Chapter 28 of 100

Chapter 28

9 min read2,301 words

(BGM: Hiroyuki Sawano's "βios" and Nan Quan Mama's "Mudanjiang")

Chen Haoran's hands, gripping the drumsticks, were drenched in sweat. It was almost their turn to go on stage. Before this, he had only performed in small bars with a few dozen people, and in the dark bar, few people could notice him sitting behind the drum set. He had just peeked through the curtain to see the stage, where the large stage was illuminated by spotlights, revealing every detail, and the polished wooden floor even reflected the intense light. The audience below was a sea of black, with people standing in the aisles, stretching as far as the eye could see. He let the curtain fall and saw that the carefree Cheng Xiaoyu was still fiddling with his synthesizer, which miraculously calmed him down. If the sky fell, the tall ones would be crushed first, and someone would take the hit. Thinking this, the sweat on his palms stopped.

Xia Shamo, on the other hand, wasn't very nervous. She still held the lyrics, recalling the singing difficulties Cheng Xiaoyu had told her about. She couldn't afford to make even the slightest mistake in such a challenging performance, as any error would ruin the entire show. She couldn't let Cheng Xiaoyu's hard work go to waste; she wanted everyone to be stunned by the music.

Cheng Xiaoyu was communicating with the sound engineer of Fudan University's Great Hall. The synthesizer needed to be directly connected to the sound system. Since he hadn't attended the final rehearsal and coordination in the afternoon, he had to communicate with the sound engineer on the spot. When the fifty-year-old uncle finally understood that this thing wasn't a keyboard and couldn't produce sound on its own, the tap dance performance by Gezhi Private School was nearing its end. Clearly, this impressive dance had sparked another wave of excitement. As the tap dancers bowed and retreated like a wave, a few school-organized students helped Chen Haoran carry the drum set onto the stage. Cheng Xiaoyu's synthesizer was also moved up and placed on the stand, but the wires weren't connected yet. Xia Shamo took off her down jacket and walked toward the microphone.

Through the thick curtain, Cheng Xiaoyu heard Xu Qinling's melodious voice, "After watching the impressive tap dance performance by Gezhi Private School, what do you think, Jiajun?"

"It was fantastic. I even felt like getting up and dancing a few steps myself."

"Now, the joint New Year's performance of the four schools is almost over. Jiajun, who do you think will win the best program award?"

"There are many excellent programs this time. For example, the tap dance by Gezhi, the choir 'Praise of China' by Shanggao, and the musical 'Cats' by Qinling's school are all very impressive. But I think the best program will go to Su Yuxi's piano solo 'The Clock' from our school. What do you think, audience?" As Chen Jiajun finished speaking, the audience responded with a wave of cheers, almost lifting the roof of Fudan University's Great Hall.

Xu Qinling exclaimed, "Wow! So many supporters of Su Yuxi! I'm also a fan of Su Yuxi. I hope she gets a good support rate. The next program is also from your school."

"Is that so? Can you tell me what it is, Qinling?" Chen Jiajun asked, pretending to be curious.

Xu Qinling's voice echoed throughout the Great Hall, "It's a very interesting name: Guilty Crown, Sword Pulling Tune, and Huangpu River."

"Please welcome Chen Haoran, Xia Shamo, and Cheng Xiaoyu from Class 2, Grade 3 of Fudan University High School."

The deep red curtain slowly opened.

At this moment, Cheng Xiaoyu hurriedly ran from the backstage to the stage. The sound engineer didn't know how to connect the wires, so Cheng Xiaoyu had to go down and connect them himself.

When Cheng Xiaoyu rushed from the backstage to the center of the stage, he didn't notice that Xu Qinling, dressed in a blue evening gown, was just walking backstage. Then tragedy struck; he tripped and fell flat on his face on the stage of Fudan University's Great Hall, and the loud thud marked the beginning of his performance. The brand new black suit was now covered in dust.

Laughter erupted from the audience, and the noise grew louder.

Cheng Xiaoyu turned to see Xu Qinling, who was elegantly giving him the middle finger from behind the curtain. Cheng Xiaoyu smiled bitterly and was about to get up when Xia Shamo quickly walked over from the microphone to help him up. The well-mannered students clapped enthusiastically, and Cheng Xiaoyu knew that most of the applause was for Xia Shamo.

Xia Shamo helped Cheng Xiaoyu to the synthesizer and whispered, "Are you okay?"

Cheng Xiaoyu smiled, "I'm fine. We're going to show them a different world."

Xia Shamo nodded and walked to the microphone with small, delicate steps. She had never worn high heels before and was still getting used to them. The audience erupted again, as everyone's attention shifted from the clumsy Cheng Xiaoyu to Xia Shamo, who was now the center of attention under the spotlight. Wearing high heels, Xia Shamo was nearly 1.8 meters tall, and her lustrous pearl-white qipao was adorned with long, red and black dragons fighting for a pearl, each pearl the size of a thumb, shimmering on her shoulders. The dress also featured light blue cloud patterns, and the high slit revealed her long legs in white stockings. The lace hem, embellished with sequins and small pearls, exuded an unparalleled elegance and grandeur, complemented by her Jimmy Choo crystal shoes, which sparkled brilliantly. All of this was overshadowed by Xia Shamo's stunning beauty.

Xia Shamo, with her tear makeup, was like a nuclear bomb dropped into everyone's hearts. She was charming and pitiable, with her twin pigtails and slender figure, and her exquisite face was simply "invincible."

As Xia Shamo took her position, the audience erupted in applause again, and whispers spread about who this Fudan University High School girl was and why no one had seen her before.

Fudan University High School students were even more puzzled; there had never been a girl in the school who could rival the goddess Su Yuxi. Where did Xia Shamo come from?

The students of Class 2, Grade 3 were shocked. Was this Xia Shamo? It didn't seem possible; this couldn't be the shy and unkempt Xia Shamo they knew.

At this moment, Xia Shamo gently held the microphone stand, resembling the goddess Athena from Greek mythology, holding a sacred scepter. The radiance she emitted was blinding, perhaps due to the stage lights or her dazzling attire. Everyone felt that this wasn't a simple high school New Year's performance but a grand CCTV gala.

Then, in the holy light, Cheng Xiaoyu raised his right hand, and Chen Haoran knew it was a signal to start the rhythm.

First came the crisp, rapid cymbal sounds, followed by the rich and majestic sounds from Cheng Xiaoyu's synthesizer. After a few ethereal guitar strums, the drum sounds suddenly intensified, and Xia Shamo's powerful voice cut through the mist, silencing the world. The packed hall could only feel their hearts beating in sync with Xia Shamo's voice.

A continuous, soaring high note easily overturned the world.

Then, a clear, soul-stirring voice tightened everyone's nerves.

"Die Ruinenstadt ist immer noch schön"

(The ruins are still beautiful)

"Ich warte lange Zeit auf deine Rückkehr"

(I have been waiting for your return for a long time)

"In der Hand ein Vergissmeinnicht"

(Holding a forget-me-not in my hand)

"It might be just like a bird in the cage"

(It might be like a bird in a cage)

"How could I reach to your heart"

(How can I touch your heart)

"I need you to be stronger than anyone"

(I need you to be stronger than anyone)

"I release my soul so you feel my song"

(I release my soul so you can hear my song)

"Regentropfen sind meine Tränen"

(Raindrops are my tears)

"Wind ist mein Atem und meine Erzählung"

(The wind carries my breath and my story)

"Zweige und Blätter sind meine Hände"

(The branches and leaves are my hands)

"Denn mein Körper ist in Wurzeln gehüllt"

(Because my body is wrapped in roots)

"Wenn die Jahreszeit des Tauens kommt"

(When the season of thawing comes)

"werde ich wach und singe ein Lied"

(I will wake up and sing a song)

"Das Vergissmeinnicht, das du mir gegeben hast, ist hier"

(The forget-me-not you gave me is here)

"Erinnerst du dich noch?"

(Do you remember?)

"Erinnerst du dich noch an ein Wort, das du mir gegeben hast?"

(Do you remember the words you gave me?)

"Erinnerst du dich noch?"

(Do you remember?)

"Erinnerst du dich noch an den Tag, an dem du mir...?"

(Do you remember the day you...?)

"Wenn die Jahreszeit des Vergissmeinnichts kommt"

(When the season of forget-me-nots comes)

"singe ich ein Lied"

(I will sing a song)

"Wenn die Jahreszeit des Vergissmeinnichts kommt"

(When the season of forget-me-nots comes)

"rufe ich dich"

(I will call you)

"Erinnerst du dich noch?"

(Do you remember?)

"Erinnerst du dich noch an ein Wort, das du mir gegeben hast?"

(Do you remember the words you gave me?)

"Erinnerst du dich noch?"

(Do you remember?)

"Erinnerst du dich noch an den Tag, an dem du mir...?"

(Do you remember the day you...?)

"It could be the whole of the problem, change your body"

(It might be the whole problem, change your body)

"I need you to be stronger than anyone"

(I need you to be stronger than anyone)

"I release my soul so you feel my breath"

(I release my soul so you can feel my breath)

"Feel my move"

(Feel my move)

"Regentropfen sind meine Tränen"

(Raindrops are my tears)

"Wind ist mein Atem und meine Erzählung"

(The wind carries my breath and my story)

"Zweige und Blätter sind meine Hände"

(The branches and leaves are my hands)

"Denn mein Körper ist in Wurzeln gehüllt"

(Because my body is wrapped in roots)

"Wenn die Jahreszeit des Tauens kommt"

(When the season of thawing comes)

"werde ich wach und singe ein Lied"

(I will wake up and sing a song)

"Das Vergissmeinnicht, das du mir gegeben hast, ist hier"

(The forget-me-not you gave me is here)

The performance was a series of climaxes, burning everyone's souls like waves lifting them from the depths, higher and higher. Looking back, the roaring waves seemed endless, pulling you into a dark abyss. This tension wasn't fear of the unknown but the thrill of battle, the desire to conquer the boundless world, a surge of exhilaration.

When the last note echoed and faded in the hall, Cheng Xiaoyu, Xia Shamo, and Chen Haoran walked to the front of the stage and bowed in gratitude.

Everyone in the audience stood up and applauded. It was an epic performance, a musical enchantment never before experienced.

It was a miraculous performance, a journey into a fantastical world, a magical trip.

The arched bridge reflected on the lake,

You look at the full moon from the other side,

On the old stone street, where we once walked,

What does the weathered brick wall look like now?

What we can't reach is called the distance,

What we can't return to is called home.

Who sings the song of the Huangpu River outside the door, I listen and feel sad, your voice is melodious,

The wind chimes tinkle, the small village by the river is as peaceful as a nap,

Who sings the song of the Huangpu River outside the door, my steps are light as I walk to your side,

The light of longing shines through the window, the silver warmth falls on the bed of my childhood.