1RomanceEB Chapter 53 The Hottest New Singer
Chapter 53 The Hottest New Singer
On the street in front of the China Conservatory of Music.
Lin Hanjiang and Zhou Tao walked side by side.
Their cameraman from Kyoto TV has already gone back.
The street is not wide, and the Chinese scholar trees planted on both sides are quite old and now provide ample shade with their green leaves.
The bicycle bell rang "ding-a-ling".
The long, drawn-out cry of "Sharpening scissors and knives!" echoed from time to time, trailing off in the authentic Beijing accent.
The vendors' shouts are more immediate:
"Popsicles! Red bean popsicles! Creamy popsicles!"
"Evening News! Kyoto Evening News!"
Most of the shops are low-rise bungalows.
"Indispensable is a state-run grocery store," with a glass display case filled with pastries wrapped in straw paper, loose candies, and stacks of empty Arctic Ocean soda bottles.
There will be one or two music and video stores with posters and cassette tapes of popular singers hanging at the entrance.
Gan Ping, Mao Amin, Yang Yuying, Mao Ning, Liu Huan, Teresa Teng, Little Tigers, Andy Lau, Leon Lai...
Playing the latest pop songs, it's a favorite spot for students to hang out.
The newsstand was always surrounded by a crowd of people, all interested in the Reference News or sports news.
In addition, there are barbershops, tailor shops, an old Chinese medicine clinic that always smells of Chinese herbs, and one or two small bookstores that sell stationery and rent out novels.
In 1992, the kind of bubble tea shops and cafes where you could curl up on a soft sofa and stare at the latte art in a glass for hours on end were still a rare sight, something you only saw in movies.
When discussing matters, especially with a young, beautiful woman like Zhou Tao.
The only certainty is that you can't play poker at a hotel.
In more upscale places, the cost can be quite high.
Lin Hanjiang didn't want to spend the money before he even earned it from them.
Those small restaurants with steaming hot food and shiny, oily signs become the most suitable choice.
Lin Hanjiang led Zhou Tao into a shop less than fifty meters from the school gate, a place he knew exactly where to go.
The signboard, bearing the four red characters "Lao Zhang Noodle Shop," is somewhat faded.
It was lunchtime, and the restaurant was bustling with activity.
The heavy benches and the slick, oil-coated octagonal tables were almost all occupied.
It's a mix of the aroma of well-cooked beef broth, the pungent smell of fried sauce, and the spicy scent of raw garlic.
Several old-fashioned ceiling fans whirred overhead, but they could never get rid of the stuffy heat.
The slurping sounds of noodles rose and fell, bowls and plates clattered, diners chatted and laughed loudly, and the proprietress called out the names of dishes to the kitchen in a high-pitched voice.
"This is fine, Sister Tao. The conditions are simple, please bear with us."
Lin Hanjiang glanced around and led Zhou Tao to a square table that had just been vacated in the corner.
The tabletop had been roughly wiped by the proprietress with a cloth whose original color was indistinguishable, and the water stains were still wet.
He casually pulled a rough piece of paper from the chopstick holder on the table and used it to wipe the damp tabletop.
Zhou Tao showed no sign of disgust and sat down naturally.
She took off her light blue thin suit jacket, revealing a simple white round-neck knit sweater underneath. Her neck was long, slender, and fair.
"This place is nice; it's lively and vibrant."
She smiled, her voice still clear and pleasant amidst the noise.
Those who study broadcasting have such pleasant voices.
"When I was covering the news, I often camped out at roadside stalls. The beef noodles from Anhui are absolutely amazing. They're wide and chewy, and the broth is thick and glossy, made by simmering beef bones with dozens of spices. It's spicy, satisfying, and incredibly fragrant."
She looked up at the handwritten menu on the wall, her gaze lingering on the beef noodles for a moment.
"However, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. It seems I'll have to try some Kyoto noodles today."
"Is Sister Tao from Anhui?" Lin Hanjiang asked casually while looking at the menu.
"Yes, from Anhui," Zhou Tao replied frankly. "The climate here is dry, the winters are terribly cold, and the summers are humid, quite different from my hometown. Judging from your accent, Lin, are you from the north?"
"From Hebei."
Lin Hanjiang's answer was brief.
Hebei is close to Kyoto, so relatives from those families can come to Kyoto quickly.
He raised his voice at the proprietress who was busy at the counter: "Aunt Zhang, one bowl of beef noodles and one bowl of noodles with soybean paste. The noodles with soybean paste should be rinsed in water, and give me plenty of toppings."
"Okay, just a moment, it'll be ready soon."
The proprietress, wearing an apron and with her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, called out in a loud voice.
While waiting, Zhou Tao sized up Lin Hanjiang.
"Lin, I heard you'll be graduating in about ten days? You've really reached a crucial crossroads in your life."
She started a conversation, her tone gentle, as if chatting about everyday things.
"Yes, it's time to pack up and get ready." Lin Hanjiang smirked. "One thing after another is piling up, it's giving me a headache."
"The capable should do more," Zhou Tao said with a smile.
At this moment, two steaming bowls of noodles were served.
The thin, white beef noodle soup has a clear broth, with bright green scallions and a few thick slices of braised beef floating on top.
The noodles with soybean paste are a different story altogether. The noodles, rinsed in cold water, are distinct and layered with colorful toppings. A small bowl of dark brown, glossy soybean paste sits on its own, exuding an irresistible aroma.
Zhou Tao picked up the conversation: "It seems Lin is a very busy person. However, our Kyoto TV station is also busy preparing a new program. The station leaders watched the Young Singers Competition and felt that your work and stage performance were particularly in line with the tone of our program, so they specially sent me over to see if there is an opportunity to cooperate, in time for your graduation."
The main event is about to begin.
Lin Hanjiang knew exactly what was going on.
The tapes of the CCTV Young Singers Competition finals are still in the editing room, but those who know the details of that night already know what they need to know.
This is the value of information asymmetry; it's a never-ending game in the news and entertainment industries.
The information gap lies here; if we cannot take action, then the information we know in advance is useless.
Whoever can secure talent and produce impactful programs during this lull will gain a significant advantage in the ensuing nationwide publicity frenzy.
Kyoto TV wanted to produce a program because of Lin Hanjiang's song.
Having finally garnered such significant attention, we must make the most of it.
At the time, Zhou Tao insisted on saying that she knew Lin Hanjiang, which is why the leader gave her a chance to prove her worth.
A pretty, highly skilled, but relatively inexperienced new host.
If one could independently discuss the debut of the most talked-about and record-breaking gold medalist of this year's CCTV Young Singers Competition, the weight and recognition it would bring would be far greater than simply hosting a few regular episodes.
Zhou Tao was also desperately trying to climb up the ladder.
Lin Hanjiang swallowed the smooth and chewy noodles in his mouth, then looked up and said, "Sister Tao, you're too kind. What kind of program is it exactly? Tell me in detail."
Zhou Tao smiled and put down his chopsticks.
There's potential; it's time to discuss a collaboration.
She leaned forward slightly and smiled at Lin Hanjiang, saying:
"It's a pure singing program, tentatively named 'Echoes of Golden Melodies.' Our initial goal is to create a high-quality stage for purely appreciating singing, inviting one or more singers with truly representative works and artistic influence to perform their representative songs each episode."
"Sounds good," Lin Hanjiang nodded in agreement.
"In order to make a good start, our lineup this time aims to bring together the most popular singers right now."