124. Chapter 124 What on Earth Does This Piece Mean? (4K)
“Stinky brat! Didn’t I tell you to stop scrolling TikTok already?!”
“Why can’t you watch something worthwhile?!”
In the courtyard.
Tong Tai was lounging in a rocking chair, cooling off under a tree when he looked up and saw his grandson Wang Ming holding a tablet with excitement all over his face. Tong Tai’s frown deepened.
Being an esteemed composer from Qingjiang Province in the last century, Tong Tai, who is seventy-six years old, has a high status in the music world of the entire Qingjiang.
He was well-known for his sharp vision and sharp remarks, being active on Weibo and gaining a follower count of two hundred thousand. He managed to be popular among both the elderly and young crowds.
With such achievements, Tong Tai was very proud. Which is why he held his late blooming grandchild to high standards!
Except his university-going grandson Wang Ming had absolutely no talent in music.
Fine, we’re still of a musical family afterall!
Whenever he asks him to look at more refined stuff or listen to classical music, Wang Ming just tunes out.
Every day, he would curl up on a chair across from him, mindlessly scrolling through short videos like a fool.
Now, he was chuckling like a moron.
“Heyhey, hehe.”
Wang Ming lay in the chair, watching the screen, and chuckled like a loon.
Tong Tai’s forehead formed three lines of worry.
Probably another stunning beauty again?
Tong Tai knew, the youngsters nowadays were quite bold with their clothes on the internet.
For Wang Ming to laugh so hard, must be pretty good this time around!
“Hehe. Hehehehe.”
Wang Ming kept giggling like a lunatic.
“.”
“Brat! What are you laughing at?!”
Frustrated, Tong Tai stood up from his chair, deciding to check what got his grandson so amused.
He walked over eagerly, stretching his head toward Wang Ming’s tablet.
On the screen—
A room filled with classical air; a young woman was playing cello while another young man next to her was playing piano.
“?”
Tong Tai widened his eyes, almost thinking he was seeing things.
“When did you start understanding these things, brat?”
The guy usually just played games and skipped classes, rarely taking interest in anything. How come he’s suddenly checking out music videos?
Tong Tai had attempted several times to teach Wang Ming some sense about music, but he never listened.
“What? You wouldn’t get it. I’ve been following this blogger for a long time, hehe.”
Wang Ming waved dismissively, grinning.
Isn’t this just a music video?
Why does this brat find it so hilarious?
Tong Tai didn’t understand.
Could this be—
A storyline?
This bow has a greater significance later?
Given how quirky today’s youth are, who knows what they’re capable of filming nowadays…
Tong Tai stood behind Wang Ming, arms crossed, ready to see the video unfold.
Just as he approached, the video had ended on Wang Ming’s tablet.
It was currently looping the second time.
Before long, the melody began to play.
“—”
As the first note drifted out like a ghost, Tong Tai frowned.
He sensed something unusual.
That sound came from a distant past, carrying a haunting solitude.
Like an old man wandering alone on a desolate plain at dusk.
Each step landed on the hearts of the listeners, evoking a sudden sorrow.
Great piece!
Just a tiny bit, and Tong Tai felt his emotions tugging along.
“Turn up the volume, brat, louder!”
Crack went Tong Tai’s hand against Wang Ming’s head.
Scared, Wang Ming’s legs twitched, clutching his aching head.
Tong Tai always instructed him to keep the volume low while watching TikTok outside the room to avoid disturbing him.
But Wang Ming had turned up the volume to max.
The music filled the yard.
“—”
The notes started piling up, like dark clouds before a storm, heavy in the heart.
The technique made each note brim with delicate emotion.
Sometimes sharp, piercing the hidden pain deep in the soul.
At times soft, a heavy sigh telling stories of life’s challenges.
Fantastic instrument!
Fantastic player!
Not only was the composition great, these players were quite impressive.
Listening to it, Tong Tai couldn’t help but marvel.
The composer must have gone through so much pain—
And yet this young musician seemed to capture those depths.
Even Tong Tai felt himself being gripped by an invisible hand, his heart quivering with the melody.
He strolled around the yard as he savored the music.
His feet stepped on fallen leaves, sunset in the distance.
As the music advanced.
A sense of desolation set in.
It felt like standing in the ruins, surrounded by broken walls, amidst war and destruction. Once vibrant dreams, now shattered.
Yet, in that endless sorrow,
Tong Tai somehow felt a hint of philosophical reflection on life.
Finding light in darkness,
Holding onto hope when all seems lost.
“—”
When the music finally ended,
The mournful melody lingered in Tong Tai’s mind, lingering still.
“Awesome, really awesome!”
Tong Tai had retired a few years ago, except for a few important music events, he hadn’t heard music that struck him for a long time.
He was certain—
Never listened to this piece before!
Definitely a new one.
Whose work could this be?
Why hasn’t he heard a thing about it?
This brat has grown!
Found such refined music!
Even news-savvy him hadn’t caught wind of it.
Looks like he has been too strict with his grandchild.
Perhaps, his grandson just needs a little encouragement.
Tong Tai’s face softened as he walked back.
But the video went into a third loop.
And his grandchild was still snickering.
“Listen to music like a normal person, will you? Why do you keep smiling?!”
Tong Tai realized something was amiss.
It was clearly a performance video—
Of a melancholic piece.
How come this brat, just like looking at beauties online, laughs non-stop?!
“Not like that, grandfather—just watch this—”
Wang Ming pointed to the video characters,
“Heyhey, don’t you think they suit each other well?”
“.”
“.”
Tong Tai was speechless.
This seventy-plus-year-old veteran composer, a stalwart of classical music, was…
Riddled with countless medals.
At this moment…
Due to his grandchild’s words.
Stuck by a thousand arrows.
“Brat, you’re listening to a superb piece here, yet you’re just concerned about their chemistry?”
“Stop it! Go clean the damned yard right now!”
With Tong Tai’s shout, Wang Ming sprang from his seat.
“I also can’t understand it if you tell me to listen, okay?!”
With sorrow and indignation.
But Tong Tai glared fiercely.
The brat immediately put down the tablet and fetched a broom.
Picking up the tablet again, Tong Tai replayed the video.
“Midnight and Cat.”
Such familiar names.
Remember it now.
Tong Tai recalled.
Back in the days, he had praised a cello player named Gan Yan Yu on his social media.
That player gained attention for performing a piece called “Midnight and Cat”.
So this must be a duo: “Midnight” is the composer and pianist, while “Cat” is the cellist?
Wrong!
He observed the video’s “cat.”
As a seasoned critic, Tong Tai had a keen eye for performers.
That cat’s technique,
Resembled Gan Yan Yu’s.
The same immersive performance, the same powerful expressiveness.
Ah, this makes sense—
Excitement surged through Tong Tai.
What excited him wasn’t Gan Yan Yu;
It was the mysterious “Midnight.”
If his hunch was right,
“Midnight” might be the unknown piano accompanist that played beside Gan Yan Yu;
A high school student!
“Heroes emerge while the boys are young.”
Tong Tai marveled, seated in his chair.
What hardships must this kid have endured to write such sorrowful music?
Unless he had truly experienced war,
Maybe losing everything, or losing loved ones.
But a genius’s inner world is unpredictable.
Seeing such talent, Tong Tai felt proud of the classical music community,
But also an overwhelming sense of inadequacy.
Thinking of his university-going brat, the feeling grew stronger.
Many great composers were lucky if they had one or two classic works.
Not Tong Tai himself, who could count his own on one hand.
Even as a high schooler, “Midnight” had achieved heights unattainable to many in a lifetime.
Fortunately, “Midnight and Cat” already had over two million followers.
This showed their talent wasn’t forgotten by today’s world.
That made Tong Tai feel relieved.
Entering the music industry was surely just a matter of time.
But thinking of his grandchild’s behavior earlier,
Tong Tai grew angry.
Who knows, perhaps many viewers were just like him!
Young people these days, acting crazy!
What a great piece!
Instead of appreciating it properly, they’re fixated on whether the characters suit each other!
Putting himself in the shoes of their viewpoint, Tong Tai was infuriated.
He stormed back to his study, turning on his computer.
And started typing an essay on Weibo!
After “Midnight and Cat”‘s new work, “E Minor Cello Concerto,” was released on Bilibili and TikTok,
It sparked discussions online as expected.
But this time around, unlike usual,
Though many still remained indifferent,
Others genuinely wanted to know what the piece represented.
“d*mn, this time Moonlight really gave us something complex, I can’t comprehend!”
“Seeker of knowledge, musically-inclined mate, can someone explain what the hell this piece is about?”
“Me, who studies music, also can’t get it!”
“It feels so depressing, sad, but if you ask me to describe it, I can’t…”
Of course, some netizens claimed to have grown up with Moonlight’s pieces, boasting improved musical taste.
They started making wild guesses.
“The theme must be about a knight protecting a princess, sacrificing for love! Isn’t it just like training, swearing loyalty?”
“Too small-minded! Imagine if the knight was a soldier and the princess was the nation?”
“You’re all pretenders with wrong assumptions! You need to relate the piece to Moonlight’s older ones!”
“Still, it’s awkward, it doesn’t beat Cat crying inside under Moonlight’s influence.”
Netizens debated fervently,
Elevating “What’s the Story Behind ‘E Minor Cello Concerto’?” to a trending topic online.
Just like marvel movie fans discussing plot twists every time a new film is released.
Only this time around, the discussion was classier.
Many content creators even shared videos discussing their interpretations of the piece.
Until—
An influential figure emerged.
In an ignored corner,
“Composer Tong Tai” posted a new Weibo update, directly tying back to “E Minor Cello Concerto!”
Title: “A Journey Through the Soul”
“As most of you know, due to my reputation, I usually just comment on performances, staying clear about commenting on composers.
But this one…Wow. It truly shook me.
‘Midnight’s E Minor Cello Concerto’ on TikTok was absolutely incredible!”
“First hearing it, it felt like a distant, ethereal voice, evoking sadness.
Visualizing war-torn scenes, struggling lives under iron hooves…”
“Listening again, I perceived strength in the dark, finding hope in despair.”
“Especially the variation in the latter part, breathtaking!”
“Great piece indeed!”
“After all, I’m not the composer, just sharing feelings. Any feedback is welcome. Truly recommend anyone to give it a listen.”
Upon posting, it immediately attracted massive views.
Professional critiques!
Can’t deny they have the facts!
Like hitting the jackpot in a prediction contest.
Those who guessed correctly before were ecstatic as if guessing the final questions in the College Entrance Exam.
“See? I told you! Listening to Moonlight’s music improves your taste!”
(To be continued…)
