Guitarist Old Chen

They went back and forth, and the onlookers were mesmerized.

Shen Lang and the others even muttered in low voices, "I don't understand at all."

They knew how to play chess, but Shen Lang couldn't comprehend their strategies at all.

Little did they know, true masters already calculated over a dozen moves ahead in their minds.

"Checkmate! Old Chen, you lost!"

Chen Jianguo burst into laughter, "Hahaha, you've got skills. I never expected my Rook and Cannon to lose to your Continuous Horse. Let's play another round!"

They played with great gusto. Shen Lang and the others exchanged glances and shook their heads helplessly. They knew they had no chance, so they bid farewell and left.

Wang Zhi watched with a face full of shock. Brother Fei was also amazing at chess?

No wonder Brother Fei was so excited. So Old Chen was really that sought after. Nowadays, to poach a musician, you needed this kind of skill?

Best of seven, Lin Chudong went easy, letting Chen Jianguo win.

"Haha, Xiao Lin, I was lucky!"

Lin Chudong said, "Old Chen still has more experience, and his strategies are too deep. I definitely won't fall for it next time!"

Chen Jianguo's face was full of smiles. He reviewed the game with Lin Chudong again, explaining how he set traps and how he made him lower his guard.

In reality, Lin Chudong saw through all these little tricks. He just smiled without saying anything, playing along with Chen Jianguo.

After the laughter subsided, Chen Jianguo's expression turned serious.

"You want to hire me as a guitarist?"

"Did you form your own band?"

Lin Chudong nodded, "A small band, but I can afford the salary."

Chen Jianguo waved his hand, "That doesn't matter. I have nowhere to spend so much money. I've heard many of your songs; they're very musical. I can tell you're talented."

"However, with you here, I don't seem to have much room to perform."

Chen Jianguo liked playing chess, but music was still his priority.

He had many reservations about joining a band.

Lin Chudong smiled, "In my previous band, there really wasn't much room for the guitarist to perform, mainly because he was too unskilled and didn't have the opportunity.

"But you're different. I have a dual guitar solo. Would you like to try it?"

Chen Jianguo nodded, "Let's try."

The two picked up their guitars, turned on the effects pedals and sound system, and started a drum machine. Lin Chudong printed out the sheet music from his phone, one copy for each of them.

Chen Jianguo began to play slowly. After one run-through, he was immediately surprised.

"Interesting, I'm almost there. Let's combine!"

As expected of Old Chen, his sight-reading ability was incredibly strong; they could perform a formal ensemble after just one try.

"Here we go!"

The two guitars sounded at the same time, fingers flying. Sixteenth notes mixed with thirty-second notes, creating an extremely strong sense of rhythm.

Wang Zhi's eyes widened. He simply couldn't believe that such guitar masters existed in the world. This was truly mastery, reaching the pinnacle of skill!

Lin Chudong suddenly performed a string bend, and Wang Zhi's scalp tingled. That single note truly struck a chord deep within him.

On the other side, Chen Jianguo performed another string bend, followed by another high note. Amidst the incredibly complex sounds, each main note was played with such clarity.

This was the charm of dual guitars!

Wang Zhi had completely given up on the idea of being a guitarist.

It was too competitive!

The skill level of a fifty-six-year-old was beyond his reach.

He had played guitar for forty years to achieve this level of proficiency.

But... Brother Fei was only in his twenties and already possessed this skill. It was too exaggerated!

As the song ended, Chen Jianguo's face was filled with surprise.

"Good, this solo, did you compose it?"

"Yes, I have a lot of these dual guitar arrangements. If you join, there will definitely be room for you to shine."

Lin Chudong did not belittle his own abilities, nor did he overshadow others.

No matter how many guitarists were in a band, no one would be buried.

All that existed were one's own inner inferiority complex and overambition.

Chen Jianguo said, "I earn three hundred thousand a year with the Northern Band, plus a five percent performance commission. What can you offer me?"

"The same benefits." If it were anyone else, Lin Chudong would have haggled, but Chen Jianguo was truly worth that price, so there was no need to negotiate. The money would be spent where it was most effective.

Chen Jianguo thought for a moment. "You're a new band, I don't want to put too much pressure on you. I'll just take the three hundred thousand and forgo the performance commission."

"Don't worry, I'll still love performing even without the commission. I'll retire when I can no longer keep up."

Lin Chudong laughed, "Thank you, Teacher Chen."

The two carried their guitars, with a messy chess board under their feet.

Lin Chudong extended his hand, "Welcome to the Liang Yin Band."

Chen Jianguo's weathered hand clasped his.

"Guitarist Chen Jianguo, please guide me!"

The next morning, before Lin Chudong was even awake, Chen Jianguo was already sitting in the piano shop, drinking tea.

"Teacher Chen, you're here so early?"

Chen Jianguo smiled, "Before work starts, shall we play a game?"

"Sure!"

Lin Chudong played two more rounds with Chen Jianguo. The shopkeeper's wife, Jing Feifei, and Jia Lu also arrived at the piano shop.

With all five band members present, Liang Yin was a little excited, "Teacher Chen, I never imagined our band could invite a master like you. It truly brings honor to our humble abode!"

Chen Jianguo said, "Since I'm here, we're colleagues. No need to be so polite. You can just call me Old Chen."

"Don't let my age fool you, my spirit is still young!"

Lin Chudong stood up and said.

"This is our band's first meeting. I have a few words to say."

"It is my honor, Da Fei's, to have you all join the band. You are talents I've handpicked, but once you're in the band, you are my soldiers."

"When it comes to music, I am very strict. If there are mistakes, even Old Chen will be criticized by me."

"Consider this a heads-up. Don't be embarrassed if you get scolded later. I, Da Fei, am not afraid of offending people. If you can't do it, we part ways amicably."

"Those who don't follow orders are not wanted. Those who don't work hard are also not wanted."

"Old Chen is an exception. The three of you have a lot of room for improvement. Please work hard. When you can't keep up with the band's rhythm, I'll have to replace you."

"Especially you, Wang Zhi. You are currently the band's intern bassist. Time is running out for you. If you don't reach performance level before the big show, I'll have to recruit someone else. Do you all understand?"

"Understood!"

The three clenched their fists. Especially Wang Zhi, touching the blisters on his fingers. If he didn't work hard now, he'd be letting down all the late nights he'd pulled.

Chen Jianguo nodded. Da Fei truly lived up to his reputation; he had the demeanor of a leader.

Lin Chudong said, "Next, the shopkeeper's wife will arrange several performances for us. Everyone must attend. We have a small team, and no one can be absent."

"Rehearsals are the same. If even one person is missing, we can't rehearse. If you're absent without a valid reason, you won't be performing next time."

"Music theory is very important. If you two girls don't understand it well, hurry up and find Wang Zhi to tutor you. The drummer also needs to be proficient in music theory."

"No giggling during rehearsals. Don't waste everyone's precious time. Practice your own part beforehand, don't expect everyone to practice slowly with you during rehearsal."

"Take good care of the instruments. These belong to the shopkeeper's wife. If they are damaged, you will compensate for the full price."

"Bringing friends to watch rehearsals is forbidden. If I catch anyone doing it once, they'll be fired from the band immediately."

"That's all for now. Please, shopkeeper's wife, add a few words."

Liang Yin's small mouth was slightly open, looking a bit surprised.

Da Fei is so strict. He's nothing like he was during the recruitment...