pressure
"This interview was a long time ago. So this is what I looked like back then." Zhao Qinfeng's voice suddenly rang out beside Lin Ting, startling Lin Ting so much that he almost jumped off the sofa and pressed the space bar hard.
Watching Zhao Qinfeng's old interview videos in front of him was fine, but getting caught watching them secretly was a bit embarrassing. Lin Ting turned around with an innocent expression, "I thought you wouldn't notice I was wearing headphones."
Zhao Qinfeng said, "Actually, I just got up and took a walk around after sitting for a while..."
Lin Ting, expressionless, ushered Zhao Qinfeng back to the piano and prepared to continue watching. When she looked up, she met Zhao Qinfeng's reproachful gaze.
The two stared at each other in silence for a moment before Lin Ting spoke first: "What's wrong?"
Zhao Qinfeng said, "If you want to talk about my previous albums, you can just ask me directly. Why go to all this trouble to watch an interview?"
Lin Ting was silent for a moment, then said, "...I'll watch the interview first, and then I'll ask you later."
Zhao Qinfeng said, feeling wronged, "Oh..."
Seeing that Zhao Qinfeng had refocused on his work, Lin Ting finally lowered his head with relief and finished playing the interview video that had just been paused.
Information about his first album was the hardest to gather, while information about his later albums was much easier to collect. Lin Ting speculated that this was because Zhao Qinfeng had already gained some popularity by then, so the outside world paid more attention to his work, and related interviews and talks were compiled and summarized by fans.
Two hours later, after he finished reading everything, Lin Ting closed his laptop and stretched his slightly stiff neck and shoulders.
Zhao Qinfeng looked up at him and asked, "Finished reading? Any thoughts?"
"Not bad." After stretching, Lin Ting leaned back, holding his laptop with both hands, looking quite relaxed.
“What’s your opinion on ‘not bad’?” Zhao Qinfeng got up and came over to pat Lin Ting’s shoulder.
Lin Ting felt a little itchy from the massage and tried to pull away, but couldn't. "It's pretty good. I feel like there's nothing I need to ask you personally."
Zhao Qinfeng shook his head vigorously and gently shook Lin Ting. "No, you definitely have something to ask. Try a new angle, or ask me the same question you asked in the interview. Maybe I have a new answer now!"
Lin Ting laughed and said, "Go work on your creative work. I really don't have anything I want to ask right now."
Zhao Qinfeng had no choice but to sit back down.
Lin Ting sat there for a while, then turned on her computer again and started typing. Zhao Qinfeng glanced at her discreetly but didn't disturb her. He finally focused on his work again and stopped worrying about Lin Ting's situation.
Lin Ting quickly typed out an outline, saved it, closed it, and reopened the video script she was writing.
The afternoon passed quickly, and around 5 p.m., the two reheated the leftovers from lunch and had a simple dinner. That evening, Zhao Qinfeng found a movie and invited Lin Ting to watch it together.
When Lin Ting came over with the cut fruit and poured drinks, she saw Zhao Qinfeng moving around the sofa, sitting down and standing up again, moving a bit to the side, repeating the action, which looked rather strange.
Lin Ting put down what she was holding, reached out and touched Zhao Qinfeng's forehead, muttering to herself, "His forehead isn't hot, what's wrong with him..."
Zhao Qinfeng pulled him to sit down in a spot and said, "There's no air conditioning here. Do you need a blanket? I'll go to the bedroom and find one."
Lin Ting smiled at him, "Thank you, but you don't need the blanket."
Lin Ting and Zhao Qinfeng snuggled on the sofa to watch the movie, then leaned against each other and looked at their phones to while away the evening before taking a nap.
The next morning, Lin Ting, dressed in her pajamas, squatted next to Zhao Qinfeng's suitcase, which he had spread out on the ground, and watched him pack his things.
Lin Ting asked, "What are we recording this time?"
Zhao Qinfeng thought for a moment and replied, "First, we'll shoot a magazine cover, then record two songs in a different location, shoot a music video to promote the show, and then we'll have to record a regular variety show for three days."
Lin Ting said "Oh," a single word filled with sympathy and pity, "You spent far too little time at home."
Zhao Qinfeng looked up at Lin Ting and asked, "What, are you worried about me?"
Lin Ting smiled and said, "No, I feel like I'm taking over your place, I'm practically sleeping in your house as if it were my own."
Zhao Qinfeng said, "It's just sitting there anyway, don't mind it, we're all friends."
After saying that, he couldn't help but chuckle.
Lin Ting asked, "Can I go to the recording studio to watch you record your album?"
Zhao Qinfeng said, "Ah, that's fine. You're also a part of the creative process, and I'd be happy if you came in your private capacity."
Lin Ting said, "Hmm...then I'll go and see what it's like. Have you decided on the producer for your album yet?"
Zhao Qinfeng replied, "It's confirmed. The person you know is the music director from the previous talent show, named Zhang Fengming."
After he finished speaking, he paused in his tidying up, hissed, and began to recall.
Lin Ting asked, "Hmm? What did you remember?"
Zhao Qinfeng remembered and said, "No, it's not just knowing each other, you two should be quite familiar with each other. I remember before the show started, everyone had a meal together, and then he came over specifically to talk to you."
Lin Ting vaguely remembered that such a thing happened. "It should be. He knew I was writing lyrics and had met me in person. We had a good relationship."
Zhao Qinfeng clasped his hands together and said sincerely, "If he curses at me during the recording, please stop him for me."
Lin Ting laughed, "His requirements are indeed a bit strict, but they can produce results. Otherwise, why would you choose him? Just bear with it."
The two chatted on and on, knowing that they would eventually finish packing and that the time for parting would always come. Lin Ting stood at the door, watching him leave for who knows how many times.
“It’s okay, don’t worry too much about me. I’ll let you know I’m safe when I land. If you need anything, just send me a message. If I get off work early tonight, I’ll video call you.” Zhao Qinfeng said this without any hesitation, then leaned forward and kissed Lin Ting.
"Okay, work goes well." Lin Ting patted his hair. In fact, he already knew and was used to Zhao Qinfeng's instructions, but he still listened patiently to him repeat them over and over again.
Perhaps it is only after people say something that they feel it has come to fruition. Lin Ting didn't mind giving him a sense of ceremony at parting, and at the same time, through his presence, he wanted Zhao Qinfeng to know that there was someone at home waiting for him.
Before actually going to the recording studio to watch Zhao Qinfeng record, Lin Ting contacted Zhang Fengming once.
Zhang Fengming said, "It's been a long time since we last contacted each other. How have you been lately?"
Lin Ting replied, "It's alright, everything is basically going smoothly. How about you? Your voice sounds a bit off."
Zhang Fengming cleared his throat and continued, "Is it that obvious? I haven't slept well for a month, I've been busy with work."
Lin Ting guessed that Zhang Fengming must have been busy day and night during this period and probably had no time to pay attention to online information. Therefore, in order to avoid the situation where several people had different information later, he decided to take this opportunity to contact Zhang Fengming of the Foresight Association.
Lin Ting said, "Oh, actually I wanted to tell you that someone exposed my identity a while ago, and now everyone knows that I am Jinghu, so you don't need to help me keep it a secret anymore. Thank you for your hard work during the recording of the show."
Zhang Fengming said, "How could they dig this out? The internet these days is terrifying. I really didn't pay attention. Thanks for reminding me, otherwise I would have embarrassed myself in front of Zhao Qinfeng."
Lin Ting asked in confusion, "What does this have to do with Zhao Qinfeng?"
Zhang Fengming said, "Actually, it's nothing, just a trivial matter. I'm already under a lot of pressure as the producer of his album, so I can't take any more pressure from other sources."
Lin Ting said, "That's not right. Usually, you're the one scolding others, right? Why are you suddenly under so much pressure when it comes to Zhao Qinfeng? That's not how you're supposed to be."
Zhang Fengming sighed, "Sigh, what's with all this talk about personas? Besides, what I did before wasn't really insulting anyone, it was just stating the facts! Zhao Qinfeng is known for being strict when recording songs, mainly with himself, but think about it, he clearly sings very well, yet he keeps finding fault with himself and putting pressure on himself. The recording engineers and producers will feel the pressure too. I admire him, but right now I'm genuinely anxious..."
Lin Ting smiled happily, "Great, your collaboration is a powerful combination. As an ordinary listener, I'm just waiting to hear the meticulously crafted final product."
Zhang Fengming's mind was a bit of a mess, but some relevant information still popped up amidst the chaos: "Wait a minute, you're not an ordinary listener. Didn't you write the lyrics for the album's title track?"
Lin Ting said, "I did write the lyrics, but I'm a complete novice in the recording studio. You guys still need to work hard."
Zhang Fengming smiled and said, "Oh, by the way, now that everyone knows you're Jinghu, why don't you come to the recording studio? I've actually been hoping to see you at the recording studio, but you never participate. Now I think you're worried that people will connect your two identities?"
Lin Ting said, "That's probably it. I should be going this time. Just thinking about being able to witness the teachers' level in person makes me so excited that I can't sleep at night."
Zhang Fengming suppressed a laugh, "Come on, you're just putting pressure on us by coming here!"
The two chatted a bit more about Zhao Qinfeng's album. In short, after hanging up the phone, Lin Ting was even more excited to go to the recording studio to listen to them record.
The day arrived neither too quickly nor too slowly. In the days that followed, Zhao Qinfeng gradually shifted his focus to the album, but he still frequently appeared on various platforms because he had participated in a considerable number of recordings, and these recordings were being released at this time.
Autumn has arrived in Haicheng in the blink of an eye, and the recording of the album began on a certain day in late autumn.
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