Chapter 127: The Eastern Music Ensemble Rehearses for The Voice Competition (Ten Thousand Words Daily—Please Subscribe)
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After listening to Lu Xiang’er perform Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, Fang Xing thought of a song that would suit the theme “The Taste of First Love.” It would require an accompaniment of several instruments, including the violin.
After leaving the venue, the three of them took a stroll across the plaza outside the International Media Center.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Ning Xiaoyun hurried a few steps ahead, stopped, turned around, and said, “I’m going home to feed my daughter. You two can take your time dawdling.”
With that, she waved and ran off at full speed.
Lu Xiang’er hurriedly explained, flustered, “She meant she’s going home to feed her cat—a chinchilla named Mimi. It’s incredibly fluffy and adorable.”
“Chinchillas are pretty cute, but I don’t have time to raise a cat. I can only admire them online.”
Fang Xing was telling the truth. Whenever he was under a great deal of pressure, he really did enjoy watching cute-pet videos on his phone. They were remarkably relaxing.
“Then next time, we can go to Ning Xiaoyun’s place and play with the cat. She’s always been the one responsible for raising it, while I only have to pet it. It’s wonderfully easy.” Lu Xiang’er immediately broke into a lively smile.
“Exactly. She handles the litter box, and you get to pet the cat. Could life be any more comfortable?” Fang Xing teased.
Lu Xiang’er tried to suppress her laughter, pursing her lips as she mumbled, “Don’t put it so bluntly. It may be the truth, but still.”
After a while, she changed the subject. “Didn’t you say you were recording a program before?”
“I’m recording The Voice. I told you, but you have to keep it secret. I signed a confidentiality agreement.” Fang Xing told her about the show.
Lu Xiang’er’s eyes widened in surprise. “You went on The Voice? All the singers on that program are incredibly impressive.”
The Voice and Star of Tomorrow were not even remotely comparable in difficulty.
If Star of Tomorrow consisted of bronze contestants mixed with players from the plastic league, then The Voice was made up of contestants at least at the gold level, with the occasional master appearing among them.
From time to time, even master-level singers from the national team would participate. In terms of quality, it could be called the ceiling of music variety shows.
“It was all right. The standard was indeed higher than on the talent shows I’d been on before.” Fang Xing spoke in an utterly ordinary tone.
With both hands clasped behind her back, Lu Xiang’er turned slightly toward him and asked, “Then what place did you get? Did you achieve a good result?”
“Hmm…”
Fang Xing thought for a moment before replying, “A higher place than you got today.”
“That impressive?”
Lu Xiang’er raised her eyebrows, her face lighting up with delight. “When will the show air? I suddenly really want to watch it.”
“It’ll probably take quite a while. At least until the end of the year.” Fang Xing had not asked for the exact broadcast date.
Besides, the date would be decided by Xiangjiang Television, depending on which program it was scheduled to replace.
“What song did you sing? Was it another new song?” Unable to contain her curiosity, Lu Xiang’er continued questioning him.
“Mm, a new song.” Fang Xing nodded.
“Then hum it for me. Actually… never mind. If you spoil it for me now, watching the program later won’t be as interesting. But I really want to hear it right now.”
Lu Xiang’er was torn. She wanted to hear it immediately, yet worried that doing so would ruin the experience of watching the show later.
Watching her wrestle with herself, Fang Xing found it so amusing that he even laughed aloud.
Lu Xiang’er frowned. “Is it really that funny? How many episodes have you recorded already?”
“Only one. I just got back yesterday.”
“Have you decided what you’ll sing in the second episode?” Lu Xiang’er pressed on.
“Didn’t you see the topic trending on Weibo? The second episode is a themed competition. I came here specifically to look for inspiration.” Fang Xing gazed at her with an amused smile.
The more Lu Xiang’er looked at his smile, the more she felt that he was up to no good.
“Wait! Let me check the Weibo topic first.”
She hurriedly turned around and took out her phone. After scrolling through the trending searches, she indeed found one related to The Voice.
The official account of The Voice had posted an announcement revealing the competition theme for the second episode: “The Taste of First Love.”
Yet Fang Xing had just said that he had come to look for inspiration.
Lu Xiang’er’s heart began pounding wildly. She took a deep breath, turned back around as though she knew nothing, and asked, “So what song are you planning to sing in the second episode? Have you decided?”
“I hadn’t decided when I came here. Now I have.”
“What song?”
“A song that requires your help. Could you play a section of violin accompaniment for me?” Fang Xing invited her.
“Me? But… I’m still only a student.” Lu Xiang’er immediately grew nervous.
She was the kind of person who was especially afraid of becoming a hindrance. Whenever someone asked her for help, she found it difficult to refuse, yet she worried intensely that she would not be able to do the job well enough.
“We’ll need a group of violins, as well as other orchestral instruments. I may have to hire an entire orchestra.”
In the past, Fang Xing could never have afforded to hire an orchestra.
But now he had opened his own studio and earned a fair amount of money.
Besides, the cost of producing the music would be charged to Pine Stone Records, so hiring an orchestra was no problem.
Lu Xiang’er furrowed her brow. “If you’re hiring an orchestra, then I won’t be able to help much anyway.”
She was relieved to hear that she might not be needed, but at the same time, she felt a faint trace of disappointment.
“I think you play the violin very well. Consider it a favor for me. Can you do it?” Fang Xing invited her again.
“I suppose I can, but I’m worried I won’t play well enough.” Her heart felt sweet at the thought, yet she was still afraid of performing poorly.
“It’s all right if you don’t. We can always edit it out.” Fang Xing gave a mischievous laugh.
“What?”
Lu Xiang’er’s eyes widened, her mind going blank for a moment.
“I’m joking. The piece is definitely easier than Paganini. Don’t worry—you’ll certainly play it well. And most likely, it’ll be a live accompaniment, so it won’t be possible to edit it out.” Fang Xing tried to reassure her.
“That makes me even more nervous.” The moment Lu Xiang’er imagined accompanying him live, her heart began pounding violently.
The two of them found a restaurant and had dinner.
Remembering what had happened the last time they ate at a steak buffet, Lu Xiang’er suddenly burst out laughing.
“What are you laughing at?” Fang Xing asked curiously.
“Nothing.”
Lu Xiang’er pursed her lips and refused to answer, though the sweet smile remained at the corners of her mouth.
After dinner, Fang Xing took a taxi and drove her home.
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They returned to Azure Waters Garden.
“I had a wonderful time today…”
Lu Xiang’er opened the car door and stepped out. She turned back, preparing to say goodbye, only to discover that Fang Xing had gotten out from the other side.
She froze for a moment. “You don’t have to walk me in. I can go back by myself.”
“I’m not walking you in,” Fang Xing replied with a smile.
Lu Xiang’er immediately frowned and asked suspiciously, “What are you joking about now? Is this another prank?”
Fang Xing urged her, “Hurry home. I’m going home too.”
Just then, the ride-hailing car drove away.
Pointing after it, Lu Xiang’er asked, “Are you going to call another car later?”
“No. I’m home already.”
As he spoke, Fang Xing walked toward the entrance of Azure Waters Garden, took out an access card, tapped it against the security reader, and entered.
Lu Xiang’er’s eyes widened. She hurriedly rummaged through her backpack for her key ring, used the access card attached to it to open the gate, and rushed after him.
“You—you—you… How do you have an access card for our neighborhood?”
Fang Xing raised the card in his hand and gave her a sly grin. “What do you think?”
Looking horrified, Lu Xiang’er said, “You took a taxi and dropped me at the entrance last time too. You—you—you actually had someone forge an access card!”
Fang Xing shook his head helplessly. “Are you imagining things? After moving out of the Star of Tomorrow training camp, I moved here. Building Six, Apartment 2602. Come visit sometime.”
“I absolutely will not.”
Looking awkward, Lu Xiang’er quickened her pace and scurried away like a rabbit.
…
Seven-thirty that evening.
After returning home, Fang Xing sent his manager, Qiao Yinghong, a work message:
“I’ve decided on the song for the second episode’s competition. We need to hire an orchestra: at least six first violins, six second violins, four violas, four cellos, and two double basses…”
It was not long before Qiao Yinghong replied:
“All right. I’ll arrange it. When do you need them?”
Fang Xing:
“As soon as possible. Ideally, they can accompany me live on The Voice, so we’ll need time for rehearsals. See if you can contact the symphony orchestra from East Sea Music Academy.”
Qiao Yinghong:
“Certainly. I’ll arrange it.”
Qiao Yinghong worked with great efficiency. By the next day, she had secured an orchestra and arranged all the required instruments. Rehearsals were scheduled to begin that afternoon.
That morning, Fang Xing sent Lu Xiang’er a message:
“I’ve found an orchestra. Rehearsals start this afternoon. Are you coming?”
After a long while, Lu Xiang’er finally replied:
“Can I think about it? I’m worried I won’t play well enough and might affect your result.”
Fang Xing sent her the company address and told her to make up her mind and come to the company at two that afternoon for rehearsal.
The headquarters of Pine Stone Records was not far from Azure Waters Garden. Otherwise, Fang Xing would never have chosen to live in that neighborhood.
…
After receiving the message, Lu Xiang’er began agonizing over it, squeezing the plush toy on her bed so hard that it nearly lost its shape.
She quickly messaged Ning Xiaoyun and asked for advice:
“Fang Xing asked me to accompany him on The Voice. What should I do?”
Ning Xiaoyun replied with a line from a song:
“Go? Of course you should go!”
Ten minutes later, Ning Xiaoyun came bounding upstairs and pushed open the bedroom door.
“What are you even thinking about? Of course you should go. To The Voice! What are you hesitating over? Not only are you going—you’re taking me with you.”
“What are you talking about?” Lu Xiang’er rolled her eyes, hugged a giant white bear, and began rolling around on the bed.
“Hurry up and ask him whether he still needs a cellist.” Ning Xiaoyun poked her.
“Aren’t you only moderately interested in playing the cello?” Lu Xiang’er lifted her head and looked at her with an anguished expression.
Ning Xiaoyun had always claimed that she learned the cello only to keep Lu Xiang’er company, and she was never particularly diligent in practicing.
“That’s true, but I’m interested in The Voice. Everyone on that show is a major figure in the music industry. It would be such a waste not to go and get myself on camera.” Ning Xiaoyun had thought it through perfectly.
“What if I play badly and get him eliminated?” The moment Lu Xiang’er imagined that possibility, she felt an enormous psychological burden.
“That’s easy. You can offer yourself to him in apology.” Ning Xiaoyun spread her hands, delivering her suggestion with ringing conviction.
“What are you talking about?” Lu Xiang’er was speechless. She buried her head in the plush toy.
“You’re overthinking it. You can’t be so indecisive about everything. Just do it. Come on! Let’s go rehearse right now. We’ll know whether you can manage it after a rehearsal. If you really can’t play well enough, Pine Stone Records won’t let you go onstage.” Ning Xiaoyun urged her.
“That makes sense. I’ll try it first. If it really doesn’t work, we can back out.” Lu Xiang’er climbed out of bed, packed her violin, and prepared to leave.
…
Two in the afternoon.
Pine Stone Records headquarters.
Qiao Yinghong had reserved a rehearsal room.
The orchestral section of East Sea Music Academy’s First Symphony Orchestra had arrived at the company ahead of time.
The orchestra had come under the leadership of a professor.
Qiao Yinghong welcomed her warmly and began chatting with Professor Li Xiuqin.
“This time, the orchestra will need to accompany the performance live on The Voice. Would that be convenient?”
East Sea Music Academy’s First Symphony Orchestra consisted mainly of graduate students, with some doctoral students among them. They all had academic obligations, so their schedules might not always be flexible.
Professor Li waved her hand. “Don’t worry. We’ll be accompanying one of our school’s graduates, and we’ll be performing on The Voice. Even if we have to ask for leave, we’ll go.”
In fact, graduate students at arts colleges often accepted performance work while still enrolled. Asking for leave was commonplace.
For activities like this, where an entire orchestra traveled under the leadership of a professor, the professor in charge would naturally arrange the necessary leave.
When Lu Xiang’er and Ning Xiaoyun arrived at Pine Stone Records and saw Professor Li Xiuqin together with the academy’s First Symphony Orchestra, both of them were stunned.
“Hello, Professor. Hello, Professor.” The two hurriedly bowed and greeted her.
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“You’re here too? Then let’s rehearse together.” Professor Li had taught both Lu Xiang’er and Ning Xiaoyun before, so she naturally recognized them.
Moreover, Lu Xiang’er had already been selected as concertmaster of the undergraduate symphony orchestra at East Sea Music Academy.
The undergraduate orchestra was the student ensemble that had accompanied the performances at the previous welcome gala.
It was not the highest-level orchestra at the academy.
That distinction belonged to the First Symphony Orchestra.
The undergraduate orchestra mainly performed at school events.
The First Symphony Orchestra, on the other hand, accepted outside engagements and served as the academy’s public face in orchestral music.
Of course, the undergraduate orchestra was also quite capable.
In fact, members of the First Symphony Orchestra were selected from the undergraduate orchestra.
Students in the academy’s orchestral department typically spent one or two years honing their skills in the undergraduate orchestra before entering the First Symphony Orchestra.
…
At exactly two o’clock, Fang Xing entered carrying the sheet music and distributed it to everyone.
“Here’s the score. I’ll be counting on all of you.”
Professor Li put on the gold-rimmed glasses hanging around her neck and studied the score carefully.
“E-flat major. The interlude modulates to C minor, then returns to E-flat major. This piece is quite good, and the difficulty is not high.”
A pop song was generally only about five minutes long.
The verses and choruses occupied most of that time.
The orchestra would be accompanying the singer for the majority of the song.
The time left for the instruments to display their individual strengths amounted to only a few dozen seconds.
Once that time was divided among the violins, violas, cellos, double basses, and other instruments, each instrument had even less to play.
The double basses in particular might perform only a handful of notes throughout the entire song.
To an outsider, it might appear that the double basses were doing nothing for most of the performance.
Thus, accompanying pop music was indeed a relatively simple task for a symphony orchestra.
Fang Xing said modestly, “This is only a first draft. If you think anything needs improvement, Professor, please help me revise it.”
“There’s no need to rush. Let’s try it first and adjust it after we see how it sounds.” Professor Li signaled for the orchestra to begin rehearsing.
Lu Xiang’er quickly took her place beside the first-violin section and began familiarizing herself with the piece.
The orchestra did not start rehearsing immediately. They first studied the score on their own.
Before long, scattered instrumental sounds arose throughout the room, mingling into a chaotic jumble.
A few minutes later, Professor Li clapped her hands.
“Everyone finished familiarizing themselves with the score? Then let’s begin our first ensemble rehearsal.”
All the musicians prepared themselves.
Holding the sheet music in one hand, Professor Li moved the other up and down as she conducted.
“Begin! There! Good! Second violins, come in. Excellent.”
During the first run-through, they were still unfamiliar with the piece, and a few minor flaws appeared in certain passages.
By the third run-through, the result was already very good.
It was Lu Xiang’er’s first time performing with the highest-level symphony orchestra at East Sea Music Academy, and she was immensely excited.
It felt as though she had suddenly encountered a team of powerful allies, making her feel stronger as well. She played with complete abandon.
After rehearsing all afternoon, she did not feel tired at all. Instead, she felt exhilarated.
They rehearsed until five.
It was nearly time to stop.
Fang Xing expressed his gratitude. “Thank you all for your help. Thank you, everyone.”
Qiao Yinghong also took Professor Li’s hand and thanked her.
“Thank you, Professor Li. Will there be time to rehearse tomorrow? We’re going to The Voice for the live recording on Saturday, so we only have four days left.”
“Several of the students have classes tomorrow, so we’ll take the day off. I’ll have them continue familiarizing themselves with the score at home. We’ll rehearse the day after tomorrow and make sure to deliver our best performance.” Professor Li spoke with confidence.
She was quite certain of it.
Accompanying pop music was a piece of cake for East Sea Music Academy’s First Symphony Orchestra.
“Then I’ll leave it to you. Fang Xing’s result in the second episode will depend on everyone here.” Qiao Yinghong thanked her.
“No problem. Professor Chen has already spoken to me as well. They’re all outstanding students from our academy, so naturally we’ll give it everything we have.” Professor Li thumped her chest in assurance.
“Please thank Doctoral Supervisor Chen on my behalf as well. What time will the rehearsal be the day after tomorrow? Can we decide that now?” Qiao Yinghong asked.
Professor Li thought for a moment. “Actually, they’re all students from the academy. We could rehearse at school. We only need to find a classroom and have Fang Xing come over. That way, no one has to travel back and forth, and it’ll be much more convenient.”
Fang Xing agreed. “That works for me.”
“Then it’s settled. The rehearsal will also be in the afternoon the day after tomorrow. I’ll have them review the score tomorrow. After one full rehearsal the day after tomorrow, we could go straight onstage.” Professor Li had an exceptionally frank and cheerful personality.
After the rehearsal ended, Professor Li led the orchestra onto a school bus and returned to the academy.
Since the orchestra had gone out as a group for the rehearsal, they had applied for a school bus in advance.
The First Symphony Orchestra of East Sea Music Academy departed, leaving only Lu Xiang’er and Ning Xiaoyun behind.
Fang Xing called to them, “Come on. I’ll drive you home.”
In the car, Lu Xiang’er asked curiously, “The melody of this song is so beautiful. You didn’t sing it for us just now.”
“Exactly,” Ning Xiaoyun chimed in. “Sing it once now and let us hear whether it’s really as good as it sounds.”
Fang Xing kept his eyes on the road and replied casually, “I’ll sing it during the next ensemble rehearsal. It wouldn’t be safe while I’m driving.”
Ning Xiaoyun gazed ahead dreamily. “I wish Saturday would come already. I can’t wait to go record The Voice.”
Lu Xiang’er reminded her, “Aren’t I the one going? You’re not participating.”
“Then I’ll be your manager. How can anyone go on a program without bringing their manager?” Ning Xiaoyun could always find an excuse.
Over the next few days, Fang Xing rehearsed with East Sea Music Academy’s First Symphony Orchestra, and the results were excellent.
Lu Xiang’er’s violin skills were also entirely sufficient for her to perform the duties of a first violinist.
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