Chapter 142 Performance
In response to Cheng Mengshan's request for help, Song Yuanchao frowned slightly for a moment.
As for cultural and artistic programs, there are usually only a few of them, which are very easy to do in later generations.
In later generations, which children didn't learn piano, violin, singing, dancing, or other skills from an early age? But this era was a poor era, people didn't have much entertainment, and coupled with the previous factors, what everyone knew was indeed just the same few things as Cheng Mengshan said.
Since Cheng Mengshan has come to Song Yuanchao for help, he cannot just ignore it. After thinking carefully, he made a few suggestions. For example, singing can be done in solo and chorus. See if there is anyone with a good voice among the classmates. If not, they can rehearse a chorus. As long as they don't go out of tune and follow the rhythm, it will be acceptable.
Besides, anyone who can dance can go up and do some dancing or something. Or maybe tell a crosstalk or something. Oh, right! Isn't Sun Yaoliang a good talker? Let him do a stand-up crosstalk. Just by poking his face on the stage, he can make everyone laugh without even opening his mouth.
As Song Yuanchao made several suggestions, Cheng Mengshan's eyes became brighter and brighter, and he nodded excitedly.
"Yuan Chao, you have helped me a lot!"
Cheng Mengshan held Song Yuanchao's hand tightly and expressed his sincere gratitude.
"Old Cheng, there's no need to do this. You're making me feel embarrassed." Song Yuanchao looked at his tightly clenched hands and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"There's no need for it. I think it's very necessary!" Cheng Mengshan said with emotion, "You also know that I am forced to be the monitor. There are many students in the class who are better than me. You know why everyone nominated me to be the monitor. To be honest, haven't I been working so hard in the past few months just to not let you down? This New Year's party is very important. The higher-ups have given me this difficult task. If I don't do well, how can I explain it to everyone?"
"Old Cheng, actually you don't need to be under so much pressure. Everyone sees everything you have done for the class and your classmates." Song Yuanchao comforted him. Song Yuanchao knew very well what Cheng Mengshan was thinking. Compared with many of his classmates, Cheng Mengshan was older and came from the countryside. He seemed inconspicuous compared to his classmates in the city.
More importantly, Cheng Mengshan's family conditions were poor. Every time he ate in the cafeteria, he would deliberately stay away from everyone. He usually had two steamed buns and a bowl of soup, and everyone saw it.
In fact, everyone did not look down on this monitor, but respected and understood him. In everyone's eyes, Cheng Mengshan was able to be admitted to the Imperial University of Peking with much worse conditions than himself, and he worked so hard, which was not easy. So even if Cheng Mengshan, as the monitor, was a little negligent in his work on weekdays, everyone was generous and understanding of him.
But Cheng Mengshan didn't think so. His congenital deficiencies and the changes in his life made him extremely strong-willed. If he did something, he would either not do it well or do it perfectly. This was Cheng Mengshan's attitude and requirement for himself. As a roommate, Song Yuanchao was of course aware of what Cheng Mengshan was thinking and understood it.
"Thank you, thank you for your support!" Cheng Mengshan nodded repeatedly, and then said with emotion: "I'm really not afraid of you laughing at me. There is something I'm embarrassed to tell you. In fact, this gala is very important to me, so I have to do it well no matter what."
"Old Cheng, what do you mean...?"
Looking around, Cheng Mengshan's face turned slightly red, and he said a little embarrassedly: "You are not an outsider, so I will tell you straight. After the Spring Festival, there will be an additional election for the student union members, and our first-level class cadres will participate in the re-election as candidates. If our class can have a good program in this Spring Festival Gala and take the lead, it will be very beneficial to me personally."
Sighing, Cheng Mengshan continued, "You know my situation very well. Your sister-in-law and nephew are both in my hometown. You have also been to the countryside. Life in the mountains is not easy. Why am I working so hard now? Isn't it for them? So that I can make a name for myself one day and stay in the city, so that I can bring them over to reunite with me and live a good life?"
At this point, Cheng Mengshan's eyes sparkled, and he seemed a little excited. He clenched his fists and continued, "Our generation is lucky. We finally waited for the day when the country resumed the college entrance examination. I am even luckier. I was lucky enough to be admitted to university. Compared to many people, we are a lucky generation, but we also have to work harder than others."
"If, I say if, this party can make our class stand out, then my chances of joining the student union will be much greater. After graduation, with this qualification, I can find a good job and bring my wife, children and parents over. At that time, I can give them a completely different life, and let my children and future generations completely escape poverty and ignorance, become enviable city dwellers, and have a better and happier life and future than our generation..."
When it came to the emotional part, Cheng Mengshan's eyes became moist. Looking at his excited expression, Song Yuanchao silently patted his shoulder to show his understanding.
Yes! How could Song Yuanchao not understand Cheng Mengshan's idea? This is not only true in this era, but also in any era. Relying on one's own efforts to stand out and change the environment of oneself and one's family is what many people dream of.
But how many people can really do this? Cheng Mengshan is lucky. He worked harder than everyone else and was lucky enough to be admitted to university, and he is on the right path . Although his thoughts may be narrow-minded and selfish, it is human nature. If Song Yuanchao were in his position, he would probably think the same way. Song Yuanchao even felt that he might not be able to do better than Cheng Mengshan.
Cheng Mengshan was right. This was indeed a rare opportunity for him. The identity of a student union cadre might not be rare for Song Yuanchao, but it was different for Cheng Mengshan.
If Cheng Mengshan can become a member of the student union after the election, then this experience will be particularly important for his future. After graduation, with this experience, he can choose a better unit and realize everything he dreams of.
As a classmate, roommate and friend, Song Yuanchao had no reason not to help. He comforted Cheng Mengshan for a few words, and after his emotions stabilized, Song Yuanchao once again carefully thought about how to help him arrange the program and produce an outstanding one.
"Yuan Chao, why don't you also perform one?" Cheng Mengshan suddenly suggested.
"Me?" Song Yuanchao was stunned. He didn't expect that Cheng Mengshan would have his eyes on him.
"Yes!" Cheng Mengshan nodded and said, "Although you deliberately keep a low profile in school, don't I know what kind of person you are as a roommate? Also, you are from Shanghai. Shanghai people are always knowledgeable and have an advantage over other students in this aspect. Also, I remember you mentioned that you can play the accordion, right? Plus you have a good image, so I think it's very suitable for you to go on stage directly."
"But didn't you say before that there was already someone playing the accordion?" Song Yuanchao thought for a moment and asked.
" It doesn't matter if there are people around. How about you play and sing a song at the same time? I think that's great."
"This..." Song Yuanchao couldn't help but hesitate. Cheng Mengshan was right. He could indeed play the accordion. It was his father who taught him. At that time, Song Yuanchao often went to the Children's Palace to perform when he was in elementary school and middle school. But after he went to the countryside to become an educated youth before graduating from high school, he rarely played the accordion in recent years. So many years have passed, and he doesn't know how much of his skills are still there.
As for singing, Song Yuanchao could only say that he was average, but Cheng Mengshan's suggestion did make him a little tempted. There was still half a month before New Year's Day, and if he practiced hard, he shouldn't have any problems getting on stage. Moreover, Song Yuanchao suddenly remembered the time when he played the accordion for everyone at the Children's Palace, and he really missed it.
"Okay, but you have to find time for me to practice. I haven't played for a long time. Also, let me make it clear that I'm just a backup. Just in case, you have to prepare a few more programs and decide who will go on stage at the last minute. This way it's safer."
"Okay! With your help, I'll be more confident. I'll go back and sort out which programs will be used. We'll meet tomorrow to finalize the program list and then find a place to rehearse." Cheng Mengshan nodded excitedly and said as he stood up.
Song Yuanchao agreed with a smile. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly felt a chill on his face. He reached out and touched it, and his palm was slightly cold and wet. He looked up and saw snowflakes falling from the gray sky.
"It's snowing, let's go back quickly." Song Yuanchao said as he tightened his coat. Cheng Mengshan agreed and buttoned up his military coat when he stood up. Only then did Song Yuanchao notice that Cheng Mengshan was wearing a brand new military coat today.
"Old Cheng, this clothes is nice. Is it new?" Song Yuanchao smiled and looked at his military coat.
For some reason, Cheng Mengshan's expression froze for a moment, but he quickly returned to normal: "Haha, how can I afford it? This was given to me by a fellow soldier who visited me a few days ago."
After saying that, without waiting for Song Yuanchao to speak, he seemed to remember something: "Yuanchao, you go back to the dormitory first. I suddenly remembered that I have something urgent to deal with. It's too late. I'm leaving first. Remember to meet tomorrow to discuss it. I'm leaving!"
After saying that, Cheng Mengshan rushed to the library without waiting for Song Yuanchao to speak. Looking at his hurriedly leaving back, Song Yuanchao was puzzled for a moment. After thinking for a while, he shook his head and smiled: "What is this old Cheng thinking about? He can forget everything? Why is he so anxious..."
