My era, 1979!

Chapter 194 Happiness and Hope

In the studio, the warm yellow lights seemed to focus on Xu Chengjun.

When Tetsuko Kuroyanagi invited him to perform a song, an extremely untimely thought popped into his mind like a bubble.

He spoke almost subconsciously in Chinese, with a hint of self-deprecation that only he could understand:

"Should I sing a bit of 'The March of the Big Swords' to give them a little 'Chinese shock'?"

Although the voice was soft, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, who was closest to him and had keen senses, caught those few unfamiliar syllables.

She tilted her head, her big eyes filled with question marks: "Nani? Tou...dao? (Knife?)"

What kind of anime female protagonist's actions are these?
No way! Girl, you're forty years old, you really don't look good~
If you were Keiko Matsuzaka, I could barely accept it.

Xu Chengjun snapped out of his dangerous fantasy, realizing he had almost detonated a "cultural bomb" on a national Japanese television program. He immediately switched back to impeccable English, occasionally interspersed with somewhat broken Japanese, and with a perfectly timed, slightly apologetic smile on his face, waved his hand to clarify: "Just kidding, just kidding. I didn't bring any instruments with me, it's really inconvenient, Ms. Kuroyanagi."

Hey! If I really sing like that, I'll be on the front page of the Sankei Shimbun tomorrow as a "war-crazed writer," escalating into a diplomatic incident.

He still knows what he represents now.

"Eh—? That won't do, Xu-san!"

Tetsuko Kuroyanagi flashed a sly smile reminiscent of Hisoka's discovery of his prey in *Hunter x Hunter*, as if she had already seen through all his escape routes. "At 'Tetsuko's Hut,' we'll do our best to fulfill our guests' wishes, even those they haven't explicitly stated!"

As she spoke, she snapped her fingers crisply, as if a magical girl were summoning a familiar.

She beckoned to a staff member and whispered a few instructions to him.

A short while later, a staff member carefully carried a wooden guitar up.

Hei Liu took the guitar and solemnly handed it to Xu Chengjun with both hands: "This is a small token of our appreciation from our production team."

Xu Chengjun thanked him and accepted the gift. After taking a closer look, a slight thought crossed his mind.

This is a Gibson J-45 acoustic guitar, featuring the classic rounded shoulder design. Under the sunset-colored finish, the spruce top grain resembles a painting imbued with the colors of time, while the mahogany back and sides exude a calm, sophisticated luster. In 1980, this classic model from a top American brand was a professional-grade instrument, far from being an ordinary prop, thanks to its balanced, full, warm, and penetrating tone and its incredibly comfortable, meticulously tuned playability.

This classic folk guitar, born in 1942, has witnessed countless legendary moments in the history of folk and rock music with its balanced, warm, and highly penetrating tone. It is more than just a musical instrument; it is more like a narrative poet who has experienced many vicissitudes yet remains full of deep emotion.

“Is this a gift?”

Kuroyanagi smiled and said, "This guitar was specially prepared for you by our program team. We hope you can use it to play songs that touch people's hearts. It's also a gift to thank you for your sincere hospitality today."

Xu Chengjun no longer declined.

He casually picked up the guitar and held it casually in front of him, a posture that wasn't exactly academic, but rather exuded a free and unrestrained elegance. His previous gentle and refined demeanor, and the sharp edge he displayed during debates, were all now subdued, transforming into a unique, immersive, and unrestrained aura.

His left hand casually yet precisely pressed down a high-position closed chord on the neck, while his right thumb slid from the robust sixth string to the crisp first string, producing a series of deep and clear arpeggios, like the tide washing over a beach at night. Immediately afterwards, with a nimble flick of his right wrist, he struck the violin body with the side of his palm with a crisp "snap," producing a clean, crisp sound that blended wonderfully with the lingering notes, creating a highly rhythmic and captivating improvisational prelude.

"うわっ——! カッコイイ!!" (Wow——! So handsome!!)

A low gasp escaped from the audience.

In 1980s Japan, although the guitar was a popular instrument, it was still visually striking to see a young Chinese writer, known for his serious literature, playing the guitar so smoothly and even with a touch of rock and roll.

He's a great writer who also plays music!

This label instantly made Xu Chengjun's image more three-dimensional and charming.

"That Chinese writer... that pose! That style! He's totally a professional rock musician, isn't he?"

"Wait a minute, isn't he the author of serious literature like 'Red Silk'? This is such a huge contrast!"

"I hereby declare that from today onwards, I am a fan of Xu San's music!"

Even the well-traveled Kenzaburo Oe couldn't help but push up his glasses again and sigh in a low voice, "Mr. Xu... this hidden multifaceted nature is like a treasure."

Seizing the opportunity, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi addressed the audience with an impassioned tone: "So, what kind of song will the incredibly charismatic Xu-san bring us today? Will it be a gentle and tender Chinese folk song? Or…?"

"Could I have a piece of paper and a pen?"

Xu Chengjun suddenly spoke, interrupting Hei Liu's speculation.

"Also, Mr. Oe, could you please help me? I'm not quite sure about the subtle grammar and rhymes in some Japanese song lyrics, and I hope you can help me with some consideration."

He's planning to create something on the spot.

Kuroyanagi covered his mouth in surprise: "Is Xu-san about to showcase his amazing talent for improvisational composition?!"

To enhance the atmosphere, the sound engineer aptly played a short recording of Xu Chengjun's previous song, "Waiting for You to Return to the North Village." The ethereal and melancholic melody elicited another gasp from the audience, giving them a more direct understanding of the Chinese composer's musical taste.

Xu Chengjun ignored the commotion and sat alone at the small table brought by the staff, concentrating on writing. Occasionally, he would look up and whisper a few words to Kenzaburo Oe.

"Is he really going to write a new song here, in such a short time?"

The audience erupted in cheers, with whispers rising like a tidal wave.

Xu Chengjun ignored the commotion around him. He seemed to have entered a state of "flow," and he was writing furiously at a small table brought over by the staff.

Occasionally, he would look up and exchange a few words with Kenzaburo Oe in a low, quick voice.

As Dajiang watched the lyrics gradually take shape on the paper, his expression shifted from initial curiosity to astonishment, and finally to a profound solemnity mixed with shock and compassion.

"These lyrics... stitch together individual tenderness with the cruelty of the times so beautifully... it's like using the softest silk to wrap the sharpest blade..."

Dajiang muttered to himself in a voice only he could hear.

Kuroyanagi and the audience were not in a hurry; they were looking forward to seeing what surprises this talented Chinese writer would bring.

If it works well, it's the icing on the cake; if it works only moderately, it can still be a source of amusement.

Half an hour later, Xu Chengjun raised his head.

Kuroyanagi exclaimed incredulously, "...It's finished?! And it's only been half an hour!"

"What amazing creative talent!"

Kuroyanagi's exclamation represented the sentiments of everyone.

Before anyone could react, Xu Chengjun grabbed his guitar and prepared to start.

Xu Chengjun picked up his guitar and prepared to play, but the staff brought him a standing microphone, a simple DI box, and even a small monitoring speaker so that he could hear his performance clearly.

"That's quite a spectacle..."

Xu Chengjun inwardly grumbled, but his hands moved swiftly, connecting the equipment smoothly and adjusting the microphone angle with practiced professionalism. Once everything was ready, he gently plucked the strings. The warm, full, and highly articulate tone of the Gibson J-45 filled the entire studio through the sound system.

He employs a simple yet deeply moving arpeggio rhythm pattern, with clean and crisp fingering and a rock-solid rhythm.

With just a few bars of prelude, the narrative-rich musical atmosphere made all the musically literate audience members realize that this was no amateur performance, but a truly professional and deeply emotional expression.

"A song called 'Happiness'..."

Xu Chengjun spoke softly into the microphone, his voice carrying a strange, calming power through the speakers, “To all those present who dare to speak out for history and take responsibility, and to all those who yearn for peace and justice, and to all the children watching over us from heaven, may they find happiness that belongs to them and to each of us.”

Then, he closed his eyes, and the singing and guitar melody flowed gently like a stream…

(Verse 1)
The sound of rain echoes in the trenches.
The servant's back is high and the small gun is held in the arms (holding a rifle that is taller than me)
君からの toilet paper chest ポケットで (The letter you sent is in the breast pocket)
絵にdrawingいたPlane dreamを见てた(Dream about the airplane in your drawing)
The audience was completely silent, with only the sounds of guitar and vocals echoing through the air. The lyrics were incredibly vivid, instantly transporting the listener to that damp and cold battlefield.

(Chorus)
The other side of the gun smoke (Happiness is on the other side of the gun smoke)
君が画く青空の下(Under the blue sky you drew)
しあわせは明日を信じて(Happiness is believing in tomorrow)
それでも入むこと(But still walking forward)
As the chorus begins, that familiar melody starts—

That's right, this song uses the melody of "Shiki" (Happiness), which was composed and sung by Miyuki Nakajima in 1982. The song is highly regarded and widely sung in the Japanese music scene for its profound artistic conception, beautiful melody and fateful emotions.

What made it a household name in the Chinese-speaking world was Richie Jen's later adapted version of "Sad Pacific Ocean"—many audiences were immediately drawn to the melody, and some began to sway their bodies gently to the rhythm, their eyes filled with emotion.

(Verse 2)
「ご饭が食べられた」君の文が ("I can eat now" your handwriting)
Servant of an empty stomach (Gently fill my hunger)
『Zibo Rideれたよ』そのreport ("I learned to ride a bicycle" report)
Servant of the foot (make my steps light)
Upon hearing this, Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, who had always been concerned about children's welfare, thought of the ordinary, happy children who had lost their lives in the war, and tears finally streamed down her face silently. She quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand, but the more she wiped, the more tears flowed.

(Chorus)
しあわせは成かぬbind (Happiness is a promise that cannot be delivered)
Blood-drawn little stars (tiny stars drawn with blood)
しあわせは君が生きる世界 (Happiness is the world you live in)
The servant is guarded (and I am guarding it)
The image of the tiny star painted in blood—this powerful imagery caused Ryotaro Shiba to furrow his brow and unconsciously tighten his grip on the armrest of his chair. His calm yet resolute words, "I will protect it," brought many of the more sensitive female audience members to their knees, eliciting soft sobs.

(bridge)
The flash of the cannonball in the night sky いても (The fire of the cannonball tears the night sky apart)
The smile that is etched in my eyes.
「ごめんね、行くよ」嫫いてから (after whispering "I'm sorry, I'm leaving")
I turn into hope and float away.
In the middle section, the emotions rise to their peak. Xu Chengjun's singing is not strained or desperate; instead, it uses an almost calm, narrative tone of fate, yet it contains a heart-wrenching power.

The lyrics, combined with the already told stories of great figures, resonate even more deeply with listeners.

When the line "I turn into hope and drift away" was sung, suppressed sobs filled the studio, and even some male staff members turned away with red eyes.

The melody was already classic, and when paired with Xu Chengjun's adapted lyrics, which were full of imagery and tragic beauty, it created a nuclear-level impact.

(Final Chorus)
しあわせは君がくれた future
(Happiness is the future you give)

Servant protector's light
(The light I protected)

しあわせは君が生き続ける
(Happiness is continuing to live)

この平和な朝に

(On this peaceful morning)

(Outro)
どうかforgetれないで
(Please don't forget)
The restraint of the servant

(Our agreement)

しあわせは君のその手で

(Happiness is in your own hands)
Create a new story

(Keep creating)
...

In the final outro, his voice became exceptionally soft and ethereal, and the guitar only had a few scattered overtones, as if afraid of disturbing the resting soul.

However, just when everyone thought the song was over, Xu Chengjun's fingers gently turned the strings, and the melody subtly changed, becoming more soothing and imbued with an oriental charm. He switched back to Mandarin, and with his deep, magnetic voice, sang the classic passage from "Sad Pacific Ocean," a song destined to resonate in another time and space:

"The letter I'm waiting for hasn't arrived, and the person I'm waiting for still doesn't understand."
Loneliness silently sinks into the sea; the future is gone, but I am still here…

The beautiful melody and touching Chinese lyrics brought several international students and overseas Chinese in the audience who understood Chinese to tears.

"Chinese!"

"He actually... managed to connect the two language versions here..."

[Plot segment]

A lifetime, like waking from a dream, deep in the Pacific Ocean, deeply heartbroken.

A fleeting moment of blood-stained five-pointed star, let me see that magnificent scenery.

【end】

My love is like a tidal wave, drowning out all worldly troubles.
He spoke softly, with an almost sacred, trembling tone: "Brother, I hope you will see for me... the magnificent scenery of this prosperous age..."

The last note, after he gently pressed down on the vibrating string, fell into eternal silence.

Time seemed to freeze in the entire studio. Everyone remained in their previous positions, as if under a spell. Only the occasional sob, forced out by desperate attempts to suppress it, proved that this was not a static scene.

Three seconds, three seconds of deathly silence.

Then--

"Bravo—!!!"

Applause, cries, and cheers erupted like a volcano that had been dormant for thousands of years!

Everyone sprang to their feet, clapping wildly and unrestrainedly, tears streaming down their faces. This wasn't polite applause; it was an instinctive reaction to a profound shock to the soul.

Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's makeup was already ruined by tears. She even forgot her role as the host and just clapped enthusiastically like the other audience members. Her eyes were filled with immense respect and emotion as she looked at the young man in the center of the stage.

Xu Chengjun slowly put down his guitar and nodded gently to the audience, the host, and the two literary giants.

In the backstage control room, Koichi Baba almost lunged at the monitor. Grabbing the director's shoulder, he shouted incoherently, "Did you see that? Did you see that? History! This is a historic moment where television history and literary history meet! Immediately! Immediately contact the printing press! Increase the first print run of 'Red Silk' by another 50,000! No! 100,000 copies! We must let all of Japan hear this!"

"This is truly... an incredibly original work!"

Tetsuko Kuroyanagi was the first to recover from the overwhelming emotional impact of the song, her voice still slightly choked, but her professionalism allowed her to immediately return to her hosting persona.

In the audience, an elderly man with gray hair and a refined demeanor stood up excitedly. He was Masao Sato, a music professor at Tokyo University of the Arts and a famous music critic.

He practically interrupted, his voice booming as he commented, "Please allow me to speak frankly! As a music researcher, I must say that Xu-san's melodic perception, the literary quality of the lyrics, and the ability to express complex emotions with such concise and powerful musical language... In my opinion, his musical talent is perhaps even more dazzling than his already astonishing literary talent! This is by no means an ordinary hobby; it is a synesthetic talent that transcends art forms, possessed only by true creators!"

This highly professional evaluation drew another round of enthusiastic applause and cheers of approval from the audience.

Tetsuko Kuroyanagi nodded deeply, as if still immersed in the shock she had just experienced: "Unimaginable talent! It is truly an honor for our program that 'Tetsuko's Hut' can become the 'first stage' to showcase your musical talent."

Xu Chengjun gently leaned his guitar to the side, and in response to the praise, he simply smiled and replied with a phrase full of Eastern wisdom: "Being able to share this melody with everyone at this moment is the best arrangement."

Demeanor~
He's definitely going to put on a show in Japan.

(End of this chapter)