Huayu 1992: Starting with the CCTV Young Singers Competition

Chapter 81 Public Welfare Visit: People of This Age Should Listen to Red Songs

At 2 p.m., Lin Hanjiang found the elderly welfare home located deep in the alley on time.

The courtyard wasn't large, but it was kept clean and tidy, with several old locust trees casting deep shade.

A news van from Beijing TV was already parked at the entrance, and Zhou Tao, a cameraman, and a girl who looked like an assistant were unloading things from the van.

A few boxes of apples, a few boxes of milk, and some rice, flour, and oil.

There are also everyday toiletries such as towels, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and washbasins.

These are all things that we need to use.

There's also a portable karaoke machine and a small speaker at the very back.

Zhou Tao was dressed casually today, wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans, with her hair tied in a neat ponytail. She appeared less professional and more approachable than on TV or when we last met.

Seeing Lin Hanjiang, she smiled and waved: "You've come at the right time. Give me a hand and help me carry these things inside so I can distribute them to the grandparents."

To be honest, Lin Hanjiang looked really beautiful when Zhou Tao waved.

Sunlight streamed through a sycamore tree, casting a beam of light on Zhou Tao's profile, carrying a few specks of dust.

Even if all the superstar actresses from Hong Kong and Taiwan were standing here right now, Lin Hanjiang wouldn't be tempted.

But at this moment, everyone is eager to be Cao Cao's traitor.

"Student Lin."

"Okay."

Lin Hanjiang paused for a moment, then smiled and walked over.

He stepped forward and took a box of apples; it was quite heavy.

The cameraman carried the equipment, and the assistant held the microphone and reflector. The group walked into the activity room of the welfare home.

There were already more than a dozen elderly people sitting inside, some chatting and some listening to the radio. When they saw them come in, they all looked over curiously.

The dean was a kind middle-aged woman who warmly greeted Zhou Tao, shook hands with him, and exchanged pleasantries.

Lin Hanjiang and his assistant quickly moved all the items in.

Next came the distribution of gifts.

The process of distributing the gifts was quite simple.

Lin Hanjiang and Zhou Tao worked together to deliver the items to each elderly person, saying a few words of greeting such as "Hello, Grandpa and Grandma" and "Wishing you good health."

The elderly people were very happy and thanked them repeatedly.

The assistant captured these moments with her camera.

After distributing the gifts, the director said to the elderly, "Grandpas and Grandmas, today the staff from Beijing TV have come to visit you and have brought a wonderful program. Please welcome them."

The elderly people applauded, looking at Zhou Tao and his group with expectant eyes.

Zhou Tao walked confidently to the front, picked up the microphone, and said with a sweet smile, "Grandpas and Grandmas, good afternoon! We're from Beijing TV. We've come to visit you all today to wish you good health, longevity, and happiness. We've brought some fruit, milk, and daily necessities, and we've also invited a special friend to sing a song for you all, okay?"

Few elderly people know Lin Hanjiang.

Of course, it's impossible to introduce him as a gold medalist in the CCTV Young Singers Competition.

"good!"

The elderly people were very accommodating, and their applause became even more enthusiastic. Their eyes all turned to Lin Hanjiang, who was standing next to Zhou Tao.

Lin Hanjiang knew that this was what Zhou Tao meant by possibly needing to perform a small act.

He was mentally prepared, having been to the Great Hall of the People before, so he wasn't intimidated. He walked to the front and took the microphone from Zhou Tao.

What should we sing?

Lin Hanjiang's gaze swept over the white-haired, kind-faced old people in front of him.

They experienced the hardships of the old society and witnessed the founding and construction of the new China.

What they are familiar with are undoubtedly those revolutionary songs full of revolutionary passion and sincere emotions.

Lin Hanjiang cleared his throat and smiled, "Grandpas and grandmas, my name is Lin Hanjiang, and I am a student at the music academy. Today, I will sing a few revolutionary songs for you. I hope you will enjoy them."

Without accompaniment, he sang a cappella.

For the first song, he chose the melodious and heartfelt "Azalea":

In the dead of night, I long for dawn.

In the dead of winter, we long for the spring breeze.

If we long for the Red Army to come...

Azaleas bloom all over the ridge.

Lin Hanjiang's voice was clear and full of emotion, and he controlled it very well. He didn't deliberately raise his voice, but sang it in a storytelling tone.

The familiar melody immediately resonated with the elderly, and several grandfathers and grandmothers hummed along softly, their eyes filled with memories and their eyes already moist.

After the song ended, the applause was sincere.

"Great, young man, you sing very well."

"The rendition of 'Azalea' is truly beautiful; the students from the music academy are indeed remarkable."

"I sang better than him back then, but I can't deny that I'm getting old now."

Lin Hanjiang smiled as he faced everyone, listening to the elders' praise.

He coughed twice, signaling to everyone to continue singing.

The next song is "The East Is Red," a more solemn and powerful hymn of faith: "The East is Red, the sun rises, China has produced one—he works for the people's survival, he is the people's great savior—"

When he sang this song, several elderly people unconsciously straightened their backs.

Immediately, elderly people joined in the singing, expressing their love and devotion to their faith.

That is their lighthouse.

He doesn't engage in popular worship, but rather worships the people, and the people worship him.

Those passionate years are the mark of their youth and struggle.

It was because of his firm ideals that he was willing to dedicate himself to the country.

After finishing one song, Lin Hanjiang then sang "On the Golden Mountain of Beijing":

[The golden sun shines brightly on the Golden Mountain in the capital, he is that golden sun.]

How warm, how kind.

[Illuminate the hearts of liberated serfs]

We are taking steps forward.

On the Road to Socialist Happiness

The singing was enthusiastic and carried the beautiful melodies of folk songs.

This time, even some of the more serious-looking old men smiled and tapped their fingers lightly on their knees.

He also sang "Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China", "Ode to the Motherland", and "The Waves of Honghu Lake".

Each song elicited a strong response from the elderly; some sang along, some clapped, and some quietly wiped away tears.

These songs are not just melodies for them, but the background music of their lives, an echo of the era to which they have dedicated themselves.

Lin Hanjiang sang with great passion and emotion.

In the somewhat simple activity room of this welfare home, facing these most ordinary elderly people, he felt an artistic value completely different from that on the stage of the CCTV Young Singers Competition or in the Great Hall of the People.

That is to use songs to warm people's hearts, evoke resonance, and convey the simplest joy and remembrance.

Zhou Tao watched from the side, his eyes showing not only professional observation but also a touch of appreciation.

The cameraman was recording all of this.

The assistant helped serve tea and water to the elderly, smiling happily at everyone.

But this excitement was short-lived.

The singing stopped.

The elderly people held Lin Hanjiang's hand, praising his singing as if it were the same voice they heard on the radio when they were young.

The dean expressed his gratitude repeatedly.

The visit and outreach activities have also come to an end.

After saying goodbye to the elderly and packing up their equipment, the group left the welfare home.

"Thank you so much for today, Lin," Zhou Tao said sincerely. "You sang really well, and the elderly people were especially happy. It was even better than we expected."

"Of course, I'm very happy too."

Lin Hanjiang spoke the truth, and then looked at Zhou Tao with a smile.

"Sister Tao, was my act of gratitude today satisfactory? Regarding the matter of being the host of our graduation party—"

Zhou Tao blinked, a slightly sly yet bright smile appearing on his face: "Oh, about that? What will you do if I don't agree?"

Lin Hanjiang was taken aback by her question, then laughed and said half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Then I might have to think of other ways, like going to Beijing TV station that day, kidnapping you, and dragging you to our college."

"puff."

Zhou Tao couldn't help but laugh out loud, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

"Kidnapping me hand and foot... I can't even imagine the scene. Alright, alright, considering your hard work today and how happy you made the old folks, and considering your ingenious threat, the night of the 25th, right? I'll go."

She readily agreed and immediately resumed her work-like efficiency.

"Just give me an outline two days in advance regarding the specific procedures and script. I'm not familiar with your music academy, so I might need you or the student in charge to give me a brief introduction to the highlights and program of the show."

"That's great, Sister Tao, thank you so much." Lin Hanjiang felt relieved and sincerely thanked her. "We'll get the process ready for you as soon as possible. Your presence has been a huge help to us."

Zhou Tao waved her hand.

"Alright, you've worked hard today. We still have to go back to the station to submit our materials. See you on the 25th."

See you on the 25th.

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