House Dad's Literary Life

Chapter 463: Steady Happiness

The amazement brought by “Bicycle” obviously wasn’t enough. After all, not everyone could appreciate the beauty of Cantonese songs, nor could everyone recognize the clever singing techniques Yang Yi had used in the song! Although Yang Yi had indeed sung it beautifully, everyone was even more eager to hear the next Mandarin song.

Could it be the Mandarin version of “Bicycle”? Thinking of the relationship between “Long Time No See” and “Better Not to Meet,” everyone couldn’t help making guesses.

Yang Yi, just as he had before, closed his eyes. In his mind, as if a piano stood in front of him, he sat down and began to play.

However, there was no intro, and he began singing softly along with his own “piano music” in his mind. “One day, I realized I no longer even had the right to feel sorry for myself…”

Yang Yi sang with deep emotion. His soft, slightly nasal voice created an artificial surround-sound effect, and from the very first line, a melancholy mood began to spread.

Chen Yijie smiled as soon as he heard the first line. He liked this kind of song.

The piano accompaniment in Yang Yi’s mind was gentle and simple, without any showy techniques. It played nothing more than a pure, simple melody, like soft music that could lull someone to sleep, soothing people’s restless souls and agitated hearts.

“Leaving only these tireless shoulders, bearing the simple satisfaction…” Yang Yi’s singing was just like that. Within the simple melody, he slowly recounted the hardships he had experienced.

But that didn’t mean Yang Yi’s singing was plain or unremarkable. The simpler the melody, the harder it was to sing it well. In his previous life, the doctor and songwriter-composer Xiao Ke had spent a long time working on this song. From controlling the pronunciation to handling the emotions, he had carefully refined many details. In the end, they recorded more than twenty different vocal tracks, each using a different singing style, and the people in the studio voted together to choose the most moving version.

Although Yang Yi was merely borrowing from someone else’s work, he certainly hadn’t let the doctor down. Using the same singing style, Yang Yi had also conveyed profound emotion.

“I want steady happiness, something that can withstand the cruelty of the apocalypse, a place to return to in the restless depths of the night…” This section still sounded plain and unremarkable, yet it made listeners’ heartstrings tremble.

Especially when he sang about having “a place to return to,” Chen Yijie shuddered all over. He felt deeply moved by the emotions in the song. He even thought of his own wife, and countless feelings welled up inside him until tears glimmered in his eyes.

“I want steady happiness, something I can touch with my own hands. Every time I reach into my embrace, I can feel your warmth…” The second verse used different lyrics but the same simple wording. Even so, the imagery was vivid, and the overwhelming sense of warmth touched everyone.

At this moment, even Yang Huan and Ding Xiang, who weren’t very sensitive to music, had moved expressions on their faces.

Not to mention Mo Fei. As she listened to this song, she sensed even more of the deep affection in it than the others did.

Because others saw only Yang Yi’s calmness, his current glory and success. Only Mo Fei had witnessed his lowest moments.

Mo Fei knew that this song was about Yang Yi himself. He had gone through too many hardships, so he would cherish the happiness he had now even more. But Mo Fei also felt a little heartache, feeling sorry for Yang Yi.

“I want steady happiness, something that can withstand the pain of disappointment, so that even traveling alone won’t leave me lonely…”

“I want steady happiness, one that lasts a lifetime. No matter where I am, I’ll never lose my way…”

To the same melody, Yang Yi sang four different stanzas of lyrics, each more heartfelt than the last. Rather than saying that his songwriting ability was astonishing, it would be more accurate to say that the emotions within him had finally found an outlet.

The repeated line “I want steady happiness” sung so many times, this was probably Yang Yi’s cry, wasn’t it?

Mo Fei felt sorry for Yang Yi because of this, too. It was the first time she had seen that this man, who had always been strong and had been able to shield her from wind and rain, actually had a vulnerable side as well!

He wasn’t as fearless as he made himself appear. He was also afraid of losing things and longed for an ordinary, stable life.

But this vulnerability instead made Mo Fei feel that Yang Yi’s image was more complete, and that her love for Yang Yi had grown a little more, because wasn’t what Yang Yi wanted also what she had always longed for?

“I want steady happiness. This is the happiness I want…” After the song ended, everyone felt as though they had just awakened from a dream. It was almost as if Yang Yi had never sung at all. Their minds were still in a daze, and they didn’t know how to express what they felt.

But Mo Fei no longer cared about the situation she was in. When she saw Yang Yi open his eyes and reveal a gentle smile, she couldn’t hold back the love in her heart. She leaned toward him and, from over his shoulder, wrapped her arms around his neck and embraced his whole body.

Yang Yi was somewhat surprised. He hadn’t expected Mo Fei to be so deeply moved. He quickly opened his arms and hugged her back, gently patting her on the back.

As if he had sensed something, he turned his head while holding Mo Fei in his arms. His gaze swept across the faces of Chen Yijie, who was still immersed in the music, Yang Huan, who wore a knowing smile, Mo Xiaojuan, and the others, before finally settling on Mo Henian.

Mo Henian’s expression darkened a little, but he didn’t embarrass Yang Yi. He simply gave a soft snort through his nose, turned his head away, and drank his tea.

If he couldn’t stand watching them, then he simply wouldn’t watch!

“I want to give you steady happiness!” Mo Fei whispered softly in Yang Yi’s ear, her voice so quiet that only the two of them could hear it.

“Mm. I want to give you steady happiness, too,” Yang Yi replied tenderly.

Only then did Mo Fei part from Yang Yi, feeling satisfied. But Yang Yi could see the lingering attachment and deep affection in her eyes.

However, the consequence of hugging him so openly in front of everyone was that once Mo Fei had calmed down and noticed their teasing looks, her face flushed with embarrassment. She didn’t know whether she should find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

Fortunately, at this moment, Xixi came running over with quick little steps. Pouting, she said, “Papa, I want a hug too!”

Was she jealous of her own mother now?

Yang Yi smiled and picked Xixi up, holding her in his arms. He gave the little girl a kiss as well. Her soft little body and sweet-smelling cheeks made his happiness just right!

“How was it, Eason? What do you think of these two songs?” Yang Yi asked with a smile.

“Good! Very good! I can’t even resist the urge to go back and record both songs right away!” Chen Yijie said, rubbing his hands together eagerly. Of course, he was only joking, but the excitement shining in his smile was genuine.

However, Yang Yi didn’t know that Chen Yijie still felt a little regretful deep down.

These two songs were indeed good, and they were indeed very suitable for Chen Yijie. But Chen Yijie still hoped Yang Yi would write him a high-note song tailor-made for him, like “Listen to the Sea”! However, Chen Yijie didn’t express his regret. A person shouldn’t be insatiably greedy; one should know how to be content.

With “Bicycle” and “Steady Happiness,” both classics in their own right, Chen Yijie felt that the lead songs for his next album, which hadn’t even taken shape yet, could already be decided!

As for the high-note song he couldn’t stop thinking about, Chen Yijie decided he could wait until later.

“Then when I get back and have some free time, I’ll record the accompaniment and a demo for you,” Yang Yi said to Chen Yijie.

“That’s all right, Yang Yi. If you’re busy, you can send me the sheet music and lyrics first. I’ll record the rest myself and let you have a look afterward.” Chen Yijie was already itching to get started.

“In such a hurry?” Yang Yi laughed. “Then you’d better sing the song you’re going to perform as a guest at tomorrow’s concert well first!”

“Of course! By the way, Yang Yi, your singing skills really are excellent. What the media has reported is true! When shall we collaborate on a song? Or I could invite you to my concert, and we could sing a song together. How about it?” Chen Yijie had also begun to feel a sense of mutual appreciation for Yang Yi.