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Outside, a gentle drizzle had begun to fall.
Black Crow Bar grew even livelier as more guests arrived, nearly all the seats were filled, and the atmosphere was buzzing.
Boss Big Jiang returned to Wandering Band's table, handing the stage back to the house band and some vagabond singers.
Someone loudly shouted Qin Hanyang's name, hoping he would get up and perform.
Although Wandering Band didn't walk the path of pure rock, they were still well-known in this circle. And because of Qin Hanyang's long-standing friendship with Big Jiang, they had been invited to come tonight.
Big Jiang twisted open a beer and handed it to Qin Hanyang, smiling: "How about going up and playing a song or two?"
Having known Qin Hanyang for many years, Big Jiang understood his personality well, so there was no need for polite formalities.
It didn't matter whether Qin Hanyang wanted to perform or not; he was here just to have fun.
"Later," Qin Hanyang said, patting his belly as he took the beer. "Still full, need to digest first."
Everyone laughed.
Big Jiang turned to chat with Lu Chen and even made sure to include Li Feiyu, despite him being "just" Lu Chen's assistant. Lu Chen found the Black Crow Bar owner surprisingly charming, so he began casually chatting with him.
Big Jiang was a native of Jinling and had been running bars for many years. Stories of romance, gossip, and the art scene rolled off his tongue effortlessly. The atmosphere around the table grew warm and relaxed, and even the members of Wandering Band loosened up and joined in on the conversation.
"Brother Lu Chen…"
Just as things were lively, a timid voice suddenly came from the side: "Can I get your autograph?"
Lu Chen turned his head and saw two girls, around 18 or 19 years old, standing beside him. They clutched their phones tightly and looked at him with hopeful eyes, their expressions a mix of shyness and nervous excitement.
These two clearly weren't hardcore rock fans or regulars of the vagabond singer scene. Most likely, they had been brought here by friends just to check the place out.
Black Crow Bar was similar to certain bars in Houhai; its customer base was largely composed of entertainment industry people and underground musicians. With its low prices and unique vibe, it held a mysterious allure for outsiders.
Bringing girls here to "experience the atmosphere" was a trendy move, a bit of a flex.
While the regulars in this small circle weren't particularly fond of Lu Chen, the curious visitors felt differently. These two girls, whether true fans or not, were clearly part of the star-chasing crowd.
Lu Chen smiled. "Sure, where do you want me to sign?"
Whether they were die-hard fans or just casual ones, Lu Chen always treated his supporters with kindness and respect. He never put on airs.
If a fan asked for an autograph and he could accommodate it, he would.
The girls were a little surprised but mostly overjoyed. They quickly borrowed a pen and paper from a waiter.
The autographs were signed easily. One of the girls, a bit bolder than the other, added,
"Brother Lu Chen, I love 'Autumn in My Heart'! You played Yin Junxi so well!"
Lu Chen smiled. "Thank you."
The girl seized the moment to make another request: "Brother Lu Chen, can I take a picture with you?"
Lu Chen nodded and stood up.
The girl was over the moon. She handed her phone to her friend, then quickly grabbed Lu Chen's arm and even tilted her head to rest it lightly on his shoulder for the photo.
Afterward, her friend, clearly envious, also wanted one.
So Lu Chen became a photo prop for the evening, posing with both girls in turn, leaving them delighted and thoroughly satisfied.
From casual fan to loyal fan, secured!
When Lu Chen sat back down, Qin Hanyang shook his head and sighed to Big Jiang: "Big Jiang, we really are getting old now… Can't even charm young girls anymore. Back in the day, man…"
The two girls had been completely focused on Lu Chen, chatting, taking photos, completely ignoring Wandering Band, who were seated right next to them.
Qin Hanyang's self-deprecating joke sent everyone into laughter.
Lu Chen couldn't help but laugh either.
Back when Chinese rock was in its prime, being a rocker had serious cool-factor. With long hair, a T-shirt, and ripped jeans, a musician could easily charm naïve young girls, especially those artistic types.
Nowadays, the same look was more associated with hip-hop. You needed flashy accessories to match.
The era of rock and roll had long since passed. Only places like Black Crow Bar still clung to their tiny enclaves, huddled together reminiscing about the glory days.
As for Qin Hanyang, he had long since moved beyond this world. He could no longer be considered part of this tight-knit scene.
Perhaps the two girls earlier had set a precedent, soon more girls approached asking for autographs and selfies. Their table quickly became the center of attention in the bar.
Soft murmurs began to rise throughout the room, most of them about Lu Chen.
In Black Crow Bar, pure, youthful girls were a rare resource. And now they were all rushing over to cozy up to Lu Chen.
How could the other vagabond singers possibly feel happy about that?
Naturally, the mood began to shift.
Qin Hanyang noticed the strange looks coming from all around. After a brief moment of thought, he immediately said to the Wandering Band members: "Let's go, let's play a couple of songs!"
To be honest, Lu Chen had been thinking about leaving. There was no need to stay and be gossiped about or glared at.
But now that Qin Hanyang was going on stage to perform, Lu Chen couldn't just up and leave. He had no choice but to remain seated.
As Wandering Band stepped onto the stage, all attention in the bar shifted back to them.
Whether in Houhai of the Capital City or 1912 District in Jinling, Wandering Band was considered legendary. From complete obscurity to overnight fame that swept across the north and south of the Yangtze, stories of this band circulated widely throughout the entertainment industry.
Many had heard their songs, but few had experienced them live.
So the moment they stepped on stage, they received thunderous applause and cheers, even some high-pitched screams.
Qin Hanyang sat down on a stool with his electric guitar. After checking his sound levels, he reached out to adjust the height of the mic. Clearing his throat, he said:
"I'm really happy to be back at Black Crow Bar. Years ago, I set off from here and headed to the Capital. It's been more than a decade in the blink of an eye!"
"Some friends are still around, some have long since moved on, but no matter what, being able to gather here tonight is fate. I'll sing a couple of songs, hope you enjoy them."
The moment he finished speaking, the crowd erupted with cheers and applause. Many even stood up to applaud him.
Qin Hanyang raised his hand to signal everyone to quiet down, then continued: "Thanks to Big Jiang for giving me this opportunity, and thanks to Lu Chen, for creating such wonderful music."
"Here's 'In Spring', for all of you!"
Opening with a signature hit, the atmosphere inside the bar instantly caught fire, reaching a fever pitch.
"Remember the spring many years ago,
At the time I hadn't cut my long hair short,
But then I was so happy,
Although with only a broken guitar.
On the streets, under the bridges, in the fields,
Singing songs that nobody cares!"
"In Spring", Qin Hanyang had performed this song countless times. His delivery was utterly polished. But more than that, his understanding of the song had grown profoundly deep.
Some people didn't even know Lu Chen was the original creator. They thought the song was Qin Hanyang's life story, that he wrote it himself.
Many vagabond singers had covered this classic, but few could capture its true bittersweet melancholy.
It was a song steeped in deep, soulful sorrow.
Now, back in Jinling, back at Black Crow Bar, back where his dreams began, Qin Hanyang's voice carried even more emotion, like a vintage wine aged to perfection.
Many in the crowd sang along softly or mouthed the words silently, like pilgrims at a sacred site.
When he finished, almost everyone stood up, clapping, cheering!
Including Lu Chen himself.
When he originally gave this song to Wandering Band to perform, it had undoubtedly been the right choice.
After "In Spring," Qin Hanyang followed up with "Flying Higher".
Lu Chen had first performed "Flying Higher" on the show Singing China. He later licensed it to Wandering Band, who released it as a single. It eventually became one of their signature tracks.
It was also a crowd favorite.
With just these two songs, Qin Hanyang conveyed to everyone just how extraordinarily talented Lu Chen truly was.
Once the applause died down, Qin Hanyang said: "Once again, thanks to Lu Chen for creating 'Flying Higher'. He's an amazing singer-songwriter. Now let's welcome him to the stage to perform a song for us!"
This time, the applause that rang out was genuine and enthusiastic.
Whatever biases they held, no one could deny Lu Chen's talent. Even the most rock-purist vagabond singers couldn't ignore the impact Lu Chen had made on the modern music scene.
Even in the rock circle, Lu Chen's name carried weight, though some chose to ignore it.
There were even those who argued that "In Spring" wasn't really a "rock" song at all.
At this moment, in Black Crow Bar, some people with prideful, self-important attitudes sat watching Lu Chen walk onto the stage, curious to see what he would sing.
"My Old Classmate"?
"The Brightest Star in the Night Sky"?
They scoffed.
At most, "Follow the Dream of the Red Heart" might barely qualify.
Even Qin Hanyang thought Lu Chen would perform "Follow the Dream of the Red Heart", and whispered:
"We've practiced that one, we can accompany you, no problem."
Back in this once-familiar circle, a place he had once been proud to be a part of, Qin Hanyang suddenly realized that he no longer quite belonged.
The old-school rockers were still stuck in their former glory, content to remain stagnant. The younger musicians, meanwhile, couldn't find a path forward, restless, anxious, and lost.
Some said that Chinese rock was already dead.
Qin Hanyang didn't entirely deny that view. But he still believed, with a few more creators like Lu Chen, rock could rise from the ashes.
The ridiculous thing was, this small circle still harbored a subtle resistance against Lu Chen.
But out of his love for rock and for the faith he once stood for, Qin Hanyang stood firmly on this stage, backing Lu Chen completely.
He wanted everyone here to understand just how foolish their stubborn pride really was.
If you never seek innovation,
Never seek change,
Never pulse in rhythm with the times,
Then Chinese rock really is doomed.
This so-called Jinling School?
Just barely hanging on.
(End of Chapter)