ECG -Chapter 146 Starlit Night Guest Room

When Lin Hao returned to the hotel, it was already past 10 p.m. He had already called Xia Yumeng and his father separately while admiring the night scenery. Now that there was nothing else to worry about, he took a shower and climbed into bed.

A talk show called Starlit Night Guest Room was playing on the television. As he looked at the unfamiliar female host, he suddenly had the strange feeling that everything was like a dream from another world.

Lying in bed, he lit a cigarette and watched attentively.

From the subtitles, he learned that the female host was named Shu Xiaolei. She looked to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with short hair and big eyes.

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Host Shu Xiaolei raised her hand and made a gesture inviting someone forward, and a wave of applause came from the audience seats.

The next moment, Lin Hao’s eyes lit up. He never expected that the guest being interviewed would actually be Han Ying. He glanced at the logo in the upper left corner—it was Yanjing Satellite Channel.

When he first saw Han Ying on the train, although she often traveled around singing at various venues, there had still been a hint of rustic air about her. Her whole person lacked a certain vitality and confidence.

But the Han Ying at this moment seemed like a completely different person. Although she was wearing casual clothes that were not particularly expensive, her entire being radiated a proud aura. It was a kind of confidence that came from within and showed outwardly.

Han Ying was welcomed by enthusiastic applause from the audience. Lin Hao understood that such applause could not be taken too seriously. It was very likely that staff members were directing things from the side—when to clap, when to gasp in surprise, the audience all had to follow instructions.

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The two women on stage shook hands, then each sat down on a sofa.

Shu Xiaolei was very intellectual, and her warmth and friendliness were excellent as well. After exchanging a few pleasantries, she smiled and said:

“Everyone says Han Ying is difficult to invite. Our program team even prepared various strategies to deal with it, but we didn’t expect Miss Han wouldn’t have the slightest temper of a big-name celebrity and would come so readily!”

A wave of good-natured laughter came from below.

Han Ying smiled slightly. “My profession is singing, so I really don’t like interviews or other variety shows very much. I always feel that this isn’t my home ground, and I don’t know how to adapt.”

“That’s easy!” Shu Xiaolei stood up. “Come on, let’s switch positions. Now this is your home ground.”

Han Ying also smiled and stood up. The two exchanged seats amid the audience’s laughter.

Lin Hao nodded. This female host was impressive. She wasn’t just beautiful—her quick thinking and ability to connect with people were both top-notch.

“How is it? Don’t you feel much more comfortable now?” Shu Xiaolei asked Han Ying.

Han Ying shifted around twice and laughed. “That’s something I should be asking you.”

Another burst of laughter came from below.

Shu Xiaolei returned to the main topic. “Everyone is already very familiar with you. Han Ying is the champion of our Young Singers Competition. We all love the songs Persistence and Wildflowers, as well as your latest album Cheers, Friends. The audience is very curious about you and wants to know everything—even your family background. Is it convenient for you to talk about it?”

“No problem!” Han Ying answered openly. “I’m from Long Province. My home is in a small county called Lishan, about 150 kilometers north of the provincial capital, Xue City. But my home isn’t actually in the county town. After reaching the county town, I still have to take a large bus for another forty minutes.”

“So far away?” Shu Xiaolei looked surprised.

Han Ying smiled. “I’m not finished yet. After getting off the bus, I still have to walk five li before I can reach the small village called Han Family Village—the place where I was born and raised.”

The audience fell completely silent. No one expected that such a famous singer would have come from such a background.

Shu Xiaolei asked, “Why do you have to walk such a long distance?”

Han Ying gave a bitter smile. “Because there’s no road.”

The camera turned toward the audience seats, and many people began whispering among themselves.

Looking at Han Ying, who spoke softly and gently, Lin Hao felt a surge of respect for her. Many celebrities were afraid that people would look down on them, so they would fabricate their backgrounds. Some would even take a trip to Hong Kong or other Southeast Asian regions, and after coming back, they would speak with a stiff, unnatural Mandarin accent, as if that somehow made their status much nobler.

This was not yet the era of talent shows more than a decade later. Back then, contestants would make up all kinds of miserable stories to gain the sympathy of judges and audiences. But in this era, there were still very few artists like Han Ying who did not consider coming from the countryside a shame, and who could openly talk about it in front of everyone without any hesitation.

Han Ying talked about her farming parents and her two mischievous younger brothers. As she continued, her eyes turned red with emotion. Shu Xiaolei quickly wiped away her tears as well, then stood up and joined everyone in giving Han Ying a warm round of applause.

“We know that you never attended university, nor did you receive professional training. Before becoming famous, you were always singing in nightclubs. Yet your voice and your songs are so touching. We’re all very curious—what was it that allowed you to reach where you are today?”

Han Ying thought for a moment. “I think it was hard work and opportunity.”

“Oh? Why do you say that?”

“Hard work, because I kept persisting. I always believed that I could do it. Even when some bar owners told me my singing sounded like a duck quacking, I still endured it with tears in my eyes!”

Another wave of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience.

“I understand now. Then the opportunity must have been the Youth Song Competition!” Shu Xiaolei said.

Unexpectedly, Han Ying did not follow the pre-arranged questions and answers. She gently shook her head.

“Not entirely.”

When Han Ying said this, Lin Hao clearly saw the host, Shu Xiaolei, freeze for a moment. She even quickly glanced toward someone offstage.

Han Ying’s words immediately aroused the audience’s curiosity.

Shu Xiaolei continued smiling and asked, “Then what was it?”

“Without the Youth Song Competition, I might have participated in some other competition in the future. Of course, I am also extremely grateful to the Youth Song Competition. That is beyond doubt!”

“But if it wasn’t for that train, if I hadn’t met that person, then there would be no Han Ying today!”

“Wow—!”

The audience became lively, with everyone whispering and guessing who she was talking about.

Lin Hao had already guessed that she was referring to him. He just never expected her to mention his name on a television program.

Han Ying had once made him uncomfortable twice. The first time was when she signed with Phantom but hid her contact information from him. The second time was when she bought his song “Cheers, Friend” a second time but did not release it as an EP single, instead putting it into a premium album.

The matter of hiding her contact information had long since passed. At the time, Lin Hao thought about it and eventually understood her.

When he saw her new album at the audio store near the entrance of the Arts Academy, especially when he noticed that five of the songs on the back were not his, Lin Hao had indeed felt a little unhappy.

He did not know whether this was Han Ying’s own decision or Phantom’s idea.

He had listened to the remaining five songs as well. And it was not because he was trying to belittle others and praise himself—the quality of those five songs really was only average.

However, after listening to the entire album, he understood everything. Han Ying had bought three songs from him, and every single one was a classic. She had also paid for them entirely out of her own pocket. Looking at it now, when she bought “Cheers, Friend” the second time, she probably did not have much money yet, which was why she only bought one song.

And the reason she did not let Phantom—or rather, stopped Phantom—from buying songs from him was most likely because she wanted to pay for them herself. Because only then could she take those songs away after her contract ended.

She was afraid that if Phantom helped her buy songs from him, then the day she left Phantom, if she did not pay to purchase the rights herself, she would no longer be able to sing them in the future.

Lin Hao had understood all of this long ago. So after these matters passed, he no longer cared about them.

The female host was also very curious. “Who is he?”

Han Ying’s face was full of respect.

“He is the lyricist and composer of ‘Persistence’, ‘Wild Flower’, and ‘Cheers, Friend’—Teacher Lin Hao!”