Chapter 29: The Interview Proceeds

  PS: I won't say more, everyone understands, right? Rushing to the top now!!!!!!

  After a formal introduction, Xiaohe and journalists Chang Haixin and Shu Xiaoyan began the real interview in the room. Since it was for a newspaper, and also a private interview, Chang Haixin asked questions and guided the conversation, while Shu Xiaoyan took notes and photos, and could also help supplement some points of inquiry.

  Reporter: "You performed from 20:20 to 22:50 tonight on the pedestrian street with the largest flow of people in Dazu, shocking every audience who stopped to watch. In fact, it attracted so many people that it almost caused the entire street to be blocked. Are you satisfied with this performance effect?"

  Yeah, this must be the doing of that crazy fan who's a bit like Xiao Wan's sister, otherwise how would Chang Hai Xin know about it?

  Xiao Tang: "I'm deeply moved and excited by the enthusiasm of my friends from Da Zu, because of their spontaneous support, I even have an illusion that I'm not a wandering young singer, but a big star (laughs). To be honest, I'm not very satisfied with tonight's performance."

  Reporter: "Oh? How can that be? Your performance wasn't extremely successful? My assistant and I were both stunned! At that moment, you were the biggest star, with over 2,000 people in the audience screaming and applauding."

  Xiao Tang: "First of all, I have to say that my own work has not been released yet. Although everyone likes it when I perform, I feel regretful in my heart because I couldn't bring you my excellent work. Secondly, the friends on site are too enthusiastic and easily satisfied. The venue and equipment were really poor, with only my guitar accompaniment, which lacked a lot of atmosphere and flavor. Finally, this performance was rushed, and I didn't even prepare well myself. If not for that, I think I would have done slightly better."

  "Wow, despite the poor conditions, you performed so well. In the future, if you're in a better venue with better equipment and more audience, won't you be able to bring the house down?"

  Xiao Tang: "Actually, this should be the super goal that every singer wants to achieve, right? I also thought about it, but for now, there shouldn't be such an opportunity."

  Reporter: "Why say that? Are you planning on never holding another commercial performance again?"

  Xiao Tang: "No, it's because I want to continue my hiking plan to Modu, at least within this year there won't be such an opportunity!"

  Reporter: "Heavens, are you serious? Walking all the way to Mogadishu? Or at this time of year when it's hottest?"

  Xiao Tang: "Hehe, I should ride a bike, it's a bicycle. If it's winter, walking is also okay."

  Reporter: "This is also very tiring! And I want to know, why do you insist on carrying out this strange and exhausting plan? Is it because of a bet with someone?"

  Xiao Tang: "I absolutely didn't bet, my main goal is to experience an activity that can exercise both body and willpower, just like today I walked nearly 80 kilometers and performed in every town center along the way while asking for rewards."

  Shu Xiaoyu didn't know about this, so when he asked about it, Chang Hai didn't continue asking immediately. Instead, he pressed the recorder and said curiously: "You performed in towns along the way to ask for rewards, and then you can still arrive in Dazu within a day. Your speed seems too fast, doesn't it?"

  It's no wonder she was curious, the average speed of a normal adult is basically around 6 kilometers, and this is still under non-tired conditions. If you test after walking for too long, it's probably only 3 or 4 kilometers. According to what she knew, Tang Xiao's hometown of Shuanglong was 80 kilometers away from Dazu by highway distance. Even if he didn't take the highway and took a shortcut/small road, it would be at least 50 kilometers, right?

  But he not only performed on the road for rewards, but also arrived at the county town when it was dark. Is this speed a bit against the sky? Or is he bragging?

  "I'm a martial artist, you can tell by my strength." Xiao Shuai said with confidence, his right hand picked up the stainless steel ashtray on the bedside table in the inn, and then grasped the round ashtray in the palm of his hand. He nodded at Chang Hai Xin and Shu Xiao Juan who were excited to witness a miracle, and then slowly exerted force with his right hand...

  "Clang... Clang... Clang..." In the quiet room, the stainless steel ashtray slowly underwent a transformation, also emitting a clear and audible sound.

  "How's that?" Xiao Sa Ge tossed the stainless steel ashtray, which had become a lump of scrap iron, lightly and asked with a smile.

  "This is really a miracle!" Chang Hai exclaimed, her heart filled with shock. From now on, she would never blame her niece for being too anxious again, this interview was likely to be a huge hit! She nodded repeatedly and said: "No wonder you can move so fast, no wonder you dare to do such a thing in the extreme weather of Sanfu Tian."

  "Who dares to go up to Mount Liangshan without three divisions?" Xiaohe Ge smiled faintly, then patted his hand and said: "It's very late, let's continue chatting."

  "Alright, you don't mind if I write up your amazing performance just now and report it, do you?" Chang Hai's heart was somewhat nervous as he looked at Xiao Suo Ge, afraid that he would want to hide his embarrassment, thus making this interview, which might stir up controversy and excitement, not sensational enough.

  "It doesn't matter, just write whatever you want, I don't care." Xiaosan Ge waved his hand casually and agreed without a second thought.

  The interview continued:

  Reporter: "When you perform in rural areas, are there many onlookers? Will they support you?"

  Xiao Tang: "It's okay, the support was great. But when I finished performing and wanted everyone to give me some spare change for travel expenses, they all ran away like they were avoiding a plague. So that day, although I stayed in three towns and performed 17 songs, I only got over 180 yuan, which was almost all used up on water, lodging, food, and other things along the way."

  Reporter: "Haha, many street performers have experienced this kind of embarrassment before. You're actually not doing too badly. Rural areas are quite conservative and people tend to be more frugal."

  Xiao Tang: "Yes, I understand this situation very well because I also grew up in the countryside as a rural child. Everyone works hard to earn money and it's indeed better to save some."

  Reporter: "So will you continue like this? All the way from Dazu to Yuzhou, also singing all the way to Yuzhou?"

  Xiao Tang: "I will, although I also want to arrive in Magic City immediately, but I want to experience the hardship that may not be felt afterwards. Moreover, I also want to bring my singing voice to more people and let everyone feel the charm of watching street performances."

  Reporter: "You're really persistent, by the way, how old are you this year? You shouldn't be over 20, right?"

  Xiao Tang (thought for a moment very seriously): "I just failed the college entrance exam, and I'm only 18 years old. As for this evaluation of being persistent, I personally agree with it because I want to experience this different kind of life so that in the future when I write my own lyrics and compose my own music, I won't lack inspiration and material."

  Reporter: "Wow, you want to develop everything? Your singing skills are already very perverted, your imitation ability is also absolutely one in ten thousand, and now you even plan to compose lyrics and music?"

  Xiao Tang (shaking his head and smiling): "Imitation is a gift, people with poor tone can't do it. Singing skills can be trained, as long as you work hard, they will eventually get better. Only writing lyrics and composing require talent, I don't know if I have talent, so I can only try to make up for it myself."

  Reporter: "We've talked so much already, I don't know what your plans are for the future. I mean, after arriving in Shanghai."

  Xiao Tang (after a moment's thought): "My biggest goal now is to sing all the way to Magic City, and along the way practice writing lyrics and composing music. Maybe by then I'll find a record company to sign with and sing my own songs."

  "Then I wish you all the best, may everything go smoothly and successfully, and may you achieve your goals!"

  Xiao Tang: "Thank you for your blessings, I will definitely work hard and move forward on this path."

  After the interview, I couldn't help but recall the stunning scene of him crushing a stainless steel ashtray with his bare hands during our conversation. This might be the source of confidence for this young man to embark on his journey despite the scorching heat of the summer solstice. He is indeed an amazing and incredible young person. If one day you see him performing near you, please don't hesitate to show your support, as it may just be the key to helping him complete his travel plans.

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