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墨書 Inktalez
As the first day of the tenth month on the Lunar Calendar arrived, known in our northern region as the Cold Clothing Festival, it was a day dedicated to honoring our ancestors. On this day, people would offer cold clothing to their departed loved ones, expressing their longing and remembrance.
This time, I had directly asked a courier to bring a full load of offerings from "over there." The Duty Elder led me into the room opposite, where I respectfully lit incense and knelt to bow my head. I felt as if the old lady was smiling at me.
In the past days, I no longer had to handle the rituals alone. Whenever I felt tired, weary, or hungry from blowing my instrument, he would call at just the right moment: "Girl, it's time to eat!" Whenever I fell silent, my phone screen would light up at the perfect time.
Thumbs up, tea, coffee, flowers... various emojis flooded in without cost (well, they truly were free), satisfying my vanity. Twenty-four hours a day, no matter when I played, there was always someone there to accompany me. Of course, the one who did so the most was that old lady; she would often interrupt me:
"Stop! Breathe deeply here; exhale steadily. Let your breath flow evenly through the Suona."
"Do it again. Your fingers are nimble and accurate, but make sure to cover the holes tightly so that clear notes can be produced."
"Remember, slides, trills, and tonguing will make the music richer in variation and emotion."
In her presence, I no longer dared to consider myself "this young lady."
Director Xiao called: "Xiao Wang, have you registered for the graduate program at Yanjing Music Academy?"
Of course I had! I replied, "Thank you for your concern, Director. My application has already been approved! How about Xiao Bing's registration?"
Director Xiao paused for a moment: "He... has also registered..."
It made sense; with both of us being of similar skill levels, if I registered, Xiao Bing would feel challenged and threatened.
When it came time for professional exams and interviews in Beijing, Jiang Xiaoli called: "Ni Ni, a good sister can't miss an important moment for her friend. I'll accompany you to Yanjing! Surprised? Unexpected?"
Staying at the music academy's guesthouse, Jiang Xiaoli insisted that I play "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" for her first to ensure everything was in order.
I played it for her; she looked delighted: "That was amazing!"
Was it really? The folks in our community were almost ready to tear me apart; with Jiang Xiaoli's level of expertise, she could hear many flaws. Why did she have to flatter me insincerely? Was she afraid of hurting my confidence?
The professional exam allowed observers; besides accompanying parents and teachers, many students from the school attended as well.
I must say that "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" is indeed a classic among Suona pieces. Throughout the exam period, I heard it over and over again. But I had to admit that Xiao Bing played exceptionally well.
Jiang Xiaoli sat below excitedly applauding.
"The next contestant is Wang Nini from..."
I took the stage with the Suona in hand.
As the sound of the Suona resonated, a melody that was both sorrowful and expressive flowed like a clear spring. The notes seemed to transform into dewdrops glistening under the moonlight, pure and transparent, falling gently upon my heart.
Below, Director Xiao, Xiao Bing, and Jiang Xiaoli exchanged glances in confusion. Why wasn’t I playing "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix"?
With controlled breath and nimble fingers, the emotions within the piece poured forth; each note was filled with power, conveying deep sorrow and lament. I tilted my head back and reached the climax, the Suona's voice rising like a wailing storm, pushing emotions to their peak.
As I bowed deeply at the end, the music gradually settled into tranquility, leaving an endless aftertaste and contemplation.
After the performance, there was a profound silence on stage; even the host offered no cue. For over thirty seconds, the chief examiner stood up to applaud, and soon after, thunderous applause erupted from the audience.
Director Xiao, Xiao Bing, and Jiang Xiaoli must have been so astonished by my performance that they forgot to clap. I hadn’t played "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix," but rather a Suona rendition of "Moonlight over the Second Spring."
Returning to the guesthouse, Jiang Xiaoli asked, “Why didn’t you play 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix'?”
“Did I ever say I would play it? Ever since you pointed out my shortcomings last time you visited me, I decided to abandon that piece.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?”
“You didn’t ask either,” I said as I put my arm around her shoulders. “I know you care about me; don’t be upset. Isn’t it the outcome that matters?”
Jiang Xiaoli seemed to snap out of her daze but smiled weakly. “Right, the process isn’t important; it’s all about the results.”
Dinner was with Director Xiao and his son, who treated us to roast duck.
Director Xiao held my hand in encouragement. “Xiao Wang performed exceptionally well! Tomorrow’s interview is equally important; make sure to get some rest!”
As we approached the elevator, Jiang Xiaoli suddenly stepped out. “You go ahead; I’ll grab us some milk tea.”
Thinking about today’s performance made me excited as I sang and danced around my room.
Jiang Xiaoli returned with two cups of milk tea. “They’re both with pearls; this one’s for you, and this one’s mine.”
To be honest, even plain water would taste sweet right now.
As Jiang Xiaoli went into the bathroom, I picked up my milk tea just as my phone lit up with a message: “No drinking!”
When I arrived at the examination venue alone, Director Xiao looked surprised. “Where’s Xiao Jiang?”
I replied, “She wasn’t feeling well; she was taken away by the school hospital last night. But the doctor said it wasn’t serious; she just needs to rest.”
Before heading to Yanjing Music Academy for registration, I visited the small community where I once lived. The duty officer smiled broadly at me and gave me a thumbs-up. “Girl is this!”
I quickly replied humbly, "It's all thanks to my grandparents and uncles and aunts taking care of me."
In the room across from the one I rented, I respectfully offered incense and bowed my head. "Grandma, I'll come to see you whenever I have time!"
Messages danced across my phone screen:
"At least you have some conscience, Girl!"
"You've been worth the trouble for the past six months!"
I got up with a playful grin and made a face at Duty Elder. "Sir, could you step aside for a moment? I need to have a private chat with Grandma."
Once Duty Elder left the room, I held up a photo and asked, "Grandma, have you seen my grandpa over there?"
That aged voice roared in my ear, "Get lost! Stop bothering me. How could someone as steady as your grandfather end up with a granddaughter like you?"
The photo showed Grandma as Grandpa's youthful sweetheart. On the night before her wedding, she gave herself to him.
The elder on duty was my father's half-brother.
Grandma Fang married the second-rate son of Ban Master, but after giving birth to my uncle, she passed away in sorrow.
Ban Master remarried and had another son.
My step-grandmother treated my uncle poorly, so he left home with Grandma Fang's ashes when he grew up.
We were relatives who had never met before, unexpectedly encountering each other here.
Ban Master's second grandson was exceptionally talented, especially in music. He later became a university teacher and department head, and his son inherited his musical genes. The family had high hopes for him.
By the way, Ban Master's surname is Xiao.
Jiang Xiaoli is the underground girlfriend of Xiao Bing.
I accidentally swapped my cup of milk tea with hers; she ended up throwing up and having diarrhea.
The national Intangible Cultural Heritage organization contacted me, urging me to actively apply for the national "Suona" recognition as an "Intangible Cultural Heritage" and international "Intangible Cultural Heritage." They mentioned that a committee member from our province had engaged in some shady dealings that led to my grandfather being dismissed at the provincial level.
They also said that this committee member's surname was Xiao and had done unspeakable things to get his son into school. He was already under investigation by the relevant authorities.
(The End)
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