For Peng Xue, who just entered Pengda, her new university life can be described as extremely busy.
Not only am I busy with the duties of a freshman, but I am also busy with rehearsals with Xia Yuan and the others. I don't have much time to spend with my roommates.
Since Peng Xue was a girl who had taken a year off from school and had experienced the hardships of society, she was different from these greenhouse flowers.
During their brief time together, Peng Xue quickly conquered them with her free and easy personal charm. Her experience in playing in a band quickly attracted a group of supporters from her classmates. She was not a senior student but was better than one, and was a hot topic among the freshmen. Peng Xue even received a confession from a boy from the same college during her military training.
Naturally, Peng Xue could not accept such a courageous but immature confession. After rejecting the boy, Peng Xue calmed down and devoted herself to the band rehearsal again.
Since Peng Xue and Xia Yuan are both famous singers (although Peng Xue only had one song "The Strange Ability Song" that broke through the circle when she was "Michelle Yim", she still became one of the top 10 most popular online singers of the year last year with this song), and Xiang Bingbing's own foundation is not strong enough, Liu Xiaoyu became the only choice for the band's lead singer.
With two famous singers assisting her in the performance, Liu Xiaoyu, as the lead singer, naturally knew that she had a heavy responsibility, so she also wanted to devote herself to playing the role of the lead singer;
However, it must be admitted that it is still rare for a keyboard player to serve as lead singer in domestic bands, so when faced with many uncertain situations, Liu Xiaoyu can only find ways to deal with them on his own.
Of course, team members will also help Liu Xiaoyu analyze the situation and point out problems.
"I think Xiaoyu's biggest problem right now is that she can't do two things at once. I think you can sing alone, and you can play the keyboard alone, but when you two come together, it's a bit... How should I put it, it's very unnatural."
"Besides this, I think Xiaoyu is still a little restrained."
Peng Xue explained, "Although our band has not yet formed its own style, you can't expect us to only sing folk songs every time. Live performances of songs drive the mood and atmosphere, and rock songs are essential. If you can't have fun, then no one else can either."
"That's true..."
Liu Xiaoyu patted his face in annoyance. "I do have a problem of not being able to let go, but I think it's really hard to do two things at once. I envy those of you who play guitar and bass, who can sing while playing..."
Looking at Liu Xiaoyu being criticized by Xia Yuan and Peng Xue, Xiang Bingbing on the side was a little confused, "I think Xiaoyu performed well... Are you too strict?"
Xia Yuan explained: "This is not too strict, it's like this as a lead singer... The pressure is heavy and the responsibility is great."
“I think there’s nothing wrong with Xiaoyu having her own characteristics… maybe some viewers will like this feeling!”
Xiang Bingbing said aggrievedly, "We have been practicing in the studio for the past two or three months, and we haven't received any feedback from the audience, so it's still unknown whether people will like this style or accept it."
"Recently, I have only been practicing in the studio, without any chance to interact with the outside world. Without feedback, our progress also lacks purpose..."
Xia Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll ask Ah Fang to arrange a contact—"
She was halfway through her words when Peng Xue knocked her on the head:
"Wait, have you been relying on Mei Gou for so long that you've forgotten your last name?"
Xia Yuan was stunned for a moment, "Oh, yes, I am Lin Wanwan now, I can't ask Ah Fang to help me... Then let's contact the performance venue ourselves, should we go to a place like a bar?"
"Every bar has its own resident singer, and the application process is not easy. We are newcomers, so it's better for us to apply to participate in the livehouse."
"Livehouse? What kind of place is that?"
"The concept of underground concerts has always been popular in the Land of Sakura. After buying the admission ticket, you can watch the band's performance up close on site."
Peng Xue explained, "Livehouses are very developed in Chengdu, and there is at least one in almost every street in the business district."
"It sounds like it's more suitable for our rookie band's debut."
Xiang Bingbing excitedly drummed the drum and said, "Is there a livehouse in Pengcheng? Let's contact them and see how much money we can make from our first show!"
"You're overthinking..."
Peng Xue shook her head and said, "Although livehouses are commercial performances that can earn money from ticket sales, they are only for bands with a certain reputation. We are just a grassroots band now, and it's great that someone is willing to allow us to participate. This is to increase exposure. Do you still want to make money?"
"Damn, is this such a scam? How long will it take to make money?"
"It depends on how popular you are. If you can be invited to participate in music festivals, your income should be more stable. For other situations, it depends on how you negotiate with the organizers..."
Peng Xue thought about it and said, "Actually, it's possible to be a street performer on the road show, but it's too cheap for Lin Wanwan, so I don't think she can do it."
"What's the point of losing your value? Xiaoxue, please don't treat me as some pampered young lady, okay? Although my family is very rich, I have suffered a lot, and I can endure hardships."
"Can you really endure hardship..."
Faced with Xia Yuan's determination to pat his chest, Peng Xue expressed strong doubts: "I haven't been with you for a while, I want to hear what you mean by enduring hardships. When we made games together during the summer vacation of our first year in high school, was that considered enduring hardships for you?"
"No, doesn't it count?" Xia Yuan muttered, "I've also been staying up late for several days!"
"This concept of suffering is a bit abstract. After all, we are doing it together. Give me some examples of your own."
"When the Fangciyuan Project started, I had to prepare the lines for the performance, and I practiced for a long time! And when I was arranging the music for the first time, sometimes I couldn't think of anything, so I would stay up very late..."
"So what are your Ah Fang and You Xi doing?"
Xia Yuan thought about it, then smiled and said, "Yes, Ah Fang will encourage me and massage my shoulders and legs, which will make me feel much more relaxed! Then Youxi will make chicken soup for me, which is hot, fragrant and delicious. It helps me replenish my energy, and inspiration comes after I drink it!"
"Do you feel miserable and tired?"
"I… "
Xiang Bingbing smacked her lips and said, "The chicken soup is so delicious. I want to drink it too."
"Hey Bingbing, don't interrupt!"
Xiang Bingbing pouted in grievance and looked helplessly at Liu Xiaoyu beside her. Liu Xiaoyu just squinted his eyes and smiled.
"So, have you ever had the experience of enduring suffering alone?"
"I… "
Faced with Peng Xue's questioning, Xia Yuan was a little speechless.
"Lin Wanwan, as Xia Yuan, your life experience is different from most people. You have suffered a lot in the past, but you always have Lin Youxi supporting you and Mei Gou protecting you, which gives you the courage to face many things..."
"But, but, why should we endure the suffering alone? Even if I don't have Ah Fang Youxi now, I still have you guys. We can endure the suffering together and fight together."
"Of course we can endure hardships and struggle together, but I hope you are mentally prepared. We are not geniuses like Lin Youxi, nor are we reliable people like Mei Gou... We will not spoil you, and I will point out any problems you have."
"I know."
Xia Yuan nodded firmly, "I am mentally prepared for this, which is why I don't want Fang Youxi to help me."
Xia Yuan was expressing his determination to Peng Xue when a voice came from behind him:
"I want to ask something..."
Xiang Bingbing muttered, "Xiaoxue, can you please stop calling him Meigou all the time? Is Ah Fang not good to you? Why do you always scold him..."
"ah?"
Peng Xue didn't expect that Xiang Bingbing, this loser, was still speaking for Mei Fang at this time. She thought to herself, how much does she like him
But if you insist on talking about the actual situation, Mei Fang really did not do anything to offend Peng Xue—
Except for not responding to Peng Xue's love for her.
Peng Xue was stunned for a while, then she tilted her head and put her hands on her waist and said:
"That's what I want to call him, isn't it okay?"
"Bingbing, it's okay, it's okay!"
Xia Yuan was just saying some polite words, but she didn't expect Xiang Bingbing to suddenly start to defend Mei Fang:
"Yuan - Lin Wanwan, although it is true that Ah Fang is two-timing, he is your boyfriend. This is your own choice. If you don't protect him, who will? Even I feel sorry for Ah Fang!"
Xiang Bingbing's speech finally caused Liu Xiaoyu to complain, "Bingbing, I know you are speaking from your heart, but the way you say it really makes me feel a little teary..."
"Ah, what does tea mean?"
Therefore, after everyone's discussion and voting, it was decided that Mei Gou would be regarded as a nickname for scolding in the future and would be reasonably used among all the friends. Xia Yuan gave his approval.
However, an interesting point worth mentioning is that after the term "Mei Gou" was stipulated to be universal, the person with the highest level of "Mei Gou" on weekdays turned out to be Liu Xiaoyu - it can be seen that she often calls people "Mei Gou" behind their backs.
Everyone decided to hold the first performance in a livehouse. However, they didn't know any local celebrities in Pengcheng, and Lin Wanwan couldn't use Xia Yuan's connections. So everyone could only search for several well-known livehouses in the area and then visit them to ask if they could participate in the commercial performance.
It was the golden month of October, the peak season for activities of various folk and big-name bands. The four of them, who did not intend to rely on any resources, tried to find several livehouses but failed because they were fully scheduled, and they did not even have a chance to audition.
Xia Yuan and Liu Xiaoyu brought water from the store for everyone. They wiped the sweat off Bingbing's face and sighed helplessly, "I didn't expect that the workdays would be full for the next few days. It seems that we can only participate in street performances first?"
"Street performances are not very effective in attracting visitors, especially when there are no festivals. It would be troublesome if you were caught by the police... In short, I suggest you take this route only as a last resort."
Peng Xue thought for a moment and said, "Then we can only try our luck in some small livehouses. However, the acoustics of small livehouses vary greatly, and the safety factor is not high enough. We have to confirm it clearly when we arrive at the venue, so as not to ruin the reputation of our first performance."
"Let's just decide it. We definitely can't book a big show right away."
Xia Yuan helped Peng Xue wipe the sweat off her forehead, "It's okay, Xiaoxue, walk around more and ask more questions."
"Just don't think in your mind: 'If our Ah Fang handles it, I probably won't have to worry about it.'"
"Oh, Xiaoxue, why don't you believe me? I trust you very much and I am watching this with you."
Xia Yuan pinched Peng Xue's cheeks, and Peng Xue hugged Xia Yuan and asked for a hug: "I'm sorry... I really lack a sense of security. When I feel that I am not as good as Mei Gou, I wonder if you dislike me..."
"Mei Gou puts too much pressure on you! I don't think so."
Xia Yuan said as he shook his fist at Peng Xue: "Beat him to death!"
"Okay, beat him to death!"
Peng Xue imitated Xia Yuan and started to beat him, and the two of them reconciled again.
That night, Xia Yuan dragged her tired body back home. As soon as Mei Fang opened the door, she saw Xia Yuan dressed up as Lin Wanwan appearing at the door. Mei Fang quickly took Xia Yuan's guitar and bag.
"You've had a hard time rehearsing today. How's the livehouse going?"
Xia Yuan just shook his head and said nothing, and also rejected Mei Fang's request for a loving hug.
"I, I am Lin Wanwan now, I can't get close to you."
"Why do you still care about this..."
Mei Fang looked at Xia Yuan and Ge You slumped on the sofa, looking like a puddle of mud, motionless.
So Mei Fang walked over to Xia Yuan, slowly took off her shoes, and took off her white socks... and repeated this process over and over again, until she finally took off her wig and removed Lin Wanwan's costume.
During this process, Xia Yuan has been very cooperative and let Mei Fang control her.
"Okay, I've helped you remove your makeup. You are no longer Lin Wanwan, but my good wife Yuanyuan. Can you tell me now?"
Xia Yuan hummed and nodded, then still crawled slowly into Mei Fang's arms, letting Mei Fang use his knees as a pillow for her, and then made muffled groaning sounds in Mei Fang's arms.
"Ah Fang, let me tell you..."
The aggrieved Xia Yuan complained to Mei Fang about how hard it was to find a chance to perform in a livehouse.
"We called and visited many shop owners, but they didn't even look at us. Some even asked us to pay them money to perform, saying it was a venue fee to increase their exposure... Another store manager was even more speechless, and even wanted to do something to us—"
Mei Fang was startled when he heard this, and his eyes suddenly became sharp, "Which family? What's their name? Did they bully you?"
"Don't show that murderous expression... We're fine. Bingbing is here. She immediately picked up the store manager. He was so scared that he didn't dare to say a word."
"It's really reassuring to have Bingbing here..."
Mei Fang thought about it and said, "So why don't you find an agent to help you deal with it? Even if you don't let me come, Yuanxia Music already has professionals in this area."
"Our company's agents are all very professional... I don't want to be like this, because I'm relying on you for help again... By the way, I'm actually looking for your help now."
"Telling your boyfriend about the hardship of running a band, does that count as asking for my help?"
"Well, Xiaoxue, Xiaoyu, and Bingbing don't have boyfriends to vent their grievances to."
"That's because they don't look for it themselves... What can we do about it?"
"you-"
"What do you mean by 'I'? You want me to send them three boyfriends?"
Xia Yuan looked at Mei Fang, who was playfully sticking out her tongue, and suddenly felt no longer angry.
"You're so annoying."
"It's annoying... What are you doing unbuttoning your clothes?" Mei Fang teased while scratching Xia Yuan's nose.
"You came to help me take a bath today. My feet are all calloused. Ah Fang's car is still very comfortable..."
"Okay! I'll give our Princess Yuanyuan a pedicure... Oh, yeah, so did you find a suitable livehouse in the end?"
"Yes, it's a livehouse on Qianhai Road. The location is pretty good, but the venue is a bit small..."
Xia Yuan was still unbuttoning her clothes when Mei Fang picked her up like a princess. They kissed for a while, and Mei Fang asked again:
"By the way, what's the name of the livehouse owner who's planning to do something to you?"
"Asking about this... You're not planning on buying that store and doing something like a domineering CEO, are you?"
"Wouldn't it be a bargain for him if he bought it?"
Mei Fang smiled and said, "Don't underestimate your boyfriend's influence... I have a simpler way to deal with it."
That night, a video about the misconduct of a livehouse manager in Pengcheng was pushed to the top of the C station's hot searches, triggering unanimous complaints from many netizens in the barrage.
From then on, the store's business plummeted until it closed down.
Friendship py: Shuhuang's new work "Improper Beast Taming"
Why does this beast control article look weird? It feels so unserious. Does the author have a side job? More! I want to criticize it!
Sorry for the late update today. I went to a psychiatric hospital yesterday to get a checkup for my sleep disorder and to get some materials. Insomnia is really painful and stressful.
I will share with you the medical records of the mental hospital later.
(End of this chapter)