novelraw Chapter 1 Recovering Memories
Chapter 1 Recovering Memories
Jianghai International Art Academy.
The April sunlight streamed through the library's tall glass windows, casting its rays onto the wooden tables near the windows.
Chen Ming's fingers unconsciously traced the edge of the book's pages, his gaze lingering on a particular page in front of him, but he didn't absorb a single word.
For some reason, the moment I sat down in the library this afternoon, those memories that had been sealed away for nineteen years suddenly surged up like a tide.
He remembered.
No, to be precise, he "finally" remembered.
He shouldn't belong in this world.
Memories flash through my mind frame by frame, like old film reels.
Chen Ming in his previous life.
At 23, a full scholarship graduate of the vocal department at Berklee College of Music, he had just signed a contract with Spy Sea Records. The record company's promotional poster featured his spirited smile, with the caption: "The next decade belongs to this voice."
Then came a sudden and serious illness.
On the day the laryngoscopy results came out, the attending physician pushed up his glasses and said regretfully, "Vocal cord damage is irreversible. You may never be able to pursue a professional singing career again."
The white walls of the ward were blindingly white.
Over the next three years, he tried various treatments, including traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture, vocal cord rehabilitation training, and even folk remedies.
Money was spent like water, only to be met with repeated shakes of the doctor's head.
His parents also died in an accident along the way.
Finally, on a rainy night, his old illness relapsed, and he suffered cardiac arrest.
When death came, he felt a sense of relief, finally no longer having to practice speaking in front of the mirror, but he could only produce broken, breathy sounds.
That's fine, by then he had no relatives left to say goodbye to.
"Smack."
With a soft thud, Chen Ming's pen fell onto the table.
Chen Ming looked out the window.
He was sitting on the third floor of the library of Jianghai International Art Academy. The weather was fine and sunny. The camphor trees outside the window rustled in the spring breeze, and several students carrying books walked quietly past downstairs.
This is Blue Star.
A world with a similar civilization trajectory to Earth, but which took a completely different path in the development of modern art and literature.
The countries here share similar national structures, major historical events are largely the same, and their levels of technological development are comparable.
But all the songs, movies, and literary works that he used to know so well are gone.
Instead, another batch of equally excellent works and another group of talented creators emerged.
And he, Chen Ming, is nineteen years old and a freshman in the Composition Department of Jianghai International Art Academy.
His parents run a medium-sized musical instrument store, and the family is well-off, which is enough to support his musical dreams.
His voice was also completely unharmed.
This is the kind of good fortune that one could not obtain in a past life.
"I can't believe... I've forgotten for so long."
Chen Ming muttered to himself, gently pressing his temples with his fingers.
This body carries his soul from the moment he is born.
But for some reason, as he grew older, his memories of his past life gradually became blurred and faded, eventually sinking into the depths of his consciousness, leaving only some fragmented musical instincts and a thirst for knowledge.
Until today, on this ordinary afternoon in the library, the gates suddenly opened.
He remembered everything from his past life, except for those specific works.
Yes, those sheet music he once knew by heart, those songs he listened to repeatedly in the dead of night, those melodies he regarded as his spiritual pillars...
Everything was shrouded in a thick fog.
He only remembers that those works "existed" and the emotions they evoked in him, but he can't grasp any specific note.
Chen Ming closed his eyes, trying to dig through the ruins of his memories.
But he couldn't even recall a single complete chorus.
Although it was impossible for him to remember all the works of art from his previous life.
But this is still somewhat regrettable.
"ha……"
Chen Ming suddenly laughed out loud, attracting the attention of a girl next to him.
He nodded apologetically.
Strangely enough, he didn't seem frustrated at all.
In his past life, music was his everything, but also the sharpest weapon that destroyed him.
In this life, he has healthy vocal cords, supportive family, and a chance to start over.
Even without relying on those "classic songs from memory," he is confident that he can forge his own path simply by relying on his singing skills accumulated in his previous life and his formal training in this life.
not to mention……
[Host's memories have been fully awakened]
[System activation in progress...]
A line of semi-transparent text suddenly appeared in front of Chen Ming's eyes.
He froze, then instinctively looked around.
The other students were quietly reading, and no one noticed anything unusual.
Activation complete
This system aims to assist the host in rediscovering lost artistic treasures.
[Core Rule: Class Attendance Unlocking System]
[For each lesson the host completes diligently, a work of art from their past life will be randomly unlocked (including but not limited to songs, films, paintings, and literature).]
[The unlocking of works will be done in stages, increasing as the author's learning progresses!]
[Currently unlockable category: Music (Other categories will be unlocked as the host progresses in their chosen field of study)]
Today's lesson assessment: "A Brief History of Folk Songs in Chinese and Foreign Music History" (2:00 PM - 3:40 PM)
[Task: Complete this lesson to unlock the first piece]
The words slowly faded away, as if they had never appeared.
Chen Ming stared blankly at the air in front of him for a long time before a smile slowly appeared on his lips.
"So that's how it is."
You need to learn it to unlock.
It's not a free gift, but a reward that requires effort to obtain.
For some reason, this setting actually made him feel relieved.
He would feel uneasy if those treasures were freely available.
Moreover, even if he hadn't lost his memory, it would be impossible for him to remember all the artworks from his previous life.
It's great to have the opportunity to acquire all the works now.
He glanced at his watch: 1:45 p.m.
There are still fifteen minutes before class starts.
After packing his bag, Chen Ming walked out of the library.
The September sun was just right, warm but not harsh, and a gentle breeze rustled through the ginkgo trees on campus, causing the leaves to turn a pale golden hue.
Faint piano music drifted from the music room building in the distance, intermittent and broken, probably someone practicing a piece by a great pianist.
Students carrying musical instruments hurried past on the road. Several girls saw him and whispered to each other, their soft laughter echoing through the air.
Chen Ming remembered that this body was indeed quite handsome.
He is 1.8 meters tall with handsome features, especially his eyes, which are said to resemble his mother's. The corners of his eyes droop slightly, but his smile is exceptionally warm.
In his past life, he was of average appearance, but he made his way in the world thanks to his talent and his indomitable spirit.
He's now blessed with good looks, though he feels that in a place like an art academy, ultimately, it's all about ability.
Chen Ming took a deep breath of the cool air, feeling the steady breathing sound produced by the vibration of his vocal cords.
He quickened his pace and headed towards the teaching building.
Classroom 6203 is at the end of the corridor on the third floor.
When Chen Ming pushed open the door, the classroom was already mostly filled with students.
The seating arrangement in university classrooms is quite interesting.
The front row was almost empty except for a few scattered students, but the density increased sharply from the fourth row onwards, and the last two rows were completely full.
"Ming-ge! Over here!"
In the first row by the window, a round-faced boy waved vigorously, and the tall, thin guy next to him also looked up.
The round-faced one is named Tang Yuan, from Sichuan. He has a cheerful personality but a very low threshold for laughter. The tall, thin one is named Zhou Xu, from Suzhou. He is thoughtful and has strong observation skills.
Both of them were his roommates and the first friends he made in this major.
He walked over and sat down in the empty seat next to Tang Yuan.
This spot was clearly reserved for him on purpose.
"Thanks." Chen Ming put down his backpack.
"Don't mention it." Tang Yuan grinned, revealing two canine teeth, then leaned closer and lowered his voice, "Hey, let me tell you, Old Zhou just noticed something. That girl in the white dress in the fourth row, this is the second time this week she's sat near us, and she's looked at our seats at least forty times. I bet you a meal at the cafeteria, she's definitely interested in you."
Zhou Xu pushed up his glasses, his face expressionless: "I'm just stating objective facts."
Chen Ming followed their gaze and saw a girl with shoulder-length short hair, wearing a white dress, looking down at a book, her ears slightly red.
He looked away and smiled. "Maybe it's because the lighting is good here."
"Come on, you!" Tang Yuan rolled his eyes. "With a face like that, talent scouts would stop you on the street. If you hadn't already signed with Brilliant Galaxy Entertainment, you might still be getting offers from talent scouts. Good lighting, you say? But seriously, Ming-ge, you seem a little different today?"
Zhou Xu also looked over, his eyes behind his glasses probing: "Indeed, although I can't quite put my finger on what's different, I feel like the aura has changed."
Chen Ming's heart stirred slightly.
With the awakening of memories, some changes in temperament are natural.
He remained expressionless, raising an eyebrow and saying, "How is it different? Aren't I still just as handsome?"
"Damn!" Tang Yuan laughed and cursed, "You get cocky just because you get a little credit!"
Zhou Xu rarely smiled, but shook his head and said, "Your narcissism hasn't changed."
As the three chatted and laughed, the school bell rang.
Almost simultaneously, the back door of the classroom was pushed open, and a female teacher in her fifties, wearing a dark blue suit and skirt, walked in carrying lesson plans.
The classroom fell silent instantly.
Liao Mei is a lecturer on Chinese and foreign music history and a renowned "Iron Lady" at the art academy.
Although the courses she teaches are not as important as those on music composition and arrangement.
However, she remained rigorous in her teaching and demanding, and she disliked students' lax attitude towards learning the most.
Last semester, she had thirteen students who failed her.
This is considered a terrifying legend in university classrooms where professors are known for "rescuing" students.
Liao Mei's gaze swept across the classroom, pausing briefly at the first two rows, which were almost empty, her brows furrowing slightly.
When he saw Chen Ming and the other two sitting in the first row, his brows relaxed slightly, and he nodded.
Then, her gaze shifted to the five rows of students standing close together at the back.
"Starting today."
Liao Mei's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly to every corner of the classroom, "No one should sit in the last five rows!"
The classroom erupted in uproar.
"Now, all students sitting in the last five rows, get up and come to the front immediately." Liao Mei pointed to the front, "You have one minute."
Wailing cries filled the air.
"No way..."
"Teacher, this is too much!"
"I just opened my golden shovel and am currently in the first round of player selection."
Despite their complaints, the students still reluctantly began to move.
University professors usually don't take things this seriously, but Liao Mei is different.
She really will kick you out of the classroom and mark you absent.
Chen Ming glanced back and saw dozens of people getting up and moving forward at the same time, creating a rather spectacular scene.
He muttered casually, "Hey, it's shrunk in size."
"Pfft~"
Tang Yuan, who was standing next to him, couldn't help but burst out laughing.
He has a low threshold for laughter, and Chen Ming's remark, which was full of gaming references, hit him right in the funny bone.
"Tang Yuan!"
Liao Mei's stern voice rang out.
Tang Yuan's laughter stopped abruptly. He shrank his neck, lowered his head, and gave Chen Ming a resentful look.
Chen Ming tried to purse his lips tightly.
You mustn't laugh, absolutely not.
But the corners of its mouth had their own ideas, desperately trying to turn upwards.
He had to bite down hard on the soft flesh inside his mouth to barely maintain a serious expression.
Liao Mei stared at Tang Yuan for a few seconds, but ultimately didn't delve into it. She simply said, "Pay attention in class and don't disturb the other students."
"Yes, yes..." Tang Yuan nodded repeatedly.
After the storm subsided, Liao Mei stepped onto the podium and opened her lesson plan.
"Today, we're talking about folk songs."
The voice just fell.
In Chen Ming's mind, that line of semi-transparent text resurfaced:
[Take folk music lessons!]
[Randomly selected folk songs]
[Draw Complete: "Big City, Small Love"]
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