Rebirth: I have Monopoly System

Chapter 164: Chapter 164: Welcome Party (Finale): Singing and Playing

In the section for the School of Economics and Management, located to the front left of the stage, three guys stood up, grabbed their canvas bags from the floor, and jogged toward the stage.

Liu Yongheng hefted the canvas bag containing the electronic keyboard and passed it up to Wu Yun at the edge of the stage.

With the help of the backstage crew, the electronic keyboard was quickly set up on the stand just used by the student who had performed on the guzheng.

Once the cables were connected, Wu Yun tested the keyboard. The sound of a piano flowed from the speakers, and the noisy athletic field slowly began to quiet down.

Wu Yun adjusted the microphone and said, "Sorry to hold you all up for a few minutes. I’m about to play a classic Russian song. If you know it, feel free to sing along with me! Just like the last song!"

A graceful, flowing piano melody rang out, and many people in the crowd instantly found it familiar.

As Wu Yun’s left hand moved across the upper manual of the keyboard, the instrument’s advantages became clear. He sounded like an entire band playing the song’s intro.

His operatic baritone voice emerged, singing the slow, clear Russian lyrics with their characteristic rolled R’s.

"Не слышны в саду даже шорохи, всё здесь замерло до утра..."

The style was a complete departure from the previous song; it felt less like a concert and more like a night at the opera.

The guys in the audience watched Wu Yun having his moment in the spotlight, feeling envious, but mostly, deeply impressed.

The girls, on the other hand, were not just appreciating the song; their eyes were sparkling as they watched Wu Yun sing and play on stage.

"Ah, I think I’m in love! From now on, Wu Yun is my new idol!"

...

The dean of the School of Foreign Languages nodded, deeply impressed by Wu Yun. He then smiled at the dean of the School of Economics and Management to his right and said, "Old Wang! This student of yours is quite something. His talent for languages is fantastic! How about you let him transfer to our school? I can even get him a spot in the graduate program!"

However, the dean of the Art Academy overheard him. "Get out of here! That Wu Yun’s singing is professional-level. With a bit more training to refine his craft, he’s destined to be a rising star! His best path is with us in the arts!"

It was then that Wang Xuanmin remembered why Wu Yun’s name was so familiar. Previously, one of the counselors, Li Yan, had submitted a leave of absence request for Wu Yun during military training. The reason she gave was urgent business at his startup—and that company was Little Red Car!

It’s fair to say that he’d been following Little Red Car’s progress ever since. He knew in his heart that the school had found its star student entrepreneur!

’What a talent! No—a genius!’

Of course, he figured a large part of Wu Yun’s success was also due to family support. ’Otherwise, where would he get the capital to launch such a massive project?’

Wang Xuanmin marveled inwardly. ’Business, music, languages... Wu Yun has shown astonishing talent in all of them.’

Still, Wang Xuanmin believed that becoming a successful entrepreneur was the best path forward for him.

Wang Xuanmin laughed heartily, interrupting the two bickering deans. "Old Liu, Old Li! I’m afraid you’re both going to be disappointed! I suspect our Mr. Wu Yun here just considers these things hobbies! In my opinion, he’s destined to become a successful entrepreneur!"

The three of them then continued to enjoy the Russian song, a familiar tune from their own childhoods, while listening to Wang Xuanmin’s brief introduction to Wu Yun.

"Aaaaaah~"

Some people closed their eyes, listening quietly.

For the entire duration of the song, the audience didn’t cheer or scream. They listened in rapt silence to Wu Yun’s voice, as if they had been transported to the outskirts of Moscow at night, listening to the protagonist pour out his heart.

All of this was faithfully captured by the cameras.

Someone looked up the Huaxia phonetic transcription of the lyrics, gaining a deeper understanding of the song’s mood and meaning.

Even those hearing the song for the first time could feel the emotion woven into the beautiful melody.

As the final piano notes faded into silence, before Wu Yun could even rise to take a bow, the entire audience leaped to their feet as one. Thunderous applause and screams filled the air, only subsiding when the hosts came back on stage.

"Wow! Wu Yun is just so talented! For a moment, I thought we had a professional singer visiting our school. That song was so moving. I’m officially his fan now!"

Li Ling exclaimed as she walked onto the stage, her eyes holding the same adoration as a fangirl looking at her idol.

Wang Liang chuckled, joining her from the other side of the stage. "I don’t think it’s just you. Look at all the students in the audience—I bet they’re all thinking the same thing!"

As he spoke, the camera for the jumbotron panned across the audience. Many still had entranced, almost shocked expressions, while others were excitedly sharing their feelings with the students next to them.

"Looking at everyone’s expressions, it’s clear you all want more. But unfortunately, it’s time for us to say goodbye!"

The closing music started to play.

Wang Liang: "May your passions blossom with time!"

Li Ling: "And may your pursuits flourish throughout your lives!"

...

As the two hosts delivered their closing lines, the discipline from the recent military training became apparent. Under the direction of teachers and the student union, the students picked up their chairs and proceeded in an orderly manner to the designated drop-off points.

Wang Liang: "I now declare the Shida University 2014 Welcoming Gala successfully concluded. We’ll see you again next year!"

Li Ling: "Good night, everyone!"

...

Standing backstage, Wu Yun noticed that the way everyone looked at him was a little different now.

"You were so incredible! My heart completely melted!" Lai Yi, who was still in her Tang Dynasty court lady costume, spotted Wu Yun coming off stage and jogged over as if to pounce on him.

Because of her costume’s tight bodice, her ample chest bounced with every step.

Wen Meng’s other classmates also crowded around, wanting to get a closer look at their new idol.

Wu Yun quickly grabbed a canvas bag and held it to his chest. "What do you think you’re doing in broad daylight?"

He turned his head to see Wen Meng at the edge of the group, covering her mouth as she stifled a laugh. Wu Yun shouted, "Wen Meng! Aren’t you going to stop these female pervs?!"

It was unclear who made the first move.

"Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing?! No groping! I will scream, you know!"

"Don’t! Don’t!"

"Help me!"

...

The publicity for Little Red Car made the news, and along with it, Wu Yun and Wen Meng went viral within the university student community.

Videos of their performances began to circulate, getting reposted and liked by students from universities all over.

Posts about Wu Yun and Wen Meng shot to the top of online forums, which also caused some minor inconveniences for the couple.

For the past couple of days, whenever either Wen Meng or Wu Yun appeared on campus, people would come up and ask for their WeChat, even knowing that the two of them were a couple.

Fortunately, the National Day holiday was about to start! Wu Yun figured that after some time had passed, things would surely calm down by the time they came back from the break.

Wu Yun sighed to himself. ’Li Yuantao’s tactics really are disgusting!’

Wu Yun had never actually rehearsed the second song, so the matter of its backing track had slipped his mind.

It was an emergency situation that night. With no backing track, things could have gotten really awkward if Wu Yun hadn’t been prepared.

Wu Yun had to use his own resources to resolve the awkwardness, and Li Yuantao didn’t lose a thing.

And what do you know...

"Wu Yun, can I get your WeChat?"