Sister Lan heard the commotion in the lobby and ran over to see what was going on: "What's happening? Why did some of the lights go out, and what's with the colorful lights?"
Xiao Si replied: "Tang Xiaoyu and the others were messing around with them."
Sister Lan walked over and saw Tang Xiaoyu and Lu Changchun dancing enthusiastically on the stage. Tang Xiaoyu would occasionally shout: "Let me see your hands up!"
Sister Lan thought they were being too noisy and wanted to go up and stop them, but just then, several young masters walked in.
Sister Lan hurriedly went up to receive them, but before she could get to them, Tang Xiaoyu shouted: "Brothers who just came in, follow the music and liven things up, let's forget about life's troubles and love's sorrows!"
"I admit, it was all the moon's fault, the night was too beautiful and you were too gentle."
The young masters, who were already quite drunk, immediately felt a rush when they heard the music and saw Tang Xiaoyu and the other one going wild.
It was just like when we get drunk and go clubbing - as soon as we enter, we unconsciously start dancing along with the music.
They walked to the middle of the lobby and started shouting along with Tang Xiaoyu: "I admit, it was all the moon's fault, the night was too beautiful and you were too gentle."
Sister Lan watched the young masters in bewilderment as they danced past her.
"Oh well, business hasn't been good anyway, it's not like it can get much worse," she said.
After that, she arranged for fruit and desserts to be served to the young masters.
With more people, the atmosphere became much more vibrant.
Soon the song ended and the young masters found seats.
Tang Xiaoyu threw the microphone to Lu Changchun. Lu Changchun caught it and suddenly became spirited. He started singing the song he had been wanting to sing for a long time.
"After going through the entire summer, my sorrow didn't get much better at all."
As Tang Xiaoyu walked off the stage, he heard Lu Changchun's singing and turned his back to face him, raising his hands and clapping loudly while shouting "Well sung!"
Tang Xiaoyu's actions were casual and cool.
The young masters followed his lead, clapping and shouting "Well sung!"
Tang Xiaoyu came up to the masters: "Brothers, we're meeting for the first time, let's drink!"
Seeing no wine on the table, he gestured to Xiao Si without making a sound.
With the bad lighting, Xiao Si couldn't see at all, but Sister Lan noticed and called out to prompt him over.
After that, Sister Lan went back to the backyard - she didn't want to deal with this anymore.
Xiao Si ran over: "Gentlemen, what can I get you?"
Tang Xiaoyu scolded him: "What's with the way you talk? Learn from me."
"Bro, what would you like?"
The young masters played along very cooperatively: "Bring out your best wine!"
Tang Xiaoyu laughed: "Coming right up!"
He pulled Xiao Si aside and whispered: "Don't take the expensive stuff from the altar, get the cheaper kind in half-jin bottles. Bring out 10 or so bottles first, got it?"
"Got it, Brother Tang."
"Also, pay attention to people's hand gestures since it's too noisy to hear anything."
"Understood."
Soon the wine was brought out. Tang Xiaoyu picked up a bottle: "Brothers, our first meeting - I'll drink to you guys, I'll finish one bottle, you guys drink however much you like."
"Brother, we've become friends thanks to you, we'll also finish one bottle each."
Tang Xiaoyu downed one bottle in one go. The masters also finished one bottle straight.
"Brothers, from now on just ask for me by name at Orchid Lodge. I'm Tang Xiaoyu. I'll get you guys the best seats."
One young master said: "Good, we'll come here from now on. Brother Tang you better arrange it nicely for us."
Tang Xiaoyu pounded his chest with his fist and pointed at the young master: "A man's word!"
The other masters didn't notice anything else, just Tang Xiaoyu's gestures and words stuck in their minds.
They copied Tang Xiaoyu's moves: "We trust you, man!"
Tang Xiaoyu picked up another bottle and downed it in one go: "Let's keep partying!"
He shouted again towards Lu Changchun: "Well sung! Whoa----"
As he twisted around and headed towards the stage.
Many people who were out for some fun on Orchid Lodge's street were attracted by the lively commotion coming from inside.
"What's going on in there with all the shouting?"
"No idea! Should we go in and see?"
"Let's go in and check it out."
After that, more and more people steadily streamed in to see what was happening inside.
Some wanted to wait for the people who went in to come out and ask them about the situation, but no one came out. So they could only go in themselves and see.
Among those entering Orchid Lodge were those who had been drinking and those who had not. Those who were already tipsy quickly blended into the party atmosphere. Those who had not been drinking also ordered some wine to join in the fun.
After some drinks, they became just like everyone else.
When Sister Lan came back again, she saw Tang Xiaoyu leading a group dancing wildly on the stage.
If you didn't know better, you'd think they were a bunch of lunatics!
"Let me see your hands up, wave them along with me!"
When the song ended, everyone went back to their seats.
Only then did Tang Xiaoyu start his real performance - his goal all along was to get people to accept modern songs.
"Here's a breakup song for all the singles out there."
When he sang this song, it resonated with many of the young masters, who said they wanted to learn it.
When Tang Xiaoyu started singing "Someone Like Me":
"An outstanding guy like me"
"Should have lived a glorious life"
"But after over twenty years"
"I'm still adrift in the sea of people"
"A smart guy like me"
"Bade farewell to innocence long ago"
"How come I still used a relationship"
"To trade for these scars"
The young masters felt the person in this song was just like their current selves, and closed their eyes to listen carefully.
The scene was extraordinarily quiet, with only Tang Xiaoyu's passionate singing filling the room.
"A lonely guy like me"
"A silly guy like me"
"An unsatisfied guy like me"
"How many people in this world"
"Are muddled fools like me"
"Will anyone feel sorry for me"
By the last few lines, it was almost more than they could bear and many had started bawling.
If they hadn't been drinking, perhaps they would've just secretly wiped their tears. But since they were drunk, it was an all out sob fest.
Sister Lan gathered herself and ran up to the stage to tell Tang Xiaoyu: "Hurry up and do something!"
"Don't worry, I'll handle it."
"You little rascal only knows how to make people cry," Sister Lan said as she walked off the stage.
Tang Xiaoyu shouted into the microphone: "Brothers, quiet down for a second!"
Some quieted down, but others couldn't stop themselves. People next to them scolded: "Didn't you hear Brother Tang telling us to be quiet?"
"Oh, didn't hear it!"
Once it quieted down, Tang Xiaoyu continued: "It's getting late, time to wrap up for tonight. Those who want to go home can leave, those who want to keep partying can stay."
"Let's end tonight's revelry by singing 'Breakup Song' together. Those who want tea and stories during the day can go to that teahouse in the north of town!"
"I'll be there storytelling during the day."
"I'm definitely going to Brother Tang's place tomorrow to support him!"
"Thank you brothers, everyone!"
After that, Tang Xiaoyu pounded his chest with his fist and pointed towards everyone: "I'll remember the friendship my brothers showed tonight."
Many below followed Tang Xiaoyu's moves: "Brother!"
"I keep letting love slip through my fingers as I stand by watching it get away."
Tang Xiaoyu started it off and everyone below followed the lyrics on the screen to sing along.
"Finding that one you truly and deeply love and cherish to end your single days"
"An affectionate, obsessed, ruthless, heartless person leaving me scarred"
When the song ended, many were reluctant to leave and started getting to know each other, calling out brother here and there.
Tang Xiaoyu said a few more words before leaving with Lu Changchun to find Sister Lan.
"Sister Lan, how did I do?"
Sister Lan gave a charming smile: "Not bad, you've got some skills! Why don't you teach me a couple more tricks for Orchid Lodge?"
After that, Tang Xiaoyu told Sister Lan all his ideas and she readily agreed.
"I'll have the girls start practicing your crazy dance and prepare the drinks properly, and get the lights going too."
Sister Lan thought for a bit: "I need to make your visual effects and stuff even better, you have to teach me how."
Tang Xiaoyu pointed at Lu Changchun. Lu Changchun could only accept this task: "Oh what a suffering fate!"
"Sister Lan, where is our room?"
"Come on, I'll take you there."
After that, Sister Lan led them to their room.
The room only had two beds, one table and two chairs - nothing else.
"Nice room, Sister Lan!"
Sister Lan laughed: "Are you praising me or making fun of me?"
Tang Xiaoyu said solemnly: "From the looks of us, does it seem we're making fun of you?"
"Since you know better, hurry and pack up your things! I still have to go greet other guests!"
"Sister Lan, don't let us keep you!"
Sister Lan nodded and took another look at Lu Changchun.
After Sister Lan had walked far away, Tang Xiaoyu kept staring at Lu Changchun, making him feel uneasy.
"Why do you keep looking at me?"
"Are you having an affair with Sister Lan?!"
"Can't be bothered with you. I'm going to sleep."
Tang Xiaoyu felt bored: "Che, can't take a joke."
The night passed without conversation. The next day at dawn...
Inside the Qingyun Sword Sect Main Hall, the Sect Leader had gathered all the Elders to discuss important matters.
Elder Two, Old Zhou, had a distracted look, occasionally glancing outside at the sky.
He said to the Head Elder: "Why have you summoned us? I still have things to attend to!"
"How would I know?"
Old Zhou grew even more impatient: "Really wasting time. If this drags on, I won't make it back to Little Tang's place in time."
The Head Elder asked in puzzlement: "It's just drinking tea! What's the big hurry?!"
Old Zhou shot him a look: "You wouldn't understand even if I told you."
At this moment, the Sect Leader slowly walked into the hall.