Middle age: leisurely life in the entertainment industry

Leaving Hangzhou, we headed to Changsha, Nanjing, and Wuhan. The last stop before New Year’s Day was Shijiazhuang, where the first half of the tour was about to end.

It's early December, and it's already freezing cold in the North China Plain.

Yu Dongqing and the others stood in the suite of the Hilton Hotel, looking at the gloomy sky outside. Yang Liu next to them said: "Teacher Yu, the weather forecast says that it may snow in Shijiazhuang tonight."

"What can we do if it snows? Can we cancel it? It's too late to refund the ticket, right?" Yu Dongqing said with a bitter smile.

"I'm worried about your health."

"What are you worried about?" Zhang Yang answered: "My fans braved the wind and snow, and I heard that some of them came from other cities. After all, we are standing on the stage, and there is a roof above it. What are we afraid of? Dry!"

"Okay then, I'll ask the medical team to pay more attention." After Yang Liu finished speaking, he turned around and walked out.

Sure enough, at around six o'clock in the evening, the sky had been gloomy all day and there was heavy snowfall, but it still couldn't conceal the enthusiasm of the fans, who braved the wind and snow from all directions to rush to Yutong International Sports Center.

Tang Qingyuan also finished dinner early, put on an old down jacket, and a hat, left home, and walked to the sports center.

This time he did not ride his 28-inch bike, but took a bus.

Sitting on the bus, looking at the flickering lights outside, Tang Qingyuan felt a little emotional.

Just a month ago, he did something he had never done in his life. He spent 399 yuan to buy a ticket for Qingmanglu Band's concert in Shijiazhuang.

Of course the cheapest one.

More than ten years ago, the Qingmanglu Band came to Shijiazhuang for the first time to hold a concert and sang the song "Kill That Shijiazhuang Man".

This song has always been in his mind.

He felt that this was not just a song, but a piece of history. It's just that some people don't know, or they know clearly and pretend not to know.

As a result, he became Yu Dongqing's loyal fan. As long as he released new songs, he would always try his best to find them and listen to them.

Of course, it's the kind of prostitution for free.

But this time, he decided to pay for the concert.

If you don’t chase stars when you are young, you will chase them when you get older.

Thinking of this, Tang Qingyuan couldn't help but shake his head.

However, life has gotten better these years. My son has gotten married and has children. I and my wife have retired, helping to take care of our grandchildren and take care of themselves.

Although the retirement salary is not high, it can support the two of them, and it can also help support their son.

In addition, the dilapidated community where they live has been renovated. Some leaky roofs have been repaired, green belts have been built, and old gas supply pipelines have been renovated.

All in all, life is getting better.

This winter doesn't seem so cold either.

Tang Qingyuan got off the bus and suddenly felt timid when he saw the crowded stadium entrance.

If a retired old man like himself watches a concert together with a bunch of young people, will others look at him like a monster?

But the ticket had already been bought, so he had no choice but to check in and enter the stadium.

"Uncle, here are the light sticks for you." Seeing a girl who looked like a staff member wearing a badge looking at him curiously, he felt even more embarrassed and quickly took it.

When he found his position, Tang Qingyuan looked around for a while and immediately felt relieved.

It turns out that it’s not just young people who come to watch the show.

There were mostly middle-aged people in their thirties and forties, and there were a few elderly people like him.

There was snow in the sky, but the atmosphere in the stadium was still lively.

At 7:30 pm, the performance officially started.

The Qingmanglu Band had just come on stage, and before Yu Dongqing could say his opening remarks, he heard a deafening sound from the audience.

"Kill the man named Shijiazhuang!"

"Kill the man named Shijiazhuang!"

Yu Dongqing couldn't help laughing after hearing this.

The fans are so cute.

So he said into the microphone: "Thank you fans for coming to listen to us in this cold weather and heavy snow. Originally, I planned to put this song later. Since everyone likes to listen to it so much, then I will sing it." This one:"

"Kill the man named Shijiazhuang!"

After Yu Dongqing finished speaking, he looked back at his band. The drums sounded, and Yu Dongqing followed along and sang:

Get off work at 6pm

Change the clothes of the pharmaceutical factory

Wife is making porridge

I'm going to have a few beers

Living like this for 30 years

Until the building collapses

The fans in the audience immediately sang along.

The darkness deep in the clouds

A landscape that drowns my heart.

Tang Qingyuan couldn't help but join the crowd in singing while waving light sticks.

Yes, living like this for 30 years

Until the building collapses.

However, I finally got over it.

It's not that scary when you think about it.

After Yu Dongqing sang the first song, the audience cheered.

He rubbed his slightly stiff fingers, wiped the snowflakes that had been blown by the wind onto his face, and said:

"According to the order of the song list, the next song to "Killing the People in Shijiazhuang" is "Toast to the Past", so I will continue singing."

"What I want to say is, whether it is Huayao or People's Square, it will eventually become history, and life will continue. Tonight, let's drink a glass of wine and toast to the past! The past, present, and future all belong to our glorious Shi family. Mr. Zhuang! Thank you!"

The audience cheered.

Yu Dongqing sang along with the rhythm:

Many things have gone through

do you feel tired

Such a mood

I've had it a few times

Maybe someone was hurt

Maybe no one can understand

This time, Tang Qingyuan stopped humming and sang loudly along with the fans around him.

Cheers to the past.

Living is a kind of happiness.

The snow was falling heavier and heavier, and the entire stadium was covered in fog. Under the huge searchlights, it exuded a different kind of beauty.

Yu Dongqing wiped his cold face and rubbed his stiff fingers. After singing "Olive Tree", he was ready to take a rest, but it was too cold.

He apologized to the fans in the audience: "I'm sorry, the weather is cold and my fingers are a bit stiff. I played the wrong chords in several places in the song just now. I'm really sorry."

There was a good-natured laugh from the audience.

Indeed, the attentive fans just heard that not only did Yu Dongqing's guitar play a few wrong chords, but there were also some minor mistakes on the keyboard and bass.

But everyone forgives.

There are all people in their fifties on the stage, and they are still working so hard.

Yu Dongqing simply put down the guitar and signaled the three buddies to move around. They ran a few laps on the stage, did some chest expansion exercises, and moved their bodies. Then they picked up the guitar again and spoke into the microphone.

"Now, in this cold winter, I would like to dedicate a warm song to everyone: "Lonely people are shameful" Thank you!"

This is the season of love

The air is filled with the smell of lovers

Lonely people are shameful

This is the season of love

Everyone should smile at each other

Just give me a hug and give me a hug. That's all.

It turns out that in that time and space, "Lonely People Are Shameful" by Zhang Chu, one of the Three Great Masters of Magic Rock! (End of chapter)