Chapter 301 - Hey, It’s Me

Chapter 301 - Hey, It’s Me

"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you have all been waiting for has finally arrived. Performing the titular song of his new album for the first time on television, please welcome the one and only Jin Chonglin singing "Hey, It's Me"!!!"
His army of fans went crazy. They cheered for him and unfurled huge banners saying, "Welcome back, Prince Lin Lin! Always #1!" They chanted his name. Many of them even burst into tears. They missed him so much.
He took a break for only a few months around the same time Iris Long disappeared but the way his fans were acting, it was as if he had been gone for years. His connection to his fans was definitely on a deeper level than what Iris had with the Black Stars. Many of them started following him way back since he debuted during his teens.
They literally watched him grow and develop into who he was now as one of the most successful artists in the country. As for the Black Stars, they only formed when Iris made her first comeback after recovering from coma.
Finally, Jin Chonglin appeared on stage. His get-up looked a lot more casual than what he usually wore in his performances before. Nevertheless, he still looked as handsome and charismatic as ever. His natural sex appeal was something that could never be taken away from him no matter how much he changed the way he dressed. At the moment, however, his sex appeal was toned down, overshadowed by a refreshing ease and gentleness in his countenance.
Another thing that was different from usual was that he was carrying a guitar slung across his shoulder. What was more, he had other musicians and a DJ performing with him. It seemed that he was going to play the music with actual instruments instead of performing a recorded track with his back-up dancers. He looked so different from the usual sexy and flashy Jin Chonglin.
He smiled at everyone as if seeing his old friends. Then he spoke to the microphone.
"Hey, everyone. It's me, Jin Chonglin. How are you all doing? Thank you for welcoming me back. I also missed all of you. This song is very special for me because it reminds me of who I am as an artist, as a musician. I wouldn't be the Jin Chonglin that I am today without music. So please listen. This is my voice, my music. This is for me and for you."
Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and began strumming his guitar. The keyboardist harmonized with him, playing a relaxing melodious music. Then the DJ added a slow catchy hip hop rhythm.
Jin Chonglin opened his eyes and began singing in a smooth voice that seemed to cling to the listeners like warm and sweet caramel."The golden sun or the thunderous storm
Everything has music if you open your heart"
Then the beat slightly changed and he began semi-singing and semi-rapping in a wonderful pop-rap tune.
"Hey, it's me
Do you wanna know
Where the music plays in this great big world?
Close your eyes
Listen with your heart
Look deep inside
You'll find music everywhere"
A violinist joined the serene melody, adding more emotion to the music. Jin Chonglin's army of fans began waving their light sticks up in the air. The Black Stars, the Pandemonium fans and the rest of the audience all followed suit.
"Hey, it's me
Do you wanna know
That everyone can sing without any words?
Words are just words
Sing with your heart and soul
You can make your own music
If you just let your feelings flow"
He looked directly at the camera in front of him. All the people watching him on TV felt like he was looking straight at their souls. They could feel the sincerity of his feelings in this performance.
"What do I do?
Who would I be?
I would be no one without music deep inside me
Can you imagine a silent world?
A world without music
To feed our very souls?"
Usually, his audience wouldn't stop screaming or singing with him during his performances. This time, however, the people just savoured the easy melody and his smooth singing while clutching their chests or swaying their hands up in the air.
Jin Chonglin continued to sing while strumming his guitar. His eyes glistened, as if he was holding back unshed tears."How can I live in a world
Without the beat of the music?
Such a world without melody
Such a world without beauty
Such a dark, silent world
Without music filling you and me"
Some of his fans began sniffing and wiping the corners of their eyes. The song started off as lighthearted—it was still light—but somewhere along the way, their chests just filled up with so much emotions that they couldn't help but become teary-eyed. The feeling, however, wasn't sad. It was joyful and somewhat nostalgic.
"Hey, it's me
Listen to my song
Everything has music
Just open up your soul
Look deep inside
Let it all out
Sing like a bird
Sing it to the world"
The pop-rap melody started to transition into something akin to sentimental ballad. The violin and the keyboard made the music soar and Jin Chonglin's voice followed suit.
"Life might be rocky
Life might be hard
But every day I'm thankful that I'm still alive
Every day I feel my soul sing like a bird
Every day I sing my heart out to the world"
His voice reached impressive high notes but still managed to sound smooth and effortless. He made the feat look so easy. It was incredible.
Many of his fans started crying, but still continued to sway and wave their hands up in the air. They also started singing along the easy and catchy melody. It was relaxing yet still very emotional. They felt like their troubles were melting away while listening to him sing this song.
Suddenly, he stopped playing his guitar. The keyboardist and the violinist also stopped. It was only the DJ's slow hip hop rhythm that was left. Then he began singing in a soft voice, just him providing the melody without any musical instruments.
"Thank you for the music
Thank you for the beauty"
He slowly began strumming his guitar again, as he sang the last lines of the song."I am who I am
Because of the music in…you…and…me~"
The song ended softly and smoothly like how it began. He closed his eyes, even trembling a bit from the emotions that he could barely hold back from spilling.
His eyes were still closed when the applause started like the pitter-pattering of raindrops. The standing ovation was as gentle like his song. It started like a drizzle but then gradually intensified into a heavy rain. More than the sound of the applause, it was the audience's emotions that could be felt by everyone in the studio.
Jin Chonglin finally opened his eyes. They were slightly red. He gave everyone a grateful smile. He raised both of his hands high up in the air and took a bow.
Backstage, Iris and Pandemonium watched everything on the monitor. The members of Pandemonium looked dazed, still affected by Jin Chonglin's song.
Admiration shone in Iris' eyes. She clapped her hands along with the audience.
"Amazing," she said in a soft voice.