Thirty Years East of the River, Thirty Years West

Lin Chudong smiled, "Definitely, definitely, we're counting on Manager Meng's support!"

"You're too kind!"

After a few pleasantries, Lin Chudong returned backstage. The Director hurried over and said, "Brother Fei, Manager Meng called. You're on second to last. You can go to the lounge first."

Liang Yin and the others were overjoyed and quickly went backstage.

"Da Fei, how did you manage that?"

Lin Chudong replied, "It's a long story. We'll talk about it later."

Entering backstage, they saw many singers. Most of them weren't very famous, having one or two hit songs online and appearing at the music festival for exposure.

The audience didn't recognize who they were, but as soon as the songs started, they knew they'd heard them before.

But Da Fei Band was different; many audience members came specifically for them.

Arranging Lin Chudong's group to perform second to last meant they were following Lin Chudong's act?

This was quite interesting!

Arriving backstage, Jia Lu was heading to the makeup room when a woman suddenly stopped her.

"What are you doing? Is this a place you can use?"

Jia Lu was taken aback, "Isn't this a public makeup room?"

These open makeup rooms were for all performers. Big stars, like Lin Chudong used to be, had private, fully enclosed dressing rooms.

The woman sneered, "Public? You mean any random construction worker from outside can use it?"

"You should just squat down and do your makeup using your phone's light. Is this a place you belong? Don't you even look at yourselves."

Jia Lu clenched her fists, her face flushed. Her upbringing restrained her from arguing, and as it was her debut, she didn't want to cause trouble.

Lin Chudong stepped forward and pulled Jia Lu's arm.

"Let's go, we'll just use the area next door."

After speaking, Lin Chudong glanced at the woman.

"Wang Xiaoyan's agent, right? Long time no see."

The woman said indifferently, "I didn't expect Brother Da Fei to remember me. Truly, fortunes change. You've brought such a motley crew to the music festival, aren't you tarnishing your own name?"

Lin Chudong replied, "Yes, I've fallen. I'm even sharing the stage with you. You can see I've thrown away my pride just to make a living, can't you?"

Lin Chudong then shouted, "Wang Xiaoyan, control your own dog and don't let it bite people!"

"You..."

"Xiao Xue, come back!"

A woman sitting in front of a mirror spoke. The makeup artist next to her, who was applying makeup, showed no reaction to this scene, as she was accustomed to it.

This was how the entertainment industry was. Back when Da Fei was popular, Wang Xiaoyan would respectfully call him Brother Fei and would have crawled into his bed if she could.

Now that Da Fei was on the decline, even her agent could step on him.

Wang Xiaoyan sneered, "He's brainless. If Shen Jianbin can make him leave with nothing, he won't let him make a comeback."

"We'll see."

Sitting on a small stool in the corridor, Liang Yin gritted her teeth, "This is too humiliating! Why does he talk like that?"

Lin Chudong said, "You'll get used to it. People in the entertainment industry rise and fall quickly. Old Chen, you haven't experienced this treatment before, have you?"

Old Chen, holding a cigarette, chuckled, "What kind of treatment haven't I experienced? Back then, I performed at a rural wedding for two hundred yuan, and in the end, I couldn't even get a meal. It was much harder than this."

Lin Chudong glanced at Jing Feifei, "Miss, are you still adapting? How about I ask your dad to organize a music festival, and we can have a special session!"

Jing Feifei said expressionlessly, "My dad would break my legs if he knew I was into rock and roll."

"..."

He shouldn't have said that!

Soon, the music festival began.

Wang Xiaoyan opened the show with a high-energy song and dance, igniting the atmosphere.

Wang Xiaoyan's status was average; she was considered an internet celebrity singer who wanted to move towards a professional career but lacked good works, making her neither here nor there.

She had approached Lin Chudong several times but was rejected, so she held a grudge.

Meanwhile, in the audience of the music festival, a chubby guy held up a phone stand, aiming the camera at himself, and said loudly.

"I'm challenging myself to livestream the entire Summer Music Festival! I, Ma Jinlong, am here! I'll be livestreaming the whole thing for everyone to watch for free today. I'm all about authenticity!"

At this moment, Ma Jinlong's livestream room became lively.

"Old Ma is awesome! He's getting benefits for the fans! Remember to point the camera at yourself when the security guards kick you out!"

"Just kidding, Old Ma has over ten million followers. A big streamer like him would get kicked out?"

"Old Ma, you can't just livestream, you need to do something entertaining! I won't watch if you don't!"

"Old Ma, don't shake your phone, have you been rewarding yourself too much?"

Ma Jinlong said, "Brothers and sisters, the music festival ticket price today is 135. I bought a scalper ticket and sat in the front row. I spent 990 just to let you brothers watch a music festival for free. When I livestream The Voice later, give me likes!"

Ma Jinlong was a Douyin influencer streamer. He was humorous and witty, and his shows were entertaining. He was a big influencer with tens of millions of fans. His livestream at the music festival this time was officially approved. As for being kicked out by security, even if it happened, it would be part of the script.

As soon as Wang Xiaoyan finished her song, Ma Jinlong immediately commented.

"The way she sang, brothers, it's hard to describe! If this is good enough to get on, then I can get on too."

Instantly, the comment section was filled with laughter...

It was all thanks to the million-dollar auto-tune engineers. Influencers like Wang Xiaoyan would falter when they were live.

"I have to say, it's definitely live singing!"

"Haha, I wish she'd lip-sync."

One song after another ended quickly. Lin Chudong and the others were already preparing backstage.

Liang Yin took a deep breath and said.

"I feel like my heart is going to jump out of my chest. Are you guys nervous?"

"Shopkeeper's wife, you're not performing."

"I'm nervous for you! Da Fei, you must perform steadily!"

Lin Chudong laughed, "This is small stuff. You should look at Wang Zhi."

Wang Zhi's lips were pale with nervousness. Da Fei and Chen Jianguo had seen much bigger stages. They wouldn't be nervous at a music festival like this.

At this moment, Lin Chudong didn't offer any comfort. Once they were on stage, it would be fine. What they had practiced countless times backstage would be played correctly by muscle memory, even without thinking.

The host said.

"Walk with me on the streets of Chengdu, without stopping until all the lights go out."

"These beautiful lyrics make me yearn for a city infinitely."

"Do you remember the former lead singer of the Da Fei Band?"

"His song Chengdu caused quite a stir in the music scene."

"Today, he has brought his new band to our Magic City Music Festival. Now, please welcome the Liang Yin Band!"

After the host's introduction, the audience below erupted in cheers.

Both Da Fei's reputation and the popularity of Chengdu surprised the audience.

Ma Jinlong excitedly slapped his thigh, "Holy crap, Da Fei is here! And he's the second to last act! I'm not here to listen to the songs, but to witness the drama between Da Fei and his former band!"

"Everyone, stay tuned to my livestream. You absolutely don't want to miss the excitement!"