“Ji Yan, help me take a look at the lyrics I wrote.” Lu Wei called out to Ji Yan, “I feel like this part looks a bit awkward. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but something just feels off.”
"Let me see." Ji Yan moved a chair and sat down next to Lu Wei. Lu Wei had already written the melody, but was stuck on the lyrics. Lu Wei played and sang it once, then asked Ji Yan, "Doesn't it sound a little strange?"
“Indeed.” Ji Yan nodded.
While he and Lu Wei were discussing, Xie Mingxuan and Fang Yu also came over, pondering each word. None of them were originally very good at writing lyrics, but after three albums, they all had some creativity and judgment.
Fang Yu rested his chin on his hand: "How about we revise this line?"
"Let me see."
For their fourth album, the members wanted to make some changes again, so the creative process for this album was different from the previous three. The first three albums were basically created by collecting the members' compositions, selecting 10 songs, and then deciding on the overall style of the album. But for this album, they first determined the theme and framework, and then created songs based on the theme.
In other words, this album is a set topic.
The album "Wings" is themed around myths and legends, and takes a non-realistic approach.
Because their style has always been down-to-earth, this one, which people want to take a more mysterious route, is probably a more advanced version of "The Raven".
Anyway, these people have always been very adventurous. For them, writing on a given topic means putting aside the spontaneity of their previous creative work, and the pressure is greater.
This creative mode is particularly challenging for Ji Yan.
Of course, ever since the album "Mist," there has never been a time when Ji Yan felt it wasn't difficult.
...
When the members of "Yi" all reduced the frequency of their Weibo posts, fans knew that "Yi" was probably preparing a new album.
Fans of "Wings" are always conflicted. They want to hear their idol's new album as soon as possible, but when their idol is completely out of contact, they hope that their idol will reappear and make some public appearances.
However, Yi's seclusion always gives fans a sense of reassurance, because every time he goes into seclusion, Yi always brings them an album that exceeds their expectations.
Fans of "Wings" firmly believe that putting your heart into creating good works is possible.
Moreover, an idol's efforts are not just about words.
When idols frequently appear on various variety shows, even if they say how much they love music and how much they love creating, or emphasize how hard they are working on preparing an album, creation takes time, and works need to be polished.
Fans know whether their idols have truly put in the effort for something. No matter how much groundwork their idols have laid beforehand, or how frequently they promote and publicize their albums after release, the work itself cannot lie.
...
Ji Yan didn't actually keep pushing himself to the limit. In the past, when he encountered creative blocks, he would always fuss over his hair. But now, he occasionally invites Ning Wei out.
After visiting Ning Wei's house once, he went there even more frequently.
Petting cats, playing guitar, listening to the other person play the piano, watching movies... or even just sitting quietly without saying a word, Ji Yan felt very happy.
As soon as he arrived at Ning Wei's house, the moment the door opened, Ji Yan nimbly dodged to the side, leaving the conch-shaped cat, which was trying to pounce on him, stunned.
Ji Yan couldn't help but give it a smug, provocative look.
The conch shell started frantically meowing at him.
“The same trick won’t work the second time.” While Hailuo was nestled in Ning Wei’s arms, meowing pitifully, Ji Yan’s expression became even more wicked.
The last time was the same. He came to Ning Wei's house, and as soon as the door opened, a round figure rushed out of the house and bounced directly into Ji Yan's chest, almost knocking Ji Yan unconscious.
The conch's body shape... is slightly swollen.
Ji Yan was hesitant to call the cat fat, because the cat held a grudge.
People say that a cat resembles its owner, but Ji Yan would never admit that his teacher Ning was the type to hold grudges, so he took it upon himself to think that this cat was somewhat like Duan Yiran.
Duan Yiran: "...?"
Oh.
Duan Yiran felt that ever since Ning Wei and Ji Yan stopped hiding their true intentions, the two of them had become increasingly arrogant.
"Come down." Ji Yan wanted to reach out and hug the conch, because this cat had a bad habit: whenever it felt wronged or pretended to feel wronged, it would frantically rub against Ning Wei's arms.
Ji Yan and the cat exchanged glances: "Give me this place."
The evil conch shell.
"I've never been hugged by Teacher Ning!"
Ning Wei: "...Don't say that."
He also had a feeling that since the two of them got together, Ji Yan's so-called shyness and reluctance to talk had all been forgotten, and this person would always suddenly say something that made him very shy.
Ning Wei was finding it difficult to cope.
"Then let me hug you?"
Through the conch shell, Ji Yan put his arm around Ning Wei's shoulder and pressed his face against hers.
He really enjoys being close to Ning Wei now. It doesn't necessarily mean doing anything, but whenever he's near her, he can't help but get closer.
Occasionally, I would stay overnight at their house.
However, at this time, Ji Yan always had to be wary of the snail that would suddenly appear out of nowhere. This cat was elusive and particularly good at ruining his and Teacher Ning's affectionate moments.
...
"Have you run into trouble with your creative work again?" Ning Wei brewed a cup of tea for Ji Yan; it was black tea, and it smelled very fragrant.
“Don’t use the word ‘again.’ My creative process has been in trouble.” Ji Yan rested his chin on his hand. “Don’t worry, you’ll find inspiration eventually as you worry.”
Having at least three albums under my belt, it's almost always the same.
Inspiration comes like a tide, but when you try to hold it in, it's like a tap that's shut off; you might only get a few drops after a long wait.
"So how do you usually overcome your plateau?" Ji Yan turned to look at Ning Wei, who was very close to him. Naturally, Ji Yan gave Ning Wei a light kiss on the nose and, unsurprisingly, saw Ning Wei's shy expression.
Teacher Ning is so, so easily embarrassed.
But this only makes Ji Yan more unable to resist teasing him.
“I usually put my creative work aside for a while and write letters, read books, or listen to other people’s songs,” Ning Wei said in a low voice. “But I don’t often experience creative blocks.”
In fact, Ji Yan could also see it.
"Blue" albums are not just about one or two good songs; almost every album of theirs has a large number of highly popular songs, and almost every album is a classic.
He guessed that it might be related to Ning Wei's undivided attention and constant focus on her creative work.
As a fellow singer, Ji Yan couldn't help but feel a little envious.
"Envious, aren't you?" Ning Wei smiled at him, her dimples appearing faintly at the corners of her mouth.
"Don't think about creating anything right now, relax." Ning Wei handed Ji Yan a comic book. "I recently came across this one, want to read it together?"
“Okay.” Ji Yan obediently sat down next to the other person.
The two often read books, watched movies and comics together, and discussed the plots. This made Ji Yan very careful when he went to the bookstore, so that he could find books to recommend to Ning Wei.
Ning Wei was reading a comedy comic with him this time, but this person seemed to have a strong ability to suppress laughter. Even with the funniest plot, the other person had a calm expression.
Ji Yan couldn't help but pinch the other person's cheek and tug at it.
“Keep looking.” Ning Wei was actually looking very intently. “I saw some merchandise for sale online, it’s about this ugly cat, do you want to buy it too?”
Ji Yan nodded: "Teacher Ning, don't ask me if I want those three words."
Ning Wei wasn't much of a shopper online before, because he never paid attention to it. But recently, he's become obsessed with buying things online. He not only buys things for himself, but also sends them to Ji Yan. Besides serious music-related items, he also buys all sorts of strange little things.
Ji Yan had no idea where the other party had found those things.
His room is now filled with all kinds of pandas, even panda emoji dolls. Ji Yan's room can't hold them all, so he put them on the sofa in the living room. This has drawn strong protests from the other members of "Wing" because one of the panda dolls is so ugly that they can't accept it.
"Nobody wants to see this when they wake up!"
Even Xie Mingxuan is protesting because one day he suddenly got stuck while writing lyrics. He had already figured out what to write next, but when he saw that lewd panda emoji, his brain went blank, and he still hasn't been able to come up with that line.
Ji Yan: "..."
This demonstrates the devastating power of Ning Wei's aesthetic sense.
I finished reading a comic book. It was still early outside. The temperature in City A had been gradually dropping recently, but it wasn't particularly cold.
So Ji Yan and Ning Wei decided to go out for a stroll together.
In Ning Wei's words, since being with Ji Yan, he has visited more places in City A than he did in the entire previous years.
Moreover, the places he and Ji Yan went to were the kind of places adult couples wouldn't go, such as toy stores. Usually, Ji Yan would search online first, confirm the address, and then drag Ning Wei there together.
The two went to a nearby gymnasium today, and he dragged Ning Wei along to play badminton.
In Ji Yan's memory, his teacher Ning was not the type who was good at sports. After all, "Blue" was all about standing still and delivering performances on stage, while "Wing" had to do dance performances.
Ji Yan is considered a physical novice in "Wing". He doesn't like to exercise, but his daily dance training has already expended enough energy for him. His physical strength is not bad. At least he thinks that his physical strength should be better than Ning Wei's.
Then, after playing one game, the score was 21 to 9, with Ning Wei's score in front and his score behind.
Ji Yan: "???"
He was so badly hit by Ning Wei's smash that he questioned his existence.
Moreover, he could tell that Ning Wei was the type who got more and more excited as the game progressed. Ji Yan thought he was already pretty good in the first game, but he was even more impressive in the second game.
Ji Yan's score was even worse in this round; he only scored 7 points in total.
Moreover, Ning Wei wasn't even out of breath, but he felt incredibly tired.
Ji Yan's doubts were so great that even the multifaceted Ning Wei could see them.
"I practiced badminton for a while when I was a kid," Ning Wei explained as she played, the merciless shuttlecock flying directly over Ji Yan's head.
Ji Yan: "..."
No, this Teacher Ning is nothing like the persona he had in mind.
Ji Yan wanted to call a pause.
However, Ning Wei was clearly addicted to playing. Ji Yan wanted to throw away his racket halfway through, but he had only rested for a short while when Ning Wei gave him an expectant look.
Who can resist bright, sparkling eyes and shallow dimples?
Ji Yan couldn't do it.
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