A song from Chengdu revived a closed-down pub.

Since its release, the song "Believe in Yourself" has maintained high popularity.

Several official Weibo accounts of sports events contacted Han Tang Entertainment, hoping to use this song as background music in their promotional videos.

The video, accompanied by slow-motion footage of athletes sprinting, shooting, and dunking, made viewers think the song was specially made for sporting events.

Actually, this song was originally prepared for the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) league and was later chosen as its theme song.

The heat lasted until Father's Day before it subsided somewhat.

On this day, all major platforms, for whatever reason, displayed the slogan "Happy Father's Day".

Some shopping malls even have banners at their entrances that say "Dads can get free gifts."

Everything felt like a holiday.

Little did they know, the real tear gas was about to be used.

At 10:00 AM, Han Tang Entertainment's official Weibo account posted a timely update.

"The band Houbanye's new single 'Father' is released today, dedicated to all fathers who are not good with words, and to those children who have finally understood their silence. May time slow down, and may understanding come sooner!"

Below the text is a simple cover image.

Against a dark gray background, a pair of wrinkled hands gently hold a young hand.

The band Houbanye then reposted this Weibo post, adding the caption: "The band Houbanye has officially joined Han Tang Entertainment. Thank you Han Tang Entertainment, and thank you to Teacher Su Fan!"

This is the first time they have publicly confirmed the signing of the contract.

The comments section quickly became lively.

"They joined Han Tang Entertainment late at night? No wonder they've been quiet since 'Old Boy,' they were preparing something big!"

"They really know how to pick their timing! Releasing 'Father' on Father's Day—is this meant to make us grateful, or just touching?"

"The song title only has two words, but I'm already starting to get nervous!"

"With Su Fan's songs 'The Big Dream' and 'Old Boy' in the latter half of the night, I cried all night. I was mentally prepared for this one, but I guess I still couldn't handle it!"

"Is Han Tang Entertainment trying to wrestle tears from children across the country on Father's Day?"

"I'm not going to say anything more, I'm going to listen to it now, the tissues are ready!"

……

Everyone click on the song.

The prelude is a very soft piano piece that unfolds slowly.

Then Cui Zhan's singing came in.

Always taking from you but never saying thank you

It wasn't until I grew up that I understood how difficult it was for you.

……

When we were kids, whatever we wanted, our father would always find a way to fulfill it.

Sometimes, I don't even know where those things came from.

But if you want it, you'll have it.

When I was little, I didn't think it was a big deal. He's my dad, isn't this what he should do?

We take things for granted, enjoy them as if they were our right, and then turn around and run to the next thing.

But he never said thank you, because he never even considered that the word "thank you" should be used on him.

We always learn to cherish things only after we lose them.

It's only after I've become an adult that I understand the things my parents didn't say.

The simple lyrics touched the hearts of the listeners.

The comments paused for a moment, then a line of text slowly appeared: "The first sentence silenced me. I don't think I've ever said thank you to my dad."

Someone quickly chimed in: "It's not that I don't want to say it, it's that I'm embarrassed to say it. Now I want to say it, but I don't know where to begin."

Yes, thank you. This is the word we say most often, but it is the three words that are the hardest for children and parents to say.

Just as everyone was feeling sentimental, the song continued.

"Every time I leave, I always pretend to be relaxed."

Smiling, she said, "Go back," but tears welled up in her eyes as she turned away.

……

There are many ways to express oneself in a song, but the most touching ones are often the realistic ones.

These two sentences are precisely the most realistic kind.

Without any embellishment, it simply presents to you that moment that countless people have experienced.

Those farewells that pretended to be easy.

Those vulnerabilities that dare not look back for fear of being seen.

The reluctance to part, which one dares not express at the train station, the airport, or at one's own doorstep, is gently revealed by a lyric.

I long to hold your warm hand again, just like before.

But you are not by my side; may the gentle breeze carry my wishes for your well-being.

……

The lyrics are written very lightly, as if they are talking about something very small.

I just want to hold hands one more time.

But these are small actions that can never be undone.

Those things we once took for granted, we later realized, were everyday moments that could never be repeated.

When we were little, we walked slowly, and our fathers would slow down to wait for us, then take our hands and lead us across the road, through the crowds, and through countless sunsets that we can't even remember.

That's the moment when you least need reassurance of security, because the presence of that hand is the complete answer.

As you grow up, you no longer need to be held hands to cross the street. You walk faster than him, and you start walking side by side. Then you become one in front of the other, and then there is a distance between you that is neither too close nor too far.

I don't know when it started, but I stopped holding my father's hand.

This song contains no accusations, no regrets; it simply states a fact calmly.

Then it shifted to a very light sentiment: "May the gentle breeze carry my wishes for peace and well-being."

This is how Chinese people express their emotions.

I don't say I miss you directly, I don't say I'm in pain directly.

I simply entrust my wishes to the wind, letting it carry a simple greeting.

It's like you're standing on your balcony, looking into the distance and saying, "Take care of yourself."

The wind carried it away.

You don't know if it will be delivered, but saying it makes you feel more at ease.

Many people didn't cry when they heard this; they just fell silent.

They remembered those who had already left.

It wasn't the kind of memory that tears your heart apart.

It's a lingering feeling that brushes against your heart.

No further expression or narration is needed.

Because truly profound emotions often don't need complicated words to embellish them.

A single, simple sentence is enough to touch people's hearts.

Then, the chorus begins.

"Time, time, slow down, don't let him grow old anymore."

I would give anything to keep you forever.

What can I do for my strong-willed father?

Please accept this small token of my concern.

……

This chorus is the emotional core of the entire song.

It uttered the words that everyone had kept hidden in their hearts but had never spoken aloud.

"Time, time, please slow down, don't let you grow old anymore," this is probably the most naive and powerless wish.

I knew it was impossible, but it still slipped out of my mouth.

Because I really don't know what to do about the fact that "you are getting older".

As he grew older, I noticed the gray hairs at his temples, realized he walked slower than before, and noticed that he would touch his knees when he bent down to pick something up.

But they didn't know how to stop it.

So, all we can do is, like a child, shout at time, "Slow down, slow down!"

Most fathers are strong-willed throughout their lives and never show weakness in front of their children, so they naturally assume that their children don't need their care.

You only realize that he has been waiting all along when you discover that he has also started to accept those "trivial acts of care".

Waiting for you to grow up, waiting for you to understand, waiting for you to turn back.