Chapter Ninety-Five: The Super Songwriter

The room erupted in murmurs.

During the shoot last week, Lin Ze and Su Zi Tan had also been pelted with slingshot shots and eggs; it was hard to say whether someone might really go that far.

“So after that, Old Zhao left the industry.”

“Over these years we’ve lived well, but we never dared come back to act again.” Pei Xue shook her head, regret filling her beautiful eyes.

“I’m fine, really. It’s just that I feel sorry for Old Zhao. He was clearly an actor, yet because of me, he ended up a househusband for nearly ten years.”

“It’s all right. Sometimes life is just too dull, and I want to find something to do, something to act in. In truth, as long as I have you in my life, it is full and interesting enough.”

Zhao Fu Ning took Pei Xue’s hand, and their eyes seemed to cling together like threads of silk.

“Ahem.”

Director Zhang cut through their lingering, entwined gaze, earning approving looks from everyone.

“I wonder if Xiao Lin is ready for this week’s song...”

“Of course.” Lin Ze took the guitar Su Zi Tan handed him and walked toward the small stage in the courtyard. “When have I ever let anyone down?”

“This one... The Most Romantic Thing. Dedicated to Brother Zhao and Sister Xue!”

The Most Romantic Thing?

It sounded... beautiful.

Sitting back to back on the carpet, listening to music and talking about our wishes.

You hope I will grow gentler and gentler; I hope you will keep me in your heart.

You said you wanted to give me a romantic dream, and thanked me for helping you find paradise.

Even if it takes a lifetime to complete, as long as I say it, you will remember it and never forget.

Beside the little stage, warm yellow light fell down, and the stage seemed to become a room. The chair Lin Ze sat on turned into a rocking chair.

On the wall behind Lin Ze, his shadow looked faintly warm.

Amid the softly swaying light, the crackling of firewood in a hearth seemed to rise.

The most romantic thing I can imagine is growing old slowly with you.

Along the way, we gather every little laugh, saving it for later, when we sit in our rocking chairs and chat in no hurry.

The most romantic thing I can imagine is growing old slowly with you.

Until we are too old to go anywhere at all, you will still treasure me as though I were a jewel in your palm.

Su Zi Tan looked toward the stage, and in that instant it seemed she saw herself behind Lin Ze.

She was standing behind him, both hands cupping his cheeks.

Lin Ze gently set down the guitar.

That brings this week’s program to an end, said Director Zhang softly. I wonder whether the people you love are by your side.

Pei Xue and Zhao Fu Ning were already holding each other and weeping; after Lin Ze returned, they still did not forget to thank him.

Director Zhang pulled over a stool and sat beside everyone, completely unceremonious as he took up chopsticks and started eating.

When he noticed the others looking at him, he even seemed a little displeased.

“What? Last week I said something wrong, so you wouldn’t let me eat. This week I haven’t said anything wrong.”

“Eat, don’t be shy. When you’re done I’ll go fry some more.” Zhao Fu Ning waved a large hand. “Xiao Lin, you eat too. Eat more. Anything else you want?”

“That’s enough, enough.”

Lin Ze hurriedly said.

These fiery dishes were not something he dared eat too much of; in the future, he would likely need his voice quite often.

“Brother Lin!”

Li Xi Yan now addressed him as Brother Lin with complete ease.

“Actually, there’s one more little matter we wanted to ask you about. I wonder if you’d be interested?”

“Hm? What is it?” Lin Ze looked over.

“It’s a small program. The investment isn’t large, but they’ll be inviting many original musicians and singers to take part.”

Li Xi Yan smiled. “Chen Nan and I were both invited as singers.”

“Each original songwriter and singer will be paired up, then a topic will be drawn on the spot. We write a song and perform it.”

“This...” Lin Ze nodded. “That’s kind of interesting.”

“We start recording next Tuesday. If Brother Lin goes, that’ll definitely remove a lot of controversy.”

Lin Ze thought for a moment. “The program starts recording in three or four days. Why do I feel like your show still hasn’t recruited enough people in such a short time? It seems a bit...”

“Not very reliable?”

Chen Nan slapped his forehead. “Xiao Lin, check your private messages on Weibo more often, will you? I sent you a message last time after you got verified, too. You... never replied to me.”

“Huh? Haha, so that’s it...” Lin Ze gave an awkward cough.

Li Xi Yan very much wanted to see Lin Ze on that stage. Not for any other reason, mainly because she wanted to watch the singer she admired prove his strength.

What she had said before had been true: at first he had been only a remarkable singer, but after hearing the new song Lin Ze had written for her that afternoon...

Li Xi Yan had become a complete fan girl.

Lin Ze glanced at Su Zi Tan. “Can I go?”

“You go then. Why are you asking me? It’s not like I keep you tied up at home all day and won’t let you out.” Su Zi Tan noticed everyone’s odd looks and immediately felt a little embarrassed.

“Then when I go record the show, we won’t be able to see each other for several days...”

“It’s fine. Our recording location is in East Sea City.” Li Xi Yan took out the information the production team had given her and showed it to Lin Ze.

“All right! Then I’ll go!”

...

“Welcome, @Singer Lin Ze, to our Super Songwriter!”

On Saturday, the news of Lin Ze joining was posted on Weibo.

By now, seven songwriting teams had been assembled.

Among them, Lin Ze, Li Xi Yan, and Chen Nan drew the most attention.

There were also online singers Panda, Xiao Wei, and A Guang.

The last was a songwriter who had always worked behind the scenes, but this time it seemed he would personally step forward to sing a song he had written himself.

His name was still somewhat unfamiliar to most people.

Rong Zheng Yu.

Although those three online singers were not famous in the entertainment world, some of their works were very pleasing to the ear; they simply had never broken out of the circle.

As for that songwriter, he was formidable. He had written many well-known works in the past, and even one of Ji Chen’s more famous songs had both lyrics and music written by him.

Yet after so many years he still had not risen to fame, and was far from the point of retiring in triumph.

With Lin Ze’s addition, this show’s attention level had become worlds apart.

What’s more, the program used a competition format in which one person was sent away each episode, making it all the more compelling.

Everyone would face off on the same stage in a written contest. Whether Lin Ze could truly shoulder the lofty praise everyone had previously given him would be determined this time.

...

“How on earth did this guy write a song like that? I really...” Zhang Huai looked at The Most Romantic Thing, which had already surged to third place, and secretly clicked his tongue.

“Dad, I want to go on this show too. Invite Old Master Shi over. With his songwriting skill and my singing ability, I’ll definitely take this round down with ease!”

“Get lost, you...” Forget it. Scolding you is useless anyway. How is that song practice going these past few days?” Zhang Huai could not even be bothered to deal with Zhang Yang.

This foolish son—talk to him too much, and even he started to feel stupid.

“Don’t worry, Dad. I’m progressing very fast now.” Zhang Yang nodded smugly.

Zhang Huai gave Zhang Yang a skeptical look.

Lin Ze’s new song was not suitable for charting, so it was set aside for now.

He just hoped Zhang Yang’s new one could surpass Chen Nan’s previous song.