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After nightfall, Si Ming Street No. 4 was buzzing with life. The food stalls and restaurants lining the street were packed with diners.
Liao Jia's personality was anything but conventional. Unconcerned about public perception or the possibility of exposing his identity, he got carried away with the alcohol, borrowed a guitar, and started performing right then and there — his demeanor could only be described as uninhibited.
Anyone who sings rock rarely can't play the guitar and among vagabond singers of rock, skilled guitarists are the most common.
Liao Jia's guitar playing was absolutely masterful.
He didn't even use a pick. A stream of passionate and intense notes spilled out from under his fingers, stunning the original owner of the guitar and capturing the attention of many diners nearby.
Lu Chen chuckled under his breath.
Because Liao Jia was playing "In Spring", though he had infused his own elements into the intro.
This national rock idol wasn't famous for nothing!
"Remember the spring many years ago,
At the time, I hadn't cut my long hair short.
Without credit cards, without her,
Had a home without 24-hour hot water.
But then I was so happy,
Though I only had a broken guitar.
In the street, under the bridge, in the fields,
Singing songs that nobody cares!"
Liao Jia's voice was a hoarse and deep rasp, aged and weathered. Though he couldn't fully unleash his vocal power due to the heavy drinking, and his control over his aura wasn't perfect—
Still, hearing him belt out In Spring in the middle of this bustling street was nothing short of electrifying!
The diners on Si Ming Street were no strangers to vagabond singers performing for a living, they'd seen it all.
But a customer who suddenly started singing and sang this well, that was rare.
"If one day, I am old – no country home for me,
Please leave me, in that old times.
If one day, I leave quietly,
Please leave me, in this In Spring!"
As he hit the song's emotional climax in the chorus, raw emotions surged forth. Liao Jia's face flushed a deep purple-red, veins bulging on his neck and forehead, as if he poured every ounce of his strength into it. The guitar's metallic resonance seemed to strike directly at everyone's hearts.
Even passersby stopped in their tracks, some lifted their phones to record.
Even Lu Chen found himself moved by the singing.
When Liao Jia finished the first round, he gave Lu Chen a nod, signaling him to join in!
Lu Chen gave a dry laugh and didn't turn down the invitation.
He casually grabbed an empty bottle from the table, flipped it upside down like a mic, and began singing along in a deep, controlled voice.
Lu Chen, too, was a bit tipsy.
His rendition of In Spring was clearly different from Liao Jia's. It lacked that gritty rasp and the soul-deep sense of desolation but it held the same burning emotional intensity.
"Still remember those lonely spring days,
Back when I hadn't even grown a beard.
No Valentine's Day, no gifts,
No adorable little princess by my side.
But I didn't think things were that bad,
Even though I only had fantasies of love.
In the morning, at night, in the wind,
Singing songs that nobody cares!"
It wasn't Lu Chen's first time singing In Spring. Though he had sold the song to The Lost Band, he still held a deep fondness for it.
Only, back when he first sang it and now, his life had undergone a massive transformation.
The emotions in his voice had changed.
Now, they carried the weight of lived experience, his own personal insight into life.
As the performance heated up, Lu Chen ignored the eyes of those around him and sang alongside Liao Jia.
They looked like two drunken madmen.
But two madmen who could play guitar and sing this well…
You'd probably only find such characters in the Capital City!
"Exhilarating!" When In Spring ended, Liao Jia let out a low roar and drained the beer bottle in one go.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Scattered applause broke out from the crowd. Some even whistled loudly.
Among the diners were a few foreigners who gave the duo a thumbs-up.
Liao Jia set down the empty bottle and handed the guitar back to the young street singer who'd lent it to him.
The young man took the guitar and hesitantly asked, "E-excuse me, are you… um…"
Even though Liao Jia wore sunglasses, they didn't fully cover his face. The more the young man looked, the more familiar he seemed.
Liao Jia grinned and said, "You're wondering if I'm Liao Jia, right? Heh, a lot of people ask me that. Personally, I think I'm better looking than Liao Jia and I sing better too!"
The young man was left speechless, and quickly lost interest in probing further. He went back to performing with his girlfriend.
After all, it couldn't really be Liao Jia. Though this guy could definitely win a celebrity impersonation contest.
"Friend, sing another one!"
Just as the couple walked off, someone from a neighboring table shouted, "Sing a few more! I'll cover your tab!"
That table had five people, all young and brawny, looked like fitness instructors out for a night of food and drinks. Some of them even had tattoos showing on their arms.
They were clearly deep into their drinks, empty bottles littered the table and floor. The guy asking for another song had long hair, slurred speech, and waved his arms wildly while talking.
Liao Jia had only picked up the guitar earlier on a whim, letting out his frustrations through music…
Now that he had finished shouting out his frustrations, Liao Jia felt much more relaxed — there was no way he was going to perform again for someone else.
He wasn't some street performer.
"Come on, let's keep drinking!"
Without even sparing the guy a glance, Liao Jia turned to Lu Chen and said, "We're not stopping tonight until we're drunk out of our minds!"
"F*ck!"
Before Lu Chen could reply, the long-haired young man exploded. Eyes bloodshot, he suddenly stood up and shouted at Liao Jia, "I gave you face by letting you sing, don't be so f*cking ungrateful!"
Xiao Li immediately stepped forward and blocked in front of Liao Jia, saying coldly, "Buddy, you've had too much to drink."
The long-haired man had indeed drunk too much. With his judgment impaired, he didn't even hesitate; he grabbed a beer bottle from the table and stepped forward to smash it at Xiao Li!
But Xiao Li wasn't some random assistant, he was Liao Jia's personal aide, which meant he could hold his own. Before the bottle even came down, Xiao Li reacted with lightning speed, launching a fierce kick straight into the guy's stomach.
He could've dodged, sure — but Liao Jia was right behind him.
So the only option was to fight back.
The long-haired youth wasn't fast enough to avoid the blow. He grunted in pain and stumbled back, doubled over like a boiled prawn.
He didn't fall, though, instead, his face twisted with rage as he roared, "F*ck!"
The fact he could still talk after a kick to the gut showed how tough he was and that Xiao Li had held back a bit.
But clearly, the guy didn't appreciate the restraint. Instead, he flew into a fury: "Waste him!"
At once, the long-haired youth's four friends jumped up and charged at Xiao Li. Their movements were fast and aggressive.
Xiao Li's expression instantly changed.
He had some real combat training, free fighting and handling a few ordinary people would've been no problem. But these guys clearly weren't just regular drunks. Four or five of them attacking at once, he'd be at a serious disadvantage.
Xiao Li didn't mind taking a beating himself. Even if they broke his arms and legs, he could always settle things afterward.
But if something happened to Liao Jia, his entire career would be over!
Thinking of how serious it could get, Xiao Li gritted his teeth and, instead of backing off, charged straight at them.
His plan was to stall them long enough for someone to call the police; once the cops showed up, it would all be over.
This was the Capital City. Public safety was solid, and 110 (emergency dispatch) usually responded fast.
Plop!
What Xiao Li never expected was that, just as he took a step forward, one of the long-haired youth's buddies suddenly lost his balance and crashed hard to the ground!
The one who stepped in was Lu Chen.
Seeing things escalate, Lu Chen had silently stood up. Without a word, he swung out his right leg and swept the nearest guy off his feet, taking him out of the fight in one clean move.
That guy had been aiming straight for Liao Jia.
The next second, Lu Chen accelerated forward like a hunting leopard. He turned his body and slammed his shoulder into the second opponent, sending him flying.
The unfortunate man collided with a teammate and knocked over a table full of drinks — their formation instantly collapsed.
The long-haired youth, now recovered, was furious. Seeing all this, he lunged at Lu Chen, throwing a punch at his face with full force.
Lu Chen stopped, turned, raised his right arm to block the punch with his elbow, then, in a flash, struck out with his left, a palm chop right to the man's throat!
"Ugh!"
The aggressive long-haired youth instantly rolled his eyes back, knees buckling as he dropped to the ground in agony, clutching his throat and retching, though nothing came out.
In just a few swift, precise moves, Lu Chen had taken down three.
Xiao Li seized the opportunity and punched another guy square in the face, knocking him out cold.
The last guy freaked out, he scrambled to his feet and bolted out into the street, abandoning his buddies.
At that moment, the front of the Lao Zhu Sichuan Restaurant was in total chaos — people were screaming, laughing, some calling the police, and others snapping pictures.
"Brother Li, you handle things here!"
Lu Chen finished off the last attacker, then quickly grabbed the beer bottle-wielding Liao Jia and pulled him away.
Xiao Li kicked over a guy trying to get up and said without looking back, "Don't worry!"
He could stay behind to deal with the police, no problem.
But if Liao Jia or Lu Chen got identified, it'd be a guaranteed tabloid headline by morning.
And people were already taking pictures.
Lu Chen dragged Liao Jia down the street. The alcohol haze in Liao Jia's brain finally started to clear.
He tossed the bottle into a nearby trash can, grabbed Lu Chen by the shoulder, and gasped, "Lu Chen, I seriously owe you one this time. From now on, I consider you a real friend!"
Lu Chen slowed down as they blended into the crowd and said casually, "It's nothing. Just a small matter."
Helping Liao Jia was one thing, but the real reason?
He hadn't fought like that in a long time, and it felt good.
Drinking, fighting… he hadn't let loose like that in ages!
Liao Jia sighed emotionally. "Fei'er was right to choose you. Anyway… just treat her well. When you two get married, I'll make sure to send a big wedding gift!"
Lu Chen chuckled in disbelief.
(End of Chapter)