The songs of the 1990s represent the most glorious period in pop music.

Besides many classic songs that are widely circulated, most of them have been sung and had their lyrics copied during their heyday. Even the elderly can still hum them.

While chatting with Grandpa Li, Xing Baohua also found that some of the things Grandpa Li said made sense.

To create an English album, one must at least gather popularity, which would make exporting easier, but domestic sales would face certain obstacles.

Those classic songs that were so popular in the 1990s would have been a huge hit in the 1980s. After all, they had been holding back for so long and needed an outlet to burst forth. Like a spring, they were compressed first, and then released and bounced back up.

Tonight I'll finish one song, "The Dream Chaser," even though it's just a different name. It's still the same song.

After listening to the song, Grandpa Li's previous unpleasantness vanished, and he quickly got into the mood. He even had Xing Baohua keep humming along, trying to find a suitable tune.

"Hey kid, can't you sing it right the first time? I'm getting tired of doing it over and over again!" said Grandpa Li as he finished the song and was about to leave.

“I’ve never studied vocal music. If I did, I wouldn’t need to find experts like you! I could do it myself and save money. By the way, Mr. Li, come early tomorrow. We’re going to the orchestra.” Xing Baohua said as he saw Mr. Li to the door.

“Okay, I’ll come at eight. Going earlier won’t help. Who did you ask for Guan Xian? Old Zhao or Old Sun? If it’s Old Zhao, he’ll be stricter,” said Grandpa Li.

“Teacher Zhao Dechuan, we just met today,” Xing Baohua said.

"Old Zhao, alright, count me as a senior brother. It's been many years since we last met, let's meet tomorrow." After saying that, Grandpa Li left.

After washing up, Xing Baohua returned to bed and lay thinking about Zou Wenjuan's entire album.

He only picked out popular albums, but he didn't realize one thing: an album needs to have its own unique characteristics, that is, its own style.

Xing Baohua doesn't understand these things. He just wants to make a hit album all at once, the kind that people can listen to to their heart's content.

If you find a band to play songs like "Crescent Moon Spring," "Seeing Flowers Through the Fog," and "Butterfly," and then add a rock song like "Do As You Please," it'll be an absolute blast.

Just like a mixed tape, a single disc contains the representative works of several people. In fact, it's the same thing; it's just that one person sings the songs of other people.

Anyway, Xing Baohua has no shortage of songs. He'll make one famous if he can, and who knows, it might even attract others.

He gradually fell asleep, and the next morning he ate sesame seed cakes and drank wontons for breakfast. It was a very pleasant life. In the fast-paced life of later generations, how could one enjoy such a life!

After waiting for Mr. Li at the guesthouse, the two took a bus to the orchestra.

Today's sheet music is "Caribbean Sea." Xing Baohua only needs to hum it to drive a group of old men who play music crazy.

If they weren't all so well-mannered, everyone would have wanted to scratch Xing Baohua.

I have no idea what's going on in Xing Baohua's head. This kid doesn't even know basic music, yet he can hum such a beautiful tune. How can anyone argue with that?!

Even composers don't have this skill; he messed with it. Not only did he mess with it, but the keys were all different, and he had to find the right melody again and again.

Fortunately, there were many people working together to organize it. It's starting to take shape.

I was busy until noon, almost lunchtime, before I finally finished the sheet music.

Grandpa Li and Commander Zhao Dechuan had some connection; they were fellow students, though it's unclear how. Anyway, the two chatted quite happily, except Grandpa Li seemed to grit his teeth when talking about Xing Baohua.

They say if this kid hadn't been born in a socialist country, he would definitely be a despicable capitalist.

He's so old, yet they still treat him like a donkey; they clearly don't respect the elderly or veterans. But it's good to be tired; the things they produce are all good.

The rehearsal for "Pirates of the Caribbean" took place in the afternoon.

The sounds produced by violins, wind instruments, trombones, French horns, and other instruments are truly breathtaking.

Even Zhao Dechuan, the veteran conductor, was somewhat moved. This is just an experimental rehearsal, so mistakes are understandable, since it's the first time the team has done this and they lack experience.

From the second time onwards, it became clear that Zhao Dechuan had a keen ear; he would stop and correct any notes that were misread.

Xing Baohua was idle again, and pulled Grandpa Li along to prepare for the second song.

Grandpa Li was enjoying a grand and majestic piece of music when Xing Baohua ruined his mood.

"What can I say about you? You're in such a nice environment and you're not listening? When are you going to listen? I'll come over to your place tonight and you can do it. I just want to listen to a symphony," Grandpa Li said with dissatisfaction.

"Isn't this just idle time anyway? I'm a little short on time, so you have to make do with my schedule!" Xing Baohua continued to persuade Grandpa Li.

"Alright, just one song today. Let's make it clear first, a cassette tape has 12 songs, I'll get you six, you can find someone else for the rest. I reckon if I try to get you all the songs, I'll be out of luck," said Grandpa Li.

“No way! You’re in such great shape, when it comes time to win the big prize, you can just go for it, and all the fame will be yours,” Xing Baohua said.

"You've got to be kidding me. Just remember not to write my name. I'm a scaredy-cat. Don't you know that people are afraid of becoming famous, just like pigs are afraid of getting fat?"

“I’ve never treated you like a pig!” Xing Baohua said hastily.

"Are you asking for a beating, kid? Hurry up and hum it. It's too much trouble to fix it over and over again. Go find a tape recorder and sing it out in one go, so you don't lose the tune." Grandpa Li's suggestion was good, and Xing Baohua agreed, saying he would borrow a tape recorder later.

"It's over there in the sky, very, very far away."

There is a beautiful Crescent Lake.

It is a mirror on the horizon, an eye of the desert.

Paradise Bathed in Stars

…………

The last few lines were spoken by Xing Baohua, and it wasn't just off-key, it was completely out of tune. I remember when I sang with the girls at the karaoke bar, it was exactly like that! How come it sounded different when I sang it a cappella?

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!