"Green-Hill?" Hugo found the name familiar, but he was certain he had never met the man in front of him. He had a stern, square face, thick eyebrows, large eyes, and wore black-framed glasses. His short, light brown hair was neatly styled. He appeared to be in his late thirties, exuding a strong scholarly air. Dressed in a simple T-shirt and jeans, he had a kind smile. He could easily pass for a researcher or a doctoral student."Super.AL!" Pedro, however, exclaimed in surprise, clearly recognizing the man. Hugo then noticed that the usually aloof Neil also cast a respectful gaze at Green. This led Hugo to easily deduce that Green must be a well-known figure in the underground rock scene, which explained why both Pedro and Neil knew him, much like Fokin earlier. And this man was also called Super.AL... Super.AL? Al's Bar?Hugo immediately remembered that Alfonso had told him earlier today that the owner of Al's Bar was named Green-Hill! Everything instantly made sense.Green was clearly a rock music enthusiast. His Al's Bar had become a gathering place for underground rock bands, providing a stage for those pursuing their rock music dreams. It seemed this sponsorship had been going on for more than just a year or two. Over the years, people in the rock scene naturally held a certain admiration for Green. Although Green hadn't truly sponsored any specific band, Al's Bar had become a hub for insiders. This feat alone was enough to earn Pedro and Neil's respect, and Hugo naturally felt the same.Looking at Green again, Hugo once more understood the saying "you can't judge a book by its cover." He had heard rumors that Green had a background in arms smuggling—though such rumors are often unreliable—but even as a successful businessman, Green showed no signs of being one, instead resembling a refined scholar."Yes, I am Green-Hill, also known as Super.AL," Green confirmed. "I saw your wonderful performance just now and wanted to meet you all, so here I am."Green always had a smile on his face, not just friendly and polite, but also with a hint of enthusiasm hidden deep in his eyes. It was clear that he was a true rock enthusiast, not driven by business considerations or commercial interests. Purely out of passion, Al's Bar had supported underground rock for so long without expecting anything in return."Rock Night is about to begin, but getting a good spot from here isn't easy. How about you follow me through the back door and secure a good position first? What do you say?" Green's eyes sparkled with a childlike gleam, which was quite surprising. Perhaps in front of one's hobbies, people always tend to drop their guard and reveal their true selves.Pedro immediately became excited, but Hugo was a bit hesitant. He didn't think it was a good idea. To his surprise, Neil also looked at him, with a hint of awkwardness in his eyes. Hugo knew that his and Neil's thoughts were similar, so Hugo spoke up, "Isn't the essence of Rock Night that no matter which corner you're in, you can all join in the revelry? So, whether you're in the first row in front of the stage or standing outside the bar, it doesn't seem that important."Actually, it wasn't that Hugo was being pretentious by not wanting to use the back door. If this were a ballet performance or an opera, then being able to use the back door to get good seats would be a welcome convenience. But this wasn't high art; it was rock, a carnival for everyone, where everyone enjoying it together was the main point. This included the process of queuing, the crowded masses, the deafening sound system, and the dense sea of people – all were part of the party. So, while standing in the first row to watch was certainly important, if the opportunity was lost, simply going with the flow and enjoying everything was paramount.Hugo's words were quite subtle, but Green immediately understood. He couldn't help but laugh, saying generously, "My mistake." This was somewhat different from the moniker "Super.AL." Hugo had originally thought Green would be a decisive and ruthless figure, but now he seemed incredibly affable. Was this the real Green, or the power of Rock Night? "So, you don't mind if I join this revelry with you?"From Green's attire, it was clear that he intended to join everyone in enjoying the night. If he had planned to watch the performance from a VIP box, he wouldn't have needed to come out directly. Even if he wanted to meet Hugo, he could have easily sent two bodyguards with an invitation and waited for Hugo to approach him, flattered and eager to greet him. But Green didn't. He personally joined the queue, and even when suggesting using the back door, it was to secure the front row of the stage together. These details offered a glimpse into Green's character."Of course, of course," Hugo said repeatedly. "If you hadn't brought it up, I was planning to invite you. Because I was thinking, after the performance, I wonder if you could introduce me to Green Day and The Cranberries? I really, really love them.""You like their music too?" Green's smile immediately broadened. "I thought you weren't very familiar with these bands.""Are you kidding? Of course I know them!" Hugo said this, but it made Pedro and Neil look at him in surprise. Hugo then realized that his thoughts were still a bit ahead of his time.The Cranberries, an alternative rock band from Ireland, led by their charismatic frontwoman Dolores O'Riordan, created countless musical miracles. They, along with U2 and Enya, were hailed as pioneers who led Irish music to the world. Dolores's unique vocalization injected a distinctive charm into the band, which also became an object of imitation for many female singers, such as Faye Wong.The Cranberries were formed in the late 1980s, but their debut album wasn't officially released until 1993. Earlier this year, The Cranberries released their first single, "Dreams," which received rave reviews from critics but didn't perform well on the charts. With critical acclaim but low sales, they had no choice but to tour with other bands, relying on their solid live performances to build a larger audience, which would then pave the way for a successful album release.This invitation to Rock Night for The Cranberries was actually a test of the American music market. Even people like Pedro and Neil, who were familiar with the underground rock music scene, didn't know much about the situation across the Atlantic, as this was still the "isolated" era without the internet.Relatively speaking, Green Day, who rose to prominence in the underground punk scene in Northern California, was much more familiar. Green Day also formed in the late 1980s and released their debut album in 1991, but unfortunately, it didn't make a big splash. In January of this year, they released their second album, "Kerplunk," which garnered a considerable response in the underground rock scene, attracting a lot of attention to Green Day.It was rumored that Green Day had recently signed with a record label, which meant that Green Day had already sounded the horn for their entry into the mainstream market.Pedro and Neil both knew Green Day, but they knew next to nothing about The Cranberries. So, when Hugo so vehemently expressed his love for both bands, it naturally aroused their suspicion.Hugo quickly said, "Great music knows no borders, right? I had heard their music before, and I've been looking forward to seeing them today for a long time."Although Neil still wanted to ask Hugo how he got The Cranberries' music, this was clearly not a good place for a conversation, and Green didn't press the issue further. He said, "Yes, absolutely. I've also been looking forward to tonight's live performance for a long time." Neil then pulled his attention back, curiously asking, "What style of music do The Cranberries play?""You should pay attention to the band's lead singer, Dolores. Her voice is truly amazing, and her singing style is even more special…" Hugo said enthusiastically. These bands used to be posters on the guitar case of the band Glory to Death, unreachable idols, but now Hugo could listen to their performances live, and even possibly meet them up close. This kind of excitement could only be understood by true rock enthusiasts.The surging crowd slowly converged at the entrance of Al's Bar. The bar, with a capacity for three hundred people, quickly became packed. Hugo didn't even have time to notice the bar's decor. The first performing guest was the recently renowned band, Green Day.Although Billie Joe Armstrong already had a baby face, the Billie Joe who appeared less than ten yards in front of Hugo at this moment was still a twenty-year-old young man. His vibrant youth, assertive confidence, and innocent smile blossomed freely on his tender, dewy cheeks. Most of the music they performed was new to Hugo because Green Day's first two albums were independently released through the local California independent record label, Lookout!, circulating only within the underground rock scene. It was extremely difficult to find audio sources, let alone original cassette tapes.At this time, Green Day's music was still a bit raw, but one could already see the blueprint for their future: classic 70s punk rock revival, simple and catchy melodies, and direct, raw lyrics pouring out through each note. Although Hugo hadn't heard these songs before, it didn't prevent him from fully enjoying the music and the atmosphere.Hugo quickly became completely immersed in the frenzy. He temporarily cast everything aside, including the fact that he had transmigrated to 1992, and fully entered the world of music. It was as if he wasn't Hugo Lancaster but still Chen Yuguo. This exhilarating feeling left Hugo's mind blank, reaching a state of pure extremity."Snap," what was that sound? Was it the sound of a belt breaking? Why did his jeans feel a bit loose around the waist? It shouldn't… be, right?
