Chapter 247: The Wondrous Intergenerational Inheritance

Starlight bathed every childhood; storms swept through every corner of the world.

Behind the stage, Wang Jing, Li Mo, Yuan Zheng, and several other female singers who had not yet performed, along with those who had already finished, listened intently to the children's performance on stage.

As they listened, they discussed: this song is incredible—lyrics are powerful, melody is exquisite, and its meaning is profoundly significant!

Yuan Zheng joked: "This duet should've been placed last—how are we supposed to follow that?"

Li Mo: "Exactly! Thank goodness I'm not next."

Wang Jing frowned: "..."

Unlike the others' enthusiastic discussion, Cheng Lin felt only gloom—everyone had become famous through the album *The Children of the Choir*, so why hadn't Wei Ming ever considered letting her sing *The Same Song* too?

With her musical expertise, she was certain this song would sweep across the entire nation, and Cai Guoqing and Xia Lin, those two children, would become known to every household in China because of it.

Such an opportunity had slipped right past her!

And though she would take the stage too, it was only to support Senior Li Mo from the Navy's troupe—how could that compare to Cai Guoqing and Xia Lin stealing the spotlight?

"The same feelings gave us the same longing; the same joy gave us the same song—the same song~"

After the song ended, the audience erupted in thunderous applause; some spectators had already clapped their palms red during earlier songs and when Old Liu appeared, yet they kept clapping now, even if it meant swelling their hands, determined to let these children feel their passion and affection.

What a vibrant, loving, and heartfelt song!

Sha Qing, one of the organizers, was deeply moved by the audience's reaction—he had made the wisest decision of all: inviting Wei Ming to write the song!

In the VIP section, Wei Jiefang was clapping when someone tapped him on the back; he turned around.

"Oh! Shufen!"

Xu Shufen had finally sneaked over on tiptoes, with no seat, she squatted on the floor.

Seeing her, Wu Zuoren and Xiao Shufang were stunned—he really was Wei Ming's father!

This writer Wei really took after his mother more—he doesn't resemble his father at all.

With Xu Shufen here, Wei Jiefang could finally prove he was his son's father.

Xu Shufen didn't ask why he hadn't told anyone he was coming back, nor why he suddenly appeared here—she only asked: "Are you hungry?"

The roasted chicken from the train had long been digested; Old Wei nodded: "A little."

Xu Shufen smiled and pulled out a large chunk of chocolate from her pocket.

"This was meant for Xizi and Lele, but I borrowed it to tide you over—we've got an hour left, just snack on it."

Old Wei took a bite and offered one to his wife; they passed it back and forth, and Wu Zuoren and his wife felt the two of them were sweeter than the chocolate.

A spectator behind them, watching this scene, grew hungry; then a new performer stepped on stage, and the spectator immediately clapped and shouted, "Good!"—the sudden cry startled Old Wei and his wife.

Old Wei turned to look at the handsome man with a large round face.

The round-faced man grinned, slightly embarrassed yet proud, pointing at the stage: "That's my sister."

The singer on stage was Wang Jing from the General Political Department Opera Troupe; she was, loosely speaking, a colleague of Gong Yu from the General Political Department Drama Troupe—they'd once shared a dormitory. Her song was *Take My Heart, Carry My Song*.

After Wang Jing finished singing, her brother Wang Gang asked Wei Jiefang: "Comrade, are you really Wei Ming's father?"

Wu Zuoren quickly added: "He is—I can vouch for it."

Only then did Xu Shufen notice their neighbor was present; blushing, she introduced the two famous painter couple to Old Wei.

Wang Gang hurried to greet Wu Zuoren—so celebrities all lived together, huh?

He himself was somewhat famous, but people knew his voice far better than his face.

Wang Gang told Wei Jiefang: "I've got a special connection with Writer Wei Ming—I'm a broadcaster and once narrated his novel *Er Niu* for the People's Radio and Television Station."

Old Wei slapped his thigh: "That's why your voice sounded familiar! Yes, yes—it's you! I've heard you! I just came back from the *Er Niu* set—I was giving performance guidance there."

This lofty title had been invented by Wu Tianming to pacify him, and sure enough, Wang Gang was awed—he never imagined Wei Ming's father was such a big shot, capable of directing performances!

So now, when songs played, they listened; when they didn't, they chatted. Wang Gang, a Northerner and storyteller, was a talkative man; one boasted, the other praised, and with Wei Jiefang, he felt like Heshen facing Emperor Qianlong.

When the show officially ended, Xu Shufen told Old Wei: "Our son asked us to meet him by the big tree on the right side of the entrance."

"Alright, but first I need to help this little girl wheel the old man out."

"Yes, let's go together."

Wu Zuoren and his wife accompanied them partway.

Because they exited through a special passage, Old Wei and his wife came out earlier; Wei Anping and the others emerged a while later.

Wei Anping had a hundred questions, but Wei Jiefang spoke first: "Where's my son?"

Wei Hong: "My brother was invited backstage—he took Lele with him."

Wei Jiefang laughed: "Of course—he's part of the music world now; it's good he meets people."

Wei Anping: "Then how do you know people from the music world? Like Senior Liu Xue'an?"

Wei Hong: "Yeah, when we saw you on stage, we said, 'He looks just like Dad!'"

Wei Jiefang laughed heartily: "I don't know anyone—I just helped push the wheelchair, then followed them in, stumbled onto the stage by accident."

Lü Xiaoyan smiled: "Big brother, you're a lucky man—you don't have to worry! Your wife is beautiful and virtuous, your son is outstanding, your daughter got into Peking University's hardest major, today's show will air on CCTV, and you'll even be on TV yourself!"

Hearing Lü Xiaoyan's words and seeing his own son Wei Xi with snot running down his nose, Wei Anping felt his position as director meant nothing—he was worse off than his uneducated brother.

And hearing he might appear on TV, Old Wei wished he could electrify the village right now so every villager could watch the television!

At that moment, Yunyun nudged Mei Wenhua, who stepped forward and called out: "Uncle-in-law."

He used to call him "Uncle," but now that they'd married, though they hadn't yet asked the parents to change their terms, all other familial titles had been updated.

Old Wei chuckled: "Our Yunyun is such a wonderful girl—I never thought you'd get her! But from the moment I met you, I knew you were someone special. Now look at you—your business is huge, I even saw reports about your shop back in the mountains!"

"Really?"

"Your aunt sent the newspaper."

"Oh."

Speaking of this, Xu Shufen remembered her catering business.

It was getting late, and Wei Ming hadn't emerged yet; Xu Shufen told Wei Anping and Mei Wenhua to go ahead, while she and Old Wei waited for Wei Ming—they could walk home together afterward. Lele had already agreed to spend the night with Brother Ming and learn songs from him.

While waiting for her son, Xu Shufen told Old Wei about her future plans.

"If you want to return to our hometown, I'll go with you. If you don't, we'll stay with our son and daughter—I can still cook for the staff and earn money. You can help me, otherwise our son won't let me work—he's afraid I'll tire myself out."

As for grain rations, with Wei Ming's wealth, this was no longer an issue.

Wei Hong held one of them by each arm: "Dad, just stay here—the capital is wonderful!"

It was wonderful, but Old Wei truly hated to leave behind his livestock—many he'd delivered himself and raised from birth; during the shoot, his greatest worry was whether they'd be properly cared for.

But seeing Xiao Hong's hopeful face, he said: "Let me think about it—we'll go back home first, then decide after we return."

Xu Shufen asked: "When will we go back?"

"In a few days—we'll go first to prepare, then when National Day holiday comes, Xiao Hong can go back with her brother."

Wei Hong knew her father meant the delayed graduation celebration.

Speaking of the celebration, Old Wei patted his pocket—he needed money to make it grand, but he had none, so he'd have to ask his son.

His son wasn't short of money, but asking him for cash at his age felt shameful—even if he had to ask, it should be for his own father's money!

I wonder if Old Old Wei made a fortune in Hong Kong, and if he took a second wife.

Old Wei's thoughts drifted—he felt a bit guilty about mooching off his son, but mooching off his father felt perfectly justified—it was compensation for thirty years of absent fatherly love.

Just then, Wei Ming returned, carrying Lele; the little girl was still excited, humming a tune.

Earlier, Wei Ming had mainly taken photos with the singers, especially the children like Wang Fei and Cai Guoqing—these photos would one day be treasures for fans to dig up.

At the Overseas Chinese Apartment, Wei Jiefang stepped into an urban apartment building for the first time—wow, this was much bigger than Wei Anping's place, with no sense of confinement or oppression.

Inside, what interested him most was the television—but when he turned it on, only static appeared; there were no programs left.

He asked his son: "When will I appear on TV?"

Wei Ming: "I asked—they said it'll air tomorrow night, but only in the Beijing area. Nationwide broadcast will come during National Day."

Old Wei chuckled: "Then I'll be watching closely tomorrow."

"Jiefang, come here," Xu Shufen called Old Wei to the bathroom to teach him how to use the flush toilet and other modern conveniences.

Wei Ming began teaching his three sisters *The Same Song*; soon they were singing better than he was.

The next day, Wei Ming returned Lele to her home, then went with Xiao Hong to school for work and classes.

Xu Shufen took Old Wei to see the Sihe Academy his son had bought beside the Forbidden City—Old Wei had long wanted to see it.

Living next to the Emperor himself—what incredible ability his son has!

"Hey, you've got a car?"

"My son bought it—you ride, I'll sit."

In the past, when they went out, they rode donkey carts; Old Wei thought bicycles were worse—he had to pedal himself. If only Beijing allowed livestock.

Arriving at Beichi, they turned into his son's home; Old Wei estimated: "The courtyard's smaller than ours, but there are more rooms—all around are rooms!"

"Yes, Xiao Ming said he wants to keep a dog in the yard for guarding—he asked you to help him find one."

Old Wei: "Easy—I'll find one for him when we go back."

After touring, Old Wei said: "If our son ever gets a wife, we won't live with them—we'll move into this little courtyard ourselves, grow some vegetables, how nice."

Speaking of his son's future wife, Xu Shufen sighed.

There were things she'd kept inside, never told anyone—but now that her husband was back, she couldn't hold them in any longer.

"What's wrong, Shufen? Is our son still hung up on that overseas student girl? If so, just send him abroad too—go chase her back!"

"Hung up? He forgot her completely," Xu Shufen checked the door was locked, then fearlessly exposed some of Wei Ming's improper romantic entanglements.

"Remember when I first went to Peking University to find Xiao Ming? I told you two gorgeous girls came to see him—like fairies, just a bit older?"

"I remember."

Xu Shufen: "One's Gong Yu, from Shanghai; the other's Zhu Lin, from Beijing—both actresses. If you go to your son's clothing store in Xidan, you'll see two giant posters outside—left is Gong Yu, right is Zhu Lin."

Wei Jiefang caught on: "So our son... is involved with both of them?"

Xu Shufen sighed regretfully; if there had been just one, even if the person was older, she'd have been delighted—but two? What was she supposed to do?

"Really? Is this kid that talented?" Old Wei had noticed nothing, thinking his son was a serious fellow. "Did he admit it to you?"

Xu Shufen: "How could I possibly confront him directly? The kid's shy—he'd be upset inside."

"Then how are you so sure?"

Xu Shufen: "Have you noticed the bedroom here? The sheets, blankets, pillows—all red. And Gong Yu has a key to this place. I once caught her here—she treated it like her own home."

"Ah!"

Xu Shufen: "And that girl named Zhu Lin—I found her employee badge under my son's bed."

"Oh my!"

With these two discoveries, Old Wei felt the evidence was solid.

"I've always been faithful—how could my child turn out like this?" Old Wei lamented, yet couldn't help a flicker of pride—after all, his son had his charm.

Xu Shufen looked at her husband: "Who knows who he takes after?"

Seeing his wife's skeptical gaze, Old Wei hurriedly said: "Definitely not from me—you know what kind of man I am."

Old Wei, flustered, blurted: "I think it must be from his grandfather. If there's generational affection, there must be generational inheritance."

Xu Shufen blinked: "What about your father?"

Old Wei quickly clamped his mouth shut. If Old Old Wei had passed away, he might've spoken—but he was still alive. Better to say nothing.

"Nothing much. When he was young, he was famous in the neighborhood for his good looks—lots of romantic luck."

He dared not say he'd once seen Old Old Wei hugging and cuddling with Ping'an's mother when he was eight.

This secret must die with him—especially never let Ping'an know. Otherwise, they might never speak again.

Hong Kong.

Old Ghost sneezed. Who was talking about him?

Beside him, Liu Bin shook hands with the fat man across from them and said in Cantonese: "Pleasure doing business."

After making money, several shareholders of Dongfang Xintiandi dared not expand, fearing to cross the eight-employee threshold. But Haoli Lai, even before earning enough to open a branch, followed Liu Bin's advice and applied for a loan to rent the neighboring shop, expanding operations.

Old Ghost clapped Liu Bin on the shoulder: "Ah Bin, I never misjudged you—you're truly cut out for business. I'll raise your salary next month."

"Thank you, Uncle Gui."

"Keep working hard—grow big, grow strong."

Liu Bin: "We'll create new glory!"

Back at the shop, it was afternoon. Few customers: a bald man, a glasses-wearing kid, and a thin man. Zhou Ma handled the accounts, while a female server from the north served them their dishes.

Though their meal was simple, the three were brimming with ambition—as if about to accomplish something grand.

The bald man said to the glasses-wearer and the thin man: "Today our company is officially founded. I hope to bring something fresh to Hong Kong's film scene. We're starting with our debut film—what ideas do you have?"

The thin man pulled out a script: "This is a script by Fa Guofei—he wants to direct it himself."

The glasses-wearer slurped fish balls and asked: "What genre?"

"Comedy. A bit Chaplin-style," the thin man said.

The bald man laughed: "No surprise—Fa Guofei always goes for the highbrow stuff. Let me see."

He took it and saw the title on the cover: "The Funny Era," written by Wu Yusan.

The fifteenth moon is fullest on the sixteenth.

Yesterday was Mid-Autumn, today the sixteenth—the moon tonight was especially round.

A few days later, Wei Ming finally saw Zhu Lin again.

Yesterday she'd been with her parents; the day before, she'd attended her goddaughter's first birthday banquet.

"Today in the Beiyingchang cafeteria, I heard many people talking about this New Star Concert—and they all mentioned your new song, 'The Same Song,' right?"

"Mm. I don't even know if it'll be performed today." Wei Ming queued normally with Zhu Lin; their tickets weren't VIP—they were ordinary ones.

This concert was being broadcast live on CCTV. Sitting up front, the chance of Xue Jie seeing him was too high—she'd written before about watching Zuo Tian Yazhi's concert on CCTV and spotting herself, even mentioning Zhu Lin's name.

"Some people who got tickets act so proud; those without feel miserable. I didn't even dare say I had one—afraid they'd ask me to pull strings."

Wei Ming smiled: "I get tickets pretty easily—if you let me pull strings."

Zhu Lin didn't understand at first, correcting him: "It's me who needs to pull strings from you."

"Right, right."

Zhu Lin, having worked in pharmaceuticals, quickly realized what he meant. She pinched his waist softly—damn brat, I'm not letting you off that easy!

Wei Ming winced and changed the subject: "Actually, not getting a ticket doesn't matter—today it's on TV."

"Ah, really?"

"Mm."

"Then my parents can watch too."

Wei Ming smiled: "My dad's waiting to watch too."

At the Overseas Apartment, Old Wei had already eaten dinner with his wife and sat before the TV, waiting for his TV debut.

But after waiting a long time, he got nothing—the concert had been edited. When he pushed the wheelchair onstage, the camera showed only a wide shot—his face was invisible.

Then a close-up—right on Liu Lao's face.

Throughout the entire segment, only glimpses of Old Wei's clothes appeared—no sign he was involved at all.

Old Wei fumed: "How could they do this? I pushed the wheelchair—I contributed! Why not show my face?"

Xu Shufen joined in criticizing CCTV with her husband. When Old Wei calmed down a bit, she whispered: "Could it be… your hair was too messy and unattractive?"

Old Wei: "..."

He regretted it—he'd changed his clothes but never fixed his hair.

Zhu Lin: "Your hair looks so shiny today!"

After sitting down, Zhu Lin noticed.

Wei Ming: "I used Sidankang."

It's a date—be formal.

Zhu Lin muttered under her breath: "Show-off."

In truth, she'd applied all the overseas cosmetics Wei Ming had given her. Though he hadn't said anything, he'd noticed—her lips today were unusually red and lush, likely borrowed from the film crew's makeup artist.

Wei Ming had only one thought: I'm going to kiss you senseless later!

The earlier performances were brilliant—the same singers, but nearly all had switched songs. Seeing half the show pass without "The Same Song," Wei Ming truly feared Zhu Lin wouldn't see it.

But just before the end, Wang Fei, Cai Guoqing, and their teammates took the stage—the melody of "The Same Song" rang out again.

The production team had followed the singers' advice from yesterday and placed the duet at the finale.

Though the audience's hands and voices were tired from hours of clapping and singing, they still gave the song full respect and affection.

Especially Zhu Lin—she clapped fiercely, filled with pride. Though not a music professional, from a listener's perspective, this song and "On the Hopeful Field" were both national anthems!

Of course—they'd originally been composed for the 1990 Beijing Asian Games, then performed on the Spring Festival Gala the next year, appearing at countless major events.

After the concert ended, Wei Ming took Zhu Lin back to Beiyingchang and kissed her senseless.

Zhu Lin finally held Wei Ming close for a long while, then asked: "When will the Tuanjiehu apartment be ready?"

Wei Ming replied firmly: "After National Day!"

The next day, reports on the New Star Concert began appearing. Beijing audiences who'd already watched the broadcast were eager for details about the songs, singers, and behind-the-scenes stories—and rushed to buy related newspapers.

When Wei Ming entered the library, Teacher Lin was holding a copy of the Beijing Evening News. As the event's organizer, the Evening News devoted an entire four-page section to reporting the concert's success—"singer" was now officially on the table.

The paper also ran an ad: the two nights' concerts would be recorded as live albums. No doubt—it would be another million-selling album. Wei Ming would earn dozens more yuan.

He set music aside for now and focused on his writing. In half a day, he penned 4, 00 words—pen flowing like magic.

At lunch, he saw colleagues carrying newly purchased magazines. Seeing the new issue of "Shouhuo," he intercepted one immediately.

"Let me see what big works are in this issue..."

(Today's minimum)

(End of chapter)