Chapter 19: The Perfect Take and the Duet Challenge

Lin Ziyao had already provided the accompaniment. In fact, it required very little processing; all that was needed was for someone to play it once more, and it would be ready for use. Their purpose in coming to the recording studio today was simply to record the lyrics.

As there was only one recording studio available, Lin Ziyao was the first to step in. Qin Yu’s arrangement was intended to give her ample time to perform and adjust her state. Even though Qin Yu had already heard Lin Ziyao’s live performance, it was still possible for her to feel nervous during her first recording session.

Lin Ziyao put on her headphones, then gestured to the staff outside the recording booth, signaling that they could begin.

As the familiar prelude flowed through her headphones, she instantly immersed herself in the performance.

Qin Yu, who had been watching intently from outside the studio, was genuinely astonished. Having heard Lin Ziyao’s initial performance, she hadn’t expected her to achieve the same flawless effect during her very first recording session.

Meanwhile, the sound engineer, staring at the screen, wore a somewhat peculiar expression. This subtle shift in his demeanor did not escape Qin Yu’s notice.

“Is there a problem?” she inquired.

When Qin Yu questioned him, the sound engineer offered a wry smile.

“Such a voice is truly rare,” he said. “There isn’t even a single mistake. It can be used directly after recording, and forget about professional tuning, it doesn’t even need simple touch-ups. Did she perhaps ‘swallow the record’ whole?”

Unaware of the conversation unfolding outside, Lin Ziyao removed her headphones and gazed out the window. When the sound engineer gestured for her to come out, she knew instantly that her recording had passed on the first take.

“How was it?” Lin Ziyao immediately walked over to Qin Yu, eager to show off.

‘That’ll teach you to scare me into thinking I’d be eating bread for lunch,’ she thought to herself.

“Not bad,” Qin Yu replied, offering a slight nod.

She then proceeded to enter the recording studio herself.

Qin Yu’s recording efficiency was also quite high. However, compared to a phenomenon like Lin Ziyao, she still fell a little short; she required three takes to achieve a satisfactory result.

As an observer, Lin Ziyao, however, was lost in thought, her head bowed. She had heard the original song with two different sets of lyrics. While Qin Yu’s voice conveyed conviction, it lacked the persuasive power that could truly inspire listeners to firmly pursue their dreams.

The purpose of this song was to tell listeners to hold firm in their beliefs and chase their aspirations. It was meant to be a gentle push from behind, instilling in them the resolve to move forward.

“It’s quite good; with just a little touch-up, it will be ready for use,” the sound engineer praised Qin Yu as she emerged, taking off his headphones.

Yet, Qin Yu herself emerged with a furrowed brow, seemingly aware of a subtle deficiency in her own singing.

She happened to meet Lin Ziyao, who was still looking down.

“It feels a little different from when I heard you sing it,” Qin Yu said. “Could you sing it for me again?”

“Mhm.” Lin Ziyao didn’t refuse, nodding gently before performing the song once more for Qin Yu.

As the song concluded, the sound engineer spoke slowly.

“Compared to the previous recording, there is indeed something lacking in Qin… Teacher’s song,” he began. “I just find it difficult to articulate exactly what it is.”

It was undeniable that Lin Ziyao’s singing was incredibly captivating. Even the sound engineer, who had only heard the song a few times, vaguely sensed the missing element in the previously recorded vocals.

“Is it the resolve to pursue dreams?” Qin Yu, who had been listening with her eyes closed, opened them and thanked Lin Ziyao.

“Thank you,” she said. “I understand now.”

Qin Yu rose and re-entered the recording studio. Now, she knew precisely what emotions she needed to infuse into her singing.

Donning her headphones, Qin Yu closed her eyes, envisioning the moment she would open them again. As the prelude’s melody began, this time it was different. Her voice, imbued with sincerity and genuine emotion, captivated everyone present, and before she knew it, the recording session was complete.

With profound impact, Qin Yu conveyed the song’s core message of conviction through her powerful vocals.

Outside the recording studio, Lin Ziyao listened as Qin Yu finished the song, a satisfied smile gracing her lips.

When Qin Yu emerged from the studio, Lin Ziyao rose from the resting sofa and handed her a bottle of mineral water.

“Excellent!” she declared.

“I plan to release these two songs after the first episode of the show airs,” Qin Yu explained. She took the mineral water, drank a mouthful, and a droplet escaped her lips, tracing a path down her fair neck before disappearing into her collar.

This strikingly impactful sight made Lin Ziyao’s mind wander instantly.

‘We’re both girls,’ she chanted repeatedly in her mind.

“Are you listening to me?” Noticing Lin Ziyao’s distracted state, Qin Yu raised her voice several octaves, wanting to confirm if her words had been heard.

“Huh? What did you say?” Qin Yu’s elevated tone jolted Lin Ziyao back to attention, but her expression clearly indicated she hadn’t heard a word.

Qin Yu could only sigh softly, then repeated her earlier statement.

“The release date for these two recorded songs has been set for after the first episode of the show airs,” she reiterated. “I’ve already arranged for the company to handle all promotional and distribution matters.”

Lin Ziyao wasn’t well-versed in song distribution, but she understood one fundamental principle: professional tasks should be entrusted to professionals. Therefore, her only task at that moment was to simply nod.

Seeing her agreement, Qin Yu put down her water bottle and, taking Lin Ziyao’s hand, pulled her up from the sofa.

“Then let’s quickly finish recording the last song, ‘Most Dazzling Ethnic Style’!”

Pulled to her feet by Qin Yu, Lin Ziyao was reluctant to stand, her body as soft and springy as jelly, yet unable to maintain her balance.

“If we don’t hurry, you’ll be stuck eating bread in this recording studio for lunch!” At Qin Yu’s words, Lin Ziyao, who had just been struggling to stand, immediately widened her eyes.

She then willingly followed Qin Yu into the studio to record the final song, “Most Dazzling Ethnic Style.”

If she truly had to spend an entire day in the recording studio, Lin Ziyao would be the first to crack.

The song “Most Dazzling Ethnic Style” was originally Lin Ziyao’s idea, intended for a duet with Qin Yu.

However, to ensure the program’s stage effect met expectations, two distinct approaches were used for the song’s main parts during the performance phase. Lin Ziyao and Qin Yu ultimately decided to record and release one version themselves first. Later, they would bring in other guests to record a male and female duet version.

As this song was a duet, Qin Yu’s parts required three or four takes to achieve a satisfactory result, unlike the unusually flawless Lin Ziyao who often nailed it on the first try. Consequently, the recording time for this single song exceeded the combined duration of the previous two.

When they saw the sound engineer outside signal that they were done for the day, Lin Ziyao was the first to emerge, collapsing onto the sofa and grumbling.

“I’m never recording another duet again,” she complained.

“This is what a normal recording process is like,” Qin Yu retorted, emerging right after. “Who gets it right on the first take every single time like you do?” Seeing Lin Ziyao’s ‘humblebragging’ demeanor, Qin Yu’s teeth practically ached with frustration.

The sound engineer, setting down his headphones, addressed them.

“You both worked hard,” he said. “I’ll just need to do a minor touch-up on this song, and it’ll be perfect.”

This signaled that their recording session had been successfully completed.