he must play it for Yang Chengyi.

A girl sitting in front of Xiaoshuxia turned around and smiled at Yang Jingxing: "Yang Jingxing, does this piece have a name?"

Yang Jingxing said: "I named it 'Through the Storm.'"

The girl nodded: "Oh... I'm a third-year modern music major. I know Liu Siman, and I'm also familiar with Qi Qingnuo. They didn't come?"

Yang Jingxing said: "I didn't see them."

The girl nodded again, glanced at Yu Xinting, and then looked back at Yang Jingxing: "Can you give me the score? I can give you my email..."

Yang Jingxing said: "You can get it from Liu Siman; they have it."

The girl asked: "When did you write it? I haven't heard them mention it." As she spoke, a boy and a girl next to her also turned to look at Yang Jingxing.

Yang Jingxing said: "Not long ago."

Another girl said: "We've heard 'Sun in the Rain.'"

Yang Jingxing smiled: "Thanks for your hard work."

They all laughed, and the next act began.

After Yang Jingxing dealt with his mother and cousin, Yu Xinting asked him softly: "How did they know about this piece?"

Yang Jingxing said: "They asked me for it; it's not a secret."

"But..." Yu Xinting's voice became even softer: "Would she be angry if she found out?"

Yang Jingxing also whispered: "It's better than when Tao Meng played it. We're not trying to discourage her."

Yu Xinting smiled and continued mysteriously: "When they asked for the score in the dorm, I said I didn't have it."

Yang Jingxing was angry: "Well, you didn't help me promote it."

Yu Xinting giggled: "I'll give it to them later."

After a while, Hong Tian's band took the stage, and Niu Jionghua sang an original rock song. Yang Jingxing's slow and steady applause seemed to be the most enthusiastic.

The long and varied party didn't end until ten o'clock. Yu Xinting took Yang Jingxing to the parking lot and said goodbye to Xiaoshuxia.

As soon as he got home, Yang Jingxing received a call from Tao Meng. Tao Meng asked: "Is your mother gone?"

Yang Jingxing said: "Her flight is tomorrow at noon."

Tao Meng suddenly laughed: "I learned the piece you taught me, but I have to put my hand on my leg to do it."

Yang Jingxing said: "If I put my hand on your leg, I wouldn't be able to do anything."

Tao Meng remained silent.

Yang Jingxing apologized: "Don't be angry, I don't have the courage."

Tao Meng complained after a while: "No more of that. I saw it on TV during an award ceremony, but I didn't record it. I'll have to wait for a rerun."

Yang Jingxing asked: "Was there a close-up of you?"

Tao Meng said: "Of course not. The composer's name was listed as 402, and the lyricist was me. Your name was above mine, but the text was a bit small..."

On Monday, Yang Jingxing sent his mother and aunt to the airport without even having lunch, then returned to school to prepare for the semester exhibition. The composition department's semester exhibition was similar to the performance department's, but it felt more grand. He Hongchui's task for Yang Jingxing was to write the orchestral version of "Sun in the Rain," which would be performed by the school orchestra as the finale.

Around two in the afternoon, Yang Jingxing received a call from Qi Qingnuo, who, upon learning he was in 402, said she would bring Ran Jie and Fu Feirong over.

Yang Jingxing waited for over half an hour, and then Qi Qingnuo, Ran Jie, and Fu Feirong arrived, along with Wang Rui, who was carrying a pipa. Wang Rui immediately confronted Yang Jingxing: "What have you been doing these past few days... You've been enjoying yourself, while we've been practicing for two days!"

Ran Jie was still happy: "I didn't expect someone to write a song for me. Little Yang, thank you."

Fu Feirong asked Qi Qingnuo: "Where's Yu Xinting?"

Qi Qingnuo said: "She has a class in the afternoon." She asked Yang Jingxing: "Are you playing the piano, or should I?"

Yang Jingxing said: "You play."

So, Qi Qingnuo and Wang Rui took their seats, and Ran Jie looked around before standing in the middle and calling to Fu Feirong: "Pengpeng."

They had a stage presence, with Ran Jie and Fu Feirong holding hands lightly, facing their only audience, Yang Jingxing. Ran Jie's performance was already on par with that of a major star, but Fu Feirong was more nervous than she was in the bar, with a tense expression and stiff arms.

Wang Rui was also a main performer, and she started first, already very proficient. Qi Qingnuo acted like a stage director, playing the piano while watching the other performers.

After the prelude, Ran Jie began to sing. Listening to her sing other people's songs before, it didn't seem like much, but today, as soon as she opened her mouth, she demonstrated many qualities of an excellent singer, with a good stage presence, singing style, and a unique voice. The first line was already impressive.

Fu Feirong followed, and her control of her voice was clearly not as proficient as Ran Jie's. She couldn't use all the advantages of a mature singer to give the song a special flavor, but her performance was still lively and full of energy, forming a stark contrast with Ran Jie. If not viewed purely from a technical perspective, Fu Feirong didn't fall far behind Ran Jie.

In fact, Yang Jingxing had considered these factors when writing the song. Fu Feirong absolutely couldn't sing Ran Jie's part, as her performance would be significantly reduced. The contrast between the two female voices was part of the artistic pursuit of the song.

Ran Jie might never have been on a stage as big as Duan Liying's, but even if she were, she wouldn't be nervous or excited. Fu Feirong, on the other hand, was visibly affected by the presence of Yang Jingxing, with her movements and expressions not quite in place, but her voice remained unaffected.

As the song progressed to the second part, Ran Jie became even more in the zone, her voice effortlessly hitting the high notes. Fu Feirong's performance was enhanced by the melody and the piano accompaniment.

Yang Jingxing gave a big thumbs up and smiled broadly.

Seemingly encouraged, in the third part, the climax, Fu Feirong and Ran Jie's voices and eye contact became more natural, and both sang more passionately. The few high notes in this section were challenging, but Ran Jie handled them with ease, singing clearly and accurately. Fu Feirong was slightly less impressive here, but her performance was still acceptable and even considered a strength.

At the end of the song, Yang Jingxing clapped enthusiastically. Ran Jie's performance was much better than Nian Qing's, and Fu Feirong's voice was more distinctive than Qi Qingnuo's. Overall, this duo's performance was a significant improvement over the first version Yang Jingxing had heard. Wang Rui's understanding of the pipa had also deepened, and Qi Qingnuo's piano playing was a highlight. They said they had practiced for two days, and it didn't seem like they were exaggerating.

Ran Jie chuckled: "How was it, Little Yang?"

Yang Jingxing nodded repeatedly, looking very satisfied: "It was great." He looked at Qi Qingnuo, who had her legs crossed, and said: "You're better at being a producer than a singer."

Qi Qingnuo laughed slightly, somewhat dismissively, and asked: "When is the premiere?"

Yang Jingxing asked: "Ran Jie, when do you think is a good time?"

Ran Jie said: "Whenever you're free, preferably on the weekend. David still needs to find a pipa."

Yang Jingxing said: "Let's aim for this weekend."

Qi Qingnuo was skeptical: "Will you be free?"

Yang Jingxing said: "I should be free in the evening." He then said to Fu Feirong: "You've learned a lot; you should thank Ran Jie and the others."

Fu Feirong nodded and looked at the others for a decision: "How about we go for some grilled fish later?"

Ran Jie agreed: "Sure, I haven't been there yet."

Fu Feirong asked Yang Jingxing: "Should we invite Yu Xinting?"

Yang Jingxing smiled: "Of course, she can't miss out on this."

Yang Jingxing called Yu Xinting, and the girl arrived a few minutes later, out of breath, and handed out some beef jerky to everyone. She said it was a specialty from a friend's hometown and was quite delicious.

Yu Xinting giggled: "I couldn't resist eating one earlier, and now my jaw is a bit sore." She touched her jaw.

Fu Feirong asked: "Can you still eat the smoked meat?"

"More?" Yu Xinting's expression showed she could.

Fu Feirong nodded: "Yes. The new song has been approved."

Yu Xinting was delighted: "That's great, it must sound good, right?"

Fu Feirong smiled: "It does."

Yu Xinting was eager: "I really want to hear it. Have you recorded it?"

Fu Feirong looked at Ran Jie. Yang Jingxing said: "Could you sing it again, Ran Jie, and play the piano yourself?"

Yu Xinting hesitated: "If I play the piano, I won't be able to listen carefully."

Yang Jingxing said: "I'll play."

Ran Jie laughed: "It's just like the recording, I've sung it over and over."

Yu Xinting was worried: "Then never mind."

Ran Jie quickly laughed: "No problem, if you want to hear it, we'll sing it."

Yu Xinting tried to explain, but Wang Rui had already called for preparation.

Yu Xinting listened with great enthusiasm and clapped repeatedly: "You sang so well, that was amazing."

Qi Qingnuo was jealous: "That means I didn't do well."

Yu Xinting giggled: "No, everyone has their strengths... What do others say?"

Qi Qingnuo said: "My dad said it was good, my mom hasn't heard it yet, and no one else has."

Yu Xinting asked: "When will you sing it at the bar? We'll come." She looked at Yang Jingxing.

Qi Qingnuo said: "How about Saturday?" She asked Yang Jingxing: "Should we invite Old Mama?"

Yang Jingxing said: "Let's skip it."

Qi Qingnuo nodded. Ran Jie glanced at Yang Jingxing and kept smiling without saying anything.

Yu Xinting said to Fu Feirong: "I think this song is one of the top ten best I've heard."

Fu Feirong nodded.

Yang Jingxing teased Yu Xinting: "Since you asked for an extra performance, you should return the favor and sing one."

Everyone supported the idea, except Yu Xinting, who was hesitant and finally decided: "I'll sing... but you have to sing with me."

Fu Feirong agreed: "Sure, what song?"

...

They played for about an hour, with Yang Jingxing and Qi Qingnuo accompanying on the piano, and the other women singing. They went to eat at five, and An Xin was unavailable, so six people squeezed into a car, with Ran Jie sitting in the front.

Upon arrival, Fu Feirong's sister-in-law treated Ran Jie more warmly than Yang Jingxing, using respectful titles. Ran Jie laughed and joked, dispelling the formality.

Yu Xinting, smelling the smoked meat, was excited: "We had seafood the day before yesterday. It was my first time eating abalone, and it was delicious, but I still think this is better."

Wang Rui was angry: "I'm telling you, I even broke my finger picks, and you're being so extravagant!"

Yu Xinting explained: "It wasn't just me; his mother and aunt treated us..."

Qi Qingnuo glanced at Yang Jingxing: "You're really loyal!"

Yang Jingxing said: "We'll go when we have time."

Qi Qingnuo shook her head: "Forget it, I know you're busy."

Wang Rui asked Yu Xinting: "Just you?"

"An Xin was there too." Yu Xinting's voice was much softer, and her eyes quickly scanned the table.