Reborn as a comedic artist

"I'll go first!"

Gu Xiao, without hesitation, picked up her violin.

She rested the violin on her left shoulder, raised her chin slightly, drew her bow and began to play Paganini's Capriccio No. 24.

The opening bowing sounded like a ticking alarm clock, each note full and clear, without the slightest tremor.

Then came allegro, double stops, sautillé, pizzicato...

Fingers danced across the fretboard, each note as precise as if calculated, without a single flaw.

Immediately afterwards, she put down her violin and sat down at the piano.

Liszt's "Bell" resounded once again.

Her hands moved like afterimages across the black and white keys, handling those difficult leaps with ease.

When the music ended, the rehearsal room was filled with sparse but absolutely sincere applause.

"Professional, as expected of an outstanding member of the sound performance department, this technique is impeccable..."

Cheng Ming nodded in approval, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

If we consider her professional skills alone, her performance ability would be considered top-notch, even among the two most accomplished artists.

Gu Xiao's lips curled up slightly, revealing a hint of reserved arrogance, and she was about to say a few words of modesty.

"but...."

Cheng Ming abruptly changed the subject, speaking like a critical observer: "We're mainly targeting the general public, whose musical literacy is limited. Gu Xiao, why don't you try singing a couple of lines? Or... make some simple expressions like laughing, joking, or cursing in front of the camera...?"

Gu Xiao was stunned for a moment.

She hesitated for a moment, then opened her mouth and sang a bel canto.

Well, she wasn't off-key, her pitch was perfect, and her breath control was steady, but... it was incredibly dry, falling far short of her instrumental versatility.

As for their expressions of laughter, anger, and scolding...

"sad."

Cheng Ming held up his phone camera and began recording.

Gu Xiao frowned and turned down at the corners of her mouth, trying to create a sad atmosphere.

"Stop, ma'am. Anyone who didn't know better would think you had facial paralysis. Your features are exquisite, but your facial expressions are too stiff, and your body language is even more restrained..."

Cheng Ming couldn't bear to look and helplessly covered his forehead.

This woman might be alright if she played Little Dragon Girl, but her comedic performance is really too much to ask of her.

........

She had just found her place in someone's eyes when she was utterly crushed, but Gu Xiao could only endure this frustration.

Although Cheng Ming's words were a bit harsh, they were all true; she really didn't have much talent when it came to singing and performing.

Cheng Ming quickly scribbled a few lines in his notebook: "I roughly understand your role. From now on, you'll serve as the technical advisor in music creation, and take care of the team's presentation and logistics!"

"If it's for filming videos or something, you don't need to speak or make any extra expressions. Just act as an 'emotionless killer'."

Gu Xiao nodded thoughtfully. That wasn't difficult; it was a perfect fit for her major, a natural performance.

"Next up, Sister Panda."

Lin Yiyi stood up nervously and walked to the guzheng in the corner.

It has to be said that although this girl is usually a bit silly and her brain circuits often short-circuit.

But when she plays the guzheng, it's as if a soft-focus filter has been applied to her.

She finished wrapping her nails, took a deep breath, and touched the strings with her fingertips.

Zheng—

As the zither music began, a piece titled "Fisherman's Song at Dusk" flowed like a clear mountain stream, gentle and moving.

The classical elegance of the lady is palpable, as if transporting one to the misty, rainy Jiangnan region.

At this moment, Lin Yiyi is quiet and beautiful, showing no trace of her "naive and innocent" nature.

"That's good. The guzheng is a plus. We won't look into the piano or anything like that since it's a music education major. As for vocal performance...?"

After Cheng Ming finished writing in his notebook, he couldn't help but ask a question.

Upon hearing this, Lin Yiyi softly sang a sweet song.

Her voice is soft and sweet. Although her technique is average and her breath control is not long enough, her voice is sweet and very distinctive.

Cheng Ming then had him perform a simple act, which was generally acceptable.

"His overall quality is average, with no major weaknesses or outstanding strengths."

Cheng Ming made a judgment: "Your role is 'the group's darling,' responsible for being cute. Just play yourself and use the guzheng to highlight the contrast at key moments."

Lin Yiyi nodded as if she understood, but this was something she was good at.

"Heroine Zhao..."

"arrive!"

Zhao Yufeng had long been unable to restrain himself. In the midst of his fiery passion, even Cheng Ming was somewhat unsettled by the sight of his almost exposed figure. Wang Shuo, standing next to him, quickly turned his head to the side and chanted a calming mantra.

She walked straight to the drum set in the corner.

The moment she picks up the drumsticks, this tomboyish woman transforms into a warrior wielding a weapon.

Boom!

The bass drum made a dull thud, as if it had struck someone's heart.

Then, the dynamic rhythm, accompanied by the dense drumbeats, impacted everyone's mind like a sudden storm.

Zhao Yufeng tossed his long hair, sweat trickling down his neck.

Every strike was full of power.

At this moment, she was no longer that big-breasted, brainless simpleton, but a rock queen full of explosive energy.

Immediately afterwards, she picked up an electric guitar, plugged it into the amp, and stepped on the distortion effect pedal.

Sizzle—!

After a piercing electrical hum, an extremely energetic solo ensued, causing the air in the entire rehearsal room to vibrate.

"Cool!"

Zhao Yufeng shook the sweat from his hair, shouted, casually flicked his bangs, winked at Cheng Ming, and teased, "How about it? Was that enough of your... art...?"

Unfortunately, the latter ignored it and focused on taking notes.

............................

The entire room fell silent.

Even Gu Xiao looked surprised, clearly seeing Zhao Yufeng's wild side for the first time.

Cheng Ming put down his notebook and began to comment: "Your drum and guitar skills are commendable. You have an outgoing personality and are very uninhibited in your performances. From now on, you will be in charge of the band's rhythm, and you will temporarily take on the lead female role in the performances. Just switch between a goofy and a more unrestrained and wild style..."

Seeing that his efforts had finally been recognized, Zhao Yufeng breathed a sigh of relief and felt secretly pleased.

"Finally, Brother Shuo, it's your turn..."

Cheng Ming looked at Wang Shuo, who had been holding back his words.

The fat man stood up awkwardly and cleared his throat.

"I won't embarrass myself by playing any musical instruments. I can play the flute, but I didn't bring it with me. I'll just sing a couple of lines instead..."

Wang Shuo took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and held a non-existent microphone in his hands. His expression instantly became affectionate, even tinged with melancholy.

He opened his mouth and immediately sang Jacky Cheung's "Goodbye Kiss".

"Past events have faded like smoke, vanishing from our sight..."

His voice is rich and full-bodied from the first note, with a long breath and natural reverberation.

"I kissed you goodbye on an empty street...!"

As the song progressed, the high notes remained as steady as a rock, and the transitions were as smooth as Dove chocolate.

If you didn't see his face and closed your eyes, you would never imagine that the voice came from the mouth of a fat man weighing over 90 kilograms who looked just like Lu Zhishen uprooting a willow tree.

This voice, kissed by an angel, is now attached to a body ravaged by a wild boar.

Zhao Yufeng cursed, his eyes widening: "Holy crap? Fatty, are you using a voice changer...?"

"Brother, this is called talent, a gift from God. I almost went into the music industry back then, but my family wouldn't allow it..."

Wang Shuo triumphantly tossed his non-existent, flowing hair, opened his eyes, and his gaze was full of drama.

Cheng Ming interrupted his spellcasting: "Alright, Brother Shuo is awesome. He has a great voice, and he's a natural actor with a knack for comedy..."

Your role is to create a dramatic contrast, that "a man doesn't have to be handsome, but he must be charming" kind of instant appeal—that's your core competitive advantage...

Cheng Ming closed his notebook, and the initial positioning of the four people was temporarily completed.

..............