novelraw Chapter 41 Listen to the Love Song of Advice!
Chapter 41 Listen to the Love Song of Advice!
In the dead of night, Lin Zhixing sat in front of his computer, looking at the Weibo interface on the screen.
There is only one week left until the semifinals.
The theme this time, "love," seems simple, but it is actually the most difficult "life-or-death question."
Love songs are the most numerous genre in the Chinese music scene, but also the easiest to become homogenized.
Singing too emotionally will be called "simp"; singing too bitterly will be called "playing the victim"; singing too sweetly will be called "industrial saccharin".
Trying to stand out in this overused genre is as difficult as climbing to the sky.
"We still need to listen to the opinions of the majority of netizens."
Lin Zhixing skillfully opened Weibo and edited a new post.
[Lin Zhixing V]:
"Family, the theme for the semi-finals of The Voice of China is 'love.' I'm here to get some advice again! Everyone says Lin Zhixing can only sing children's songs and opera-style vocals, and can't sing love songs? I'm asking to be proven wrong! What kind of love songs do you want to hear? Let me know in the comments! [doge emoji]"
The comment section instantly became lively after the post was published on Weibo.
After his outstanding performance in the first two episodes, Lin Zhixing's Weibo is now the biggest "wishing well" on the entire internet.
"Hahaha, finally! Is Brother Lin going to make a move on to love songs?"
"You can sing love songs? I don't believe it! Unless you sing one for me (shyly)."
"Lin Ge's love songs? The imagery is too beautiful for me to imagine. What if he suddenly pulls out a suona while singing? That would be a masterpiece!"
"Hey upstairs, stop messing around! Brother Lin, it's a whole sad love song! The kind that makes you want to call your ex!"
"No more sob stories! Life's already bitter enough! I want sweetness! The kind of sweetness that'll make your teeth ache!"
"Don't listen to them! Popular love songs are too cliché! Brother Lin, let's get something sophisticated! Like those about unrequited love or regret, the kind of love songs that make you want to go back to the past!"
Seeing that the comment about "regret" and "going back to the past" had received many likes, Lin Zhixing's eyes lit up.
Regret.
youth.
campus.
Isn't this the softest spot in everyone's heart?
Just then, a system notification sounded.
[Ding! High popularity suggestion detected: Sing a love song about "regrets of youth"]
[Task Generation: Regrets of Youth]
[Mission Level: B+]
[Task Requirements: Perform an original love song themed around "youth/regret" in the semi-finals of "The Voice of China" and win first place in your group to advance to the finals.]
[Success Rewards: 1 random purple skill blind box, 20000 reputation points, and 50000 yuan in cash]
[Failure Penalty: Randomly deduct one skill]
"A B+ level mission?"
It seems that this time the challenge is indeed quite significant.
After all, in a free-for-all format, the opponents are unknown, the judges are diverse, and there are too many variables.
However, the rewards are also incredibly generous!
Purple Skill Blind Box! I didn't even get to use the [Master Acting] skill from last time. If I get a purple music skill this time, I'll be set for life!
In addition, I have 5 yuan in cash, enough to rent a decent apartment.
System, you really know how to motivate working people.
"Youth...regret..."
Lin Zhixing closed his eyes, and almost instantly a divine song appeared in his mind.
That song was the background music for countless people's youth.
That song, as soon as the intro starts, can instantly transport you back to that summer filled with the chirping of cicadas.
"This is it!"
Lin Zhixing opened the document and typed two words.
……
The next morning.
Xinghe Building, the training ground for Ye Lan's team.
Because this is a free-for-all competition, Ye Lan specially arranged for each person to have a separate time slot to choose songs and rehearse in order to keep it confidential.
When it was Lin Zhixing's turn, only Ye Lan and Zhao Yu were in the conference room.
"Have you decided?"
Ye Lan, pen in hand, looked at Lin Zhixing as he walked in and asked, "What are you planning to sing this time?"
Lin Zhixing handed over the printed lyrics and sheet music, saying, "Original, love song."
"Another original work?"
Zhao Yu took the sheet music, his brows furrowing slightly.
Although Lin Zhixing's two previous original songs were huge hits, as a professional music director, he still felt it necessary to pour some cold water on the situation.
"Zhixing, love songs seem simple, but they are actually the hardest to make stand out."
Zhao Yu said earnestly, "There are too many love songs on the market, and listeners' ears have long been spoiled. Moreover, love songs have extremely high requirements for melody, that is, they must be catchy. If the melody is not good enough, no matter how fancy the lyrics are, it's useless."
"Moreover, this is a free-for-all, and you could be facing opponents of any style. If you run into a loud rocker or a high-pitched singer, you'll be at a disadvantage when you sing a slow love song."
Zhao Yu was telling the truth.
On the competitive stage, fast songs, high notes, and explosive stage effects are often easier to score points than heartfelt slow songs.
Lin Zhixing nodded. "I understand what Teacher Zhao said. But I still want to sing this song."
"Sure?"
Zhao Yu looked down at the sheet music in his hand.
It's a very ordinary name.
He hummed the melody as he watched, his brows gradually unfurrowing, his eyes shifting from initial skepticism to surprise, and finally he even gently tapped his feet to the rhythm.
"This melody..." Zhao Yu looked up at Lin Zhixing with a complicated expression. "It's got something special."
The melody is so catchy, it's the kind of addictive melody you can remember after just one listen!
And the lyrics...
Simple and straightforward, yet it carries an indescribable sense of regret and beauty.
Ye Lan also finished reading the lyrics. She put down the sheet music and looked at Lin Zhixing.
After reading "The Lone Warrior" and "Red-Haired Girl", she had gained a considerable understanding of Lin Zhixing's creative abilities.
But each time, he still manages to produce works of this quality, which still surprises her.
Just how much is in this man's head?
"Is this song about first love?" Ye Lan asked.
"I guess so," Lin Zhixing smiled. "It's also about youth, about those beautiful things that can never be relived."
"it is good."
Ye Lan didn't say a word more and made the decision directly, "This one."
She looked at Zhao Yu, "How about the arrangement?"
Zhao Yu pondered for a moment, "The core of this song is that sense of campus life and freshness. I don't think it needs too complicated an arrangement; the guitar is the soul. The beginning could use a cello introduction, then the guitar enters, creating a subtle melancholy. An interlude could be added..."
The three began discussing the details of the arrangement.
Lin Zhixing listened very attentively.
Although he had the original arrangement in mind, Zhao Yu was, after all, a top producer, and many of his suggestions could make the song more perfect on the world stage.
Over the next few days, Lin Zhixing entered a state of complete seclusion for preparation.
During the day, he would work with the band in the recording studio to refine the arrangement, and in the afternoon, he would go to Ye Lan's studio for "special training".
Under Ye Lan's rigorous tutelage, his proficiency in singing is also steadily improving.
"Relax a bit more on the high notes! Don't strain your throat!"
"Pay attention to the ending note! It should have that lingering, unfinished feeling!"
"Emotion! I need emotion! This song isn't about showing off technique; it's about telling a story! You have to put yourself in that boy's shoes!"
......
Five days later.
On the system panel.
Singing Proficiency: 90/100
Lin Zhixing looked at the number and slapped his thigh.
90!
This means that in terms of skill, he is already very close to those professional singers who have been immersed in the music industry for many years!
Semifinals, here I come!