met free Chapter 27 My Younger Self
Chapter 27 My Younger Self
Just then, a figure appeared beside her without warning, like a gust of wind. Startled, Luo Li tilted her head slightly, her gaze following the movement. What she saw was Lin Yu's anxious face; his brows were tightly furrowed, and fine beads of sweat glistened on his forehead, reflecting his unconcealed anxiety under the lamplight. Yet, his eyes were filled with expectation, a burning gaze fixed on Luo Li as if she were his only savior.
"Junior, I need your help urgently!" Senior Lin Yu's voice broke through the surrounding noise. His voice was urgent and hoarse, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying an undeniable sense of pressure. "There's a performance where an outstanding graduate gives a speech, and Senior Chu from the Literature Association hasn't arrived yet. He just called and said he'll be here in about half an hour. We've already moved up the performances we could, but there's still a huge gap in the schedule, we simply can't make it that far. Junior, could you please go on stage and sing a song? Just sing 'A Road of Flowers,' which you sang during military training the other day, please!" As he spoke, Senior Lin Yu clasped his hands together, raising them high in front of his chest. His clasped hands trembled slightly as he earnestly pleaded for her help, his eyes filled with supplication.
Luo Li was taken aback for a moment. After a brief thought, she took a deep breath and said, "Senior, could you get me a guitar and a chair? I won't sing 'All the Way to Blooming Flowers,' I'll sing 'You of My Youth' instead." Upon hearing this, Lin Yu's previously furrowed brows instantly relaxed, his face blossoming like a flower, his eyes sparkling with delight. He hurriedly replied, "Okay, okay, I'll go get it right away. Junior, you're amazing!"
Luo Li followed Lin Yu backstage. The bright lights were a bit dazzling, shining on the busy actors. Some actors were nervously adjusting their costumes, while others were quietly practicing their lines. Luo Li found a quiet corner to sit down amidst the bustling environment. She took out her makeup bag from her purse, gently unzipped it, took out her makeup tools, and began meticulously applying makeup to herself. Her eyes were focused and earnest, each stroke as if she were sculpting a rare treasure. Looking at herself in the mirror, a strange mix of nervousness and anticipation welled up inside her.
Just then, Su Yao's clear and loud announcement came from the stage: "Next up is Luo Li from Class 3 of the 24 Composition Department. She will be performing 'You of My Youth,' please welcome her!" The voice echoed throughout the space through the speakers, like a giant drumbeat striking Luo Li's heart. Luo Li took a deep breath, picked up her guitar, and slowly walked towards the stage. Each step felt like walking on cotton, both light and somewhat unreal.
Luo Li sat in the chair, which was somewhat cold, but she didn't feel it. She slightly adjusted the position of the guitar and gently plucked the strings. The crisp sound, like heavenly music, instantly broke the silence in the hall, like a lightning bolt piercing the dark sky, attracting everyone's attention. The students' previous clamor below the stage stopped abruptly, as if an invisible hand had pressed a mute button. They all quieted down, their eyes sparkling with curiosity and anticipation, eagerly awaiting her performance.
"Youth Bus"
Crossing wilderness and hillsides
Chasing the Dreams of Youth
Be the freest light
The ideal form
Dressed in simple clothes
......"
In this slightly dim yet warm space filled with the presence of the crowd, the air seemed to thicken. Many familiar friends eagerly began discussing the song, their eyes gleaming with excitement, as if they had discovered a treasure.
"The lyrics to this song are so touching!" A student's eyes shone with excitement, like the brightest star in the night sky. As he spoke, he patted the shoulder of the student next to him forcefully. "Listen to that line, 'Young you, you can withstand the wind and rain,' and it immediately reminds me of the times I stayed up late every night studying for the college entrance exam. Back then, I felt like I was adrift in a storm, lonely and helpless, but there was a voice inside me constantly shouting, 'You must persevere, you must get into your dream university.' That feeling, just like the song describes, is so real."
The classmate next to him nodded gently, his eyes filled with a tender reminiscence, as if lost in deep memories. He tilted his head slightly, as if recalling his past self, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Yes, and the melody is wonderful too. At the beginning, it's like a gentle stream, the notes like drops of clear water slowly seeping into your heart, making you feel warm inside, a kind of inexplicable emotion. Then, in the chorus, it's like a suddenly rising tide, its surging momentum releasing all the youthful energy and passion. Every time I hear the chorus, I feel full of power."
Another student tilted his head, as if savoring something, his brow slightly furrowed, as if trying to grasp a memory. After a while, he slowly said, "I think this song really captures the state of adolescence. We teenagers have that fearlessness in the face of the world, like a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger, daring to try anything and fearing nothing. But at the same time, we also have inner fragility, and when we encounter setbacks, we secretly shed tears. In this complex world, sometimes, as the song says, we can only cheer ourselves up; no one else can help us. This song really touches our hearts."
Those around them echoed the sentiment, some nodding vigorously, others waving their arms excitedly, their faces beaming with deep love and strong resonance for the song. In the audience, amidst the lively discussion, everyone was immersed in the reflections and memories of youth, growth, and courage evoked by the song "Young You," as if they were in a world that belonged only to them.
"Is this a new song? I just searched for it but couldn't find it. She's such a talented woman!" A girl exclaimed enviously, her eyes wide with admiration and praise. As she spoke, she gently tapped her phone, as if scolding it for not finding the song. "It must be a new song. I've never heard it before. Luo Li not only sings well, but she can also compose. She's so talented," a classmate next to her replied, his eyes filled with envy, a slight pout on his lips, looking ashamed of himself.
Some students held their phones up, arms outstretched, eyes glued to the stage, as if afraid to miss a single moment. His lips moved slightly, and he kept repeating, "I can't be the only one crying over this song; I have to let everyone feel its power." His eyes were slightly red, as if a fire burned within them, and his face held an almost stubborn expression. He thought to himself, "Such a deeply moving performance—it would be a sin to miss the chance to share it. I must record this moment so that more people can feel its power." His hand held the phone steadily, his fingers turning white from the pressure, carefully adjusting the angle, afraid to miss a single note or lyric.
"You sang so well, every word felt like it hit the softest spot in my heart." His voice was a little choked up, his throat felt like it was blocked by something, and his eyes were full of excitement. "This song contains the struggles, helplessness and the indomitable spirit of our youth. I must record it completely so that those who were not there can also feel it, cry along with it, and be moved by it."
Luo Li's singing voice echoed softly in the air, like an invisible hand gently caressing everyone's heart. The beautiful melody and moving lyrics made people feel as if they were in a beautiful dream, a dream filled with the laughter of youth, the tears of growing up, and the dreams of young people.
As the song neared its end, the entire venue erupted in thunderous applause, like a blazing fire. The applause reverberated throughout the space, wave after wave, seemingly never to cease. Luo Li rose, her movements slightly sluggish, as if still immersed in the world of the song. She bowed slightly, a radiant smile blooming on her face, a smile as dazzling as the sun. Her heart was filled with joy and satisfaction; she knew her performance had been well-received. Just then, Lin Yu's voice came through the earpiece: "Junior, Senior Chu hasn't arrived yet. Could you sing another song?" Lin Yu's voice carried a hint of helplessness and anxiety. He had been frantically stamping his feet backstage. Senior Chu had just said on the phone that the car was still one block away from the school, and it would take five or six minutes to get from the school gate to the performance venue. He could only pray that Luo Li could sing one more song, even just "A Journey of Flowers," to keep her going until Senior Chu arrived. Luo Li thought for a moment, picked up the microphone, a determined look flashing in her eyes, and said, "Since everyone is so enthusiastic, I'll sing you a new song!" Upon hearing this, the students below the stage burst into cheers, which, like a surging wave, pushed the atmosphere to another climax.