HDIEUMDBTSB ### Chapter 8: What is the Voice of Heaven?
## Volume 1: The Road to Fame
The surprise guest wore a blue suit, a blue reminiscent of "when clouds disperse and rain stops, and crows rise with the window turning white," a light blue of dawn awakening. In ancient China, such a blue was called "the dawn." Though the light color made the guest look slender under the spotlight, his broad shoulders and long legs made him the perfect clothes hanger.
His face seemed sculpted by a master craftsman over years, with sword-like eyebrows, starry eyes, and a jade-like complexion. His thin lips were closed, resembling a delicate, fragile painting.
"With such looks, in Japan, he would definitely be ranked first in the 'Most Desired Male Celebrity for a Yukata Date' on the show [ヒルナンデス！], without a doubt," said Tsune Mitsukuni. "His appearance is appealing to both men and women."
This was because in Japanese dramas, male leads often appear in yukatas, and hand-in-hand scenes with female leads at firework festivals are very romantic. The variety show [ヒルナンデス！] reviews this every year. Although Tsune Mitsukuni has been famous for a long time, he has never made the list, much to the sorrow of many.
"Such a handsome young man," Hou Yubin remarked. "Handsome as a jade tree in the wind, like Xu Gong of Chengbei, and more beautiful than Pan An."
The other contestants also appreciated his looks but were more aware of Chu Zhi’s current reputation, making their expressions hard to describe. What was the show thinking? Were they trying to stir controversy? That ship had sailed; Chu Zhi had become a target for disdain rather than controversy.
"Chu Zhi? I think I've heard the name, but I haven't heard his work," Hou Yubin asked Zheng Yingying, "Yingying, how is his skill?"
Zheng Yingying didn't know how to respond. In the industry, different matters were viewed differently. Things like keeping a mistress weren’t a big deal, but the negative online sentiment had affected her perception too. Yet, she couldn't say anything too negative on camera, so she diplomatically said, "He should be pretty decent."
Pretty decent? If this was considered decent, then there would be no electronic noise in the world.
Lin Xia thought to himself about Chu Zhi's bizarre psychedelic music style, unclear enunciation, and short breath control—music even dogs wouldn’t listen to unless they were his fans.
His thoughts represented those of the other singers. Although their popularity was second-rate and some were living off one hit, they all looked down on Chu Zhi. A particularly average-looking singer muttered to himself, "This isn't a Mister World pageant; what good is being good-looking?"
"In a music competition show, we should focus on the music," Hou Yubin, being older and wise in social etiquette, said. Combining "should" and "pretty" essentially meant "not good," but it wasn’t polite to say outright.
For example, modern young people might be characterized by "sacrificing sleep and food," but together, these words describe someone who’s out of touch with modern trends.
On stage, Chu Zhi took a deep breath and introduced his song. "Hello everyone, I'm Chu Zhi. The song I'll be singing is an original piece called 'Wind Blows Through the Wheat Fields.'"
If only he were nearsighted and couldn't see the audience. Chu Zhi sighed internally. But his vision was excellent, and he could clearly see the disdain on the face of a woman in the front row.
If he was nervous now, there would be no next time. He had to treat the audience as employees at a year-end summary meeting.
Even if he were to die from nervousness, he would have to sing through it.
He used various methods to stabilize his mindset, subconsciously clenching his fists. Even with social anxiety, facing a crowd of hundreds for the first time would make anyone nervous.
Fortunately, despite the turmoil inside, his face remained unchanged. He told the band he was ready, and the prelude of piano and Irish harp began, gently drawing the audience into a stream-like softness.
"I Am a Singer" has a controversial nickname, "I Am a Loud Voice," suggesting that high notes win. If it’s a slow, lyrical song, no matter how well performed, the vote count tends to be low. From the prelude, this song seemed like something from a variety show.
"Beneath the distant blue sky, golden wheat waves flow."
"It was there that you and I once loved."
"When the breeze brings the scent of harvest, blowing against my face."
Chu Zhi sang, employing all the techniques he had practiced recently. His voice captured details like the subtle start in "distant" and the emphasis on "flow," with "wheat waves" trailing to express the undulating wheat.
In his bag of tricks was Li Jian’s method of singing this song, honed through repeated practice.
"This song is calm and pleasant, an original piece. According to the information, he wrote, composed, and arranged it all himself. Quite talented," Hou Yubin commented.
The evaluation of "quite talented" was justified. "Wind Blows Through the Wheat Fields" indeed deserved such praise. The audience felt the same, and the murmurs and curses gradually died down as they quietly listened to the song.
People are flawed, but songs are innocent—perhaps this was their mentality.
But just this wouldn’t be enough for Chu Zhi to make a comeback. He had a trump card he hadn’t revealed even during rehearsals with the band. It was about to come.
"Thinking of your gentle words once wet my eyes."
"Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm!"
"La la la la la la…"
Remember the reward Chu Zhi received from his newbie package?
[Perfect Singing Voice (Non-lyrics)]—under the right conditions, it allows one to produce a heavenly sound.
What is a heavenly sound? "This voice should only belong to the heavens, rarely heard by mortals!"
"Wind Blows Through the Wheat Fields" perfectly fit the non-lyrical conditions. The humming in this song was a winning hand, and Chu Zhi's voice seemed to instantly evolve to its ultimate form.
In the humming, warmth and gentleness flowed, as if one were in a golden wheat field, a breeze carrying the scent of rice, with farm cats and dogs chasing each other through the fields. It was utterly enchanting and mesmerizing.
One of the highest achievements in music is to provide enjoyment to the listeners. "Wind Blows Through the Wheat Fields" achieved this perfectly. The audience and the contestants in the backstage waiting room were all immersed in the song.
"We once sang in the fields."
"Anticipating winter, but unable to see the sunshine of autumn."
"Let the past vows fly, drifting with the west wind."
"Just like your soft long hair, once fragranced my dreams."
Chu Zhi listened to his humming through the earpiece and felt pure enjoyment. The perfect singing voice was truly perfect, like consuming a magical fruit, able to fully and sublimely express the essence of the song.
The cool morning breeze of summer.
The clear spring water in the forest.
The misty clouds of Mount Hua.
The red sunset at dusk.
All these are quiet and beautiful things that are hard to resist.
"Hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm hmm la la la la la la…"
This song had four humming sections. Even by the fourth repetition, there was no sign of weariness. The emotion still touched the depths of the soul.
After four minutes, the song ended. The entire venue was silent, without applause, still lingering in the aftertaste of the music.
The feeling was—
The door is low, but the sun is bright, the grass is seeding, the wind is shaking its leaves. We stand, not speaking, just feeling wonderful.
After a while…
"Thank you to the band teachers for their cooperation." Chu Zhi introduced the names of the pianist, harpist, violinist, and other musicians to show respect.
Chu Zhi then faced the audience, "Thank you for listening quietly. Thank you, really thank you."
These two thanks woke everyone up. Since the surprise guest's score would be announced last, Chu Zhi left the stage first.
Then came the "clatter" of applause, the instinctive reaction to hearing something truly good.
NEXT