The Sweetness of the Seventies-Chapter 88: Seeking a Master and Learning the Art (260+ Monthly Votes) _1
Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Seeking a Master and Learning the Art (260+ Monthly Votes) _1
Indeed, once the topic shifted to music study, it absorbed all of Qi Xiaoyan’s attention.
"Sister Tiantian, I forgot to tell you that I did what you said and wrote a letter to my second brother. He said that next year, their unit will indeed recruit a batch of culture soldiers. However, it won’t be at the commune, but in Huai City. If I want to sign up, I can only go to the city," said Qi Xiaoyan. Huai City was far away, and she worried her parents wouldn’t support her going.
"What kind of conditions or restrictions are there?" He Tiantian asked. If she could get in, her future would be boundless.
If it was in Taoyuan County, Village Chief Qi might still be able to pull some strings. Now that it was in Huai City, he probably couldn’t be of much help.
"Although my brother said in the letter that children of workers, peasants, and soldiers could all sign up, everyone knows that girls from the city are prettier than me, know more than me, and sing better than me. I don’t think I stand much of a chance," Qi Xiaoyan’s voice grew smaller and her heart more despondent.
He Tiantian wanted to change Qi Xiaoyan’s fate, stay away from Li Mingkai, and send Qi Xiaoyan away from Qijia Village was the best way. Li Mingkai had left after the college entrance examination, and separating the two could perhaps prevent Qi Xiaoyan’s tragedy.
"Xiao Yan, trust me, your voice is very pleasant, and as long as you strive to learn, you can definitely sing better than them. You’re pretty, much prettier than those city girls, just like me..." He Tiantian praised her, unintentionally complimenting herself as well.
"Hee hee..." Qi Xiaoyan giggled behind her hand, not expecting Tiantian to be so self-absorbed!
But Sister Tiantian really was beautiful, the prettiest girl she had ever seen! frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
"Haha..." He Tiantian laughed as well, "I’m serious, I came from the city, I know what those city girls are like. Listen to me, you won’t go wrong."
Qi Xiaoyan was moved and nodded, "Since there’s a chance, I naturally want to seize it. Even if I try hard and don’t get in, I’ll accept it. If I don’t even try out, then I won’t have any chance at all."
"Right, keep it up, let’s work hard together," He Tiantian said. If it weren’t for her tone-deafness, she would have wanted to try out herself.
Starting tomorrow, most of the villagers would be able to rest.
However, He Tiantian worked at the livestock team and had to clean the cattle pens every day. But with the old folks around, Aunt Liu would go to work, always keeping in mind the kindness of these people, and would rush to do the task. After cleaning up, they usually sat for a while before going home. One could earn a work point for a day’s work, and as long as the work was done well, the village never interfered with the affairs of the livestock team.
Every day, Qi Xiaoyan came with He Tiantian to secretly find Professor Wang.
"Professor Wang, when I was little I remember Grandpa saying that you used to teach an elective music course at the school?" He Tiantian cautiously asked, hoping that Professor Wang wouldn’t deny it.
In reality, He Tiantian hadn’t learned this from Grandpa Gu, but rather was told by Professor Wang in her previous life.
If he didn’t deny it, then Qi Xiaoyan’s chances of learning from Professor Wang might be successful. If he flat-out denied it, then it wouldn’t be right to ask an old man who had been through so much to teach them music.
Professor Wang looked up at He Tiantian and then at Qi Xiaoyan, smiled and asked, "Is it Xiao Yan who wants to learn?"
She was the one who asked the question; Professor Wang should be asking her directly, He Tiantian inquired with confusion, "Professor Wang, why don’t you say I want to learn?’"
"Haha..." Professor Wang chuckled, "The little tunes you hum while you work are all off-key..."
"Didn’t you recognize that I was humming ’Purple Bamboo Melody’?" He Tiantian asked, embarrassed. Although she was off-key, it shouldn’t be that unpleasant!
"Ah? That was ’Purple Bamboo Melody’? I thought it was ’Tea Picking Melody’!" Professor Wang was too straightforward, adding yet another stab at He Tiantian.
"Professor Wang?" He Tiantian was on the verge of tears; that was her best rendition of "Purple Bamboo Melody," yet someone mistook it for Tea-Picking Melody, and her tune had gone haywire, straying hundreds of miles off course.
"Actually, you don’t need to be upset; it’s a matter of talent. Your Grandpa Gu also has no ear for music, although he can’t sing, it doesn’t stop you all from appreciating music, having fun by yourselves, and improving your self-cultivation." Seeing He Tiantian’s deflated appearance, Professor Wang comforted her.
Qi Xiaoyan covered her mouth on the side, worried that she might burst out laughing.
"Is it you who wants to learn?" Professor Wang turned to Qi Xiaoyan. When it came to teaching, Professor Wang was very serious, demonstrating the excellent qualities of a teacher.
Qi Xiaoyan nodded and said, "Yes, Professor Wang, I want to study music and take part in the literary soldier examination next year."
Professor Wang spoke earnestly, "As long as you’re willing to learn, I will teach you. I only have one requirement, you must not expose me."
He Tiantian felt a bitter sweetness in her heart, the helplessness of being a teacher!
Qi Xiaoyan nodded seriously and said, "Professor Wang, I’m learning skills from you, you’re my master. I’m not heartless; I will definitely not expose you. Whether I can learn well or not, I am grateful to you. Even if found out by others, it’s my own study, and the songs we sing are revolutionary songs encouraged by the state, nobody can say anything against that."
Upon hearing this, He Tiantian agreed, "Yes, Professor Wang, we take revolutionary songs as examples, there will definitely be no problem. ’My Motherland,’ ’We Walk on the Broad Road,’ ..."
"Alright then." Professor Wang agreed, "Xiao Yan, sing a few lines for me to hear ..."
The other people in the courtyard, hearing Professor Wang’s words, all looked over, wanting to hear Qi Xiaoyan sing.
Seeing everyone looking over, Qi Xiaoyan blushed with embarrassment.
"In the future, you will be singing in front of judges and the public; you can’t be nervous or shy," He Tiantian encouraged her, patiently instilling courage for her good sister.
Hearing He Tiantian’s encouragement, Qi Xiaoyan thought it over; indeed, if she was shy in front of familiar faces, how could she dare to sing in front of others?
"Then I’ll sing ’My Motherland,’ which I learned at school!" Qi Xiaoyan took a deep breath, "A great river with wide waves, the wind blows the rice flowers, sending fragrance to both banks ..."
Qi Xiaoyan’s voice was melodious, light, and penetrating. Although there were flaws in her technique, the emotions were sincere, and the song contained profound love for the motherland.
However, tears streamed from Professor Wang’s eyes as she listened to this song, which reminded her of her studies abroad, when the country needed mathematical talents. For the sake of national construction, she resolutely returned home, participated in the calculations for some important projects, and didn’t mind the hardships because it was for the motherland, for the millions of people in the new China ...
Even now, despite being affected by her overseas connections, she had no regrets about giving up the generous offers abroad to return to her country.
For nothing else, simply because this was her motherland, simply because she was a Chinese person.
She loved the blue tiles and red walls of her hometown!
She loved the small bridges and flowing water of her hometown!
She loved the happiness and laughter of her hometown!
