189-191

Chapter 189: Swapping Places 

The melodious and grand tune vibrated powerfully through the speakers, and you could almost feel the layers of sound waves surging, stirring up intense emotions. The clear resonance of the symphonic strings was cleverly hidden within the melody, and the feeling of "the sea is vast for fish to leap, and the sky is high for birds to fly" brought a sense of freedom and exhilaration that made both body and mind feel completely refreshed. 

However, it still felt like something was missing. 

Alice opened her mouth, as if wanting to taste something, but then realized that the air had no flavor, and there was nothing in her mouth. So she smacked her lips, closed them again in disappointment, and a flash of inspiration struck her. She immediately grasped it and understood. 

Vocals. What the melody lacked was vocals. 

Whether it was the morning after the full moon party or the opening act for Bruno's concert, Ronan's singing was the soul of the entire song. 

In fact, both times he sang "Chasing the Light," the melody wasn't complete and had a significant difference from the finished version in the studio today. However, Ronan's vocals injected a resilience into the song that danced on the edge of fragility, truly showcasing the power contained within the melody and lyrics, even giving it a stronger force, like a faint ray of light in the darkness, guiding people to sprint towards hope with all their might. 

That was the soul of the song. 

"Ronan, how was it?" 

It was Ollie who spoke. After the melody finished playing, Ollie's voice, filled with anticipation and a hint of nervousness, broke the quiet and silence of the recording studio. 

Maxim and Cliff also both looked over, but neither of them looked good. They were drenched in sweat and exhausted, like eggplants that had been hit by frost. 

After experiencing repeated torment, they had lost all sense of time and had no idea how long they had been in the recording booth. Apart from going out for a smoke and using the restroom to slightly relax their nerves, they had been working in the studio the entire time, and their physical and mental energy was completely drained. 

Actually, according to the usual practice, working non-stop like this wasn't ideal, because being in a bad state could also affect the final output of the recording. Artistic work, more or less, still needed a touch of inspiration. However, the band's situation was special. They had no time and no money. Even if it wasn't ideal, they had to bite the bullet and push through. When they were tired, their only option was to wash their faces in the restroom to force themselves awake and then continue working. 

Maxim could guarantee that anyone who endured several hours of Ronan's torment would be in this state, without even the strength to speak. 

At this moment, their inner emotions were also very complicated. On the one hand, they resisted the torment of returning to the recording studio again, and on the other hand, they hoped that the recording effect would be satisfactory—not to avoid work, but genuinely hoping to record a piece that would move the listeners. 

Whoosh. 

The air seemed to freeze for a second, and then you could see the corners of Ronan's mouth slightly turn up— 

The familiar Ronan was back, no longer in robot mode, with a smile full of joy in his eyes. "Great, now it's time for my part." 

"Yeah!" Ollie raised his hands and cheered. Maxim and Cliff also both clenched their fists in celebration. Compared to relief, joy and happiness were even more overwhelming, surging back and forth in their chests. The arduous work had finally paid off, and the feeling of being moved and satisfied was beyond words. 

Actually, it still couldn't be considered perfect, but considering the limitations of time and conditions, this was already the best level Ronan could achieve within his capabilities. If they continued to pursue perfection, it would be nitpicking and slowly making adjustments at the detail level. 

So, this version was already ready for release. 

Ronan also stood up and stretched out, his joints cracking loudly. He had been hunched over in front of the soundboard for too long and felt like he was about to transform into Gollum from "The Lord of the Rings." Then, he could hear his stomach rumbling in protest. 

Ronan lowered his head and touched his stomach. The intense hunger was protesting severely. Only then did Ronan notice the time in the corner of the computer screen—it was already 9:30 PM. They had been working non-stop in the recording studio for nearly ten hours. It had indeed been a long and exhausting day. 

But at the same time, Ronan also realized that they had to speed up. They couldn't continue to delay on both time and money. The hunger issue had to be put aside again—it had to work, otherwise, they might regret missing today's opportunity even more. 

"Okay, then I'll start recording. Let's make it quick and finish early so we can still make it for late-night snacks." 

Ronan rubbed his hands together, walked past Ollie, and directly pushed open the door to the recording booth. 

Ollie and Maxim exchanged a look. In the end, Maxim sat down at the soundboard, ready to take on the role of recording engineer to complete the work. 

Cliff nudged Maxim with his shoulder and then gave him a look. Ollie also raised his eyebrows and winked at Maxim. 

Without needing words, Maxim immediately understood: they had been bullied by Ronan for so long, now it was their turn for revenge. 

Actually, Ronan, just like the band members, was returning to the recording studio today after many years. Their feelings of nervousness and unfamiliarity, excitement and joy were all the same. It was just that after nearly ten hours of non-stop work, pouring their hearts and souls into it, Ronan had now fully adapted. 

Despite this, when he actually entered the recording booth, his heart suddenly started beating faster. This made Ronan jump up and down gently in place, trying to relax his muscles, and then he started walking in circles in the recording booth. 

"Ahhh... Ahhh..." First ascending, then descending, then repeating it again, but raising the entire scale by an octave, "Ahhh... Ahhh..." After finishing, he started moving his lips, using the "doo-doo-doo" method to relax his mouth, and his vocal cords relaxed along with it. 

The teammates sitting outside could also clearly sense Ronan's nervousness. Ollie couldn't help but press the button and mock him with a chuckle, "Ronan, you must have forgotten, you have a day like this too, haha." 

Ronan raised his hands in surrender. "Can I raise the white flag in advance?" 

This immediately made his teammates burst into laughter. 

He let out a long, long breath, his right hand placed on his heart. He could clearly feel the thumping of his heart, which felt like it was about to jump out at any moment. More than nervousness, it was excitement and anticipation. That familiar feeling began to spread through his blood. 

Finally! 

He was finally standing in the recording booth again. 

He adjusted the microphone height, adjusted the position of the music stand, and then put on his headphones. After falling silent, the sound of his heartbeat became even clearer, allowing Ronan to truly feel the vibrancy and reality of life. 

"Okay, I'm ready," Ronan said into the microphone. 

Chapter 190: Natural-Born Singer 

"Looking around at the bustling crowd, shoulder to shoulder, teardrops become windows reflecting the soul. Like an unsung silent symphony, that wild and magnificent hidden realm, a masterpiece forever out of reach. Because everyone is chasing the light, you know everyone is chasing the light." Ronan's gaze slowly scanned the lyrics on the music stand, not because he didn't remember them—though, of course, such mistakes could happen during recording—but because he needed to study them. He marked the key vocal points for breathing, articulation, pronunciation, pauses, and so on, to deepen his memory. 

At the same time, the understanding of the lyrics and the interpretation of emotions also needed attention. The entire recorded song should ultimately be an emotional upward spiral and closure. Only in this way would the song be "complete," truly finishing a work of art from its framework to its veins and then to its flesh and blood. This was the focus of the recording. 

For singers, live performances emphasize inspiration, singing according to their mood on the day and the atmosphere of the venue. Therefore, each performance might have different effects, with varying levels of quality. In contrast, the recording studio emphasizes sculpting. Based on the producer's most perfect version in their mind, they slowly refine the details, repeatedly recording until they achieve the producer's best version, ensuring consistent quality. 

Therefore, details are crucial, and perfection is the ultimate goal. 

As the lyricist and composer of "Chasing the Light," Ronan also completed the arrangement and was serving as the producer today. He had an outline of the perfect version in his mind, and now he needed to complete the fine-tuning through recording and presentation, meticulously polishing and sculpting the final effect he envisioned. 

"Okay, I'm ready." 

Ronan was still a little nervous, but it wasn't the same kind of nervousness as going on stage. It was more of a pressure stemming from his strict self-demands and pursuit of perfection. Simply put, he was making things difficult for himself. Returning to the recording studio after many years, he hoped he could give his all to the recording. 

The smile on the corner of his mouth disappeared again. Ronan once again entered a state of complete focus and self-forgetfulness. Despite the nervousness, he was able to completely relax. The contradictory emotions of "nervousness vs. relaxation" harmoniously merged into one, finding a wonderful balance. 

Maxim could keenly sense the subtle change in that aura. He couldn't help but turn his head to look at Ollie, only to see Ollie's eyes full of anticipation. This slightly eased Maxim's tension. He pressed the button and spoke into the microphone, "We'll start when you're ready." 

The melody began. 

It was the freshly produced instrumental version that the band had spent ten hours recording today, combined with the rough demo track Ronan had previously recorded on his computer. This became Ronan's "wet" vocal track, the majestic yet ethereal sound of surging waves floating throughout the recording studio. 

Open your ears! A flash of brilliance! 

At this moment, the band members could finally truly calm down and relax, listening to the melody with their hearts. A completely different feeling instantly grabbed their attention. The details Ronan had continuously polished during the recording process keenly caught their ears. Even though they had played it hundreds or thousands of times that afternoon and were already tired of it, they could still feel the emotions conveyed by the melody. That familiarity, on the contrary, had a special touch. 

"Looking around at the bustling crowd, shoulder to shoulder..." A clear and moving voice began to narrate, like a pair of slender hands drawing open the vast and magnificent night sky, peeking into a secluded and quiet无人之地 (uninhabited place). A magnificent and lengthy scroll slowly unfolded before their eyes, "...teardrops become windows reflecting the soul... window." 

The articulation was lively and cleverly matched the accents of the melody. Even though there were no gaps between the syllables, they could still feel the joy and liveliness of the notes dancing on the tip of the tongue. It was as if they could see countless fireflies scattered like stars in the depths of a cave, their flickering light slowly opening up their hearts, making them忍不住 (couldn't help but) lean forward, trying to explore the mysterious world behind the "teardrop window." 

"Like an unsung silent symphony, that wild and magnificent hidden realm, a masterpiece forever out of reach..." Flowing smoothly and in one breath, the clear voice intertwined with the coldness and grandeur of the strings, stacking up power. It was as if they could see all the fireflies flocking towards them, the rolling airwaves blowing against the fine hairs on their skin, the dazzling yet gentle halo rushing towards their eyes. 

Slowly, just like that, slowly falling— 

Falling into a world woven by Ronan's singing, as if truly entering that hidden realm for an adventure. Unheard-of sights opened their eyes, and they felt the roaring baptism of emotions with astonishment, their entire minds becoming clear and joyful. It was a wonderful experience beyond words. 

Breath. 

Ronan's soft breath was like a butterfly lightly landing on their shoulders. The shimmering wings made the listeners present involuntarily hold their breath, their eyes wide as they watched the butterfly flutter its wings. The wonder of nature was magnified in their pupils. 

The melody sank, and Ronan's singing landed accurately on Ollie's drumbeats, "Because everyone is chasing the light..." Each syllable was slightly, just slightly, drawn out, the emotions intertwined between the syllables completely融入 (integrated) into the melody, dragging out long tails. 

Like the fluorescent powder scattered by fireflies along the way, it landed in every corner, unnoticed at first. But when they came back to their senses, they could realize that the whole world had become dazzling, yet they had no idea when it all happened. 

"...you know, everyone is chasing..." 

Each articulation contained a story, each syllable hid an emotion, just like that, putting wings on the soul. A gentle breeze blew, and they could soar in the wind without any effort. Stars and clouds, the sea and forests, plains and cliffs, unfolded grandly before their eyes, allowing them to roam freely in the world of melody. 

"...the light..." 

Even though they couldn't hear singing during the extended rests, they could still feel the continuous flow of emotion in the breathing. Then, perfectly matching the drumbeats, the singing began again crisply and neatly. The sound of large and small pearls falling onto a jade plate resonated amidst the roar of the strings, causing uncontrollable surges in their hearts. 

Completely immersed! 

Effortlessly, yet vividly and wonderfully. 

From articulation to pronunciation, from breathing to pauses, from rhythm to meter, even in the blank spaces without lyrics, they could clearly feel the surge and intensity of emotions. Everything was the result of meticulous sculpting, yet they couldn't feel any trace of carving or embellishment. It was completely natural, and every word and phrase effortlessly pulled each listener's mind into that hidden and mysterious world. 

Just a short verse, yet it held a hundred turns of thought. 

This was a natural-born singing voice. 

Chapter 191: Drawing Melodies 

"Wow." 

The exclamation escaped uncontrollably, their minds momentarily blank, completely immersed in the starry sea painted by the singing. The control of emotions – the ebb and flow, the twists and turns – was simply masterful. The rhythm and melody danced effortlessly within the dazzling steps, as if… it wasn't Ronan singing along to the melody, but the melody itself was dancing to Ronan's lead. It was an indescribable experience. 

"Wow!" 

Cliff's first reaction was to turn his head towards Maxim, his jaw dropped in astonishment. Then, he saw the amazement deep within Maxim's eyes, more honest than words and more real than any action, fully conveying the shock Maxim felt at that moment. The two men looked at each other, speechless. 

Both Cliff and Maxim vaguely remembered the first time they met Ronan. Time had blurred some of the details and the overall picture, leaving only a hazy concept. However, they both remembered Ronan's singing voice. Ollie had even exaggerated, saying, "That's a voice kissed by God." 

At the time, Cliff hadn't taken it seriously, and neither had Maxim. Such an exaggerated statement was just a friend's praise and affirmation. But undeniably, Ronan's timbre was truly special. It might not sound particularly distinctive at first listen, but it was incredibly comfortable to hear. The clear and smooth texture always gave the melody an extra layer of unique quality. This was talent, and it was also the foundation for becoming a lead singer. 

Time flew by. 

Through the ups and downs, the stumbles and recoveries of the past few years, their youthful ambitions had been worn away, replaced by the instability and unease of a wandering existence. They seemed to have long forgotten the reason they loved music in the first place, and why Ronan had become their lead singer. Even the rollercoaster of the past few months felt distant. 

Until this moment. 

And! Compared to the Ronan's singing voice they remembered, this "updated version" was even more skilled, more natural, and more moving. The vicissitudes of seven years had settled deep within his soul, expressed through the vibrations of his vocal cords and the performance of his singing. His storytelling ability effortlessly touched the softest parts of their hearts. 

Was this really the Ronan they knew? The guy who could get so excited over a bucket of fried chicken that his voice would change, who would roll around on his bed wanting a hot dog at midnight, and who would get so grumpy when he was hungry that he could kill with his eyes? 

It didn't seem quite right… did it? 

Maxim was completely immersed in Ronan's singing, with only one thought in his mind: Good. So good. Really good. 

Clap! Clap! Clap! 

Ollie stared intently at Ronan in the recording booth, genuinely applauding non-stop to express his admiration. Without needing words, the emotion surging and boiling within his bright eyes was palpable. A smile crept onto his lips, blooming fully, as he felt an urge to worship. 

One listen was all it took to know the difference. The more professional you were, the more you could understand how advanced Ronan's singing was. His emotions were completely infused into the melody. Previously, Ronan had asked Cliff to inject emotion into his playing, from heavy to light, from release to restraint, from stagnant to continuous. Now, Ronan's singing was exactly the same. 

Every word perfectly matched the rhythm and melody, blending together seamlessly. The singing completely released the emotions hidden within the notes, achieving far more than just a simple addition. The intense chemical reaction perfectly illustrated the captivating charm of music. 

More importantly, this was just the verse. They hadn't even reached the chorus yet. That meant there were no high notes, no fancy vocal tricks – just simple, unadorned singing used to interpret the melody. But the subtle details hidden within injected the melody with incredible color. 

Having endured the torment of the entire afternoon, Cliff had a renewed understanding of Ronan— 

The blank period since their last time in the recording studio had been far too long. In the long days and nights they spent together, they had been trapped in a haze of confusion and hardship, unable to see the future. They had forgotten just how outstanding a singer Ronan was. 

From fighting for an encore at the "Noon" bar, to attracting the Shining Band and getting the chance to perform at the full moon party, then to busking all the way on the road, and finally to the opening act opportunity for Bruno's concert – all of it was because of Ronan's singing. They had completely forgotten that. 

His gaze returned to Ronan, and Cliff fell silent, feeling a sudden impact, even stronger than when he himself was recording. 

"Maxim?" Ronan's voice came through the headphones, asking Maxim for his thoughts. 

Recording studio work is rarely done in one go. This is fundamentally different from live performances. Usually, they record a section, then slowly review and meticulously refine it. Once they confirm it's perfect, they move on to the next section. Occasionally, they might not be satisfied, so to adjust their state, they might record the next section first and then come back to re-record the previous section after everything else is done. 

So, after the first verse was recorded, Ronan paused, waiting for feedback. But Maxim didn't speak for a long time, so he had to ask. 

Actually, Ronan was still a little nervous. Because he was wearing headphones, he couldn't hear his own singing clearly, so his self-assessment might not be accurate. Also, at this point, was he still a performer, or did he need to accept objective feedback to improve better? 

"Good." The first word popped into Maxim's mind reflexively. He paused for a moment and then added, "Good, I don't have any suggestions for changes." 

"..." Ronan didn't speak, but just looked at Maxim, his eyes conveying his meaning: Are you sure? 

"Yes, yes... yes, I'm sure." Maxim nodded repeatedly. After a moment of being stunned, he finally came back to his senses. "You know what you're doing and what you should do. You already have a blueprint in your mind, just like painting. You use your singing to draw out the emotions. It's not difficult for you. The only challenge is to bring it out when you're recording, and you've already done that." 

Singing is actually the same as painting – lines and frameworks, colors and ideas. Some people have no idea what they're doing and just sing with all their might, resulting in a mess. Others have a clear three-dimensional framework in their minds, and what they slowly sketch out is a masterpiece. 

Talent is sometimes just that. 

"Your performance just now was excellent. I can't find any flaws. Emotion, rhythm, pitch, timbre, power – everything was perfect. Just continue with that feeling," Maxim judged from his perspective. This was his honest opinion.