Chapter 23: A Man Apart

On the way to Purple Star Residence, Huang Guolun explained to Bai Yao the general idea of the upcoming recording of "The Beautiful People," even handing her the English lyrics he had written.

"Just by looking at the lyrics, you might not fully understand why I want to put this song at the end of the film. Although this movie is a bio-thriller, it has a strong analysis of human nature, with a critical undertone."

Bai Yao, whose English was excellent, studied the lyrics and ventured, "The 'Beautiful People' you wrote about here refers to the privileged class, right?"

"Exactly, or you could say dictators—it works either way. This song is written from the perspective of the dictator, looking down on all beings, creating a dark, cold, and ironic effect. When we get back, watch the film first; it will help you get into the right mood. The emotion of this song is crucial—it needs to be both arrogant and explosive, to unleash from deep within a power that could destroy the entire world. You need to sing with the kind of intensity the heroine has at the end, when she turns into a zombie and is bent on killing everything... Oh!"

Suddenly realizing he had said too much, Huang Guolun regretted it. "I've spoiled too much—no more. You'll understand once you watch the film. It was only after hearing you sing at the ship bar that I felt your voice was especially suited for this song. That raw, wild friction in your vocal cords, carrying a heart-rending strength—it’s truly moving."

Bai Yao replied modestly, "Actually, I don't really know how to sing. I've just picked up a few things from books and videos, but I have no technique. I just shout, really."

Huang Guolun encouraged her, "If you can shout and achieve this effect, it means you have real talent. Heaven gave you this voice, honestly, so you could sing."

Bai Yao felt a little awkward. Her voice hadn’t been a gift from heaven; it was the result of a high fever caused by tonsillitis during her sixth year of elementary school. Her grandfather hadn’t taken it seriously, gave her some random medicine, and let her tough it out, which ultimately damaged her throat. Her voice was never clear again. After her voice changed in middle school, it became this husky, smoky voice—gravelly as if a tank had rolled over it.

"I designed the rhythm of this song to be explosive. Did you hear me play the drums last night? I recorded five tracks just for the opening, and after mixing them together, with the heavy effect-laden guitars layered on top... The atmosphere! It’s absolutely exhilarating!"

Reliving the sweat-drenched drumming session in the studio the night before, Huang Guolun was visibly energized as he spoke, his eyes lighting up.

At this moment, to borrow a phrase from Gu Long, he was like Ximen Chuixue with a sword in hand.

Unfortunately, Bai Yao’s musical education wasn’t deep enough to imagine the music just from a description; most of what Huang Guolun said about the music went over her head.

But she could understand the English lyrics he had written.

They were so sharp and arrogant that it was hard for Bai Yao to believe they came from the gentle, easygoing Mr. Huang.

Truly, one can’t judge a person by their appearance.

Extraordinary people always have something unusual about them.

So, even in the mild-mannered Mr. Huang, there lived a devil.

Just as they pulled into the underground parking lot of Purple Star Residence, Huang Guolun’s phone rang. It was a call from Huang Guokun.

He stayed in the car and answered, "Hello?"

"Where are you?" Huang Guokun asked as soon as the call connected.

"At Purple Star Residence."

"Wait for me there. I’m just leaving the villa now—I’ll bring Taotao and Dudu over to you."

Huang Guolun was taken aback. "Why are they back so early this week? What about Mom? Isn't she with you?"

"Mom and Dad had something to do this afternoon and couldn’t look after Taotao, so I’m dropping him off with you."

"Alright, come over then. We can have lunch together. I’ve finished all the music for 'Bio-Dictator.' Come and have a look."

"So fast? Are you sure it’s done?"

"You can see for yourself. Also, I’ll introduce you to one of my students. I wrote an end credits song for the film, and I want my student to sing it."

"Which student? Are they famous?"

"My student from the Experimental Middle School. Of course they're famous—they even have a surname!"

Huang Guokun was speechless. "Don’t joke around. All your students are just kids—what do they know about singing? This film is our company’s big hope for the second half of the year. Don’t take any risks."

"You’ll see for yourself at lunch whether it’s a risk. And you’ll get to meet my student."

"Fine, I’ll be there soon."

"Don’t rush. Drive slowly and make sure Taotao is secured in the safety seat. And don’t buy him ice cream or snacks, no matter how much he begs. Don’t indulge his bad habits."

"Alright, alright. You’re so fussy. See you at lunch."

Huang Guolun wanted to add a few more words, but Huang Guokun had already hung up.

"Do you have something at noon? If it’s inconvenient, I can head back to Bell Lane and tidy up the house," Bai Yao offered.

"No, it’s nothing inconvenient. That was my brother on the phone," Huang Guolun explained, pointing to his phone. "He’s bringing my son back, and we’ll all have lunch together. I’ll introduce you to him. He’s the investor for the film we’re scoring. If your end credits song works out, he’ll be the one paying you."

"Your brother makes movies?"

"Yes, he runs a small film company. The previous films were unremarkable, but this time, the one he’s produced is really quite good. Though it’s an online film, I think it has the potential to make a splash. If you sing the end credits song well, it might even make you famous."

Bai Yao spoke awkwardly, "I overheard your conversation just now. Your brother doesn’t seem to think much of an inexperienced outsider like me singing the theme song. Maybe you should get a more professional singer—I’d hate to hold things up with my lack of skill."

"Don’t listen to him. He knows film, but not music. I chose you for good reasons. Don’t lose confidence. Let’s record a version for him at lunch—once he hears it, he’ll stop nitpicking."

"Alright, I’ll do my best."

Buoyed by Huang Guolun’s encouragement, Bai Yao felt a surge of confidence. Today, she had to stand up for her teacher and not let him down.

Meanwhile, Huang Guokun was driving his BMW X6 back into the city.

Huang Tao, buckled into the back seat, was happily eating an ice cream cone. Dudu, beside him, tried to sneak a lick, but Huang Tao turned away in disgust and blocked Dudu with his chubby shoulder.

"Taotao, we’re only having these two ice creams on the way. No more after this. When we get home, you need to eat a proper lunch. If you fill up on snacks, you won’t be able to eat lunch."

"Don’t worry, Uncle. Even if I eat a hundred ice cream cones, I’ll still have room for lunch. You don’t need to worry about that."

"Are you trying to get me to buy you more ice cream? I already snuck you two cones behind your grandma’s back, plus the two she gave you. That’s four cones on this trip—still not enough?"

"Uncle, are you joking? Four ice cream cones will never be enough! Even forty wouldn’t be enough! There’s no such thing as too much ice cream! I’ll finish these last two soon."

"Well, I’m not buying you any more. Your dad specifically told me on the phone not to buy you snacks."

"Uncle, my dad isn’t a marshal, and you’re not his little soldier! You’re such a wise and heroic man—why do you listen to him? In the animal kingdom, have you ever seen a lion take orders from a big white goose?"

"Haha, you really know how to flatter people."

"It’s not flattery, it’s the truth. You’re more manly than my dad—never hesitant."

"I like hearing that."

"The more people tell you not to do something, the more you do it to prove yourself!"

"That really is my style."

"Now’s the time to prove it. A wise man like you must know that two blocks ahead, there’s a McDonald’s. But it’s not just any McDonald’s—their ice cream is especially delicious. If we pass by without stopping for two cones, our lives will be full of regret!"

"Haha, you’re not going to fool me. I’m too old to be tricked by a little kid."

"I’m not fooling you."

"You’re not?"

"No, I just want to ask you to buy me two more ice creams. And I’ll make it worth your while—if you buy them for me, I’ll get you the pretty lady’s phone number."

"Oh? You can do that?"

"Of course!" Huang Tao licked his cone proudly. "I help my dad get pretty ladies’ numbers all the time—my success rate is a hundred percent! Not just phone numbers—I can even set you up with someone."

"How would you set me up?" Huang Guokun asked with interest.

"That’s easy! Unlike my dad, who’s so awkward you have to set up perfect conditions for him to make a move, you’re suited to a direct approach. If I see a pretty lady you like, I’ll just go up and ask if she has a boyfriend. If she says no, I’ll ask if she wants one. If she says she already has one, I’ll ask if she wants to change boyfriends. If she says no, I’ll ask if she wants to have more than one boyfriend."

"Haha, you’re going to be a little rascal when you grow up."

"I’m not a rascal—I learned all this from TV. So, Uncle, deal or no deal? You buy me ice cream, I help you find a girlfriend."

"No deal. Your uncle still hasn’t recovered from heartbreak. I don’t want a girlfriend right now."

"What’s heartbreak? Why can’t you get over it?"

"Well… How do I explain? Have you heard Jay Chou’s 'Tornado'?"

"Yes, our kindergarten teacher Ms. Li sings it all the time."

"Do you know what a tornado is? It’s a violent wind that sweeps everything away. Love is like a tornado—if you experience it once, you won’t want to go through it again anytime soon. Maybe not for the rest of your life."

"That’s so deep. But I’ll remember—not to find you any more tornadoes."

"Smart boy. You’re really clever."

"Then what should I find for you, so you’ll buy me ice cream? Uncle, you’re not really going to be so cruel as to refuse me ice cream, are you?" Huang Tao looked at him through the rearview mirror with big, tearful eyes, putting on quite the act.

Huang Guokun couldn’t take it when Taotao looked at him so pitifully. He relented, "You really want it?"

"Yes! Really, really, really want it!"

"Then make me an acrostic poem. Your grandma says you’re great at those. If you make a good one, I’ll buy you an ice cream."

"Acrostic poems are easy! I’m really good at them! How many words do you want the poem to hide?"

"Make whatever you want."

"Alright, I’ll make one with two hidden words." Huang Tao licked his cone, composed himself, and recited in a childish, serious tone: "Before my bed, the bright moonlight; I suspect it is frost on the ground. I raise my head and gaze at the bright moon, then lower my head and long for home."

Finished, he eagerly asked, "Well, Uncle, did I hide the two words well? Worth two ice cream cones, right?"

Huang Guokun was close to tears. "This is your acrostic poem?"

"Yeah, isn’t it?"

"Acrostic, all right. Hidden at the beginning."

"So will you buy me ice cream? We’re almost at that McDonald’s," Huang Tao said, a bit anxious.

"That poem only gets you one ice cream. Tell me a joke, too. If you make me laugh, I’ll buy you two cones."

Huang Tao thought for a moment. "Okay, here’s a joke I learned from TV. I told it to Ms. Li at kindergarten—she laughed, but then she called my dad and had him scold me. I didn’t get it—if she laughed, why did she call my dad?"

"What joke? Let’s hear it."

"Actually, I still don’t get what’s funny, but the adults on TV all laughed, though none of the kids at kindergarten did."

"So what is it? Tell me."

"Okay, here goes: A couple went to the hospital to have a baby. The hospital had a new machine that could transfer the mother’s labor pain to the father. The couple agreed to try it. At first, the doctor set the pain transfer to ten percent—the dad said it was fine. Then the doctor raised it to fifty percent, and the dad still said it was fine. So the doctor set it to one hundred percent, and the dad was still unfazed. The doctor was amazed! The baby was delivered safely, and the happy couple went home. When they reached their door, they found their neighbor, Old Wang, lying dead on the doorstep—he’d been holding his keys, and died from the pain…"