novelraw Chapter 47 Victoria Harbour - A loud "Shout!"
Chapter 47 Victoria Harbour - A loud "Shout!"
Victoria Park, Saturday morning.
The sea breeze, carrying a salty scent, blew through the palm trees, and several stage areas had already been set up on the lawn.
As another Hong Kong Island Music Exchange Season begins, citizens, tourists, and reporters carrying equipment gradually gather, and the atmosphere becomes increasingly lively.
Bands in various areas were testing their equipment, and the sounds of electric guitars, drums, and orchestral instruments blended together, creating a professional yet chaotic atmosphere.
People strolled around taking photos, their anticipation subtly evident.
The Chinese folk music ensemble's performance area, located near the central lawn, was strangely quiet.
The stage backdrop was completely covered by red silk, and even the logo was not visible.
There was also a large object covered with a cloth next to it, but it was impossible to tell what it was.
Only a few staff members were checking the wiring, while Li Shuo was holding a microphone and talking to the sound engineer.
Reporters from several television stations passed by, their cameras only briefly glancing at the empty stage and waiting area.
"The Chinese Folk Orchestra is still in this position this year?"
A veteran reporter said to the cameraman, "Look, none of the troupe members are here. It's probably the same old show, maybe something like 'Jasmine Flower.' Looks like it's going to be a flop again; hardly anyone watched it in the second half of last year."
"Should we still film?"
"Let's set up the camera here and get to the main shots first."
The reporter pointed to a crowded Western orchestra where musicians were showing off their skills, and a powerful pop stage.
"That's where the real show is. As for this side... we'll just add a few shots when it's almost over or when it's almost over, just to give them face."
Other media outlets made similar choices.
Compared to the bustling activity in other areas, the scene in Minle was only attended by a young man and a few staff members, making it seem neither well-prepared nor innovative.
The cameras then turned to other areas.
The sounds in the park grew louder and louder, and various kinds of music began to collide.
Those who visited the TV station last year were wondering: Why hasn't the Chinese Folk Orchestra started performing yet this year? They managed to get in early last year but couldn't retain any performers. This year, other performing groups are already putting on a great show. How are they supposed to compete?
Li Shuo stood on the somewhat empty stage, looking around at the cameras and crowds with their backs to him, his face showing no surprise.
He glanced at his watch, smiled, and turned to go backstage to change.
Before long, the thirteen women and three men of the Huaguo Folk Orchestra's "Youth Ensemble" took the stage.
It happened very quietly and discreetly...
The three boys were dressed in well-fitting white Zhongshan suits, looking tall and sharp.
They walked to the side of the stage, lifted the red cloth covering their location, revealing a set of chime bells, a dulcimer, and a gleaming metal percussion set with gongs.
The thirteen women, all with elegant makeup and striking beauty, were uniformly dressed in floor-length white cloaks and sat neatly in the pre-arranged seating area.
A few young audience members were already whispering in Cantonese, "They're all so pretty, why are they all covered up so much?"
Then, Li Shuo led an excited Zhu Zhu and several musicians onto the stage.
Lifting the cloth that had been covering the side and back revealed a complete set of professional drum kit and electronic band equipment!
Zhu Zhu's eyes lit up as she carefully held the sheet music that Li Shuo had given her.
She had been very careful during rehearsals these past two days, afraid of getting the keyboard dirty. As she walked quickly to the keyboard workstation, she thought that this would fulfill a long-held wish.
The other musicians were studio musicians recruited through Tom Lee Music, and they were all technically proficient.
Li Shuo also changed into a long white Zhongshan suit, embroidered with exquisite golden dragon patterns.
He walked to the large Chinese-style cowhide drum next to the drum set and picked up the drumsticks.
At this moment, there are still not many people in front of the Chinese folk music orchestra's stage.
Li Shuo glanced at the other lively areas in the distance, raised his drumsticks, struck them a few times, and then, with a crisp "tap-tap!" sound, struck the edge of the drum.
The sound was transmitted clearly through the speakers.
It immediately attracted the attention of some citizens strolling nearby.
At the same time, the red cloth behind him on the stage backdrop "whoosh" fell down!
Below the dignified prefix "Hua Guo Guo Yue Tuan" (Chinese Folk Orchestra) are four large, elegant characters: "Tian Gong Yue Fang" (Heavenly Palace Music Hall)!
Li Shuo's drumbeats suddenly gained momentum, with a distinct rhythm, like a horse's hooves pounding through fallen leaves, as if he were coming with a command from the martial arts world!
People in different performance areas in the distance began to be drawn to the unusual drumbeats and turned to look.
The drumming stopped abruptly! Li Shuo pointed.
Among the thirteen women, the girl holding the pipa suddenly flicked her finger!
The sharp, rapid finger movements, as swift as a sudden downpour, seemed to exude a murderous aura!
More and more viewers have moved over.
The pipa music stopped abruptly!
The clear, melodious sound of a bamboo flute emanated from the red lips of another petite woman with a high ponytail!
A clear and stirring sound bursts forth, breaking through the air!
Among the Hong Kong Island residents who approached first, the men who read Hong Kong martial arts novels and watched movies and TV shows immediately felt a strange surge of chuunibyou (adolescent delusions of grandeur) spirit.
Such powerful... sword energy?!
Immediately afterwards, the sound of the pipa entered again, intertwining and battling with the flute, like two top swordsmen fighting in a bamboo forest, thrilling and breathtaking!
After a fierce "confrontation," the music suddenly stopped.
Silence! But the already large audience members were far from calm!
The pipa then played a clear and melodious tune, instantly evoking a sense of heroic spirit, as if saying to the opponent and the onlookers, "Fight to your heart's content! Let's have a big toast!"
Then, the erhu, zhongruan... all the instruments of the thirteen women joined in at the same time!
With an air of elegance and boundless pride, he seemed to be a gathering of heroes from all over the world, laughing and drinking fine wine, looking down on the world with pride!
At this moment, the stage of the Chinese Folk Orchestra is surrounded by Hong Kong Island residents and tourists who have been attracted to the event, and the number of people has far exceeded that of the previous session.
Li Shuo's figure beating the drum from the side and behind also became the focus.
The rise and fall of his drumsticks carried a rare rhythm and power, making it seem less like drumming and more like dancing with two swords, both powerful and graceful.
This is precisely the rhythmic movement of the body brought about by the Emei sword technique in the "A Hundred Years of Harmony" set, which is a reward from the system.
This youthful spirited demeanor is particularly eye-catching to knowledgeable viewers or those who simply find him handsome.
To perform on Hong Kong Island, one must be attractive, relatable, and cultivate goodwill.
What could be more fitting than "A Laugh in the Vast Sea," adapted from the score composed by Hong Kong film score master James Wong for the movie "The Swordsman"?
Seeing the growing crowd below the stage, Li Shuo knew that this first "shouting" at the beginning of the event was a sure thing!
At this moment, the "Twelve Girls Band," which would later become famous throughout Asia because of the concept of "new folk music," has not yet been born.
The stage presentation of Chinese folk music is mostly still limited to traditional ensembles or simple popular adaptations, which are out of step with the current popular music aesthetics.
Li Shuo's move was tantamount to bringing a whirlwind that should have taken years to the forefront prematurely.
A more powerful and familiar melody, with a brand-new arrangement by the pipa, guzheng, flute and electric band, roared into the air!
Even the young people who complained at the beginning that the costumes were "too covered up" are now completely immersed in the overwhelming martial arts spirit.
When they saw the young girls playing different ethnic instruments, each with their own unique charm, swaying slightly to the rhythm, their slender arms occasionally peeking out from under their capes, their long legs flashing as their skirts fluttered, and their uniform, eye-catching red-soled high heels, they were as if drawn by a magnet, involuntarily pushing forward to the front row.
"Wow! That's awesome!" The crowd erupted in even more enthusiastic applause and whistles!
But seeing the scrutinizing gazes of the Hong Kong Island police officers who had gathered to maintain order as the crowd grew larger, they quickly restrained themselves.
No one expected that what was thought to be a bland and old-fashioned folk music performance would turn out to be so down-to-earth, so exciting, and so...cool!
The final note of "A Laughter in the Vast Sea" ends crisply and cleanly at its climax, leaving a lingering resonance in the air.
On the stage, the thirteen women exchanged smiles and stood up in unison. They grasped the ties on either side of their cloaks and gave them a gentle tug!
The pure white cloak fluttered away like a cloud, instantly sliding to the ground!
Inside, there was a stylish matching knee-length skirt suit, and a modified short Chinese-style stand-up collar top, which perfectly outlined the youthful figures of the girls.
The red-soled black high heels worn under her long, healthy legs are the perfect finishing touch, amplifying her vitality and beauty.
This was a stylist that Li Shuo asked Wang Jing to urgently select and tailor-make for him.
There's no vulgarity, only a refreshing and stylish vibe!
The audience erupted in cheers, followed by even louder whistles and applause!
More officers had arrived below the stage by now, and they could only acquiesce, though they maintained a more orderly formation.
At this moment, Li Shuo also put down his drumsticks, walked to the only empty drum set, and exchanged glances with Zhu Zhu and the other musicians who had been waiting.
Three drumsticks strike! A new melody begins to play from the beautiful women of the "Heavenly Palace Music Hall"!
The reporters and cameramen from various Hong Kong TV stations who had gathered below and taken good positions to take pictures, and even the musicians who were closer to the performance area, were all dumbfounded.
Their intro was actually a parody of that song?!?