Chapter 167 "The Train Rides Beyond the Clouds, Dreams Find Peace in the Ninth Heaven"

Peking University

Shi Shi came to class today and handed the song to Principal Li.

Li Tongqiang was somewhat surprised; it was submitted almost a month ahead of schedule? He took a look, and his eyes were immediately glued to it—"My Future Is Not a Dream."

Shishi didn't want to finish so early, but she'll be very busy from now on. She needs to prepare for international competitions, discuss the musical style of "Peace Wish" with Jiang Haichao, and oversee Lou Xiaoting's album recording.

Fortunately, Shi's father recommended two more songwriters, and now she has assigned the scattered songwriting and arrangement work to her employees.

It's not impossible for her to take action.

You have to pay more!

She thoughtfully wrote out the sheet music so Li Tongqiang could understand it at a glance. The lyrics were good, and the melody was nice too. However, he wasn't a professional musician. He needed to show it to others for their feedback.

"You've put a lot of effort into this, thank you for your hard work. Payment can only be made after the song is approved. Would you be interested in singing it yourself?"

Is this an attempt to freeload off her fame? Dream on.

Shi Shi's mind changed. "It's better to share happiness than to enjoy it alone," she thought, "so why not drag everyone down with us?"

"This song represents the image of Peking University, but it's too inadequate for me to sing it alone. How about we have so many outstanding alumni over the years? Let's have a relay-style singing session, ending with a grand student chorus. It would be very moving. If this song is chosen in the end, please consider it."

Kyoto University's distinguished alumni are active in various industries. While not all of them are industry leaders, they are all pillars of society. If there were an opportunity to bring all these people together, it would be a great chance for her to expand her network.

Fu Yingzhou held a high social position, but his official duties limited him from excessive social interaction. Seeing that Li Tongqiang was somewhat interested, Shi Shi gave him another push.

"President, Peking University has a long-standing reputation and a solid foundation. Now that we live in the internet age, we also need to do some marketing. Instead of doing some empty marketing like other second- or third-rate schools, we should use our famous alumni as examples and let our achievements speak for themselves. After all, going to university is also about planning for future employment."

Li Tongqiang nodded and said to Shi Shi with a smile, "That's a great idea. If Principal Wang knew how clever you are, he would be very happy."

Principal Wang is the top leader of the entire Peking University.

"Look at what you're saying. No matter how well the boatman steers the boat, he still has to rely on the helmsman to control the direction. Look at the word 'judgment,' doesn't it mean that judgment comes first and decision comes later?"

No one dislikes being flattered, provided you do it naturally.

Li Tongqiang laughed even harder. He patted Shi Shi on the shoulder and said, "You! Okay, I'll report this song and your ideas to Principal Wang right away and see what he thinks."

Shi Shi smiled and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Principal. I'm sure Principal Wang has a visionary perspective and will approve of this plan."

Because Shi Shi was already a tenured employee, her participation in the World Music Competition was considered a temporary assignment. Li Tongqiang naturally knew about this, but he also sensed the higher-ups' intention to keep a low profile. After offering a few words of encouragement, they parted ways.

As soon as Shi Shi stepped out of the principal's office, she received a call from Fu Yingzhou. "Shi Shi, are you done with work? Let's have lunch together."

Shi Shi was in a great mood. "Great, everything's going smoothly on my end."

Upon arriving at the restaurant, Shi Shi couldn't wait to share her ideas with Fu Yingzhou. After listening, Fu Yingzhou smiled and said, "You're quick-witted. You can promote the school and expand your network at the same time, killing two birds with one stone. However, contacting those alumni won't be an easy task."

After all, those real big shots and well-known alumni of Peking University are just the most inconspicuous identities for them.

Shi Shi said confidently, "I'm not afraid. Even if I don't expand my network, I won't lose anything. The company is operating very well in all aspects. I'm just preparing for the future."

Fu Yingzhou looked at her with doting eyes, "Okay, I support you."

He was not at all dissatisfied with Shi Shi's ambition; on the contrary, he felt that it was a very positive spirit.

The only downside was that his girlfriend was too busy. After dinner, Shi Shi went back to the studio to supervise Lou Xiaoting's recording.

The song we recorded today is "The train heads towards the clouds, and the dream finds peace in the heavens." Shi Shi had Fu Jizhou and the others incorporate the instrumental parts into the program, so Lou Xiaoting only needed to record it in the studio.

Shi Shi stood outside the shed with a cold expression, while Wu Yinglei next to her felt that the geothermal heat had turned into geothermal cold.

The recording studio door was carefully pushed open, and Lou Xiaoting peeked out. He walked up to Shi Shi as if he was about to be criticized.

Is this time alright?

"Six times already! And you keep making the same mistake on the same issue. Are you sure you have a human brain?"

The first two times, Shishi was in a good mood, but when Lou Xiaoting kept falling into the same pit, even the best temper couldn't stand it anymore.

Hearing him swear, Wu Yinglei silently took a step back. At that moment, Shi Shi's face overlapped with Professor Shi's. He recalled what his teacher had said to them at graduation, and his heart ached. Professor Shi had told them, "I don't ask you to achieve great things, I only ask that when you embarrass yourselves outside, you don't say that I taught you."

It can only be said that like father, like daughter.

At this point, Shishi no longer had the energy to scold him. After all, Lou Xiaoting's problem wasn't technical, but rather that the emotional state of the entire song was off.

She pointed to the stool next to her, gesturing for Lou Xiaoting to sit down. Lou Xiaoting had originally planned to put on a tea ceremony performance while recording, to annoy Fu Zhixu. But ever since he started recording, he had no other thoughts on such matters.

This was the first time in his life that he felt that recording songs was also a physically demanding task.

He sat cautiously on only one side of the stool, with his hands on his knees, as obedient as a primary school student.

"What do you think this song is trying to express most?" Shi Shi asked. The two of them must agree on the core of the song, otherwise they will only end up with a song that is neither fish nor fowl.

Lou Xiaoting also wanted to achieve perfection. He thought about it carefully for a moment and tentatively replied.

"I think this song is contradictory."

Shishi raised her chin, signaling him to continue.

"The intense rock melody is accompanied by poetic lyrics. The lyrics are both despondent and hopeful. I think this song reflects the weariness and struggle of reality."

After saying this, Lou Xiaoting looked at Shi Shi, after all, she was the original creator.

"You're right and wrong. This song doesn't simply express pessimism or optimism, but rather blends the two, acknowledging the bitterness of life while still choosing to believe in the continuation of life and the rebirth of hope."

Lou Xiaoting leaned forward slightly, making it clear that he was all ears.