"I get to decide?" Su Yu was a little surprised.
It was normal for pure music to have an officially designated theme. After all, the Spring Festival Gala was different from general variety shows. Variety shows focused on entertainment, while the Gala emphasized traditional culture and a warm atmosphere. An official designation for pure music depicting magnificent landscapes was a very conservative choice.
Furthermore, on such a large stage, promoting positive energy was a given. Coupled with the government's recent efforts to promote traditional culture and cultural output for China, it was expected that pure music for the Spring Festival Gala would require the use of national instruments.
Speaking of national pure music that depicted magnificent landscapes, Su Yu had a very good piece.
It should have no problem meeting the official requirements.
What surprised Su Yu was the song that he could decide himself. Frankly, that was a huge honor.
"Your reputation and popularity in China now give you the qualification to decide the theme yourself. However, I still need to remind you that when writing songs, it's best to focus on warmth. It's not that love songs are bad, but the audience for the Spring Festival Gala is mostly middle-aged and elderly people," Liu Qingfeng imparted his experience to Su Yu.
He had been the chief director of the Spring Festival Gala for over a decade.
He knew everything about the Gala.
There were love songs, but few that captured attention. Older generations preferred cultural content and patriotism.
Moreover, the most outstanding performances at the Gala were not comedic but rather heartwarming scenes that brought tears to people's eyes.
However, in recent years, some people seemed to have misunderstood "warmth" in the Gala's programs, turning it into forced sentimentality, which resulted in many programs being criticized annually.
"Will I be singing, or can I designate someone to sing?" Su Yu thought of a song but realized it wasn't suitable for him.
"You definitely can't designate someone, but if you don't want to sing, I will give you a list to choose from," Liu Qingfeng said, slightly taken aback, but he guessed why Su Yu was asking.
It was normal for certain song styles not to suit him.
"Can my mother-in-law sing?" Su Yu continued to ask.
"Chen Rong? Of course, she can. She's a regular at the Spring Festival Gala," Liu Qingfeng said quickly.
"How about this: I'll perform an instrument during the pure music segment, and for the song, I'm preparing a piece about maternal love. Therefore, it's not suitable for me to sing, so I'd like my mother-in-law to perform it," Su Yu said after some thought.
"A song about maternal love, that's excellent!" Liu Qingfeng said enthusiastically.
Ordinary people loved watching such programs and listening to such songs.
"Also, the song might feature a children's choir at the beginning. I'd like to recommend a child. Uncle Liu, could you help me find a few children? Is that okay?"
Liu Qingfeng was family, so Su Yu didn't hold back.
Su Yu wanted Su Xiaoling to pursue a career as a singer, and this opportunity to participate directly in the Spring Festival Gala was something he naturally wanted to secure.
Moreover, Su Xiaoling had become famous at her school because of the song "Let Us Row the Boat Together." If she could appear on the Spring Festival Gala, the girl would surely be overjoyed.
Liu Qingfeng pondered for a moment and then nodded, "No problem. However, according to the rules, the child you recommend will need to undergo an assessment. You know, the Spring Festival Gala is broadcast live nationwide, and any accidents would be troublesome."
As the chief director of the program, it was simple for Liu Qingfeng to add a child for the choir. However, the nature of the Spring Festival Gala was special, and he had to be responsible for the program. Some children might not have strong enough psychological resilience and could experience accidents due to nervousness on the big stage, so a necessary assessment was still required.
"Okay, we'll follow your rules, Uncle Liu. If she doesn't pass, then so be it," Su Yu nodded.
Given Su Xiaoling's outgoing personality, such an assessment would be a piece of cake for her.
With the matters settled, Su Yu prepared to leave.
After all, the Lunar New Year was coming very early this year, with the lunar and Gregorian calendars not far apart.
Liu Qingfeng was at his busiest time.
"Heh heh... Um... Xiao Yu." At this moment, Liu Qingfeng suddenly rubbed his hands together and looked at Su Yu somewhat sheepishly.
"Uncle Liu, we're close, so just say what you need to say," Su Yu said with a light smile, seeing his expression.
Liu Qingfeng had always been calm and composed like an elder when facing him, but this was the first time he had seen him in such a state.
"Well... you've collaborated with Xiao Xue several times, and you know her skills. For the pure music segment this year, could it be..." Liu Qingfeng hesitated, glancing at his daughter.
"Add the Guzheng?" Su Yu finished his sentence.
"Is that possible?" Liu Qingfeng nodded repeatedly and asked.
"Of course, the Guzheng is called the queen of Chinese folk music; it must be included," Su Yu winked at Liu Qingxue.
Her pretty face blushed.
She knew her relationship with Su Yu, and that he would agree if she asked.
But this feeling was a bit strange, like getting special treatment.
As Liu Qingfeng's daughter, it was simple for Liu Qingxue to get special treatment, and she was also China's youngest Guzheng master, making it easy for her to appear on the Spring Festival Gala.
However, what she wanted was not to appear on the Gala, but to perform Ting Yu's music there, so she could only discuss it with Su Yu.
"Thank you," Liu Qingxue nodded slightly.
"I should be the one thanking you. It's my honor to collaborate with Sister Qingxue," Su Yu waved his hand.
Liu Qingxue had helped him a lot. The appearance fee for a Guzheng master was very expensive, and she had performed for free before.
Based on this alone, Su Yu would not refuse.
Seeing Su Yu agree,
Liu Qingfeng was also very pleased.
After a few pleasantries, Su Yu left.
Liu Qingfeng glanced at the lingering blush on his daughter's face and teased, "If you like him, then go for it. Although the possibility is slim, Dad doesn't want you to have any regrets."
He was an open-minded father, and with only one daughter, he doted on Liu Qingxue.
Unexpectedly, Liu Qingxue took a sip of tea and looked at him with a gentle smile, her eyes clear.
"Dad, do you believe in pure admiration in this world, without any romantic feelings involved?"
Her voice was soft but carried a sense of confidence.
"Admiration?" Liu Qingfeng was slightly taken aback.
"That's right. To me, Ting Yu is a talented prodigy, and my feeling towards him is admiration. It's admiration for a talented person, being captivated by his talent, but without any romantic entanglement. Although I don't deserve to be called his confidante, I personally consider myself to be his confidante,"
Liu Qingxue took a sip of tea and explained very earnestly.
"I don't understand. You young people are so complicated!"
Liu Qingfeng was confused. Admiration, feelings, confidantes – he couldn't grasp the thoughts of young people at all.
Liu Qingxue then looked in the direction Su Yu had left, a faint smile playing on her lips.
She knew her feelings for Su Yu, and she didn't need anyone else to understand them.
...