A jobless person is discussing holidays, did they get something wrong? No work means no holiday.
This travelogue recounts experiences from the May Day holiday period from April 24 to May 7. I was supposed to start writing on the 7th, but after not writing for so long, I didn't know where to begin. In desperation, I had to list the bits and pieces that came to mind and then clarify my thoughts one by one. I don't know how the final result will turn out; it will probably lean more towards a stream of consciousness, fragmented, and somewhat mixed narrative.
(The plot of Star Rail 2.2 is really good. Sunday’s outrageous remarks were truly unbearable to watch 🤣. Alright, thanks to you, I now have a seven-day weekend.)
4.24 Go! RADWIMPS Guangzhou Concert#
RADWIMPS was formed in 2001, and the band's name is composed of "Rad" and "wimps," where "Rad" comes from "radical," meaning "cool, awesome," and "wimps" means "coward." Overall, it can be understood as "a very cool coward, a very useful jerk." The band members have been friends since middle school, and the band was officially formed when they were in their first year of high school.
Let’s start our story from the concert on April 24. It was my first concert experience in life, and because I took leave to attend the concert, my boss let me leave early, moving my last day from the 28th to the 23rd.
On the morning of the 23rd, after completing the resignation procedures, I quickly hired a moving service to move all my belongings from my rental place back home that afternoon (the first time I did it so quickly). The house at home is a small apartment, and since I have a lot of stuff, my dad complained that I filled the house up. (But I also have a rental place in Shenzhen, and I have about the same amount of stuff, what should I do?)
Speaking of interesting things, I only realized when I arrived at the venue that the theme songs for the movies "Your Name," "Weathering with You," and "Suzume's Door Locking" were all by RADWIMPS. Initially, I was just following a friend's recommendation, coming with the mindset of "let's rehearse a bit before the Shanchuan Music Festival." I didn't expect it to feel like reuniting with an old friend.
My friend looked at me with a caring, slightly condescending gaze and complained, "You actually bought a ticket without knowing anything!!!" I could only respond with, "I believe in you, the you that I believe in" (I later realized I misremembered; it was "I believe in you! Believe in the you that believes in me").
(Everyone can check out this video to experience our current feelings.)
My friend said that attending this concert made him feel young again. He truly felt the passion of youth. The atmosphere at the venue was so lively that I didn't even have time to take out the food I brought before the concert ended. Shouting, waving, clapping, it was impossible to stop; it felt completely different from listening to it on NetEase Cloud.
As for me, I felt like I was a person living in reality. The world I always thought was out of reach was suddenly right in front of me. It made me realize that the authors of the works I watch and listen to every day share the same sky as me, and we are even in the same venue now.
Those who have seen my TG channel should know that my life is almost surrounded by comics, animations, and games, stagnant and unambitious, filled with fear of the unknown. Before this, I hardly communicated with people in real life. I also realized that because of this, to compensate for the lack of "people around" in real life, I have been looking for "cyber neighbors" online.
However, there are many more details about that day’s concert that I want to share. Unfortunately, it seems I can't find the diary I wrote that day. I remember I jotted down several hundred words that night, intending to continue writing when I got home.
4.25-4.29 Baldur's Gate 3, Start#
I spent four days playing "Baldur's Gate 3." It's quite suitable for playing alone. When I played with others before, some progress was split between the two characters. And there would definitely be one player who was more familiar with the game, forcing the other player who wasn't so familiar to follow along. The second player's gaming experience would be quite poor.
As of the time I'm writing this, I haven't reached Chapter 2 in 70 hours, and the entire process for three chapters is estimated to take 200 hours. Even if I don't work, I would need about two weeks to finish the first playthrough, and I don't plan to play the second playthrough. This game, even when you search thoroughly, will still miss a lot of hidden information. (I missed the chance to build a good relationship with Shadowheart 😭)
This travelogue doesn't need to take up so much space to write about this. (And it's definitely not because I got lost in Baldur's Gate that the weekly journal has been delayed.)
4.30-5.1 Firefly Comic Exhibition (Pseudo)#
I wasn't doing anything, just as usual, wandering around after arriving in Guangzhou. On the first night, I watched "The Siege of Kowloon Walled City," which had really abstract and classic fight scenes. Using hard qigong to block a sword strike and flying up to the rooftop of the walled city with a piece of cloth relying on a tornado.
On the second day, I finally didn't go to the "wandering around again" Zhengjia Plaza. As for the Firefly event, I also couldn't make it since I didn't buy tickets in advance this year. The Guangzhou Comic Exhibition has already become a "routine activity" for my friend and me for five consecutive years, either during May Day or National Day.
(I just passed by, scalper tickets were three times the price. After playing "Star Rail" this year, I finally understood what characters everyone was cosplaying, since I hadn't played popular mobile games for many years.)
5.2-5.3 Hangzhou West Lake#
Arriving in Hangzhou#
I arrived on a flight on the 2nd at noon (after quite a delay). We headed straight to the hotel to meet a classmate from Shanghai. After a brief catch-up, we went out for dinner, followed by a stroll around the Lakeside Yintai, as the city's night had deepened. At night, we talked all night long.
They talked about office politics, how this year's performance was, how much bonus they received, and similar topics. I felt these discussions were like stars I couldn't reach. They seemed to have been galloping in the workplace for many years, while I felt like a student just stepping out of university, still naive and inexperienced about the world. My past work had never involved complex interpersonal entanglements; I hadn't even interacted with a formal product manager.
But it was precisely this trip that made me deeply feel that our worldviews have gradually diverged, each heading towards different life paths.
I feel lonely when alone, yet exhausted when with others.
They all say "Guangdong people going out of the province is like going abroad," and I do seem a bit conservative, internally assuming that outside Guangdong is the north. During this trip, I did so many foolish things that I could hardly count them. Not bringing enough long-sleeved clothes made our first night after landing turn into a trip to Uniqlo for shopping. (After all, having stayed in Guangdong for so long, I basically default to short sleeves and shorts starting in April.)
On the first night at the hotel, I didn't know how to operate the washer-dryer, so I simply dried my clothes without realizing I needed to wash them first. It wasn't until the third night that this tragedy was revealed, and by then, my clothes had been changed multiple times.
Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak#
On the morning of the 3rd, we went to Fahai Temple, then in the afternoon headed to Lingyin Temple and climbed Feilai Peak. There were too many people; I could hardly find a spot to light incense. I wanted to make a wish at the temple, but I couldn't even clearly define what my wish was; I didn't even know what I was doing or what I wanted. (Is this a nihilistic fate?)
That night, the three of us drank a dozen bottles of wine in a folk music bar, where the band agreed to let us request songs. The whole night, there were only three or four tables of customers sharing this tranquility. We even tried to learn a dice-throwing game, and I ended up losing the most. It was the first time I drank so much wine, my face was red, and I was stuffed. (As a side note, my friend let out two loud farts on the return trip.)
(This photo was borrowed from a classmate.)
5.4 Shanchuan Music Festival#
It was because of this music festival that I embarked on this journey. At first, I just casually shared it with my friend, being infatuated with Furelin, and when I found out YOASOBI was coming to China, I shared it without hesitation. By March, after deciding to resign, we discussed this topic and were determined to experience it live.
(On May 4th, I particularly liked the four Japanese bands in the G stage lineup; this music festival gave me a new understanding of iri, yama, Queen Bee, and YOASOBI.)
Rain on the day of the music festival made the combination even more poetic (it was really uncomfortable). Unable to bring folding chairs, we had to use the provided raincoats as seat cushions. Although there were inflatable sofas and cushions for sale inside, sitting on them still got us wet, which was somewhat unsatisfactory.
(From this photo, you can see that everyone was basically there for the Japanese singers at the G stage.)
iri#
Iri is a Japanese female singer-songwriter widely recognized for her unique musical style and voice. Her music blends guitar playing, Hip-Hop rhythms, and R&B elements, showcasing her versatile musical talent.
We entered the venue around 2:30 PM, and it wasn't long before iri was on stage. I hadn't heard her songs before and didn't do any homework in advance (which I somewhat regretted, as I arrived in a state of "knowing nothing about the band performing"). "War. War never changes." Iri's voice has a unique charm—hoarse and magnetic. My friend thought her voice resembled Mika Nakashima's, and I didn't realize it until I checked and found out it was from "NANA," surprised by their similarities.
(This photo was borrowed from a friend in the front row.)
yama#
Yama's musical style is described as neutral, emotional, and slightly melancholic. Her singing is fast-paced and has a rhythmic cadence, expressing heartfelt narratives through her songs. Her music often presents a sense of urgency in Japanese Electropop style, while also containing delicate observations and portrayals of the real world.
She is also an artist I had hardly heard of, with the only connection being the insert song "Oz." from the anime "Ranking of Kings." However, I ended up chasing the manga after watching just two episodes, so I didn't watch much of the anime. From my limited experience watching band anime, yama reminds me a bit of Akari from MyGO.
Notably, Yama chooses not to disclose her age, birthplace, appearance, or other personal information, as she lacks confidence in herself and does not want her personal identity to affect the reception of her work. She hopes this approach allows listeners to focus more on her artistic creations.
The venue had clear rules against taking videos or photos, and while yama was performing, I was seated quite far away, even near the restroom. Below are the official photos released by yama.
(A large-scale preaching scene; I should have squeezed to the front during yama's performance, but it was just standing for four hours.)
Queen Bee#
Queen Bee's musical style is flamboyant and unique, rooted in punk music while incorporating elements of Japanese folk songs, trap, funk, folk, and disco. They are known for their mysterious image and distinctive musical style, with the band members' true identities and personal details never disclosed, adding to their mystique and allure.
I started to squeeze into the crowd from this performance. My friend was already exhausted from the rain today and the tiring days before, with a vacant look in his eyes. I had to squeeze in alone; I really wanted to ask the people around if anyone was here to enjoy the music festival.
I first encountered Queen Bee through the theme songs of "Dororo" and "Bungou Stray Dogs." In fact, I initially attended this music festival for Queen Bee and YOASOBI, while iri and yama were delightful surprises that captivated me on-site.
As I immersed myself in the crowd to listen to Queen Bee's performance, the big screen clearly displayed the singer's expressions. As I entered the singing area, the atmosphere became increasingly immersive; even if I hadn't heard the songs, I could feel their passion. The audience screamed and shouted, and I almost forgot I was standing in the drizzling rain.
From this performance onward, the rain seemed to gradually stop, and it wasn't until the end of the show that I realized the raincoat's hood made it hard for me to hear clearly. The audience praised Queen Bee's live performance as truly stunning.
(Looking at this photo, I can hardly believe it was taken that day.)
YOASOBI - Like a Miracle at Night#
YOASOBI is a Japanese music duo composed of song creator Ayase and vocalist ikura (Rira Kida). They were formed in 2019, proposed by staff from the novel and illustration submission site "monogatary.com" operated by Sony Music, aiming to musicalize novels. The name YOASOBI means "playing at night" in Japanese, reflecting their view that their original individual work is considered "morning activities," while YOASOBI represents "evening activities."
Everyone says that 80% of the people attending this music festival came for YOASOBI. I only truly realized this band quite late. The live performance was incredibly exciting. After returning, I kept looping the videos from that day on Bilibili.
Musicalizing novels is really interesting, reminding me of when a netizen recently put the instructions for Lianhua Qingwen capsules into SUNO to create something.
(This is a video I recorded live; feel the atmosphere at that time.)
(Someone else's recording quality is amazing!!!)
I compiled a playlist of my favorite songs from that day; perhaps I can use these lyrics as texts to memorize while learning Japanese～～
5.5 Shanghai Bailian ZX#
We took the high-speed train to Shanghai early, planning to explore this city known for its high density. The itinerary was completely unplanned, relying on a local friend (who is not into anime) to guide us to Bailian ZX shopping mall. The six-story mall space far surpassed Guangzhou's Animation Star City, giving a delightful sense of familiarity. There, my friend patiently explained the displayed Kamen Riders to us. Next time, and the time after that in Shanghai, I will probably visit here again.
(I saw Ichikawa Haruko and bought it directly; I felt depressed after returning.)
(This photo was also organized by a classmate.)
Writing to this point, I feel a bit unable to continue.
5.6-5.7 Meeting Friends#
On May 6 and 7, it was the days I parted ways with my friend and returned to Hangzhou. My friend left Shanghai directly for a business trip, while I visited a friend I met online, pseudoyu.
This was my first time meeting an online friend in real life. Meeting friends online is like opening a blind box. It really makes you nervous. I should have listened to his podcast first, at least to hear his voice. The first thing pseudoyu said when we met was, "I see you're not socially anxious at all; you're actually quite outgoing." Little did he know, I had already listed 20 possible conversation topics as preparation on the high-speed train. Yes, I'm the type of person who needs to prepare a draft before conversing.
As for what we talked about, it felt a bit like chatting with a newly acquainted friend, just discussing everyday life.
Perhaps because I often talk to NPCs in games, I unconsciously treat people as NPCs in real life. For example, in conversations with Didi drivers or landlords, I always limit myself to necessary exchanges and rarely engage in casual chit-chat. Therefore, meaningful conversations between friends are very rare for me.
On the 7th, I ended my short stay in Hangzhou, grateful for pseudoyu's warm hospitality, including the food and small gifts, which made his image in my mind more concrete and vivid.
Thank You All#
This trip was my first journey after graduating for four years, passing through three first-tier cities and meeting three friends. I don't know when my next trip will be; during the seven days with my friend, we shared meals, accommodation, and sleep, and spent three days traveling in Hangzhou and Shanghai with a classmate. Finally, the gathering with pseudoyu also left a deep impression on me.
Since I started working in Shenzhen in my first year, I haven't lived in a big city. This journey made me deeply feel like a guest from the countryside, which strengthened my determination to work in a big city.
I haven't started to think about what my next step should be. My classmate told me that I am more suited for remote work online. Because if I get involved in the various intrigues of big companies, I would almost certainly lose. Remote work might suit me better, but I feel I need to gain some experience to fill this part of my shortcomings. That is, to interact with people.
Next, my plan is to take a good rest for a while before setting off again, getting a haircut, finishing Baldur's Gate, and going to the gym.
As for why I call my friend a "friend," it's because at this stage, I can't provide him with any substantial value. Our friendship transcends the relationship of interests. When I proposed to travel after resigning, he joined without hesitation, which touched me deeply. The entire journey's flights, accommodation, meals, and travel plans were almost all arranged by him, allowing me to enjoy a relaxed travel experience.
Postscript#
Having lost my job, I find that my sense of existence seems to have disappeared, as if I have returned to the starting point of being a blank sheet of paper. I am still the same me who knows nothing.
Music has always accompanied me, but I only listen mechanically, never delving into the creators behind those melodies. Before this, playing games and watching works were the same. Personally, I rarely listen to music, and what I do listen to is almost all music from the animations I've watched. How should I put it? The busyness of work left me no time to enjoy music; any distraction could affect my efficiency. However, this music festival deeply moved me, making me realize that I should pay more attention to the stories behind music and works.
I also feel that the articles I write are largely just me talking to myself. I haven't read any books about writing; I basically write without structure, which leads to spending a lot of time writing each time, and the results aren't that good. To be honest, I barely passed my Chinese exam during the college entrance examination.
That feeling of trying my best yet finding it hard to describe my emotions. Moreover, I've discovered that some feelings, once the current emotion has passed, are truly forgotten. Once they fade, they disperse like smoke, making them hard to capture again.