Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 427 Bonfire Party
That evening, Li Wei also hosted a small banquet at the manor, mainly to invite Olivia and some people from the neighborhood to join in the festivities.

Generally, these kinds of banquets are held in a banquet hall, with dances and ballroom performances. But Li Wei felt that there were already enough similar banquets in Chongqing, and holding one here was really pointless. So he simply organized a bonfire party, where everyone gathered around the bonfire, eating, drinking, and having fun—it had a unique charm, didn't it?
“This kind of banquet is quite interesting, Mr. Li Wei.”

Katie jumped and danced with joy as she ate the barbecue.

"This is much better than those boring banquets in the palace! Everyone can do whatever they want, and there's no need to dance or anything. It feels very relaxing."

"After all, the point of a vacation is to relax..."

Looking at the group of people chatting and laughing around the campfire not far away, Levi stretched comfortably. Delicat is an agricultural area, and most of the people living here are farmers or do related work. Similar gatherings are not uncommon, so Levi's idea was quite popular with the locals.

Right now, everyone is singing around the campfire, and some are even swaying and dancing to the music. This scene might not be considered polite at a formal banquet, but it's quite appropriate for this occasion. There's also a band playing bagpipes and accordions providing accompaniment, making it seem like some kind of celebration.

Just then, someone finished singing, and everyone applauded in welcome. Olivia looked over, saw Li Wei, and excitedly waved to him.

"Sir Levi, would you like to sing a song too?"

"Yes, Sir Levi, why don't you sing a song too?"

Upon hearing this, the others joined in the jeering. They might not have been so bold with other nobles. However, Li Wei was young and didn't seem to have any aristocratic airs, so everyone was naturally quite warm and friendly towards him.

"Yes, Dad, why don't you sing a song too? Dad's singing is the best!"

Alice ran over and grabbed Levi's hand. Hmm, this is that typical scene of a child showing off their parents.

"Okay, okay..."

Li Wei didn't object, so he let Alice pull him over, and then he looked around.

"Well, I'll sing one then... This setting is perfect."

As he spoke, Li Wei looked at the band members and reached out his hand.

"Excuse me, could I borrow this guitar?"

"Okay, my lord."

When Li Wei asked him for a guitar, the band's guitarist was taken aback for a moment before handing over his own guitar.

Li Wei took the guitar, adjusted it slightly, and then plopped down on a tree stump next to him.

"Well then, I'll dedicate a song to everyone."

As he spoke, Li Wei began to vibrate the strings of his instrument.

Soon, a rhythmic melody began to play, and at the same time, Li Wei started singing.

"Almost heaven, Delikat"

Blue Ridge Mountain, Shenandoah River

Life is old there, older than the tree.

Younger than the mountainians, growing like a breeze.

At this point in the song, Li Wei suddenly changed his tone.

"Country roads, take me home."
To the place, I belong (returning to the place I've longed for)...

The banquet hall had fallen silent, with only Li Wei's singing echoing in everyone's ears. Li Wei's melody and lyrics were simple, yet they possessed a leisurely and carefree quality, especially for those living in Delicat. The song seemed to speak directly to their hearts; they felt as if they were strolling along this country road, heading home, and all they could hear was this song…

Soon, the song ended.

"Clap clap clap clap!"

Immediately following was enthusiastic applause, and someone even whistled. Li Wei then returned the guitar to the guitarist, who stared at him in disbelief, as if he hadn't quite processed what was happening.

Soon, the banquet hall returned to its original liveliness, and Olivia came to Levi's side.

"It really surprises me that you can sing this kind of song."

"This kind of song?"

"It's the kind of music that singers perform in small bars. I originally thought people in big cities wouldn't like this."

"Actually, I've always liked country folk songs."

Li Wei shrugged. Country folk songs are those with simple melodies and lyrics. Even someone with a basic understanding of English can sing them easily. The tunes are simple, catchy, and carry a wild, untamed feel from the vastness of nature. However, Li Wei understood why Olivia said this kind of country music wasn't highbrow; the reason lay in the lyrics. Country folk songs are about people singing about the big and small things in their lives. Of course, leaving aside the well-known world-famous folk songs, many folk songs are about things like "I slept with your brother-in-law" and "your wife praised me last night"... Well, if you don't understand it, of course you'll find it catchy.

Being able to understand it is another matter entirely.

For example, "Country Girl Makes Do" or something like that.

In the city, no well-mannered parent would let their child listen to this kind of music; it's a complete collapse of social norms.

"By the way, I do have a suggestion."

"Ok?"

"If possible, I would like to record this song and play it on the radio. I'm sure everyone would love to listen to it. What do you think? Of course, I'll also pay for it."

Clearly, Olivia really liked the song, and it truly captured the spirit of the people of Delicat, an agricultural region. Olivia hadn't considered this before, for a simple reason: country music is often considered crude and unsuitable for widespread dissemination. But after hearing Levi sing it today, Olivia realized that country music, if stripped of its crude lyrics, could be quite catchy, pleasant, and easy to understand.

In her opinion, singing this kind of song is better than singing things like "I like your sister-in-law coming over to make dumplings tonight"...

"Recording?"

“That’s right, my radio station has its own recording studio, and I’ve been wanting to organize some kind of event. Now it seems that country-themed music might be a good choice.”

"Yes, that's indeed a good idea."

Li Wei nodded, then his mind raced.

"By the way, since that's the case, I also have a request."

"Hmm? What request?"

"I can record songs for you guys, but I'd also like to record a few songs in the recording studio, is that okay?"

Hearing Olivia's words, Levi suddenly thought of his own little girls. While he was around, he could sing and play music for them every day, but if he went out on errands, there would be no one to sing. In that case, why not record all the songs he sang before? That way, even if he was away, they could still listen to the music, right?
Li Wei could also carry copies of these songs with him and listen to them when he had nothing to do. It wasn't that he was narcissistic; it was just that in a completely new and unfamiliar world, being able to hear familiar music that belonged to his own world was a kind of nostalgia and enjoyment.

Li Wei had been too busy before to think about such a thing, but now that he was on vacation here, after hearing Olivia say this, he suddenly had the same idea.

"No problem at all."

Olivia naturally wouldn't refuse Li Wei's request.

"Actually, I've heard from Miss Katie that you often sing for them. I'd like to hear you sing too. You don't mind, do you?"

"Of course, it's no honor, Miss Olivia."

And so, after the agreed time, the bonfire party came to an end, and everyone went home to rest. Incidentally, the little mermaid ended up living in the lake.

The next day, everyone rested at the manor. Then, on the third day, Li Wei took the little girls and Olivia to the Delicat Radio Station.

This radio station was purchased and built by Olivia after she attended the Steam Expo in the Steel City, at Levi's suggestion. From the outside, it was no different from the current radio station building, a three-story building next to a tall broadcasting tower.

The radio station manager here is a man named Lloyd Gortat, who has curly hair, is dressed very elegantly, and has a strange urban flair that is completely different from the rural areas of Delicat.

"Greetings, Sir Levi, welcome!"

Upon seeing Li Wei, Gortat quickly and enthusiastically greeted him. Perhaps because he was too enthusiastic, he startled the girls—well, it's understandable. Seeing a man with curly hair, dressed in a flamboyant manner, and wearing sunglasses in the room rushing towards them was indeed quite frightening.

"Is Mr. Gortat a local?"

Levi shook his hand, then looked at him with a puzzled expression. In Levi's eyes, Gortat didn't seem like a Delicater at all, or rather, he didn't even look like an Imperial. After all, Imperials rarely dressed so flamboyantly, like peacocks courting their mates. Calling him an Imperial was less accurate than saying he looked more like…

“Mr. Gortat is from Delicat, but he studied at Francis University before that.”

At this moment, Olivia also answered Livi's question.

“He was very knowledgeable about music and entertainment. When I was recruiting radio staff, Mr. Gortat volunteered himself. I found his ideas very interesting, so I kept him on.”

"oh……………"

Upon hearing Olivia's introduction, Levi gave her a meaningful look for a moment, then withdrew his hand and patted Gortat on the shoulder.

"Then, Mr. Gortat, I'll leave this recording to you."

As they were talking, a tiny twin-tailed sprite slipped into Gortat's collar and disappeared without a trace.

(End of this chapter)