Volume One, Chapter Twelve: The sparrow outside the window chatters away atop the utility pole!

“Ladies and gentlemen, I know you’re all here for the White Elephant God, but as special guests, it’s not yet his time to take the stage!”
“Could you patiently listen to us sing two songs first, and then we’ll invite the White Elephant God up?” Ren Yingying summoned all her courage, picked up the microphone, and addressed the crowd below.
“Yes, this concert was organized for us. If we don’t continue our performance, the White Elephant God will be waiting backstage indefinitely.”
“Don’t you want to see him sooner?”
Song Hongyan spoke with tact and charm.
With those words, she brought the rhythm of the event back under control.
Many of the audience members waved their hands in agreement.
“Go ahead and sing!”
“Hurry up with your songs, we want to see the White Elephant God!”
“That’s right, don’t sing old songs anymore—we’re tired of them. If you’re going to sing, sing ‘Big Fish’!”
The crowd was chaotic, shouting out a variety of demands.
Yet, they were united in their eagerness.
It made the concert feel more like a live request session.
Unfortunately, Ren Yingying and Song Hongyan had no experience with concerts.
They found themselves led by the nose by the audience, unable to set their own pace.
This made the atmosphere tense and awkward.
In their earpieces, Chen Tianxiong’s voice urged them on.
“What are you standing there for? It’s your concert—don’t let the audience dictate everything!”
“Establish your own rhythm!”
Hearing Chen Tianxiong’s admonition, Ren Yingying grew even more anxious, nearly to tears.
Song Hongyan took a deep breath and stepped to the edge of the stage.
She bowed deeply toward the crowd below.
In that moment, the noisy audience gradually quieted.
“We’ll only sing one song—one each. When we finish, it’ll be over!”
“We’ll bring the White Elephant God on stage immediately after.”
“And tonight, the White Elephant God has prepared a song for you all. Please give us a little time, alright?”
After Song Hongyan spoke, Ren Yingying also picked up her microphone.
Her voice was choked with emotion.
“Please, give us the time for just one song—just one!”
“We won’t let you down.” As Ren Yingying said this, tears streamed down her cheeks.

At that moment, they appeared so humble.
Many fans, upon seeing this, fell silent.
Yet, due to the presence of disruptive fans, the scene began to descend once more into chaos.
“Other than ‘Big Fish,’ what else can you sing?”
“Those old, outdated songs—if you aren’t sick of them, we certainly are!”
“How could you schedule your concert at the same time as our Yao Yao’s?”
“With such a large stadium, if not for the White Elephant God’s popularity, you’d only have a few thousand people. What a waste!”
“At the East Stadium, Lu Yaoyao’s concert sold out forty thousand seats, and it’s packed!”
Many detractors stirred up the crowd again.
“Has Yaoyao’s concert started yet?”
“If I’d known, I wouldn’t have come. I heard Yaoyao is singing ‘Big Fish’ tonight—missing it would be such a regret!”
“Exactly, who started the trend on Weibo, making us come here instead?”
“No worries, at least we’re not losing out tonight, since the White Elephant God is closing the show.”
“That’s right, even if we don’t hear Yaoyao sing ‘Big Fish,’ at least we get to see the White Elephant God.”
“No, no, I still want to go back and hear Yaoyao sing ‘Big Fish.’”
“It’s too late now—Yaoyao has already started singing.”
“What should we do?”
“Don’t worry, there’s a live stream on Weibo. We can watch the White Elephant God here and listen to Yaoyao sing ‘Big Fish’ at the same time—it’s the best of both worlds!”
“That’s a great idea.”
At that moment, seeing the chaos threaten to erupt again, Chen Tianxiong signaled the sound engineer to play the musical intro.
As the prelude began, its beautiful melody and distinctive tone gradually calmed the crowd.
The unique opening of “Seven Mile Fragrance” carried the scent of summer.
The stifling heat of the venue, the restless hearts—all seemed to be caressed by a gentle breeze in that instant.
Even those bent on causing trouble found themselves drawn in by the enchanting music.
Ren Yingying, hearing the intro, quickly took up the microphone and closed her eyes.
(Sparrows outside the window chatter on the power lines.)
(You said, this feels like summer.)
Ren Yingying’s voice was tender and clear.
Accompanied by the familiar melody of “Seven Mile Fragrance,” the atmosphere seemed touched by magic, suddenly tranquil and harmonious.
The song’s unique charm not only captivated every ear but also soothed the agitation and clamor within their hearts.
Audience members—whether loyal fans or skeptical detractors—instinctively let go of their prejudice, immersed in the flowing melody.
Music, as a force beyond words, displayed its full power in that moment, building a bridge between stage and audience, soul and soul.

Chen Tianxiong observed, secretly breathing a sigh of relief, knowing he’d made the right choice for the opening number.
Music isn’t just entertainment—it unites people and dissolves barriers.
He shot the sound engineer a look of approval, signaling to continue.
(The pencil in my hand moves back and forth across the paper.)
(I use a few lines to describe who you are to me.)
As the song progressed, Ren Yingying’s voice grew ever more expressive, each note telling a story of summer, youth, and first love.
The listeners seemed transported into a world of tender memories, stirring ripples in every heart.
In that moment, music became the most powerful language, bringing everyone into resonance, sharing this rare calm and beauty.
Even those hidden among the crowd with malice forgot to curse.
Even their bodies swayed unconsciously to the rhythm.
Light sticks waved gently.
Each movement followed Ren Yingying’s tempo.
“So beautiful!”
“I never expected Yingying’s new song to be so sweet!”
“Who wrote this song? The lyrics are so heartfelt.”
“I love it—I feel like I’ve rediscovered the taste of falling in love.”
“No, it’s the taste of summer!”
The fans’ emotions were clearly stirred.
As the song reached its final notes, Ren Yingying used her unique singing style to give “Seven Mile Fragrance” a new flavor—sweeter, more hopeful.
A pure aura spread, as if everyone could smell the fragrance of gardenias.
It was as though they were back on campus, secretly watching him, gazing at her.
How wonderful.
At that moment, the audience erupted in thunderous applause.
Most had come in anticipation of the White Elephant God.
Ren Yingying and Song Hongyan, to them, had been little more than an afterthought.
But unexpectedly, as “Seven Mile Fragrance” rang out, almost everyone was captivated.
The rest remained absorbed in the lyrics and melody, lost in their own dreams.