Entertainment: 1990

Chapter 12 Rain Bridge and River Umbrella

Guo Chuanlin was a very enthusiastic person. After only a few words of conversation, he strongly invited the two of them to go out for barbecue together.

Zhang Yan and Wang Zhongqi couldn't refuse any longer, so they finally had to agree.

Besides the three of them, the entire Black Panther band and the female host who seemed to be inseparable from Dou Wei were also present.

According to Guo Chuanlin's own account, he was originally a member of the Black Panther band, but later, due to his lack of skill, he voluntarily stepped down and took on odd jobs.

Later, more bands started approaching him, wanting him to help them arrange performances and such.

He now has four bands under his belt, but the one he's most attached to is still Black Panther.

Unfortunately, Black Panther's fate was full of twists and turns. Despite being the earliest formed and the most famous in Beijing, when a modern music concert was held in Tianjin at the beginning of the year, the other three bands all successfully performed, but Black Panther was the only one that was eliminated because they did not have any original songs.

Riding the wave of the concert at the beginning of the year, all the bands that took the stage rose to fame, while Black Panther, who only brought their instruments on stage, became a laughing stock in the industry.

The members of Black Panther were naturally furious, which led to today's revenge concert.

Guo Chuanlin couldn't help but shrug helplessly as he said this: "Actually, I advised them before they came that they had been too focused on being stubborn for the past two months and that what they wrote was too emotional. But these days, how many people who are willing to abandon their families and careers to pursue rock and roll listen to advice?"
I just hope that when I go back this time, they can truly settle down and produce some good songs, and then we can give the people of Tianjin a summary report.”

At this point, he looked at Wang Zhongqi and Zhang Yan with great interest and said, "These are all young people with dreams, especially Dou Wei just now. The young man is only 21 years old this year. He had already been admitted to the Beijing Youth Music Troupe, but he joined Black Panther because he likes rock music."

Although he... I hope our magazine can be more tolerant of young people. I believe that with his talent, he will definitely shine in the future!

No wonder he invited the two of them to have a late-night snack together, and even took the initiative to introduce the Black Panther band on the way. It turns out he was worried that what happened in the dressing room would be published in a magazine.

Wang Zhongqi wanted to say something vague to brush it off, but Zhang Yan took the initiative to explain: "Brother Guo, you may have misunderstood. I actually write novels. I came here today to gather material, and I plan to write about this kind of story when I have the opportunity in the future."

Since he wants to build connections, he can't keep it hidden forever.

Hearing this from the side, Wang Zhongqi was afraid that Zhang Yan would be underestimated, so he quickly added, "Teacher Zhang Yan's work is exceptionally brilliant. This signing ceremony in Tianjin was personally arranged by our vice president. In June, our magazine will change from a bimonthly to a monthly publication, and Teacher Zhang's work will be the cover story for the first issue. It's sure to be a hit!"

Guo Chuanlin was stunned for a moment after hearing this, then burst into laughter and said, "So I underestimated you, brother. I mistook a great writer for a reporter. Actually, I also like reading novels. I will definitely buy them and read them when the time comes."

"What are you buying?"

Knowing that the other party was just being polite, Zhang Yan still went along with it and said, "Can't this meal be exchanged for a magazine? Brother Guo, leave your address and I'll send you a sample copy directly later—so that I can ask you any questions about rock bands in the future."

Seeing that Zhang Yan was taking it seriously, Guo Chuanlin didn't hesitate and directly gave Zhang Yan a business card with his address and phone number, as well as an advertisement for organizing various cultural performances.

Zhang Yan also sent Guo Chuanlin a picture of himself. Guo Chuanlin took it, glanced at it, and was stunned.

"Wholesale ghost money?!"

"Hehe~"

Zhang Yan chuckled and said, "I used to work in a printing factory, and I did some side business for the factory on the side."

Guo Chuanlin couldn't help but laugh, and patted Zhang Yan on the shoulder, saying, "As the saying goes, heroes don't ask about their origins. Actually, we are all self-taught, but I believe that if we persevere, our dreams will definitely come true one day!"

After exchanging business cards, the two became noticeably closer, so Guo Chuanlin called over the Black Panther band members who were trailing behind and introduced them to Zhang Yan one by one.

The members of the Black Panther band are all young people born in the 60s. The oldest, Li Tong, is only 26 years old. Drummer Zhao Mingyi, who is a veteran, is the same age as Zhang Yan. As for lead singer Dou Wei and keyboardist Luan Shu, who just joined the band, they were both born in 69, two years younger than Zhang Yan.

So when they arrived at the barbecue restaurant, they sat together chatting, laughing, eating, and drinking, and quickly became acquainted.

The only exception was Dou Wei. After hearing that 'sweet' declaration, Zhang Yan thought he was an outgoing person, but he turned out to be the most taciturn one at the barbecue stand.

Most of the time, Dou Wei would just whisper and whisper sweet nothings to his girlfriend Jiang Xin, ignoring his teammates' idle chatter.

Seeing Zhang Yan's special attention to Dou Wei, Guo Chuanlin laughed and said, "That's just how this kid is. He's usually quiet and doesn't say a word, but once he gets excited, he doesn't hold back and will blurt out all sorts of nonsense."

"It's not an exaggeration."

At this point, Dou Wei offered a rare rebuttal, but he only uttered four words before falling silent.

Jiang Xin, standing to the side, raised her beer and declared confidently, "I believe in him. He'll definitely be able to take down Cui Jian in the future!"

This girl was born in 71 and just turned 18 this year, but she has been with Dou Wei for more than a year.

Seeing how lovey-dovey the two of them were, keyboardist Luan Shu couldn't help but feel a little jealous and said sourly, "Damn it, seeing these two being all lovey-dovey all the time, I'm going to find a girlfriend too!"

Drummer Zhao Mingyi scoffed at this, "You talk like you've never slept with a woman before. Last time in Sanlitun..." "That's different! I want a woman who, besides being wild in bed, can also be my partner in adventures!"

"Then go after Xiao Nan..."

"All right!"

Guo Chuanlin interrupted the two and said to Zhang Yan, "Brother, don't take offense. These guys are just ordinary people in every way except for music."

"It's good to have ordinary people. The more ordinary people there are in this world, the better our popular novels will sell."

The late-night snack lasted until 11:30 p.m., and they were about to call it a night when Zhang Yan and Guo Chuanlin started arguing over who would pay the bill. Suddenly, it started raining outside.

Looking at the wisps of rain outside the door, Zhang Yan was about to say, "Good rain knows its season," when he suddenly heard a "whoosh" from behind. Turning around, he saw Dou Wei dragging Jiang Xin out of the restaurant.

Then his singing voice came through the rain: "I want to walk from south to north, I want to walk from day to night, I want people to see me, but not know who I am..."

Dou Wei's rendition of Cui Jian's "The Fake Monk" has a unique flavor; in fact, it could be said that he and Cui Jian each have their own merits, making him a completely different person from when he sang "original" songs on stage before.

Dou Wei, emboldened by alcohol, started the song, and the rest of the band members shouted and rushed into the rain. Their uneven singing quickly turned "The Fake Monk" into an English song.

"These bastards are really causing me trouble!"

Guo Chuanlin cursed, slammed the bill on the front desk, told Zhang Yan to keep in touch, and then ran out.

Zhang Yan hesitated only slightly before following after them.

"I'm sorry..."

Wang Zhongqi was so anxious that he stamped his feet behind him, but in the end he could only grit his teeth and stay with him.

In the rain.

The Black Panther band played one song after another, and Guo Chuanlin, who had just been cursing, was also enjoying himself.

Zhang Yan couldn't keep up with their rhythm, but he could still feel a unique restlessness and exhilaration; perhaps this was what rock and roll was all about.

Finally, Dou Wei led everyone onto the Jintang Bridge. He placed one foot on the iron railing and tilted his head back as if he were contemplating something.

Just when everyone was looking forward to him, Dou Wei suddenly lowered his head and vomited, getting his shoes all wet.

Everyone burst into laughter at the sight, but Dou Wei wiped his mouth with his sleeve, turned around and stared at Zhang Yan: "Writer, writer, don't just listen to what's readily available. Give me a poem, one that's fitting for the occasion, with rain, a bridge, a river, and an umbrella—can you do that?!"

These words clearly carried a provocative tone.

Dou Wei is actually a sensitive and suspicious person. He instinctively felt uncomfortable and repulsed by Zhang Yan's inexplicable infiltration into the band, with a sycophant by his side.

Besides, writers aren't like cabbages in a field; it's not that easy to find a truly talented one.

"Dou Wei!"

Guo Chuanlin frowned, about to step in and smooth things over, when Zhang Yan said, "Writers and poets are not the same thing. Not every writer can write poetry."

Guo Chuanlin quickly chimed in, "That's right, you're not asking anyone to do something they shouldn't..."

"But I happen to know a little bit about it."

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yan suddenly gasped for breath. As he spoke, he walked over to Dou Wei and, mimicking Dou Wei's earlier actions, placed one foot on the railing and tilted his head back.

He did write some obscure poetry before, though his skill level was rather average. But if you add his dream experiences to it, it should be enough to get by in a pinch.

After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Yan slowly recited: "Every bridge is warm, because they make the river no longer sad."

As the rain twists the steel cable into a string, its reflection mends the wounds on the water's surface.

Asphalt is a newly formed crust, bearing the traces of countless umbrellas blooming and withering.
Rivets, rivets..."

Having read halfway through, Zhang Yan was at his wit's end, so he spread his hands to Dou Wei and said, "How about half a poem?"

Dou Wei opened his mouth wide and struggled to utter two words:
"Fuck!"

(End of this chapter)