Chapter 114: Where Has the Time Gone?

Chapter 114: Where Has the Time Gone?

The meaning behind the song titled "Visit Home Often" is unmistakably clear—it serves as a heartfelt reminder to those busy with the hustle of life not to forget the parents who have labored for a lifetime. The song expresses deep care for the elderly, love for parents, and a nostalgic yearning for familial bonds.

The entire piece employs a style close to plain narration, seamlessly weaving everyday details into the lyrics, evoking a sense of warmth and tenderness.

Yang Xin’er’s vocal skills are remarkable. Though it was her first time singing this kind of song, she delivered it with profound emotion.

The song calls for a return to family affection. While it reflects some social issues emerging amid economic progress—such as the growing indifference and neglect of familial love—its true essence lies in revealing people’s yearning and hope for genuine, heartfelt connections.

Elders do not ask for grand contributions from their children; after a lifetime of toil, all they wish for is a reunion filled with harmony.

Elders do not ask for great achievements; after a lifetime of worry, they only seek peace and safety.

The melody and rhythm of this song are simple, with a narrow vocal range and straightforward music. It neither pretends to be sophisticated nor forcedly profound; it lacks ornate language, dazzling techniques, or flashy embellishments. The music is plain and peaceful, sincere and heartfelt, revealing truth through simplicity, carrying a deep love for the elderly.

As the audience listened in front of their televisions, some who, for this or that reason, had not returned home for the New Year, suddenly found tears welling up in the corners of their eyes.

“Visit home often”—this most straightforward phrase conveys the truest expression of familial love. It is both a tearful plea from parents and a lingering hope in the hearts of children working far away; it is the soul of the song and its finishing touch. It stirs strong emotional resonance and inner echoes, touching the pulse of society, reaching deep into people’s hearts, awakening their desire to return home.

Zhang Le’s composition of this song, and having Yang Xin’er perform it on the Spring Festival Gala stage, undoubtedly serves as a release of guilt amid today’s busy lives and the growing rarity of homecomings.

In reminding others, we often remind ourselves.

After all, wasn’t it because he felt ashamed of having achieved nothing that he didn’t return home for the New Year for several years? Even now, he still feels guilty when he thinks about it.

The lyrics are as plain and unpretentious as everyday family conversations—“clattering chopsticks, washing dishes,” “patting backs, rubbing shoulders.” Though seemingly lacking literary merit, they resonate with every child and every parent—indeed, with everyone.

“Did Xiao Le really write this song? It’s so good!” Yu Guihua wiped away tears from her eyes and complained, “Then why does he only focus on work and seldom come home? Every year, he comes and goes in such a rush.”

“The children have grown up and have their own lives. As parents, we can’t always support or hold them back. Xiao Le is doing very well now. No matter how busy he is, he always comes back during the Spring Festival in recent years,” Zhang Yongli said, pulling out a cigarette and putting it to his mouth. After hesitating for a moment, he left the room.

“Can’t you just not smoke? Xin’er is already on stage. Aren’t you afraid of missing Xiao Le’s performance?” Yu Guihua looked at Zhang Yongli as he walked out, then turned her gaze to the child in Lin Yun’s arms and smiled.

Since the child’s birth, Zhang Huan had quit smoking. Zhang Yongsheng, however, had smoked for decades and evidently had a much stronger addiction. Though he had cut down, quitting entirely would not happen overnight.

Yang Xin’er's performance lasted only about three minutes. After finishing and leaving the stage without hesitation, the next performances continued. Yet the phrase “visit home often” lingered persistently in the ears.

“Time flies so fast—another New Year’s Eve is here. Looking back on the past year’s moments, I can’t help but wonder: Where did all my time go? Now that I’ve passed the age of forty, reflecting on the past decades, I ask myself, where has all the time gone?” the host began. “Now, please welcome the renowned young director and singer Zhang Le to perform ‘Where Has the Time Gone?’”

The camera shifted from the host to Zhang Le, who was dressed in a white suit, seated at a piano, clearly ready to accompany himself.

Since the promotion of “Nightclub,” fans saw Zhang Le again and were surprised to find him sporting a beard, lending him a much more mature appearance.

Though Zhang Le’s piano skills were modest, he handled self-accompaniment with ease for this song.

The song allowed plenty of time, and there was no backup dance—this was a solo act in every sense.

As the music began, a series of photographs appeared on the large screen, one by one. Attentive viewers quickly realized these were pictures of a child growing up year by year with his parents.

The child slowly grew older, while the parents gradually aged.

The barren trees in the courtyard bloomed again.

Half a lifetime’s worth of words

Hidden beneath a head full of white hair...

Where has the time gone?

Before fully savoring youth, it’s gone.

Raising children for a lifetime,

All you can think about is their tears and laughter.

Where has the time gone?

Before you even get a good look, your eyes have blurred.

Half a lifetime of daily chores,

In a blink, only wrinkles remain.

...

Zhang Le’s vocal skills had clearly improved. His gentle melody flowed smoothly into the hearts of the audience. The simple yet moving lyrics, delivered with genuine sincerity, stirred deep resonance. The intense call for familial love pierced straight to the soul.

This song shared the same emotional core as Yang Xin’er's “Visit Home Often.” If “Visit Home Often” was a gentle admonition, then “Where Has the Time Gone?” was a blunt, naked question.

Where did the parents’ time go? Half their life was devoted to you—what have you done for them? Perhaps you haven’t even fulfilled the bare minimum of “visiting home often.”

Accompanied by the song and watching the images on the screen, both the live audience and viewers at home found their eyes welling with tears, their hearts heavy and choked with emotion. Some, more fragile, broke down completely in sobs.

This song clearly struck a chord with their deepest vulnerabilities.

Zhang Le had no idea how profoundly his performance had affected people. Besides his genuine liking for the song, his rendition was simply an expression of his feelings—his parents were growing older.

Strictly speaking, this song wasn’t quite suitable for the Spring Festival Gala stage—it was too sorrowful.

Every year, the Gala is filled with joy and celebration. This year was no exception. Zhang Le’s song stood out as somewhat out of place.

Yet, precisely because of this, the song became the highlight of the Gala. Heartfelt performances always win the love of the audience.

“Xiao Le, really! What kind of song is that for the New Year? Why sing something like this?” Yu Guihua wiped her tears and said, now clearly moved even more than when Yang Xin’er sang “Visit Home Often.”

“This song is good!” Zhang Yongli’s eyes were red, though he didn’t shed tears. He took out a cigarette and headed outside. This time, Yu Guihua said nothing.

Backstage after his performance, Zhang Le saw Yang Xin’er’s eyes reddened. She rushed over and hugged him tightly. After a moment, she looked up at him and softly said, “From now on, let’s visit Grandpa and the others often. After all, they’re all in Yanjing.”

“All right!” Zhang Le nodded without hesitation.

This wasn’t Yang Xin’er’s first time hearing this song, but on this New Year’s Eve, it struck her even deeper.