Chapter 48 I'll pick you up from get off work.

At 4 p.m., the plane arrived in Beijing on time.

This time, Fang Xin Gu and Jing Yi Tong didn't dare to be as unrestrained as they were abroad. The two obediently put on masks and hats, picked up their luggage separately, and finally got on the car home together.

Jing Yitong's driver seemed completely unsurprised that Fang Xingu wanted to go back to the same home as Jing Yitong. After greeting Fang Xingu, he quietly performed his duties as a driver.

Jing Yitong glanced at the time and asked, "Do you have enough time for rehearsal?"

Fang Xingu: "There's still time. They told me it would be 10 p.m.."

Jing Yitong looked up: "It's so late, when will it end?"

Fang Xingu yawned: "Actually, it's not that late today. The official gala is the day after tomorrow. I'm one of the last few to perform. After I finish singing, we'll have to countdown together. By the time I get home, it will definitely be the new year."

Jing Yitong smiled and said, "Our teacher Fang has worked hard. I'll order a few dishes now so you can have a good meal before you go to rehearsal."

Fang Xingu didn't offer much of an opinion on this point, but let Jing Yitong decide. So when they got home and saw a table full of delicious-looking dishes, Fang Xingu's eyes lit up: "It smells so good."

Jing Yitong was still moving the packages piled up at her doorstep: "They were made by a private kitchen downstairs. They taste great and are clean and hygienic. If you want to order takeout later, you can order from them."

Fang Xin made a note of the store's name, and based on his memory, he went to the kitchen and took out two sets of tableware and set them out. He then saw Jing Yitong still squatting on the ground studying the packages. He didn't open them, but picked them up one by one to check the package information, as if he was looking for something.

Fang Xingu squatted down beside him, thinking he had bought something that would break easily, and asked curiously, "What are you looking for?"

Jing Yitong buried his head in the packages: "Looking for the birthday present you gave me."

Fang Xingu was stunned for a moment, almost forgetting about it. Fortunately, the next second, Jing Yitong found his target in the pile of express deliveries.

Jing Yitong held up the package and asked, "Can I open it now?"

Fang Xingu handed over a utility knife and gestured "please" with his hand: "Of course."

Jing Yitong eagerly opened the express delivery package and took out the birthday gift Fang Xin Gu had given him from the gift box—two wooden carvings, one large and one small. The large one was a snow-white dog curled up in a circle, and the small one was a Q version of a little person.

Jing Yitong recognized the chibi-style figure at a glance; it was the image his studio had designed for him.

Jing Yitong held up the lifelike little figure under the light: "Not bad, it's like a figurine. When did you learn to carve wood?"

Fang Xingu hugged his knees and said, "When I was in the hospital before, I had nothing to do, so I bought a few pieces of wood to carve for fun."

Jing Yitong stroked the sculpture Fang Xingu had carved with great affection. Then he saw the big white dog and quickly realized that it was Jing Quanquan's image. Jing Yitong poked the dog's head and said, "But aren't you being too biased? You carved such a big Jing Quanquan, while mine is so small... Could it be that you carved me with the leftover scraps from carving Jing Quanquan?"

Fang Xingu was furious: "What?! Big dogs are easier to carve. I practiced on Jing Quan Quan first before daring to carve your chibi figure."

After saying that, as if afraid that Jing Yitong would not believe him, he snatched the Q version of the little figure from Jing Yitong's palm and put it into the arms of the big white dog that was curled up in a circle. He said confidently, "If all else fails, you can use Jing Quan Quan as your base."

Looking at himself surrounded by Jing Quanquan, Jing Yitong laughed and said, "This is good. I need to find a place to put it up so I can remember my dog ​​when I see it."

Fang Xingu rested his chin on his hand and said, "I really miss it. I really want to pet a dog."

While looking for a suitable place to put his belongings, Jing Yitong replied, "I don't have time recently. I'll see if I can go back before the New Year."

"When are you coming in..." Fang Xingu hadn't finished speaking when he saw Jing Yitong pondering for a long time before finally placing the wood carving in the most prominent position in the middle of the living room display shelf. He immediately stood up, "Why did you put it there?"

There was originally a money tree carved and made of gold and crystal, with a unique shape and an expensive price. However, Jing Yitong moved it aside without caring and placed the birthday gift he had just received in its original place.

Jing Yitong blinked: "I really like this birthday present. I want it to be in the center position. Only this position is worthy of your status. Is that not allowed?"

Fang Xin glanced at his somewhat immature wood carving, then at the surrounding pieces that were either extremely expensive or of great artistic value, and muttered to himself, "...Are you sure this isn't a public execution of me?"

Jing Yitong pressed him down to sit at the dining table: "How could that be? The value of the wood carving you made yourself cannot be measured in money. No, that's not right either. This was made by Teacher Fang himself. Even if it were auctioned, it would definitely fetch a high price."

Fang Xin said with a laugh, "So the price was driven up purely by the support of fans, right?"

They both laughed and then began to enjoy a perfect dinner.

After dinner, they tidied up the guest room together. Fang Xingu suddenly remembered the question he hadn't had a chance to ask earlier: "By the way, you said before that you would join another production team after returning from 'The World Is So Big'. Have you confirmed the time yet?"

Jing Yitong, while spreading out the bed sheet, replied, "Around January 7th."

"So fast?" Fang Xingu was stunned. "Then you, the landlord, left, leaving me, a guest, to live in your house alone?"

Jing Yitong replied nonchalantly, "It's okay if it's you. Would you steal my things? Just treat this place like your own home."

"...After you leave, I'll secretly change the locks on your door and then take over your place."

Fang Xingu joked, but secretly sighed in his heart. He wanted to spend a few more days with Jing Yitong, but he had to join the crew so soon. He was just joking when he gave Jing Yitong some encouragement!

After teasing everyone, Jing Yitong explained, "Okay, I'll only be filming for about twenty days. I don't have many scenes. It's an urban workplace drama directed by Chen Lu. He asked me to make a cameo appearance. The crew is filming in Beijing, so I can come back every day after filming, which is quite convenient."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xingu's mood finally improved. They were both busy with work during the day, and they could still have time to be alone in the evening, which was already perfect.

.

After tidying up the house, Jing Yitong still had some urgent work to do at the studio, so he dropped Fang Xingu off at the rehearsal location on the way.

This year's New Year's Eve gala on Beijing TV was broadcast live. Without auto-tuning, it was a real test of the singers' vocal skills. Of course, some crossover singers also chose to lip-sync or sing half-live.

But Fang Xin Gu had no such concerns. Since it was a rehearsal, he didn't even have any makeup or styling. He stood on the stage with a bare face and wearing an ordinary long down jacket. While waiting for the backstage to adjust the accompaniment, he took the microphone and started singing a cappella.

This time, he sang his first song in front of the public, "Echo".

The lack of accompaniment actually highlighted Fang Xingu's singing skills. Even when amplified countless times by the speakers, no flaws could be heard. Even the sound of breathing was barely audible. He truly deserves to be called a "walking CD player." Moreover, because it was a live performance, one could feel the singer's emotions even more. Many staff members present were captivated by the singing and even felt that Fang Xingu sang better than the studio version.

Fang Xin's technical handling is very delicate, and his expression of emotion is always just right. He does not let his singing skills overshadow the performance or turn the singing into a show of technique. His magnetic timbre also allows him to easily handle songs of different styles and types. His highly distinctive singing style makes him stand out from other singers, not to mention his outrageously powerful abilities.

In terms of vocal music, he is indeed blessed with natural talent, and with the constant guidance of Wang Jinxu, a strict and professional teacher, it can be said that Fang Xingu has both innate and acquired advantages.

Fang Xingu sang a few lines casually, and as soon as he finished, a round of applause came from backstage. When Fang Xingu turned around, he realized that it was Lu Changning.

Lu Changning walked out clapping: "It's been a long time since I've heard you sing 'Echo'. It's like listening to celestial music, and my ears are instantly enlightened."

Fang Xin touched his nose sheepishly: "You haven't left yet?"

Lu Changning had previously mentioned that he had also accepted the invitation to record the Beijing TV New Year's Eve Gala. Lu Changning was scheduled to appear before him in the rehearsal, but now that it was so late, Fang Xin thought that Lu Changning had left after the rehearsal.

Lu Changning smiled and said, "I wanted to wait until you finished before leaving. You heard me sing just now, right? Come and give me some pointers."

Speaking of this, Fang Xingu actually had a few suggestions. Lu Changning had just covered two TV drama OSTs, and Fang Xingu commented bluntly: "...There's a second song. I remember it was a pretty inspirational song, but when you sang it, the end of each line dropped. You need to adjust it."

Lu Changning scratched his head as he listened: "After what you said, I feel like I'm completely useless."

Fang Xingu patted him on the shoulder and comforted him, "Don't think like that. Actually, your singing skills are pretty good."

Lu Changning jokingly replied, "But I'm still far from being as good as you, right?"

Fang Xingu smiled and shook his head: "It's just that it lacks a bit of attention to detail."

Lu Changning put his hands on his hips: "Okay, I do need to keep working hard."

A short while later, Fang Xingu finished adjusting the accompaniment. Lu Changning didn't chat much and quickly said goodbye and left.

Fang Xin had to continue his rehearsal. He sang "Echo" again with the accompaniment, then played and sang "Silence Has a Voice" to make sure the accompaniment, sound system, and piano were all working properly. He also coordinated the program with the director team for the day's show. The rehearsal didn't end until after midnight.

Fang Xingu followed Zhou Xiaoyou toward the parking lot. As a competent assistant, Zhou Xiaoyou had come to the site this afternoon to scout out the location and coordinate the work. He meticulously recorded Fang Xingu's rehearsal footage to edit into a work vlog later. He would also have to drive Fang Xingu home that evening.

But at this moment, Zhou Xiaoyou, who had been working hard all day, was wearing headphones and looking at his phone, with a somewhat serious expression on his face.

Fang Xingu looked on curiously: "What are you looking at? Why do you have that expression?"

“Oh, I’m listening to your rendition of ‘Silence Has a Voice’,” Zhou Xiaoyou paused the video he had just recorded and pondered. “I don’t know why, but I feel like it’s a little different from how you sang it in ‘The World Is So Big’. It seems like there’s been a change.”

Fang Xin Gu became even more curious. It was still a singing and playing instrumental piece, and he hadn't changed the arrangement this time, so there shouldn't be this change. He asked, "Is it a good change or a bad change?"

Zhou Xiaoyou glanced at him, his meaning clear without a word. Fang Xingu, seeing his guilty expression, knew that the change was definitely not good.

Zhou Xiaoyou handed him the phone and said weakly, "There's nothing wrong with the song, it's just that I personally prefer the version on 'The World Is So Big'... Why don't you listen to it yourself?"

Fang Xin Gu wouldn't get angry over something like this. He patiently took the phone and listened to both versions of "Silence Has a Voice." He then realized that Zhou Xiao You had probably been his assistant for a long time and had been thoroughly influenced by him. Even his music appreciation skills had improved rapidly. He was right.

At first glance, the two versions of "Silence Has a Voice" seem indistinguishable, but upon closer analysis while immersing oneself in the song, subtle differences emerge. Fang Xingu analyzed the situation carefully for a while and realized that the differences seemed to stem from varying emotions, leading to subtle variations in his singing.

"Silence Has a Voice" is a song that describes a secret crush. When he sang this song on "The World Is So Big", he really thought that his crush on Jing Yitong was going to end without a trace. Therefore, his emotions infected his singing, and he also incorporated endless bitterness into his performance. This emotion is indeed more suitable for "Silence Has a Voice".

...And these past few days, he has known that Jing Yitong's arranged marriage partner is him, and he has been spending every day with Jing Yitong. He has been living such a happy life that he can't even feel bitter.

In short, they're living too well.

Fang Xin rubbed his temples helplessly and in distress. What should he do? Even though he could recall the heartbroken feeling he had when he thought he had broken up with his girlfriend, after finding out that it was all a misunderstanding, he felt that his emotional journey over the past few months was almost laughable, and he couldn't feel bitter or depressed at all.

Fang Xingu could no longer empathize with his past self from a few days ago. He resigned himself to his fate and said, "Whatever, anyway, 'The World Is So Big' is the one that airs later."

"You can do that?" Zhou Xiaoyou was stunned. "Is this considered a way to exploit a time difference?"

But emotions are something that can't be forced, and Fang Xingu thought to himself that he couldn't possibly make himself unhappy at this time.

He pondered a plan and followed Zhou Xiaoyou into the parking lot. Just as he was about to get into the car, a car behind him flashed its headlights at him.

Fang Xin looked back instinctively and saw a very familiar Maybach parked behind him, even the license plate was very familiar... Wasn't this the car Jing Yitong drove when he dropped him off?

Before Fang Xingu could react, Jing Yitong had already gotten out of the driver's seat, smiling and waving at him: "I've come to pick you up from get off work."

Fang Xingu's previously pensive face relaxed into a genuine smile the moment he saw Jing Yitong.

On such a happy day, who could feel bittersweet?

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Author's Note: Just like that, I turned a bittersweet love song into a sweet one (an exaggeration, not that it actually turned into a sweet song) [doge head with a rose in its mouth]