Huayu97: Starting with Wu Song Fighting the Tiger

Chengde was covered in a layer of white frost in the early morning. Liu Xiang had just opened the door and stepped out when Sun Shupei caught her red-handed.

Sun Shupei rubbed his hands, which were red from the cold, and said, "Hurry up and pack your things, we're going to the capital!"

Liu Xiang was taken aback: "What is Director Sun going to Beijing for?"

"Hey, Saiwei's scenes are finished, the rest are just reshoots for group scenes." Sun Shupei grabbed his arm and leaned closer mysteriously, "I have some good news for you, the theme song and incidental music for 'Princess Pearl' are being recorded in Beijing right now! Dongli Train, Li Yujun, and Fan Xiaoxuan are all there!"

At that moment, Liu Xiang's heart skipped a beat.

The Frozen Power Train group was a rock band that swept across mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong in the 1990s. Their song "Dang" became a generation's youthful memory. Li Yujun's "Rain Butterfly" was melodious and affectionate, and it later became so popular that it was sung everywhere. And then there's Fan Xiaoxuan, the sweet girl who sang "Health Song," who was at the peak of her charm right now.

Ninety years ago, the mainland music scene was still dominated by Hong Kong and Taiwan hits, so Liu Xiang still had some expectations.

"Director Sun, what are you taking me to do?" Liu Xiang asked, puzzled.

Sun Shupei explained, "What for? Of course, I want you to sing! You forgot that song you sang during our exchange with the Water Margin crew last time? Just thinking about it makes my throat itch!"

Liu Xiang then remembered that she had indeed put in a good effort back then, but she didn't expect Sun Shupei to still remember it.

"But I'm just singing randomly, I can't compare to professional singers."

"Singing nonsense? I think you're just being modest!" Sun Shupei persisted, pulling him towards the jeep. "This trip is firstly to broaden your horizons, and secondly, I've spoken to the person in charge of the recording studio, telling them you're a promising talent I've discovered. Go over and lend them a hand; maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised!"

Liu Xiang stumbled and almost fell into the mound of earth.

Sun Shupei probably took his casual remark, "I knew Power Station before," as a hint of some kind of relationship.

The jeep bumped and swayed through the snow, taking most of the day to reach the capital.

Outside the Third Ring Road of Beijing, there is still a rustic feel. Santanas and bicycles travel side by side on Chang'an Avenue, and newsstands along the roadside display "Contemporary Music Scene," with the smiling faces of the Four Heavenly Kings on the cover.

The recording studio was in an old building near Wangfujing. The iron gate creaked, and as soon as you went in, you could smell a strong aroma of cassette tapes and coffee.

In the second-floor corridor, the walls were covered with soundproofing material, and a loud roar could be faintly heard from afar.

Sun Shupei led Liu Xiang familiarly to the office at the end of the corridor, excitedly saying, "The person in charge is Manager Zhang from Shanghua Records. He came specifically to oversee the recording of 'Frozen Power Train.' I've known him for a long time!"

Upon hearing the name Shanghua Records, Liu Xiang was once again taken aback.

In the 1990s, Shanghua Records was one of the giants in the Hong Kong and Taiwan music scene. Frozen Power Train, Li Yujun, and Fan Xiaoxuan were all signature singers of this company.

The office door was tightly closed. After knocking, Sun Shuping called out, "Old Zhang! It's me, Old Sun! Come and open the door quickly!"

At that moment, Manager Zhang, dressed in a sharp suit, was sitting at his desk looking at reports when he heard the noise and immediately stood up to open the door.

The two men clapped their hands together, making a loud "smack!" "Old Sun! You've finally arrived! This must be Liu Xiang, right?"

Sun Shupei quickly introduced, "Yes, I brought him here!"

The three sat down, and Manager Zhang began making tea: "We've already finalized the copyright for 'Princess Pearl,' and we're just waiting for these songs to be recorded so we can release them simultaneously!"

The two exchanged pleasantries, discussing the details of their collaboration between the film crew and the record company. Liu Xiang stood to the side, unable to join the conversation for the time being.

His gaze couldn't help but drift towards the window. The doors to the rooms at the end of the corridor were all closed. He wondered which one might be hiding Power Train.

"Hey kid, stop standing there," Sun Shupei glanced back at him, waved his hand, and said, "Go outside and take a look at the recording studio equipment. I'll take you to try it out later!"

Liu Xiang quickly agreed, thinking that Director Sun was so hasty that he didn't even need to let her show off her skills in front of Manager Zhang.

This way, he could directly access the recording equipment, so he tiptoed out of the office first.

The corridor was quiet, with only intermittent singing drifting from afar.

Liu Xiang followed the sound, passing rooms labeled "Recording Studio A" and "Mixing Studio," and finally stopped in front of a half-open door.

The clearest voices were those of You Qiuxing and Yan Zhilin, their rugged and bold tones carrying a power that seemed to pierce the clouds: "When the mountains have no ridges, when the rivers no longer flow..."

At this moment, Liu Xiang stopped in her tracks.

He took a deep breath and gently knocked on the door.

The heating in the room was on full blast, and the moment the door was pushed open, the chill in the hallway vanished.

You Qiuxing stood by the door, while Yan Zhilin stood in front of the microphone.

He was clutching a crumpled lyric sheet in his hand, having just finished singing the last line, and was bending down to drink water.

The two wore black leather jackets casually draped over the back of chairs, their long hair plastered to their foreheads, and their faces flushed from singing.

Liu Xiang's eyes widened in surprise, and she subconsciously shrank back, a slight smile appearing on her face.

"Young man, who are you looking for?" You Qiuxing asked.

Yan Zhilin also turned around, his gaze falling on Liu Xiang with a hint of scrutiny.

Liu Xiang shook hands and said, "Hello, teachers. I am Liu Xiang, an actress from 'My Fair Princess,' and also a fan of yours."

"Oh? From 'Princess Pearl'?" Yan Zhilin became interested and pointed to the lyrics sheet on the table. "The song we just sang is the theme song of this drama."

You Qiuxing smiled and handed over a bottle of mineral water: "Young man, come in and sit down, it's a good opportunity to rest for a while."

Liu Xiang took the water and looked at the lyrics in their hands, recalling the melody that had played on repeat countless times in his past life.

A sudden impulse welled up inside him, and he began to hum softly!

You Qiuxing and Yan Zhilin exchanged a glance, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes.

"Want to sing it again?" You Qiuxing handed him the lyrics sheet, saying with great interest.

Liu Xiang took the lyrics, took a deep breath, and cleared her throat.

Without accompaniment or a microphone, he stood there and softly sang: "Let us live freely and unrestrained in this mortal world, galloping on horseback and sharing the splendor of life..."

His voice is clear and clean, with the purity of a young man, yet it is powerful, like a clear spring that blends perfectly into the unique rock vocals of the Frozen Power Train.

The room fell silent for three seconds as the song ended.

You Qiuxing and Yan Zhilin's eyes instantly lit up like torches!

"Brother! Your voice is amazing!" You Qiuxing grabbed his arm, so hard he almost crushed Liu Xiang's bones. "That's the voice! We've been searching for that feeling for days, and you've brought it all out in one go!"