ECG -Chapter 70 Master Wu Is Generous

“Taozi, do you know what the defining characteristic of your singing is?” Lin Hao asked Bai Zhitao.

Bai Zhitao thought for a moment before answering, “My vocal instructor says I have a small, delicate voice. I’m suited for soft, gentle love songs, and my vocal range shouldn’t be too wide.”

Lin Hao nodded and asked another question.

“What about your breath control?”

“The teacher told me to switch to breathing through my nose. He said that when I used to inhale through both my nose and mouth at the same time, the sound was too loud.”

“Oh.”

Lin Hao felt relieved. This vocal instructor actually seemed to know what he was doing.

“The truth is, your voice is excellent—pure, rich, and naturally magnetic. But you’ve overlooked your biggest problem,” Lin Hao said.

Bai Zhitao thought for a moment.

“Is it that there aren’t many songs suitable for me?”

Lin Hao shook his head.

“That isn’t the problem.”

How is that not a problem? she thought.

For years, she had struggled to find the right artistic direction for herself, and there really weren’t many songs that suited her voice.

She could sing popular love songs quite well, but the audience’s reactions were always mediocre.

Li Hongyu, the guitarist from a previous band at Ferry Crossing Bar, had once told her:

“You sing well, but you don’t have your own unique style.”

Knowing she wouldn’t be able to figure it out on her own, Lin Hao explained:

“Your vocal qualities are excellent, but your technique is too weak. Your vibrato, ending notes, vocal runs, and emotional expression all have major issues.”

Everything Lin Hao mentioned was something Bai Zhitao vaguely understood herself.

She simply had never been able to put it into words. As an outsider, Lin Hao could see the problem much more clearly.

She could imitate original singers almost perfectly, yet she could never surpass them. The reason was still technical.

No matter how accurately she copied someone else, without her own distinctive style she was nothing more than a parrot mimicking sounds.

She nodded repeatedly.

“I also feel that my vibrato isn’t very good. So how do I improve it?”

Lin Hao replied:

“Most singers create vibrato by using their larynx. That kind of vibrato often sounds forced. The best vibrato should come naturally through scientific breath control.”

Wu Xiaozhou looked completely baffled.

Bai Zhitao wasn’t much better.

Neither of them understood what he meant by scientific breath control, much less how it could naturally produce vibrato.

She remembered her vocal instructor saying something similar before.

She had tried adjusting her technique accordingly, but everything still felt vague and confusing, and she had never found the key.

Lin Hao fell silent in thought.

Once again, he found himself hesitating.

The truth was that ever since he had first heard Bai Zhitao sing on the train, he had been astonished.

Her voice was simply too similar to someone else’s.

Although Bai Zhitao was still immature as a singer, if he personally trained her for a period of time, she would undoubtedly become famous throughout the country.

Looking up at her, he said:

“Taozi, wait here for a moment. I just remembered something. I need to talk to Xiaowu.”

Wu Xiaozhou was stunned.

He couldn’t imagine what important matter Lin Hao suddenly needed to discuss with him.

The two stepped out into the hallway.

Lin Hao pulled out a pack of cigarettes and handed one to Wu Xiaozhou.

After both took a drag, Wu Xiaozhou asked curiously, “What is it?”

There wasn’t the slightest trace of a smile on Lin Hao’s face.

“Xiaowu, I’ve thought this over from every angle, and I feel I have to tell you this.”

Wu Xiaozhou grew impatient.

“Then just say it! Why are you dragging it out like some old lady? And what’s with all the mystery?”

“Listen to me. I’m not joking.”

Seeing Lin Hao’s serious expression, Wu Xiaozhou nodded.

“Helping her isn’t a problem. But…” Lin Hao stopped speaking and simply looked at him.

“Damn it! Are you constipated today or what? Why are you talking in half-sentences?” Wu Xiaozhou snapped again.

Lin Hao sighed.

This fool really hadn’t noticed.

Then again, who could predict the future? Maybe he was simply worrying too much.

“Listen carefully. If I don’t help Bai Zhitao, her future will probably be ordinary. After graduation, she might spend a few more years singing in bars. During the day, she’d find a regular job—perhaps teaching at an elementary school or giving vocal lessons at a music studio.”

“After you two spend a few years together, she’ll marry you, take care of the family, raise children, and you’ll live a happy life.”

Wu Xiaozhou nodded, secretly delighted.

What more could a man ask for?

“But if I help her…” Lin Hao continued.

“She is destined to become famous across the entire country. She may even become the Queen of Love Songs throughout Asia.”

“And when that day comes…”

“She may no longer belong to you.”

“Do you understand?”

Wu Xiaozhou’s mouth fell open. His face was full of disbelief. After a long while, he finally muttered, “Really?”

He had never thought that far ahead. He had only felt that since his girlfriend was studying vocal music, wanted to enter competitions, and wanted to win a gold medal, then as her boyfriend, he should help her.

As for everything Lin Hao had just said, it sounded like pure fantasy to him.

Lin Hao nodded.

Bai Zhitao’s appearance was absolutely not an issue. She stood 165 centimeters tall, with graceful curves and a slender waist. Her oval face and bright, expressive eyes perfectly matched Eastern standards of beauty.

She was already a 95-point beauty, and her snow-white complexion only enhanced her attractiveness even further.

With looks like that, combined with the singing techniques he was teaching her, there was no way she wouldn’t become famous.

Lin Hao said no more. He had already said everything that needed to be said. The rest was up to Wu Xiaozhou.

Leaning against the western windowsill in the hallway, Wu Xiaozhou silently smoked his cigarette.

A long time passed.

Then he chuckled.

“My mom always used to say, ‘What’s meant to be yours can’t be driven away; what’s not yours should never be forced.'”

He spread his hands.

“Look at that. My old lady doesn’t have much education, yet she sees things so clearly. What is there for me not to understand?”

Lin Hao asked, “You’ve made up your mind?”

Wu Xiaozhou let out a long sigh and nodded.

“I can’t let my own selfish interests dictate someone else’s life.”

Then he reached out and gave Lin Hao’s shoulder a heavy slap.

“Haozi, just pretend I’m not here. Help her however you think you should. Taozi is a good girl, and I want her to do well.”

Lin Hao didn’t say anything else. His nose felt a little sour. He rubbed it lightly and laughed.

“Alright. Master Wu, that’s mighty generous of you.”

Wu Xiaozhou burst into hearty laughter, looking exceptionally bold and carefree.

…

The preliminary competition was scheduled for September 28th, leaving Lin Hao and Bai Zhitao fifteen days to prepare.

Starting the next day, both of them took leave from classes and practically lived in Fan Gang’s piano room.

Wu Xiaozhou rarely came by. Occasionally he would show up carrying snacks, almost like someone visiting a film set.

Lin Hao learned from Fatty Meng that during this period, Wu Xiaozhou spent every day either attending classes or practicing in the rehearsal room. He was working far harder than before.

Lin Hao himself was extremely busy.

During the day, he coached Bai Zhitao. At night, he performed at Ferry Crossing Bar. After returning, he would stay up late under the lamp writing sheet music. He wrote several original songs for Bai Zhitao and applied for copyrights for all of them. The approvals would be coming through soon.

A week later, Bai Zhitao had completely mastered the vocal techniques Lin Hao taught her.

Lin Hao then began coaching her song by song until her performances sounded exactly like the original singers he remembered from his previous life.

Within just a few days, Lin Hao became familiar with the new band at Ferry Crossing Bar.

Only then did he discover why everyone there called him “Brother Hao.”

Some loudmouth had apparently spread the story that it was thanks to him that Zhao Xiaoyi’s Snow Country Band had been kicked out of Ferry Crossing Bar. The rumor even claimed that he and Fourth Sister were having an affair.

Ever since hearing that gossip, Lin Hao felt somewhat awkward whenever he saw Fourth Sister.

He always had the feeling that she had heard the rumors too. The way she looked at him seemed different somehow.

That evening—

After finishing his set, Lin Hao greeted the band members and headed for the exit.

Tomorrow was the preliminary round of the Huaxia University Campus Singer Competition. He wanted to get back and check online to see whether the songs he had prepared for Bai Zhitao had received copyright approval.

As the saying goes, once bitten, twice shy.

Nowadays, every song he performed at the bar had already received copyright approval. If a song hadn’t been approved yet, he absolutely wouldn’t sing it.

As he reached the entrance, Fourth Sister happened to arrive.

Three people were following behind her.

The two women appeared to be around thirty years old. Both were reasonably attractive and dressed in luxurious clothing.

The man looked to be about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old. He was tall and thin, with short hair and small eyes, carrying an arrogant, self-important air about him.