novelraw Chapter 3: I'd believe you if you said you were a vocal music major, number one.
Chapter 3: I'd believe you if you said you were a vocal music major, number one.
"Whoosh—"
A commotion immediately broke out in the classroom.
This needs to be verified on the spot!
All eyes were on Chen Ming, filled with curiosity, anticipation, and amusement at the spectacle.
Tang Yuan and Zhou Xu were so nervous that their palms were sweating.
Tang Yuan desperately winked at Chen Ming, meaning, "Brother, why don't you just play something random to get by?" Zhou Xu looked at Chen Ming with a face full of despair.
Chen Ming was about to speak.
"Ring ring~"
The bell rang, signaling the end of get out of class.
The crisp ringing of the bell was like a savior, instantly breaking the tense atmosphere in the classroom.
The students seemed to hear a bugle call to charge, and immediately became restless, with the sounds of backpack zippers and chairs being moved rising and falling.
Several boys sitting in the back row had already stood up, looking ready to rush out at any moment.
Liao Mei glanced at the situation in the classroom and sighed helplessly.
She has always had a principle.
We will never extend the class time.
This reflects both respect for students' time and her confidence in her teaching effectiveness.
She will definitely be able to finish what she is supposed to say within the allotted time.
"get out of class dismissed," Liao Mei announced.
Before he finished speaking, the classroom erupted in cheers.
The students surged toward the door like a tide, their footsteps, conversations, and laughter blending together.
Chen Ming packed his schoolbag and was about to get up when Liao Mei called him back.
"Chen Ming, wait a moment."
Liao Mei walked down from the podium with her textbooks and went to the first row.
Her gaze lingered on Chen Ming's face for a few seconds, her eyes filled with scrutiny, expectation, and a hint of displeasure.
"Since you yourself said it's your work, I hope to hear it with my own ears." Liao Mei's tone was calm, but carried an undeniable weight. "Next week in my class, bring your instrument and demonstrate this piece, 'Big City, Small Love,' for everyone."
She paused, then added, "If it's really as good as you describe, I'll give you extra credit; but if..."
Liao Mei didn't finish her sentence, but everyone understood the unspoken meaning.
If the song isn't that good, then it's exaggerating in class and disrupting teaching, and points will inevitably be deducted.
Tang Yuan and Zhou Xu, who were standing next to Chen Ming, were desperately trying to wink at him, practically writing "Apologize and admit your mistake" on their faces.
Chen Ming seemed not to have noticed his roommate's hint.
He raised his head, meeting Liao Mei's gaze. His face showed neither panic nor hesitation; he simply nodded calmly: "Okay, Teacher Liao."
His tone was so calm that it startled Liao Mei.
Most students, faced with such a request from her, would either be so nervous that they would become incoherent, or they would quickly find an excuse to decline. It is indeed rare to see someone as calm as Chen Ming who accepted it so readily.
Liao Mei gave Chen Ming a deep look, and finally said only, "I look forward to your performance."
Then he turned around, picked up his textbook, and left the classroom.
The sound of high heels faded into the distance.
Only Chen Ming, Tang Yuan, Zhou Xu, and a few other students were left in the classroom, who were actually just there to watch the show.
Seeing that Chen Ming had agreed to the teacher's request, the others also had strange expressions.
"elder brother!!!"
As soon as Liao Mei disappeared through the door, Tang Yuan grabbed Chen Ming's shoulder, his voice filled with despair, "Are you crazy?! Next week! Just one week! Where are you going to find a song as good as you say?! We can fool our buddies with our bragging, but don't fool yourself!"
Zhou Xu was also frantic: "Ming-ge, you need to go after Teacher Liao right now and apologize to her. Just say you were joking, or that you're still working on the piece. Be polite, and she won't really make things difficult for you!"
"Yes, yes!" Tang Yuan nodded repeatedly. "Teacher Liao may seem cold on the outside, but she's warm on the inside. If you talk to her nicely, she'll definitely..."
Before he could finish speaking...
Chen Ming's phone rang.
He took his phone out of his pocket, and the screen displayed the caller ID: his agent Anya.
Tang Yuan and Zhou Xu immediately shut up. They looked at each other and saw the same message in each other's eyes.
Chen Ming has already signed with a management company.
Shortly after passing the art exam, he was discovered by a talent scout and signed with the well-known entertainment company "Brilliant Galaxy".
Although it's just a newcomer contract, the fact that a company has taken notice of him already proves his potential.
Anya was the agent assigned to Chen Ming by the company.
She is said to be one of the company's top agents, having managed one A-list singer and several second-list singers.
Chen Ming pressed the answer button and put the phone to his ear: "Sister Anya."
A capable female voice came from the other end of the phone, speaking quickly but clearly: "Chen Ming, are you free now? Come to the company, I need to talk to you."
"Now?" Chen Ming glanced at the time; it was 3:45 PM.
"Yes, now." Anya's voice carried a rare hint of amusement. "I've secured an opportunity for you. You know Lin Wei, right? She's the female singer who became famous last year with her song 'Letter in the Wind'."
Chen Ming's memory automatically retrieved the information: Lin Wei, 24 years old, graduated from the vocal music department of Jiangyi University. Last year, she gained some popularity with her folk song "Letter in the Wind" and is now considered a well-known singer.
Just now, a classmate said that this is the song they like.
"She's recording a new album, and the title track needs backing vocals. Her manager and I are good friends, so I managed to get you in," Anya said. "Although it's not a solo, being able to appear in her song is a great start for you. Practice hard these next few days, and you'll be recording in the studio on Sunday."
Chen Ming remained silent for two seconds.
Actually, he didn't like being constrained by the company, but he had already signed a contract with the company before his memories returned.
Back then, he had no idea he would become famous, so signing with a talent agency was a huge opportunity for him.
And now he knows he will definitely become famous.
But they also have to spend time acquiring artwork through classes, leaving them with almost no time to run a startup.
Rather than doing that, it's better to stay with the company for now and decide what to do next.
Then he said, "Okay, I'm coming over now."
"Okay, come straight to my office when you get there." Anya hung up the phone immediately after saying that, acting swiftly and decisively.
Chen Ming put away his phone and looked up at his two roommates.
Tang Yuan and Zhou Xu both looked at him, their expressions complex.
I was happy that he got the job, but I was also worried about his class performance next week.
"Um..." Tang Yuan scratched his head, "An Ya's phone call? Is it for work?"
"Yeah, I'm recording backing vocals for Lin Wei's new song." Chen Ming slung his backpack over his shoulder. "I have to go to the company."
"Well..." Zhou Xu hesitated, but finally couldn't help but say, "Ming-ge, are you really not going to reconsider with Teacher Liao? The performance is next week, and you still need to practice harmonies these few days."
Chen Ming smiled and patted Zhou Xu on the shoulder: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
After saying that, he turned and walked out of the classroom.
The April sunlight streamed in through the corridor windows, illuminating him and outlining his tall and straight figure.
The young man's profile was exceptionally clear in the light and shadow, exuding an indescribable composure.
The classroom fell silent.
Tang Yuan and Zhou Xu looked at each other, and after a long while, Tang Yuan murmured, "Old Zhou, do you think Ming-ge might have actually written a good song?"
Zhou Xu pushed up his glasses, a hint of uncertainty flashing in his eyes behind the lenses: "I don't know, but I feel... he really is different today."
The camphor trees outside the window swayed gently in the spring breeze.
The sound of a piano drifted from the music room building in the distance again. This time, the melody was much smoother, as if someone had finally found the correct fingering.
On his way to the company, Chen Ming's mind was like a treasure chest being unlocked, slowly unfolding the complete information about "Big City, Small Love".
The lyrics, melody, chord progressions, arrangement ideas... everything is as clear as if it were engraved in my memory.
The song played out memories in his mind.
"Such small acts of love are so sweet in the big city..."
He simply looked up at the street scene rushing past the bus window.
In April, the plane trees in Jianghai City were just sprouting tender green buds, and the shop signs on both sides of the street shone in the sunlight.
Pedestrians hurry by, and cars stream by; this is a busy and vibrant city.
Good.
The bus has arrived at the station.
Chen Ming got out of the car and walked across the street to the more than 20-story glass curtain wall building.
On the rooftop, the six large characters "Brilliant Galaxy Entertainment" gleamed in the sunlight.
He took a deep breath and pushed open the revolving glass door.
A chill ran through the lobby. The receptionist looked up and saw him, giving him a professional smile: "Mr. Chen, Sister Anya is waiting for you in her office on the seventh floor."
"Thanks."
Chen Ming stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the seventh floor.
The elevator slowly ascended.
Chen Ming stepped out of the elevator and walked along the corridor to the innermost office.
Knock on the door.
"Enter."
Push the door open and enter.
Behind the desk, a woman in her thirties, wearing a white suit skirt, looked up.
Her long hair was neatly styled in a bun, her makeup was exquisite, and her eyes were sharp; it was Anya.
"You're here?" Anya put down the documents in her hand and gestured for Chen Ming to sit down. "Sit down. I've sent you the sheet music for Lin Wei's new song. Practice hard these next two days. Sunday morning at nine o'clock, in the third recording studio. Don't be late."
"Okay." Chen Ming nodded.
On Sunday morning, Chen Ming stood once again in front of the Starry Sky Entertainment building.
The morning sunlight cast a pale gold hue on the glass curtain wall, and the early spring breeze still carried a slight chill, causing the wisps of hair on his forehead to sway gently.
He took a deep breath, pushed open the revolving door, and went inside.
Today, a young man replaced the receptionist. When he saw Chen Ming, his eyes lit up: "Mr. Chen, right? Sister Anya told me to go directly to recording studio number three."
"Thanks."
Recording Studio No. 3 is on the fifth floor.
When Chen Ming pushed open the heavy soundproof door, there were already people inside.
A girl wearing a light blue sweater and dark jeans was facing away from the door, bending over to adjust the microphone stand.
She was not tall, and her long hair was loosely tied back, revealing her fair neck.
Hearing the door open, the girl turned around.
It was a pretty face, not stunning, but very pleasing to the eye.
Her eyes aren't big, but the corners are slightly upturned, and they curve into crescent moons when she smiles.
Lin Wei.
"You're Chen Ming?" Lin Wei straightened up, dusted off non-existent dust from her hands, walked over, and extended her hand. "Sister Anya told me that she needs your help recording harmonies today."
Chen Ming grasped her hand, which felt slightly cool to the touch: "Hello, Teacher Lin, I'm Chen Ming."
"Don't call me teacher," Lin Wei smiled, her eyes crinkling. "I'm not much older than you, and I also graduated from Jiangxi Arts University, the vocal music department in 17. So, you should call me senior."
Chen Ming readily agreed: "Hello, senior."
"That's right." Lin Wei seemed satisfied, pointed to the chair next to her, and said, "Sit down. Have you looked at the sheet music?"
"I've looked at it." Chen Ming took out a printed sheet of music from his bag. "The harmony of the second part of the verse, and the backing vocals of the chorus."
Lin Wei raised an eyebrow in surprise: "An Ya only gave you the sheet music, not the demo, right? You transcribed the parts yourself?"
"Well, I tried to peel it open," Chen Ming said modestly.
There's really no need to "expose" anything.
In his past life at Berkeley, sight-singing and ear training were fundamental skills; in this life at Jiangxi Arts University, he also entered with the highest score in his major.
He could sing this level of harmony in his head just by glancing at the score.
Lin Wei looked at him for a few seconds, then suddenly said, "Shall we go through it once first?"
"it is good."
The recording studio was fully equipped. Lin Wei handed Chen Ming a monitoring headset, put on another one herself, and then walked to the microphone.
Through the thick soundproof glass, she gestured to the sound engineer in the control room.
The prelude begins.
It's a folk-style ballad with a guitar base and strings, and a soothing and gentle melody.
Lin Wei's voice is very special, with a slightly husky texture, yet it is still clear and bright, making it very suitable for songs that tell stories of urban emotions.
Chen Ming stood slightly behind her, wearing headphones and looking at the sheet music.
The first verse is sung solo by Lin Wei.
In the second verse, Chen Ming's voice joined in.
It's light and steady, like the morning mist quietly drifting over the mountains. It doesn't steal the spotlight from the main melody, but it instantly enriches the song's layers.
Lin Wei's eyelashes trembled slightly.
She originally thought that Chen Ming, as a composition student, was only at the "able to sing" level.
Since I'm not a vocal music major, I can't have too high expectations.
But this sound...
His pitch was as precise as a tuner, his breath control was incredibly steady, his tone was warm and clean, and what was even more remarkable was his grasp of the emotions in the song.
He seemed to completely understand what the song was trying to express; every breath and every transition was just right.
After finishing her song, Lin Wei took off her headphones, turned around, and looked at Chen Ming.
"You..." She paused, seemingly choosing her words carefully, "You're really a composition major?"
Chen Ming also took off his headphones: "Yes."
"Your singing skills are amazing." Lin Wei laughed and shook her head. "I would believe you if you said you were the top student in the vocal music department."
"You flatter me, senior," Chen Ming said.
"It's not an overstatement," Lin Wei said earnestly. "It's really good. I've worked with quite a few backing vocalists, and your level... is absolutely top-notch among new singers."
She put her headphones back on, her eyes sparkling: "Come on, let's start recording. I have a feeling today's recording will go very smoothly."
As it turned out, Lin Wei's premonition was correct.
Chen Ming was extremely cooperative and required almost no guidance from the recording engineer.
Advance when it's time to advance, retreat when it's time to retreat; the intensity, emotion, and enunciation of the harmonies perfectly match the main melody.
What was originally planned to take a whole morning to record was completed in just two hours.
The sound engineer gave a thumbs-up through the glass in the control room.
Lin Wei walked out of the recording area, took out her thermos from her bag, took a sip of water, and then looked at Chen Ming, who was tidying up the sheet music.
"Chen Ming," she said, "let's add each other on WeChat."
Chen Ming raised his head.
Lin Wei had already taken out her phone: "If there are any future opportunities for cooperation, I'll contact you, and..."
She smiled and said, "You're Jiang Yi's junior, so if you need any help, you can ask me."
Chen Ming scanned the QR code and added the WeChat account, with the nickname "Jiang Yi Chen Ming".
Lin Wei smiled even more when she saw the note: "Yes, that's how it should be, junior. Keep up the good work, I believe in you."
She patted Chen Ming on the shoulder lightly, but her words were heavy: "One day, you will be able to stand on your own stage and sing your own songs."
Chen Ming looked at her and said very seriously, "Thank you, senior."
"You're welcome," Lin Wei waved her hand. "By the way, I heard you're writing your own songs?"
Chen Ming remembered the performance he was to give in Liao Mei's class next week and nodded: "I'm writing it."
"Send it to me when you're done writing it," Lin Wei said. "Maybe I can give you some advice. Although I'm not exactly a big shot, I've been in the business for a few more years than you."
"Okay," Chen Ming agreed readily.
It was noon when I left the company.
The sun was shining brightly as Chen Ming walked back to school when his phone vibrated.
It was a message from Lin Wei: "Thanks for today! The harmonies were great. Sister Qian Anya will settle the account with you; it should arrive in about three days. Also, remember what you promised me—send me the song when it's finished!"
Chen Ming replied with an "OK" and put his phone away.
This senior is actually a really nice person.
Recording studio.
Lin Wei listened to the full version of the song again and nodded in satisfaction. As soon as she pushed open the door, she saw a woman in her forties, wearing a black suit and skirt, standing in the corridor.
The woman was holding a tablet computer and looking down at something when she heard the door open and looked up.
It's her agent, Sister Li.
"Finished recording?" Sister Li put away her tablet, walked over with a smile, and said, "It's much faster than expected."
"Yes, it went quite smoothly." Lin Wei nodded, took the thermos cup handed to her by Sister Li, unscrewed it, and took a sip of water.
Sister Li glanced at the remaining staff in the recording studio.
"Has the newcomer Anya introduced already left?" Sister Li withdrew her gaze and asked in a low voice, "How did it go?"
Lin Wei put the lid on the cup, thought for a moment, and said very seriously, "Her singing skills are top-notch, her professionalism is very high, and also..."
She paused slightly, as if considering how to describe it: "And he seems to know a lot about how to cooperate. It's not the kind of mechanical 'I sing my song and you sing yours,' but he truly understands what the song wants to express and then uses his own voice to complement and enrich it."
Sister Li raised an eyebrow in surprise.
She had been mentoring Lin Wei for three years and knew that although the girl had a gentle personality, she had extremely high standards when it came to music and rarely praised people so directly.
Especially praising a newcomer.
"That sounds really good." Sister Li smiled. "An Ya's eye for talent is as sharp as ever. By the way, may I hear that recording you guys were just going to make?"
"Of course." Lin Wei turned around, pushed open the recording studio door, and waved to the sound engineer in the control room. "Brother Zhang, play that clip for Sister Li."
The sound engineer gave an "OK" sign.
A few minutes later, the recorded clip played from the external monitor.
Lin Wei's main melody is warm with a slightly husky texture, like hot cocoa on a winter's day; while Chen Ming's harmonies are clear and clean, like a spoonful of fresh milk added to cocoa.
It doesn't steal the spotlight, but it makes the whole drink taste richer and smoother.
Sister Li listened quietly, her eyes gradually brightening.
"That voice..." she murmured, "The tone is so good, and the breath control is incredibly steady. No wonder it was recorded so quickly."
After the song finished playing, Sister Li turned to Lin Wei and said, "An Ya's newcomer is really quite good. She's only a freshman, right? With this level of talent, her future is limitless."
Lin Wei nodded: "I think so too, and he just said that he is still writing his own songs."
"Oh?" Sister Li became interested. "A creative type? That's even rarer. Sister Anya has struck gold!"
The two walked out while talking.
The corridor was quiet, with only the soft echoes of footsteps on the polished floor tiles.
As they reached the elevator, Sister Li pressed the button, then suddenly remembered something and turned to Lin Wei: "By the way, your title track... you still haven't found a satisfactory version?"
When this was mentioned, Lin Wei's smile faded slightly.
She paused for a few seconds before softly saying, "Um, not yet."
There was an undeniable weariness in his voice.
Sister Li saw this and sighed softly to herself.
Lin Wei is currently preparing her second official album since her debut.
Her first album was well-received, which helped her establish herself in the Chinese music scene, but because of this, she had extremely high expectations for her second album.
She doesn't want to repeat herself, and she doesn't want to release an album just for the sake of releasing an album.
She had been preparing this album for almost a year. She had almost finalized all the other songs, but she still couldn't find a title track that she was completely satisfied with.
It's not that the melody isn't good enough, or the lyrics are a bit off, or it just doesn't feel right.
In short, there was always something missing that could make her heart flutter – a certain "soul."
"The company did recommend a few songs," Sister Li said, "but after listening to them, they were all too 'industrialized' and didn't quite match your current style."
"Hmm." Lin Wei nodded. "I listened to them too, and they all sound pretty much the same, nothing new."
The elevator doors opened, and the two stepped inside.
The atmosphere was somewhat somber in the cramped space.
"If all else fails," Sister Li hesitated for a moment, then said, "how about picking a relatively better one from the existing options? The album can't be delayed any longer. Your performance schedule for the second half of this year is already set, and the album has to be released before then."
Lin Wei didn't speak, but just looked at her reflection in the elevator door.
That face was still very young, twenty-four years old, the prime of life.
But the light in her eyes was somewhat dimmer than it was when she first debuted two years ago.
The elevator slowly descended.
"Let's wait a little longer," Lin Wei finally spoke, her voice soft but firm. "Good things come to those who wait. What I want to make is an album that truly represents me right now, not just a filler piece."
She then glanced at Sister Li and said, "If we really can't find one, we'll choose another one that's barely satisfactory, but right now I want to try again."
Sister Li looked at her and shook her head helplessly.
This girl's love for music remains so profound.
"Okay." Sister Li patted Lin Wei on the shoulder. "Then let's keep looking. I'll contact a few more familiar creators in the next few days to see if they have any suitable works."
"Yes, thank you, Sister Li."