Chapter Thirty-One: New Year's Eve Revelry

Time flew swiftly, and as the year 2076 drew to a close, the scent of the New Year grew stronger. The "Tang Dynasty" bar had been newly decorated, with festive touches everywhere, and even the staff wore cheerful attire.

"Do we have to dress like this too?" Lin Qihua asked, puzzled by the sight.

"Not necessarily," Ah Hui replied with a smile. "Just something festive if you like—it's mainly for the staff. But it's best to wear something that fits the season, since we’re preparing for the New Year’s Eve celebration."

Seeing Lin Qihua’s confusion, Nana pursed her lips and explained, "This is one of the bar’s biggest events every year. We prepare gifts and other surprises to hand out, but the highlight is our performance—the New Year’s Eve show. It’s like how TV stations host countdown concerts; ours is the bar district’s biggest festival, always packed, with crowds pouring in to celebrate together."

"Ah, I see," Lin Qihua nodded, understanding. "So the performance has to be more passionate, really energize the crowd?"

"Exactly. If we sang something mellow like 'Tick Tock' at a time like this, it’d miss the mood," Nana said softly. Over the past period, she herself had changed greatly; her fiery temper had faded, especially around Lin Qihua, to whom she now showed unusual tenderness. "The key is right after the New Year arrives—this time is the most important. Everyone’s emotions are heightened, and they need us to lead them in venting and celebrating."

"Got it. So, this time slot has always been our performance?"

"Yes, always has been, and this year is no different," Ah Hui said, frowning slightly. "We need to rearrange the set list, add something fresh. Things aren’t what they used to be—the audience expects more from us now. It’s a good thing, but also a bit of a headache."

"We can discuss it thoroughly," Lin Qihua said confidently. "Let’s treat this as our New Year’s Eve concert, and give it our best."

"Alright, let’s do it!" Everyone shouted together.

——

On the last day of 2306, the whole city found itself wrapped in a peculiar atmosphere—perhaps everyone was reflecting on their year’s achievements, dreaming of the next, with mixed emotions.

The bar opened for its final night of the year, and from eight o’clock onward, crowds poured in. The fresh decorations, the omnipresent New Year’s spirit, and the thoughtful gifts piled on every table all spoke of careful preparation, earning heartfelt praise from patrons. It wasn’t just about the freebies, but about the bar’s attentiveness and care, which only deepened loyalty and promised better business in the future.

Tonight’s performance brimmed with New Year’s cheer; everyone was especially excited, swaying gently to the music and savoring the last day of the year.

The "Hellfire" band had adjusted their set list, adding many light, upbeat songs to stir the crowd’s emotions, alongside their must-play hits.

As midnight approached, the stage’s giant screen began to display enormous numbers, and the crowd started counting down.

"10, 9, 8… 3, 2, 1—"

"Happy New Year!" Lin Qihua led everyone in a loud shout, and the whole audience raised their glasses, cheering and wishing one another joy. In that moment, the air was filled with blessings and anticipation for the coming year.

Nana, dressed in festive red, leaped onto the stage and began singing New Year’s songs, her voice bright and joyful. The tunes were simple and catchy, prompting everyone to rise and join in a grand chorus.

On stage, Nana was like a cheerful sprite, guiding waves of merriment, one after another, seemingly without end.

"She’s really grown," Ah Hui said, his eyes complex, feeling like a father watching his child mature.

"Yes, after another year or so of honing her skills outside, she should be ready for a debut," Lin Qihua nodded. "Talent really matters."

"Alright, let’s begin."

The band took their positions—three guitarists and a bassist in a line. Liu Xing launched into a fervent drumbeat, the front row struck their strings in unison, nodding and tapping their feet, their movements synchronized. A powerful wave of rock surged through the venue.

This time, Lin Qihua wore a small headset mic, aiming to showcase the song better. After a strong prelude, the crowd was already electrified.

"Give me your hand and your waist,
Let’s melt into this rhythm,
Don’t dwell on fragments of yesterday’s sorrow,
Don’t mind the promises that were never kept."

The intense rhythm and lyrics immediately drew everyone back to moments from their own year. Perhaps there were regrets, unfinished business—but it didn’t matter. Yesterday was gone; it was time to look ahead.

"Let’s sway together,
Sway together,
Forget all the pain and sway together,
Who knows what tomorrow will bring,
So let’s revel and sway together in this moment."

On stage, Lin Qihua and his two bandmates strummed their guitars, swaying in time and leading the audience. Everyone stood, raised their glasses, and immersed themselves in the wild joy of music.

"Forget sunscreen, forget the tax bill,
Forget last summer’s terrible love,
Forget rose gold, forget the fur skirt,
Forget the sweet drunken lies,
Let’s sway together, sway together,
Forget all troubles and sway together,
Yesterday’s happiness becomes tomorrow’s melancholy,
So let’s revel and sway together in this moment."

The trio on stage kept swaying, inciting the crowd to shout and jump nonstop. The atmosphere was ablaze—work, love, money, all worries were cast aside. At this moment, there was only joy and movement; the whole place was boiling with excitement.

"This is true revelry!" Watching the fevered energy on and off stage, Sister Yu couldn’t restrain her own restlessness, swaying to the music. "I think this is the liveliest New Year’s Eve I’ve seen. That singer really knows how to command the stage. Only now do I realize how vast the gap is between us and a true performer. Are we really so far apart?"

The bearded lead singer, less reserved, twisted his barrel-shaped waist and replied, "Him? Among professional artists, he’d stand out. Born for the big stage—what you see here is just the tip of the iceberg. Don’t compare yourself to him."

"Haha, true. Who cares—let’s just have fun tonight," Sister Yu laughed, casting aside her worries and throwing herself into the celebration.

"Don’t hope for those who won’t return,
Don’t wait for things that won’t come true,
Think of all those endless nights—

Did you grasp the silent tears flowing into your heart?
Let’s sway together, sway together,
Forget all pain and sway together,
Who knows what tomorrow will bring,
So let’s revel and sway together in this moment.
Let’s sway together, sway together,
Forget all troubles and sway together,
Yesterday’s happiness becomes tomorrow’s melancholy,
So let’s revel and sway together in this moment.
Sway together,
Sway together,
Sway together,
Sway together."

Wave after wave of rhythm, the high never ended, and the three dancers on stage were drenched in sweat. When the music finally cut off, they were exhausted and breathless—but seeing the crowd still unable to stop, their hearts brimmed with satisfaction. This was the perfect New Year’s Eve song, the ultimate revelry.

"That was amazing!" Chang Yan jumped onto a chair, shrieking excitedly.

"Wah wah wah!" The crowd’s direct response was the best praise for the performers.

"It seems we can’t keep him anymore," on the second floor, at a special table, a woman’s face showed a complicated expression. "Every performance is a leap forward. Such talent, such brilliance—stuck on a tiny stage with no spotlights, no crazed fans—it’s so unfair. Well, you give us joy, I’ll offer you new hope. I just don’t know who suits you best—now that’s a puzzle."

Below, Lin Qihua calmed his breath, then flashed a radiant smile to the crowd. "In this new year, I wish you all happiness, smooth sailing, and all your desires fulfilled. Tonight we gather here, as the ancient poem says:

'Have you not seen the waters of the Yellow River flowing down from Heaven, rushing to the sea and never returning?
Have you not seen the high halls, the bright mirrors, mourning white hair—morning as black silk, evening as snow?
When life is good, we must enjoy it to the fullest; do not let a gold cup face the moon empty.
Heaven gave me my talents for a purpose; squandered wealth will return.
Slaughter sheep and cattle for pleasure, drink three hundred cups at once.
Cen Fuzi, Dan Qiusheng, let us drink, do not stop the cup.
I’ll sing a song for you, lend me your ear.
Bells and drums, jade dishes, are not worth cherishing; may I stay drunk and never wake.
Since ancient times, sages have been lonely; only drinkers leave their names.
Chen Wang’s feast at Ping Le, a thousand cups of wine in wild merriment.
Why speak of little money, just buy more wine for us to share.
Take the five-flowered horse, the thousand-gold coat, call the boy to exchange for fine wine, together we’ll dissolve the sorrows of eternity.'

A recitation of 'Invitation to Wine,' grand and powerful, left everyone stunned.

"So handsome!" Chang Yan and her group of girlfriends screamed endlessly. In their eyes, someone handsome, singing well and able to recite such poetry was simply irresistible.

"In this setting, 'Invitation to Wine' is perfect—so thoughtful," the woman upstairs smiled, raised her glass to the stage, and sipped gently. "'When life is good, we must enjoy it to the fullest; do not let a gold cup face the moon empty'—such a way to toast is far more refined than any other."

As expected, as soon as Lin Qihua finished speaking, the whole audience raised their glasses and drank in one go. Such a famous poem paired with wine—what a delight! Their affection for Lin Qihua soared, and many guests recorded the whole thing, intending to upload it online. In a corner, a camera had been recording all along—a recent addition, its purpose to capture performances and produce HD videos for the bar’s channel, now wildly popular and boosting the bar’s reputation. Among all programs, those featuring Lin Qihua and Nana were the most watched, far ahead of the rest.