IDOL PRODUCER 2 - DISCONTINUED

9.

Later that morning, I had to go to Li Ronghao's class for vocal lessons. Practically everyone had them in the afternoon but, as I was the only one in A rank, they decided I would do it in the morning.

When I arrived there, Li Ronghao was playing his song <Li Bai> on the piano warming up his voice. He was going to stop when he saw me, but I asked him to continue and he did. He eventually asked me if I knew the lyrics to the song and when I said yes, he asked me to sing along with him.

It was a strange yet magical moment for me to be singing that song with the teacher as it was a song I truly loved to listen to before I left home. It talked about not really wanting to do what other people wanted and just going for what you truly desire. To be able to sing that with Li Ronghao himself made me feel a certain warmth inside me that eventually led me to get teary eyes, yet no tears came out.

"I see you really know the song. Do you like it?" He asked me. 

"It is one of my favourite songs," I confessed. "I used to listen to this a lot when I was younger. I feel really blessed I was able to sing it with you."

"Blessed? Do you like it that much?" He asked me jokingly but I nodded. "Really?"

"As you already know, I ran away from home. Your song was one of the things that made me want to follow my dreams and start training to be an artist," I explained. "My family wasn't supportive of my dream and everyone told me there was only a one in a million chance and that I should study a certain degree at university. I owe you all of this in a way."

What happened next not only shocked me but the directors and cameramen there too. Li Ronghao stood up from the piano stool and embraced me in a tight hug.

"I am really sorry for all that has happened to you, but I am glad I was one of the reasons you chose this path," he told me and I shed a single tear. "I'm not used to hearing this type of things from young people, but I'm really thankful."

He then pulled away and saw the tear running down my cheek before wiping it with his thumb and going back to the piano stool.

"We should get to work now, don't you think?" He said smiling and I nodded. "May I hear you one first time? Even if you miss a beat or get something wrong, continue singing."

He then began playing the song on the piano and I sang along, also doing the hands part of the dance as a way to rehearse both things.

My vocal range allowed me to sing the song comfortably, something that I knew some of the boys couldn't do. I had memorised the lyrics easily which let me actually enjoy the song without having to focus on remembering them.

"That was really good," he told me. "I see you have already memorised the lyrics."

"I decided to learn them as soon as possible to actually be able to enjoy and understand the performance," I told him.

"I think that was a really good idea," he agreed. "If I have to point out something, I would say that you maybe can transition into head voice during the chorus instead of pulling up chest voice. It will allow you to deliver the notes a lot more clearly and to not hurt your throat if you rehearse it a lot."

"Alright, let me try again," I said before singing it following his advice.

It indeed felt a lot more comfortable than what I did before, so I was thankful for his advice. I hadn't been able to focus on vocal technique as I was more thorough with remembering the song, so I was glad he pointed it out.

"I think that's pretty much it. Well done!" He told me and I bowed. "If you continue with this attitude I'm sure you will make it to A again. I normally don't say this to not get your hopes up, but I honestly feel that way."

"Thank you, teacher. I promise to not disappoint you," I told him bowing.

°°°

As the class had ended earlier than expected, I took the opportunity to go to the canteen first and eat before the rest of the boys came. They normally all ate at the same time, so I was almost certain I wouldn't meet them.

Suddenly, though, Guan Yue from B rank came in.

"Oh, you are here!" He said with his signature bright smile when he saw me. "Jia Yi said you had class with Li Ronghao now."

"It finished early as I was the only one," I answered. "How come are you here already?"

"I was very distracted while rehearsing, so I decided to stop for a while," he told me and sat down in front of me. "You are friendlier than I thought."

"Why do you all keep saying that?! Do I look like a monster to all of you?" I joked. "Do I have devil horns coming out of my skull?"

"It's just that you have a strong demeanor and the only girl here," he answered. "Don't worry. You have no horns."

"What had you all worried and distracted, by the way? If you don't mind me knowing, of course."

"It's just... I'm worried about my mom and I can't even call her," he told me.

"I know I shouldn't be saying this, but why don't you try sneaking out and calling her from a cabin if it is really urgent," I suggested. "Or ask the staff. If you explain them the reason why I think they'll let you."

"That wouldn't work since my mother's deaf," he said.

"Sorry, I didn't know..."

"Don't worry, it's okay," he answered.

"Let's cheer you up, okay? What you need now is to forget about it and relax," I said. "When do you have your class?"

"At six, why?" He wondered.

"It's a surprise!" I said before leaving the canteen.