dhibooks Chapter 627 The Dolphin-Voice Diva
Chapter 627 The Dolphin-Voice Diva
……
……
"Make way, make way! Teacher Gu Qing is coming over to prepare right away, don't crowd around here!"
Once they learned that Gu Qing was coming to prepare for the performance, the loving couple Nailiang and Xiaolu were no longer noticed.
The crowded backstage area is already in complete chaos.
A middle-aged man wearing a headset and a dark blue work vest, sweat beading on his forehead, directed traffic.
"The area has been cleaned up, how can anyone stand on the ground like this?"
"It's all cables and boxes. Move all of these over there, quick, quick, Teacher Gu Qing is going to trip over it, and we can't afford to pay for it even if we all give up!"
"You—go and fetch a chair, not one of those folding ones, go to the lounge and get a cushioned one with a high back, hurry up!"
The middle-aged man grabbed an intern who happened to be passing by and patted him on the shoulder.
The intern was startled by his pat, then took off running, his sneakers making a rapid thud on the concrete floor backstage.
The backstage passageway was swept away like a typhoon in just a few minutes, with the scattered debris being quickly cleaned up.
The few equipment boxes blocking the road were lifted to a corner by two people, and the ground was even quickly mopped by a mop that was found from somewhere.
Zhang Liangying, standing in the aisle on the left side of the stage, witnessed this bustling scene.
"Is it Gu Qing who has arrived, or the Emperor?"
Her slender, pale fingers encircled her delicate arm, gently holding the microphone; her red lips curved slightly, as if in a playful mood.
But in those beautiful eyes, adorned with exquisite eye makeup, there was a clear hint of melancholy that was hard to describe.
Zhang Liangying leaned against the wall of the passageway, her long legs peeking out from the slit of her dark dress, and a pair of silver stiletto heels made her figure appear exceptionally tall.
She is a rare female singer in the Chinese entertainment industry known for her fiery and sexy style. She has striking looks, a voluptuous and beautiful figure, and skin with an ivory-white sheen.
The perfect balance of fullness and curves can be described in one word: "smooth".
"This is outrageous! Why didn't they bring me a chair?"
She muttered a complaint under her breath.
Gu Qing?
Zhang Liangying is very familiar with her.
The little feud between the two of them can be traced back to three years ago.
At the time, Bingbing's "The Empress of China" was preparing for its release, and the production team was extremely busy, except for one final theme song.
For this purpose, the production team specially invited Fang Wenshan to write the lyrics and compose the music, creating a song called "The Wordless Stele" tailor-made for her, which was sung by the queen of the music scene herself.
The recording is finished, and the master tapes have all been handed in.
But it turned out to be good.
Zhang Liangying was cheated on!
At the last minute, the production team changed the theme song to Gu Qing's "Watching from the Wall".
The song became a hit across the country as soon as it was released, along with the popularity of the drama series, and Gu Qing's name also rose in fame.
And what about Jane Zhang?
She had worked tirelessly for a whole month, personally overseeing every step from recording to audio editing to mixing.
In the end, all she received was a heartfelt thank you from the production team: "Thank you, Ms. Liangying, we'll definitely do it next time."
"I'll sue your whole family!"
Zhang Liangying gritted her teeth slightly, and the jade hand holding the microphone unconsciously tightened its grip. She really wanted to imagine the microphone as Gu Qing and crush this brat.
Even though three years have passed, thinking about it now still makes her pretty face involuntarily show a hint of anger.
During these three years,
Zhang Liangying has actually met Gu Qing at the year-end song award ceremonies every year.
On the red carpet, on the awards stage...
The entertainment industry isn't that big; you're bound to run into each other all the time in these kinds of situations.
even,
She stared at Gu Qing quite a bit.
You stole my theme song, making me record it for nothing. I don't expect you to apologize in person, but at least show some guilt when you look me in the eye!
What made Zhang Liangying both discouraged and angry was that
Gu Qing either genuinely didn't see her, or he wore an extremely innocent expression, as if he didn't recognize her at all.
"Does this top-tier VIP, Gu, have a bad memory?"
"Forgot my ass! Doesn't he have a photographic memory?!"
"They are just self-righteous and think they are very popular and don't care. Anyway, he is a top star and I am a has-been singer."
Female celebrities who lack nothing in material life often like to dwell on trivial matters to pass the time.
Zhang Liangying clearly also has these symptoms.
Not to mention,
From her perspective, she was indeed the one who had the theme song stolen by Gu Qing, and she was in a position of reason and evidence.
This was something that could get out of control.
She even considered creating a pseudonym called "Gu Qiangge".
Every time I see Gu Qing trending on social media for releasing a new song or breaking a record,
She even wanted to comment: "It was achieved by snatching the song."
"You can know a person's face but not their heart. And this 'younger brother' is supposedly sunny, kind, clean, and handsome? Isn't he just a pure devil?!"
Zhang Liangying has no preference for young male celebrities; they're not her type.
Just as she was indulging in her inner turmoil...
"Teacher Gu Qing, over here, over here."
"Gu Qing, there are still two songs before it's your turn. There are chairs here, please sit down and rest for a while."
The enthusiastic employees swarmed around Gu Qing, surrounding her like a star being fawned over.
"How disgusting..."
Even the lipstick Zhang Liangying was wearing seemed a bit cloying at this moment.
She rolled her beautiful eyes upwards, her pretty face cold, and then glanced disdainfully in Gu Qing's direction.
I was about to mentally curse him a couple more times.
He paused slightly after that glance.
She turned her head back and remained silent for a few seconds.
then,
Zhang Liangying couldn't help but glance at it again, then fell silent.
……
"Thank you for the chair, you've worked hard."
"It's no trouble at all, Ms. Gu Qing. We won't disturb your preparation any longer."
"Let's go."
The intern who handed over the chair blushed deeply when he saw Gu Qing actually thank him.
The hardworking employees all had bright, delighted smiles on their faces as they happily bid farewell.
The backstage area quieted down.
Gu Qing stood up and opened his arms. There was a female employee next to him who was helping him put on the wired in-ear monitor, but his head was almost buried in his chest, like a trembling ostrich.
During the boring wait,
Gu Qing was about to chat with Zhao Ya about work when she noticed a beautiful and slender female artist standing opposite her. The woman looked familiar and was tilting her head, scrutinizing her.
Their eyes met.
Gu Qing recognized the person and greeted them in surprise.
"Sister Jane, what a coincidence, you're in front of me?"
"Huh? Uh?...It is quite a coincidence."
Zhang Liangying turned her head away guiltily, trying to look away from his face. She wanted to appear calm, but the words that came out of her mouth were stammers that even she herself felt were unnatural.
She never expected that Gu Qing would take the initiative to greet her.
"Sister Liangying, you look especially beautiful tonight. By the way, which song are you going to sing later?"
Gu Qing had been in the industry for three years, and the person she learned the most about interpersonal relationships from was Teacher He.
No matter who you meet, it's never a bad thing to praise them first.
"He complimented my looks?"
Zhang Liangying slightly opened her beautiful eyes and parted her red lips, momentarily at a loss for what to do.
What does it mean?
"He...he doesn't know I went to record a song, does he?"
"He looks quite well-behaved, not like a bad person. Could I have misunderstood him?"
Zhang Liangying glanced at Gu Qing again.
He stood there casually, his black velvet suit gleaming with a dull sheen, his tall and handsome figure exuding a cool and aloof air that kept strangers at bay.
But when Gu Qing praised her for her beautiful look, her eyes were gentle and sincere, showing no sign of perfunctoriness.
Hmm...it doesn't seem like acting!
Zhang Liangying's gaze flickered slightly. Her delicate fingers gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, tracing it behind her earlobe. Her fingertips lingered on her earlobe for a moment.
My earlobes felt slightly warm.
Zhang Liangying pouted slightly, exhaled a small breath, and brushed it across her fair cheek, trying to take away a trace of the heat. Her tone unconsciously softened.
"Little brother, I'm going to sing 'Peerless Under Heaven' tonight."
"The theme song of The Return of the Condor Heroes?"
A strange look flashed in Gu Qing's eyes.
Was he possessed by an evil spirit?
Why is my senior sister's ghost haunting me everywhere?
Suppress the strange feeling in my heart,
Gu Qing didn't forget to keep praising her to the end, showcasing her genuine talent as an actress.
"This song must be very difficult to sing live, right? Jane Zhang, you're amazing."
"It's...it's alright. Gu Qing, you're really amazing! What song are you going to sing tonight?"
Zhang Liangying raised her eyebrows slightly, a sweet smile blooming on her pretty face, and her tone became gentle and tender.
Who can withstand it?
What value is it when a young, handsome man expresses his admiration for you!
What grudge? What theme song?
The fault definitely lies with the "The Empress of China" production team, not Gu Qing!
The crew's decision to change the song at the last minute was their decision; what did it have to do with Gu Qing?
He was only responsible for singing.
But then, halfway through the sentence,
"On this turbulent battlefield, the Storm Boys make their debut!"
"In defeating the roaring flames that shook the entire world..."
The heavy metal accompaniment of the rock song "Reverse War" suddenly exploded from the direction of the stage without warning.
The air in the entire passage vibrated slightly.
Zhang Liangying, who had been speaking gently just moments before, screamed in fright at the sudden loud noise.
"Zhang Jie is so annoying!!"
Zhang Liangying touched her fair chest with lingering fear, only to find Gu Qing also covering his ears with both hands, shaking his head to indicate that he hadn't heard her clearly.
Feeling her image was damaged, Zhang Liangying, embarrassed and annoyed, peeked through the curtain on the side of the stage and saw Zhang Jie jumping and dancing on the stage, which made her furious.
"Are you trying to make us look cool to death—or scare us to death?!"
……
……
"Comeon: Counter-Strike Online"
The ace needs to be wild.
"Conquering the universe and settling the world..."
Listening to Brother Jie's passionate singing, Gu Qing enjoyed watching the childhood classic up close, completely absorbed and happy.
"Da da da—"
A series of crisp high-heeled footsteps approached, accompanied by a tantalizing scent of musk.
"Little brother, which song are you going to sing tonight?"
Zhang Liangying walked over at some point.
As she walked, the entire silver dress shimmered with light, and the sequins below her collarbone reflected light, creating a soft yet dazzling halo around her chest.
Upon hearing this,
Gu Qing subconsciously turned his head, and a shimmering sequin shone right into his eyes.
It's as white and smooth as snow, with glitter that sparkles under the light.
"The Heart Like Still Water and I Belonged to You".
Gu Qing covered her eyes and raised her right hand to show her innocence, "Sister Liangying, I didn't do it on purpose, it's only human nature."
"Hehe~ Little brother, I'm dressed like this, do you think I'm afraid of people seeing me?"
Zhang Liangying isn't some delicate little girl; she's been in this industry for so many years, she's experienced everything.
Not to mention,
She personally selected this outfit, mainly as a treat for her fans.
However, Gu Qing's apologetic gesture after glancing at her made her laugh heartily, causing the sequins on her chest to shimmer with a soft glow.
"Look around freely, don't be shy, I don't mind."
Zhang Liangying put her slender hands on her hips, leaned forward, and became quite unrestrained, teasing the young boy. She blinked her left eye and slightly raised her red lips.
Gu Qing hadn't had a chance to reply yet,
Zhao Ya, however, had already stood on tiptoe and looked up from the side, not forgetting to take a moment to look at her own plain figure with self-consciousness.
She looked up at Zhang Liangying with envy, her tone full of genuine desire for advice.
"Teacher Zhang, how did you do that? Do you have a recipe?"
Zhang Liangying was also accompanied by a female assistant. In this predominantly female-dominated backstage environment, there were no other men around except for Gu Qing, so they started chatting without any restraint.
These days, who's afraid of a handsome guy getting handsy?
"Sister Xiaoya, you can go back and study it slowly."
Gu Qing's lips twitched slightly as he reached out and precisely grabbed Zhao Ya's head, gently turning her face, which was almost buried in someone's chest, back towards him.
When Zhao Ya was pulled back by him, she glanced longingly at Zhang Liangying.
“My brother is right. Come on, let’s add each other as friends. I’ll share the recipe with you when we get back.”
Zhang Liangying gave her assistant a wink, and the assistant immediately understood, took out her phone from her handbag, opened the QR code, and scanned it with Zhao Ya.
As Zhao Ya scanned the QR code, she gratefully reminded him:
"Teacher Zhang, you absolutely must send it to me!"
Zhang Liangying smiled and nodded, then she raised her phone and looked at Gu Qing, relaxed and casual.
"Little brother, let's add each other as friends."
"Sister Liangying, adding me as a friend is no problem, but please don't share your recipes with me, I don't need them."
Gu Qing also took the phone, opened the scan function, and scanned her QR code.
He kept his gaze level the entire time.
Although the other person said "look around freely," Gu Qing couldn't possibly stare at them directly.
When your colleagues in the industry attend ceremonies, which one of them stares at the female celebrities' chests?
If they get caught on camera by a nearby phone, they're definitely doomed.
Gu Qing was just caught off guard and had no time to prepare.
"You can give it to your future girlfriend."
Zhang Liangying was amused and laughed again. She really didn't expect Gu Qing to be so interesting, witty and humorous, yet with a touch of youthful naiveté.
No wonder even many female celebrities in the industry can't resist her charm.
She no longer found it strange.
The slight resentment from having the theme song stolen faded considerably after a few words of conversation.
After adding each other as friends, a three-minute song sounds long, but standing backstage feels like only a few breaths.
Zhang Jie finished singing his last high note on stage, the lingering notes of the drum kit still echoing in the air.
Screams from the audience were already pouring in through the gaps in the curtains.
"Little brother, I'm going to get ready now."
"Keep it up, Liangying!"
After adding Zhang Liangying as a friend, she couldn't linger or joke around any longer.
It was a New Year's Eve stage, after all, and it was a live performance.
She was also very nervous, and her teasing remarks to Gu Qing served as a way to relax.
The results... seem pretty good.
……
On the stage,
The moment the first line of "Peerless Under Heaven" floated out from Jane Zhang's voice, the entire sports center fell silent.
The voice was ethereal and graceful, full of otherworldly charm. Each word carried a melodious and delicate ending, yet it was so clean that there wasn't a single unnecessary tremor.
"Great!"
Both Jay Chou and Jane Zhang possess genuine singing skills and a relaxed stage presence, which greatly impressed Gu Qing.
"Wouldn't it be great if we got Sister Liangying to sing 'Liang Liang'?"
After listening to the song, a thought suddenly popped into Gu Qing's mind.
He was still undecided about who would sing the ending theme song for his drama "Three Lives Three Worlds".
after all,
We can't expect Mimi to sing electronic music every time she performs on stage, can we?
Zhang Bichen's voice is good, but it's far from Zhang Liangying's level.
Not to mention, there is a clear difference in their status.
If we could get Jane Zhang to sing "Liang Liang," and combine it with her male vocals, the effect would definitely be several levels higher than the original.
"I was so scared! I almost cracked my voice, thank goodness I managed to stop!"
The moment Zhang Liangying stepped off the stage, she instantly transformed from the ethereal diva she had been in into a completely different persona.
She hugged her assistant who was waiting at the entrance of the passageway, let out a short dolphin-like scream, and the two of them jumped and danced in celebration.
For singers,
The sense of accomplishment and satisfaction from perfectly performing a song on the New Year's Eve stage is truly exhilarating.
It's much more satisfying than recording a hundred times in a recording studio.
"Go, little brother!"
After the celebration, Zhang Liangying turned around.
Seeing that Gu Qing was already standing in front of the lift platform, making a final check with the staff, he waved and encouraged her.
"Liangying, you're sweating. Let's go back first, be careful not to catch a cold."
The assistant held her sweaty, pale palm and reminded her with concern.
"No rush, no rush, let me take a look at Gu Qing's stage."
Zhang Liangying's high heels remained perfectly still; she was still very much looking forward to Gu Qing's New Year's Eve performance.
"Okay, okay, let's wait until we finish watching Teacher Gu Qing's performance before we leave."
Upon hearing that she was to stay and check on Gu Qing, the female assistant nodded happily, immediately letting go of Zhang Liangying's hand, and excitedly took out her phone from her pocket, switching to video recording mode.
Zhang Liangying stared at her hand, which had been ruthlessly tossed aside by her assistant and was still hanging in mid-air, and remained silent for a long while.
Should I deduct her salary?
……
……
"Is it time for the grand finale? Is it time for the grand finale?"
"Oh my god, we've finally waited for Gu Qing!"
"Three final performances in three years, that's the kind of prestige my brother has!!"
The Gu family members, who were constantly monitoring the program's flow, all stared intently with wide eyes, frantically flooding the screen with edited support messages.
In a crowded and messy dressing room, used cosmetics and clothes were scattered everywhere.
Ju Jingyi painstakingly found a clean spot on the sofa, rested her chin on her hands, and curiously examined the screen with her delicate eyes, waiting for Gu Qing to appear.
As the leader of a failed girl group, even her final curtain call...
Because there were too many backup dancers in their group, the organizers were afraid that there wouldn't be enough room on stage during the curtain call, so they didn't reserve any space for them.
The members of the group have become accustomed to being treated coldly and differently.
Still excited, she ran backstage, wanting to watch Gu Qing's performance up close.
Ju Jingyi was invited.
However, she was too embarrassed to go.
"With so many people around, it's better to watch it alone in a room."
Ju Jingyi muttered to herself.
But what is the actual reason?
She felt ashamed and resentful.
In order to be a good idol,
She practices singing and dancing, and never has any contact or communication with male fans or male celebrities in the industry, either on camera or in private.
She embodied the highest standards of idol conduct, living a life completely like a nun who had renounced worldly desires!
For the purpose of,
It's all for the sake of debuting in the center position!
A person who stands upright on the stage is no less than anyone else!
Unfortunately, there is no way out for idols in the Chinese entertainment industry; being an actor is the only path.
"Next year, the company is finally willing to let me play the female lead. I don't know... whether I can handle the role."
Ju Jingyi was thinking about it with a sense of gain and loss.
"Aaaaaah—!!"
The entire backstage erupted in exaggerated screams, as if the earth were shaking; the soundproofing in the lounge was as thin as paper.
"What's going on? An earthquake?!"
Ju Jingyi's delicate eyebrows and eyes widened in shock, causing her to lift her hands and feet off the ground.
"Oh... it's Gu Qing's turn to go on stage."
Ju Jingyi's gaze fell on the screen, and she put her hands and feet down again.
On the screen,
A sliver of stage light peeked through the gaps in the dark curtains.
The light pierced through the gaps between the layers of equipment racks, cable reels, and shadowy figures at the end of the passage, drawing a thin beam of light into the air.
"Wow...what is this?!"
Ju Jingyi stared in disbelief, her eyelashes fluttering rapidly.
The stage spotlight gradually brightened, its color predominantly a deep blue, and the dazzling special effects coalesced into a vertical pupil, spreading outwards from the center of the stage in concentric circles...
until,
The vertical pupils bloom into a magnificent sea of flowers, their azure color captivating and enchanting, bathing the sports center with tens of thousands of people in a breathtaking display.
Gu Qing stood amidst a sea of blue flowers, swaying gently as the elevator platform rose, like a small boat drifting on the water.
The close-up shot on the big screen cut to his face.
Eyebrows, nose, lips, jawline—every detail was magnified countless times and suspended above the sports center.
"Holy crap—!!"
"Is this even a human face that can grow?!"
"Mom, my phone got wet! Dolphins and whales are floating inside, and there are even waves! What the heck is this?"
"Is this a 3D rendering effect? Dongfang TV must be crazy, how much money did they spend on this?!"
Viewers watching the live stream from outside the venue were even more shocked.
Gu Qing was surrounded by a sea of blue flowers, as if countless illusory ocean sprites were splashing and dancing around him.
To do justice to Gu Qing's grand finale appearance, the Shanghai team spared no effort, using the best special effects.
"Whoosh~"
As a phantom blue dolphin leaps into the water, splashing water everywhere, droplets ripple across the flower-filled lake.
The prelude to the music of "Heart Like Still Water" begins.
Tick-tock~ Tick-tock~ Tick-tock~
Each drop of water falling complements the accompaniment of the song.
Gu Qing spoke up.
In the atmosphere of electronic music and retro, his timbre presents a unique "alienation" and "psychedelic" quality.
“Talking to the moon, the reason I can’t let go… am I worried that I’ll turn into a wild beast?”
"I don't understand the lyrics...but..."
Zhang Liangying's eyelashes trembled, and the sweat that had cooled on her fair skin became damp again at that moment.
"Isn't this tone a bit criminal?!"
Her breathing quickened slightly, and she unconsciously bit her lower lip.
"Walking on the roof, for the rhythm of a heartbeat... will it pause at the end of the world?"
The languid and indifferent tone made her feel as if someone was gently tickling her ear with a feather.
It's not "pleasant to listen to", but "comfortable", with a tingling, trembling sensation.
For singers, this kind of timbre is the greatest enjoyment.
"Fortunately, I'm an actor now..."
Ju Jingyi covered her delicate, fair earlobes, still determined to be a heartless nun.
She can cover her ears, but she can't cover her eyes!
Looking at Gu Qing on the screen is the biggest blow to anyone who's obsessed with good looks.
"I used to think Gu Qing was just good-looking, but now I realize I was wrong. He's truly amazing in every way!"
"Holy crap, is this a live performance? It sounds just like listening to a CD."
"It's not a CD, there are breathing sounds, the younger brother is singing live!"
"Aaaaaah... My ears are pregnant!!"
The comments section had already gone completely wild.
The stage lights transitioned from deep blue to light blue.
The accompaniment for the second song started playing.
From psychedelic mirages to cool shades of gray-blue.
The emo tunes of the late night then began to play.
"I'm not watching anymore, I have to go home."
Ju Jingyi's delicate face was distracted, and she decisively turned off the screen.
She can't control anything else, but she can surely control her hands, right?
As a woman with an extremely clear mind, she would never think about things she couldn't have.
"If all else fails..."
Ju Jingyi's beautiful eyes fell on her delicate, pinkish-white fingers, her nude-colored nail polish blending seamlessly with her natural skin tone.
Only the slender middle finger remained clean and tidy.
"Having a dream...it doesn't seem to be illegal, right?"
……
After the two songs and the interview,
When Gu Qing stepped off the lift, the atmosphere backstage changed.
"Gu Qing, you sang so well!!"
Many of the celebrities who came to watch also presented rainbows of flowers.
Zhao Ya went up to her and handed her a bottle of warm water, the cap already unscrewed, the temperature just right.
"Boss, that's too safe."
Zhao Ya's eyes shone brightly as she listened to the praise around her, feeling honored and very proud.
Gu Qing took a small sip of water; his breathing hadn't completely calmed down, and his chest was still rising and falling slightly.
Since becoming an actor,
Gu Qing found that she was more likely to immerse herself in the emotions of a song.
The only downside is...
It means double the physical and emotional expenditure.
He hadn't taken off his in-ear monitor yet; the cord hung down his side.
Gu Qing swayed gently as she walked.
The staff followed behind him, carefully gathering the thread, not daring to pull it for fear of hurting him.
"Sister Liangying, you didn't leave?"
After calming down, Gu Qing saw the figure in the silver-white dress still in the position before going on stage, which surprised him slightly.
"Little brother, I'm not leaving until I've finished cheering you up."
Zhang Liangying smiled gently.
"By the way, Sister Liangying, there's something I'd like to tell you."
Gu Qing walked over.
"what's up?"
Zhang Liangying was slightly taken aback.
"I've written an OST that needs a male-female duet, and I happen to be short of a very talented female singer. Sister Liangying, are you free?"
Gu Qing made a phone gesture and added, "If you're interested, we can discuss it in more detail later."
"A collaboration? An OST?"
"Why does this sound so familiar?"
Zhang Liangying was a little dazed for a moment, but she still nodded subconsciously and went back to the lounge with her assistant.
Halfway there,
"you say……"
Zhang Liangying stopped in her tracks, her pretty face showing a complex expression.
"What's wrong, Liangying?"
The assistant was puzzled.
"Do you think Gu Qing has feelings for me?"
"Otherwise, why would he want to collaborate with me?"
Zhang Liangying was a little shy to speak, but when she did, her voice was filled with joy, her eyebrows danced, and her red lips were bright: "Is love at first sight possible?"
assistant:"……"
Sister, I think it's you who got lustful at first sight!
……
...(End of this chapter)