Returning to Taiwan in 2000 as a patriotic artist

Oasis Recording Studio.

At nine o'clock in the morning, the gray security door was tightly closed.

Soundproof walls, monitoring rooms, and recording studios—rows of professional equipment gleamed coldly in the quiet interior.

The wall is covered with dozens of autographed photos, which include almost half of the singers in the entertainment industry.

Yan Zheng, the owner of the recording studio, sat in front of the mixing console, staring at the sheet music in front of him.

"Brother Zheng, they're here." Assistant Xiao Zhao pushed open the door, followed by Gu Bei and Zhou Huimin.

After Gu Bei ended the call yesterday, he wanted to film one more scene.

They split into two groups.

Fang Ge, along with the fat director's team, went to Jiaozuo Film and Television City to rent sets, costumes, and props in advance.

Gu Bei and Zhou Huimin came to the recording studio first to record "Yellow Race".

The two sides will meet up, and after filming the last scene, they will return to Taiwan.

Yan Zheng raised his head and his gaze lingered on Gu Bei.

Twenty years old, with a neat short haircut, youthful eyebrows and eyes, but a rare maturity in them, wearing a summer tracksuit and... a pair of flip-flops?

It's this kid...

On a Taiwanese variety show, he uttered those words that shocked the entire island.

Then he was severely criticized and rushed to the mainland overnight to film a music video.

Yan Zheng stood up, extended his hand, and said, "Mr. Gu, welcome."

His eyes swept over Vivian Chow. Although he was in the industry and used to seeing her, a hint of amazement flashed across his face.

"Hello, Brother Zheng." Gu Bei shook hands politely.

"The instrumental track for 'Yellow Race' has been recorded." Yan Zheng walked over to the sound console. "If you want to record it, you can go into the recording studio now."

"Your song is awesome!"

He had no idea what a grand occasion it would be when Gu Bei returned to Taiwan with this song!

The more turbulent the situation, the braver I become; the changing world demands my courage.

With a carefree spirit, I travel to all corners of the world. After five thousand years, it is finally my turn to take the stage!

"You've got guts, kid."

"If this song is released, it'll be a huge hit, right?" He looked at Gu Bei with mixed feelings.

"Yes, I will." Gu Bei nodded, walked towards the recording studio, and stood in front of the microphone.

The microphone is a Neumann U87, the studio's prized possession.

It is said that Faye Wong and Nicholas Tse have both used this microphone.

He adjusted the microphone height, put on his headphones, and gave an "OK" sign to the listening room through the glass window.

Yan Zheng sat in front of the mixing console, his fingers resting on the faders.

Vivian Chow sat on the sofa next to him, her gaze fixed on the man through the glass.

"Record a test track first." Yan Zheng's voice came through the earphone. "You don't need to sing the whole song, just the first four lines, let me hear your timbre and breath control."

Gu Bei then made an "OK" gesture.

Yan Zheng pressed the play button.

The prelude of a flute begins.

It was desolate and vast, carrying the scent of wind and sand, as if it had blown from a battlefield two thousand years ago.

Then came the sounds of drums and panpipes, unfolding layer by layer, like the long river of history flowing before our eyes.

The electric guitar's sound cuts in sharply and piercingly, like a lightning bolt cleaving through thick clouds.

"Knock knock knock"

The drumbeats, steady and powerful, were like a heartbeat.

Gu Bei took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

Countless images flashed through my mind.

Grandpa sat in his wheelchair, his hair completely white, his cloudy eyes staring at the television screen, his lips trembling as he said, "Xiao Bei, Grandpa misses them so much."

My cousin Gu Dong stood at the airport, dressed in military uniform, saluting the blue sky with a resolute gaze.

Hu Zhaoyu lay on the hospital bed, the electrocardiogram beeping faintly, his lips turning purple but he was still smiling.

On the other end of the phone, Sister Yang said, "I have three deadly weapons in my hands," her voice so calm it was frightening.

Sister Zhou hugged her knees in the bathroom, water droplets sliding down her hair. She said, "I'm so scared. Will I be all alone when I get old?"

And those who criticize him on TV.

Those who say he "forgot his ancestors".

Those who call him "JD".

Those who clamored, "Don't let Gu Bei get away."

Gu Bei opened his eyes.

There's fire in his eyes.

"From waves that have swept five thousand miles, or from city walls that are yet to be rebuilt."

His voice came through the microphone like a sleeping tiger slowly opening its eyes.

There were no roars, no shouts.

There is only a calm narration.

It's as if they're saying, "We Chinese people are meant to stand at the top of the world!"

Yan Zheng's fingers remained on the clippers, without moving.

His expression changed from calm to serious.

"All the faded yellow of history gathers into the sunset, staining me..."

As the last word was uttered, the recording studio fell silent for a moment.

Then, the drumbeats changed, the tempo sped up, and the electric guitar sounded sharper.

Gu Bei didn't stop and went straight into the second part:

"From the sweat that flowed five thousand years ago, or the legendary Tang Dynasty."

His voice was no longer narrating; it began to burn.

Each word seemed to have been tempered by fire, scorching hot, heavy, and unstoppable.

Yan Zheng's hands began to tremble slightly.

He worked in the recording studio for many years and listened to countless singers perform.

Some have perfect technique, some are full of emotion, and some have amazing vocal qualities.

And Gu Bei... actually possessed them all!

This gave Yan Zheng, who was used to listening to ballads and slow ballads, a strange sense of shock and a feeling that his blood was about to awaken.

"All the gold coins that have been circulating in the world are waiting for me to give them their proper name."

The chorus is coming.

Yan Zheng subconsciously pushed up the fader, turning the volume up to the maximum.

"Yellow race, come to earth, stand tall with new pride."

"As a person of Asian descent, when I walk down the street, the world knows I am different."

Gu Bei's voice exploded.

From burning to blooming.

Like a red flower that blooms after weathering the storm.

Like a nation that has straightened its spine again after five thousand years.

Vivian Chow's eyes were red-rimmed, and the emotions in her gaze could no longer be concealed.

That man's confidence always gave her a great sense of security!

"The more turbulent the situation, the braver I become; the changing world is my impetus to forge ahead."

"With a bare body, I roam freely to all corners of the world; after five thousand years, it is finally my turn to take the stage."

The last line of the chorus falls.

Everyone held their breath.

Some staff members were drawn by the singing and couldn't help but come over to watch.

It felt like a flame was burning inside me.

At the end of the song, Gu Bei added a rap verse:

"Where in the world can you not see yellow faces?"

"Bright red blood flows among 1.3 billion people."

"You say this is my anger."

"I said this is my attitude."

"Only we Chinese dare to forge ahead fearlessly..."

The song was already etched into his DNA, and Gu Bei recorded it in one take.

"Phew~"

After letting out a long breath, he took off his headphones and walked out of the recording studio.

Applause erupted instantly in the listening room.

The applause was heartfelt, uncontrollable, and even somewhat out of control.

Yan Zheng clapped his hands until they were red.

Zhou Huimin is clapping.

If there hadn't been so many people, she would have pounced on them.

Xiao Zhao and the other staff members were also clapping, their emotions inexplicably excited.

"Gu Bei, I, Lao Yan, have been doing recording for so many years, and I've never been subservient to anyone."

His voice trembled, "I'm impressed today. You're amazing, you recorded it in one take."

Gu Bei walked over and listened to the audio. It was full and powerful, with almost no extraneous noise.

Some faint breathing sounds can be removed in post-production.

The whole song was completed in one take, almost perfect.