Which way to go is the road?

This is a rather unique bar. It's not because the food, tobacco, or alcohol are special, nor is the location particularly advantageous, nor does it offer any special services. Rather, it's because the bar has a rather artistic set of rules!

Customers at this bar are divided into groups, and each group takes turns performing a talent; the content is unrestricted. If a group doesn't have any talent and can't perform, they have to pay 50 yuan to buy the talent from the next table. If the next table doesn't have any talent either, they have to pay 100 yuan, and so on, doubling the amount for each subsequent group. The accumulated amount goes to the last person who can perform, but the bar takes 50% of that.

Because of this bizarre rule, many regular visitors have to look in the mirror before entering to see if they have the artistic flair and can perform; otherwise, they risk getting ripped off by going in.

Not just any performance will pass muster. Each table has a corresponding button, and customers decide whether to light up a red light and ask the performer to leave the stage based on the quality of the performance. If two-thirds of the red lights are on, the performance is considered a failure.

"What's this?" Du Xinpeng picked up the table card and examined it closely. "Damn, this bar has such a bizarre rule?"

"What's wrong? Is this place a shady business, selling human flesh buns?" Tian Hai teased Du Xinpeng, who was acting strangely.

"No, look, this bar forces every group to perform a show, and if you don't, you have to pay! I've never encountered such a bizarre rule before!"

Qian Luomei put down her wine glass, picked up a fig, and said, "What do you know? This is called 'uniqueness.' Don't you think it's much better than hiring singers to perform? It involves the customers, increases their enjoyment, livens up the bar atmosphere, and also encourages them to improve their artistic taste! It's a win-win situation, so why not?"

Bai Xue snatched the stage card from Du Xinpeng and glanced at it: "But paying people to perform without them putting on a show seems a bit unreasonable! If you're asking customers to perform, it should be based on the principle of voluntariness!"

"Apart from our group, we don't know any of the other bar patrons! As for volunteering to perform, how many of them do you think would willingly go on stage? But don't worry, we definitely won't have to pay. Otherwise, why would I have Xiang Fei prepare poems so early? Besides, we still have the King and Queen of Singers! Relax!"

Qian Luomei peeled the fig kernels, threw them into a beer glass, and squeezed out many tiny bubbles!

Who are the King and Queen of Singers?

Upon hearing Du Xinpeng speak, Dong Lu reacted quickly: "You and Tian Hai!"

Du Xinpeng wasn't stupid; he realized Dong Lu was teasing them, but he deliberately asked, "Me and Tian Hai? Then who's the King of Singers and who's the Queen of Singers?"

"Tian Hai is the King of Singers, you're the Queen of Singers! How about that, satisfied? Comrade Queen of Singers!"

"No way, Tian Hai's lousy voice is nothing but a singing king? He's more like a terrible singer. I'm fine as a singing queen, but I want to choose Zhang Fang as the singing king! Okay, darling!" Du Xinpeng said, grabbing Zhang Fang's chin with a seductive gesture.

"roll!"

……

Xiang Fei went back into the bar, asked the waiter for paper and pen, hid in a well-lit corner, sat down and pondered the poem repeatedly, his pen dancing freely on the paper.

Half an hour later, Xiang Fei returned to his seat with a piece of paper, handed it to Bai Xue to admire, and then resumed drinking and chatting with everyone.

The bar's shows went on one after another. Qian Luomei and her group had just missed it when they arrived, but less than an hour later, it was their area's turn again.

"Xiang Fei, get ready, it's almost our turn!"

"Sister Luomei, you said you'd give me an hour to prepare, and there are still ten minutes left. Besides, I'm only in charge of writing, not reading aloud, so you should let someone else read it!"

"Fine, now you're starting to negotiate with me!" Qian Luomei threatened.

"How could I dare! How about this, Sister Luomei, I'll read it myself, and I can go on stage now!" Xiang Fei smiled obsequiously as he filled Qian Luomei's glass with wine. "How about we cancel this special performance of mine from now on? It's like completing a task, making me nervous every time we get together."

"No need, Lao You, you go on in a bit. I've read what he wrote, only you can handle it! Dong Lu, you can sing any song to fill in the gaps." Qian Luomei's scheme succeeded, and she gave Xiang Fei a smug look: "I'll give you another hour, get ready! The special program is out of the question!"

Dong Lu did not refuse and went up on the stage in a generous manner.

Good evening everyone! I'll be performing Liu Ruoying's "When Love Is Nearby" to wish everyone here a sweet and happy love life that lasts forever!

As the prelude began, Dong Lu swayed gently to the melody, holding up the microphone and waving to Qian Luomei and the others, her smile radiant and her eyes sparkling.

"I really want someone to be with me when I'm lonely, someone to have breakfast with no matter how busy I am. Although this thought is obviously too simple, I just want someone to be with me, no matter where we are tomorrow, love never allows for fickleness..."

Under the spotlight, Dong Lu, with her fair skin, appeared even more youthful and beautiful. Her voice was pure and natural, her rhythm was accurate, and her emotions were delicately revealed. She had the air of a star in every gesture.

The beautiful, captivating singing made the stage the center of attention, making everyone forget the passage of time and where they were, letting the songs flow freely in their hearts. So engrossed were they that when the music and singing abruptly stopped, there was a moment of disorientation, followed by a few seconds of quiet before enthusiastic applause erupted.

Zhang Fang was also immersed in the moment. Only when it was over did he think of picking up the artificial flower next to him and running to the stage to greet Dong Lu. Dong Lu gave him a light kiss and a deep hug, which caused a stir of sighs and exclamations.

At this moment, a middle-aged man with a mustache walked over and handed Dong Lu a business card: "Hello, I am the music director of Xingyu Performing Arts Company. This is my business card. If you are interested in developing your singing career, please contact me!"

"Thank you! Not interested!" Dong Lu didn't say anything, so Zhang Fang responded for him.

Dong Lu held the business card in her hand, glanced coldly at Zhang Fang, and without speaking to the music director again, quickly walked off the stage.

During the gathering, Dong Lu and Zhang Fang didn't speak again, instead chatting with the others.

The night was long, but the party time always passed quickly. An hour passed in the blink of an eye, and it was their turn to perform again. I don't know if the people before them didn't have any talents to perform, or if they didn't have enough people to fill the space. By the time it was their turn, they had already accumulated 200 yuan in invitation bonuses.

But Lao You wasn't thinking about the 200 yuan; he was focused on how to perform well. He didn't want to lose face in front of Zhang Chu, so after thinking it over, he decided to ask the author of the poem.

"Xiang Fei, am I any good? My Shaanxi-accented Mandarin won't make people laugh, will it?"

"It's alright, Lao You, trust me, it won't be difficult! Remember two things: First, when reading poetry, pay attention to the rhythm, don't rush, give the reader room to savor it; second, find the right background music, a good piece of music can expand and elevate the imagery of the poem, and catalyze the emotions expressed in the poem!"

"What kind of background music should I have?"

"The background music for 'Rain Imprint' was easy to find, and it perfectly captures this kind of melancholic, wistful yet hopeful mood!"

Lao You took a deep breath, his eyes regaining their focus and becoming firm and bright. He got up and walked towards the stage. Because of the obvious effect of weight loss, his walk was no longer swaying and he exuded confidence and ease.

The sound of a piano begins, evoking the following scene: raindrops drip from the eaves, splashing into puddles on the ground. In the distance, a middle school student walks in the rain with his trousers rolled up. A gust of wind blows, turning his umbrella inside out. A passing girl picks up the umbrella and hands it to him, and they walk side by side into the distance in the rain!

A piece of music with such a beautiful atmosphere, paired with this poem—"The Shape of Life"

drizzle,

A gentle breeze was blowing.

Melancholy, bewilderment

He paced back and forth.

My mind was filled with panic.

--------------

Stand still.

Open a window,

Backpack, glaring lights,

Turn and leave.

Looking back at the village at night.

--------------

confused,

Smog grows in cities.

Exploring, singing

He fell at the intersection.

Alone, he licked the old wounds on his knees.

--------------

Redemption

The night was slightly cool.

Determined, proceed.

Searching for the brightest star,

It set sail from the port at dawn.

After Lao You finished his performance and returned to his seat, everyone rushed to interview him about his feelings on stage. Lao You wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "I didn't feel anything. I was too busy watching the red light. I've figured it out. I'm only suited to working behind the scenes. You guys can do the things in front of the stage from now on! I don't have the mental fortitude for that."

"Alright, stop showing off. Not being kicked out means you've gained everyone's approval! The important thing is that you even made a hundred yuan. You've made a contribution. Let's give Lao You a round of applause!" Qian Luomei said, beaming as she held the hundred yuan in cash.

……