mijobooks Chapter 43 Seeking Truth Against the Light
Chapter 43 Seeking Truth Against the Light
"First, we must acknowledge the real challenges we face. We are a young university with limited resources and a low ranking, which often leaves students feeling lost."
"Secondly, it is to express a sense of unwillingness to give up and perseverance. Most of our students come from ordinary families, but they all have a spirit of never admitting defeat."
"Third, the spirit of a university lies not in how much glory it already possesses, but in the courage to seek answers against the light. Our motto is: Seeking truth against the light."
"I hope the chorus will have an image of light, symbolizing hope, and a dynamic sense of moving forward, reflecting the sublimation from individual effort to collective strength..."
Wang Bo's finger paused on the paper when he read the last sentence of the client's requirements.
"How is it?" Chen Mo asked.
Wang Bo looked up, his eyes shining with a light Chen Mo had never seen before—the excitement of a sudden inspiration.
"Brother Chen," Wang Bo's voice was soft, but every word was clear and forceful, "I think... I know what to write."
Chen Mo was taken aback: "Now? The school song?"
"It's not just a school song." Wang Bo put down his documents, picked up his guitar again, "it's a song that can answer many questions."
He didn't explain further; his fingers were already on the strings.
The prelude begins—simple yet powerful piano chords played on the guitar, carrying a calm and resolute strength.
Chen Mo subconsciously held his breath.
Wang Bo started singing.
As soon as the first sentence was uttered, Chen Mo straightened his back.
There was a quality in that voice that he had never heard from Wang Bo before—not the detached acceptance of life's vicissitudes in "Once Upon a Time," nor the tender and wistful expectation in "Encounter," but a kind of honesty in facing reality and an indomitable spirit hidden beneath that honesty.
Wang Bo's singing was very restrained, without showing off too many techniques. He simply used his most sincere voice to deliver the lyrics word by word.
But it is precisely this restraint that makes each word seem exceptionally weighty.
Chen Mo felt a little ashamed. His first impression of Wang Bo wasn't particularly good; perhaps he was just jealous of how handsome Wang Bo was.
The second impression wasn't particularly good either, because after they went to the restroom together and urinated side by side, he stole a glance at Wang Bo next door and felt inferior.
He couldn't urinate for a long time, thinking that someone with Su Xiaoxiao's resources had been conquered by the resources in front of him.
It now seems that Wang Bo's good looks and wealth are just superficial; his talent is the most important thing.
Next, Wang Bo sang a few lines of lyrics that accurately hit the mark on the document: "Students often feel lost." This wasn't just empty talk; it was a real sense of confusion that exists in the lives of every ordinary young person—limited resources, an unknown future, no one to confide in, and having to bear it all alone.
But then, the melody began to rise.
Wang Bo increased the pressure on the strings.
Chen Mo's eyes widened.
The image of light appeared.
The dynamism of moving forward emerges.
From personal endurance to courageously moving forward, the sense of strength to struggle out of adversity is overwhelming.
Then, the chorus arrives.
Wang Bo's voice opened up completely at this moment, no longer the restraint of before, but a release that broke through the repression.
Chen Mo stared intently at Wang Bo, at the young man sitting amidst a pile of sheet music, holding a guitar, and singing with his eyes closed.
These few lines of the chorus represent a sublimation from the individual to the collective.
All the requirements and key points are here.
Moreover, it is not a forced patchwork, but a natural artistic expression.
Wang Bo continued singing, his voice growing increasingly powerful.
The second verse has the same lyrics, but the emotions are deeper.
That was no longer just confusion, but a steadfast determination to move forward even in confusion.
Wang Bo sang with almost all his might; it wasn't blind optimism, but rather the courage to move forward even after seeing the harsh reality.
The chorus started again, and this time, Wang Bo's voice had layers of harmonies—although he was alone, he created a chorus-like effect through his skillful singing techniques.
As the last note faded, its lingering echo reverberated through the recording studio.
Wang Bo slowly opened his eyes, his forehead already covered in fine beads of sweat.
He sang this song with great gusto, but it also exhausted him.
He looked up at Chen Mo.
Chen Mo was still standing there, staring blankly at him, his glasses having slipped down to the tip of his nose and he had forgotten to push them up.
A few seconds of silence.
Then, Chen Mo suddenly rushed over and grabbed Wang Bo's shoulder: "What's the name of this song?!"
Wang Bo was so dizzy from being shaken that he said, "I haven't decided yet..."
"Haven't thought of a name yet?" Chen Mo's voice changed. "You're telling me you haven't thought of a name for this kind of song? Wang Bo, do you even know what you just sang?"
"A...school song?" Wang Bo asked tentatively.
"School song my ass!" Chen Mo cursed excitedly. "This is a song that can be performed on the Spring Festival Gala! This is a song that will become a generation's memory!"
Chen Mo released him, paced excitedly back and forth in the recording studio for a while, then stopped and stared at Wang Bo: "Tell me honestly, was this song written a long time ago? Is it some hidden gem in your archives?"
Wang Bo shook his head: "I suddenly got the inspiration after reading the song invitation just now."
Chen Mo was skeptical: "Can a sudden inspiration really produce a work of this quality? The verses and choruses have a clear structure, a memorable melody, and lyrics that are profound yet not obscure. This needs at least some polishing... It must have taken at least a few days, if not several weeks!"
"Maybe..." Wang Bo thought for a moment and came up with a reasonable explanation, "It's because of my commercial performance experience during this period. I've met too many ordinary people and heard too many stories of ordinary people. The migrant workers who listened to me sing in the building materials market, the aunt who said I reminded her of her first love, the uncle who refused to leave in the rain... Everyone is searching for answers, everyone is moving forward against the light."
He paused for a moment: "This song is for them, and also for everyone who is still on their journey."
Chen Mo fell silent.
After a long while, he let out a long breath, walked to the control panel and sat down: "Come on, sing it again, I'll record a demo."
"Now?" Wang Bo glanced at the time. "What time is it?"
"So what?" Chen Mo had already turned on the recording equipment. "When inspiration strikes, you have to seize it, even at 3 a.m., let's strike while the iron is hot!"
Wang Bo had no choice but to pick up his guitar again.
This time, Chen Mo started multi-track recording, not only recording the guitar, but also having Wang Bo sing a vocal track a cappella.
Wang Bo sighed, "It's so nice to have someone help me, unlike the two weeks I spent in the basement of Yuji Entertainment, where I had to do almost everything myself."
After recording, Chen Mo put on his monitoring headphones and listened to the recording three times.
With each listen, his expression grew more excited.
"Wang Bo," Chen Mo said seriously after taking off his headphones, "this song can't just be a school song."
Wang Bo was taken aback: "What do you mean?"