1 Prologue - Peppered Pork Stomach and Chicken Soup (2/2)
But by unlucky coincidence, the bus entered a tunnel and her internet reception was so poor she was not able to get her voice function to work.
She could not even greet him.
The most infuriating part was, Geng Xiaoxing was not saying anything either, making him seem as if he was just talking to himself.
”It is actually not that hard to make, but it will require some time. Plus, cleaning the pork stomach can be a bit bothersome.” Qiang Qing Ci sounded as if he had just awoken. What does it mean when you say a voice possesses screen presence, like the feel of a drama? This was it.
Gu Sheng could sense that he had accidentally heard all this, conveniently joined the conversation, and just started talking.
And he did not care whether there was anyone listening on this channel.
”Try to have as many of the ingredients readily available as possible. They have great health benefits anyway. I remember it has red dates, poor man's ginseng, scented Solomon's seal, goji berry, star anise, bay leaves, and Chinese cinnamon. The rest are just common household spices, salt, and chicken bouillon. Of course, you can't forget cooking wine and ginger.”
Qing Qing Ci said a few more things along the lines that the chicken should be placed in the pork stomach, sealed up using toothpicks, and then put to simmer slowly over low heat…
Because of the poor reception, his voice was cutting in and out. She listened intently.
Gu Sheng had listened to his earlier works from a few years ago, and like herself, he had a preference for ancient style work.
His ancient style vocalization was extremely charming, but right now, he was clearly using his natural voice.
It was early morning, several degrees below zero, and because of the temperature difference between the bus interior and outdoors, the glass windows had fogged up with a thin layer of condensation. But as she listened to him unhurriedly describing the recipe like this, it was almost as if she was sitting around the fire on a warm night. She unexpectedly had a feeling of peace and security, where there was no need for her to think about anything at all.
This was the amazing allure of voice. Only a voice lover could truly appreciate it.
As the bus drove out of the tunnel, the name ”Qiang Qing Ci” suddenly disappeared.
It was likely because there had been no sort of interaction for such a long time so he exited the room.
However, the person who had inexplicably exited the room earlier, Geng Xiaoxing all of a sudden called her on her phone. ”Just now, one of the aunties came to inspect the cleanliness of the dorm. I forgot to tell you. Continue what you were saying. That pork stomach and chicken broth or something.”
Gu Sheng was still in a bit of disbelief that the voice in YY a moment ago had been real. ”So, all this time, you didn't hear Qiang Qing Ci speak at all?”
”Qiang Qing Ci? What's that?”
Gu Sheng could not help silently scorning her. ”Celebrity in professional voice acting, Qiang Qing Ci. Wanmei Group's leading voice artist.”
”Pronunciation sounds really weird,” Geng Xiaoxing said. ”You dubbers and cover singers all have such weird and wacky names. You can't even remember them... But speaking of that Wanmei Voice Acting Group, I think our webmaster invited them for our site. He said for our website's celebration, we're going to open a YY channel too, and to celebrate, he deliberately invited that dubbing group... Send me his name, and I'll check to see if he'll be there.”
”He probably won't be there… He mainly does voice work for commercial projects now. It's rare that he does work just for fun[6].”
This sama was the archetype of an artiste who had gone into seclusion for a long time… Just now… Just now most certainly was some sort of freak incident.
”Didn't you say this sama is their leading artist?” Gu Xiaoxing sniggered. ”I don't believe we can't get him to come.”
Gu Sheng completely did not think they would be able to successfully invite him, but still holding hope for some luck, she sent his name over: Qiang Qing Ci. The first word is pronounced as ”qiāng[7].” It's the name of a type of color. Remember, so you don't embarrass yourself.
[1] A Chinese website for online shopping.
[2] These are all names of restaurant chains in China that specialize in hot pot. In order, they are 海底捞,留一手, 小肥羊.
[3] Hakka people have origins in southeastern China. Their cuisine places emphasis on texture and is known to be outwardly simple but delicious.
[4] Sama is a word of Japanese origin. It is a very respectful form of address to refer to people of significantly higher rank than oneself. It is often translated into Chinese as 大人or 'DaRen,' which we shall see later in the story is what the highly respected artists in the online entertainment circle are addressed as. Hence, they are also referred to as sama.
[5] Orig. 声控 'sheng kong'. Literally means 'sound controlled.' In Chinese slang, to say you are 'XX 控' or 'XX controlled' means that you really like XX. To be a 'sheng kong' means that you love gorgeous voices. I'm going to translate 'sheng kong' as 'voice lover.'
[6] Orig. 玩票 'wan piao.' In this context, when a professional artist does something 'wan piao,' he/she is doing it without concern for wage or remuneration but for other purposes, such as fans' entertainment.
[7] Orig. 锖. The color of a mineral.