In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Yang Guangming walked into his room, picked up a pen and paper from his desk, and quickly selected two songs from the many options in his mind—"Entering the New Era" and "China in the Lights".

The melodies and lyrics of the two songs are clearly imprinted in my mind.

He quickly wrote down the sheet music and lyrics for the first song:

"I always want to express to you how proud I am. I always want to tell you how much I love life. Hardworking and brave Chinese people, striding confidently into a new era..."

After finishing the first poem, he changed to a new sheet of paper and wrote the second one:
"The city streets are already shimmering with lights, and the warmth of community joy flows through. Flames flicker in the distant mountain villages, gradually illuminating reflections on a moderately prosperous society. Returning sails glide past the lighthouse, and footsteps chasing dreams intertwine under the moonlight. Fireworks in the square tell a story of the festival, and the starry sky reflects the grandeur of the era. China in the lights is youthful and graceful. China in the lights has a vast and boundless heart..."

After finishing the two songs, he quickly checked them again to make sure there were no mistakes, then took the two sheets of paper and left the room.

In the living room, Chen Zhiyun and Aunt Peng were chatting. When they saw him come out, they both looked over expectantly.

"Is it finished?" Chen Zhiyun asked.

Yang Guangming handed over two sheets of paper: "They're finished. This poem, 'Entering the New Era,' is in Aunt Peng's style—grand and uplifting. This poem, 'China in the Lights,' is more delicate, and I think it suits your style, Mom."

Aunt Peng took the book "Entering the New Era" and her eyes fell on the lyrics.

Chen Zhiyun took the book "China in the Lights" and began to read it carefully.

The living room fell silent.

Yang Guangming sat back on the sofa, picked up his teacup, and slowly sipped his tea.

After about two or three minutes, Aunt Peng raised her head, her eyes shining.

She looked at Yang Guangming, her voice filled with barely suppressed surprise: "Guangming, this song... did you really write it?"

Yang Guangming nodded: "It seems Peng Yi likes it very much? It was indeed written by me."

Aunt Peng looked down at the lyrics again and hummed the melody softly.

She hummed very softly, but just a few notes were enough to evoke a sense of grandeur and magnificence.

“This melody…this lyrics…” Aunt Peng looked up, her eyes shining even brighter. “It’s wonderful! It’s wonderful! This is exactly the feeling I wanted! Uplifting, grand, contemporary, yet not empty!”

She turned to Chen Zhiyun: "Zhiyun, take a look at your poem!"

Chen Zhiyun was staring at the paper in her hand, liking it more and more as she looked at it.

She looked up at her son, her eyes filled with pride and emotion: "Mingming, this song... Mom really likes it."

She hummed a few lines of a melody softly, her voice gentle and affectionate: "China in the lamplight, youthful and graceful. China in the lamplight, with a vast and boundless heart..."

After humming it, she felt even more moved: "This song is so well written. It's delicate, warm, and vivid. When I sing it, it's as if I can really see the lights of thousands of homes and what this country looks like in the night."

Aunt Peng leaned over to look at the sheet music in Chen Zhiyun's hand and exclaimed, "This one is good too! It's more beautiful and evocative than mine. Zhiyun, your son is so talented!"

Chen Zhiyun smiled broadly, but still modestly said, "This kid has been learning vocal music from me since he was little. I thought he was just good at singing, but I didn't expect him to be able to write songs too. I've never seen him write songs at home before..."

Yang Guangming smiled and said, "Mom, I wrote these secretly when you weren't around. I wanted to give you a surprise."

Chen Zhiyun looked at her son, her eyes brimming with pride.

Aunt Peng laughed from the side, "Zhiyun, your son's talent is more than just 'writing songs.' These two songs have smooth melodies, meaningful lyrics, and are especially suitable for singers to perform. Especially this song, 'Entering the New Era,' the chorus has a wide vocal range and the emotions build up layer by layer. If sung well, it will definitely move people."

She paused, then said seriously, "This isn't something you can just write casually. Guangming definitely has real skill in composing."

Chen Zhiyun was even happier to hear this, but she also knew the importance of the matter and looked at her son: "Mingming, are you really willing to give us these two songs?"

Yang Guangming laughed: "Mom, I write songs just for fun, I don't make a living from it. You are a professional singer, and Aunt Peng is a top singer. It would be best for you to sing these two songs."

He looked at Aunt Peng and said, "Aunt Peng, if you think 'Entering the New Era' is suitable, you can use it. My mother sings 'China in the Lights,' which is just right."

Aunt Peng looked at him, her eyes full of appreciation and gratitude: "Guangming, then I won't stand on ceremony. I really like this song. I'll talk to the Spring Festival Gala production team later and try to change it to this new song."

Chen Zhiyun nodded, "I'll talk to the production team too. If they don't agree with such a good song, they really have no taste."

Yang Guangming smiled and said, "That's good. I hope this can be of help to you."

Aunt Peng looked down at the sheet music again, then suddenly looked up at Yang Guangming and said, "Guangming, I have a question for you."

"Aunt Peng, please speak."

"When you wrote these two songs, what were you thinking? I mean, where did the inspiration come from?" Aunt Peng's eyes were full of curiosity. "You're only eighteen years old, how can you write lyrics with such a deep understanding of life? For example, 'China in the lights, youthful and graceful,' this kind of imagery and emotion is hard to write without a certain amount of life experience. Aunt Peng knows you're a genius, but does being a genius mean you can be so unreasonable?"

Yang Guangming thought for a moment and slowly said, "Maybe... it's because I've seen a lot."

He looked out the window, his gaze distant: "I've loved observing since I was a child. Observing people, observing life, observing the changes in this city. In recent years, Beijing has changed so much. New buildings are being built everywhere, there are more and more cars on the road, and people are smiling more and more."

"Sometimes when I'm on my way home at night, looking at the lights of thousands of homes along the roadside, I think that behind each light is a family, with their own joys and sorrows. These ordinary lights, when connected together, are the most authentic representation of this country."

He turned around and looked at Aunt Peng: "That's how 'China in the Lights' came about. It wasn't something I came up with, it was something I saw."

After listening, Aunt Peng remained silent for a few seconds, then let out a long sigh.

“Zhiyun.” She looked at Chen Zhiyun. “Your son is truly a genius. What we ordinary people find incredibly difficult, only a genius can take for granted.”

Chen Zhiyun smiled so hard her eyes narrowed, but she still said modestly, "Oh, he just likes to think things through, there's nothing special about him."

“It’s not just about being thoughtful,” Aunt Peng said earnestly. “She has talent, skill, and a delicate heart. A person like that can succeed at anything. She can win the Palme d’Or for making movies and write songs of this caliber. Zhiyun, you are so lucky.”

Chen Zhiyun held her son's hand, her eyes brimming with pride.

Yang Guangming smiled but didn't say anything.

After chatting for a while, Aunt Peng suddenly remembered something and looked at Yang Guangming: "Guangming, you just said that you learned vocal music from your mother since you were a child. How is your singing ability?"

Yang Guangming paused for a moment, then said, "It's...it's alright."

"Not bad?" Aunt Peng laughed. "What level do you mean by 'not bad'? Come on, sing me a song."

Yang Guangming looked at his mother.

Chen Zhiyun smiled and said, "Your Aunt Peng is a professional and wants to hear your skills. These two songs are yours, so why don't you sing them once and give us a demonstration so we can see how the creators understood them? With your demonstration, we can better grasp the essence when we sing them later."

Aunt Peng nodded: "Yes, yes, yes! That's a great idea! Guangming, why don't you sing it once and let us hear it?"

Yang Guangming thought for a moment and nodded: "Okay, I'll give it a try."

He stood up and walked to the piano in the corner of the living room.

This grand piano is Chen Zhiyun's prized possession, and she takes excellent care of it. Yang Guangming sat down on the piano bench, opened the lid, and tried a few notes.

Chen Zhiyun and Aunt Peng both quieted down and looked at him expectantly.

After thinking for a moment, Yang Guangming decided to sing "China in the Lights" first.

He was more familiar with this song, and its melody was more delicate, making it more suitable for showcasing the qualities of his voice.

He took a deep breath and placed his fingers on the piano keys.

As the prelude began, a gentle and warm melody flowed through the living room.

Then, he began to sing:

"The city streets are already shimmering with lights, and the community is filled with warm joy..."

As soon as the voice came out, Aunt Peng's eyes widened instantly.

What kind of sound was that?
Clear, warm, with a natural magnetism. Every word is pronounced clearly, every note falls steadily on the line. What's most remarkable is the timbre—it's so captivating, so beautiful, as if it possesses a magical power that instantly draws you in.

Chen Zhiyun was also stunned.

She knew her son had been learning vocal music from her since he was little and had a good voice, but she hadn't heard him sing seriously in a long time. She never expected his voice to change so much and his progress so rapid.

The timbre, the texture, it was simply... simply as if God had meticulously crafted it.

Yang Guangming continued singing, his fingers dancing smoothly across the piano keys.

"Sailing ships returning to port sweep past the lighthouse, footsteps chasing dreams intertwine under the moonlight. Fireworks in the square tell a story of the festival, the starry sky rises with the grandeur of the era..."

There was an extremely intense emotion in his voice.

It wasn't deliberate sentimentality, but rather a natural warmth and deep affection. It was as if he had truly seen those scenes and truly felt those emotions.

As he sang the chorus, his voice became even more expansive:
"China illuminated by lights, youthful and graceful. China illuminated by lights, with a vast and open heart..."

Aunt Peng listened intently, her fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the sofa armrest in rhythm.

She had seen too many singers and heard too many voices. But a voice like Yang Guangming's was truly rare.

That natural magnetism, that irresistible charm, cannot be learned through any training. It's talent, a gift from God. And not just any gift, but a sumptuous feast. The music ended, and the living room was silent for a few seconds.

Then Aunt Peng started clapping.

"That's wonderful! That's wonderful!" She stood up excitedly and walked to the piano. "Guangming, your voice is amazing! Absolutely amazing!"

Yang Guangming smiled and stood up from the piano bench: "Aunt Peng, you flatter me."

"No flattery at all!" Aunt Peng said earnestly. "I've heard so many people sing, both professional and amateur. A voice like yours is absolutely unique! The timbre is so good, so captivating! And you sing so relaxed and naturally, without the slickness of a professional singer or the awkwardness of an amateur. Just right, perfect."

She looked at Chen Zhiyun: "Zhiyun, your son's voice is even better than yours was back then, isn't it?"

Chen Zhiyun couldn't stop smiling.

She walked over to her son, took his hand, and said, "Mingming, Mom really didn't expect... your voice to have improved so much. You don't sing much at home, I didn't even know..."

Yang Guangming held his mother's hand tightly: "Mom, I practiced secretly, thinking of giving you a surprise someday."

Chen Zhiyun was even happier and nodded vigorously.

Aunt Peng watched the mother and son from the side, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

She then looked at Yang Guangming: "Guangming, after you finish singing 'China in the Lights,' how about you sing my song 'Entering the New Era'? After listening to your performance as a creator, I'll know how to interpret it better."

Yang Guangming nodded and sat down at the piano again.

This time, his emotions were clearly different.

The intro begins, more uplifting and powerful than the previous song.

He began to sing:

"I always want to confess my feelings to you, how exhilarating my emotions are. I always want to tell you how much I love life..."

There is a vibrant and uplifting power in his voice.

That is confidence in this era, expectation for the future, and heartfelt love for this country.

In the chorus, his voice is even fuller:
"We sing 'The East Is Red,' standing up as masters of our own destiny. We tell the story of spring, prospering through reform and opening up. Our leader, carrying on the past and forging ahead into the future, leads us into that new era. Holding high the banner, we create a brighter future!"

Aunt Peng was thrilled to hear this.

This song was more powerful than she had imagined. Its uplifting spirit and its celebration of the times were all contained in the melody and lyrics.

She could even imagine what it would be like to stand on the Spring Festival Gala stage and sing this song.

When the song ended, Aunt Peng clapped again.

"Great! That's wonderful!" she exclaimed. "Guangming, you wrote such a beautiful song. The melody is catchy, the lyrics are simple yet powerful, and the chorus is especially easy to sing. And you sang it so well; you captured all that confidence and high spirits perfectly."

Yang Guangming stood up and said with a smile, "Aunt Peng, I'm glad you're satisfied."

"Satisfied, extremely satisfied!" Aunt Peng looked at Chen Zhiyun. "Zhiyun, your son is a real treasure. He's a great director, a great actor, a great songwriter, and has such a wonderful voice. If he were on the Spring Festival Gala, the show would be absolutely amazing!"

Chen Zhiyun's eyes lit up when she heard this.

Aunt Peng continued, "Guangming, I was thinking about something after I finished listening to you sing."

"What's the problem?"

"With such a good voice and such strong singing skills, why don't you go on the Spring Festival Gala yourself?" Aunt Peng said seriously. "Any one of the two songs you just sang could move people on the Spring Festival Gala stage."

Yang Guangming paused for a moment, then shook his head and laughed: "Aunt Peng, I'm busy enough as it is. Post-production of 'Love Letter' is in progress, and I need to prepare for the publicity. As for 'A Separation,' I need to go to the United States to compete for the Oscars, and I still have classes at school. If I were to do the Spring Festival Gala, I really wouldn't be able to handle it all."

“You’re busy, but you have to prioritize,” Aunt Peng advised. “The Spring Festival Gala is the biggest stage in the country, and countless actors dream of performing on it. You’re a Palme d’Or winner and a renowned director, so your status is special. If you go up there to sing, you’ll definitely get a lot of attention. Besides, you have such a good voice and you sing so well. It would be such a waste not to go up there and let the whole country hear you sing.”

Yang Guangming shook his head again: "Aunt Peng, I'm really afraid I won't be able to handle it. The Spring Festival Gala rehearsals are so frequent, there's music rehearsal, dress rehearsal, stage rehearsal, joint rehearsal, recording backup tapes... It takes up too much time."

Aunt Peng laughed: "Guangming, your understanding of the Spring Festival Gala may still be limited to your imagination."

She explained, "What you're talking about are comedy sketches and crosstalk performances. They do require repeated rehearsals and refinement, taking a lot of time. But our singing is different."

"For singing competitions, especially solo performances, the rehearsal intensity isn't that high. First, once the song is chosen, you can practice it until you're familiar with it. Second, you usually only need to rehearse with the band two or three times. Third, the rehearsals are mainly about getting to know your positions and the stage; you don't need to sing live every time. Fourth, for the official recording and live broadcast, just follow the director team's instructions."

She looked at Yang Guangming and said, "The total time you actually need to be present throughout the entire process is probably only ten days to two weeks. And it's not continuous, it's scattered, and each rehearsal session is not long. You can arrange your time perfectly."

Chen Zhiyun, standing beside him, advised, "Mingming, Mom also thinks you should consider it. You've been learning vocal music with me since you were little, and after all these years, I've always hoped you could achieve something in this field. If you can perform on the Spring Festival Gala stage, then all my years of teaching will have been worthwhile."

She paused, her voice tinged with emotion: "Mom doesn't want you to be a singer, Mom just wants... wants to see you standing on that stage, letting the whole country hear your voice. Mom would feel very proud and gratified."

Looking into his mother's eyes, Yang Guangming's heart softened.

He knew his mother's feelings. He remembered all the effort she had put into his artistic development over the years. Although he had now chosen the path of directing, vocal music remained his mother's greatest concern.

“Mom…” Yang Guangming held his mother’s hand.

Chen Zhiyun smiled and said, "It's okay, you can decide for yourself. If you're really too busy, you can skip it this year, there will be other opportunities in the future."

Yang Guangming was silent for a few seconds, then nodded: "Mom, I'll think about it carefully."

Aunt Peng laughed from the side, "That's right! Guangming, don't worry, if you decide to go on, I'll recommend you to the production team. If they knew you had such a good voice, they would be more than happy to have you."

She thought for a moment and then said, "Besides, your identity is special. Being a Palme d'Or-winning director is a topic of discussion in itself. Even if you just sing casually on stage, the attention you receive will be considerable. Not to mention how well you sing."

"I'll put in a good word for you and ask them to try to schedule rehearsal times together to minimize your travel. It shouldn't be a big problem."

Yang Guangming nodded: "Thank you, Aunt Peng."

"No need to thank me, I'm the one who should thank you." Aunt Peng waved the sheet music in her hand. "You gave me such a good song, so it's only right that I recommend it for the Spring Festival Gala."

The three chatted about the Spring Festival Gala for a while longer, and Aunt Peng checked the time.

"Zhiyun, I have to go." She stood up. "I've learned so much today, I need to go back and properly digest these two songs."

Chen Zhiyun also stood up: "Don't rush, sit for a while longer?"

"No, no, it's too late." Aunt Peng put on her coat, picked up her bag, and looked at Yang Guangming. "Guangming, you should seriously consider the Spring Festival Gala. Give me a definite answer in a couple of days so I can communicate with the production team."

Yang Guangming nodded: "Okay, Aunt Peng, I'll call you when I've thought it over."

Aunt Peng then looked at Chen Zhiyun: "Zhiyun, let's go to the director's team together later and finalize the song change. Such a good song must be included."

"Okay." Chen Zhiyun nodded with a smile.

Yang Guangming walked to the door and said to Duan Yunfeng, "Old Duan, see Aunt Peng off. Be careful on the way."

Duan Yunfeng nodded: "Teacher Peng, this way please."

Aunt Peng got into the car, rolled down the window, and waved to the mother and son: "Go back, it's cold, don't bother seeing me off."

The car slowly drove out of the villa area and disappeared into the night.

Back inside, Chen Zhiyun pulled her son to sit on the sofa, her smile impossible to hide.

“Mingming, Mom is so happy today.” She held her son’s hand. “The song you wrote is so good, Mom loves it. Your voice has improved so much. Mom is really… really gratified.”

Yang Guangming smiled and said, "Mom, it's all thanks to your excellent teaching. Without your guidance over the years, I wouldn't have been able to learn these things."

Chen Zhiyun shook her head, "It's all your own hard work; Mom just guided you."

She paused, then said seriously, "Regarding the Spring Festival Gala, if you feel too tired and don't want to participate, Mom won't force you. Your own work is the most important thing."

Yang Guangming thought for a moment and said, "Mom, let me think about it some more. If I can really arrange my time, I might as well go for a bit. It'll keep you company."

Chen Zhiyun's eyes lit up: "Really?"

“Really.” Yang Guangming laughed. “I’ve never been on the Spring Festival Gala before, so it would be nice to experience it.”

Chen Zhiyun was overjoyed: "Great! Then let's go on the Spring Festival Gala together and sing together!"

Yang Guangming laughed: "Mom, we're not singing a duet, we're each singing our own songs. With your amazing singing skills and great voice, Mom has to sing a solo!"

"That makes me happy too!" Chen Zhiyun held her son's hand. "Mom will be cheering you on backstage."

The two chatted for a while longer, then Chen Zhiyun went to the kitchen to heat up a glass of milk and brought it to her son.

"Go to bed early after you finish drinking. Don't you have to go to the editing room tomorrow?"

Yang Guangming took the milk: "Okay, I'll drink it and then go to sleep." (End of Chapter)