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The times were changing, society was progressing, and the influence of modern civilization was everywhere. The Mongols, who had once lived a nomadic life for generations upon generations, were also gradually changing their way of life.
Many young people from the tribes had left. They went to the bustling big cities to make their fortunes, to see the even more exciting world beyond the grasslands. Some never returned once they left, while others eventually came back home again.
But whether it was for those who had departed or those who still remained steadfast on this land, the great grassland would forever be their home, their roots, an attachment and spiritual anchor that could never be erased no matter how many mountains and rivers lay between them.
And wasn't that exactly what Lu Chen's song "Beautiful Grassland, My Home" was expressing?
That was why it struck the herdsmen with such overwhelming force, piercing straight into their hearts and shaking their very souls.
For a long time, none of them could calm their emotions.
"Good!"
Uncle Qiyan's roar startled the people who were still immersed in the song.
Holding a large bowl of kumis in his hands, he strode up to Lu Chen and said in a deep voice, "Young man, this is the finest song I, Qiyan, have ever heard in my life. This bowl of wine is my toast to you!"
Gegen Tana's father was a true Mongolian man, broad-shouldered and powerfully built, with a rugged appearance, a square dark-reddish face, thick beard and hair, fierce and imposing in every movement. He naturally carried the aura of a tough grassland warrior.
But the way he looked at Lu Chen was filled entirely with admiration.
Lu Chen quickly set down the morin khuur and accepted the huge silver bowl with both hands.
Uncle Qiyan was the owner of this hunting ground, equivalent to the tribal chief. Since he personally offered Lu Chen a toast, even if drinking it meant getting drunk on the spot, refusing was not an option.
Fortunately, kumis was a low-alcohol drink, mild and not particularly intoxicating. Lu Chen raised the silver bowl to his lips and drained it in one breath without spilling a single drop.
"Good!"
Uncle Qiyan loudly praised him again and gave Lu Chen a thumbs-up, while the surrounding herdsmen burst into cheers.
With his performance, Lu Chen had completely won over these proud and unruly men of the grasslands.
Watching from not far away, Zhang Ke sighed inwardly with emotion. Although he was a film director rather than a music professional, his understanding of music far surpassed that of ordinary people.
He had never heard the song "Beautiful Grassland, My Home" before. Yet a work with such beautiful melody and touching lyrics could not possibly have remained unknown if it already existed.
There was only one explanation:
Lu Chen had composed it himself, improvising it after arriving on the Mongolian grasslands.
In the entertainment industry, Lu Chen was famous precisely for his songwriting talent and was hailed as the number one singer-songwriter among the younger generation.
What astonishing talent!
Zhang Ke had met many capable and talented young people, but Lu Chen undoubtedly left the deepest impression on him.
At that moment, a new idea suddenly appeared in the great director's mind.
Uncle Qiyan asked, "Young man, who wrote this song you sang?"
"His name is Lu Chen, he's Sister Fei'er's boyfriend!"
At that moment, Gegen Tana suddenly popped out and exposed Lu Chen's identity. Looking at him with eyes full of admiration, she asked eagerly, "Brother Lu Chen, this song is so beautiful! Can you teach it to me? I want to sing it for all the grassland people at this year's White Festival gathering!"
The "White Festival" was the grandest and most important annual festival of the Mongols, equivalent to the Spring Festival. Beginning on the first day of the first lunar month, people visited each other to exchange greetings and drinks, feast together, and indulge in singing, dancing, and entertainment to celebrate peace, health, and prosperity for the coming year.
Uncle Qiyan chuckled as he rubbed his daughter's head.
She was the precious jewel he cherished most.
Lu Chen smiled and said, "I wrote this song. If you really like it, then I'll let you sing it."
"Really?"
Gegen Tana was both surprised and delighted. Clapping her hands, she exclaimed, "That's wonderful!"
Her laughter rang out like silver bells, filled with joy and happiness.
Quite a few people in the film crew looked at Gegen Tana differently now, because she clearly had no idea that in the entertainment industry, the price of a single song written by Lu Chen ranked among the very highest!
Lu Chen's miraculous rise in the entertainment world, and the fact that he had won Chen Fei'er's heart, owed more than anything else to his musical talent. And the number of rising stars he had personally helped make famous was far more than just one or two.
If Gegen Tana obtained "Beautiful Grassland, My Home," even if it was only the right to perform a cover version, then with the proper promotion and marketing, wouldn't that mean a new star could gradually rise above the grasslands?
Something others could only dream of obtaining was given to her with just a single sentence, how could people not feel envious, jealous, and resentful?
"Really?"
Uncle Qiyan was equally overjoyed. His eyes widened as he waved his hand and shouted, "Bring another bowl of wine!"
The way this grassland man expressed gratitude and admiration was always so simple, rough, and direct.
Unable to refuse such enthusiasm, Lu Chen could only drink another large bowl of kumis.
Even though kumis had a low alcohol content, nobody could withstand drinking it like this. After finishing the second bowl in one go, Lu Chen's face flushed red, and he was genuinely starting to feel drunk.
Uncle Qiyan burst into hearty laughter and forcefully patted Lu Chen on the shoulder.
"A true man!"
Lu Chen could only smile bitterly.
After the bonfire banquet ended, Lu Chen was supported by Chen Fei'er as they staggered back to her tent together.
After helping Lu Chen lie down on the soft and comfortable bed, Chen Fei'er fetched some hot water, wrung out a towel over the basin, and thoughtfully placed it over his face.
The warmth seeped through his pores into his skin, soothing him so comfortably that much of his drunkenness faded away. He let out a long breath of relief, feeling much more awake.
Chen Fei'er complained coquettishly, "You drank way too much tonight!"
Lu Chen replied helplessly, "I didn't want to either, but they all kept forcing drinks on me."
Besides the herdsmen, members of the film crew had also toasted him. Even Shi Lang had personally offered him a bowl, how could he possibly refuse?
That was obviously out of the question, so naturally he ended up drinking too much.
Chen Fei'er said disdainfully, "You reek of alcohol. Don't touch me tonight."
Lu Chen chuckled mischievously. Suddenly, he reached out, grabbed her, and pulled her straight into his arms before leaning over to kiss her.
Mumbling indistinctly, he said, "I'm touching you anyway."
Chen Fei'er laughed brightly as she resisted him, turning her head aside as she said, "Then sing me a song too, one I've never heard before."
She had made similar requests several times already, and every single time she had received a delightful surprise.
This time, Lu Chen had even given Gegen Tana an entire song!
Lu Chen gave up teasing her and pretended to ponder deeply. After a moment, he said, "Got one!"
Holding Chen Fei'er in his arms, he softly sang by her ear:
"In that faraway place, there lives a lovely girl.
Whenever people pass by her yurt,
they always turn back to gaze at her longingly."
"Her rosy smiling face
is like the red sun.
Her beautiful, moving eyes
are like the bright moonlight at night."
"…"
"I wish I could become a little lamb
and follow her to herd sheep.
I wish she would hold a slender leather whip…"
"and gently strike me again and again."
Lu Chen's singing gradually became softer and softer until it was almost inaudible, eventually turning into the steady rhythm of breathing.
Unable to resist the effects of the alcohol, he had already fallen fast asleep.
Chen Fei'er pressed herself tightly against Lu Chen's broad chest, wishing only that time could remain frozen at this very moment forever.
So warm.
(End of Chapter)