Reborn as a comedic artist

Chapter 107 The Prodigal Son Returns

on the stage.

Cheng Ming lowered his head slightly, his slender fingers gently stroking the guitar strings, producing a soft "zheng" sound.

He raised his head, but his gaze did not look at the camera. Instead, it seemed to casually sweep across the center of the first row below the stage.

There, there was a familiar, anxious face.

Cheng Ming's lips curled up slightly as he spoke into the microphone in a deep and clear voice: "Since this is Teacher Wu Bai's place, we have to sing a song that everyone has etched into their bones."

He turned to the side, nodded to the band teacher, and then announced the name: "Norwegian Wood".

The moment he finished speaking, the audience erupted in cheers.

This song is such a classic.

It's so classic that it's practically synonymous with 500, so classic that any cover version pales in comparison to the original.

To dare to sing "Norwegian Wood" in front of 500 people is not just courageous, it's practically playing with fire.

Wu Bai was also taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter, his eyes filled with even more admiration: "Good! You've got guts! Let's go!"

The lights suddenly dimmed.

Only a pale spotlight shone on Cheng Ming.

The deep, booming bass line begins, followed by the signature, melancholic yet restless electric guitar intro.

Ding-ding-ding!

The familiar melody instantly opened the floodgates of memory for everyone present.

The intro has ended.

Cheng Ming suddenly opened his eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing.

Let me pluck your heart from the sky—

The first sentence was uttered.

The stadium, which had been filled with whispers and preparing to watch the spectacle, seemed to have been put on pause.

A deathly silence.

Immediately following was a chilling sensation that sent shivers down everyone's spine, shooting straight to the top of their head.

The voice was clear and high-pitched, yet it carried a metallic chill and a deep-seated desolation.

Like a lone wolf in the wilderness in late autumn.

Wu Bai stood to the side, originally preparing to provide harmony for Cheng Ming.

But the moment Cheng Ming uttered that shout, the godfather of rock and roll's hand trembled violently, and he almost dropped his guitar.

His pupils behind his sunglasses contracted sharply, and he froze on the spot as if struck by lightning.

That sound—

This timbre—

too familiar.

It was so familiar that it gave him a long-lost sense of oppression from the depths of his soul.

That was in the 1990s.

That was a Chinese music scene dominated by one name.

At that time, the Four Heavenly Kings were still fiercely fighting, but there was one person who, with just his voice, made everyone breathless.

A prodigal son at his peak!

Wu Bai stared intently at Cheng Ming's profile, his eyes filled with disbelief.

How is that possible?

Moreover, the popularity of the song "The Wind Rises" has already passed for more than a month.

With Cheng Ming releasing a variety of creative videos and songs, even his performance of "The Wind Rises," which incorporated elements of a wanderer's voice, was overwhelmed by wave after wave of online traffic.

"Try to melt it slowly —"

"See if I am still perfect in your heart—"

Cheng Ming continued singing.

There was no deliberate showing off of skills, and no greasy vocal transitions.

Every word seemed to burst from his chest, striking straight into the hearts of the listeners.

The audience was completely stunned.

No one expected that they would overhear a conversation that transcended time and space.

When the classic rock love song "Norwegian Wood" met the heartbreaking voice of "The Prodigal Son".

The original lyrics, which expressed confusion and obsession with love, were transformed by Cheng Ming into a heart-wrenching despair and pleading.

If you didn't know, no one would believe that this was sung by a young man in his early twenties.

In the VIP section.

Huang Yuxi had completely forgotten about waving the glow stick at this point.

She stared blankly at the man in the white shirt on the stage.

This is her favorite song.

And this sound—

That penetrating power that struck straight to the soul sent shivers down her spine.

She looked at Cheng Ming with his eyes closed, in a state of complete absorption, exuding a deadly hormone.

Is it still flawless?

Huang Yuxi hummed along softly, her eyes already moist without her noticing.

It sounds so good.

It's so beautiful it makes you want to cry.

At this moment, Cheng Ming in her eyes was no longer the student who was always joking around, nor the internet celebrity who was always up to his own good.

He is an abyss that can make any woman fall for him.

That bastard... he's always causing trouble.

An unprecedented thrill spread wildly through Huang Yuxi's body.

She seems to have really fallen for him.

On stage, the song entered its chorus.

boom!

His emotions completely erupted.

"Perhaps I shouldn't have asked that question stirred up ripples in your peaceful heart!!!"

That high note pierced the night sky of Chengdu.

That iconic high note, that one with a deep, piercing quality.

Many of the older audience members felt, in that instant, as if they had truly seen the wanderer in the leather jacket, riding a motorcycle, with melancholy eyes, return to the stage.

Holy crap!!!

I don't know who shouted it first.

"Wang Jie?! Holy crap, am I hearing things? That's Wang Jie's voice?!"

"This guy's a total original singer killer!"

"Teacher Wu Bai's song captured the very soul of Wang Jie—what an amazing collaboration!"

"I'm getting goosebumps! This ticket is worth more than my grandmother's house!"

"Cheng Ming! Cheng Ming!!"

The audience's reaction was no longer the previous uniformity, but turned into a chaotic, hysterical frenzy.

Some people broke down in tears, while others screamed wildly.

This top-notch auditory feast was an indiscriminate bombardment for the audience.

Wu Bai finally came to his senses.

After all, he was a seasoned veteran and a king of the field.

Although he was stunned by Cheng Ming's move, his rock and roll spirit was also completely ignited.

The stronger the opponent, the stronger they become!

Wu Bai roared and his guitar suddenly cut in, but he did not try to take Cheng Ming's lead vocals position. Instead, he was willing to play a supporting role and use his heavy, distorted tone to set the stage for Cheng Ming.

"It's just that my love for you has crossed the line!!!"

Cheng Ming turned his head and looked at Wu Bai.

Their eyes met in mid-air.

Wu Bai grinned wildly, frantically strumming his guitar while yelling at Cheng Ming, "Well sung! Keep going! Don't stop!!!"

Cheng Ming was also infected by this atmosphere, and every cell in his body was burning.

The song ended.

The final guitar note trembled and dissipated in the air.

Cheng Ming remained in his final pose, his chest heaving violently, sweat dripping from his chin onto the piano board.

The entire room was silent for a full three seconds.

then.

"boom-!!!"

Applause, screams, and whistles surged in from all directions like a tsunami, instantly engulfing the stage.

The sound was ten times more intense than when Cheng Ming conducted "Sudden Self" earlier.

Because what was fun before, is now awe and admiration.

That is absolute submission to power.

Wu Bai took off his guitar, not even bothering to wipe his sweat, rushed over, grabbed Cheng Ming's neck, and shook him hard.

"You little brat—"

Wu Bai's voice, carried through the microphone, resonated throughout the venue, trembling slightly and brimming with barely concealed excitement: "You really scared me for a moment just now."

He turned to the audience and pointed at Cheng Ming: "For a moment just now, I thought my old friend had come back. He really is so similar, but he also has his own unique style."

"Cheng Ming!"

Wu Bai shouted the name out loud: "This is the new generation! This is what singing is all about!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Cheng Ming chuckled, panting, took the microphone, and bowed humbly: "It's because your song is so well-written, teacher. I'm just showing off my limited skills in front of an expert."

Don't give me that!

Wu Bai laughed and punched him: "You're not just showing off your skills in front of an expert, you're trying to ruin my reputation!"

I won't dare sing this song casually anymore, for fear that people will say I don't sing it as well as you!

This was obviously a joke, but it shows how much Wu Bai approves of Cheng Ming.

..........