Chapter 78, Chapter 78: Begin Us's First Time...
The guests chatted idly in the quiet afternoon, accompanied by the sound of rain. Suddenly, the singing made them unconsciously lower their volume. Now, the pattering rain in the tavern was clearer than the people's conversation.
Han Yunxing led Li Suluo by the hand and slowly walked to the bar in the center. Li Suluo's singing, like a moon goddess descending to earth, transformed the small bar in the rain into a boat drifting upstream on a moonlit river. Everyone raised their glasses to appreciate the moonlight.
All eyes were focused on the center, where Han Yunxing leaned against the railing and looked at Li Suluo. Her lips parted slightly, and her slender fingers tapped out a rhythm. A gentle breeze blew, and the willows by the river swayed gracefully, enchanting the birds in the woods, who chirped their nocturnes. Stars twinkled on the moonlit river, and vibrant colors flowed through the tranquility.
As the song ended, before people could recover, Yoon Do-hyun's fingers danced across the guitar by the window, the chords constantly shifting.
If Moon River is a tranquil romance flowing under the moonlight, then Imagine carries the innocence and light of the new century. Without dazzling and complicated techniques, unlike the original singer's peaceful and serene melody, Han Yoon-sung's warm voice carries a touch of playfulness in the ending notes.
All the longing and imagination about peace seemed to come true in this little tavern.
Han Yunxing wrote a variation for Imagine, cleverly sampling the Irish Elf Dance. Yoon Do-hyun's technique was dazzling and varied. Standing in the center, Han Yunxing placed her hands in front of her abdomen and twirled lightly to the sound of the strings. Noh Hong-chul raised his hands high and kept the rhythm, showcasing his sparse footwork skills.
Han Yunxing's smile overflowed from her eyes. She took the hand of the eager little Irish girl beside her, and the girl with her hair in a bun demonstrated the real Little Elf Dance. Afterwards, Li Suluo and Liu Xilie also joined the dance. Everyone danced with abandon, and their bright laughter drowned out the patter of rain, turning the tavern into a happy haven.
The first day's performance went smoothly, which greatly increased Begin U's excitement. When the sun broke through the clouds, Han Yunxing and his group finally had their long-awaited street performance.
Liu Xilie nodded in the direction of Yin Daoxian, and then the accompaniment of the keyboard began. Yin Daoxian's fingertips swept across the strings, and a distorted sound that seemed to tear apart captured the attention of the passersby. His long hair was tied in a bun at the back of his head, and it trembled with the movement of his head.
Yoon Do-hyun's unrestrained strumming intertwined with the intense rhythm of the electric guitar. His hands moved rapidly across the strings, and the music grew increasingly intense. The emotions of those playing the music rose higher and higher. Suddenly, Yoon Do-hyun slammed down a strum, and the music stopped abruptly, but the heartbeats of those around him continued to race, gradually subsiding as the low vibrations from the speakers subsided.
Han Yunxing appeared in front of the audience at the right time and briefly introduced the band's concept of Begin Us.
"Returning to the essence of music and conveying its emotions, I hope everyone has fun."
As soon as she finished speaking, Han Yunxing sat back down, adjusted the microphone, then set up her acoustic guitar. Her slender fingers moved across the strings, and a travelling light melody flowed from her fingertips.
"I used to carry too much on my shoulders, bearing heavy pressure every day as I traversed paths of failure and roaring rivers."
I once struggled forward, dragging the souvenirs of pain every day as I overcame the shackles of difficulties and troubles.
In the song, Han Yunxing designed a soft sigh, suggesting that people always move forward for the unknown, not for the unknown itself, but for the experience of moving forward.
As the chords shifted, the girl's tone suddenly became languid. The gloom vanished, and the previous worries seemed insignificant.
"Right here on the riverbank, I have found my freedom."
I travel light. I travel light.
Li Suluo's ethereal harmonies joined in, intertwining with Han Yunxing's voice, creating a tranquil afternoon where the soul could escape the mundane world.
Lu Hongzhe placed the small basket for holding money in the open space in front of him early on, and after the performance started, pedestrians began to put money into it one after another.
The band had already agreed that Lu Hongzhe would be in charge of managing the money.
Lu Hongzhe, who looked like a manager, chatted with an elderly couple during a break in the song. Lu Hongzhe's English was barely passable, and he was even prepared to take out a translator to communicate. Fortunately, the second song started soon, and the conversation ended quickly.
This time, Yoon Do-hyun stood in the open space in front of the band, coolly playing the intro to his hit song "I Am a Butterfly." As soon as his hands fell from the strings, Yoon Do-hyun's captivating voice exploded in the ears of everyone in the audience. At this moment, language was no longer a problem; the music impartially poured emotions onto everyone.
Yoon Do-hyun's voice abruptly stopped, followed by Yoo Hee-yeol's keyboard playing louder, and Lee So-ra's voice slowly recounting the story of the butterfly, softening the butterfly's pain of breaking free from its cocoon, and amplifying its light and free spirit.
Han Yoon-sung and Yoo Hee-yeol are known for their endless variations on "Begin Us." During rehearsals, they've rearranged numerous versions of the song. Their "Begin Us" version of "I Am a Butterfly" marked their first public performance together, and the audience's applause was a great response. The "Begin Us" production team tacitly considers this day their official founding day.
The first street performance went much more smoothly than the Begin Us members had expected. Back in the car, Noh Hong-chul couldn't wait to start sorting through the tips in the basket.
As soon as he let go, the mountain of coins mixed with banknotes clattered back into the basket.
"Great! I think we can finally have roast beef!" Noh Hong-chul proudly showed PD Lee Dong-hee the earnings from this round.
Before setting off, to ease the tension, Begin Us searched for highly-viewed street performance videos on YouTube, intending to learn and apply what they learned. As they learned, the tense atmosphere gradually dissipated, and later some of them even commented on the videos while marveling at the generous tips.
PD Lee happened to be in the same car as the members, and with encouragement from the staff and Begin Us members, he made a solemn promise: if he could receive a tip of more than 30 pounds, he would prepare grilled beef for dinner, which the members had been craving for a long time, and he would also prepare a premium Korean beef set meal for each member after returning to Korea.
"Wow, thank you, PD-nim!" A head popped in from behind, Han Yunxing's eyes sparkling as she stared at the tip.
None of our members have a European palate; they've been craving roast beef for a long time.
Under Lee PD's resentful gaze, the members chattered amongst themselves about the best cuts of beef.
"Kids, to be honest, the beef short ribs are the best. Put the marinated meat on the grill, sizzle—" Yoo Hee-yeol strained his face and made a loud "ha!" sound. "The juices and meat are perfectly blended. Pair it with a sip of soju, PD-nim, can we have a drink?"
"Brother, beef tongue is the best."
"Ani ani, the thorax is number one!"
"PD-nim, please buy them all for us—"
Li Dongxi's eyes grew increasingly resentful as they talked back and forth. Hearing Han Yunxing's words, he said, "Buy them. The legal person cards have already been prepared for everyone."
Seeing Han Yunxing quickly extend his hands and bow respectfully, Lee Donghee's eyes were lifeless, and he said weakly, "Yunxing, we didn't choose you for this effect!" He was still the obedient maknae.
Despite saying that, Lee Dong-hee immediately pulled out his corporate card from his wallet and readily handed it to Han Yoon-sung: "Members, eat to your heart's content today."
"Thank you, PD! PD-nim, will there be another bet next time?" Han Yoon-sung's suggestion received strong support from the Begin Us members, but was ruthlessly suppressed by Lee PD.
"Hey—Dongxi, isn't this interesting?" As soon as Liu Xilie finished speaking, he saw Li Dongxi shaking his head like a rattle drum, so he had no choice but to regretfully look away.
Upon arriving at the supermarket, Han Yunxing transformed into Li Suluo's close assistant. Li Suluo's expertise in selecting the quality of ingredients left Han Yunxing feeling both impressed and bewildered.
Having discovered a new life hack, Han Yunxing took out two plates of meat from the freezer and carefully compared them.
Deep red, glossy, slightly damp, with clear texture...
Han Yunxing sidled up to Li Suluo and showed off the meat she had picked out to her sister: "Unnie, isn't it beautiful~"
"Beautiful meat, looks delicious," Li Suluo gave Han Yunxing an admiring look.
It was indeed delicious. After dinner, Begin Us were stuffed and leaned back in their chairs, chatting and digesting their food in the courtyard.
At that moment, PD Lee walked over carrying a container that looked like a jam jar.
"Begin Us' first performance today was fantastic!" Lee Dong-hee and the staff around him applauded, then he changed the subject: "To record every important moment for the band, we set up a display board at the corner of the first-floor staircase, and the members need to fill it with photos."
"What is this jar for?" Yoon Do-hyun noticed the jar in Lee Dong-hee's hand; he had been curious about it for a long time.
“What are your plans for street performances? I hope everyone can write them down, whether it’s for the performances or for the whole journey. Anything you want to do can be written down on paper.” Lee Dong-hee opened the lid, revealing five slips of paper inside the jar: “We will only open this jar on special days, such as the last day of the journey. I hope everyone can realize the wishes on their list and end this musical journey without any regrets.”
The members lined up to draw slips of paper, and when they returned to their seats, the staff had already placed pens on the table.
Looking at the members who were deep in thought, Lee Dong-hee added, "Of course, the list can be updated at any time, but there is only one chance per day, and all the content cannot exceed one page."
“Hey, we’re not the kind of people who are greedy.” Han Yunxing, who had already started writing, said without looking up when she heard Li Dongxi’s words.
“One, two, three—” Li Dongxi stood on the other side of the table, squinting as he counted.
Han Yunxing quickly covered the note with her hand, and dimples appeared on her fair face: "PD-nim, peeking is a foul."
"Don't bully my niece," Lu Hongzhe joked with a smile. "Yunxing, I'll lend you a wish, consider it pocket money from your uncle."
"Lu Hongzhe-xi, this makes us look really bad."
Just like that, Han Yunxing inexplicably gained four more quotas for recording wishes.
With a smile, she gladly accepted the members' love: "Then you all have to be careful, I'll be keeping an eye on you all the time."
"No one's wish can escape my notice. I am Aladdin's lamp." Han Yunxing sat upright, pretending to be profound as he calculated with his fingers. The next second, he was pulled into Li Suluo's arms, and his charlatan-like demeanor vanished.
*
As the days went by, the corner display board was slowly being filled with photos, and the weather in Ireland gradually turned cooler.
Han Yunxing sat under the eaves, staring blankly at the drizzling rain.
Li Suluo couldn't find Han Yunxing upstairs, but when she passed by the window, she saw someone standing downstairs in a daze. She put on a cashmere scarf and sat down next to Han Yunxing.
The two of them sat quietly for a while, listening to the sound of the rain.
"Unnie, this is so nice."
"Um."
"You only have eyes for the rain, and you don't have to think about anything else." Han Yunxing leaned her head lightly on the shoulder of the person next to her.
Let's watch for a while longer.
Lu Hongzhe was initially troubled by the incessant rain in Ireland. As he was observing the weather outside, his gaze inadvertently fell on the two people leaning against each other downstairs, and his mood suddenly became very peaceful.
He smiled and called out to the members who were practicing nearby, "Look, Yunxing and the others are having a meltdown."
When Lee Dong-hee and his staff returned from the site visit, there were five deck chairs neatly arranged at the entrance. Upon seeing the newcomers, the people in the chairs stared blankly at them, but quickly looked away after recognizing them as acquaintances.
Lee Dong-hee and his staff: Suddenly, they didn't dare to breathe.
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Author's Note: This chapter features the following songs: "Moon River," "Imagine," "Travelling Light," and "I Am a Butterfly."
I'll be stockpiling chapters during the summer break, and I'm kneeling before everyone with the promised giveaway.
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