The director frowned. This was the first time he'd encountered a situation like this. Nobody was leaving, so there was no way to wrap things up.
Wu Bo said from beside him, "Are they calling for us? Do they want us to come back out?"
Shen Jianbin glowered. "Don't fucking flatter yourself!"
The director ignored them and hurriedly made several phone calls. A moment later, he said,
"I just spoke with the organizers. We're going to have Da Fei perform one more song."
"Go tell security to manage the crowd. Make sure there are no accidents."
After giving the host his instructions, the director jogged backstage.
"Brother Fei!"
The director now wore an enthusiastic smile. "Brother Fei, you heard the crowd. Give us one more song. We have enough time."
Lin Chudong said, "Talk to my boss."
Liang Yin stood up.
The director said, "I spoke with Manager Meng. We'll add another fifty thousand for one more song. What do you think?"
Liang Yin glanced back at Lin Chudong and nodded.
"Fine, let's do one more."
"But... that last set was explosive. Can Da Fei follow it up?"
No Hesitation had been an absolute sensation. Even Da Fei himself would have a hard time following it.
The audience's expectations for Da Fei had reached an unprecedented high. If he didn't deliver a song that satisfied them, the impact would be greatly diminished.
Lin Chudong nodded. "Let's give it a try. Everyone, get ready. We're going back on!"
When Lin Chudong came out from backstage again, the whole venue erupted!
Screams rang out without end, a stark contrast to the response when Wu Bo had been singing.
Ma Jinlong's phone was buzzing with activity, too.
"Old Ma, you're amazing. You really got Da Fei to come back out. I have to hand it to you—you're ruthless."
"Awesome! Sending you a luxury cruise ship. Half for you, half for Da Fei."
"Old Ma, hold your phone steady. Stop shaking!"
"If Da Fei can do another explosive song, it'll make waves across the Chinese music scene!"
"Da Fei, the King's Return!"
Standing before the microphone, Lin Chudong still didn't speak.
To match the energy No Hesitation had stirred up, he had to take control of the entire venue.
Lin Chudong raised a finger to his lips and made a shushing gesture.
A few seconds later, the entire crowd fell silent.
Lin Chudong looked at Chen Jianguo and nodded.
Chen Jianguo began picking at the strings, and a simple melody rang out.
Backstage, Liang Yin was on pins and needles. If this song didn't measure up to the last one, people would surely question Da Fei's talent.
Wang Zhi was so nervous his hands were shaking.
After such an enthusiastic recall, would the audience go for a single-note intro right from the start?
One guitar, a few simple chords, a run of single notes. Four bars passed, followed by another four.
Even Chen Jianguo, usually so steady, couldn't help breaking out in a cold sweat.
He was afraid the audience would boo, and all their efforts would be wasted.
Jia Lu's grip on her drumsticks had gone pale, too, but she believed in Brother Fei. He could absolutely command the crowd.
Her foot was already on the bass drum pedal, ready to come in at any moment.
Jing Feifei had her hands on the keyboard, poised to play the first chord.
Musicians and audience alike waited for the intro to end.
Only Da Fei gazed ahead with unfocused eyes, as if immersed in the lengthy intro.
Strangely enough, nearly a minute of just a few single notes had managed to quiet the entire venue.
There wasn't a single bullet comment in Ma Jinlong's livestream, either. Everyone was waiting for Da Fei to belt out that first line.
Just how explosive would it be?
Ding...
As the final note faded, Da Fei's voice rang out, heavenly and clear.
"I once dreamed of taking my sword and roaming the world..."
Boom!
The organizers had done their part, setting off a row of cannons in front of the stage.
At the same time, all the instruments came in together. Da Fei's deep voice immediately set the whole venue ablaze once more!
The audience screamed again. Everyone went wild!
"Ahhhhh! Da Fei, I'm dying! My life is yours!"
"Fucking awesome! 666! Da Fei is the GOAT!"
"Da Fei! Da Fei! Da Fei!!"
A minute of patient waiting had brought an emotional explosion from everyone. Their excitement made their scalps tingle, and the music festival turned into a dance party.
The excitement left over from No Hesitation was unleashed all over again, and the entire crowd cheered along.
Following the lyrics scrolling across the giant screen, everyone began singing along.
"Take a look at the splendor of the world."
"Young hearts are always a little wild; now you call the four seas home."
"The girl who once made your heart ache has quietly vanished without a trace."
"Love always leaves you yearning, yet troubled; it once left you covered in wounds."
"Dilililidilililidenda..."
Screams rose and fell like waves, each one higher than the last.
The musicians onstage were all caught up in the excitement. Every spotlight in the venue shone on Lin Chudong. To bear the weight of everyone's expectations—that was what made him the soul of the band!
"Da Fei is Da Fei. Only he could make everyone wait a whole minute."
"In the entire Chinese music scene, who besides Da Fei would dare use an intro that long?"
"This song is incredible. It's got me pregnant through my ears!"
"I can already sing it. If you haven't had enough, come to my livestream. I'm about to cover it!"
"I found it on QQ Music already: The You of the Past, released this morning by Liang Yin Band, along with No Hesitation!"
"I'm putting this on Single loop. I'm taking this song onto the highway. I'll be doing at least 180!"
"Magic City traffic police remind you: don't speed on the highway."
"..."
Da Fei's song was nearing its end, and the rhythm had eased.
"Whenever I'm feeling down, I look at the sea by myself."
"I always think of the friends beside me, walking down the road. How many of them are waking up?"
"Let's finish this glass. A good man's heart is as broad as the sea."
"After experiencing life in all its forms, and the world's warmth and cold, this smile is warm and sincere."
When the song ended, Da Fei called out,
"Everyone, please follow Liang Yin Band's official Weibo and support Liang Yin Band. See you next time!"
Then the lights went out, and Da Fei left the stage.
The audience was still caught up in the excitement. Security guards gradually began directing them out, and many people were still bobbing their heads and dancing as they walked.
Some were even crying, as if the song had struck a chord in their hearts.
Ma Jinlong said, "The challenge is over, everyone. After that performance, Da Fei is definitely going to make a comeback. Just wait for the good news!"
Backstage, Shen Jianbin kicked a snare drum to pieces.
"Useless bunch!"
Wu Bo, Sun Jie, and the others didn't dare say a word. Su Yulin snorted and tossed her drumsticks onto the floor.
Go ahead and kick things. They were band property anyway.
With nowhere else to vent his anger, Shen Jianbin had taken it out on her drums. He looked like someone who couldn't stand being outdone and had lost his temper in humiliation.
Everyone in Liang Yin Band was beaming as they headed back with their instruments.
When they crossed paths backstage again, Shen Jianbin's expression had turned hostile.
"Da Fei, you're impressive. You've been hiding a lot of songs. Is that how you repay me?"
Before you continue