System Unbinding

"The Hall-level Music Sign-in System has completed 1,095 consecutive days of sign-ins. The sign-in is complete. All of the host's musical skills have reached the Hall-level. The system will now unbind."

"The previous requirement that the host refrain from participating in any activities unrelated to music is now terminated. The host is free to participate in activities."

"To make up for the host's lack of life skills over the past three years, the host is being awarded 99,999 Treasure Chests. Each chest contains a random item, and only one chest can be opened at a time."

"We hope the host will become a musician admired by all. System unbinding. Countdown: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1..."

"Ding."

With that final ding, the system in Lin Chudong's head stopped working.

Three years ago, when he graduated from the Music Academy, a system had descended from the heavens and bound him to the Hall-level Music Sign-in System.

By signing in each day, he could receive a gift pack. Every so often, he would get skills like [Beginner Piano], [Intermediate Guitar], and [Beginner Music Theory].

Over the course of three years, Lin Chudong had gone from a beginner musician to Hall-level.

He had reached the pinnacle in every kind of instrument, every style of music, and everything else related to music.

But the past three years hadn't been easy for him.

The system forbade him from participating in any activities unrelated to music. Otherwise, his sign-in would fail.

It was fair to say that for the past three years, Lin Chudong had spent nearly all his time immersed in music, apart from eating, sleeping, and using the bathroom.

Every day, he either rehearsed or performed. While everyone else spent their free time resting and having fun, Lin Chudong could only study music, write songs, and practice instruments.

Over those three years, the Da Fei Band, which Lin Chudong belonged to, had gained quite a bit of recognition.

Few people knew Lin Chudong's real name. His stage name was Da Fei, and it had become fairly well known.

The system hadn't allowed him to participate in commercial activities, so he hadn't even taken a single advertising job. Now that he was free of the system's restraints, he could finally show what he could do.

With his Hall-level musical ability, he was sure to make the Da Fei Band the most famous band in the world!

Now that the system had unbound, Lin Chudong felt a little nostalgic for those thrilling days of signing in and opening gift packs.

Fortunately, the system hadn't disappeared completely. It had left him 99,999 Treasure Chests. The system interface in his mind had frozen, leaving only a black Treasure Chest lying silently in the darkness.

Since my musical skills have already reached the Hall-level, the chests should contain other kinds of life skills, right?

Lin Chudong felt a little excited. He focused his thoughts.

"Open!"

The chest shifted slightly. Its lock slowly opened, and a countdown appeared before his eyes.

[02:59:59]

He had to wait three hours before he could open it?

He'd thought he could open them whenever he wanted, as many as he liked. So there were still restrictions after all?

At least it wasn't a long wait. Three hours would pass quickly.

More importantly, the system had unbound, so he could take part in commercial activities now. The Da Fei Band had been terribly poor. Aside from writing a few hit songs, he hadn't contributed much else. It was time to make sure everyone could live the good life.

Lin Chudong pushed open the door to the lounge and came face-to-face with a middle-aged man.

His long hair reached past his ears, his stubble looked a little weathered, and his trademark sunglasses showed off his musician's flair.

It was Shen Jianbin, the keyboardist for the Da Fei Band and the founder of Dafei Studio.

"Old Shen."

Back then, Shen Jianbin had been drawn to Lin Chudong's voice, and the two had started working together. Their partnership grew, and eventually they founded a company.

Although Lin Chudong was the lead singer, he wasn't good at handling business. He only wanted to focus on music, so Shen Jianbin had naturally taken on the role of legal representative.

He still remembered when the two brothers used to drink and sing together. Shen Jianbin had thumped his chest and promised, "We're brothers. We'll never split up!"

"It doesn't matter who's the boss. You're the lead singer, so music is your call. I'll handle business."

Now, though, Shen Jianbin wore a strange smile. "Da Fei, come to the conference room. There's something we need to discuss."

Da Fei was the stage name Shen Jianbin had given him. Everyone in the industry called him Da Fei, while hardly anyone used his real name.

Lin Chudong nodded and followed him into the conference room.

More than thirty people were gathered there. They were all members of Dafei Studio, including an intern who had joined just yesterday.

Lin Chudong smiled and greeted a few of them. Since he never took part in commercial activities, he didn't know most of the people at the company.

There were only a few he knew well. One was Su Yulin, the drummer, a pretty girl with short hair. She and Lin Chudong got along best. Plenty of people had rumored that there was something between them, but they were just close friends—like brothers.

Su Yulin didn't look happy. When Lin Chudong arrived, she unconsciously gripped a pen in her hand, just as she would a drumstick.

Then there was Sun Jie, the guitarist, a promising young musician, though he and Lin Chudong weren't particularly close.

As the Lead Guitarist, Sun Jie should have been the best guitarist in the band. But Lin Chudong's playing was far better, and he stole the spotlight every time. It left Sun Jie deeply frustrated, with the feeling that fate had made room for one brilliant talent but not another.

A playful smile curled Sun Jie's lips. "Brother Fei's here. Have a seat."

Lin Chudong was just about to sit in his usual spot when Shen Jianbin suddenly pulled him aside.

"Da Fei, sit over here. Someone's sitting there."

Lin Chudong froze and furrowed his brow slightly, but he sat down to the side anyway.

Shen Jianbin took the main seat at the conference table.

"All right, let's get started. Today's meeting is about contract renewals at the studio."

"Su Yulin, Sun Jie, you've finished processing your renewal contracts, right?"

The two nodded.

The contracts were renewed every year, and the band was doing well, so of course everyone had renewed.

Lin Chudong said, "I haven't signed my contract yet."

Shen Jianbin smiled. "No rush. Let me introduce you to someone."

As soon as he finished speaking, a young man walked in. He was handsome enough to rival any young idol at the height of his popularity.

"This is Wu Bo, our band's new lead singer."

"Let's give him a round of applause!"

Shen Jianbin started clapping. Sun Jie joined in enthusiastically, but everyone else remained silent, their expressions complicated.

Wu Bo paid no mind to the sparse applause. He plopped down in the seat Lin Chudong had occupied and held out a hand.

"Brother Da Fei, sorry for taking your seat as soon as I got here."

Lin Chudong didn't shake hands with the kid. He stared at Shen Jianbin.

"What does this mean?"

Shen Jianbin smiled, wearing his trademark sly, old-fox grin.

"Da Fei, things aren't like they used to be. So many people are depending on us now. I have to think about the band's future."

"You refuse every commercial opportunity. You won't do Reality Shows, you won't be a mentor on The Voice, and you won't take advertising jobs. So much money has slipped right through my fingers. I can't stand it."

"So starting today, Wu Bo will take your place as lead singer. You can be a guitarist in the band."

Sun Jie said, "I'm still the Lead Guitarist. You'll be the rhythm guitarist."

There was a hint of mockery on Sun Jie's face as he emphasized their respective positions.

Lin Chudong's expression darkened.

"So you're firing me?"