HDIEUMDBTSB Chapter Thirteen: Another Rehearsal

 Volume One: The Road to Fame

In the second episode of "I Am a Singer," the rule for song selection is "[performing songs previously performed on stage (by someone else)]." In other words, contestants must sing songs that other participants have previously sung. This rule is quite cruel because it sets the stage for direct comparison. Chu Zhi's chosen song is "Desert Island," which was performed by Heng Kouyi in the previous episode. His selection criteria are basically the same as those of Japanese singers; "Desert Island" is a simple song to perform and doesn't require much technique.

"In terms of adaptation, I'd like the piano to be a bit brighter," Chu Zhi requested, and after some consideration, Liang Pingbai began the basic arrangement.

"Desert Island" is a sad love song. Although the main melody is not the common G major triad 572 and D major seven chord 2461, it still doesn't escape the shackles of a love song.

If you've seen the music video for "Desert Island," you'll know it tells the story of a couple who meet in a foreign country after breaking up. At Chu Zhi's request, Liang Pingbai changed the chords to the classic canon C-G-Am-Em-F-C-F/Dm-G, originating from the 17th-century German composer Pachelbel's Canon in D major. This world has been different since the 19th century, but before that, it wasn't much different from Earth.

Heartfelt breakups, singing kings, and other songs from Earth all use these chords. It's believed that you can also see that love song chords are universal, and the sad melody is not intense. After finalizing the arrangement, Chu Zhi began the first rehearsal.

\[Round and round, we gather and separate again, everyone knows you're in the south, and I'm in the north end. Looking back, I realize it's only me who can't let go. I shouldn't expect you to have me in your future...\]

Chu Zhi also found time to practice the song while resting at the hotel, at least he memorized the lyrics and wouldn't forget them.

Liang Pingbai listened very carefully with headphones on and applauded after the performance. There weren't any complicated techniques, but it was very emotional, singing out the sadness of a breakup.

"Teacher Chu, your voice is very full, but the arrangement's melody is too slow and may dampen the mood," Liang Pingbai said. "We can use the violin and electric guitar to ignite the emotions, and I believe the presentation will be more ideal."

It was a good suggestion, and from Chu Zhi's current knowledge, the advice of the music director was spot on and would indeed make the piece better. But Chu Zhi didn't accept it.

"I think the melody is fine as it is. Thank you, Director Liang, for the hard work on the arrangement," Chu Zhi said. "And thank you to all the band teachers."

"Since you insist," Liang Pingbai remembered this was the second time his suggestion had been rejected.

After rehearsing once more, the emotional effect remained very full. Chu Zhi's big voice sang out the sentimental love song, and the endings were all tragic. "Winds of the Wheat Field" unexpectedly won second place with originality and beautiful vocals. The situation with "Desert Island" doesn't look optimistic.

It's not that Chu Zhi is arrogant, but rather he's hiding his abilities. In just two days, he mastered the core technique of Despairing Sound and adjusted it according to the requirements. Just now, Chu Zhi only used ten percent of his power, yet it still created the emotional fullness praised by the music director. So, what would happen if he used fifty percent of his power?

The emotions of despair are different from those of a breakup or feeling lost, but when carefully considered, they're all sad. Why not use one hundred percent of his power? Chu Zhi tried recording at home, and even eighty percent was enough to make people cry and feel heartbroken. It's too damn despairing. Creating fifty percent of a heartbroken feeling is a downgrade. The reason for changing the melody to be slow is to highlight the emotional expression of others, a little trick.

After finishing the rehearsal, Chu Zhi didn't immediately leave the stage but instead walked around the audience seats, running his hand over the chairs. This action wasn't accidental; Chu Zhi wanted to become more familiar with the studio environment, reducing the nervousness of the competition. Whether or not it would be effective, he had to try.

In Wei Tongzi's eyes, Chu Zhi was sensitive. As the saying goes, "When a man no longer loves a woman, her crying and nagging are wrong, her silence is wrong, her breathing is wrong, and her death is even more wrong." Similarly, when a woman has a favorable impression of a man, everything he does is good.

"Teacher Chu must know that his song won't achieve good results, so he can't bear to leave the stage," Wei Tongzi surmised, feeling regretful for the thin figure lingering on the stage.

About half an hour later, the next rehearsal participant was Lin Xia, the last to rehearse among the initial performers.

One shouldn't assume that the later someone rehearses, the more powerful they are. Big shots arrange their schedules in coordination with the program team. Lin Xia's busy schedule meant she postponed her rehearsal time until the latest. Meanwhile, Hou Yubin and Heng Kouyi were the first batch of rehearsal participants. Chu Zhi had no choice but to wait for the program team's notification.

Lin Xia discussed the direction and details of the arrangement with her frequent collaborators in the arrangement team, while the music director Liang Pingbai was overseeing and providing some minor suggestions.

Even if there isn't a long-term collaboration with the arranger, the artist's company would still dispatch an arranger. Chu Zhi, who's fighting alone, is definitely in the minority. Originally, singing a song is not the effort of one person.

"There's someone over there, if I'm not mistaken, it's Chu Zhi," Lin Xia's gaze swept to a certain person who was still wandering around the audience seats, intending to go over and say hello before rehearsal.

Chu Zhi's agent, Xian Ge, frowned and reminded, "Chu Zhi's online reputation isn't great, so be careful not to get involved."

"It's just a rehearsal, and the behind-the-scenes filming hasn't started yet. There's no way to get involved," Lin Xia said, then walked over to greet Chu Zhi.

Well, after the greeting, both of them felt awkward, not knowing what to say, and the atmosphere became tense for a moment.

They indeed weren't familiar with each other. While their fan bases overlapped quite a bit in the past, there wasn't much to talk about.

So, how about discussing the songs?

Lin Xia, struggling for a topic, asked, "How's the rehearsal for 'Desert Island' going?"

"I can sing it through completely, so it should be fine," Chu Zhi replied somewhat stiffly, which wasn't like his usual self. It was evident that he wasn't accustomed to sudden interactions.

"I've been learning to write lyrics in recent years too. The lyrics for 'Winds of the Wheat Field' turned out beautifully. We should exchange ideas sometime," Lin Xia said. "I'll go rehearse now."

"I personally really like the song 'Glass Flower'," Chu Zhi responded.

"Hopefully, we'll meet again next time," Lin Xia said.

With that, their exchange came to an end. They didn't watch others' rehearsals to avoid suspicion of gathering intelligence, so Chu Zhi and his music partner, Wei Tongzi, left.

"Glass Flower" is a classic old song from the 1990s in this world, and it was sung by Zheng Yingying in the third episode, achieving the best result of third place, which was Zheng's best performance.

Lin Xia completely understood how to manipulate the stage. The original arrangement of "Glass Flower" leaned more towards folk, but Zheng's adaptation leaned towards pop. Lin's modifications were "clever," following the fast-slow-fast structure of the Auber opera, supplemented by the chorus.

With high notes, major changes, and still a familiar song for the audience, it formed an easily scoring piece. As long as she performed steadily, Lin Xia's goal was to secure second place.

After rehearsing twice, the music director Liang Pingbai praised, "A stunning song. Teacher Lin's singing skills are getting better."

"If it weren't for Director Liang and the band teachers' efforts, my version would be much inferior," Lin Xia said.

"I'm looking forward to the competition results. Teacher Lin will definitely excel," Liang Pingbai said.

"I will definitely excel! Unless I don't," Lin Xia asserted confidently.

"...," The music director felt that statement was odd.

"Director Liang, may I ask, how are Uncle Hou and Teacher Chu's rehearsals?" Lin Xia inquired.

"Uncle Hou's skills are still strong, but as for Teacher Chu..." Liang Pingbai hesitated for a moment before replying, "His singing is good, but the sentimental 'Desert Island' isn't a wise arrangement."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xia felt inexplicably relieved. She said, "Maybe Teacher Chu has his own understanding of the arrangement."

Liang Pingbai recalled the last rehearsal, where the substitution of the Irish harp with the alto oboe had a better effect. Indeed, there were some ideas worth waiting for.

The life assistant and Chu Zhi's agent, Xian Ge, quickly packed up and prepared to leave. Generally, the ones accompanying artists are the personal agent and the main agent. The latter is self-explanatory based on seniority, while the former is the stepping stone for newbies in the agency. The reason is easily understood because only by following artists can they access connections. Negotiating commercial and advertising deals at the company showcases its value.

Xian Ge is Lin Xia's main agent and asked, "Are you interested in Chu Zhi?"

There's no need to ask about Hou Yubin; the veteran singer is a huge stumbling block on the path to victory. But why does Chu Zhi deserve attention? It can't be as a "blacklisted artist" because there's only black left, no red.

"Handsome men naturally have high looks. He's one of the few whose looks can threaten my existence in Asia," Lin Xia shamelessly boasted before getting serious and saying, "I have a feeling that Chu Zhi will rise again."

"Impossible!" Xian Ge commented, and the group headed towards the underground parking lot.

At the entrance of the Golden Eagle Building, there were many fans of Lin Xia. Armed with information from Sister Zhan, they surrounded the entrance to catch a glimpse of their idol. However, the chauffeur-driven car drove away directly, leaving them with nothing but disappointment. Having popularity means being willful.

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