The control room returned to a quiet atmosphere.
Confirming that Shu Nian had finished speaking, Xie Ruhe withdrew his gaze and played the song he had just processed for her to hear: “Listen to it a few times first and start singing after you’re familiar with it.”
Shu Nian obediently responded with an “Oh.” After her resentment had dissipated, her feelings were somewhat difficult to describe.
They used to be very good friends. But after several years without contact, when they met again, his attitude was so cold. She had instinctively distanced herself from him as well.
The conversation they just had somehow made her feel like they had returned to that time from before.
A bright time when the world was filled with warmth.
In the next moment, Xie Ruhe handed her the music score with lyrics on it: “Listen first.”
Shu Nian nodded, took the score, and dutifully listened four times.
Before playing it a fifth time, Xie Ruhe instructed: “Sing along with it once.”
Hearing this, Shu Nian glanced at him, her lips moving slightly, somewhat reluctant because she was afraid he would laugh at her.
Xie Ruhe was very serious: “First get familiar with the rhythm.”
Because of his attitude, Shu Nian felt that her suspicions of his intentions were indeed unreasonable. She also got into the right mindset, focusing seriously as if she were in class.
…
That rain scattered in fragments/Light gathered in an instant/Night turned into day.
Thought it was a star knocked down by rain/Looking up
But it was you appearing
…
The music was played directly through speakers, not through headphones. The volume wasn’t small, and when Shu Nian sang, she could faintly hear her voice mixing with Xie Ruhe’s, though his voice generally overpowered hers.
This gave Shu Nian the illusion that her pitch was on the same level as his.
Shu Nian sang along with the complete version three times.
Afterward, Xie Ruhe handed her headphones and said: “This time wear headphones while you sing.”
Shu Nian took the headphones, noticed he wasn’t going to wear any, and hesitantly asked: “Aren’t you wearing any?”
Xie Ruhe made an affirmative sound and said softly: “I’ll listen to you sing.”
Shu Nian imagined that scene.
Wouldn’t he just be hearing her a cappella at that point…
But if she was singing along, it should be fine.
Another round ended.
Taking off the headphones, Shu Nian looked at him, as if waiting for his next instruction.
Xie Ruhe pressed his lips together, thought for a moment, and then said: “Half of it was off-key, the other half had the correct pitch and rhythm. With a bit more practice, it will be fine.”
Shu Nian could roughly guess and circled a part of the score with her finger: “Was it this part that went off?”
Xie Ruhe was silent for a few seconds, reached out, and circled another part: “It was this one.”
“…”
Shu Nian felt somewhat defeated and said in a depressed tone: “Maybe we should change singers after all…”
Xie Ruhe didn’t comment on her remark, showing extreme patience as he took out another sheet of music and said: “I’ll sing once, and you follow.”
Hearing this, Shu Nian paused, as if something occurred to her, and quickly agreed.
Xie Ruhe lowered his eyes and began to sing: “Thought it was a star knocked down by rain…”
Shu Nian followed: “Thought it was a star knocked down by rain…”
Xie Ruhe paused and repeated: “Knocked down by rain…”
“Kno-knocked down by rain…”
“Don’t start with too high a pitch.”
“Oh, okay.” Shu Nian was very obedient. “Thought it was a star knocked down by rain…”
“Good, try singing it once by yourself.”
Shu Nian sang it once more.
Xie Ruhe breathed a sigh of relief: “Right, just like that. Now follow along with the beginning once.”
“That rain scattered in fragments/Light gathered in an instant/Night turned into day/Thought it was a star knocked down by rain…”
“…”
Noticing his expression, Shu Nian asked: “What’s wrong?”
Xie Ruhe covered his lips with the back of his hand, not looking at her, his voice seemingly containing amusement.
“You went off-key again.”
“…”