Chapter Thirty-Six: Nana's Farewell

The subsequent band performances sent the entire audience into a frenzy, their passion ignited like never before. Compared to previous shows, the effect was twice as good, giving the unmistakable sensation of a live concert. What an extraordinary feeling! By the end of the night, both hosts and guests were thoroughly satisfied, leaving with smiles on their faces. Sister Mei, in particular, was beaming—the night’s income had doubled, and the new bar format was an instant hit. Sister Feng was delighted, and everything seemed perfect.

Director Fang Yu had been busy scouting locations during this period. The bar staff were kept on their toes, posing in various ways for his shots during the day. Even during their evening shifts, they were required to perform complex tricks, such as flair bartending and dynamic DJing, all to be captured on film. Capturing the essence of live performances was his top priority, and it took a day or two before he was satisfied, after which it was time for the bands’ individual scenes.

Filming the “Standard” band’s MV was straightforward, wrapped up in a single day, as it consisted mainly of street and bar shots. Fang Yu’s attention was clearly elsewhere; once finished, he quickly moved on. The “Rose” band’s shoot took a day longer, with more scenes and a complete story to tell—centered on Sister Yu, depicting a girl pursuing her musical dreams at the “Tang Dynasty” bar and becoming a sensation. With the emotional weight and the acting required, it naturally took more time to get it right.

When it came to “Inferno,” Fang Yu’s standards rose sharply. He would reshoot a single scene over and over until it met his expectations. For instance, the band’s entrance into the bar—meant to capture a feeling of carefree nonchalance, as if emerging from darkness into sunlight—took nearly half a day because the details never quite satisfied him.

“Pay attention! I want that sense of freedom, unrestrained, effortlessly cool, moving from darkness into light. Make it powerful, make it thrilling—do you understand? Don’t give me some gangster vibe!” Fang Yu shouted at the group, and this one action tormented them for most of the day.

Lin Qihua had filmed an MV when his group debuted, but even then, the requirements weren’t this strict. Fortunately, this scene was about capturing a feeling, not acting per se, so after several takes, they finally succeeded.

Afterward, the band followed Fang Yu around the bar and to a nearby film studio for more performance shots. Fang Yu wanted footage of the band performing in various settings to piece together his vision through editing.

Nearly a week of effort finally brought the ordeal to an end; what remained was up to Fang Yu—location hunting, editing, adding special effects, and final composition. Only then would the MV be complete.

With the band’s part finished, they focused entirely on performing. The Spring Festival was approaching, and the bar began preparations. Staying open during the festival was a signature feature, and this year was no exception. With the official website and social media platforms launched, the bar’s reputation soared. Regulars promoted it enthusiastically, so that anyone in Beijing who enjoyed nightlife knew of this unique spot. Its reputation was stellar; anyone who visited was awed—seven or eight out of ten became loyal fans. “Tang Dynasty” had outpaced its competitors, setting itself apart. Many other bar owners were already trying to decipher its secrets, eager to follow suit.

Nana finally settled on her next step, signing with Jade Butterfly, a mid-sized entertainment agency that had been scouting her. Lin Qihua knew the company; the boss was known for being genuinely kind, and the company had a reputation for warmth and camaraderie. While its resources couldn’t compare with the industry giants, its atmosphere and relationships were famously harmonious—a crucial factor for Nana’s development.

Witnessing Nana sign her contract, applause erupted around her. It marked her leap from “Tang Dynasty” to the big stage, and everyone felt they were witnessing history. Lin Qihua found it strange that, even at such a moment, the legendary boss was still absent. Rumor had it that she had brokered the deal with Jade Butterfly and carefully chosen the company for Nana, but she remained behind the scenes.

According to the contract, Nana would officially join the company as a trainee after the Spring Festival. This was just the beginning of her journey; she still had much to learn before debuting as a full-fledged artist. Still, the company made it clear they would tailor songs for her and devote themselves to her development, determined not to squander her remarkable talent and unique qualities.

After the company representatives left, Nana burst into tears.

“Silly girl, this is wonderful news! We’ve produced a star, and everyone is happy for you. Why cry?” Sister Mei, unusually gentle, hugged Nana and spoke softly.

“That’s right, it’s not like we’ll never see each other again. Come back often if you miss us; you’ll always be welcome,” Liu Xing said, his eyes red. Everyone knew he had feelings for Nana, but he kept them hidden. Now, he could only silently wish her well.

“Work hard, girl. Who knows, maybe we’ll meet again on stage someday,” Lin Qihua said, genuinely happy. He remembered when Nana first arrived, dressed like a rebellious youth—purple hair, smoky eyes, a fiery figure that intimidated anyone who saw her. Now, with a simple ponytail and fresh clothes, she looked like the girl next door. The transformation was astonishing.

“Thank you, Qihua, thank you,” Nana said, bowing deeply before him. Her gaze was filled with admiration, gratitude, and loss. “If it weren’t for you, I’d still be that self-destructive girl, maybe lost for good. Because of you, I shed my false disguise and became who I am today. You put me on my first real stage and opened a new door for me. Now you’ve helped me find my path to the big stage. Words can’t express my gratitude—just, thank you!”

Lin Qihua shook his head and reassured her gently, “Your success comes from your own talent, a gift meant for the stage. I just gave you a little nudge, nothing more. But I do have one word of advice for you.”

“Go ahead, I’ll listen to anything you say.” Nana was no naive child; she knew just how crucial Lin Qihua’s help had been. Many people have talent, but few find the right opportunity. She had been lucky, and she understood that her only option was to train hard and debut as soon as possible, to repay this kindness and fulfill her dreams.

“You’re only getting started. You haven’t achieved anything yet—everything begins from zero, so there’s no reason to be overly excited,” Lin Qihua said honestly. “Next, you’ll enter the training camp. It will be tough, but you’ll learn a lot. Only after you make it through and debut will you truly become an artist, step onto the big stage, and make your dreams real. Now is not the time to celebrate—do you understand?”

Nana nodded solemnly, “I understand. I won’t get cocky. I’ll train hard, for my dreams and for everyone’s support.”

“I believe in you,” Lin Qihua smiled, then turned to Sister Mei. “Sister Mei, this is such great news—shouldn’t we celebrate?”

“Of course,” Sister Mei replied with a smile. “I’ve already booked a room. Let’s go have a good meal and celebrate.”

A cheer went up.

“I was thinking, after the New Year, why don’t we throw Nana a farewell concert?” Ah Hui pulled Lin Qihua aside and whispered.

Lin Qihua gave him a thumbs up. If anyone in the band cared about people, it was Ah Hui. Like a caretaker, he looked after everyone as if they were his siblings. Sometimes, Lin Qihua thought he wasn’t managing a band, but a family. Ah Hui had been instrumental in Nana’s success, and now he was proposing a farewell show for her—truly dedicated.

But that was a good thing. Lin Qihua loved the band’s atmosphere; it was relaxed and joyful, free from petty troubles. Only in such an environment could one focus on improving their craft.

Three days before the Spring Festival, “Tang Dynasty” held Nana’s farewell ceremony. The news had been announced on the official website, drawing crowds eager to witness the bar’s first true artist step onto a bigger stage. It was an unforgettable, historic moment.

In front of a thousand witnesses, Nana was overwhelmed with emotion. The night belonged to her; she sang every song she’d practiced, one after another. Dressed in a white gown, she danced on the new stage, leaving the audience with a flawless final impression.

Bar staff and band members presented her with gifts and blessings, making her laugh and cry at the same time. When Lin Qihua gave her his gift—a song written especially for her—she completely broke down, sobbing on the floor. Sister Mei, Sister Yu, and the other women gathered around to comfort her until she finally calmed down.

Just as Ah Hui said in his closing words, “Tonight, our ‘Tang Dynasty’ bar and our ‘Inferno’ band are sending our daughter off to her new life. May her days ahead be sweet and bright. This will always be your home—you’ll always be welcome here.”

That night, Nana left the “Tang Dynasty” bar and the “Inferno” band, embarking on a new chapter in her life.