Chen Yang sang on stage, the spotlight shining brightly on him. The audience was a sea of heads, a dense mass of faces. No one but Chen Yang knew the song, which hadn't yet been released, but everyone pulled out their phones and swayed their arms to the rhythm. Chen Yang glanced around; the audience was a sea of brightly lit phone screens.
Scenes of his past life, filled with youthful exuberance, flashed before Chen Yang's eyes like a film reel. The unrestrained melancholy in his voice was like a magic potion, captivating everyone who heard it. Everyone eagerly tried to sing along, gently humming the simple melody.
"Goodbye, youth, goodbye, oh youth, oh youth, goodbye, goodbye, goodbye, oh youth, If one day I must leave, please leave me in your memories..."
When Chen Yang finished the last line, the cheers and screams from the audience reached their peak, as if they were about to lift the roof off the bar. Chen Yang sat quietly on the stage, guitar slung across his shoulder. While reminiscing about his youth, he also felt a dryness in his throat; after singing two songs in a row, his voice was starting to give out.
Just then, Ning Qiaoqian, her face flushed with excitement after her flair bartending performance, strode onto the stage with her prepared cocktail. The audience, already in high spirits, cheered even louder upon seeing the stunningly beautiful Ning Qiaoqian:
"Drink! Drink! Drink!"
A smile flickered in Chen Yang's eyes. He opened his mouth towards Ning Qiaoqian. Ning Qiaoqian gracefully walked over to Chen Yang, gently placing one hand on the back of his head while bringing the glass to his lips with the other. Chen Yang obediently sipped the glass and slowly tilted his head back. Amidst the cheers and whistles of the audience, Ning Qiaoqian fed him the full cocktail.
Chen Yang gulped down the wine, the familiar, slightly dizzying pleasure washing over him as it flowed down his throat.
"Kiss! Kiss!" Seeing Chen Yang finish his drink, the audience erupted in applause, followed by another round of cheering.
Facing the audience's shouts, Ning Qiaoqian stood before Chen Yang, her pretty face radiant with smiles, her alluring eyes frequently lingering on him.
Chen Yang gave a helpless wry smile, stood up, cupped Ning Qiaoqian's face in his hands, and gently kissed her smooth forehead. Faced with such a scene, Chen Yang could only offer a polite, fleeting kiss.
Before the still-enthusiastic audience could cheer again, Chen Yang sat down, brought his lips to the microphone, and softly said:
"The next song, 'The Story of Light,' is for everyone!"
Hearing that Chen Yang was going to sing again, the audience gradually quieted down, holding their breath in anticipation of his performance.
"Spring flowers bloom, autumn winds blow, and winter sunsets fall. My melancholy youth, so naive, I once thought..."
Chen Yang sang three more songs, all familiar to the audience. Besides "The Story of Light," he performed "Blue Lotus" and the later wildly popular "In the Spring." The atmosphere was electric, Chen Yang was the undisputed star of the night.
Even the "Wanderers" band, who had rushed in, were taken aback by the electrifying atmosphere. Seeing their star arrive, Chen Yang finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Chen Yang, with a sigh of relief, slung his guitar over his shoulder and jumped off the stage. The bar patrons, seeing him leave, shouted even louder for an encore.
Facing the enthusiastic audience, Chen Yang simply bowed slightly, then casually slung his guitar over his shoulder and walked away.
He didn't notice the slight displeasure on the face of Xue Chen, the lead singer of the "Wanderers," as he passed him. Taking the bottled water Ning Qiaoqian handed him, Chen Yang tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. He then wiped his mouth, grinned, thanked Ning Qiaoqian, and walked straight back to the changing room.
Just as Chen Yang changed into his work shirt and vest, Zhou Weiqiang walked in with a beaming smile.
"Chen Yang! You've worked hard! Great job!" Zhou Weiqiang praised Chen Yang's performance.
The audience's reaction was exactly what Chen Yang had expected. In his previous life, his music teacher was Professor Zheng Xiaosheng, a senior expert from the Central Conservatory of Music and a nationally renowned vocal artist. It could be said that Chen Yang had a solid musical foundation. Moreover, the song he sang at the beginning was "Old Boy," a song destined to become a huge hit but not yet released. Chen Yang wasn't surprised at all by the audience's strong response.
While adjusting his clothes, Chen Yang asked with a smile:
"Thank you for the compliment, Brother Qiang! And the salary..."
"Two hundred more!" Zhou Weiqiang hadn't recovered from his earlier excitement, his tone still somewhat excited. "Each person?" Chen Yang pressed on.
"Two hundred each!" Zhou Weiqiang said decisively, adding, "Also, I'll deduct another five hundred from the money you owe the company, as payment for tonight's performance!"
With a snap of his fingers, Chen Yang grinned and said, "Brother Qiang is so generous! Thanks!"
Chen Yang went straight to the bar. Ning Qiaoqian had just finished a round of bartending and was leaning against the counter resting. Flair bartending is physically demanding, and Ning Qiaoqian was slightly out of breath, her high, firm breasts rising and falling with her breath, seemingly about to burst out of her t-shirt. Chen Yang stared intently at Ning Qiaoqian's chest, his mind wandering. Ning Qiaoqian blushed slightly, glared at Chen Yang, and said irritably,
"What are you looking at! Haven't you ever seen a beautiful woman before?!"
Chen Yang replied with a grin,
"I've seen beautiful women, but I've never seen one as tempting as you!"
Ning Qiaoqian chuckled, reached out and patted Chen Yang's head, acting like an older sister,
"Haven't seen you for a few days, and you've learned to be so glib! Watch out, or I'll tell Su He!"
The "Wanderers" band's talent was indeed legendary. After they took over the stage from Chen Yang, two energetic rock songs successfully ignited the atmosphere. The audience swayed wildly to the music, and several scantily clad girls even went on stage, their hands on the poles, displaying their youthful bodies, occasionally glancing at the audience with dreamy eyes, eliciting whistles.
Chen Yang continued his work, and before he knew it, the clock struck 11:30, time for him to leave work. Chen Yang and Zhou Weiqiang had an agreement: during the school holidays, Chen Yang would work until 11:30 PM every night; during summer vacation, he would get off work until the bar closed and leave with everyone else.
As Chen Yang was about to return to the locker room to pack his things and head back to school, Ning Qiaoqian approached him with a girl in tow.
The girl looked shy, clinging tightly to Ning Qiaoqian's arm, seemingly a little uneasy. Her long, black hair was casually tied into a playful ponytail, and her skin was fair and translucent, almost flawless. Even in her waitress uniform, her graceful figure was undeniable.
Most importantly, the girl exuded a natural tranquility.
Chen Yang felt as if he were looking at a delicate lotus emerging from the water, so pure and innocent in this glittering, decadent bar, untouched by the world's clamor, seemingly out of place in the noisy environment, yet somehow incredibly comforting.
Chen Yang couldn't help but show an expression of admiration.
Seeing Chen Yang's dazed expression, Ning Qiaoqian couldn't help but laugh. She said to Su He, who was hiding behind her,
"Su He, it was Chen Yang who got you a raise from the boss. Didn't you say you wanted to thank him in person? Now he's right in front of you! Say something!"
So she was Su He! Chen Yang finally made the vague memories his ex left him concrete. At this moment, Chen Yang had to admit that although his ex was incredibly pathetic, he had a really good eye for people! Su He was the kind of girl who made you want to protect her at first glance.
Su He's face immediately turned red. Like a startled fawn, she tightly grasped Ning Qiaoqian's hand and whispered to Chen Yang,
"Chen Yang! Thank you!"
"It's nothing! Just a small favor!" Chen Yang smiled warmly. He could sense Su He's nervousness. In his past life, he couldn't help but flirt with beautiful women, but for once, he was serious. Su He's delicate and pitiful beauty made Chen Yang feel that even verbal teasing would be a desecration.
Ning Qiaoqian, her eyes full of smiles, quickly winked at Chen Yang and then said to Su He:
"Su He! You and Chen Yang are both off work on time, why don't you let him give you a ride? You're university alumni and from the same hometown, you should chat more!"
"Ah!" Su He gasped softly, then covered her mouth, glancing nervously at Chen Yang before quickly averting her gaze, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes.
Chen Yang, who had been observing Su He, immediately recognized her expression and knew she was wary and unwilling to go back to school with a strange boy. Seeing Su He's troubled expression, Chen Yang couldn't help but feel a pang of pity. And then he thought, such a beautiful girl working in a bar, it's understandable that she's cautious; that's what a virtuous girl should be! Thinking of this, Chen Yang immediately spoke up:
"Sorry, Sister Qian, I have something to do, so I might not be able to see Su He off!"
The oblivious Ning Qiaoqian gave Chen Yang a subtle glare, seemingly extremely displeased with his last-minute retreat. Su He, on the other hand, visibly breathed a sigh of relief, relaxing completely, and felt a touch of gratitude towards the sensible Chen Yang. If he had readily agreed, Su He would have found it even harder to refuse.
Chen Yang, seemingly oblivious to Ning Qiaoqian's murderous glare, greeted the two women and went straight into the changing room to change.
When he finished and came out, Su He had already left for the day. Ning Qiaoqian waited at the door. Upon seeing Chen Yang, she was immediately furious. She grabbed his ear and said angrily,
"How could you be so useless! All my efforts to create such a great opportunity for you have been for nothing!"
Ning Qiaoqian didn't hit him hard, and Chen Yang easily escaped her clutches, saying teasingly,
"Isn't it all because of you, Sister Qian?"
Ning Qiaoqian was puzzled and couldn't help but ask,
"What about me? Wasn't I doing everything I could to bring you two together?"
Chen Yang moved closer to Ning Qiaoqian and said playfully,
"Because I felt a bit...well, Sister Qian..." "Interest, huh..."
Ning Qiaoqian finally realized she'd been tricked by Chen Yang again. She glanced at him, seeing a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth, a nonchalant smile on his face, and instantly felt a surge of anger. She grabbed Chen Yang's ear again, scolding,
"You brat, how dare you keep teasing me! Do you think I'm a pushover?!"
This time, Ning Qiaoqian didn't control her strength, and Chen Yang cried out dramatically,
"Sister Qian, have mercy! You're about to pull my ear off!"
Chen Yang's cry attracted the attention of those around them. A little embarrassed, Ning Qiaoqian released her grip. She glanced at Chen Yang with her beautiful, watery eyes, and uttered two words with a seductive air:
"Serves you right!"
Just as Chen Yang was about to tease her a couple more times, someone approached, smiling broadly at Ning Qiaoqian, and said,
"Qiaoqian, let's grab some late-night snacks after get off work! It's on me!"