Chapter 7: Old Boy

Besides Chen Ci, Lao Zhao, Pang Zi, and Shi San also took the stage, each having found a suitable instrument.

Pang Zi, you haven't practiced in a while—can you still pull it off?

Nonsense, I may study performance, but how could I forget the gear that puts food on the table?

Lao Zhao and Pang Zi, ready to go, traded their usual barbs; the familiar scene struck Chen Ci hard again.

Broken Guitar, Broken Guitar Band!

I don't know which big brother gave them such face, shouting until the heavens shook and they went hysterical.

Someone wondered, "What's a Broken Guitar? I've never heard of it."

But once someone started it, they immediately garnered a huge response.

Wow!

Broken Guitar has reunited!

Broken Guitar, I love you...

It got more and more outrageous; under the call of several leaders, a wave of sound gradually formed.

Those who didn't know thought it was the comeback of some incredibly awesome rock star.

But that's just how the bar's environment is—filled with alcohol and youthful hormones.

More and more people were ignited by the atmosphere and joined in.

At this point, even if you shouted "I love a piece of firewood" instead of "Broken Guitar," someone would still follow.

Yang Tongxue couldn't help but be swept up, waving her hands in rhythm with the people around her.

Broken Guitar! Broken Guitar! Broken Guitar...

Shi San picked up the drumsticks, moving his bony wrists: "Ci Ge, what should we sing?"

Chen Ci smiled: "New song, follow me."

Pang Zi, did you hear that? New song.

Just take care of yourself...

Although the band had disbanded some days ago, and this was a new song they'd never rehearsed, Chen Ci wasn't too worried.

Everyone in the band had some special skill; otherwise, who would think Chen Ci's monthly two-thousand-dollar stipend was charity?

Take Shi San, for example—he was the national champion of last year's "Wo Xing Wo Xiu." Lao Zhao was also a top-twenty competitor, losing to Zhang Jie, which is nothing to be ashamed of.

It's just an impromptu performance—nothing special.

Suddenly, Chen Ci raised his index finger, making a silencing gesture.

Immediately, someone in the audience started moving, and soon the venue fell silent.

Only seeing Chen Ci turn up the microphone, lean in, and say softly: "Thank you, everyone—I never expected so many people still to remember our Broken Guitar Band..."

That's the truth; as for what's going on downstairs, Chen Ci knows better than anyone.

"Since Broken Guitar disbanded, a lot has happened around me—usually bad news."

"This..."

Lao Zhao and the others, including Yang Tongxue in the audience, were somewhat moved, knowing what he referred to.

"But today is different—my best friend is right here, the person I love most..."

Chen Ci made a tactical pause, locked his gaze on Yang Tongxue in the audience, and whispered: "Right across from you."

Whoa!

As soon as his words fell, someone immediately realized—this was a confession.

And as the female lead, Yang Tongxue's bright eyes flickered with a hint of surprise.

But before she could react further, she heard Chen Ci continue: "This song is for you, and for all of you. I hope every boy, before growing old, leaves no regrets."

Having said that, another round of applause rose from the audience.

"Ci Ge, keep it up! Broken Guitar, keep it up!"

Chen Ci, however, turned back: "Ready?"

Lao Zhao twisted his neck to the right: "All set."

Shi San directly gave a hard hit on the drum's rim.

"Good."

Chen Ci hesitated no more, turned his face, and plucked the strings.

The leisurely prelude even seemed a bit bland.

"That's the person I day and night long for, deeply love."

"How exactly should I express it—will she accept me?"

Not only was the prelude bland, but the opening two lines also seemed just as ordinary.

The audience was silent; Chen Ci's enunciation was crystal clear—you could hear the lyrics without straining.

Yet his mild voice was like a pot of aged tea, unconsciously calming the listeners.

"Maybe I'll never say those words to her."

"I'm destined to wander the world—how could I have any attachments?"

"Dreams are always out of reach—should I just give up?"

"Flowers bloom and fall, another season passes—spring, where are you?"

This song seems to be telling a story, the story of a disheartened person. Qian Qian xiao bao

It wasn't uplifting, nor did it have a catchy melody, yet it seemed to possess some kind of magic that made people calm down to listen to the story's magic.

And the final slightly high-pitched note let Pang Zi and the others know it was their turn to act.

"Youth is like a rushing river—once it's gone, there's no time to say goodbye."

Only the numb me remains, no longer the hot‑blooded passion of the past……

Sure enough, what followed one after another was the intense chorus.

But it was intense, yet not completely intense.

The keynote of this song has already been decided; it is music meant to be listened to with peace of mind.

"Has the wish from back then been fulfilled? Now we can only mourn……"

"Broken Guitar……"

In the audience, there were emotionally rich listeners; hearing this, they suddenly felt they had missed something.

"The wish from back then? I've already forgotten it."

"Look up and gaze at this river of stars across the sky."

"That star that once accompanied me."

"Do you still remember the story here……"

"Good!"

Still that head big brother, after a fierce shout he clapped madly, his hands turning red without caring.

He swore, this time it's definitely not for money.

Chen Ci gave a glance to the side, signaling them to get ready—something big is coming!

And in the front row, Yang Tongxue, closest to Chen Ci, slightly pursed her lips, gazing thoughtfully at the fully immersed Chen Ci.

She realized she really didn't understand her boyfriend before her at all.

It seems a bit hasty, but what of it?

Only such a man is worthy of me……

As she thought, she suddenly felt a weight on her shoulder, as if someone had tapped her.

Coming to her senses, she discovered her agent had appeared beside her at some point.

"Hey Jia‑jie? You've come."

Her agent Ceng Jia nodded: "A gathering of friends, where are the friends?"

She instinctively pointed to the spot on stage; after a tacit joint interlude, Chen Ci switched from his previous calm storytelling mode.

With a bit of a growl, he voiced a bit of resentment.

"Life is like a merciless carving knife, changing our appearance."

"Must we wither before blooming? I once had dreams!"

On Shi San's side, the drums suddenly burst; his gaunt face showed anger as he lifted his head high.

Lao Zhao and Pang Zi also switched to full‑throttle "violent" mode—this is rock!

In the audience, Ceng Jia had just turned her head when she was hit by a sudden strike from this well‑coordinated variation.

"Youth is like a rushing river!"

"Gone, never to return, no time to say goodbye!"

"Only the numb me remains, no longer the hot‑blooded passion of the past……"

Chen Ci's passionate high pitch actually isn't that high, but after a long period of warm, moist buildup, it comes across as so torn.

Among those present, some understand music, are familiar with music, especially rock.

Some listen for the way, some for the liveliness, but they all share the same point—love of music.

"Look up and gaze at this river of stars across the sky."

"That star that once accompanied me."

"Do you still remember the story here?"

"If there is a tomorrow, I bless you, my dear……"

Lasting nearly a minute, the brief fervor is like a fleeting blossom.

But landing in each person's heart, the feeling feels very long.

Yet when it truly subsides, one feels it wasn't enough.

"One more time!"

Someone shouted, but this time it wasn't that head big brother; Chen Ci saw clearly it was a young girl with tears in her eyes.

"One more time……"