At 2:39 PM, the companions finished their limited meal at the restaurant and drank a few bottles of underage-friendly beverages, feeling somewhat satisfied. Ten or so people only spent three hundred thirteen yuan, mostly on processing fees.
Patting their bellies, and at Zhang Yingxuan's suggestion, they moved to a KTV. Everyone got on stage and had their fill, especially Simon. As the band's lead singer and central figure, he naturally had to show off, so he sang six songs on stage, one after another. His singing was only average, but his charisma was strong, making his classmates sway their heads and enjoy themselves.
After playing until they were tired, a slightly tipsy joy surged through them. By 5:30 PM, the revelry finally dispersed. Some children's household robots came to claim their little ones, and once people left, the atmosphere immediately became quiet.
Su Xiangli and Simon strolled down the wide street. The sun was setting, and today was quite clear. The mackerel sky high above spread out like a screen, reflecting the brilliant, fiery golden glow of the sunset. The mirror-like city was submerged in a sea of light, dissolving all crude and insignificant existences.
Simon suddenly laughed. Su Xiangli asked him, "Are you feeling unwell?"
"Yes, I'm so sad. Great-Grandfather truly lived a difficult life."
"Are you happier now?"
"No. Just not sad anymore."
"I'm sorry." Su Xiangli stopped, "It's said there's nothing in the world that a big meal and drinks can't solve. But you're still not happy. And Great-Grandfather must be even unhappier, right?"
Simon and Su Xiangli faced each other, lowered his head, and pressed his forehead against hers. "Don't feel guilty because of my emotions; I just have some complaints. Great-Grandfather, he…" He trailed off.
Su Xiangli's air bangs swayed in the wind, gently brushing Simon's eye corners. He blinked. At such a close distance, even her trembling fine hairs were clear. Her skin was covered with a thin layer of oil. Looking down, Su Xiangli was also blinking, her eyelashes sweeping against Simon's lower eyelid, feeling a little itchy. Her irises were dark brown, and the dense misty haze blurred his vision.
A thousand thoughts swirled in his mind, but in the end, there was only one sentence: "Actually, I can't change anything. Only when I'm with you do I have no worries."
Su Xiangli let out a little snort, but then straightened her face, pretending to be disgusted as she stepped back two paces. "Your head is so heavy; don't lean on me!"
Simon asked her, "Do you like the feeling of being on stage?"
Su Xiangli put her hands on her hips, looking smug. "Of course! I feel like I'm the most dazzling star."
Simon scoffed, "Oh, come on. Bassists are always the least noticeable. And, when you were on stage, you kept staring at me, didn't you?"
"No way! Nonsense! Wow, I don't want to be a bassist anymore, I want to be the lead singer!" Su Xiangli covered her ears and walked briskly forward, like a pouting child.
Simon jogged a couple of steps to catch up with her. Su Xiangli immediately slowed her pace. She put her hands down but turned her head away, refusing to look at him.
"Actually, I really don't think I need to be sad. My adult relatives don't care about Great-Grandfather, but I do, and you do too…"
Su Xiangli covered her head, "Master, stop chanting!"
Simon was speechless, "I'm being serious! Hey, really."
Su Xiangli pouted, "Hmph, I actually don't care about that weird old man. Although his desserts are delicious, he always has a cold face and looks so fierce. I only wanted to help him fulfill his wish because of you. That old man clearly wants to go on stage one more time! As if anyone couldn't tell."
...
On the afternoon of the 4th, the music festival organizers sent an email, notifying the Su Huai Feixing Band of their successful advancement. This was actually expected, as a group composed of middle school students was very newsworthy.
Lou Xundiao repeatedly insisted he couldn't perform. Originally, with Bai Fengjiu as a substitute drummer, it wouldn't have mattered, but surprisingly, the class monitor said she couldn't perform.
"Why?" The advising teacher looked confused.
"My mom might see it." Bai Fengjiu was very calm, "She doesn't approve of me playing music."
Mu Huai was puzzled, "Then why yesterday…"
"Mom works night shifts and sleeps during the day."
"I see." Everyone expressed understanding.
Mu Huai spread his hands, "So what do we do now, Brother Diao? Can you do it, just one more time?"
Lou Xundiao shrank his neck and said nothing.
"Tch, there's really no other way." Mu Huai shook his head.
Simon sighed, "How about this, let's forfeit."
Su Xiangli held up her phone, "I sent Great-Grandfather an email; he's already on his way."
"Won't he be too late? Great-Grandfather can only take the bus once he enters the city."
"Let the organizer's flying car pick him up."
"Who's going to pick him up?"
Bai Fengjiu tilted her head back, "I'll go."
...
Lu Xuefeng drafted a leave application, but he knew it would take a long time to approve and required location tracking. He didn't want to delay, so after a moment of hesitation, he deleted the leave application, opened his draft box, and sent the retirement application he had prepared last night. In less than three seconds, the approval email came through.
After being a farmer for nearly fifty years, he was suddenly retiring. All at once, his heart felt empty.
Lu Xuefeng closed his eyes and took a few breaths.
He put his phone away, rubbed his face to lift his spirits, and the ninety-year-old man went to the bedroom to pick out a brown leather jacket with the Roma Qin Ri Wan Sui Band logo embossed on the back. He paired it with a cherished pair of black jeans and a decent pair of white board shoes. If one were to glance at him from fifty or sixty meters away, Lu Xuefeng now truly looked like that vibrant rock youth.
He started his beloved pickup truck; he was going to set off to keep his appointment!
...
The advising teacher, covered in sweat, explained to the organizer's representative that his band still had an important member who hadn't arrived and needed to wait.
Fortunately, the music festival itself sought program effects, so they were extra lenient with a newsworthy group like the Su Huai Feixing Band. Their band could be delayed to perform fifth, with the final act being a famous band invited by the organizers.
Schoolmates in the audience held up signs, waving them continuously.
Time passed minute by minute. It was clear that Great-Grandfather still hadn't arrived, but Simon and his band had to go on.
The host spoke rapidly, "Next up is the Su Huai Feixing Band from Ninghu Middle School! Yesterday, the splendid appearance of four, oh no, five young friends must have left a deep impression on everyone. I wonder what surprises they will bring us tonight! Applause! Welcome!"
"Come on, it's just a performance, don't make it sound like a life-and-death farewell." Simon, with his guitar on his back, was the first to go on stage. Behind him were Su Xiangli, Mu Huai, and a fear-stricken Lou Xundiao.
"Hello everyone, we are the Su Huai Feixing Band. Our first song is called 'Dream-Chasing Enthusiastic Heart.' Every dream is worth our full effort, even if reality often brings us back down to earth."
Simon smiled as he spoke, and the audience gradually calmed down.
"Where is the world full of flowers?
If it truly exists, then I will surely go there.
I want to stand on the highest peak there,
Regardless of whether it's a cliff or a precipice…"
In the distance, between the city's tall buildings, a hovering flying car sped towards them. Lu Xuefeng sat in the car, watching the live broadcast.
"Perhaps I have no talent,
But I have the innocence of a dream,
I will prove it with my life.
Perhaps my hands are clumsy,
But I am willing to explore ceaselessly,
Giving all my youth without regret—"
Countless people in the night waved glow sticks. Under the bright spotlights, the boy had already given his all, and the drumbeats were also at their fullest. These young people, with the rising sun projected behind them.
"Run forward! Facing cold eyes and ridicule! How can one feel the vastness of life without enduring hardships! Fate cannot make us kneel and beg for mercy! Even if our arms are covered in blood!!!"
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