OBS Chapter 76: Who it's for, where it's sung, it's all about singing.
Chapter 76: Who it's for, where it's sung, it's all about singing.
Chapter 76: Who it's for, where it's sung, it's all about singing.
The performance has ended.
Behind the side curtain, Lin Hanjiang's tense nerves suddenly relaxed.
I was worried about making mistakes during the group sing-along, but I didn't expect it to go so well.
The echoes of the applause were still reverberating in my ears.
Those distinguished figures in the front row of the audience have already left.
Following the guidance of the etiquette officer, Lin Hanjiang and Zhang Ye arrived at the actors' dressing room on the other side.
The room was still quite large, but the furnishings were simple, just like the other side, all of which were temporary arrangements.
The two of them faced the mirror and silently began to remove their makeup.
The emergency rescue of "Ten Red Army Soldiers Sending Off" just now was entirely due to years of training and on-the-spot teamwork.
Looking back now, my fingertips are still a little numb, but a sense of exhilaration wells up inside me after completing a difficult task.
"The harmony of 'holding the Red Army's hand tightly' was perfectly timed."
Lin Hanjiang wiped the face paint off with a cotton pad soaked in Vaseline and casually remarked something.
"If you start with a steady tune, I can follow along smoothly."
Zhang Ye responded as well.
Lian Gen's tone became noticeably more relaxed.
After a tough battle, the initial tension has transformed into a bond of overcoming difficulties together.
Having just washed their faces with clean water, the two emerged from the lounge feeling refreshed.
Under the corridor lights, a tall and upright figure was waiting for them.
It was Li Shuangjiang standing there.
When the two came out, he had a smile on his face and was all smiles.
"Thank you for your hard work, young comrades."
Li Shuangjiang took two steps forward to meet him.
"Your performance was excellent. I listened to you sing 'The Story of Spring' and 'Entering the New Era' from behind the side curtain."
"The singing was perfect, and the impromptu rendition of 'Ten Red Army Soldiers Sent Off' afterwards showed Han Jiang's quick thinking. The leaders just praised you all."
"Really?" Zhang asked with a smile.
"Would I lie to you?"
"Haha, that's true, thank you for the praise, boss."
Li Shuangjiang continued, "Xiao Ye is getting more and more stable. The typhoon is coming, her voice is sweet, and her emotions are full. She is a good prospect for our national singing style."
Then, his gaze turned to Lin Hanjiang, and the admiration in his eyes deepened.
"Hanjiang, these two original songs of yours carry a different weight when sung tonight on this occasion. You handled them with more composure and restraint than during the competition, but the power was not diminished at all; on the contrary, it was even more profound. Especially the harmonic arrangement, it was thoughtful, not just a simple 'you sing, I follow' approach, it truly achieved a synergy greater than the sum of its parts. Your performance tonight has added a lot to our show."
The two were delighted to receive such high praise from Mr. Li Shuangjiang.
The gala report is finally finished.
He quickly replied modestly, "Thank you, Teacher Li. It's mainly because Hanjiang's song is so well-written; we just tried our best to sing it."
Lin Hanjiang also sincerely said, "Teacher Li, you flatter me. It was the General Political Department's band and the stage of the Great Hall of the People that gave the song more room to perform."
"Being neither arrogant nor impatient is good."
At this point, you still have to flatter them. That's how you are; say things that make everyone happy.
Li Shuangjiang nodded, then changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious.
"You stepped up to perform 'Ten Red Army Soldiers' today, which was added at the last minute, and you did an excellent job. Your timely intervention was like putting out a fire, which demonstrates your professionalism and your spirit of putting the overall situation first. The troupe will record this, and you will definitely receive the praise you deserve."
He paused briefly, then looked intently at Lin Hanjiang.
His eyes held undisguised admiration for talent, as well as a final, desperate effort: "Hanjiang, tonight you saw it all, you felt it firsthand, what such a stage, such a creative and performing environment, means for a talented and ambitious young person. I'll say it again: the doors of the General Political Department are always open to you. Here, your work will be showcased at the highest level, and your talent will receive the most systematic training."
Opportunities like tonight's will only increase in the future. Aren't you really going to consider it?
The corridor fell silent.
Zhang Ye also looked at Lin Hanjiang.
Lin Hanjiang met Li Shuangjiang's gaze and said respectfully, "Teacher Li, I will always remember your kindness and appreciation, and I am deeply grateful. I have witnessed such a great platform tonight, and it truly is the best stage. However, I still have some different ideas about my musical path that I would like to try, and I hope I will not live up to your expectations."
77
Li Shuangjiang stared at him for a few seconds before finally letting out a slow sigh, a sigh that contained regret and incomprehension.
Perhaps there's also a hint of helplessness towards the stubbornness of young people.
He waved his hand, and a smile returned to his face, though it was a little fainter: "Everyone has their own ambitions, and we can't force them. You are Teacher Jin's top student, and it's good that you have your own opinions."
Li Shuangjiang continued, "However, since you two aren't officially part of the troupe yet, some internal rewards and mechanisms can't be applied to you for the time being. But the troupe will never forget your contributions tonight. I need to go back and discuss with the other leaders in the troupe how to praise you and what kind of substantial encouragement you'll receive. In short, your hard work tonight won't be in vain."
As he spoke, he glanced at his watch and said, "It's getting late. You all have school tomorrow, right? The car has been arranged. It's the same Hongqi that brought you here. It will take you straight back to school so you can get some rest."
"Thank you, Teacher Li."
The two quickly thanked him.
It was around 11 p.m.
As I stepped out of the side door of that solemn and magnificent Great Hall of the People, the night breeze that greeted me was still hot and dry.
The lights at the entrance were not as bright as those inside the hall, but they were enough to illuminate the black Hongqi sedan that was waiting quietly.
Staff members in suits opened the heavy car doors for them.
The two got into the back seat one after the other.
The car door closed gently, instantly shutting out the outside noise.
The car started smoothly and glided into the streets of Beijing late at night.
The scenery outside the car window swept past at a steady pace, and the sparse, dim streetlights cast lonely halos of light on the wide and empty Chang'an Avenue.
Occasionally, a Jiefang brand truck pulling a cargo box would roar past.
Further into the alley, you can still see a few wonton stalls or watermelon carts with lights on, and shadowy figures moving about.
Even in the dead of night, the city is not completely asleep; people are still busy making a living, participating in the workings of life in another way.
Lin Hanjiang leaned back in his seat, watching the ordinary night scene outside the window bathed in sunlight.
Perhaps this really is the last time I'll see that old man so close.
This realization stirred a complex mix of emotions within him, but did not leave him feeling particularly disappointed.
It's like completing a pilgrimage; your heart is filled with fulfillment, and you're even more determined to walk your own path.
"What are you thinking about?"
A soft voice came from the side.
Lin Hanjiang shook his head, his gaze still fixed on the view outside the window: "I was thinking that the stage in the Great Hall of the People is really bright, but it's not very clear from the audience. On the contrary, looking at these people rushing to work at night, setting up stalls, and struggling to make a living, it all feels particularly real and clear."
Zhang Ye followed his gaze to the fleeting lights and shadows of the city outside the window, paused for a moment, and seemed to understand his meaning. He said softly, "Yes, no matter how grand the stage, once the lights go out, it's over. But the lives of ordinary people, day after day, are real."
So that's why!
Lin Hanjiang seemed to be speaking to himself, and also explaining to his senior sister.
"Singing is actually quite simple. Whether you're singing in the Great Hall of the People or on a small stage, it's still singing. Who you're singing for, where you're singing, how bright the lights are, or how much applause you receive, it doesn't change the essence of singing. What truly touches people's hearts is the sincerity within the song."