[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-rising-in-1979":3,"chapter-rising-in-1979-rising-in-1979-chapter-107":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Rising in 1979",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2260815,4412,"Chapter 107: Where Is Spring? (Guaranteed First Update—Request Monthly Tickets!)","rising-in-1979-chapter-107",107,"\u003Cp>“Very good, you sang well. Everyone, take a break.” With those words from Teacher Gu, the girls in the choir immediately scattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, she noticed a flash of fiery red at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stepped out immediately and saw the British exchange student who often swapped tapes with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time she had someone else with her—tall, handsome, dressed in a way that didn’t quite match Melinda, yet his aura suited her perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teacher Gu, this is my friend Wei Ming. He’s very interested in your music.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, Gu Jianfen. I’ve heard your name,” she said to Wei Ming. She’d been at Peking University long enough to know this legendary figure was practically a household name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, Teacher Gu,” Wei Ming said, though he’d already suspected, he was still stunned to see her in person. “You teach at Peking University?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then why weren’t the musicians produced by Peking University as good as those from Tsinghua?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman standing before him, Teacher Gu Jianfen, was arguably the most famous teacher and composer in mainland China’s music scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her musical works included “Young Friends Meet,” “The Great River Flows East,” “Mother in the Candlelight,” “The Little Girl Picking Mushrooms,” “Songs and Smiles,” “The Sky of History,” and more—though none of these had been written yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her students included Mao Amin, Na Ying, Dong Wenhua, Sun Nan, and others; Liu Huan had also received her guidance, each of them exceptionally skilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jianfen waved her hand. “I’m not really a teacher. I’m just at Peking University to experience life. I eat in the school cafeteria and occasionally help adjust the choir’s tuning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Experience life?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded. “After returning from my research trip to South America, I wanted to write campus songs that young people would like. These are rare in our country. If we don’t write them, foreign songs will inevitably come in—there’s no stopping them, just like the songs Melinda brought. Even if you don’t understand the words, you know they’re good music. Who wouldn’t love them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder she was called the matriarch of music—she was likely among the first to realize this, perhaps because her travels abroad had broadened her perspective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming pointed to the tape in his hand. “We heard a melody at the end—is that a song you’ve already composed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jianfen glanced at the tape. “Oh, the poet Gao Feng wrote a poem called ‘The Campus Morning’ during a walk at Liaoning University and asked me to set it to music. But it’s still unfinished.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has the finished version been completed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jianfen nodded and called over a female student to demonstrate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Along the familiar campus path, I come to read beneath the trees at dawn...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although this song was far less famous than Gu Jianfen’s later masterpieces, it spread widely in the 1980s thanks to the hit duo Wang Jieshi\u002FXie Lishi, which is why Wei Ming still remembered it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jianfen carefully observed Melinda, but saw no look of awe—only polite smiles. She knew there was still a gap with the outside world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just a matter of skill—it was a gap in mindset. Abroad, there were already so many genres of pop music, while domestically, even the Hong Kong and Taiwan styles were still hard to accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recently, she’d heard Li Gu’s song “Nostalgia for the Hometown.” She loved it—it was a documentary soundtrack, and ordinary people loved it too—but some in the industry were already calling it “decadent music,” as if preparing to target it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just now, the Peking University singer had performed too seriously, lacking liveliness and ease, always stiff, as if singing were some sacred, monumental act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this was already the best she could find here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lack of new-generation singers was a major problem in today’s music scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jianfen turned to Wei Ming, who was deep in thought. “What do you think of this song, Writer Wei?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming said: “Teacher Gu, have you ever thought of having children sing this song?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jianfen thought for a moment. “The song is about school—children could sing it. I never considered it before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming beamed. “Teacher Gu, wait for me—I’ll go find you a little singer right away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over an hour later, Wei Ming returned, accompanied by a little boy and girl, both around four years old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming had run over to help Aunt Wang pick up her grandson, asked her to cover for him again, told her she could use the recorder freely, drink any tea she liked, pick up the red hair at will, and even brought the kids some White Rabbit candies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Gu pointed at the twins and teased: “A boy-girl duet? But they’re so young!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming moved Xi Zi aside and focused on Le Le. “I mean this little sister of mine. She has serious musical talent—she learns any song after hearing it once, and sings it with perfect pitch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jianfen thought for a moment, pulled out a tape, and played the earlier recording of “The Campus Morning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Le Le listened intently. Since it was more complex than ordinary children’s songs and each line longer, she listened three times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While she listened, her brother was having fun with Melinda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melinda noticed his curiosity about her red hair, so she let him braid it—he was good at it, having braided Le Le’s hair before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Done,” Le Le nodded to Brother Ming, then began to sing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Le Le opened her mouth, a flash of surprise crossed Gu Jianfen’s face—she missed a few words, but her pitch was astonishingly accurate!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then she shook her head. Too young. Her voice was still childish. At this age, singing children’s songs was fine, but expecting her to revive the music scene? Impossible. The industry couldn’t wait ten years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So after Le Le finished, Gu Jianfen smiled and encouraged the child: “You’re Le Le, right? Nice to meet you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming said: “Teacher Gu, why not take her as your student?” She laughed. “How can I teach someone so young? She can’t even train her voice yet. We’ll wait until she grows up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming had hoped Le Le could claim the title of Gu Jianfen’s first disciple—so if she ever entered the music scene, she wouldn’t be rootless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added: “Then how about taking me on as your student?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You, a famous writer, want to learn singing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “My voice isn’t great. I want to learn how to compose music.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Compose music?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I can write lyrics, but I can’t compose melodies. I want to learn from you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming remembered asking Le Le over twenty years later: “You’re beautiful and can sing, play instruments, and perform—why didn’t you pursue music? Didn’t Uncle stop you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Le Le shook her head. “Brother, I did place in the Youth Singing Competition, but I only sang other people’s songs. I had no connections in the industry, and I had high standards—I refused to grovel. Finding a good song was too hard. So I just became a teacher.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming thought: Maybe I should write songs for Le Le. After all, he was a seasoned karaoke king with a huge repertoire—and it could earn him extra money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jianfen became interested in Wei Ming. “Oh? Have you written any lyrics before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming: “I didn’t bring them. Let me rewrite one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quickly, paper and pen were ready. Wei Ming wrote a very familiar children’s song: “Where is spring? Where is spring?... And the little yellow oriole sings, ‘Dili lili lili dili li...’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of the “dili lili lili dili li” part, this song was also called “Dili Dili,” not “Bili Bili.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jianfen exclaimed in delight: “Interesting. Do you have a melody for it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many lyricists had their own immature melodies, which they used as reference when composing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Wei Ming sang it out. Each line he sang, Le Le imitated beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jianfen’s lips twitched. This—this was already highly mature! It could be released right away—and even had the potential to become a classic!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Ming, can I sing it once?” Le Le tugged at Wei Ming’s sleeve, bursting with eagerness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sure, go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Le Le sang it perfectly after hearing it just once, her voice perfectly matching the tune—like a little yellow oriole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jianfen burst into applause. “Perfect match! Absolutely perfect!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming smiled. “So can I study under you now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jianfen: “Let’s learn from each other. And I’ll take this little one too—I’ll start by teaching her instruments and music theory, then later train her voice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming thought this was perfect—soon, Mao Amin, Na Ying, and all the others would have to call little Le Le “Senior Sister!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Wei Anping arrived. Wei Ming had met Xiao Yan’s aunt at the kindergarten; she was going shopping, so even though Wei Ming hadn’t explained anything, he’d taken her away, leaving only the address of Nange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Anping came looking when he realized his son and daughter hadn’t returned home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Ming checked the time—it was late. Aunt Wang must be eager to get home. He said to Wei Anping: “Uncle, you discuss becoming a disciple with Teacher Gu. I have to go to work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he led Melinda, her head full of braids, away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Anping knew Gu Jianfen—he’d even stamped her application when she came to Peking University to experience campus life. But becoming a disciple? What did that mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about to ask when he saw Xi Zi grinning at him, his mouth black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Anping blinked. “Xi Zi, did you eat poop?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xi Zi beamed proudly. “It’s chocolate!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red-haired sister had given it to him. She was such a kind person!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Gu Jianfen told Wei Anping what had just happened: “So you’re the parent? Then what we just discussed was just playful talk—you’re the one who must decide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Studying music is good—it cultivates character. Teacher Gu, you’re a master, of course we’re delighted to have you teach. But what about tuition?” The situation had come too suddenly; Wei Anping was still stunned, but he knew becoming a disciple required a gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tuition? I don’t spend anything. It’s just that Le Le is so young—sometimes you’ll need to pick her up and drop her off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, that’s nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also,” Gu Jianfen handed him the lyrics Wei Ming had written, “this song has already been heard by many people. It should be published as soon as possible—submit it to ‘Lyrics Magazine’ or any other music journal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Anping put it away, planning to deliver it to his nephew tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back home, Lü Xiaoyan, still in her apron, looked stunned. “What? My daughter has a master?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Anping: “Daughter, sing your father the song Brother Ming wrote for you. Wife, just listen—it’s amazing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is spring? Where is spring...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1811,"2026-06-19T16:30:57.111Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ca9c42744dd963ea55836cfa68bd384e3b623bc1ee0e178cb3a110bfdf535f96","rising-in-1979-chapter-108","rising-in-1979-chapter-106",509,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Frising-in-1979-cover.jpg"]