Qie Shi Jiang just laughed and said, “You’re welcome to come back and get me on social media too! I don’t mind.”
Zhang Yuo was taken aback and didn’t know what to say.
“I’m serious,” Qie Shi Jiang said. “It means that we’re friends, and we can take jokes from each other.”
Zhang Yuo looked stunned, but then he started laughing too.
“I guess you’re right,” he said. “But you have to promise me one thing: you’ll never use me as a joke again.”
Qie Shi Jiang grinned and promised that he wouldn’t.
Zhang Yuo smiled and left, still looking a bit shaken but also relieved.
As soon as Zhang Yuo left, Qie Shi Jiang went back to work on the script for “Returning to the Garden”. He was determined to make it the best performance of his career.
Later that evening, Zhang Yuo came back to visit Qie Shi Jiang again, this time with a smile on his face.
“I’ve been thinking,” he said. “I’ve been getting a lot of attention from fans on social media, but they’re all just making fun of me because of you.”
Qie Shi Jiang laughed and said, “That’s what friends are for!”
Zhang Yuo smiled and said, “I guess you’re right.”
He then pulled out his phone and started playing a video of Qie Shi Jiang making funny faces on stage.
Qie Shi Jiang burst out laughing and said, “You’re enjoying this too much!”
Zhang Yuo grinned and said, “I am! I’m going to post this on social media and get even more attention!”
Qie Shi Jiang laughed and said, “Go ahead! But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Zhang Yuo posted the video on social media and soon got a lot of attention from fans.
Qie Shi Jiang smiled and said, “See? I told you it would work!”
Zhang Yuo smiled back and said, “I guess you were right again.”
Qie Shi Jiang then picked up his instrument and started playing a song.
“Sing me ‘Dream’!” Zhang Yuo said.
Qie Shi Jiang started singing in a beautiful voice:
“The world doesn’t need to be taken seriously, Life is like a dream, as the ancients said. A dream is not just something that happens in front of us, But it can also be something that happens inside us.”
We can’t always see what’s real, And we can’t always distinguish between dreams and reality…
Zhang Yuo was amazed by Qie Shi Jiang’s singing voice and said, “Wow! You’re so talented!”
Qie Shi Jiang smiled and said, “Thanks! I’ve been practicing for a long time.”
Zhang Yuo looked at Qie Shi Jiang in awe and said, “I had no idea you could sing like that!”
Qie Shi Jiang laughed and said, “I’m glad you’re surprised!”
He then continued singing:
“We’re like dreamers in a dream, Living in a world that’s not our own, We’re searching for something real, But it’s hard to find what we’re looking for…”
Zhang Yuo listened in amazement as Qie Shi Jiang sang with passion and emotion.
When Qie Shi Jiang finished singing, Zhang Yuo applauded loudly and said, “Bravo! You’re an amazing singer!”
Qie Shi Jiang smiled modestly and said, “Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
Zhang Yuo then turned serious and said, “I have to ask you something.”
Qie Shi Jiang looked at him curiously and said, “What is it?”
Zhang Yuo took a deep breath and said, “Can I ask you to perform with me on stage?”
Qie Shi Jiang was taken aback by the request.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
Zhang Yuo explained that he wanted Qie Shi Jiang to perform with him on stage as part of his next project.
Qie Shi Jiang thought for a moment before answering.
“I’ll do it,” he said finally.
Zhang Yuo smiled triumphantly and said, “Great! I’ll make sure to prepare everything for our performance.
Qie Shi Jiang nodded and smiled back at Zhang Yuo.
“I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
And with that, the two friends shook hands and sealed their partnership on stage.
However, Zhang Yue’s sensitivity is different; he has listened to quite a few lyrics sung by Qi Shejiang. Qi Shejiang sings as if sorrow and frost have invaded his body, with countless threads of sadness coming to the forefront. The grief resonates with the story within the song, but where does this sorrow come from? Qi Shejiang’s parents are alive, and he is currently climbing the ladder of his career with many people liking him. Yet it seems he is still constantly being targeted.
For someone who can be described as being in a position of success, this sorrow is contradictory. Yet it is this very contradiction that appears at the corners of Qi Shejiang’s eyes and brows, wandering along with the melodic sounds, making him want to untangle this complicated fog and understand what Qi Shejiang is truly thinking.
After putting down his instrument, Qi Shejiang said, “Here, there are three tones and four sighs; originally, it was meant to be long-winded, but I changed it…” Halfway through, he noticed that Zhang Yue was silent.
Turning to look, he found Zhang Yue staring at him, his brow furrowed and a strange expression on his face, and he asked, “… What’s wrong?” Zhang Yue frowned and asked, “What are you sad about?” Qi Shejiang didn’t expect him to pick up on his inner thoughts and was momentarily at a loss for words. Usually busy with work, he wouldn’t think too much, but just now, singing “Chimeng,” the lyrics touched a chord in his heart. Qi Shejiang was surprised and shocked that Zhang Yue could discern the meaning within the song. They say finding someone who understands you is difficult, but this feeling was something he couldn’t express; he could only stare blankly at Zhang Yue. Zhang Yue saw that Qi Shejiang was silent, and there seemed to be a rare hint of helplessness in his eyes. He gave him a deep look, then shifted the topic, softly saying, “Let me see the lyrics.” … As the two were busy, they received a call from Li Jing. “Uncle Jing, what’s up?” Qi Shejiang asked.
Zhang Yue tilted his head to look at him, and after hearing him mumble a few times, he put down the phone and asked, “Is he looking for you?” “Looks like today’s about done, my mom’s asking me to go help.” Qi Shejiang said, “There’s supposed to be a part in her new song with Peking opera. They found an actor from a Peking opera theater to help out, but that person suddenly had to go abroad for a performance, and they couldn’t delay. So, they thought of me.” As her own son, it was practically the perfect choice. If it became a mother-and-son collaboration, the significance would be even more different. Zhang Yue exclaimed, “Oh,” and smirked slightly. “Hey, why don’t you come along too? It’s almost noon; let’s have lunch together, and in the afternoon, you can offer some pointers.” Qi Shejiang suggested. Zhang Yue’s expression brightened considerably, “This…” Qi Shejiang had already gotten up, saying, “Let’s go, let’s go, put on a jacket.” As he spoke, he also got up to gather his things. “…” Zhang Yue saw there wasn’t even time to put on airs, so he awkwardly stood up as well.
The two arrived on-site, where Li Jing, Xia Yiwei, and the MV’s director were present. Originally relaxed in demeanor, when they spotted Qi Shejiang, especially with Zhang Yue in tow, they felt tense and surprised. Li Jing was fine, as he knew the two were collaborating on music, but the other two’s eyes widened considerably, especially the director. What’s going on? Weren’t these two supposed to be rivals? “Mom, Uncle Jing,” Qi Shejiang greeted, nodding at the unfamiliar director. Zhang Yue stood still, hands in his pockets, and called out to Xia Yiwei, “Auntie.” Xia Yiwei barely managed a smile, but upon hearing that, her expression changed dramatically, putting a hand to her chest and stepping back. “Who’s calling me Auntie?!!” How is that possible! Each circle has its protocols, and this brat used to call her ‘sister’!
