Qiang Qingci didn't seem to mind.
"It's fine, we can just chat casually," he finally spoke a complete sentence, still sounding a bit like he had just woken up. In other words, his voice hadn't fully warmed up yet.
Fortunately, that made his voice sound much more genuine.
As an ancient style cover singer, she had zero resistance to ancient-style voices that evoked vivid imagery.
If they were back in the modern world... well, she might have been a bit calmer.
She replied, "Okay, Master."
And then... she had no idea what to talk about.
Gu Sheng had never been part of any circles. In the two-dimensional world, aside from her own group's brothers and sisters, she only occasionally got approached by others to sing songs they had written. The reason she had chosen ancient style cover singing instead of becoming a CV back then was because she felt singers didn't need to mingle in circles—she could learn post-production herself and have fun on her own. But a CV couldn't exactly act out scenes alone, could they?
So many CVs had their own WeChat platforms and handled all sorts of interactions with ease.
Singers who were good at talking were rare.
Gu Sheng leaned back on the sofa, pondering for a long time what topics would be suitable to chat about with the master.
"Master, are you not busy?"
"Hmm, I'm resting."
"Then... what does Master usually do when resting?"
"Sleep," Qiang Qingci paused slightly, "or sometimes go to the recording studio."
So... was the top talent really as rumored, with a very busy main career? And commercial voice acting was just... a side gig?
Gu Sheng's admiration for the top talent grew a little more.
"Will Master go to the recording studio today too?"
"Hmm."
"Is it also for game voice acting?"
Games and various circles in the two-dimensional world often collaborated, whether it was writers or CVs, including big-name ancient style singers who were often invited to sing theme songs for games. She remembered there seemed to be a new game recently, a collaboration between three circles—writers providing support, CVs and ancient style singers making promotional videos.
"Hmm."
"Then... Master hasn't participated in Perfect's anniversary celebrations for three years. Why did you join this year?"
"This year happens to be the tenth anniversary," Qiang Qingci pondered slightly. "For Perfect's tenth anniversary, it's unlikely I could avoid it."
No wonder he could appear this time—the tenth anniversary was a big occasion.
"That makes sense... So, will Master make a comeback in the future?"
"No," he answered simply. "After this tenth anniversary, I'll completely retire from the online microphone."
"...That's such a shame."
Qiang Qingci had already stopped taking on new projects, not doing dramas, and not holding birthday specials for several years. All his works in recent years came from the recording studio, all commercial voice acting... However, even back when he was doing online voice acting, he hadn't acted in many dramas. His friends were mostly those veteran figures from the early days when online voice acting wasn't yet popular.
People he wasn't familiar with, he was completely unfamiliar with; those he was familiar with were all close friends...
No gossip.
Or rather, no one had any material to gossip about him.
The direct result was that Gu Sheng couldn't find any topics to chat about. She knew Qiang Qingci well—how many dramas he had acted in, even memorizing every classic line. But... she also didn't know him as a real person—which city he lived in, what his profession was, even whether he was working or studying—she knew nothing.
She racked her brains, thinking of the next question.
"Your chatting style is a lot like an interview," Qiang Qingci kindly corrected her.
(⊙o⊙)... It did seem that way.Gu Sheng let out a soft sigh and confessed honestly, "Actually, I don't know what you like to talk about..."
"I've been away from the Two-dimensional world for a long time. Just treat me as a friend in the Three-Dimensional Space, and we can talk about anything."
"Um... then... have you eaten yet?"
Alright, questions in the Three-Dimensional Space are even more trivial.
Who could tell her how two people who met entirely online were supposed to talk about the Three-Dimensional Space?
Her mind wandered unconsciously, and she slowly remembered why she had sought out Qiang Qingci in the first place: "Oh, right, I remember why I came to you..."
Qiang Qingci's voice carried a hint of laughter: "Not easy... go ahead."
"It's just that I think, because you helped me secure that opportunity to collaborate with all the big names on a cover song, there might be some... not-so-good rumors online," Gu Sheng spoke from the perspective of a supporter of Qiang Qingci, earnestly telling him, "Actually, at first, I really thought very simply—being able to collaborate with those big names... is probably the dream of every Little Transparent. But I'm afraid it might bring you negative attention."
"Mhm. Like what?"
"Like... losing followers? Like... gossip spreading everywhere?"
"Mhm."
...
The Top talent seemed... not to care much?
After a while, Qiang Qingci sent a relatively long voice message: "If the words online make you unhappy, just close the computer, and they become nothing. As a voice actor, the only thing worth caring about is your own work. Aside from your work, what others say has nothing to do with me."
Explained this way... it immediately made her feel like she was being childish, taking online matters so seriously and worrying about causing him trouble...
(⊙o⊙)... As expected of Qiang Qingci.
But... how did it turn into him comforting her?
The Top talent sent another WeChat message, his voice playful as he asked, "Are you satisfied with my answer?"
"Mhm..."
"Then, Sheng Sheng," Qiang Qingci's voice held a smile, lowering slightly, "do you owe me something?"
(⊙o⊙)... Do I?
Uh... it seems I really do...
"What... would you like to hear?" Luckily, it was still afternoon, and no one was home.
"I heard from Jue Mei that you play instruments?"
Jue Mei? That must have been Geng Xiaoxing who said it...
"I know a little. I learned piano as a child, and later, because I liked Ancient Style Music, I taught myself the guzheng and xiao," Gu Sheng guessed Qiang Qingci's meaning, "Do you want to hear me play and sing?"
"If it's convenient."
It is convenient... I'm just afraid I won't perform well.
Gu Sheng hesitated for a few seconds but agreed. She brought out her laptop, placed the Microphone beside the piano, cleared her throat slightly, and put on her headphones. She typed a message to Qiang Qingci on WeChat: I'm ready, you can come to my room now.
Before she could send the room number, Qiang Qingci had already entered...
Who would have thought that the Top talent would remember after just one visit.
After setting a password for the room, she cleared her throat again: "What would you like to hear?"
Qiang Qingci's voice came through the headphones: "Whatever you're comfortable with is fine."
"Mhm... I'll sing the song from when I auditioned for the club," Gu Sheng remembered that she had also played and sung it herself back then, so she knew the piece well and didn't need sheet music, "Phew, I'm a bit nervous, I might make mistakes..."After reminiscing for a while, she began the prelude.
The piano accompaniment for this type of ancient style song does not need to pursue technical skill—it only needs to be simple and pure.
Ultimately, it still depends on the singer’s voice.
As the prelude ended, Gu Sheng sang the lyrics:
“Wind and sand spread, disturbing the clear sky, a loyal heart illuminates the bright moon.
Gazing beyond the city walls, weapons clash, another calamity in this fleeting life.
You alone guard the palace, no longer the majesty of yesterday, who weeps here.
An old friend has always stood before you, neither questioning nor resenting.
…
Old friend, hair already gray, covered in dust, not longing for a return.
Only hoping you can lay down the battlefield, severed heads bring no gain.
The final city wall breaks, climbing high to gaze at the sea, a sea of smoke and fire,
Helpless, corpses strewn everywhere, the old friend’s heart has drifted far away.
…”
She played and sang, unable to let her mind wander.
Vaguely, it seemed she heard Qiang Qingci let out a light laugh and speak the name of the song: “Sigh of an Old Friend.”
Author’s Note: Just a casual mention—regarding “Sigh of an Old Friend,” my personal favorite version is the one by Seventh Master and Little Poet ^^
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