Chapter 54 Childhood Friend

"...There is a power that none can resist,
It never admits defeat, born stubborn,
There is an ideal that illuminates confusion,
In that place written with glory!..."

Liu Qing listened to Huang Guolun's sample of "Born Stubborn" in one breath. Huang Guolun had recorded three vocal tracks, and when mixed together, the rough, upward-surging vigor truly made Liu Qing's blood race!

This song was so inspirational!

Liu Qing felt increasingly astounded by Huang Guolun's talent. When they were in college, she never sensed the fire burning within him. Huang Guolun had always seemed to her a gentle, courteous gentleman, but his talent only average.

She never expected that, now in middle age, Huang Guolun's music would burst forth with such fervent passion!

Previously, the soundtrack and theme song Huang Guolun composed for "Biochemical Dictator" had already deeply impressed Liu Qing. But she never imagined that his rap work in the style of young people would be even more brilliant, stirring the spirit.

After all these years, the seeds of music finally blossomed dazzlingly on Huang Guolun. Liu Qing was moved and deeply encouraged.

As professional composers, they knew well how difficult it was to create a hit song—some people spend their whole lives without ever achieving one.

Such a good song, to sell it to Fishman Music, made Liu Qing feel a pang. Huang Guokun always told her that one day, their company's music planning department would flourish, vibrant like the film planning department.

But, plagued by a lack of talent and funds, Liu Qing had never seen any sign of the music planning department thriving.

Now, with Huang Guolun's sudden rise, his musical talent exploding like fireworks, Liu Qing finally saw hope for their ascent.

Perhaps, the time for their music planning department to shine was approaching.

If only Huang Guolun could resign from his teaching job and devote himself fully to leading their music planning department, their future would soon be bright.

Unfortunately, Huang Guolun still seemed indifferent to the pop music world. This left Liu Qing helpless.

Currently, the company's artist management division only had actors under contract—not a single singer. The singing abilities of these actors were mediocre, not even as good as Liu Qing's; they couldn't double as singers.

Some people simply sing, but others truly perform.

Liu Qing's looks were abstract, but her voice had celestial potential.

She belonged to the singing type, able to express all her emotions through music.

Whenever the company gathered at KTV, the room would grow silent as she sang, everyone quietly enjoying her performance, moved by her voice.

Huang Guokun often said Liu Qing was a little Zhou Hui. Master Yuan joked that if Liu Qing looked like Zhou Hui, they could package her as a singer.

Though joking, the comment stung Liu Qing a bit.

People claimed Zhou Hui was ugly, but she wasn't really hard to look at—just marketed by the record company as an "ugly girl" gimmick.

Liu Qing's appearance was truly... something else. She was well aware, so never considered stepping out as a real singer herself.

Now, inspired by Huang Guolun's sudden outburst of musical genius, Liu Qing longed to sign a few young singers with true artistry, like herself, to nurture in the music planning department.

If Huang Guolun could write a few more songs with hit potential like this one, their music planning department would have great prospects.

The company was currently staking everything on the box office success of a new film. At this moment, Liu Qing couldn't discuss the future of the music planning department with Huang Guokun.

But once the new movie was released and, if it succeeded, Liu Qing was determined to talk with Huang Guokun and push to make the music planning department vibrant and dynamic.

...

After sending Liu Qing the sample, Huang Guolun checked the time: it was only three thirty in the afternoon.

Sun Yanzhen messaged him on WeChat, saying that if he was free, he should come early to the Maktoub Bar tonight; she would introduce him to a few reliable friends ahead of the birthday party.

Having wrapped up his work on "The Beautiful People," Huang Guolun really had nothing else to do, so he replied that he'd try to come early.

The Maktoub Bar Sun Yanzhen had chosen had a strange name. At first, Huang Guolun didn't know the origin of the name. Looking it up online, he discovered "Maktoub" was a term from the novel "The Alchemist," an Arabic proverb meaning "It is written," with a sense of fate.

Huang Guolun was someone who believed in destiny.

He also believed in reincarnation.

He had a vague premonition that at Sun Yanzhen's birthday party at Maktoub Bar, he might meet the one destined for him.

The party wouldn't start until eight in the evening.

With time to spare, Huang Guolun thought to visit another girl named Yan's "Duck Shop." Earlier in the week, Zhao Yan and Zhao Jing had both called him, inviting him for coffee.

Huang Guolun had promised to perform at Zhao Yan's café. Now, with the school anniversary over, he needed to discuss with Zhao Yan how to arrange the shows.

Earlier in the week, Zhao Yan called to say they'd gotten a new piano for the café and wanted him to try it out.

Huang Guolun had been busy recording with Bai Yao and caring for Huang Tao, so he hadn't been able to go.

Later, Zhao Jing called, asking him to discuss the special concert at the café. Zhao Jing claimed she'd boasted to her friends about knowing a particularly amazing singer-teacher, and when Huang Guolun held his concert, she'd bring a crowd to support him. She insisted he not let her down, or she'd be embarrassed.

On the call, Zhao Jing shared a little secret about Zhao Yan—not really a secret, but that Zhao Yan was athletically challenged. At school, her running looked awkward and heavy, and she unconsciously wiggled her hips like a duck. The "Yan" in her name sounded similar to "duck" in Chinese, so since middle school, she was nicknamed "Zhao Duck."

Her friends all called her "Duck."

Zhao Yan herself found the nickname cute and liked being called Duck.

Her café, as a result, was jokingly called the "Duck Shop" by friends.

Huang Guolun thought the name sounded catchy—far better than Salome Café—so he naturally started calling it the Duck Shop.

He hadn't found time to visit during the week, but now, with free time, he planned to check out the new piano at the Duck Shop and maybe use it for his concert.

He was about to call Zhao Yan to ask if it was a good time to visit, when his phone rang.

The caller ID read "Dajun."

This Dajun, full name Yao Dajun, was a childhood friend of Huang Guolun and Huang Guokun, and an old neighbor of the Huang family.

The apartment Bai Yao now lived in on Zhongsheng Alley was bought by the Huang family from Yao Dajun.

Back then, Yao Dajun was preparing for marriage, planning to move to the suburbs with his parents. They needed to quickly sell their old apartment in Xidan, so they sold it to the Huang family.

As old neighbors, the Huang family didn't take advantage; they bought at market price, helping Yao Dajun solve his urgent need for marriage housing.

Though the value of the old apartment later doubled, the Huang family got a good deal. But the large suburban house Yao Dajun bought also doubled in price as Beijing real estate boomed, so he didn't lose out either.

Instead, Yao Dajun remained grateful for the Huang family's help.

Huang Guolun, Huang Guokun, and Yao Dajun had grown up together and were very close.

Now in middle age, they were all settled, most with children, living far apart, and seeing each other less often.

But their friendship hadn't faded.

Whenever they gathered to reminisce about childhood, they were still especially happy.

If anyone had trouble, they would help each other wholeheartedly—those with money would give it, those with strength would lend it. Their bond was like the enduring camaraderie in the film "Mr. Six," rare and precious.

Huang Guolun hadn't seen Yao Dajun for some time.

There had been a few gatherings among the group; Huang Guokun went, but Huang Guolun couldn't, being tied up caring for Huang Tao, and was soundly complained about by his friends.

Now, seeing Yao Dajun calling, Huang Guolun guessed it was another gathering. If so, he'd prioritize his buddies and skip the Duck Shop.

"Hello, Dajun?" Huang Guolun answered.

"Er Lun, I heard from your brother that you sent Taozi to Grandpa and Grandma this weekend—finally got some free time, huh?"

"Haha, don't complain about me. So, what's up, arranging a dinner? If so, I'll treat, you pick the place, but it has to be early—I have something else tonight."

"You always have so much going on! I'd like to arrange a dinner, but Matui and Daozi are out of town, your brother's busy with the movie, can't make it. Today, everyone's scattered—maybe four or five of us at most."

"Four or five is enough, just invite them. That lamb leg at the Ninety-Nine Yurt in Qinghe is delicious. I tried it once and have been looking for a chance to go again."

"You mean the one where you eat in a Mongolian tent?"

"Exactly, authentic flavor! So fragrant! You've had it, right?"

"I went there with my boss, it was indeed good... Damn, just talking about it makes my mouth water."

"Haha, then hurry and invite Maoqiu and Yangzi, if they're free tonight let's get together."

"Okay, I'll invite them. But let's meet up first—I need your help with something."

"Need my help? Don't mess with me. Is it necessary to say 'need'? Just tell me, if I can help, I will."

"Hard to say over the phone, let's talk in person. It's still early for dinner, want to go play billiards for a bit?"

"Sure, haven't played you in ages—today I'll slice you up like a melon again."

"Don't be so sure, who cuts whom is yet to be seen!"

"Haha, enough talk, which billiard hall? I'll head over now."

"No, no, where are you? I'll drive over and pick you up."

"Wow, what do you need me for that you even want to pick me up?"

"Let's talk in person, let's talk in person."

"Alright, then come over to Liulichang, I'll wait at the neighborhood entrance."

"Okay, I'll be there in fifteen minutes."