Qin Hanyang was not a simple man.
And he couldn't possibly be. After so many years in the entertainment industry, he had long experienced all the bitterness and harshness the world had to offer.
But in his heart, he still carried a burning passion, a love for rock music.
It was just that in the face of harsh reality, he had been forced to bury that love deep inside, struggling instead to survive and make a living.
Now, Qin Hanyang finally had the power to do what he truly wanted. His unwavering support for Lu Chen wasn't just to repay a favor; it was because he saw hope for Chinese rock in Lu Chen.
Even though most people saw Lu Chen as a singer better known for folk songs.
His youth, his good looks, these often made people overlook the astounding talent he possessed.
Lu Chen wouldn't say it himself, so Qin Hanyang would shout it on his behalf.
He just hoped that Lu Chen could write more and even better rock songs. It didn't matter who sang them, as long as rock music could return to the public eye!
In Qin Hanyang's eyes, Lu Chen saw his sincerity and saw through his intentions.
He understood the real reason Qin Hanyang had brought him to Bthe lack Crow Bar.
Qin Hanyang wanted Lu Chen to raise his own banner within this circle, to take a stand in the world of rock.
To be honest, Lu Chen didn't really care that much.
But he was moved by Qin Hanyang's sincerity and by his deep love for rock music.
After thinking for a moment, Lu Chen said:
"How about I sing a new song?"
Qin Hanyang's eyes lit up. Without hesitation, he handed his electric guitar to Lu Chen.
This was Qin Hanyang's most cherished instrument, a custom-made electric guitar that cost over a hundred thousand yuan, ordered from abroad. He'd never lent it to anyone before. But for Lu Chen, he made an exception.
Lu Chen accepted the guitar and walked to the mic.
Qin Hanyang helped adjust the mic to the right height, then stepped back into the band, giving the entire stage to Lu Chen.
It was a gesture that expressed his deepest respect.
The Black Crow Bar fell completely silent. Even the most clueless patrons shut their mouths and held their breath.
Several excited girls clutched their phones tightly, filming Lu Chen with glowing eyes.
Unlike Daylily Bar, Black Crow didn't forbid filming or photography, as long as the flash was off.
Lu Chen took a deep breath, smiled into the mic, and said:
"Thank you, Brother Qin. And thank you to Boss Big Jiang for the generous hospitality. I've got nothing to repay it with, so I'll just sing you all a song."
The crowd chuckled lightly, then quieted again.
Lu Chen continued:
"The song I'm going to sing is a new piece, titled 'Youth'. I dedicate it to myself, to the Wandering Band behind me, and to everyone present tonight! Hope you like it."
Applause erupted, warm and sustained. Even those who weren't fans of Lu Chen gave a few claps.
Lu Chen lowered his head and softly plucked the guitar strings, feeling the texture of steel under his fingers.
Something stirred within him.
"I plan to leave at dusk,
Catch a ride to someplace far,
Tonight, a friend's feast awaits me there.
I quickly dress and push open the door,
The stifling desires of the street rush into my face,
I gently leap,
Into the river of people.
Outside, it starts to rain,
The droplets light as my youthful years,
Rain veils my face,
Like a veil of happiness.
My heart holds nothing,
Just like it holds no sorrow.
The world has everything,
As if everyone possesses it all!"
At the beginning, the electric guitar accompaniment was almost non-existent, nearly a capella. Lu Chen's singing was like telling a story, free of artifice, free of anger, a gentle recollection of the past, sung calmly and unhurriedly.
This kind of style was rare, the lyrics and melody plain and unadorned, with a clear folk music essence.
But as the song progressed, both vocals and instrumental intensity gradually ramped up. The earlier verses laid the emotional groundwork, allowing emotions to accumulate until everyone's hearts were quietly lifted, as if something powerful was about to burst forth.
And then, Lu Chen sang:
"Keep walking,
Keep losing,
In moments I don't even realize,
Youth!
Keep walking,
Keep losing,
In moments I don't even realize,
Youth!"
The climax came suddenly, yet naturally, like thunder cracking the sky after muffled clouds, like a downpour that was destined to arrive.
It struck everyone's soul.
"Keep walking, keep losing, in moments I don't even realize, Youth!"
There was no screaming, no throat-shredding howls, just a fierce burst of passion and power, roaring forth with the weight of the electric guitar, surging and reverberating through the bar, rattling the eardrums!
Many people's expressions changed.
Some clenched their fists without realizing it. Some trembled. Some bit their lips. Others stared in speechless shock, as if they couldn't believe what they had just heard.
The first half of Lu Chen's "Youth" might have sounded like a folk song, but by the time it reached the chorus, it was pure rock.
Uplifting. Fierce. Blood-pumping.
It felt like your heart was about to burst from your chest, beating wildly in rhythm with the music.
A song like this, a work like this, who could question it?
No one.
Even the most prideful and arrogant would be forced to bow their heads.
Because this was a song that spoke to anyone who had already lost, or was in the process of losing, their youth.
It captured that deep emotion you didn't know where to put.
Lu Chen sang it twice.
When Lu Chen played the final note, Black Crow Bar remained completely silent.
After a brief moment, Big Jiang was the first to stand up and began clapping, slowly and forcefully, one clap after another.
Then, the entire crowd followed suit, rising to their feet to applaud Lu Chen.
Applauding a remarkable singer.
Qin Hanyang strode forward and threw his arm tightly around Lu Chen's shoulders.
He was genuinely proud.
As previously mentioned, the Jinling school of rock vagabond singers was known for its strong literary air, less extreme, less wild. Their style leaned more toward soft rock.
Youth and life were key themes in their music.
This song, "Youth", wasn't poetic or romantic. Instead, it told everyone that:
Youth has no beginning,
Youth has no end,
Youth has no loneliness,
And youth is never just halfway.
At the same time, just as everyone owns a youth,
You and I inevitably hesitate to let go,
You and I inevitably feel lonely,
You and I inevitably stall halfway,
And inevitably feel sorrow.
But no matter what, we must keep moving forward,
Continue losing,
Continue forgetting.
Just like the lyrics of the song, wasn't that the true story of many vagabond singers' lives?
This song conquered them.
Someone suddenly dashed forward, rushing to the front of the stage, standing on tiptoe, stretching out his hand toward Lu Chen.
He held an unopened beer bottle.
"Thank you!"
Lu Chen handed the electric guitar back to Qin Hanyang, stepped down, and bent over to accept the offered beer.
He straightened up, twisted open the cap, and raised it high.
"To everyone, and to music!"
"Cheers!"
Dozens of people raised their bottles and glasses in return, including several young women.
They'd seen Lu Chen's gentle and refined side on TV or the internet, but never this fierce and passionate version.
And they were moved.
Lu Chen drained the entire beer in one go.
The applause and screams erupted again, this time full of genuine admiration.
After finishing the drink, Lu Chen and Qin Hanyang stepped off the stage and returned to their seats.
But wave after wave of people came over to toast and greet them.
If it hadn't been for the help of the Wandering Band, Lu Chen really wouldn't have been able to handle it.
Even so, by the end of it all, Lu Chen had drunk at least seven bottles, thankfully, they were small ones.
Big Jiang had drunk even more, his speech was slurred:
"That song… was amazing. Truly amazing!"
He gave Lu Chen a sincere thumbs-up, eyes shining with admiration.
Qin Hanyang, ever the curious one, asked: "When did you write that song?"
He felt like Lu Chen had written it specifically for tonight at Black Crow Bar, it was just too perfect to be coincidence.
Lu Chen replied casually: "Wrote it a while ago. Just felt like it fit the moment, so I sang it. As long as it makes people happy."
Qin Hanyang was speechless.
Pulling a song out of his back pocket, one of his past works, and it ends up becoming a legendary moment?
In the past few decades, had anyone like this ever emerged in the Chinese pop music scene? Qin Hanyang couldn't think of one.
He could only marvel at Lu Chen's talent.
The guy's inspiration and musical ideas flowed like an endless river, an absolute blessing for Chinese pop!
Everyone continued chatting and drinking, riding the wave of the night.
Until midnight, when Lu Chen and Qin Hanyang had almost reached their limit, they finally called it a night.
Qin Hanyang stayed in the dorm upstairs at Black Crow Bar, while Li Feiyu helped escort Lu Chen back to the Marriott Hotel.
Li Feiyu supported Lu Chen with one hand, and with the other, used his keycard to open the suite door.
And got a huge shock.
The lights in the living room were on, and Chen Fei'er was sitting right there.
Seeing Lu Chen come in, clearly drunk, she rushed up with a slight frown:
"How did you end up drinking this much?"
Li Feiyu, facing the Heavenly Queen, felt guilty as hell:
"Big Chen and Brother Qin were really hitting it off, so…"
Chen Fei'er wasn't actually blaming Li Feiyu for not doing his job as an assistant. She gently took Lu Chen from him and said softly:
"Leave him to me. You go rest."
Li Feiyu was relieved like a prisoner granted amnesty:
"Thank you, Sister Fei!"
He quickly closed the door and slipped away.
Although Chen Fei'er was a woman, she was in good shape and strong enough. Lu Chen wasn't completely blacked out, so with her help, he made it to the bedroom and lay on the bed.
She took off his shoes and wiped his face with a warm towel.
When she was about to cover him with a blanket, Lu Chen suddenly reached out and pulled her into his arms.
Caught off guard, Chen Fei'er tumbled onto his chest, where he held her tightly.
She struggled briefly, but when that didn't work, she simply relaxed, resting her face against his chest.
Lu Chen chuckled, shifted a little, and hugged her more comfortably.
Chen Fei'er didn't resist.
After a long while, she whispered:
"You should drink less. It's bad for your health."
But she got no response.
That's when she realized that Lu Chen had already fallen fast asleep.
Like a child holding onto his favorite stuffed toy.
(End of Chapter)
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