NABC Chapter 33: Make a name for yourself tonight!
Chapter 33: Make a name for yourself tonight!
How could Lin Hanjiang not be nervous?
Even with the memories of rebirth, and knowing some of the future's trajectory.
But to actually stand on the stage of the CCTV Young Singers Competition finals and feel the gazes that gather countless expectations is truly something to behold.
Facing a pivotal battle that could determine the course of the next few years, or even longer.
This experience was also a completely new and unknown one for him.
Did you have any regrets in your previous life?
Too much.
Life is a long scroll woven together by countless "what ifs" and "almosts".
God has given him a second chance, and he must seize it and give it his all.
Otherwise, all the sweat shed in the vocal studio and all the notes polished until late at night will be meaningless.
Lin Hanjiang takes tonight's match more seriously than anyone else.
This is not just about honor, but also about survival.
It concerns whether the first stepping stone can be found to break through the nearly 40 yuan debt.
In this era, fame, especially fame certified by CCTV, the largest platform, is a currency harder than gold.
Lin Hanjiang raised his head and looked at Zhang Ye, who was concerned about him.
The smile on her face was natural, without the slightest hint of forced or strained expression.
"I'm nervous, senior sister."
He admitted it frankly, still holding the unfinished zongzi leaf in his hand.
"With so many experts and teachers, and an audience watching, they're bound to feel a little uneasy."
Nervousness is inevitable; the key is how to coexist with it and how to transform it into energy on stage, rather than letting it become a stumbling block under the spotlight.
Lin Hanjiang understood this principle well.
Zhang also saw that although he admitted to being nervous, his eyes were clear and his breathing was steady, so he knew that he was not the type to panic.
But in order to make him feel more relaxed, she decided to reveal her embarrassing secret.
"Let me tell you, when I participated in the CCTV Young Singers Competition, my hands were shaking like crazy backstage before I went on stage. Back then, there were no professional makeup artists to accompany us students, so we just did our own makeup haphazardly. I was holding an eyebrow pencil, and my hand trembled."
She made an extremely exaggerated, crooked, upward gesture.
"I almost drew it all the way from my eyebrows to my temples. I was so scared that I quickly tried to wipe it off with a cotton ball, but the more I wiped, the darker it got, making me look like I was in a theatrical performance."
"Ha ha."
Ma Qiuhua was the first to burst out laughing, almost spilling the glutinous rice in her hands. She wiped her hands with her apron, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons with laughter.
"I remember this. You went up there with those two thick, unyielding caterpillar-like eyebrows. I was watching TV from below and wondered if this girl was going to compete or to play Zhong Kui. But as soon as you started singing, wow, your spirit completely overshadowed those eyebrows."
Zu Hai's eyes widened in disbelief, she forgot to wrap the rice dumplings in her hands, her mouth slightly agape: "Really, Senior Sister? You...you're so amazing, yet you get this nervous?"
In her heart, Zhang Ye was always a radiant and graceful idol on stage.
"Of course it's true."
Zhang Ye raised his chin, and his expression became even more vivid.
"What's so great about it? There are people in the audience; anyone would get stage fright."
Her tone softened, taking on a nostalgic quality, and her eyes glazed over, as if she had returned to that stage.
"But once you're actually standing on it, the lights suddenly blaze on you, blindingly white, so bright you can't see the faces of the people below, only a blurry blackness. Then, the prelude begins..."
She narrowed her eyes slightly, her voice carrying a deep, gentle tenderness:
"Take a deep breath, open your throat... and strangely enough, you feel calmer. Especially when you sing that most emotional vibrato, you're completely immersed in it, and suddenly you can hear a very quiet atmosphere below, followed by a soft 'tsk,' like an exclamation or someone being touched. After that part is finished, for a second or two, the whole place is incredibly quiet, so quiet you can hear your own heartbeat."
"Then, the applause erupted. It surged in from all corners, surrounding you. That's when you know, you've made it! You've really made it! Singing, in the end, isn't about singing for the judges' scoring machines, it's about connecting with the people listening to you. When they understand and respond to you, your soul is set on that spot, and you forget all your nervousness."
"Yes, I did."
Jin Tielin, who was in the living room, couldn't help but sigh.
Indeed, who wouldn't be nervous on such a big stage?
Zu Hai, who was listening nearby, couldn't help but whisper in response, her face flushed: "I... it was my first time singing solo at the department's gala. I was so scared that I kept my eyes closed the whole time and didn't dare to look at the audience. I only found out after I finished singing that the conductor's face was almost green because I didn't follow his gestures at all."
"Hahaha." Zhang Ye was the first to burst out laughing, scattering a few grains of glutinous rice from his hand. "Singing the whole show with your eyes closed? Xiao Hai, you're amazing. Wasn't the applause especially loud? Because everyone thought you were so engrossed that you couldn't keep your eyes open."
Jin Tielin sat in a rattan chair in the living room. Although he did not go into the kitchen, he had obviously been listening the whole time. At this moment, he couldn't help but shake his head, a helpless yet amused smile on his lips.
Ma Qiuhua smiled so much that the fine lines at the corners of her eyes smoothed out. She pointed at Zu Hai with her hand still covered in glutinous rice and said, "You silly child, no wonder when I asked you about the audience's reaction that time you came back, you stammered and couldn't give a clear answer."
Lin Hanjiang also laughed.
The slight tension in my heart eased a little amidst the lighthearted laughter.
He understood that this seemingly casual chat was actually his teacher, his teacher's wife, and his senior and junior sisters helping him unload his burdens in their own unique way.
Tell him, "Being nervous is normal. Everyone has experienced it. See, it's not a big deal. It might even become a fun memory in the future."
This Dragon Boat Festival family dinner, a small family gathering before the competition, was seemingly casually arranged by Teacher Jin, but it was actually made with great care.
Lin Hanjiang could tell the difference.
Jin Tielin had also strolled to the kitchen doorway at some point, his hands behind his back, watching the busy young people.
His serious face softened considerably.
His gaze fell on Lin Hanjiang, and he suddenly spoke.
"Liuyang River is both easy and difficult to sing. It's easy to sing because the melody is beautiful and catchy, but difficult because of its 'flavor'. Comrade Li Guyi's version is full of Hunan flavor, mainly because of the flow of breath and the clever use of dialect pronunciation. It sounds warm and natural, without any artificiality."
Everyone turned to look at Teacher Jin Tielin.
Jin Tielin looked at Lin Hanjiang: "Your singing tonight has the technique, but what you're lacking is a bit of humanity. Don't keep thinking about this competition or who's sitting in the audience. Just think of it as singing to the most important person in your life, singing about your truest feelings. Technique is the boat, but emotion is the rudder and sail."
This is the simplest yet most crucial piece of advice given before the final.
Lin Hanjiang's heart skipped a beat, and he solemnly replied, "I remember, teacher. Truth moves people."
"Alright, Lao Jin, it's a holiday, and you're teaching again!"
Ma Qiuhua interrupted with a smile, handing a plump and tightly wrapped meat dumpling to Lin Hanjiang.
"Come on, Hanjiang, give it a try and tie this up properly. A tight tie will ensure a sure win in tonight's competition!"
A witty double entendre in the blessing made everyone laugh.
Amidst laughter and conversation, steam rose from the large pot on the stove, and the aroma of the zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) grew increasingly rich.
Ma Qiuhua was also cooking home-style dishes.
Before long, the food was served, and the zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) were cooked.
Everyone sat around the small dining table.
Jin Tielin did not immediately pick up any food, but instead first raised the glass of sour plum juice in front of him.
The others quickly raised their glasses as well.
Jin Tielin's gaze slowly swept over the crowd.
Happy Dragon Boat Festival! Wishing everyone a joyous holiday and a peaceful and prosperous year for your families.
Happy Dragon Boat Festival!
Happy Dragon Boat Festival, teacher and teacher's wife!
……
"Hanjiang, tonight's competition is both a test and an opportunity. Show what's in your heart. Don't think too much about the result, just sing this new song to everyone who still has dreams in their hearts," Jin Tielin then said, looking at Lin Hanjiang.
"May our Hanjiang be blessed with a resounding victory and swift success!" Ma Qiuhua added with a smile, her voice gentle.
Zhang also clinked glasses with Lin Hanjiang and said with a smile, "Let's win the gold medal! Let the whole country remember your voice!"
Zu Hai whispered, "Senior brother, you can definitely do it!"
"Thank you, teacher; thank you, teacher's wife; thank you, senior sister; thank you, Xiao Hai."
……
He's definitely going to win the gold medal in the folk singing category at the CCTV Young Singers Competition.
Make a name for yourself tonight!