Entertainment: 1990

Chapter 18 You Don’t Have That Ability
"...Tang Dynasty wakes up to an electric guitar, neon lights splash ink and stain his crown..."

Unlike the last time I heard it in Tianjin, Dou Wei's singing was much more powerful this time—Zhang Yan privately thought that at least half of it came from the pain.

Moreover, compared to the obscure lyrics of the last time, this time, although the element of time and space distortion has been introduced, the lyrics are much more catchy.

Even though the band's performance was still a bit rusty, you could still feel the song's strong expressiveness and vitality, making you yearn for "Dreaming Back to the Tang Dynasty".

clap clap clap...

While Zhang Yan was still savoring the song, Wang Fei next to him had already started clapping, and then the others cheered. Even Lao Lang, who had been a little upset, clapped and shouted "Awesome!"

Jiang Xin threw down the blood-stained handkerchief and screamed as she threw herself into Dou Wei's arms.

Dou Wei winced in pain, but he was mostly smug. He gritted his teeth and said, "Help me up!"

Zhao Mingyi and Luan Shu immediately dropped their instruments and came up to help him up, one on each side, while Jiang Xin half-squatted down to support his injured leg.

Dou Wei placed his hands around the necks of Zhao Mingyi and Luan Shu respectively, stood on one leg with his right foot in a straight stance, and held his left leg, which was in a cast, in Jiang Xin's arms, his slender foot dangling in mid-air...

This looks a bit like the combined action of those comedic villains in Japanese tokusatsu films.

However, Dou Wei felt extremely good about himself, and with his head held high, he said to Ding Wu, "So, are you convinced or not?!"

Ding Wu hadn't reacted at all until now, but suddenly he started laughing, leaving everyone completely baffled.

"What are you laughing at?!"

Zhao Mingyi couldn't stand Ding Wu's attitude and shouted, "Are you trying to renege on your debt?"

"No~"

Ding Wu raised both arms high: "I'm convinced, I admire you to the point of prostration."

As he spoke, he gave an exaggerated bow.

Just as the Black Panthers were beaming with joy, he suddenly straightened his back and said, "I was indeed mistaken before. How could such a vulgar song be my idea, Ding Wu's idea?"

Dou Wei's smile froze on his face.

Zhao Mingyi retorted angrily, "What did you say? You dare say it again?!"

Ding Wu ignored him and turned to his teammates, saying, "Let's get this party started and show them what the real 'Dream Back to Tang Dynasty' is all about."

The Tang Dynasty band members quickly got into position and even brought out some unusual instruments.

First, the clear and distant sound of camel bells rings out, unconsciously conjuring up images of camel caravans traveling along ancient trade routes. Then, the sounds of guitar and drums intersect, slightly louder than the camel bells, yet still melodious and graceful.

Then, a sound like a cymbal gong was heard, and the drumbeats gradually drowned out the guitar, with the pitch rising higher and higher.

Ding Wu also began his own song: "Chrysanthemums, ancient swords, and wine, steeped in coffee in the bustling courtyard, foreign tribes worship the ancient moon at the Temple of the Sun..."

As the chorus begins, Ding Wu's voice suddenly becomes restless: "The prosperous Kaiyuan era is so enchanting~~~ The wind cannot blow away the lingering sorrow; the flowers cannot dye the homesickness; the snow cannot reflect the mountains and rivers; the moon cannot fulfill the ancient dream..."

Halfway through the song, the singing and music abruptly stopped.

To be honest, Zhang Yan didn't think the song was that good, but the sound of the song and music echoing in the morgue did give people a chilling and shocking feeling.

"What's behind?!"

This time, Zhang Chu was the first to jump out, excitedly asking, "What happened next? What happened next?"

"I haven't thought about what to do next yet."

Ding Wu replied lazily, then bowed to Dou Wei again and said, "I'm sorry, I was wrong. I shouldn't have misunderstood that you stole my idea. You really don't have that ability."

After saying that, he told his teammates to carry the instruments and turn to leave.

He suddenly stopped at the door, turned around and said, "By the way, remember to keep the hospital bill. I'll reimburse you later."

After saying that, he left without looking back. Zhang You greeted Zhang Yan and then hurriedly led Zhang Chu and Lao Lang to chase after him.

"what!!!"

Dou Wei was so angry that he wanted to chase after them, but Zhao Mingyi, Luan Shu, and Jiang Xin held him down tightly, so he could only let out a furious roar.

At this moment, Wang Fei suddenly walked over, looked directly into Dou Wei's eyes and said, "You don't need to be angry. The song you wrote is no worse than his, and I dare say most people would prefer your version of 'Dreaming Back to Tang Dynasty'."

In fact, Zhang Yan thought so too. The Tang Dynasty band's version was indeed more shocking, but shocking doesn't mean pleasant to listen to—at least, a common person like Zhang Yan preferred Dou's version of Hui Tang, which was more pop-oriented.

But in response to Wang Fei's words, Dou Wei gritted his teeth and retorted, "You don't know anything!"

Luan Shu pinched him secretly, and Dou Wei stopped grumbling and said nothing more.

Wang Fei hesitated, then stopped talking and ultimately said nothing more.

So the Black Panther band, who had arrived in a flurry of activity, carried Dou Wei back to the ward, dejected and exhausted.

Then Luan Shu went to see Wang Fei off, and the others had to put the instruments back, leaving only Zhang Yan, Zhao Mingyi, and Jiang Xin in the room.

Seeing that Dou Wei, who had been reattached to a glucose drip, was still silent with a gloomy face, Zhao Mingyi couldn't help but persuade him: "I think Miss Hong Kong is right, your songs will definitely be more popular."

Dou Wei turned his head and said in a low voice, "But his songs are more rock, more avant-garde, and more exploratory..."

"Isn't the song we created collectively rock and roll enough, avant-garde enough?!" Zhao Mingyi was also getting a little carried away, pointing outside and saying, "But you saw it in Tianjin before, the audience there didn't buy into this at all. If you ask me, this song of yours is the rock and roll that Black Panther needs!"

Dou Wei didn't say anything, but instead covered his face with the blanket.

Zhao Mingyi sighed and didn't try to persuade him anymore. Instead, he said to Zhang Yan, "Writer, let's invite Fourth Brother [Guo Chuanlin] out for lunch. It'll be a welcome dinner for you on behalf of Dou Wei."

Zhang Yan didn't stand on ceremony with Zhao Mingyi. He had just paid over thirty yuan for the venue fee, which was enough for a good meal at the restaurant.

Having agreed to bring food for Jiang Xin and Dou Wei, Zhao Mingyi led Zhang Yan outside.

Just then, Dou Wei, who was huddled under the covers, suddenly said something. Zhao Mingyi didn't hear it clearly and turned around to ask, "What did you say?"

Dou Wei then fell silent.

Zhang Yan didn't hear it very clearly, but it was probably a complaint that this wasn't the kind of rock music he wanted.

Considering the song "Tomorrow is Longer" on the playlist, which is credited to Dou Wei instead of Black Panther, it's likely that the two will go their separate ways in the future.

…………

We had lunch at Donglaishun.

The host was naturally Guo Chuanlin—he had gone to Tongzhou that morning, otherwise he would never have missed the zither in the morgue.

Hearing that Zhang Yan had made a special trip to visit Dou Wei and even helped pay for the venue, Guo Chuanlin toasted him and said with emotion, "Brother, you are indeed a man of character. No wonder you and Dou Wei got along so well on the phone."

In fact, Zhang Yan was mainly engaging in 'speculation'.

However, spending time with these people is indeed quite interesting. Compared to the stagnant lives of most people these days, they always seem to be lively and energetic, with endless excitement and topics to discuss.

"It wasn't all for Dou Wei."

Zhang Yan knew that Guo Chuanlin had extensive connections and knowledge in the capital, and wanted him to help him assess the situation. So he told Guo Chuanlin about his meeting with an individual bookseller, but did not mention that Boss Hu was a potential pirate.

After listening, Guo Chuanlin pondered for a while and said, "I don't know much about your writers' affairs. How about I find someone knowledgeable to ask you?"

As he spoke, he raised his hand to stop Zhang Yan's refusal and said firmly, "It's settled then—putting everything else aside, just because you came specifically to see Dou Wei and for that poem 'Dreaming Back to the Tang Dynasty,' I'm determined to help you with this."

Zhang Yan didn't know if this was a unique habit in the rock scene or if people in Beijing just liked it this way.

When they make a decision, they always seem to have an overbearing attitude of "I don't care what you think, I care what I think" and "I'm going to help you, it's none of your business."

(End of this chapter)