Chapter 160 - Squandering Heaven's Gifts

“In a place very close to the sky,

There are always a pair of eyes watching.

She has dreams as splendid as the forest,

She has the brilliance of the ocean’s azure waves…”

With Zeng Jingwei’s clear, pure, loud, and melodious singing voice rising, Yan Yusong couldn’t help but show a hint of pleasure on his stern face, especially when he heard that Zeng Jingwei’s singing voice was slightly different from her normal speaking voice, possessing a high degree of vocal recognition, his smile grew wider.

Excellent prospect!

He couldn’t help praising her in his heart.

Regardless of whether Zeng Jingwei could sing “Miraculous Jiuzhai” well, he was determined to take her as his Direct Disciple and refine and train her to become another music prodigy.

Shen Yan’s stunningly beautiful face also couldn’t help but reveal a bit of surprise and admiration, and she nodded with a smile as she listened.

Ye Fan was already aware of Zeng Jingwei’s singing voice, so there was no surprise there.

However, he did hear that Zeng Jingwei actually sang “Miraculous Jiuzhai” in the key of G.

A few minutes later, Zeng Jingwei successfully finished singing “Miraculous Jiuzhai.” Although there were a few imperfections during the performance, her capabilities had been fully demonstrated.

“Ha-ha, not bad.

Although there are some imperfections, being able to sing ‘Miraculous Jiuzhai’ without changing the pitch at your age is truly remarkable,” Yan Yusong said with a smile.

“However, you still lack a lot in the emotional aspect of your singing.

Remember, it is the feelings that move people.

Even the best singing voice is just a medium for conveying emotions.”

“Thank you for the guidance, Teacher,” Zeng Jingwei said.

Shen Yan smiled and said, “Jingwei, your voice is very good, almost perfect.

Your future achievements will certainly be no less than mine.”

Zeng Jingwei was thrilled and kept saying she didn’t dare to compare.

Ye Fan timely turned his head to Yan Yusong and asked, “Professor Yan, what do you think?”

Although Yan Yusong had decided to take Zeng Jingwei as his Direct Disciple, he did not want her to become complacent.

So he shook his head slightly and said, “Let’s not rush, let’s see her abilities in other aspects.”

Then, he suddenly asked Ye Fan, “How is Mr.

Ye’s music accomplishment?”

“Heh, I’m just a rough man, tone-deaf, how could I possibly sing any songs?” Ye Fan said with a laugh.

Yan Yusong said, “Not necessarily.

Actually, from your speaking voice, I think you have good vocal conditions, suitable for a baritone.

How about you sing a duet with Jingwei?”

“This…

Professor Yan, you’ve really got the wrong person,” Ye Fan shook his head and said, “I haven’t touched music for six years.

It’s better to let Miss Shen sing the duet with Jingwei.”

Unexpectedly, Yan Yusong shook his head with a smile and said, “It’s better if you don’t sing well.

I want to see Jingwei’s improvisation and adaptability in singing.”

“Okay then,” Ye Fan could only nod in agreement.

If one were deliberately looking for someone who couldn’t sing, who else would they find but him?

“Do you know how to sing Yu Chengqing’s ‘Spring Mud’?” Yan Yusong asked.

Ye Fan shook his head and said, “Seems like I’ve heard it a few times in KTV, I remember some of the tune, but not the lyrics at all.

Let’s change to another song.”

“Ha-ha, let’s sing ‘Spring Mud’!” Yan Yusong clapped his hands and called out.

Ye Fan felt embarrassed and said, “But I don’t even remember the lyrics, how can I sing?”

“He-he, the teacher’s house has a professional music room,” Shen Yan said with a hand over her mouth and a giggling laugh.

She was somewhat looking forward to seeing Ye Fan, such a tall and sturdy man, clumsily singing.

It would definitely be amusing.

Yan Yusong turned to Zeng Jingwei and asked, “Jingwei, you know how to sing ‘Spring Mud,’ right?”

“I do,” Zeng Jingwei answered.

Then, Ye Fan and others followed Yan Yusong into the villa and went up to the third floor.

Half of the third floor’s space had been converted by Yan Yusong into a professional music room.

Turning on the music equipment and finding the song “Spring Mud,” Yan Yusong said to Ye Fan, “Mr.

Ye, please listen to this song first, then sing a duet with Jingwei.

Thank you for your efforts.”

“Heh, that’s only right,” Ye Fan replied.

Next, Ye Fan watched the MV playing on the large LCD screen and learned the song in earnest.

As for Yan Yusong, he went over to Zeng Jingwei and said, “You will sing a duet with Mr.

Ye soon.

It’s possible that Mr.

Ye won’t sing well; going off-key or losing one’s voice is likely.

The requirement I have for you is to do your utmost to guide the song well, to perform ‘Spring Mud’ completely.

Of course, this is difficult, and I don’t expect you to do it perfectly, but do your best.”

“Yes, Teacher,” Zeng Jingwei responded.

Next, Yan Yusong taught Zeng Jingwei a few tips on how to quickly adapt to changes in the song.

Several minutes later, Ye Fan had listened to “Spring Mud” all the way through.

The official choral performance was about to begin.

Yan Yusong faced Ye Fan and Zeng Jingwei, saying, “The chorus might not go smoothly, but you must persist and finish this song.

Whoever’s turn it is to sing, I will give the cue, and then you must immediately follow.

Understood?”

“Understood,” Ye Fan and Zeng Jingwei replied in unison, nodding their heads.

Yan Yusong turned his head to Shen Yan, who was standing by the music equipment controller, and nodded to her.

Shen Yan immediately set “Spring Mud” to play in accompaniment mode.

As the music’s prelude began to play, Yan Yusong said, “Mr.

Ye, you sing first.”

Ye Fan nodded, looking at the LCD screen, brewing the song’s emotions and imagery with the music prelude.

“Words scatter across the sky, falling into my ears

We’re silent and unresponsive

Holding your hand, you weep with reddened eyes

This journey is long and endless…”

As Ye Fan’s pure, magnetic baritone voice rose, Yan Yusong and Shen Yan were simultaneously taken aback.

Shen Yan couldn’t help but open her mouth slightly, covering it with slim, delicate hands, her eyes widening in surprise as she gazed at this seemingly rough man with an extraordinary demeanor.

Yan Yusong’s eyebrows shot up involuntarily, and then he couldn’t help but appreciate Ye Fan’s singing from a professional standpoint.

“…The painful memories fall into the spring mud

Nourishing the earth to bloom the next season

In the wind, your tears drip down, drop by drop, into the memories

Letting us name it cherish…”

Before he realized it, Ye Fan had already finished a segment of “Spring Mud,” but he still did not hear Yan Yusong cue the switch to Zeng Jingwei.

Although Ye Fan found it strange, without Yan Yusong’s signal, he had no choice but to continue singing.

“The painful memories fall into the spring mud

Nourishing the earth to bloom the next season

In the wind, your tears drip down, drop by drop, into the memories

Letting us name it cherish

Teaching us to learn to cherish…”

After repeating the refrain several times, as the last note fell, “Spring Mud” had come to an end.

Ye Fan had sung it all by himself.

What about the promised duet?

Ye Fan couldn’t help but turn his head and look at Yan Yusong, casting an inquiring glance.

Yan Yusong awoke from immersion in Ye Fan’s singing, his eyes suddenly bursting with a myriad of sparks as he looked at Ye Fan, and excitedly took three quick steps to reach him, asking with a fervent voice, “Mr.

Ye, do you aspire to a music career?”

Although Ye Fan found Yan Yusong’s reaction strange, he simply smiled and shook his head.

“Why?” Yan Yusong’s face showed immense disappointment, and he nervously persisted, “Mr.

Ye, your musical potential is extremely, extremely huge.

If you’re willing to take the musical path, I guarantee I can turn you into a megastar, famous across the country, across Asia, even the whole world!”

“Heh, thank you for the high regard, Professor Yan, but my aspirations do not lie in music,” Ye Fan replied, not the least bit swayed.

Shen Yan had recovered her senses by then, and she came over to persuade, “Mr.

Ye, you are wasting the gift bestowed upon you by the heavens, it’s a sin!”

“You won’t need to spend much time learning, only one or two days a week would be enough, or even less time,” Yan Yusong compromised, his tone begging.

Such a musical gem – missing out on him, he feared he might regret it for the rest of his life.

Sadly, Ye Fan still firmly refused.

“Sigh—” Yan Yusong let out an extremely regretful sigh that seemed to weigh him down.

Shen Yan, however, reproached him in mild anger, “Why are you so stubborn!”