It was midnight, and while many people had already drifted off into their dreams, for another group, their nightlife was just beginning.
The magic performance in the bar had just ended, and now Sister Na stepped onto the stage.
The performance stage at Daylily Bar wasn't large, and Sister Na had sung on it countless times. She could stand in her usual spot with her eyes closed, as she knew it so well.
Yet, tonight she felt a particular excitement, reminiscent of her very first date with a boy all those years ago. The outcome might not have been perfect, but the experience was undoubtedly worth remembering.
Facing the crowd of over 200 customers, some familiar and some not, she gripped the microphone tightly.
For this debut performance, Sister Na had prepared meticulously, rehearsing with the Wandering Band over and over again. Brother Qin was supportive and didn't mind, but she felt the pressure of not wanting to disappoint her friends.
She was determined not to mess up!
Behind her, Qin Hanyang led the Wandering Band as they took the stage as well. They were going to play the accompaniment for Sister Na's performance.
Lastly, Lu Chen made his entrance.
On his way to Daylily, Lu Chen hadn't expected that Qin Hanyang, while arranging the music, had left a spot for him too— a simple two-bar guitar part. It was light, both in difficulty and significance, but the gesture was a delightful surprise!
'Bang! Bang! Clap! Clap!'
Before Sister Na could even start singing, the bar erupted into enthusiastic applause.
Many of those who came to Daylily tonight were regular customers who knew Sister Na, and others were friends from the music scene. Word had spread that she would be debuting a new song.
"Sister Na, go for it!"
Cheerful shouts and loud whistles filled the air, instantly raising the energy in the room to a peak. Tears of joy sparkled in Sister Na's eyes.
She had been through many ups and downs in life, having faced all kinds of challenges, and wasn't easily moved. But tonight, she was deeply touched.
"Thank you, truly, thank you everyone!"
Sister Na took a deep breath, raised the microphone, and said, "I'm so happy that so many friends came to support me tonight. I'm really grateful and overjoyed. I'll start with a song to say thank you to all of you!"
The song '"Thank You"' was a light rock anthem from the early 1990s that had once been wildly popular in China. Its melody was lively and full of passion, and its lyrics radiated positivity, inspiring strength and optimism.
A true classic, its appeal hadn't faded with time. Instead, it had become even more touching. The song had been covered countless times and was often heard in Houhai bars in various renditions.
Lu Chen had also performed '"Thank You"' at Daylily before.
But Sister Na's rendition was entirely different from his. Accompanied by the Wandering Band, she captured the song's essence and brought out its raw rock spirit, her unique voice infusing it with authentic rock vibes.
'"Thank you for being with me in every moment of my life, giving me sunshine, giving me strength!"'
'"Thank you for your unwavering support, helping me escape the darkness, and making me brave!"'
'"Thank you!"'
As the song ended, thunderous applause filled the bar!
Even though this was just a warm-up song, Sister Na's performance was stellar, both technically and emotionally. She displayed her deep experience and undeniable talent, reaffirming her position as the leading vagabond singer at Daylily.
Many of the patrons were knowledgeable about music and appreciated her rendition, rewarding her with generous applause.
"Thank you!"
After finishing '"Thank You,"' Sister Na bowed to the audience in gratitude.
Once the applause died down, she continued, "Next, I'm going to perform a new song. Many of you might already know about it. It's a song I've prepared for a long time."
"And this song was specially written for me by our little musical genius, Lu Chen!"
Sister Na turned to look at Lu Chen, who was seated with the Wandering Band, her eyes filled with gratitude.
The title "Little Musical Genius" had started circulating recently in the Houhai music scene, referring to Lu Chen. Houhai was a small community, and news traveled fast. Lu Chen's two original songs, which he performed at the Music Carnival Night and sold for an astonishing price, had quickly made him the talk of the town.
Lu Chen had also been regularly performing his songs '"My Old Classmate"' and '"Cinderella"' at Daylily, making the nickname well-deserved.
Sister Na added with a smile, "To be more precise, our handsome little genius!"
"Handsome little genius Lu Chen!"
Laughter and applause filled the room again. Feeling slightly embarrassed, Lu Chen stood up with his guitar and waved to the audience.
'Stop looking at the handsome guy, folks; tonight's star isn't me!'
The next moment, the soft intro of the new song began.
The spotlight focused on Sister Na, turning her into the center of attention for the entire audience.
"This song is called 'I Want A Family'."
Facing the crowd, she composed herself, closed her eyes halfway, and quietly listened to the gentle intro.
Then, as naturally as breathing, she began to sing the song she had practiced countless times.
'"I want a family, a place without grand decoration..."'
When I am tired,
I will think of it.
''I Want A Family'',
A place that doesn't need to be too big.
When I am scared,
I won't be afraid anymore.
...
The beautiful melody, paired with straightforward and realistic lyrics, and complemented by the perfectly timed accompaniment, under Sister Na's unique voice, flowed like water into the hearts of everyone, touching their souls!
...
Who wouldn't want a home?
Yet some people don't have one.
Tears fall down their face,
And they can only wipe them away by themselves.
I envy those
Who can return home when hurt,
While I can only search,
Lonely, for my own home.
...
Tears welled up in Sister Na's eyes once more. She closed her eyes, afraid to let the tears fall.
Happy families are all alike, but each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Sister Na's family undoubtedly belonged to the most unfortunate category. She had left home at a young age and had been wandering for over 20 years, never returning.
Because that home no longer existed. It was a distant memory she wanted to forget.
Yet deep in her heart, how could she not yearn for a real home of her own?
Tears, nevertheless, could not be held back, but the accompaniment and her singing grew more vigorous and powerful!
...
Although I never had a warm home,
I still grew up.
As long as my heart is full of love,
I will be cared for.
There's no one to blame,
Everything relies on oneself.
Though you have a home and lack nothing,
Why can't you show a smile?
You always say there's no love,
You never come home.
The same age,
But different hearts.
Let me have a home!
...
As she sang with all her heart and released her emotions, Sister Na resisted the urge to look at someone sitting in the audience. She was afraid her gaze would reveal her inner thoughts, afraid of the pain of rejection.
She had already been rejected too many times.
Beneath her strong and optimistic exterior was a fragile and sensitive heart.
As the first rendition came to an end, applause rang out again, loud and enthusiastic.
Many people stood up to clap, applauding with all their might, and in the eyes of some, there were tears.
They, like Sister Na, had wandered in Capital City for many years. Though some had achieved success, earning tens of thousands a year, affording apartments, hotels, cars, and mortgages, they had once lived in basements, crowded in the subway, survived on instant noodles day after day, and faced countless difficulties and setbacks, becoming numb to the daily grind of increasingly heavy work and social obligations.
Back then, and even now, they longed for a warm home. They yearned for a kind and understanding husband, or a gentle and beautiful wife, and an obedient and thoughtful child so that on weekends, the whole family could go out happily.
No matter what happens outside, home is always a peaceful harbor, a sanctuary for healing!
This song, 'I Want A Family', expressed the feelings of everyone, resonating deeply with their hearts. They understood it, and they couldn't help but be moved!
''"I Want A Family, a place that doesn't need to be luxurious!"''
Lu Chen sat on the piano bench, holding his guitar, watching Sister Na on stage, but his thoughts had wandered thousands of miles away.
At that moment, he missed his home more than ever.
---
(End of the Chapter)
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