The first day's performance of Su Huai Feixing Band was over.
Bai Fengjiu retreated immediately after finishing the drum solo, without any hesitation, and didn't even participate in the bowing at the end. Lou Xundiao came back from backstage, timidly, shrinking at the very end of the line, not making a sound, and bowing with everyone else.
Back in the dressing room, Su Xiangli pulled Bai Fengjiu into a conversation, her voice so excited that her wig was askew. Lou Xundiao, after keeping his head down for a long time, suddenly announced that he wanted to quit.
The instructor's joyful expression immediately soured, like a melted piece of playdough, his previously upturned mouth drooping to his chin. He reprimanded with a scowl, "You were the one who wanted to join, and now you're the one who wants to quit. Is playing music really that easy to mess around with? You've practiced for so many days, and you've built up chemistry. Are you really willing to abandon your bandmates and leave?!"
Lou Xundiao's face was awkward, and he stammered, "I, yes, it's my fault, but I really don't think I'm cut out for this. Besides, my main profession is oil painting…"
The instructor waved his hand dismissively, "I think your pride was hurt by that little girl. You're not a child anymore; your fourteenth birthday has passed, so you're half an adult. You need to be responsible in everything you do, don't you know? In your situation, just performing a few more times will make you feel better!"
Mu Huai raised his hand, "Teacher, aren't we just practicing for this music festival? Our band can actually disband after the music festival ends."
The instructor paused, the excited blood draining from his face, looking suddenly deflated. He wasn't dejected; he had simply sobered up. "That's right, our band is indeed very short-lived. But no matter what, this is a very good experience, and I hope you can participate throughout. Ten years from now, when old friends meet, you'll still have things to talk about. Oh, Simon, ask your Great-Grandfather if he watched the show."
Simon nodded, "He watched it. He said we were very good, and he also said the teacher was very resourceful. He thanked us for still remembering an old man."
The instructor shook his head nonchalantly, "Your Great-Grandfather is actually very famous, really. My father loved his songs. Back in the 1930s, when robots largely replaced manual labor, it led to some livelihood issues. By the 1940s and 50s, class stratification was very severe, and the social credit system hadn't yet become widespread. At that time, your Great-Grandfather was truly amazing; he donated all the money he earned and didn't keep a single cent for himself."
Everyone in the band was stunned, and Simon was even more surprised, "I didn't know."
"Of course, you couldn't have known. This matter can't be looked up either; it's just something some of the older generation still remember. Making your Great-Grandfather happy is, for me, also a way of repaying a debt."
Simon lowered his head, an immense sense of shame welling up in his heart, not for himself, but for his Great-Grandfather Lu Xuefeng.
He didn't have many ways to learn about his Great-Grandfather. The old man's mouth was harder than titanium alloy; he basically never mentioned his past. Simon could only inquire from others, but his family members were unwilling to talk about him, and outsiders didn't know him very well.
What kind of person was Lu Xuefeng? The labels and outlines in Simon's mind were of a down-and-out guitarist, stubborn, emotional, broad-minded yet not good at expressing himself. These qualities, shown in the details of his life, were already quite good. Now, hearing that he once disdained wealth and helped the poor, it made Simon feel even more that his Great-Grandfather was extremely admirable.
Why were all the good things about Great-Grandfather spoken by outsiders?
Why would such a good person, an old man, be marginalized by society and his family?
With what courage must Lu Xuefeng have faced the harsh realities of life?
Simon was truly heartbroken. So many family gatherings, everyone laughing and chatting in the projection room about trivial matters, yet Great-Grandfather was never mentioned, not even a word. His grandparents had always been secretive about Great-Grandfather, not allowing their children to speak much. Could they really treat their own father as a stranger?
The boy's heart was bursting with anger, yet he showed a happy expression on the surface, thanking the instructor for telling him this past story, and naturally responding to his companions' enthusiastic praise.
A robot came to announce that the Su Huai Feixing Band members could safely store their instruments there for now. If they advanced to tomorrow night's finals, they would naturally be notified to participate. If they didn't advance, their belongings would be returned to them intact.
The instructor said he wanted to stay and chat with some acquaintances, so the band's children had to go back on their own. As they left the temporary lounge, Mu Huai's sharp eyes spotted their support group. Their good friends from the same school ran over excitedly, holding their colorful sign, and started cheering loudly around them.
Simon felt truly "exhilarated" right now; his heart was burning with torment, yet he could still force a smile without showing any traces. It was as if there was an opaque iron box in his mind, sealing away the sensitive, fragile little kid Simon, leaving only a well-rounded, charming man who made people feel like they were bathed in spring breeze.
Everyone was praising the strength of Su Huai Feixing Band and marveled at the dramatic plot of the Class President's sudden appearance, saving the day at a critical moment. They felt it was a worthwhile trip and that their efforts in forming such a simple support group were not in vain.
The talkative Zou Jiaqi sidled up to the Class President, asking about her well-being, and even pulled out a thermos from his bag to offer Bai Fengjiu some water.
"Here, Class President, iced lemonade, three-quarters sugar." Zou Jiaqi kept a straight face, trying to appear nonchalant, but his eyes were fixed on Bai Fengjiu's hand, hoping that this beautiful hand, like water caltrop in the water, could move just a little closer…
"Did you buy this water specifically for me?"
Zou Jiaqi froze, then quickly nodded, "Yes."
"How did you know I was coming today?"
"Uh, telepathy?" [Zou Jiaqi: It's truly me, to be able to say something so shameless. But no one would believe this, right? Well, my romance ended before it even began.]
"Really?" Bai Fengjiu's eyes lit up, "With no colorful phoenix wings to fly together, our hearts are connected by a single thought. I didn't expect us to have such a destiny."
Zou Jiaqi (⊙o⊙): "Ah♦? Ah♦! Yes, yes, ha ha ha, it must be a special destiny, heh heh…" [Zou Jiaqi: WTF, Class President, are you serious? No, you're too easy to fool, aren't you? No, I have to watch over you; I have to protect our little cutie.]
Su Xiangli put one hand on her hip and pointed to the sky with the other, shouting boldly, "Our Ninghu Middle School band's first performance was a complete success! I'm treating everyone to a big meal to celebrate, we won't go home until we're drunk!"
The bandmates cheered loudly.
Simon walked in the middle of the group, surrounded by happy people, and he smiled very brightly.
Su Xiangli gently tugged his sleeve. Simon tilted his head and asked, "What's wrong?"
She mouthed silently: I know.
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