By the stage, Su Yu was already seated at the piano.
A microphone stand was placed in the center of the stage, with a wooden stool in front of it.
Jiang Xiao’e bowed slightly to the camera before sitting down.
"Seriously... it's Ting Yu accompanying her!"
"Piano accompaniment, Ting Yu's piano is praised by world-class masters!"
"To be honest, I can't blame the haters, even I'm a bit envious..."
"Ahhhh! Ting Yu truly pampers his singer group, and Jiang Xiao’e is incredibly lucky. But whether she deserves it is solely up to Ting Yu."
"Hahaha, my favorite singer is being accompanied by Ting Yu, I feel so proud!!"
"Xiao’e, go for it, shut those haters up!!"
The bullet screen was scrolling wildly!
At first, everyone thought, like last time with "Da Yu", that Ting Yu would provide backing vocals for Jiang Xiao’e.
But when he sat down at the piano, the impact sent shivers down their spines.
Ting Yu was truly the type who let his actions speak louder than words, slapping faces with concrete evidence.
If someone said Jiang Xiao’e wasn't worthy of singing his songs, he directly chose Jiang Xiao’e and even went on stage himself to accompany her on the piano.
After the "Era Music King" reception, Ting Yu's piano, like his ancient style music, became his signature. This was the power of a world-class master; just his attitude alone earned him everyone's recognition. Of course, Ting Yu truly possessed the skill; his nocturne was praised by many musicians.
As the audience discussed, the stage lights gradually dimmed.
Su Yu, playing the piano in the corner, was less noticeable without the spotlight.
There was only one protagonist on stage: Jiang Xiao’e!
This arrangement was clearly intentional, neither overshadowing the main performer nor failing to offer support to Jiang Xiao’e.
"You Must Be Happy"
Performed by: Jiang Xiao’e
Lyrics: Ting Yu
Music: Ting Yu
Su Yu's slender fingers rested on the keys.
A slightly melancholic prelude began.
Love songs and pianos were like an inseparable duo.
Especially the gentle piano melody, which offered the audience an unparalleled sense of immersion.
"Walking home alone under the streetlights,
Calling an old friend,
How's the weather where you are?
Any news to be made into a joke..."
The song's accompanying instruments were excellent, conveying the loneliness of walking home tired after overtime.
This was the most relatable way to begin, especially for those who were alone in a distant city, working late into the night. On the way home, watching cars and people pass by, thoughts would involuntarily surface.
The stage lights mimicked the dim, yellowish glow of streetlights. Jiang Xiao’e sat on the stool, her shadow cast on the ground by the light. A faint emotion graced her beautiful face, her brows slightly furrowed as she looked down at her shadow.
Yet, the shadow's company didn't dispel her loneliness; instead, it imbued it with an ineffable sadness.
"Memories and I don't talk,
Sometimes I think of him,
A little bit of concern in my heart,
But some loves must,
Go their separate ways..."
As she sang this, Jiang Xiao’e stood up from the stool.
She wasn't just singing; she had also choreographed the stage.
A solo performance, the lonely, melancholic mood perfectly merged with the song. She was like the protagonist of the song, telling her story to everyone.
Her previously ethereal voice also changed slightly, carrying a hint of a sob and hoarseness, drawing listeners even deeper in.
Su Yu, playing the piano, couldn't help but smile faintly. He felt the same sense of pride a father would have watching his daughter grow and succeed.
A mature singer shouldn't stay only within their comfort zone. Jiang Xiao’e's performance was excellent, at least in Su Yu's eyes, he was very satisfied.
This girl had finally found her confidence on stage.
"In the quiet of the night, I think of him,
The flowers he sent,
And those heart-wrenching words of love,
Gambling on the stake of happiness..."
Finally, the first chorus arrived.
The lyrics and melody of this song were undeniably poignant. Coupled with the vivid imagery in the lyrics, a subtle melancholy permeated the atmosphere.
Jiang Xiao’e walked to a corner of the stage, leaning against a decorative wooden post, looking up at the dim, yellow light.
Her expression was one of dejection, and tiny glints of light sparkled in her eyes under the illumination.
"On the streets with people coming and going,
I think of him, how is he now?
But I couldn't give you the answer you wanted,
But you must,
Be happy..."
Her voice, tinged with a slight cry, and that final, subtle tremor.
The detail in the handling was astonishing!
The song moved into the instrumental break.
The producers began to converse.
"This gives Jiang Xiao’e every opportunity to shine!" Mo Yan knew that this kind of song, relying entirely on emotional resonance, was an absolute emotional killer!
Just like the lyrics from the earlier lines, which continuously painted vivid, ordinary, and relatable scenes. Coupled with the stage atmosphere, it was sure to make the audience feel a sense of heaviness while listening.
It even made him maintain his posture of holding a teacup, forgetting to drink.
"A very pure love song," Jiang Qian agreed, nodding.
Her mention of "pure" was a compliment to the love song. There were no flashy melodies or ostentatious arrangements, only the piano and the vocal melody as the focus. The goal was simple: to resonate with and move the audience.
"It's a song perfect for listening alone on the back seat of a bus after work," Zhou Qingshan offered his assessment of the song.
The evaluations from the three producers were simple yet insightful.
This song was indeed suitable for listening to when one was alone. It didn't express the tearful agony after a breakup, but rather a restrained emotion that could subtly bring one to tears.
"Walking home alone under the streetlights,
Calling an old friend..."
During the second verse, Jiang Xiao’e had moved to the center of the stage.
She held the microphone in her right hand, her left hand moving in rhythm.
The lights did not brighten; instead, they grew dimmer.
It was as if a hand was desperately dragging her into the abyss!
When she reached the second chorus,
The next second!
"In the quiet of the night, I think of him,
The flowers he sent..."
The addition of strings pushed the already melancholic atmosphere into the deepest valley. Combined with Jiang Xiao’e's heartfelt performance, it caused the accumulated emotions to erupt at this very moment!
"Pain! Pain! Pain!"
"So painful!"
"Guys, I'm breaking down!"
"I haven't gotten over a breakup from two years ago, and at this moment, I'm lying in bed crying like a fool!"
"Why don't the lyrics mention sadness at all? They keep wishing the other person happiness, but I hear a different feeling!"
"Compared to breakups where people turn against each other due to conflicts, these mutual well-wishes are even more heartbreaking!"
At this moment, countless audience members were moved by Jiang Xiao’e's singing.
The bullet screen was filled with comments like "pain" and memes like "let's light one together."
Jiang Xiao’e also proved herself through her singing; she could sing exceptionally well, and her stage presence was equally impressive!
ps: "You Must Be Happy" Original Singer: He Jie, Lyrics: Tang Tian, Music: Wu Mengqi