Reborn as a comedic artist

Zhao Yufeng was stunned for a long time, simulating the scene in his mind.

The bass is like cotton, the piano is like corny pickup lines, and the drums are like a frenzy, all accompanied by these ridiculously stupid lyrics... and the extreme contrast between Cheng Ming and Wang Shuo's performances.

What is this?

Is this a hodgepodge? Is this a stew?

No.

"Holy crap..."

Zhao Yufeng swallowed hard, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.

Her innate tendency to thrive on chaos was completely activated.

This unconventional and unorthodox approach to play, this thrill of trampling high art on the ground, is exactly what she likes!

"Sounds... kind of cool? I like this crazy, eccentric vibe...!"

Zhao Yufeng licked his lips, his drumsticks already itching to be used.

"Come on, everyone, stop standing there!"

Seeing that the team's morale was high, Cheng Ming immediately clapped his hands, like a farmer forcing ducks onto a shelf: "I'll write out the sheet music now. Everyone, familiarize yourselves with the melody first. Today we must get the basic structure of this song right!"

"Anyone who messes up will be working with Wang Shuo to shovel cement and carry mortar tomorrow. I mean what I say, no mercy!"

Upon hearing the words "carrying cement," the three girls all jolted.

The image of them being exposed to the scorching sun, covered in dust and drenched in sweat, instantly flashed into their minds. For these art students, it was worse than death.

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

The air in the rehearsal room was so heavy it was suffocating.

The lingering notes of the rehearsed "The Art of Shuyin" still echoed in the room, like a fly stuck in the throat, unable to be spat out or swallowed.

"Alright, stop looking like you're going to your execution."

Cheng Ming's smile deepened as he observed their reactions.

After extreme repression, you must give someone something sweet. This is called giving a slap and then a date. It is also the essence of PUA... oh no, it is the essence of team management.

"With that 'divine song' as a foundation, the next one is our trump card."

Cheng Ming casually tossed aside the tattered piece of paper that read "The Art of Shuyin is Excellent" and walked to the piano.

"I originally wanted to interact with you as an ordinary person, but instead I was met with ridicule and skepticism."

As he spoke, he flexed his wrists, his knuckles making a few crisp cracking sounds.

"I'm not pretending anymore. I, the hexagonal artist and the wanderer of the ancient city, am coming clean..."

Gu Xiao rolled her eyes, about to retort, "Besides your skin being as thick as an ancient city wall, what else is there..." but Cheng Ming's next action stopped her from speaking.

Cheng Ming sat down, his back ramrod straight, and the abstract aura emanating from him instantly vanished, replaced by a steadfastness as solid as Mount Tai.

Long, slender fingers gently brushed across the black and white piano keys; with a thought, the system panel unfolded on the retina.

Looking at the accumulated art points, Cheng Ming didn't hesitate at all.

"System, add points."

[Art points are being allocated...]

[Consuming 1000 Art Points, Acting Skills Upgraded to: Expert Level]

[Consuming 500 Art Points, Vocal Performance upgraded to: Professional Level]

As soon as the system finished speaking, a warm current appeared out of nowhere, rushing up Cheng Ming's spine to the top of his head, and then gathering in his throat.

The cartilage in the larynx seemed to have undergone a precise minimally invasive surgery, and the resilience and thickness of the vocal cords were adjusted to their optimal state at this moment.

Countless muscle memories about vocal techniques, the use of resonance cavities, and breath control flooded into my mind like a tidal wave, perfectly integrating with my body.

At the same time, an indescribable emotional sensitivity spread through his mind.

That's a side effect of "expert acting"—empathy.

At this moment, he was no longer Cheng Ming, but a traveler drifting alone in the river of time.

...........

"bite--"

The first note fell.

Crisp and clean.

Then came a rather simple prelude.

Gu Xiao frowned slightly. As an expert, she could tell at a glance that the rhythm and chord progression of the intro were not complicated. In fact, it could be said to be the kind of common 1563451 pattern found in simple pop music.

"This is the trump card? His piano skills are just so-so, only good for accompaniment..."

Before Gu Xiao could form a judgment in her mind, her pupils suddenly contracted to the size of pinpoints in just a dozen breaths.

Because Cheng Ming spoke up.

"We traveled and stopped frequently along the way."

Following the trail of the boy's drifting journey

The moment the song began, the previously restless atmosphere in the rehearsal room was swept away.

This was no longer Cheng Ming's usual deep, magnetic voice.

The voice was melodious like a violin, yet filled with vicissitudes and desolation, carrying a soaring quality that struck straight to the soul.

His voice was very similar to that of the prodigal son Wang Jie at his peak, and his control, which was both straight up and down yet terrifyingly steady, instantly captivated everyone's ears.

Gu Xiao's hands, which had been clasped in front of her chest, unconsciously fell to her sides, and her lips parted slightly.

Is this Cheng Ming?

That guy who always talks about "stirring things up" and seems incredibly abstract...?

"The moment before stepping out of the station"

"I was somewhat hesitant."

"I can't help but laugh at this feeling of trepidation upon returning home..."

Cheng Ming tilted his head slightly, his gaze not focused on any one person, but rather through the dusty window of the rehearsal room, looking towards the distant horizon.

The expert-level acting skills unleashed a terrifying destructive power at this moment.

The muscles at the corner of his eye twitched slightly, and his eyes revealed a stubbornness that, despite having experienced countless hardships and been crushed by life, still wanted to stand up.

Lin Yiyi slowly released her hand that was covering her mouth, but her eyes visibly reddened.

The drumstick in Zhao Yufeng's hand fell to the ground with a "clatter" and rolled into a corner.

She was usually carefree and easygoing, like a female Zhang Fei, but at this moment she felt her nose sting with tears.

"Still unavoidable"

"And the sky over Chengdu"

"Still so warm"

"The wind brings back memories of the past..."

The piano accompaniment remained simple, yet it became the perfect backdrop to this desolate song, like a withered tree in the wilderness, lonely yet upright.

Cheng Ming's fingers danced across the piano keys, gradually increasing the intensity.

coming soon.

Gu Xiao took a deep breath, keenly sensing the climax that was about to come.

"When I first encountered this world."

"Lingering in vain"

"The horizon seems so close at hand."

"I'm willing to go through fire and water to experience it."

The voices build up layer by layer, as emotions, which have been building up, seek an outlet.

Cheng Ming suddenly closed his eyes, his brows furrowed, as if he were fighting against some unseen fate.

"Now that I've walked through this world..."

"Lingering in vain"

"Turning the page on different facets of time"

"Your smile appeared out of nowhere..."

The high notes rose abruptly, with a tearing, explosive force, yet landed steadily on everyone's heart. There was no screaming, no showing off, only a deep-seated regret and relief.

This isn't singing; it's stabbing people in the heart!

I was once overwhelmed by the vastness of the world.

"Also indulging in sleep-talking."

"Unable to distinguish truth from falsehood, I will not struggle, nor fear ridicule."

The lyrics are like sharp arrows, accurately striking this group of college students who are in the midst of their youthful confusion.

Who hasn't talked in their sleep? Who hasn't struggled? Who isn't afraid of being laughed at?

Gu Xiao felt that her defenses had completely collapsed.

She had always thought she was rational and indifferent enough, but in this man's singing, she saw the little girl who used to wear blisters on her fingers from practicing the piano and secretly cry in the middle of the night. At that moment, she fell for him...

"I once poured my youth into her."

"I once played out the height of summer with my fingertips."

"Let your heart guide you, and let things take their course..."

The last note slowly dissipated into the air.

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