Chapter Sixty-Five: "Show-Offs"—A Song for Tormenting the Lonely

Listening to a singer’s studio-recorded CD and experiencing a live performance are two entirely different experiences.

This difference must be understood at its core: for true musicians, recording sessions are often painful, while live performances are pure enjoyment.

Generally speaking, singers prefer live shows for their authenticity, spontaneity, and the fact that no moment can ever be replicated. Every performer who truly loves music pours their heart into each live moment, interpreting their current understanding of a song with all sincerity. That’s why, at a concert, you don’t just hear a singer’s remarkable skills—you feel their unique emotions.

That is the true magic of music.

Another enchanting aspect of live music is the unforeseen coincidences that arise. Take, for example, the recent mishap with the violin goddess—her chaotic playing should have been a disaster, but instead, it sparked a series of impromptu solos from the other masters.

Each artist unleashed their emotions in that instant. If you were to replay the recording, you’d be deeply moved, as if you were wandering an unfamiliar street and suddenly heard a song you once loved.

Sadly, such encounters cannot be recreated. Yet, that ephemeral quality is precisely what moves every musician present, leaving many wiping away tears.

If you love music, you must attend at least one concert in your lifetime.

...

“Who was that on stage just now…? How have I never heard of such a person before? I thought he was just playing around during the soundcheck, so I didn’t pay attention at first, but now I’m full of regret!”

A middle-aged flutist was on the verge of tears.

A perfect performance, so revered among musicians, is the kind of thing you can boast about for years if you’re lucky enough to experience it. But he had botched his part completely.

“Oh, so you were the troublemaker at the start!”

Everyone around him shot him disdainful looks.

Professionals are hypersensitive to pitch and scales—any flaw, no matter how minor, stands out like a sore thumb.

Moments ago, many musicians wanted to restart, but seeing the young man on stage so immersed in his singing, they didn’t have the heart to interrupt. Besides, the young man’s brilliance easily overshadowed any minor imperfections.

“It really wasn’t because I lack professionalism, brothers… It’s just that before I flew to Jiangnan Province last night, I spent the whole evening…doing my marital duties…”

Realizing his professionalism was being called into question, the man hurried to explain.

As soon as he spoke, a chorus of empathetic sighs rose up. Who among them hadn’t spent the night engaged in such “duties” before scurrying out of the lion’s den?

Of course, this excluded the elders present—well, perhaps with a few exceptions.

...

“Hurry and ask if that young man wants to sing anything else. With such a rare state of inspiration today, we’ll all play as his backing band for free.”

Someone urged the staff, hoping Ren Qian would perform a few more songs to keep the mood alive.

This kind of opportunity was too rare to waste.

Ren Qian, upon hearing the message relayed by the staff, was secretly delighted.

He had worried at first that these old-timers would be aloof and proud. Who would have thought they’d be so playful? He liked it!

But what should he sing next?

He decided to pick a song to dedicate to the nurse he liked.

After finishing here, he’d bring some red wine back, prepare a romantic candlelit dinner, get her tipsy, and then…

Here… Here…

At this thought, Ren Qian couldn’t help but let a smile curl at his lips. He’d been fantasizing about the nurse for a long time, but lacked the protagonist’s aura to act on it.

Now, he was ready to reclaim his manly vigor!

Since force wasn’t an option, he’d rely on the traditional virtues of subtle scheming.

With a mind already plotting, Ren Qian wasted no time. He grabbed pen and paper and began to write at a furious pace.

He’d performed this song hundreds of times and knew every beat by heart. All he needed to do was jot down the music, arrange it once more, and have the musicians practice a couple of times before going on stage.

Ten minutes later, Ren Qian stood once again at the edge of the stage, stepping onto the circular platform as the spotlight followed his every move.

The intro was so lively and mischievous that it made people want to laugh.

The staff, who had been bracing themselves for a tearful performance, were caught off guard and ended up snorting with laughter.

Awkward as it was, this prelude was infectious—it made him want to throw off his work equipment and dance along to the joyful music…

As the intro progressed, Ren Qian completely let go, excitement building at the thought of the romantic evening ahead.

The song was "I Dote on You" by the legendary Sam Hui—a title that means spoiling someone to the point they can’t take care of themselves.

It’s a cheerful, sweet tune, perfect for weddings or coaxing a girlfriend. Its effect is unparalleled!

Of course, if you’re feeling particularly wicked, you could interpret “I Dote on You” as “Let’s go tease the single folks together.”

“I dote on you~
If you behave, I’ll dote on you~
Hand in hand, let’s go tease the singles on the street~
Let’s fly a kite on the rooftop~”

The lyrics are highly conversational.

But there’s no denying Sam Hui’s talent for both songwriting and composition. The lyrics, though straightforward, exude a sweet honesty. Coupled with the bouncy melody that’s especially cruel to singles, it’s practically their kryptonite.

The gist of the song is:

Let’s go tease the singles~
Let me take you to tease the singles~
We’ll link pinkies and parade down the street, teasing all the singles~
We’ll go up to the rooftop to fly a kite and tease the singles~

“I dote on you
No need to say it, I just dote on you~
At home I’ll have my camera ready~
To film you lying there~”

Let’s go tease the singles~
Don’t say a word, I’ll take you to tease them~
Whenever we go out, I’ll bring a camera to capture your beauty, then go tease the singles with it~

“…I dote on you~ (kiss, kiss)
Absolutely, I dote on you~ (kiss, kiss)
Absolutely, I dote on you~ (kiss, kiss)
Poor souls~ I dote on you~ (kiss, kiss)”

The ending is a tenfold critical hit!

This is no longer just teasing—it’s utter devastation.

Even the most saccharine love songs don’t go as far as to simulate the sound of couples kissing.

Each “kiss” is a blow to the single-hearted.

But truly, it’s a joyous, sweet song—romantic in a refreshing, lighthearted way, never cloying.

Sam Hui’s brilliance is evident.

When the song ended, the veteran musicians felt as if a great weight had been lifted—how embarrassing! How shameful!

...

“So this is the musical director the ‘I Am a Singer’ producers invited? This is the standard of his singing? Heh, if I hadn’t already signed the contract, I’d want to quit the show right now. Let’s hope Jiangnan TV won’t let this kid ruin their golden reputation…”

A snide, sarcastic voice echoed through the suddenly silent studio, dripping with self-importance.

Everyone turned to glare at this attention-seeking upstart.

The song’s style was exactly as it was meant to be, and to question the arrangement or the singer’s ability because of that was simply the mark of a fool.

A song that could have easily descended into kitsch had instead been rendered fresh and romantic. Such command of the stage and expressive power was undeniable.

Since he was here to cause trouble, he’d have to be chased out with a stick!

All the old musicians looked at him with undisguised hostility.