The bar's audience was nearly going crazy. No tickets were required; they had only bought a few bottles of beer and gotten to see a living star. What a bargain!
Lin Chudong sang three songs in a row, directly setting the whole venue ablaze.
After the first chorus ended, Lin Chudong suddenly shouted into the band's internal microphone.
"Bass, solo, four bars!"
Wang Zhi froze for a moment, then hurriedly began plucking the strings. His right hand moved back and forth, his thumb working like it had an engine installed in it.
Unlike guitar playing, bass fingering was much flashier. Though the sound was low, the effect of a bass solo was just as explosive.
Full of confidence, Wang Zhi walked to the front of the stage and into the spotlight. Lin Chudong and Chen Jianguo accompanied him from either side.
Under the lights, a thin sheen of sweat appeared on Wang Zhi's forehead. All these days of hard work had finally paid off.
The guitar foundation he had built since childhood erupted in full force at that moment.
The audience's screams sent Wang Zhi's excitement soaring.
Four bars felt as long as an entire century.
When the solo ended, Wang Zhi quickly returned to his position. Lin Chudong continued singing, once again immersing the audience in a sea of music.
After the performance ended, the group sat backstage and finished packing their things. Liang Yin said excitedly,
"The performance went amazingly well. The bar owner gave me twenty thousand. We originally agreed on ten thousand, but their drink sales doubled tonight."
"Let's split the twenty thousand."
Lin Chudong shook his head. "Now that we've established a company, we'll follow the rules and settle everything together at the end of the month."
"How did the first performance feel?"
Chen Jianguo smiled. "I performed in bars back in the day. I never thought I'd be back here again. The atmosphere in bars really is great."
Jia Lu's face was flushed with excitement as she said shyly, "It was exhilarating. Seeing the audience sway along below, I really felt like I was in control of the entire venue."
Jing Feifei was still caught up in her excitement, unable to sit still.
"Brother Fei, let's do it again! I can perform a few more songs!"
Lin Chudong smiled bitterly. "All right, all right. Don't get too excited. When we hold concerts in the future, you'll have plenty to tire you out."
Wang Zhi said, "Brother Fei..."
Lin Chudong had suddenly thrown a solo at him today, catching him off guard. Fortunately, he had practiced plenty in his spare time.
Lin Chudong said, "Everyone has seen how hard you've worked, Wang Zhi. You performed extremely well today. I hereby announce that you're now a full-time member."
Lin Chudong stood up and extended his hand. "Welcome to the Liang Yin Band."
Wang Zhi's eyes immediately reddened as the pressure of the past few days was released through his tear ducts.
He might not have been the most talented, but he would definitely be the hardest-working one!
He wiped away his tears and took Lin Chudong's hand.
"Thank you, Brother Fei!"
Liang Yin said, "All right, the Liang Yin Band finally has all its members. Dinner's on me tonight. Let's have a feast!"
"Yeah!"
"I'll buy the ingredients. Da Fei will cook."
Lin Chudong: ...
This Intermediate Cooking Skill really was no good.
At midnight, while everyone else was fast asleep, the Liangyin Music Shop was still bustling with activity.
A hot pot brimming with red oil sat on the table, surrounded by all kinds of ingredients for dipping.
Liang Yin was a little displeased. "Da Fei, I asked you to cook a meal, and you made hot pot?"
"Boss Lady, I stir-fried the hot pot base myself. Just eat it. It'll be delicious enough to kill you!"
Jing Feifei excitedly raised her glass. "Hot pot with Chengdu—what a perfect combination!"
Just as everyone was preparing to dig in, Lin Chudong said, "A friend of mine is coming over later. Make sure you get a few drinks into him."
"Who?"
"Tian Yingxiong."
Wang Zhi's eyes lit up. "Tian Yingxiong? Last year's Golden Melody Award winner?"
"That's right. He's insanely popular."
Liang Yin became a little flustered. "Then I'd better tidy up. We're hosting such a huge star, and all we have is hot pot. Is that really okay?"
Lin Chudong said, "It's fine. He's just got an empty stomach. Hot pot is perfect for him."
Chen Jianguo said, "I've heard Xiao Tian's music. It's very distinctive, especially his rap."
Lin Chudong smiled. "Old Chen really has a good eye. I wrote all his raps."
Just then, a voice came from outside the door.
"Who's bragging about himself here?"
A handsome young man in a hoodie walked in. He was even wearing sunglasses in the dead of night, making his look rather exaggerated.
After taking off his sunglasses, Liang Yin hurriedly stood up.
"Teacher Tian, please, have a seat."
Tian Yingxiong was startled, then his attitude made an abrupt one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn as he took Liang Yin's hand.
"Whoa, is this the boss lady? She's every bit as beautiful as Lin Qiqi! Lin, what did you do to deserve such a gorgeous boss lady?"
Lin Chudong kicked him. "Take your dog paws off her and eat first."
Tian Yingxiong quickly let go. When he saw Jia Lu and Jing Feifei beside her, his eyes nearly failed to keep up.
"So this is why you came to this piano shop—to find yourself a girlfriend, huh? You bastard, keeping all the good stuff for yourself without introducing even one to me?"
Liang Yin and the others exchanged bewildered looks. The singer who was always so solemn on television was actually this cheerful in private.
Lin Chudong said, "Enough nonsense. Try your godfather's cooking first."
"Fuck!"
Tian Yingxiong picked up a piece of fatty beef covered in spicy broth, dipped it in the oil sauce, and stuffed it into his mouth.
His eyes immediately lit up.
"Holy shit, Old Lin, you made this? You've really changed. You're not the kid who used to eat instant noodles with me in that rental apartment anymore!"
"Calling me godfather wasn't for nothing!"
Without another word, Tian Yingxiong began eating heartily.
Chen Jianguo wasn't surprised in the least. Jing Feifei didn't know who he was, while Liang Yin, Jia Lu, and Wang Zhi were all stunned.
Celebrities really were completely different in private from how they appeared on camera. Were all singers like this? If so, were actors even more outrageous?
Lin Chudong said, "You're almost done eating, right? I called you here to discuss something serious. Bring me along to a few commercial performances, or perhaps a variety show."
Friendships in the entertainment circle were all superficial. He had only a few true friends, and when it came to something important, he had no choice but to make use of them.
Tian Yingxiong said, "Would you go on a dating show?"
"Not even a dog would go."
He glanced at the three women, then nodded. Indeed, even a dating show couldn't compare to this piano shop.
"What about a reality show?"
"A reality show is worth considering. Don't you have any connections in the music category?"
"What do you want to go on? I don't even have any connections." Tian Yingxiong sighed.
"A music festival—the Magic City's Summer Music Festival at the end of the month."
Tian Yingxiong's expression turned strange. "Shen Jianbin and the others will be at the Summer Music Festival. Aren't you worried about running into them?"
"What is there to worry about? He can perform his set, and I can perform mine."
Tian Yingxiong gave him a thumbs-up. "Damn, looks like you're going to confront them head-on. Fine, leave this to me."
Hearing this, Liang Yin quickly picked up a glass of liquor.
"Teacher Tian, thank you so much. On behalf of the Liang Yin Band, I'd like to toast you!"
Tian Yingxiong immediately put on a fawning smile. "Oh my, the boss lady is toasting me. I have to drink! There are so many beauties in our band!"
Tian Yingxiong drained his glass in one gulp, then his gaze fell on the shy Jia Lu.
"Little miss, what instrument do you play?"
Jia Lu shook her head. "I'm no good. I'm Brother Fei's concubine."
Pfft...
Lin Chudong spat out his drink onto the floor and nearly choked.
Tian Yingxiong was completely dumbfounded.
He had only asked what instrument the young woman played. How had she come up with that?
"Old Lin, if you're like this, I'm going to have to call you Teacher Da Fei. Teach me—how did you train her?"
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