Chapter 24

......

Overcast sky~ in a room with no lights on~

When all thoughts slowly settle~

Is love a spiritual high~

Or just a pastime at the end of the world~

Cigarette~ forming a circle of light~

And his photo is right by my side~

Two silly people~ smiling so sweet~

......

At the beginning, every moment was wonderful~

Everyone thought the passion would never fade~

Except for the slight weariness after the passion fades~

......

Perhaps as someone said, insatiable~

Deserving the criticism of being reckless~

In those few years~ emotions won over reason~

......

Completely different from the previous style, Lin Zai Shan's singing in this song "Overcast Sky" has changed significantly.

A bit lazy, a bit lingering.

Just like on an overcast day, a middle-aged man smoking, sinking into a room with no lights on, letting his thoughts settle through a circle of light. Seeing through love, his voice seems to have become a spiritual high, softening people's souls, smoothing out the rough edges of their hearts.

Listening slowly, one would find the song's portrayal of love so detailed, it's almost shocking.

Emotional people can hear reason in the song, and rational people can hear emotion.

Perfectly natural, incredibly sharp.

Without even talking about the melody and singing skills, just the lyrics that calm the heart are enough to draw people in.

Kweiyu, who gave Lin Zai Shan the challenge, was deeply moved when he saw Lin Zai Shan draw out a love-filled light that could pierce the heart in an instant—

This uncle is so strong!

Over the past 20 years, he not only沉淀ed music but also a unique life.

How many stories does he have behind him?

In just half a song, Kweiyu became extremely interested in Lin Zai Shan's life.

Park Daesung and others, after listening to Lin Zai Shan's performance that changed the sky's color, were also deeply impressed.

Regardless of whether this song was created on the spot, the ability to describe love so vividly through an overcast sky is a genius act! Only someone with rich life experiences could write this.

Ma Xiaodong, seeing Lin Zai Shan present profound love philosophies through a fitting melody, looked at him with renewed respect.

This guy's song is really good, like a soft net, and like an overcast afternoon that stirs countless thoughts, covering from the ears to the heart, making it impossible to resist.

Playing a solo melody that seems to flow only on overcast days, Lin Zai Shan continued to sing this emotional masterpiece by Master Li—

......

Overcast sky~ in a room with no lights on~

When all thoughts slowly settle~

The doubts and blind spots in love and desire~ become so obvious~

......

Girls~ step aside~

Even if you experience all the nuances in this song~

To truly understand~ it might take years~

......

Recalling that day~ the noisy wedding~

What you heard~ was it the prelude or the finale~

Isn't love just mutual consent~

Best if love and hate balance out, owing nothing to each other~

Love, in essence~ one person breaks free~ the other picks up the pieces~

......

Men don't need to defend themselves~

Women don't need to look pitiful~

In those few years~ you two just didn't have the right connection~

......

This tone, this sentiment, about the shocking birth and perfect end of love, is written without a single drop of water in a few lines of lyrics.

Lin Zai Shan's voice is magnetic and warm, yet carries a rational coldness, as if telling everyone: life goes on even without love.

Sun Yuzhen, who hasn't truly been in love, felt this way while listening to "Overcast Sky": the higher your expectations for love, the greater your disappointment; don't view love as something too perfect.

People in love, listening to "Overcast Sky," would think about being prepared for the worst—though your love is strong, who knows if you'll face a breakup tomorrow, and from then on, be strangers, owing nothing to each other.

And those who have experienced a breakup, listening to this song "Overcast Sky," would feel a sense of release—after all, a forced relationship is never sweet, and there are always other flowers in the world. Crying and wailing are unnecessary, as your current sentimentality might make you miss out on other opportunities.

On a hot summer afternoon, the faded wooden guitar, strumming softly, accompanied by Lin Zai Shan's deep, slightly hoarse, magnetic voice, created a delicate and fragile emotion that slowly melted in the hearts of the people in the meeting room, pulling them through the barriers of time and space, gradually settling.

A casual tune, but Lin Zai Shan sang it with deep sorrow.

This sorrow spread in the heart like ripples, gradually fading.

Under the smoothing of time, it seemed to return to calm.

In the end, it turned into a reflection on love.

This is "Overcast Sky"—

......

Overcast sky~ in a room with no lights on~

When all thoughts slowly settle~

Is love a spiritual high~

Or just a pastime at the end of the world~

Cigarette~ forming a circle of light~

And his photo is right by my side~

Two silly people~ smiling so sweet~

......

Two silly people~ smiling so sweet~

......

A slow ballad, perfect for Lin Zai Shan's magnetic voice to perform.

His voice lacks too many techniques, as if he's singing to his own soul, yet it intoxicates everyone else.

In this song, he always faces the coming and going of love with a light and detached attitude.

The high and low melodies, like a monologue, reveal the helplessness of seeing the world's changes and a faint sadness.

Only such a voice can touch the hearts of those wavering between advancing and retreating.

The guitar's final note faded, but the sky outside the window still seemed overcast.

Everyone was quiet, savoring Lin Zai Shan's nearly perfect "improvised work."

Park Daesung forgot to applaud and cheer for Lin Zai Shan, and no one was whispering anymore; they were all moved by the song.

Ma Xiaodong couldn't help but give Lin Zai Shan a small thumbs up in his heart.

All the musical techniques used by this old-timer in this song were top-notch, from the lyrics to the melody to the singing, all were perfect.

If this song were released, it would likely achieve good results.

It seems this old-timer hasn't wasted his time over the years; he has really沉淀ed a lot.

Or, are these songs copied from his friends?

Ma Xiaodong suddenly had other thoughts.

After a long sigh, Park Daesung praised, "Sang really well!"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Kweiyu leaned close to Sun Yuzhen's ear and said, "Where did you find this uncle? He's so strong!"

Sun Yuzhen whispered back with a smile, "It was fate that brought me to this uncle."

Kweiyu smiled at Sun Yuzhen, as if reading something only women could understand from her clear, beautiful eyes.

This time, Park Daesung didn't ask Ma Xiaodong for comments. Seeing Ma Xiaodong with his arms crossed, still sitting like a rock, he knew Ma Xiaodong was still looking for flaws.

Park Daesung gave Niu Li a wink.

Niu Li immediately understood and said to Lin Zai Shan with an expectant tone, "Mr. Lin, the song you just created with the theme of 'Overcast Sky' was so beautiful. Can you try again with a different weather theme, like 'Rainy Day'? The sky is already overcast, it would be refreshing if it rained."

As she spoke, she glanced at Ma Xiaodong, as if hinting at his overcast expression.

Could she be hoping that Lin Zai Shan would sing about rain for Ma Xiaodong?

Everyone showed an expectant look, including the people from the music department, who were eagerly watching Lin Zai Shan's performance, as if they were at a concert.

Lin Zai Shan enjoyed the feeling of touching and conquering others with his music, and his spirit was exceptionally invigorated.

He nodded to Niu Li, who had a long, literary face reminiscent of the actress Gao Lu, and without further ado, immediately drew his sword!

Strumming the strings like a heavy rain, he drenched everyone's ears with a downpour—

......

Rain keeps falling~ the atmosphere isn't warm~

Under the same roof~ you gradually feel your heart changing~

You love him~ maybe with some hate~

You've spent half your youth~ just playing with him~

......

Just as you want to leave him~ he brings flowers~

Saying irrelevant things~ making the scene even more awkward~

Unbelievable, isn't it? The dream collapses in an instant~

Why were you so foolish~ wanting to marry him~

......

It's because you loved him deeply that you resent him~

Whether you can let go or not, it's a cliff with no way back~

It's because you loved him deeply that you let him go~

Even with a broken heart, you must let go~

Have you forgotten the wounds of loving him~ they are already all over~

......

That's right, he was singing the classic hit from the previous life—

Zhang Yu's "Rain Keeps Falling"!

His deep, resonant voice and passionate singing style left everyone in awe! They were immediately drenched in a heavy rain, moving from the overcast atmosphere!

It was as if he had become a weather forecaster, and whatever song he sang, the people's hearts changed with the weather, so magical that even the experienced veterans in the meeting room were amazed!

Park Daesung was almost ecstatic listening to Lin Zai Shan's rainy song!

He kept exchanging glances with Kweiyu and Niu Li.

They all knew that if the contestants in the "Strongest Singer-Songwriter" competition could create such high-quality works with the same theme but different styles during the PK stage, the show would be a hit!

This old-timer's musical adaptability was truly amazing!

Park Daesung wanted to applaud and pay tribute to Lin Zai Shan while he was singing.

After Lin Zai Shan sang "Rain Keeps Falling," young producers like Sun Yuzhen felt like they were kneeling to listen to the song.

Someone from the music department couldn't resist applauding for Lin Zai Shan.

It seemed that this was no longer an interview but a personal music showcase for Lin Zai Shan.

After this song, many people were thinking, who could give another challenge, an encore, to prevent this showcase from ending? The musical charm this old-timer exuded was too astonishing, making it hard to stop!

Park Daesung was truly excited. After Lin Zai Shan sang "Rain Keeps Falling," he directly gave him another challenge: "Mr. Lin, you've sung about sunny, overcast, and rainy days. How about a snowy day?"

"Sure."

He wasn't annoyed by the repeated challenges from the show.

He had to turn his boasts into reality.

Moreover, he was enjoying the feeling of cultivating himself and others through singing.

To others, Lin Zai Shan's recent performances were astonishing, but he remained calm, as if everything he did was effortless.

Continuing to shock everyone like a quick-draw cowboy, as soon as the meeting room quieted down, Lin Zai Shan immediately responded.

This time, he sang another classic hit from the previous life—Fan Xiaoxuan's "Snowman."

His deep and heartfelt voice immediately brought a heart-wrenching snowfall to everyone's hearts—

......

So cold~ the snow is already so deep~

Merry Christmas to you~ my beloved~

So cold~ the whole winter at your door~

Are you my snowman~

I wait~ wait so foolishly~

......

Snow~ one by one, one by one~

Forming our destiny~

My love~ born for you~

Your touch makes my heart ache~

......

Snow~ one by one, one by one~

Gently falling in the sky~

Spring is almost here~

And I will~ will no longer exist~

......

After hearing Lin Zai Shan's snowy song, Park Daesung was so surprised he almost jumped up!

This old-timer's musical adaptability was simply out of this world!

He was perfect for their new show!

Park Daesung thought, if all the songs this old-timer created were at this level, deeply touching people's hearts, he would definitely be the strongest contender for the champion of this season's "Strongest Singer-Songwriter"!

And he could very well be a huge ratings guarantee for their show!

For this type of original music competition, the contestants' creative and singing abilities directly affect the show's quality.

If the songs they create are terrible, no matter how well they sing, the audience won't buy it; if the songs are great but their singing is poor, the audience won't buy it either.

Only a musician like Lin Zai Shan, with top-notch singing and creation skills, is the true foundation of their show!

Regardless of what Ma Xiaodong thought, Park Daesung had already decided: they must accept this old-timer!

Even if the executives had any issues with Lin Zai Shan's past, he would defy orders to bring this old-timer onto the show, because this was the true "Strongest Singer-Songwriter"!

Like Park Daesung, everyone in the meeting room, except Ma Xiaodong, was conquered by Lin Zai Shan's performances of overcast, sunny, rainy, and snowy days.

Liu Mengmeng was particularly moved by Lin Zai Shan's last snowy song.

A sad memory of a snowy day surfaced in her heart.

Her beautiful, almond-shaped eyes secretly moistened.

To Liu Mengmeng, this old-timer was truly amazing, and she wanted to meet him and see if there were any work opportunities.

After working as Ma Xiaodong's assistant for four years, Liu Mengmeng wasn't very satisfied with her job. The prospects for this job were limited, and Ma Xiaodong had no intention of promoting her.

She was already 27 years old and still an assistant, which wasn't her goal in the industry.

Relying on Ma Xia