Chapter 104: Monstrous Talent

The audience was somewhat bewildered, as they hadn’t really understood the promotional video. Yet, it didn’t seem to affect their enjoyment of the music—after all, their votes were just a reference.

As Tang Zhi Chu stood under the spotlight, some people were already amazed. Someone recognized Tang Zhi Chu and shouted “Sugar God,” while those unfamiliar with him wondered, “Is this person really famous?”

Tang Zhi Chu wore light-colored attire today, appearing both approachable and refreshing under the stage lights. Seeing his image, Zhang An Sheng, seated directly opposite the stage, nodded in approval. The closing song for a film about self-redemption should be in warm tones.

When the sound of distant electronic music began, subtitles floated onto the big screen. Six women in simple white dresses entered from both sides of the stage, taking their positions at the back. Only then did the audience realize why there was a row of microphones—it was for the harmonies, and there were six singers.

“Passing Through the Mortal World”
Composer: Tang Zhi Chu
Lyricist: Tang Zhi Chu

The prelude approached gradually, with bass and drums joining in. After a powerful drumbeat, Tang Zhi Chu turned to look behind him. The harmonies from the six women filtered in, gentle yet striking straight to the heart.

Backstage, smiles bloomed on the faces of many. Tang Zhi Chu’s introduction was indeed extraordinary—the harmonies served as an emotional foundation, soft yet impactful.

Hey, does it surprise you that his silhouette is so light?
Hey, you must understand, people come and people go.
The only constant in this world is that everyone changes.
Passing through the mortal world, love has its limits.
Heaven pities those whose hearts inevitably break.

For the first time, Tang Zhi Chu expressed the song on stage using a soft-mixed technique. His luminous tone, paired with lyrics born of life’s encounters and emotional collisions, made the song both beautiful and profound.

Zhou Yun suddenly understood why Tang Zhi Chu wanted Wang Xiao Yan to hear the song. These lyrics—weren’t they written for her?

Many in the audience placed their hands over their hearts. Such a beautiful song, and emotions difficult to name were quietly accumulating.

Thinking pain had tempered me, I gained some discipline.
Passing through the mortal world, I learned to defend myself.
To my shame, if given the chance, one still falls again.

A song heard by hundreds, each with their own feelings.

Shen Jianxin listened and felt a kind of open-mindedness, his gaze shining with clarity. When a song creates an atmosphere, Shen Jianxin knew it had a life of its own. What level must the creator be at to accomplish this?

Sig clasped his head in his hands. Even though he had read the lyrics before, hearing Tang Zhi Chu sing them sent chills up his spine. Listening from a songwriter’s perspective, he mused, “Sister Miao, when will I be able to write words like these?” He whispered to himself.

Yun Miao sighed deeply, as if recalling something unpleasant.

On stage, Tang Zhi Chu put down the microphone, and behind him, the harmonies rang out again. The sound system amplified their voices, weaving emotion throughout the hall.

In a corner, Zhou Yun glanced at Wang Xiao Yan beside her; tears had already gathered in Wang Xiao Yan’s eyes.

Hey, stop guessing,
Did he ever think of coming back?
Hey, wake up,
You’re wonderful, he isn’t bad either.
Quickly wipe away your tears, see how beautiful the epiphyllum is.
Passing through the mortal world is but a fleeting moment.
Every step together is merely a passing encounter.

At first, Wang Xiao Yan’s thoughts were conflicted, unable to focus. But after the first harmonies, she began to face Tang Zhi Chu’s song directly. The line, “The only constant in this world is that everyone changes,” stunned her. When Tang Zhi Chu sang, “To my shame, if given the chance, one still falls again,” she completely lost control. With the second round of harmonies, her tears finally fell.

Though Tang Zhi Chu sang, “Quickly wipe away your tears, see how beautiful the epiphyllum is,” Wang Xiao Yan only cried harder, finally covering her mouth with her hand for fear of making a sound.

On a slanted upper tier of the audience, there was a room with dark glass—those outside could not see in, but those inside could see out. Yu Hua held a walkie-talkie, though no one knew when he entered the room.

He had already spotted Zhou Yun and Wang Xiao Yan and was listening to Tang Zhi Chu’s song. At first, Yu Hua didn’t pay much attention to Zhou Yun and Wang Xiao Yan; Tang Zhi Chu was his main subject of observation. He wanted to listen carefully to Tang Zhi Chu’s music and watch the audience’s reaction, so he came to this room.

After the first verse, Yu Hua nodded. As the closing song for a film, it was flawless. Yu Hua was well acquainted with “Good and Evil,” the movie, for he was one of its investors. Otherwise, how could this project have been slotted into the program at such short notice?

Complex emotions, reflections on life, open-minded acceptance, and the warmth of human existence—all were present in this song.

Yu Hua had heard of so-called genius musicians, but had never met one. He hadn't disclosed this project to anyone; the final decision to record was made only on the morning of the selection. In other words, Tang Zhi Chu wrote this song in just one day. Even Yu Hua had to admit Tang Zhi Chu’s remarkable talent.

Yu Hua had laid out a grand stage for “The Original Music Alliance,” yet even he felt anxious. What if it failed? How many would laugh at him?

It wasn’t until the second round of harmonies in Tang Zhi Chu’s song that Yu Hua finally felt the show might be solid. With his worries eased, he noticed Wang Xiao Yan below, covering her mouth and crying.

Yet Yu Hua’s heart remained unmoved—after all, wasn’t she just a woman? But when Yu Hua looked directly at Tang Zhi Chu’s lyrics again, even he felt a jolt, goosebumps rising on his skin.

Quickly wipe away your tears, see how beautiful the epiphyllum is.
Passing through the mortal world, just a fleeting moment.
Every step together is merely a passing encounter.
Who did I let down, that I now owe a debt?
Passing through the mortal world, always this cycle.
If lucky, perhaps in the end, no one owes anyone.

“Is this really the closing song for ‘Good and Evil’?” Yu Hua felt as if struck by lightning. The lyrics hit him hard.

It was certainly the closing song for “Good and Evil.” The spirit of the lyrics could elevate the film itself. But at the same time, it was written for Wang Xiao Yan—that was why she came today, breaking down halfway through—and also for himself. Tang Zhi Chu knew Yu Hua would listen. The lyrics were indeed profound.

He wrote a song in one day, managing to address three parties, all with such quality.

“My god, what kind of monster did Li Hongzhou introduce me to?” Yu Hua stood frozen in place.

Passing through the mortal world lasts only a few decades,
Yet for love, people bravely squander their years,
Encounter, parting, greed, anger, love, infatuation, resentment,
Passing through the mortal world, busy with all these.
Who has complaints, but from within their heart?
In a desolate world, with no one to love,
Coming to this world—how much is wasted?

As the music ended, applause lingered for a long time.

Zhou Yun’s dark eyes sparkled with light as she looked at the still-sobbing Wang Xiao Yan and asked, “Do you still think I’m not worth it?”

Thanks to several brothers for their generous rewards: Mo Chen12138, Bai Lan Xiao Huo, Kuang Xin Leng, and Uncle Who Loves Big Books.

Thanks to Xing Hua Yi Chen for a fifteen hundred coin reward.

Thanks to Liu Xiang for another five hundred coin reward.

Thank you all for your monthly votes—asking for more! For every hundred votes over a thousand, one additional chapter.

(End of this chapter)