余音绕梁 — “Lingering sound circling the beams”

In ancient China, there was a talented singer named Han E, a native of the State of Korea. Once, while traveling through the State of Qi, she ran out of money for her journey. To raise funds, she sang at Yongmen in the capital of Qi (Linzi, now part of Shandong).

Han E's voice was clear, melodious, and exceptionally moving. Her performance caused a sensation throughout the city. After she finished singing, the audience still lingered around Yongmen, reluctant to leave. Some people went to her inn to invite her to sing again.

However, the inn owner treated Han E very rudely. Unable to bear it, Han E burst into tears. Her sorrowful cries deeply moved the nearby residents, bringing tears to their eyes. Due to Han E's enchanting voice, even two or three days after she sang, it seemed as if her lingering melodies were still reverberating among the rafters of the houses. For three consecutive days, everyone felt so sad they could barely eat.

When people heard that Han E had left the city, they immediately sent someone to pursue her, earnestly imploring her to stay. Han E, finding it difficult to refuse the people's request, returned and performed once more for them. The audience was overjoyed, and their sadness from the past few days vanished. The ancient text 'Liezi: Tang Wen' describes this episode by saying, 'The lingering sound circled the beams, not ceasing for three days.' Since then, people often use 'lingering around the beams for three days' to praise the beauty of singing or music that leaves an enduring impression.