Chapter 235
The music began playing. It was the melody of "Wind," the title song from NINE STAR's debut album. The lights around the stage dimmed, leaving only a single beam of light in the center.
After their solo performances, the members were all backstage changing into their costumes. Zhou Xiao glanced down at the time; it was almost over. When she looked up at the big screen again, a line of text appeared on the previously dark screen, with a small emoji at the end. "Please cooperate in turning off the signboards. The central control panel will be turned on in five minutes."
The pre-entry loudspeaker announced this before the fans entered the venue early. Zhou Xiao took the cheering stick out of its packaging. The first thing he saw was a textured white shaft, topped with a spherical, transparent, diamond-cut shell. The center resembled the four-pointed star on a ring setting—the NINE STAR logo.
It also came with four batteries, a fact Huayao had been quite attentive to. Zhou Xiao loaded the batteries into the cheering stick, and after pressing the button, the glowing stick looked particularly beautiful.
During the float parade, the members on board had asked fans to cooperate with the central control panel. So when they saw the message on the big screen, everyone was very cooperative.
As the lights from the cheering sticks lit up, the light boards in the venue gradually dimmed. The most intuitive feeling was that soon, apart from the single light in the center of the stage, only the light from the cheering sticks remained, along with a few light boards and sticks in the audience that hadn't been turned off yet.
As the platform rose again, gradually filling the circular hole in the center of the stage, deafening screams rang out once again. Ji Shao looked at the off sign on the front stage, unable to help but smile. He reached out and shook his thumbs-up.
As soon as this compliment came out, the few remaining light sticks that hadn't been turned off immediately responded. A fan behind Zhou Xiao who had forgotten to turn off his light stick subconsciously let out an "Ah!" when he saw Ji Shao's action. This sound attracted the attention of those around him, and the fan immediately became frantic.
Zhou Xiao didn't know if Ji Shao on the stage had heard the sound, but he was certain he had seen it. Otherwise, the young man wouldn't have narrowed his eyes and tapped the spot with his finger.
The male fan, already feeling embarrassed by the stares from his co-stars, was now further irritated by Ji Shao's gesture on stage. His face flushed so red it could fry an egg. Although it was a bit dark, everyone else could see how red his face had become. In a hurry, he tucked the light board, which hadn't been turned off yet, under the hem of his T-shirt.
The onlookers who were watching the fun were all laughing. Fortunately, a sister next to the male fan laughed, but also helped to direct him to find the switch and turn off the light board.
The little incident brought a brief burst of excitement, and Zhou Xiao and others in the surrounding rows, including the front row, were also amused. When he turned back to look at the stage, the text on the big screen had changed to a countdown of 34 seconds.
Time passed second by second. Zhou Xiao, who was curious about how this regular cheering stick would cheer, also felt its charm later.
The prelude sounded: "Looking Back," one of the most electrifying songs from NINE STAR's debut album. The cheering sticks, automatically connected to the central control panel, went out the instant the melody began. The entire stadium went dark, and the lights around the stage, like a bellwether, began to flicker rhythmically.
“3, 2, 1…”
At that moment, the cheering stick in Zhou Xiao's hand began to take on color, a gentle blue that seemed to ignite instantly. She looked across at the other side, and all she saw was a sea of trembling blue lights.
When the cheering stick in his hand connected to the central control, Zhou Xiao suddenly felt as if it had come to life. It flickered with light in sync with his breathing, like the embodiment of a beating heart in his chest.
"Ahhhh!" A burst of delighted exclamations echoed. Zhou Xiao shifted her gaze, recalling that it was the group fan zone. Compared to the singles' fans, they were naturally even more excited. The entire area was a sea of blue, the color of Nine Star's group fans. Zhou Xiao gazed at this sea of blue and thought it was actually quite beautiful.
The members on stage sang and danced, clutching their microphones. Zhou Xiao, in the audience, was multitasking. Ji Shao's part in "Looking Back" was minimal, but he delivered the dazzling high notes, which is why fans didn't protest her. She was listening while observing the center console.
On the stage, Ji Shao smoothly glided from the edge to the center. His powerful, clear high notes instantly struck the eardrums of all the fans. Simultaneously, his divine mid-range control spread outward like a wave from the inner court. The tangible high notes deeply shocked all the fans present.
The large screen switch was perfectly timed, and when Zhou Xiao looked up and saw the director's cut to the central control screen, everyone exclaimed in surprise. It was a subconscious reaction, a shocking surprise.
Controlled by the central control system, the cheering sticks glowed brilliantly in sync with the rhythm of the music. The members' various cheering colors were also displayed during the performance. Combined with the explosive sound effects and NINE STAR's performance on stage, the venue was absolutely electrifying!
Zhou Xiao in the audience cheered and clapped enthusiastically, still quite excited after the song ended. Huayao's concert this time was incredible. I wonder if they had successfully learned from others, but the effect was so explosive!
The audience was also incredibly enthusiastic, waving their cheering sticks frantically even after the music ended. It was as if they were using up all the noise they'd accumulated over the past few months, without a second thought about their throats.
"Are you satisfied with this concert?" Ji Shao, who was infected by the atmosphere on the scene, asked everyone while panting. No one expected that, including the members, everyone was completely excited by this song.
“Satisfied!” “Ah ...” “Ji Shao” “I like it!” “…”
After the excited cheers from the audience subsided a bit, Ji Shao looked around and saw that the other eight members had also picked up the microphone at the same time. "Well, let's go to the last song of the concert for everyone. I hope this is a good ending."
The melody of the title song "Wind" sounded, the gentle melody soothing the surging thoughts. I don't know when, I don't know from which note, the whole audience tacitly entered the chorus.
“I am so nostalgic for the summer night breeze, I don’t know when we will meet again…” Just like the fans at this moment don’t know when they will meet their favorite members again after this concert. Some of them choked up while singing, but they kept waving the cheering sticks in their hands.
The shimmering blue, yet gentle as water, resembled a tranquil lake within the stadium. Following the song, ripples gently formed on the lake's surface under the moonlight. The moment the song stopped, the moon retreated into the clouds, and the lights of the cheering sticks dimmed simultaneously.
The incandescent lights in the stadium lit up, and Zhou Xiao couldn't help but reach out to block out the sudden glare. She looked up at the stage. Ji Shao's eyes were red, and a tear instantly fell. When she looked again, his eyes had curved into a faint crescent.
The nine members held hands and formed a circle in the center of the stage, bowing and thanking all the fans present. As streamers drifted down from the sky, it signaled the end of this dreamlike journey.
"I'm very happy to have spent such a wonderful time with you all," Ji Shao said on the stage, holding up the microphone. "Be careful on your way back, and we'll see each other again next time!" The hand holding up the microphone disappeared only when the lift platform descended.
The members who had been active on the stage one moment were now disappearing from view on the elevator platform. The entire audience was filled with uncontrollable pleas to stay. Zhou Xiao put down the camera he had just taken off and took a deep breath.
A streamer blew from the center of the stage and floated over. She slowly reached out to catch it. When it landed in her palm, Zhou Xiao realized there were words on the streamer. She unfolded it and saw—
See you next time!
Seeing the message "Please leave in an orderly manner" on the big screen, Zhu Jian, who had been feeling melancholy during the last song, suddenly became extremely excited. She was now carefully sorting through the ribbons she had found. Only the blue ones had words on them. Zhou Xiao suspected that with Zhu Jian's strong motivation, she had probably collected a set.
"This concert is really the most enjoyable one I have ever experienced! No doubt about it!" Zhu Jian looked at the big screen with sparkling eyes, and his expression looked extremely sincere.
When her eyes moved to the empty tripod in front of her, she suddenly seemed to remember something. She quickly turned her head to look at Zhou Xiao, "Hurry up! I was just saying I forgot something. I almost forgot about the light show you prepared!"
…
At this moment, their group of fans were the ones walking the fastest in the stadium. As soon as the concert ended, before everyone had time to feel sad, they were reminded by their fans that the light show prepared by their fan club was about to begin.
The concert ended at 9:30 p.m., and Zhou Xiao had agreed with the developer that the light show would run from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. During the contract signing, the developer asked Zhou Xiao to confirm the two-hour event.
The stadium's entrance faced the Water City Financial City across the river. As fans from other teams arrived, they couldn't help but wonder if there had been a massive crowd blocking the entrance. Some were even speculating, wondering if there had been an accident.
Just as I was thinking about it, I heard waves of exclamations from the crowd at the gate, and then someone next to me shouted, "Look out the window!"
The corridor of the stadium had a skylight, and many people subconsciously looked up at the reminder. They happened to see the scrolling words on the opposite building, all of which were blessings to Ji Shao.
Cheese, one of the first fans in the crowd, was among the first to rush out of the concert. Seeing the fans blocking the main entrance, she immediately organized an evacuation. Her tone was full of smugness and pride the entire time, and even when the evacuation wasn't going smoothly, the smile on her face never faltered.
What is a show? This is it! Everyone, no matter who they are, must take a look at the luxurious light show and support across the street after leaving the concert. But when they evacuated to the perimeter, Cheese was surprised to find that there were so many people.
——【Forum】——[May 1st evening]
【Topic】Oh my god! Did you see the support?
[Main Building] Is there any taro silk near the Lin'an Stadium? Hurry and check it out! The light show support for Sister Xindong has started! It's so beautiful! Who's going to be so happy!
1
Huh? Isn't it only 8:30? Why is it starting already?
19L
Is this a test? Don't be fooled by the original poster [facepalm] The light show is charged by the second, and the concert didn't end until 9:30, so you had to wait a little longer before it started.
56L
I've already arrived early to say that the original poster wasn't lying. It's been about ten minutes since I got here, and the light show is still going...
79L
Holy shit!!! So rich! I'm crying!
92L
Oh my goodness, this is such a big deal! Can anyone give me an ID? I'm not a Ji Shao fan, but can I get a taste of this light show?
…
The venue had already been mostly cleared. Zhu Jian, who had been rushing to see the light show, was now leading two people, frantically collecting streamers. There was plenty of streamers in the front row, but a lot had fallen onto the stage.
Now, many people were also picking up the ribbons like them. The fans on the other side couldn't help but want to fly over to pick up the ribbons when they saw that Zhou Xiao's side was empty. However, because the staff were already clearing the area, they could only speed up.
Zhou Xiao had already picked up quite a few ribbons when she saw a staff member sweeping the stage with a broom. An idea struck her, and she asked loudly, "Auntie, can you give me the handful of ribbons you swept up?"
The aunt was also very kind, and it was obvious that she was often asked this question. She picked up a pile and walked over to Zhou Xiao, smiling and asking, "Child, is that enough?"
Seeing that the ribbons were mostly blue, Zhou Xiao quickly opened the bag and asked the aunt to help put the ribbons in. After thanking her, she turned to look at Zhu Jian. Holding the bag of ribbons, she asked Zhu Jian, "Sister Rou, is this enough?"
She began to regret telling Zhu Jian the total duration of the light show, which made the anxious Zhu Jian immediately decide to stay at the scene and help Dong Xiaoyu and Qi Sisi, who could not come, to collect a complete set of ribbons.
There were many colored ribbons, but the number of blue ones was quite small. Especially since he didn't know how many different words there were on them, Zhu Jian relied on guesswork. When he picked up the seventh blue ribbon with different words, he concluded that there were only nine ribbons in the set, which exactly matched the number of NINE STAR members.
Zhu Jian was immediately satisfied when he saw how much older he was. He said earnestly to Zhou Xiao in front of him, "The only thing that can really leave a lasting impression from this concert is these ribbons. Don't worry, I've got a set for both of you!"
Li Mo, who raised his head from behind, couldn't help laughing. He was about to say something when he suddenly saw a shining disc on the track ground not far away.
She suddenly had an idea, and when she saw the disc about to be swept into the pile of ribbons by the staff, she quickly shouted, "Brother, wait a minute, that just fell by accident!"
Amidst the staff's nagging about her causing trouble, she bent down and threw the disc into the arms of Li Mo, who was coming over. Li Mo excitedly said thank you, then ran to Zhou Xiao and Zhu Jian with sparkling eyes, holding up the disc.
There was a long crack on the acrylic disc, obviously it had been accidentally dropped and run over by a float, but fortunately the signature on it was intact.
"Xiaoxiao, I seem to have really got good luck!" On the raised disc was Ji Shao's autograph.
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