Chapter 27: Composing a Song on the Spot

"Hello, I am Eddie Peng." Eddie Peng took the initiative to stand up and reached out with both hands to shake Lin Yi’s hand.

"Hello!" Lin Yi replied with a smile. Today, he had finally met the man who threatened his own status as a heartthrob.

"Teacher Ni Ni, hello, I am Lin Yi."

"Hello..."

...

After the introductions and handshakes, they took their seats.

The table was spread with a lavish feast: braised donkey meat, a "Three Treasures of Good Fortune" platter, corn and pork rib soup, eight-treasure rice, duck soup...

Wisps of smoke curled and rose, ethereal and misty, as if they were dining in a celestial realm.

One had to admit, city folks really knew how to live.

"Xiao Lin, do you drink?" Director Zhang Yibo picked up the bottle to fill his own glass, looking at Lin Yi with a kindly smile.

"I can drink a little."

"Good! I was afraid you wouldn't drink." Director Zhang stood up, ready to pour a drink for Lin Yi.

Seeing this, Lin Yi hurriedly stood up and said quickly, "Director, I can do it myself."

"Hey, just sit down. Guests are guests; how can I let a guest pour his own drink?" Zhang Yibo pretended to be stern, casting a mock glare at him as he leaned over to pour a glass for Lin Yi.

Lin Yi gave an awkward smile, touched his head, and sat back down, feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Lin Yi, just let him be. This guy has a favor to ask of you. If you don't let him pour the wine, he won't know how to bring it up," Li Xue laughed, ruthlessly exposing Zhang Yibo’s little scheme.

Hearing Director Li Xue’s words, Lin Yi suddenly realized what was going on and found himself both amused and helpless.

So, this was the surprise Li Xue had mentioned?

"Lin Yi, come, cheers! Once I finish this drink, I’ll get straight to the point!" Zhang Yibo raised his glass to Lin Yi.

Lin Yi gave a bitter smile and raised his glass.

Clink!

The two glasses collided.

Zhang Yibo finished his entire glass in one breath.

Seeing the director act so boldly, Lin Yi, not wanting to be outdone, downed his drink in one go as well.

A fiery sensation shot straight to the top of his head!

Damn it, that was rash!

"Cough, cough, cough!" Lin Yi choked, his eyes watering. How... how could this liquor be so strong!

"Hahaha! Lin Yi, Old Zhang here is known for never getting drunk, you shouldn't try to compete with him. Besides, this isn't just any ordinary liquor!" Li Xue laughed, enjoying the spectacle.

"I just thought, since he finished his, it would be rude if I only drank half," Lin Yi replied with an embarrassed smile.

Hearing this, Zhang Yibo nodded slightly, a warm feeling washing over him. A thoughtful young man, neither arrogant nor impatient.

He had feared that since Lin Yi had become famous, he might have gotten carried away.

It seemed he had been wrong.

Perhaps he could even invite Lin Yi to try his hand at acting in one of his films.

"Lin Yi, I'll be direct."

Zhang Yibo refilled his glass, took a large gulp, and continued, "I’m currently directing a film called 'Fleet of Time.' I haven't found a suitable theme song yet. Old Li told me you write songs—you wrote the theme for his TV series, and that song of yours, 'Your Answer,' has been very popular lately."

"So, I thought I’d ask Old Li to make the introduction so we could meet and see if you might be interested in writing it."

"Of course, don't feel too much pressure. Just do your best."

"Fleet of Time"?

Lin Yi suddenly understood. No wonder the cast looked so familiar.

"Could you tell me a bit about the premise of the film and the emotions you want to convey?" In his previous life, he had naturally watched "Fleet of Time," but to avoid seeming too extraordinary, he pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.

"Sure, the film is mainly about..."

After listening carefully to Director Zhang, Lin Yi nodded and said, "So, the film is primarily about expressing nostalgia and reflections on the youth that has faded away."

Many youth films touched on these emotions.

We meet during the beautiful days of our youth, only to eventually lose each other.

The more melodramatic youth films were filled with things like abortions, affairs, love triangles, and car accidents.

"Yes, exactly," Zhang Yibo nodded.

"Do you have paper and a pen?" Lin Yi asked.

Paper and a pen?

Everyone looked at Lin Yi in surprise. Was he planning to write the lyrics and compose the music right there on the spot?

"Lin Yi, you don't need to rush. We still have time," Zhang Yibo said.

"The inspiration has come. It won't be too late for you to decide after you've seen it," Lin Yi said with a smile.

"Alright, I'll have the waiter bring paper and pen immediately." Zhang Yibo was efficient, though he couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.

Writing lyrics and music on the spot—could anything good come of that?

Top-tier songwriters usually spent months, or even a year, agonizing over their work.

Seeing this, Li Xue wanted to say something but held back.

*Forget it, let the kid learn the hard way.*

Ni Ni thought: *Daring to show off in front of Director Zhang? He's got guts!*

Eddie Peng thought: *Is this kid being a bit too arrogant? Well, I suppose he is on a roll right now.*

Lin Yi took the paper and pen, quickly writing down the lyrics and the musical notation.

Four minutes later.

"Director, it's done. Have a look and see if it fits 'Fleet of Time'."

Zhang Yibo took the paper from Lin Yi with a casual, indifferent air, his heart filled with disappointment.

Young people really are just young people!

*Whatever, I'll take a look. It’s a favor to Old Li.* With that thought, he looked down at the lyrics.

*Whoosh!*

Zhang Yibo’s heart suddenly began to race. His eyes burned as he stared at the page, his hands gripping the paper tightly.

This was perfect!

It was exactly what he needed!

Look at how beautifully the lyrics were written!

"If we meet again and can't look at each other with red eyes,

Can we still look at each other with red faces?

Just like that hurried time back then,

Carving out the beautiful lie,

That we would be together forever."

"Old Li! I must be so lucky!" Zhang Yibo grabbed Li Xue’s shoulders, his face flushed with excitement. "This song was tailor-made for my film!"

"Old Zhang, steady on, don't get too excited!" Li Xue discreetly pulled Zhang Yibo’s hands off his shoulders and let out a long breath.

This guy was building his own joy on top of his suffering!

"Lin Yi, what is the title of this song?" Zhang Yibo, oblivious to Li Xue’s reaction, looked at Lin Yi and asked excitedly.

"'Fleet of Time'."

"'Fleet of Time'? The song is called 'Fleet of Time'?" Zhang Yibo’s eyes widened as he stared at Lin Yi.

"Yes."

"Lin Yi, thank you! It seems I was blind before. You truly are a creative genius. I really shouldn't look at you through the lens of an ordinary person," Zhang Yibo said, filled with a complex mix of emotions.

Lin Yi had named the song after the film. Should he offer some kind of gesture in return?

Yes, he certainly should.

After everyone left, he would have a private word with Lin Yi.

"Not at all, I'm just an ordinary person," Lin Yi said sincerely.

"Ah, you're too humble!" Zhang Yibo waved his hand.

"Lin Yi, I never expected you to be so talented!" Ni Ni gave a thumbs up, her face filled with admiration.

Eddie Peng was also looking at him with great respect.

It seemed this kid wasn't arrogant after all—he really had the talent to back it up!