Chapter 125: "The Wind Has Risen"

“Is the wind rising?”

In the recording studio, Zhang Yuan was looking at the song Zhou Ran had written for her. She didn’t spend long before she was completely captivated by the lyrics Zhou Ran had penned.

The moment Zhang Yuan laid eyes on the song, her gaze fixed intently. She had a premonition that this song was destined to become a hit. As she read the lyrics, she softly hummed the melody.

“Walking along this road, stopping and going,
Following the traces of youth’s drifting,
The moment before stepping out of the station,
There is, surprisingly, some hesitation.”

Zhang Yuan had just glanced over the sheet music and hummed a few lines, yet the melody of “The Wind Rises” already echoed vividly in her mind. The more she hummed, the more amazed she became at Zhou Ran’s incredible creative talent.

Who was this person? In such a short time, Zhou Ran had composed yet another song like this. Zhang Yuan was more inclined to believe that Zhou Ran had prepared this song beforehand. Otherwise, it would be too much of a blow for her—people worked for months, and he did it in mere hours?

Seeing Zhang Yuan’s expression, Zhou Ran understood what she was thinking but didn’t feel the need to explain. Some things are better left to the imagination; once explained, they only become muddled.

Whether it took a minute or a month to create a song, Zhou Ran had ways to handle it. Besides, there are indeed people in this world capable of composing a song in just a minute.

Just like in his previous life, Jay Chou once improvised an entire song during a concert. It may seem unbelievable, but it does happen—rarely, but it does.

Zhou Ran had presented Zhang Yuan with three or four versions of “The Wind Rises,” and the version he chose for her was the original one sung by Pepper, bought using a coupon. Zhou Ran preferred the first version sung by Pepper, even though the second version was more commonly released in the market.

Though the first version had some imperfections compared to the second, Zhou Ran felt those flaws gave the song its unique character. While the second version was also excellent, it lacked a certain flavor. Sometimes, the beauty of imperfection is itself a form of aesthetic—some masterpieces are beloved precisely because of their little flaws.

Much like the Venus de Milo, the broken arm is what made the statue a classic, giving it a distinctive style all its own.

As Zhang Yuan repeatedly studied “The Wind Rises,” her admiration for Zhou Ran deepened. Most importantly, every song Zhou Ran wrote was filled with genuine emotion, not exaggerated or ostentatious. The content he expressed resonated with everyday experiences, making it easy for listeners to immerse themselves in the emotions of the song.

Otherwise, if your song is about becoming an immortal, who could truly understand what that feels like? It would only rely on personal interpretation, singing whatever feeling one imagines.

In his previous life, there was a singer who performed as if conducting a ritual, completely disregarding the audience’s ability to connect with the music. On stage, the most crucial element is the audience’s emotional involvement.

Having gained experience from working with Zhou Ran before, Zhang Yuan found the second recording session much simpler. She gradually began to grasp the emotions Zhou Ran intended to convey, no longer needing to redo every line multiple times.

This was, in fact, a sign of talent. Some people learn after a few repetitions, while others need countless retakes at every hurdle, resulting in vastly different efficiencies. It’s an unfortunate reality—changing it demands dedicating far more time to practice, or else you’ll inevitably be surpassed.

Moreover, talented individuals train relentlessly every day, improving constantly. Zhou Ran, for instance, maintained a daily routine of vocal exercises to keep his voice in peak condition.

There’s a saying: “One minute on stage takes ten years of practice.” Whether in any profession, persistence is vital. Talent determines your baseline, effort sets the ceiling. Even Zhou Ran trains every day—what excuse does Zhang Yuan have to slack off?

The rehearsal session between Zhou Ran and Zhang Yuan went smoothly. From Zhou Ran’s perspective, there were no major issues; they only needed to fine-tune their performance during the dress rehearsal.

Ultimately, a singer’s true display depends on the stage. Their studio performance serves merely as a reference. Some singers are “big-hearted” performers who underperform in private but shine on the grand stage. Others get nervous easily—comfortable in the studio but prone to falter during major events or competitions.

Both Zhou Ran and Zhang Yuan belonged to the former category. The applause from the audience would flood their bodies with adrenaline, serving as the perfect stimulant to elevate their performance.

Top-tier singers are typically those who thrive under pressure. If someone gets nervous on stage, they at best become a first-tier singer, never reaching the pinnacle.

After recording the song in advance, Zhang Yuan planned to hang out with Zhou Ran to relax and unwind—just to enjoy some time together.

However, just as she was ready to enjoy herself, Zhou Ran received a phone call, and unexpectedly, an obstacle appeared, blocking their path.

Chapter 125: “The Wind Rises” — Free Reading