Guitarist Old Chen

The two of them traded moves back and forth, while everyone around them watched, completely engrossed.

Shen Lang and the others even muttered under their breath, "How come I can't make heads or tails of this?"

They all knew how to play Chinese chess, but they couldn't understand the strategies these two were using at all.

Little did they know that a true master had already calculated the next dozen moves in his head.

"Checkmate! Old Chen, you've lost!"

Chen Jianguo burst out laughing. "Ha ha ha! You've got some skill. I can't believe my rook and cannon lost to Continuous Horse. Let's play again!"

The two of them played to their hearts' content. Shen Lang and the others exchanged glances, then helplessly shook their heads. They knew they didn't stand a chance, so they said their goodbyes and left.

Wang Zhi watched in shock. Brother Fei was this good at Chinese chess, too?

No wonder Brother Fei was so excited. Old Chen really was in such high demand. These days, did you need to be good at this sort of thing just to poach a musician?

They played seven games, with the first to four wins taking the match. Lin Chudong held back a little, letting Chen Jianguo win.

"Ha ha! Xiao Lin, you let me win!"

Lin Chudong said, "You've got more experience, Old Chen. Your tricks run deep. Next time, I definitely won't fall for them!"

With a broad smile, Chen Jianguo went over the game with Lin Chudong, explaining how he'd set his traps and let Lin Chudong's guard down.

In truth, Lin Chudong had seen through all those little tricks. He simply smiled without saying anything and played along with Chen Jianguo.

After the laughter died down, Chen Jianguo's expression grew serious.

"You want me to join as your guitarist?"

"You formed the band yourself?"

Lin Chudong nodded. "We're a small band, but we can still afford to pay you."

Chen Jianguo waved a hand. "That doesn't matter. I wouldn't know what to do with a lot of money anyway. I've heard plenty of your songs. They're very musical, and it's clear you're talented."

"But with you in the band, I don't see where I'd get a chance to shine."

Chen Jianguo certainly enjoyed playing Chinese chess, but music still came first.

There were plenty of things to consider before joining a band.

Lin Chudong smiled. "It's true that my previous band didn't leave much room for the guitarist to shine. His skills were too poor, so he never had the chance."

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

Chen Jianguo nodded. "Let's try it."

They picked up their guitars, turned on the Effects Pedal and the amp, and started a Drum Machine. Lin Chudong printed out the Sheet Music on his phone and gave them one copy each.

Chen Jianguo began playing slowly. After one run-through, he looked surprised.

"Interesting. I've pretty much got it. Let's play together!"

As expected of Old Chen. His Sight-reading was remarkably good; he was ready to play the piece with Lin Chudong after just one run-through.

"Let's go!"

The guitars rang out together. Their fingers flew across the strings, sixteenth notes mixed with thirty-second notes, the rhythm driving and intense.

Wang Zhi's eyes widened. He could hardly believe guitarists this good existed. This was true mastery, skill honed to perfection!

Lin Chudong suddenly bent a string. Wang Zhi's scalp prickled; that note had gone straight to his heart.

Chen Jianguo bent a string on the other side, producing another high note. Amid all that chaotic sound, every melody note was still crystal clear.

That was the magic of Dual Guitars!

At that moment, Wang Zhi gave up on the idea of becoming a guitarist for good.

The competition was too fierce!

At fifty-six, Chen Jianguo's skill was far beyond anything he could hope to match.

The man had played guitar for forty years to reach that level.

But... Brother Fei was only in his twenties, and he was just as good. It was unbelievable!

When the piece ended, Chen Jianguo's face lit up with delight.

"Great! You wrote this solo?"

"Yeah. I have lots of pieces arranged for dual guitars. If you join us, you'll definitely have room to shine."

Lin Chudong didn't downplay his own ability, nor did he hide anyone else's brilliance.

No matter how many guitarists a band had, no one would be overshadowed.

The only things that held people back were their own insecurity and unrealistic ambitions.

Chen Jianguo said, "I make three hundred thousand a year with the Northern Band, plus five percent of the performance fees. How much can you offer me?"

"The same terms." If it had been someone else, Lin Chudong would certainly have tried to bargain. But Chen Jianguo was worth every bit of that, so there was no point haggling. The money was being spent where it mattered.

Chen Jianguo thought it over. "You're a new band. I don't want to put too much pressure on you. I'll take three hundred thousand, but I don't need a cut of the performance fees."

"Don't worry. I love performing, even without a cut. I'll retire when I can't do it anymore."

Lin Chudong smiled. "Thank you, Old Chen."

The two of them had their guitars on their backs, and a scattered Chinese chessboard lay at their feet.

Lin Chudong held out his hand. "Welcome to the Liang Yin Band."

Chen Jianguo clasped his weathered hand.

"I'm Chen Jianguo, your guitarist. I look forward to working with you!"

Early the next morning, before Lin Chudong had even gotten up, Chen Jianguo was already sitting in the Piano Shop, drinking tea.

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

Chen Jianguo smiled. "Before work starts, want to play a game?"

"Sure!"

Lin Chudong played two more hard-fought games with Chen Jianguo. The shop's owner, Jing Feifei, and Jia Lu arrived as well.

All five band members were there. Liang Yin was a little excited. "Teacher Chen, I can't believe our band managed to get someone like you to join us. It's an honor!"

Chen Jianguo said, "Now that I'm here, we're colleagues. No need to be so formal. Just call me Old Chen."

"Don't let my age fool you. I've still got a young heart!"

Lin Chudong stood up and said,

"This is our band's first meeting. I'll keep it brief."

"It's my honor, Da Fei's, that you've all joined the band. You're the talents I chose from among the best, but once you're in the band, you're my troops."

"I'm extremely strict about music. If you make a mistake, I'll criticize you, even if you're Old Chen."

"I'm warning you in advance, so don't take it personally when you get chewed out. I, Da Fei, am not afraid of offending people. If you can't handle it, we can part on good terms."

"Anyone who won't follow instructions is out. Anyone who won't put in the effort is out, too."

"Old Chen is the exception. The three of you still have a lot of room to improve, so please work hard. If you can't keep up with the band, I'll have no choice but to replace you."

"Especially you, Wang Zhi. You're still the band's trainee bassist. You don't have much time left. If you still can't perform at a professional level before the big show, I'll have to recruit someone else. Is that clear?"

"Clear!"

The three of them clenched their fists. Wang Zhi most of all. Feeling the blisters on his fingers, he knew that if he didn't work hard now, all the late nights he'd put in over the past few days would be for nothing.

Chen Jianguo nodded. Da Fei really lived up to his reputation. He had a bit of a leader's presence.

Lin Chudong said, "Next, the owner will arrange a few performances for us. Please make sure you show up. We're short-staffed, so no one can be absent."

"The same goes for rehearsals. We can't rehearse if even one person is missing. If you skip work without a good reason, don't bother coming to the next performance."

"Music theory is important. If you two girls don't know enough, get Wang Zhi to tutor you right away. Drummers need to know music theory well, too."

"No fooling around during rehearsal. Don't waste everyone's valuable time. Learn your own Voice part in advance. Don't wait until rehearsal to make everyone practice it slowly with you."

"Take good care of the instruments. They belong to the owner, and if you damage anything, you'll pay for it."

"No bringing friends to watch rehearsals. If I catch you once, you're out of the band."

"That's all for now. Owner, would you like to add a few words?"

Liang Yin's mouth fell slightly open, and she looked a little surprised.

Da Fei was so strict. He was nothing like he'd been during the recruitment...