Chapter 20: "A Thousand Times Over"

Today, Zhou Ran’s performance attire was a crisp white Tang-style outfit, giving him an air of youthful vigor. At this moment, Zhou Ran seemed like the swordsman wandering across the land in a martial arts novel, a scholar with a jade-like face straight out of a storybook; his entire being radiated heroic energy. For the girls in the audience, he brought a feeling of gentle breeze and bright moon, as if, after seeing mountains and rivers, they could only be captivated by him.

As Zhou Ran stepped onto the stage, the lights in the auditorium gradually dimmed. Only the stage, with pinpoints of starlight on the ceiling, remained illuminated. In the darkness of the studio, these few beams of light resembled stars scattered across the sky.

The audience fell silent, waiting for Zhou Ran to begin.

Suddenly, the accompaniment started. The opening used flute, violin, viola, and other instruments to mimic the call of the partridge, creating a somber atmosphere, evoking a sense of being in the wild countryside. Then, the music transitioned with the addition of bamboo flute, synthesizer, and drums, becoming bright and lively, transporting the listeners to a small inn in ancient times.

The audience grew excited upon hearing these sounds, feeling a sense of familiarity. Even if they didn’t know exactly which instruments were being played, they could tell they were traditional instruments from Huaguo, passed down by their ancestors. Some knowledgeable listeners easily identified the individual instruments.

Zou Wen, an enthusiast of ancient instruments, had long harbored a sense of regret in his heart—the decline of traditional instruments. These age-old treasures were known to few, while most people now studied Western instruments like piano and violin. Zou Wen once believed traditional instruments had faded into obscurity, that no one would choose them. But Zhou Ran shattered that belief. The opening notes of Zhou Ran’s music were exquisitely executed, showcasing the strengths of the various instruments; it was exactly what Zou Wen had always hoped for, and it filled him with elation.

Smoke rises from an inn beyond the frontier, where travelers find no rest.
As the chill arrives, who will add another layer to my sleeve?
Snow falls in the third and fourth watches, the wind blows all night long.
Only the poor, thin horse outside has nowhere to properly rest.

Zhou Ran’s voice was exceptionally gentle. On stage, he narrated the story as if telling it to each member of the audience, unfolding it bit by bit before their eyes. The spectators were captivated by Zhou Ran’s unique style, gradually immersing themselves in the song’s world.

Dreaming wistfully, months pass in slumber, years in waking.
Past events, poignant and dazzling, shallow affection, hands parted.
The partridge’s plaintive cry is heard, but it cannot return to the courtyard.
Old couplets fade, red paper and black ink worn—who will remove them?

Zhou Ran sang with remarkable clarity; his enunciation was precise, so even those not watching the screen could clearly understand the lyrics. The audience was already enthralled by Zhou Ran’s words.

The partridge’s plaintive cry is heard, but it cannot return to the courtyard.
Old couplets fade, red paper and black ink worn—who will remove them?

Such exquisite lyrics, brimming with classical charm; the audience had never expected to hear words like these in a song, believing them to belong only within ancient poetry. Their appearance in lyrics stunned everyone present, and paired with Zhou Ran’s attire, the effect was perfectly harmonious.

Zhou Ran continued to sing with heartfelt emotion.

I search for you a thousand times.
From sunrise to dusk.
I traverse the rivers and lakes, drifting with the tides.
I search for you a thousand times.
As another year passes.
But you are never where the lights are dim.

You are the person I imagine in my memories; I’ve longed for you so much, from sunrise to sunset, searching for you through countless days and nights, yet never finding you.

As Zhou Ran sang, the audience felt waves of longing and regret. His voice told a story of sorrow and missed chances.

There is an inn, sparsely populated, without the warmth of lamplight; how can guests sleep? The chill creeps into my sleeves—who will add a garment for me? At three or four in the morning, snow begins to fall, and the wind blows relentlessly all night. It is pitiful for the thin horse outside that cannot rest well.

I enter dreams in sorrow, as if months pass in slumber or years in waking. The past is sorrowful and beautiful, but affection has faded. I hear the partridge’s mournful cry, unable to return to the courtyard. The red paper and black ink of old couplets have faded—who will peel them away?

I search for you a thousand times, from sunrise to dusk, drifting through the rivers and lakes. I search for you a thousand times; another year has come and gone, but you are never where the lights are dim. The beloved is always elusive.

Zhou Ran began singing the chorus, and the audience fell silent; even the contestants backstage were at a loss for words, unable to describe the performance except with “magnificent.” Zhou Ran’s lyrics were so flawless, they could not be criticized. Even Fujiwara Takuya, though unable to understand the words, felt the emotions within the song.

Zhou Ran’s gentle singing continued, weaving the story in his heart for all present.

The audience had emptied their minds, wishing only to listen quietly as Zhou Ran sang. Meanwhile, in the control room, Ning Wei was overjoyed; Zhou Ran had brought him immense surprise. This style of song was a first for Ning Wei—Zhou Ran had pioneered something new.

Ning Wei was completely won over by Zhou Ran; each song he presented was full of surprises. From the sunny beginning to today’s “A Thousand Times,” Zhou Ran mastered every style flawlessly. From this song alone, Ning Wei knew Zhou Ran was a sure bet, and his selection was almost guaranteed—unless he made a major mistake.

Ning Wei didn’t want to think about anything else now; he just wanted to listen quietly to Zhou Ran sing. Zhou Ran shone brilliantly on stage at this moment.

Perhaps it was that Zhou Ran was simply too charming, full of charisma, conquering countless hearts with just his creative talent. Many in the audience had already stood up, shouting Zhou Ran’s name.

“Zhou Ran!”
“Zhou Ran!”
“King of Song!”
“King of Song!”

When Zhou Ran finished singing the final note, he didn’t put down the microphone, as if there was more he wanted to say. All eyes in the audience focused on him, anticipating what he would do next.

Zhou Ran picked up the microphone and spoke.

“I’d like to share a line from the song with you: ‘Among the crowd, I searched for him a thousand times. Suddenly, I turn, and he stands where the lights are dim.’”

“I hope you enjoy ‘A Thousand Times.’ Thank you, everyone!”

After Zhou Ran finished speaking, the entire audience rose, applauding and shouting his name.