NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 19
After Ji Nian finished the prelude, she softly sang out the lyrics. Her ethereal and pure voice made everyone quietly calm down.
Even the staff around were pricking up their ears and listening carefully.
"The dark sky hangs low The bright stars accompany
The insects fly
The insects fly
Who are you missing
..."
After a song, Ji Nian put down her guitar and found that everyone was quiet. She awkwardly said, "Uh...why is everyone so quiet..."
Zhou Sheng looked surprised and asked, "Is this a new song?"
"I haven't heard it before, it must be a new song." Wu Hai listened to the melody still ringing in his ears after the song and said, "It's very special, it feels nice to listen to, but it doesn't seem like a nursery rhyme, more like a love song."
Ji Nian nodded and said, "It's a new song, I just haven't sung it out before. Today you guys said it was a suitable song, so I suddenly remembered it."
Shen Shuyao listened spellbound to one side, feeling very strange. This song didn't have anything particularly remarkable about the simple lyrics.
However, the melody was desolate yet carried a hint of warmth.
The director to the side felt that the viewership of this episode would definitely explode. Not to mention Ji Nian already had existing popularity, but this new song being debuted on a variety show was undoubtedly a huge publicity move.
"Why did you say it was a nursery rhyme?" Zhou Sheng asked. He couldn't help but reassess this woman again, feeling like there was always a mysterious veil over her.
Ji Nian thought about it and answered, "The flying insects is to recall the lost childhood, although it expresses the longing for love, but I feel it is more of a nostalgia for family affection - 'flying insects', 'wanting you to accompany', perhaps it is the voice of a child missing someone."
Zhou Sheng pondered for a moment, agreeing it made a lot of sense. He said, "This song has a lot of meaning."
Shen Yang's eyes were complicated as he asked, "Did you compose it?" He felt this song would definitely become a hit, but who composed it?
Everyone else froze when they heard this question. Although they were also curious, they didn't dare to ask. They didn't expect that Shen Yang, who was usually shy, would directly ask this sensitive topic so bluntly.
Ji Nian didn't feel anything was wrong. She blinked playfully and answered, "It's a mystery, the song he gave me."
Liang Jie saw that the woman in front of her didn't seem to mind. The atmosphere was not as strange as before either.
She laughed and asked, "Who is this mystery? People online are trying to guess but no one has figured it out hahaha."
Shen Shuyao smiled to the side. She often browsed Weibo so she wasn't too curious who this mystery person was. Those negative rumors in the news also weren't too credible in her opinion.
She felt Ji Nian was a special person. She looked distant yet once you interacted with her, you realize she was quite innocent and enthusiastic, making people subconsciously want to get closer to her.
"Right, can you give us a hint?" Wu Hai jokingly asked to the side.
Ji Nian blinked mischievously and said with a smile, "He's a friend but I can't say, he doesn't want others to know his identity at the moment."
"Are all talented people like this?" Liang Jie tried to liven up the atmosphere.
Ji Nian nodded, "Yes, hahaha."
The director nodded satisfied to the side. The show now had plenty of highlights, a new song and speculation about the mysterious composer's identity.
Although they still didn't know in the end who this mystery person was, at least it was a topic that could be openly discussed on the show.
Zhou Sheng had an admiring look on his face as he said, "I've heard the songs you performed, '(Confession)' and '(Arrogance)', those were related to love but the style of this song '(Flying Insects)' is a bit different. This composer is very talented."
Ji Nian nodded in agreement. Of course the styles were different since they had different composers and lyricists.
Shen Yang shyly smiled and said, "It would be great to get the chance to meet this mystery someday. For musical composing, there is definitely a lot that could be learned."
When he said this, Zhou Sheng and Liang Jie were shocked for a moment. Was he suggesting Ji Nian introduce Mystery to him?
Saying such sensitive words in front of the camera was inappropriate. Was this unintentional or deliberate?
Ji Nian didn't sense the change in atmosphere as she was still thinking about how to make an excuse to reply.
Seeing Ji Nian's silence, the others thought she was unhappy. Liang Jie as the host laughed out loud to diffuse the awkwardness, "Little Ji Nian, your composer is so awesome that his fees are probably expensive right? If there's any songs for sale in the future, please introduce me. Although I'm the host, maybe I could take on another job, right?"
As a variety show veteran, Zhou Sheng laughed along, "As the number one host of the Fruit Channel, you still need a second job?"
"That's right, you should introduce him to me." Wu Hai grinned and said, "When I first debuted, I was headed towards becoming a singer. I don't know why I ended up acting but deep down, I still have the dream of being a singer."
"Songs can also be sold?" Ji Nian's eyes were wide. She suddenly realized this commercial opportunity and mentally smacked herself for not thinking about it earlier. Songs could be sold for money! Though she didn't know if it was profitable or not.
Shen Shuyao nodded to the side answering, "They should be sellable."
"Of course they can. They would be snatched up for sure." Liang Jie nodded firmly.
Ji Nian had an epiphany and exclaimed, "I didn't know there was this business model!"
"So does this Mystery give you songs for free?" Wu Hai asked with a smile.
Ji Nian blanked for a moment before nodding, "Actually, we're very good friends so there's no concept of fees between us. Let me ask him later if he's willing to sell the songs."
"Wow, your friend..." Liang Jie gave a big thumbs up and admired, "Get me a dozen friends like that."
Zhou Sheng was astonished. He could tell Ji Nian wasn't lying. This Mystery gave her songs for free. He didn't know why but his heart felt a little bitter.
He hadn't made any new songs in a long time. He had long given up hope and lost inspiration to compose anything new. The company had also basically given up on his singer identity.
Although he was an old veteran in showbiz who looked glamorous on the surface, only he himself knew the bitterness underneath.
"I'll ask him about it later. Who knows, in the future we might have to rely on you guys for business." Ji Nian joked.
Zhou Sheng stared blankly as if suddenly realizing something. If this Mystery could make him a song, could it help him make a comeback?
At least it might motivate his old bandmates so that they didn't have to keep hustling small performance gigs. Nearing forty years old, they were still chasing their dreams with the pressure of family to boot.
"I'll definitely be the first customer then." Zhou Sheng said with a smile, but his eyes showed genuine determination that others couldn't detect.