Mysterious Assistant of the Washed-Up Queen-Chapter 524 - 336: Sad Love Song, A Song of Blue and White_2
"National Music will survive..."
For some reason, despite the moving music on stage and the enthusiastic cheers of the audience, the spectators who had just listened intently to his words felt an inexplicable tightness in their chests.
It was as if they sensed something important slipping away.
Or as if they were experiencing that profound helplessness of witnessing a momentous event unfold, powerless to intervene.
Or perhaps, it was a mysterious sense of mission, tinged with desolation.
"OHHH!!"
"AH! It sounds so good!"
"President Xu is President Xu; her Singing Skills are unbeatable!"
"Hahaha, that scene just now was too beautiful, I captured it!"
"You really have to hear music live; this feeling is just too amazing!"
A girl who had never studied music but simply enjoyed it gazed blankly at the cheering crowd as the previous song ended.
Looking at the waving glow sticks, a line of poetry inexplicably popped into her head, ’Unaware of the nation’s fate, the merchant’s daughter still sings...’
No! That’s not right! Why would such a thought suddenly come to mind? It’s not like that at all.
She gave an awkward laugh, feeling somewhat embarrassed and also a bit sad, without knowing why.
"Okay, thank you, everyone. I appreciate your affection. The next song I’m about to sing is one I seldom perform. I’m not sure if everyone still remembers it, but if you do, please sing along with me, okay?
"I don’t know how many people like this song, but I personally love it. According to Teacher Youmeng, this song was written based on our traditional culture; it’s an ancient-style song.
"After all, isn’t our traditional culture the most beautiful? Do you all like the ancient style? Maybe this song isn’t perfect, maybe my performance isn’t outstanding, but I still want to dedicate this song to you and hope you can like it!
"A ’Peach Blossom Promise’ to all of you!"
"Peach Blossom Promise"? some in the audience wondered, momentarily bewildered; they didn’t know this song at all.
After all, it had only been performed once in public and had never been truly promoted.
Even when it was released as a single, amidst the buzz of a new album that naturally generated some heat, other songs would typically gain some synergistic traction. But this song hadn’t been linked at all, so its influence was even smaller.
However, longtime fans, or those very familiar with her, recalled it immediately.
Because they didn’t just like her songs; they liked Xu Qingqiu herself. So, they would always click to listen and would have come across this song.
Some felt it was pretty good after listening; others loved it to their very core.
"Upon first meeting, promises made as the wind gently scattered the clouds,
"Through the years, asking, what night is this, what year?
"A knowing heart, hoping obsession endures through the cycles of time,
"In a fingersnap, how many times have flowers bloomed and withered."
Hmm? This song...
Many first-time listeners instantly widened their eyes.
It was their first encounter with this style of music, and they immediately felt an aura of the martial world envelop them.
Familiar tunes, familiar instruments—it was as if they were etched into their very bones, a dormant ancestral memory suddenly awakening and surging within them.
"Are those traditional instruments?"
"The lyrics are so beautiful, aren’t they? Just like classical poetry..."
It was truly ancient style, indeed carrying an air of timeless charm.
The audience’s eyes lit up as if they had discovered a whole new world.
"An inch of land, a year for a tree; a flower, a tree, a covetous desire.
"Love is a seed that insists on blooming on a lost path.
"Forgetting the road ahead, forgetting old possessions, forgetting my heart, forgetting you, forgetting the very start.
"Mottled petals left on the path of loving you."
*Mottled petals left on the path of loving you...*
Is this the ancient style? So captivating, as though it’s etched into the bones.
Ancient style? Ancient charm? A flavor unique to this people, a mark of this civilization?
Instinctively, the audience members who had earlier listened to that man’s words silently turned their gaze towards him.
At the same time, his previous declaration echoed in their minds.
"National Music hasn’t died; it has simply been reborn in a new way!"
It was like the bright sun shining through a window lattice, or the spring breeze sweeping across open fields.
The heaviness in their hearts from moments before seemed to lift, and even the stage lights appeared brighter.
"AH! AH! AH! It’s so good! So incredibly good!"
"Xu Qingqiu, I like you!"
"I really love this song!"
"’Youmeng, you’re awesome!’"
"’You’re awesome!’"
"’Chinese music is awesome!’"
They shouted one after another, their screams like a release of pent-up emotion.
Those around them glanced over, puzzled at first, but were soon swept up in the atmosphere.
In an instant, the venue became even more fervent.
Backstage, Chu Tian glanced at the frequent system notifications and newly appearing tasks. After a brief look, he dismissed them from his mind. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞
His reputation had been rising steadily, and tasks updated continuously.
Luckily, his system seemed to mirror his own laid-back attitude—likely having given up, it was utterly indifferent and imposed no penalties for failure.
He wasn’t completely idle, though. He’d complete a few tasks when opportunities arose, and the system, in turn, would update with new ones.
Somehow, the two maintained a strange balance, their coordination exceptionally smooth, as if they’d worked together for countless years.
Ignoring the system for the moment, he saw Yang Lin and her partner from Phoenix Legend returning backstage. He smiled and gave them a thumbs-up, acknowledging their great performance.
Yang Lin and her partner, who had been somewhat downcast, had already felt a sense of relief hearing the audience’s cheers as they left the stage.
Chu Tian’s approval now made them even happier. They bounced off, winking and making playful faces as they headed to change their clothes.
...
The second Kun City concert also concluded amidst enthusiastic calls for an encore.
An encore was inevitable. Nowadays, not having one felt almost like losing face.
What was once an affirmation for singers had nearly become standard practice. Even if the audience didn’t ask for it, company staff would be arranged to initiate it.
Encores used to run overtime, but now they were prepared in advance. They could be seen as under control, or as if their scripts had long been arranged.
However, Xu Qingqiu’s encore was a genuine one. The cries of the audience nearly lifted the roof—even though there wasn’t one to begin with.
The audience’s enthusiasm was genuine. If Xu Qingqiu hadn’t worked to calm them, getting off stage would have been impossible; they nearly pulled her back for another song.
If going overtime wouldn’t affect the review and approval process for the dozens of upcoming concerts, she might not have been able to resist.
Fortunately, her reason prevailed, and she managed to hold back.
As the Kun City concert wrapped up, the venue in another city, Fei City, was already buzzing with construction.
To prevent any mishaps, the group departed for Fei City immediately after the Kun City concert concluded.
They had to leave promptly. Although the Fei City concert was still two or three days away, experienced people knew not to lower their guard just because time seemed plentiful.
Imagine how embarrassing it would be for some singers if they couldn’t even buy tickets to their own concerts?
It’s even more awkward to finally get a ticket, only to find it’s for a standing-room spot, isn’t it?
But the most mortifying scenario? Getting a standing-room ticket, being photographed, and then having that picture posted online. That would be the ultimate embarrassment.
Chu Tian recalled an acquaintance from his past life perched on a small stool in a dining car. They were photographed, and the image posted online, showing them rushing to their own concert. The memory made him want to laugh, yet he feared such a fate for himself.
He couldn’t bear the thought of Xu Qingqiu traveling by train alone. As a young woman, it would be too dangerous.
So, there was no question: it was better to go early and avoid any potential mishaps.
Their caution, as it turned out, was prescient.
The buzz from the first two concerts had built up. Additionally, Fei City wasn’t a major tourist destination with extensive transportation links. As a result, her concerts caused an unexpected surge in passengers for both planes and trains.
This foresight left the entire team immensely relieved.
And so, amidst all the hustle and bustle, the third stop of the tour—Fei City—kicked off on schedule.
As expected, the guest performer this time wasn’t Li Guang or Phoenix Legend, but the studio’s third Singer, Wu Ya.
Even the audience had grown familiar with the routine and wasn’t surprised in the least.
"Next, let’s welcome Wu Ya performing ’Azure Flower’!"
"March passes, willow catkins scattering,
"Lovers hurry by,
"My love remains unmoved by the wind,
"Leafing through yesterday, still feeling its warmth,
"A dust-covered heart,
"In a daze, as if separated by lifetimes,"
