Chapter 21: Unveiling the Songs

Just as Lin Ziyao was about to delve deeper into her thoughts, the fork was gently pulled away from her lips, interrupting her contemplation.

“I’m full!” Qin Yu declared, gathering the scattered cutlery in front of her before rising to return it.

Unbeknownst to Lin Ziyao, a delicate flush had crept onto Qin Yu’s cheeks. Her recent action felt like an impulsive decision, made in a sudden rush of heat.

Fortunately, Qin Yu’s gesture of feeding had been swift. She had retrieved the fork before any other dining employees could even take notice of the situation.

Only the two of them were privy to that fleeting moment.

Not long after, Lin Ziyao also finished all the food she had taken. With her task now complete, she divested herself of her mental burden, allowing herself to truly savor the meal without having to prioritize how to accomplish her objective.

As she finished clearing her own utensils, preparing to return them, Lin Ziyao noticed Qin Yu standing nearby, engaged in a phone call.

“Alright, I’ll ask for her opinion first!” Qin Yu murmured. Perhaps perceiving Lin Ziyao’s approach, she gave a slight nod and discretely ended the call, tucking her phone away.

Lin Ziyao set down her tray and inquired, “Is something the matter?”

“Penguin Music has coordinated an interview,” Qin Yu explained succinctly. “They wish to release it simultaneously with our songs’ official launch and wanted to gauge our interest.”

Typically, such interviews serve as behind-the-scenes glimpses, released concurrently with the songs to maximize promotional impact.

“Should we inform Director Chen?” Unfamiliar with the intricacies of interviews, Lin Ziyao sought Qin Yu’s opinion. Strictly speaking, they were still members of the production team and bound by confidentiality, so she worried about inadvertently divulging any sensitive information during the interview.

“There’s no such necessity,” Qin Yu patiently explained to Lin Ziyao. “Strictly speaking, only two songs have been featured in the program. Furthermore, ‘Invisible Wings,’ which is being officially released this time, will only come out after the first episode airs, so it will pose no problem.”

This arrangement to release the songs first had been discussed and approved by Director Chen. Later, once the variety show filming concludes, Director Chen would schedule a time to shoot the music video, thereby mitigating any risk of information leakage.

Moreover, according to Qin Yu’s understanding, Director Chen had capitalized on the recent holiday to cut a captivating trailer. The song “Most Dazzling Ethnic Style” had already garnered significant attention, with audiences eagerly anticipating the show’s premiere. Furthermore, there was still one unfeatured song from the first episode. Given that Lin Ziyao was currently his prized asset, this minor risk of a leak was negligible to him.

“If there are no conflicting arrangements this afternoon, then let’s agree to proceed,” Lin Ziyao mused after hearing Qin Yu’s explanation.

After all, this was a distribution channel arranged by Qin Yu’s company. Given their interest in an interview, it would be unwise to decline without good reason.

Upon hearing Lin Ziyao’s response, Qin Yu retrieved her phone. “Then I’ll make a return call,” she said, “and ask them to secure a room for us.”

Lin Ziyao promptly arrived at the designated room, where a representative from Penguin Music was already present, patiently awaiting their arrival.

“Hello, I’m Qian Fang, a reporter from Penguin Music,” she introduced herself. Upon seeing Qin Yu enter, Qian Fang addressed her first, then offered a polite nod to Lin Ziyao.

In Qian Fang’s estimation, this song release was undoubtedly centered around Qin Yu. The woman beside her, she surmised, was merely capitalizing on Qin Yu’s momentum. Consequently, Qian Fang had placed the primary focus of her interview squarely on Qin Yu from the outset.

With pleasantries exchanged, Qian Fang then commenced the interview.

“Miss Qin,” Qian Fang began, her pen poised to transcribe, “I’d like to ask what sentiments guided you in the creation of your new song?” This was, after all, the popular idol’s second release since her debut, holding immense appeal for her devoted fanbase.

“If it pertains to this question,” Qin Yu pondered for a moment, “perhaps it would be better for her to answer.” She then directed her gaze to the person beside her.

Qin Yu’s words piqued Qian Fang’s curiosity. Her eyes instinctively followed the direction of Qin Yu’s words, turning to Lin Ziyao, who was seated beside her.

Lin Ziyao, who had been anticipating remaining in the background, was unexpectedly brought into the spotlight. She cast a brief glance at Qin Yu, who had just pushed her to the forefront. “Qin Yu’s new song is imbued with a profound belief in pursuing dreams,” she began. “It aims to instill the message in listeners that they should never abandon their aspirations. As for the specific feelings it was written with?”

Lin Ziyao briefly paused, darting a glance at Qin Yu beside her. She certainly couldn’t reveal that it was a bargaining chip for their collaboration.

Composing herself, she continued, “This song embodies the journey of pursuing one’s dreams, moving forward with steadfast belief.”

Qian Fang listened, diligently taking notes as Lin Ziyao spoke. When she finally set down her pen, she encapsulated, “So, the entire song is imbued with a spirit of encouragement, inspiring people to advance towards their dreams with unwavering belief?”

In response to Qian Fang’s question, Lin Ziyao readily affirmed the statement. “That is precisely why this song is aptly named ‘The Original Dream’.”

“It encourages those who hear its melody to advance towards their aspirations, while simultaneously reminding them not to forget their initial dreams.”

This song, composed by Miyuki Nakajima and re-lyricized by Yao Ruolong, was precisely Lin Ziyao’s offering to Qin Yu.

As Qin Yu had delegated the answer to Lin Ziyao, the notation in Qian Fang’s notebook still attributed the explanation to Qin Yu.

Regarding Lin Ziyao, who was accompanying Qin Yu, Qian Fang did not typically follow variety programs. She merely knew they were both guests on the same show and that this simultaneous single release meant Lin Ziyao was merely a beneficiary of the same promotional wave.

Furthermore, the company had coordinated with Penguin to arrange distribution channels. They had dispatched a reporter immediately to expedite the creation of promotional materials before the first episode of the variety show aired. Qian Fang herself had only listened to a few preliminary versions of the songs, and the comprehensive song data had not yet been provided to her.

“Then, Miss Lin Ziyao,” Qian Fang continued, “your song, titled ‘Invisible Wings,’ seems to have a perceived connection with Miss Qin Yu’s lyrics?”

Qian Fang turned her gaze to the young woman seated beside Qin Yu, scrutinizing her. Black, smooth long hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her long eyelashes fluttered gracefully. Upon closer inspection, her appearance was strikingly comparable to Qin Yu’s. However, having just concentrated solely on Qin Yu, Qian Fang had inadvertently overlooked her.

As she truly noticed Lin Ziyao’s appearance, Qian Fang couldn’t help but inwardly marvel that she was yet another exquisite piece of jade. With meticulous refinement and time, there was no telling how many would eventually fall under her captivating spell.

Lin Ziyao had anticipated Qian Fang’s query. Originally, the two songs inherently lacked significant connection, but their simultaneous release had fortuitously established one.

Of course, it was unthinkable to disclose that now. Thus, she began, “Both of these are inspirational anthems. As the lyrics suggest, ‘Unless you find yourself at a critical juncture, you won’t realize that persevering individuals possess invisible wings.’ Here, ‘persevering individuals’ directly corresponds to the ‘I’ in ‘Invisible Wings’.”

Having spoken, she shifted into a more comfortable position, leaning back against the chair.

Subsequently, Qian Fang posed several additional questions, all of which Qin Yu answered. She conscientiously noted each response, and imperceptibly, the interview unfurled towards its conclusion.

“One final question,” Qian Fang stated. “I’ve listened to both of your songs, and their quality is truly exceptional. Is there any particular significance behind your decision to simultaneously release two singles with inherently similar core themes?”