HPDBC Chapter 7, Song 1: Get the Job Done
Chapter 7, Song 1: Get the Job Done
Upon seeing her third aunt enter, Liu Xiaoli immediately handed her the manuscript.
"Third Aunt, this is a novel written by Xu Yang. It's very well written. I suggest he submit it to People's Literature and October."
He Hui glanced at Xu Yang with some surprise, then smiled and said, "Really? I'll have to take a good look later."
She came today because Liu Xiaoli called her this morning to tell her about Xu Yang's situation, so she wanted to come and give him a test.
If Xu Yang can really play the harmonica, she can give him the opportunity to join the cultural propaganda team.
"Aunt Hui, Sister Xiaoli is too kind. My writing is actually just so-so," Xu Yang said modestly.
Then, he turned his gaze to the man next to He Hui.
The other person looked at the middle-aged man in his forties, wearing a faded blue Zhongshan suit.
He wore glasses on the bridge of his nose; his eyes behind the lenses were not large, but they were very bright, and he exuded the air of a cultured person.
He Hui introduced with a smile: "Xu Yang, this is Comrade Zhang Dahe, the director of our district's cultural propaganda team."
"Comrade Dahe heard about what happened to you and came to see you specially."
Zhang Dahe nodded to Xu Yang, his gaze lingering on Xu Yang's excessively young and handsome face for two seconds, and he nodded inwardly.
This young man is indeed very handsome; when he stands in the propaganda team, he is a flag bearer.
"Comrade Xiao Xu, I've heard about your deeds. You acted bravely and righteously, well done!" Zhang Dahe's voice was loud and clear, full of energy, and he even had a theatrical tone when he opened his mouth.
"I heard you have some talents? Our propaganda team is in need of young talent. If you'd like to join, I'd like to welcome you on behalf of the team!"
He Hui picked up the conversation, smiling, and said, "Xu Yang, didn't you say you could play the harmonica?"
"Perfect timing! Comrade Daheshui also brought his equipment. Show us what you've got and let us see what you've got to do."
Although her tone was gentle when she said this, her eyes held a hint of consideration.
After all, there are requirements for getting into the propaganda team. If Xu Yang's talent is not up to par, she can't force him into it. She can only arrange other work for him.
Zhang Dahe took a slightly worn harmonica out of his pocket and handed it over.
Liu Xiaoli stood to the side, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Xu Yang, her hands unconsciously clenched together.
Although she had read Xu Yang's writings, they were only theoretical; now that she had to demonstrate her talents in real life, she was even more nervous than Xu Yang.
Xu Yang took the harmonica and weighed it in his hand.
To be honest, he did learn the harmonica in a club for a while when he was in college, but his skill level was just so-so. He could fool laymen, but he would probably look foolish in front of professionals.
But he wasn't flustered at all.
His body was completely enhanced after he transmigrated.
Memory, eyesight, physical strength, face... even the dexterity of the fingers and the ability to control one's breath have all been completely transformed.
He brought the harmonica to his lips, took a deep breath, and was stunned for a moment when the first note flowed from the hole.
The sound was so clean.
Its tone was so clean that it didn't sound like that of an ordinary domestically made harmonica.
Instead of showing off his skills, he chose a song that everyone is familiar with, "My Motherland".
This song was created in the 1950s and was an interlude in the movie "Shangganling". It was extremely popular and almost everyone could hum it, from cities to villages.
Using it as an opening is both safe and resonates with the audience.
However, when the melody drifted out from that ordinary harmonica, the three people in the ward changed their expressions at the same time.
What kind of music was that?
The melody, once it begins, carries an indescribable power, as if a great river is truly rushing and flowing within the music, carrying the scent of earth, the fragrance of rice blossoms, and the shared memories and emotions of everyone from that era.
Every note seems to be imbued with life, round and full, with extremely strong penetrating power.
Even though Xu Yang's playing wasn't loud, the sound seemed to penetrate deep into one's bones, making one tremble from the bottom of their heart.
He Hui hissed softly and turned to look at Zhang Dahe, only to find that Zhang Dahe's mouth was open in an "O" shape.
When Xu Yang sang the line "On this vast land, there is bright sunshine everywhere," Zhang Dahe finally couldn't hold back anymore.
He took off his glasses and wiped the corner of his eye with his sleeve.
He lived through that era; his father died on the Korean battlefield.
When the music ended, the ward was quiet for three seconds.
Then, Zhang Dahe suddenly slapped his thigh, the sound of which startled He Hui.
"Good! Good! Good!"
Zhang Dahe said "good" three times, each time with a resounding tone.
He took three steps in two and walked up to Xu Yang, grabbed Xu Yang's shoulder, and grabbed him so hard that Xu Yang leaned back.
"Comrade Xu, you played so well! Our cultural propaganda team needs someone like you. I heard you can also play the guitar, but I was a little skeptical before. Now I'm sure you can play it very well." Zhang Dahe's voice was even louder than before, and his face was trembling with excitement.
He turned to He Hui, his voice rising eight octaves: "Comrade He Hui, our propaganda team is determined to have this Xiao Xu! Nobody can take him from me!"
He Hui snapped out of her daze and waved her hand with a smile: "Nobody's going to take it from you. It was recommended to you in the first place."
But the surprise surging in her heart was no less than that of Zhang Dahe.
She originally just wanted to test Xu Yang to see if he really had any talent, since these days young people tend to brag more than they have real skills.
She was even prepared to smooth things over if Xu Yang stumbled over his words, saying, "Young man, you need to practice more."
The results of it?
This level of skill is top-notch, even in the city's performing arts troupe!
She couldn't help but take a closer look at Xu Yang.
This young man is good-looking, has impeccable character, and now even his talent is amazing. Which wealthy family raised him?
I had someone investigate for two days, but they couldn't find a single clue. That's really strange.
Zhang Dahe squeezed Xu Yang's hand tightly and said excitedly, "Then it's settled. Come and report to our cultural propaganda team after you are discharged from the hospital."
"We need to perform in the countryside right now, and we need artists like you to shine."
Xu Yang hadn't expected his job to be resolved so smoothly.
With this job, his identity is no longer an issue.
So he said happily, "Okay, I will definitely report on it and contribute to the arts."
Seeing this, He Hui nodded in satisfaction before turning her gaze to the notebook in her hand.
She wanted to see what Xu Yang's story was like, that her niece praised it so highly.