Chapter 13: I Don’t Want You to Leave
Chapter 13: I Don’t Want You to Leave
Qianqian listened to the flute melody, gently nodding her little head as if completely immersed in the music.
Zhang Suxin’s eyes widened, clear and bright like a tranquil pond reflecting the moon, her emotions hard to read.
She had been momentarily shy just now and hadn’t yet registered her surprise that Lu Anzhi could play the flute.
Not many people could play this instrument. Moreover, Lu Anzhi’s performance was astonishingly good, leaving no room for doubt—this was truly impressive.
Or rather, it was a delightful surprise.
The flute’s sound was distant and melodious, tinged with a faint melancholy, as if a deeply affectionate soul was yearning for a beloved far away beyond reach. The music was beautiful and captivating, instantly drawing in the listener.
The prelude ended quickly. Lu Anzhi paused and asked, “How was it?”
“Clap! Clap! Clap!” Little Qianqian clapped enthusiastically and exclaimed, “It sounds wonderful!”
Zhang Suxin said, “There must be more, right? I feel a bit unsatisfied already.”
Lu Anzhi nodded. “This was just the prelude. I only played the flute, but the prelude should really be performed together by flute, piano, bass, guitar, and drums.”
He walked over to the piano and sat on the bench.
Zhang Suxin was astonished. “So you already have a complete arrangement in your mind?”
Lu Anzhi smiled. “Exactly.” After all, he had the entire song stored in his mind—several versions, in fact.
What he was presenting now was the original classic version.
While answering Zhang Suxin, Lu Anzhi placed his hands above the piano keys and began to play.
The prelude resumed, but the piano’s tone gave a different feeling compared to the flute.
Zhang Suxin mentally combined the sounds of the two instruments and instantly grasped the subtle brilliance within.
In Lu Anzhi’s mind, this song was already highly polished!
This little one’s father didn’t just write novels and songs, play piano and flute—he also had considerable talent in arranging music!
As Lu Anzhi played the piano, he began to sing:
“Everything has stopped, all beginnings are still. Love has grown distant, yet clearer still. The sky is gloomy, but love is fond. Back then, I didn’t know this was called love…”
The simple piano accompaniment, paired with his slightly wistful and nostalgic voice, flowed slowly and pleasantly.
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Unexpectedly, Lu Anzhi’s singing was also very pleasing.
He continued singing. Little Qianqian climbed onto the piano bench beside him, sitting and watching his fingers dance lightly over the keys.
Zhang Suxin stood quietly, watching and listening in silence.
Lu Anzhi had reached the chorus:
“I don’t want you to leave, no distance can separate. Longing turns to ocean, but it cannot enter through the window. Forgiveness came too soon, love became an obstacle. The kite in my hand was released too fast and cannot return…”
Zhang Suxin was momentarily stunned.
“I Don’t Want You to Leave” was the title of the TV drama starring Zhou Bo, whom she had arranged to sing a song for. Lu Anzhi had even woven the drama’s title into the lyrics, crafting words of notable quality and composing such a moving melody!
With her experience, Zhang Suxin could easily tell this song was of high caliber—better than most of the songs on her own albums. It was competitive even in the wider music industry.
Moreover, Lu Anzhi’s singing was excellent.
With such talent, why hadn’t he entered the music scene?
Zhang Suxin suddenly wondered: perhaps, just like his pen name “Dora B Dream,” he might be a hidden songwriter in the music world, using a pseudonym and unwilling to reveal his true identity?
But this thought was quickly dismissed.
If Lu Anzhi were a songwriter in the industry, how could he not know about the music copyright network?
She had just registered an account for him on the site, proving that Lu Anzhi had never left any works in the music circle.
It was truly a pity for such talent to remain unknown…
Zhang Suxin crossed her arms, her slender fingers tapping lightly on her smooth, fair arm in rhythm with Lu Anzhi’s singing, eyes closed, savoring the moment quietly.
When the song ended, she seemed immersed in its lingering melancholy, letting out a long sigh before opening her eyes.
“Clap! Clap! Clap!” Little Qianqian clapped vigorously nearby, clearly delighted.
Or perhaps, anything her father sang sounded beautiful to her.
“Is this one of your previous works?” Zhang Suxin asked.
Lu Anzhi nodded. “Yes.”
He was unsure how songwriters typically worked, but he thought it might be too startling to present a finished product immediately after hearing a request.
So he simply went along with Zhang Suxin’s assumption.
---
Zhang Suxin smiled. “What a coincidence. You happen to have a song that fits perfectly with the theme of the one I requested. How did you come up with it?”
Lu Anzhi had to fabricate another lie to explain the first one he had just told:
“When I was traveling in Sakura Country, I heard their unique singing styles and wanted to try something different. That’s how I wrote this song…”
Zhang Suxin nodded. “That explains why your singing sounded a bit different.”
Not wanting to continue that topic, Lu Anzhi asked, “So, do you have any ideas now?”
Zhang Suxin shook her head, sighed, and smiled faintly. “Your work is so outstanding it’s overwhelming. I don’t have a single idea.”
Lu Anzhi laughed. “You’re a queen of the industry; surely you wouldn’t be so easily discouraged?”
Zhang Suxin avoided the topic and asked, “You’ve created such an excellent song and sing well, have you ever thought about debuting?”
Lu Anzhi chuckled. “Wow, you already think the entertainment industry is a pit, yet you’re encouraging me to jump in. What’s your real intention?”
Zhang Suxin replied, “I just think it would be a shame if someone with your talent didn’t debut.”
Lu Anzhi laughed again. “So you want me, the great Dora B Dream, to join some entertainment company to be exploited, then be controlled like you just said on those variety shows?”
Zhang Suxin wrinkled her delicate nose and playfully teased him, “What’s wrong with your great Dora B Dream? People online call me a ‘dog author,’ and I’m still the queen!”
Lu Anzhi was slightly surprised. This was the first time Zhang Suxin had shown such a playful and adorable expression, catching him off guard.
He had always thought she was eternally intellectual, elegant, and composed.
But Zhang Suxin quickly realized her lapse and soon returned to her usual demeanor.
Zhang Suxin asked, “What’s the title of this song?”
Lu Anzhi said, “‘Sea.’”
“‘Sea’…” Zhang Suxin murmured softly, hesitating for a long moment before saying, “This song is truly wonderful. It would be such a pity if it went unnoticed. How about… giving this song to Zhou Bo?”
Lu Anzhi replied, “But aren’t you trying to earn money to support your family? If you give this opportunity to me, what will you do?”
Zhang Suxin said, “I’m not fixated on this one deal. I just need to maintain my reputation and credibility so I can keep this livelihood going. I just thought of a way to make everyone happy…”
(The End of This Chapter)