Chapter 68

Lin Min has privately discussed more than once with her husband, Tian Pengfei, expressing how wonderful it would be if their daughter, Song Haowen, could become their son-in-law.

However, now that their daughter has chosen to study abroad, it remains uncertain whether she will return on schedule in two years. Additionally, the four-year age difference between the two raises questions about whether it might become an obstacle to further development in their relationship.

More importantly, they are unaware of their daughter’s thoughts and Song Haowen’s intentions. This matter is not easy to bring up openly and can only be left to time to validate.

At this moment, Tian Pengfei came back with a large bag of braised dishes, complemented by two hot dishes cooked by Lin Min.

The table was suddenly filled with food. Tian Pengfei also took out a bottle of Wuliangye and a bottle of aged wine from the liquor cabinet.

The two men drank spicy liquor while the three women enjoyed sweet wine.

During the meal, Tian Yuxi inquired about the formation of a small band in the studio, and Tian Nana asked Song Haowen for his insights. She had always admired him a bit, finding his words very convincing.

After thinking for a moment about the composition of various bands in his past life, Song Haowen said, “The band should be small and flexible, with a strong mobility and achieving impressive performance. Besides the lead vocalist, we need a rhythm guitar, a lead guitar, a bass, and a drummer. Many popular bands in the West are formed this way.”

Tian Nana nodded. “This is almost exactly what I had in mind. Little brother, it’s a pity you didn’t go to the music academy.”

Tian Yuxi said enviously, “The two of you, one sings and the other writes, and now you’re doing business together in a music studio. You’ll have many opportunities to work together in the future…”

Lin Min and Tian Pengfei exchanged smiles. Lin Min said, “Soon, Xixi will be going abroad, and it will be inconvenient to keep in touch. In the next few days, Nana and Xiaosong, you should come to the house more often to visit Xixi.”

Tian Yuxi said with a touch of sadness, “I’m starting to regret going abroad now. Being alone in a foreign land, without any family or friends around, there’s no one to help with anything, and no one to talk to… If it’s just for studying, I could have learned the same things in my own country.”

“It’s definitely a good thing to study abroad. It broadens your knowledge. Just be careful, blindly admire foreign cultures, and, most importantly, never forget your roots and your country. Regardless of changes, we are still Chinese, and no matter how things change, our race remains the same,” Song Haowen sighed. “Sadly, this year’s batch of government-sponsored students and those who choose to study abroad at their own expense, once they step outside the country, most of them no longer return to their homeland instead stay in foreign land forever.”

Song Haowen’s words left everyone in silence. As they did not share his past life experiences and held simple and pure thoughts, they couldn’t fathom the extent of the corrupting and tempting nature of money and anarchism on human nature.

After a while, Tian Pengfei was the first to break the silence. “The country spends money to send you abroad to learn skills and come back to serve the motherland, not to have you seek refuge in foreign countries and betray your own country for personal gain. Nana, remember, no matter how appealing the material conditions abroad are, once you’ve completed your studies, return to work in your home country as soon as possible. Here, you have your family and your roots.”

Tian Yuxi solemnly promised, “Rest assured, no matter when or where, my first consideration will always be for China.”

Suddenly, in Song Haowen’s mind, echoes of the Hong Kong singer, Zhang Mingmin, singing “My Chinese Heart” during the 1984 Spring Festival Gala resounded.

It was a patriotic song with lyrics by Huang Zhan and music by Wang Fuling. “Xixi, we all believe in you. I’ve recently written a new song, dedicated to those overseas wanderers. You might feel something after listening.”

As soon as Tian Nana heard that Song Haowen had a new piece, her beautiful eyes lit up. “Little brother, what song is it? Sing it for us!”

Tian Yuxi looked at Song Haowen with anticipation. “I want to hear it too!”

Encouraged by Tian Pengfei and Lin Min, they urged Song Haowen to sing the new song for everyone.

With a shameless and composed demeanor, Song Haowen stood up and cleared his throat. “This song is called ‘My Chinese Heart.’ I’ll hum a bit for you all first. Please feel free to criticize and correct.”

Everyone clapped together to show encouragement.

“The rivers and mountains linger in my dreams,

My homeland hasn’t been close for many years,

But no matter what, it can’t change my Chinese heart.

Even if I wear foreign clothes,

My heart is still a Chinese heart,

My ancestors have already stamped everything of mine with the mark of China.

The Yangtze River, the Great Wall, the Yellow Mountains, the Yellow River, weigh heavily in my heart,

No matter when,

No matter where,

They are equally dear to my heart.

The blood flowing in my veins resonates with the sound of China,

Even if I’m in a foreign land, it can’t change my Chinese heart.”

After Song Haowen finished singing, everyone was immersed in the uplifting atmosphere of the song and couldn’t help but be moved. Tian Yuxi and Tian Nana couldn’t help but shed tears, praising, “The song is so good, the lyrics are excellent!”

Excitedly, Tian Yuxi said, “I want to learn this song and sing it abroad.”

Tian Nana said to Song Haowen, “This song suits you best. Tomorrow, take some time to rehearse with me at the dance troupe and release it as soon as possible. This way, our Haona Music Studio will have another hit song.”

Apologizing internally to the original singer Zhang Mingmin, Song Haowen said to Tian Nana, “This song isn’t urgent. Let’s wait until our band is formed and rehearse in the music studio. Once it’s released, it might make a big impact.”

Tian Nana became a bit anxious, “But our band hasn’t even started yet. When will we get to this song?”

Song Haowen, drawing from his knowledge of his past life, knew that the phenomenon known as “JingPiao” (Young professional moving to Beijing) would take a few more years to emerge, and it would be over a decade before it formed a substantial presence.

At this time, the bar culture in Beijing had not yet developed, and many talented musicians, due to staffing issues, couldn’t join official bands, troupes, or dance companies.

They were scattered among the public, but often had genuine passion for music. Given a platform, even if the income was meager, they would willingly join.

“Nana, there’s no need to rush. Let’s take it step by step. You have the two new songs, ‘Your Eyes’ and ‘Seeing Her Again.’ Release them first. Discuss with your mom about renting the studio space, then proceed to apply for a business license. After obtaining the license, we can advertise, openly recruit, purchase equipment… these tasks should be completed in about a month,” Song Haowen advised.

After dinner, Song Haowen and Tian Nana bid farewell and returned home. As it wasn’t on the way, Tian Nana declined Song Haowen’s offer to accompany her, and they each took their own transportation.

Upon reaching the office, Song Haowen saw antique items for retail displayed on the counter. It reminded him that he hadn’t paid attention to his collection treasures for a while.

He opened the safe in his room and carefully admired the Wu King Sword and the Chicken Cup. After placing these two treasures back, he checked some recently acquired Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasty ceramics and antiques in the safe. Thinking about the immense value of these items, he felt quite satisfied.

Next, Song Haowen went to the backyard. To store large collectibles, he had set up a tent in one corner of the yard, measuring twenty to thirty meters, which already contained many Ming and Qing dynasty furniture, golden nanmu wood, large ceramics, jade carvings, and Taihu stones.

Roughly checking them, he couldn’t help but be surprised at how much he had collected in such a short time. He knew that if he had delayed a year or two, these treasures wouldn’t belong to him.

After spending a short time in the yard, he returned to the west room and began organizing the miscellaneous items in the drawers of his office desk. By chance, he found the fake painting he had bought from Aju for three hundred yuan.

Thinking about this graffiti piece being presented as Tang Bohu’s Portrait of Xiuxiang, he found it particularly amusing. At this moment, the haggard image of Amei appeared in his mind, and he couldn’t help but feel a bit concerned.

 He didn’t know about her illness and whether she had continued her studies. He decided to visit her house tomorrow morning and offer help if there were any difficulties.

Song Haowen put the fake painting back in the drawer, then energetically repaired two television sets. Seeing that it was approaching midnight and feeling a bit tired, he set aside his work, washed up, and went to sleep.

The next morning, after arranging matters at the office, Song Haowen went alone to Aju’s house. When he reached the front gate, about to call out, a middle-aged woman he didn’t recognize came out and asked him who he was looking for and what he wanted.

Song Haowen was momentarily stunned, thinking he might be at the wrong place. He checked the alley, the doorplate, and felt it was correct. He then asked if this was Aju’s house.

The woman looked confused for a moment, then said she didn’t recognize. Song Haowen added that she had a thirteen or fourteen-year-old daughter named Amei.

The woman finally understood and said, “Oh, you’re looking for the previous owners of this house? They’ve moved out. We bought this house from them.”

Song Haowen was taken aback by the news. “Do you know where they moved to?”

“I have no idea. All I know is they sold the house to pay off debts,” the woman shook her head.

A sense of disappointment surged in Song Haowen’s heart. If he had known earlier, he could have given them more money. They wouldn’t be homeless now, with Amei being sick. Realizing he wouldn’t get more information from the woman, he reluctantly retraced his steps.

Not far away from the alley exit, Song Haowen met an uncle who stopped him with a loud shout. Seeing the familiarity in the uncle’s face, Song Haowen was trying to recall where he had seen him. Before he could figure it out, the uncle smiled and said, “Young man, remember me? I’m Old Zhang.”

Song Haowen suddenly understood. He grabbed Old Zhang’s hand and said, “I remember now! You’re Aju’s neighbor.”

“Yes, that’s right. What brings you here?” Old Zhang asked with concern.

“I came to see Amei, but unexpectedly, they’ve moved. Do you know where they went? How are they doing now? Is Amei’s illness cured?” Song Haowen poured out his many questions all at once.