I really don't want to date a girl addicted to the internet!

The passenger window rolled down, and the woman wearing sunglasses in the driver's seat nodded to Cheng Fei. Cheng Fei nodded back as a greeting.

His name seemed to be Yan Nan, and he was Nagasaki Asuna's manager. This unimportant information flashed through Cheng Fei's mind.

"Well then, goodbye, Cheng Fei." Nagasaki Asuna waved goodbye very politely before opening the car door and getting in.

Cheng Fei stood there alone for a long time before his bus finally arrived.

"Let's go back."

……

That evening, Cheng Fei discovered that he had been added to a WeChat group called "Corridor Research Department and its subordinate Real Band". In addition to him, the members included Shen Xi, Nagasaki Asuna, Lin Xuanqi and Ye Shuang, with Shen Xi as the group owner.

Shen Xi: "If there are no problems, I'd like to perform these three songs at the cultural festival. I think they'll attract a lot of attention. Please take a look, @all members."

There are three links following that.

Asuna Nagasaki: "Cute expression.jpg"

Ye Shuang: "Okay"

Cheng Fei: "Teacher Shen, could you please transfer thirty yuan to me? My VIP membership has expired and I can't listen to it anymore."

Lin Xuanqi: "If you don't have money, just tell me."

This was followed by a 100-yuan red envelope.

Cheng Fei: "Xuanqi, you are my goddess, I love you!"

Lin Hsuan-chi: "Enough is enough."

Cheng Fei: "But I really love you so much, I want to fly to you and see you!"

Lin Xuanqi: "Okay, I'll be right there. There's this chattering guy who's driving me crazy."

Cheng Fei: "After thinking it over calmly, I realize that studying is the most important thing. Xuanqi, keep up the good work. I'll come see you again on Friday."

Lin Xuanqi: "You mean studying is more important than me?"

"—The group chat is now muted for all members; only administrators can speak—"

Shen Xi: "Irrelevant topics are prohibited in this group. Cheng Fei, your basic skills are the worst. Hurry up and prepare. Being a keyboard warrior isn't as simple as you think."

……

Perhaps it's because the cultural festival is about to start, but despite the temperature getting cooler as autumn progresses, the campus of Yinghua is bustling with activity.

Under the cherry blossom tree at the school gate, a couple read their lines aloud with flushed faces. Several blank, huge display boards appeared in the corner of the playground. The sound of broken music drifted from the club activity building. These inconspicuous details, when gathered together, seemed to dispel even the chill in the air.

In the afternoon, Cheng Fei passed by the light music department where the drumbeats were coming from, climbed up to the rooftop, and pushed open the only door.

A cool, aloof girl with long, dark hair sat alone on a steel pipe chair, wearing two high-end-looking white wired earbuds.

"Good afternoon, Teacher Shen." Cheng Fei pushed aside the soft, high-end chair and pulled out a steel pipe chair to sit down opposite Shen Xi.

……

59. Cheng Fei (crossed out) is a very strong keyboardist.

Shen Xi saw Cheng Fei sitting in the steel pipe chair, and the corners of her mouth turned up almost imperceptibly.

After a while, she took off her headphones and said expressionlessly, "What are you doing?"

"Studying." The boy, whose study area was already set up, was focused on his studies.

Where are your things?

"what?"

"keyboard."

"piano?"

The girl paused for a moment, then said, "I asked you to prepare yesterday, have you prepared?"

"Although I was asked to prepare, there's really nothing to prepare," Cheng Fei said, scratching his head with his pen. "Sigh, this question is way too easy..."

"As expected, I shouldn't have had any hope for you." Shen Xi rubbed her forehead, her tone becoming annoyed.

Cheng Fei's expression hardened as he put down his pen. "Teacher Shen, I'm sorry. My attitude was problematic just now. Please advise me."

"You don't actually think that a keyboardist just goes on stage and plays the piano from sheet music, do you?" the girl asked coldly.

Cheng Fei thought for a moment, "Isn't that right? Isn't a keyboardist the one who plays the piano in a band? Although the piano is very difficult, don't worry, I'm surprisingly talented in this area, and I definitely won't let Teacher Shen down. Or should I buy an electronic keyboard? Right, it seems like a lot of performances use electronic keyboards, is it because they're convenient..."

The more the boy spoke, the colder Shen Xi's gaze became, as if she were standing atop a snow-covered mountain looking down at him.

"It was my arrogance and ignorance that dared to despise the profound hall of music. In the end, I don't understand anything. Teacher Shen, you are the goddess of wisdom. Please enlighten me with your supreme mercy." Cheng Fei lowered his head sincerely.

"I've never seen anyone as ignorant and shameless as you." The girl squinted her eyes with disgust, then sighed, "Fine, come here."

"what?"

"Don't understand? Sit next to me."

"Ok."

Cheng Fei moved the steel pipe chair over and sat down next to the girl. Because they were so close, he could smell the faint fragrance emanating from her slender neck.

Shen Xi handed an earplug to Cheng Fei, "Put it on."

Cheng Fei took the item from her hand, their fingertips inevitably touching.

As Cheng Fei put on his earplugs, he said, "Teacher Shen, your hands are so cold. Are you alright?"

She was so cold she looked like she was made of ice, and her snow-white skin made her even more like an ice queen.

"I've always been like this, stop talking nonsense." Shen Xi put on another earplug without expression.

"Tell me what instruments are in it after you listen," the girl said, then pressed the play button on her phone.

"I'll try my best." Cheng Fei nodded, his gaze unconsciously lingering on her beautiful profile before sliding down to her most intimate area. The black over-the-knee stockings were quite tight where they met her skin, and Cheng Fei wondered if red marks would be left there at the end of the day.

Cute girls work very hard, so we should cherish them. Of course, the same goes for those who aren't naturally cute.

Cheng Fei realized that he had developed a considerable degree of empathy, proving himself to be a true realist.

The music ended a little over three minutes later.

"Teacher Shen, there are some parts I'm still not quite sure about, so I'd like to listen to it again."

"Do you want to hear or see?" The girl pressed one hand on the hem of her skirt, her eyes as fierce as those of a legendary ice queen.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Shen, I don't want to listen anymore."

Shen Xi took a deep breath, as if suppressing her anger, and said, "Tell me the instrument you heard."

"First of all, there must be a drum set, right?" Cheng Fei took advantage of the distance to observe the girl's expression and found that her beautiful face could be described as flawless, except for her intimidating expression.

“There are also electric guitars and pianos, those two are quite obvious.” He said as he thought, “There are also some that I can’t quite put my finger on, they’re probably not traditional instruments, maybe computer-generated sound effects? Pop music is really complicated.”

Shen Xi stared at him coldly, "There's obviously also bass."

Cheng Fei was taken aback. "Really? Which place?"

“It’s available in most places.” The girl sighed again.

"Really?" Cheng Fei exclaimed in surprise. "Even I, with perfect pitch, couldn't hear it."

"Don't think that perfect pitch is some kind of magic bullet." Shen Xi looked at him with an expression that said, "You're hopeless." "Never mind, the bass is in the low register, it's normal for an amateur like you not to notice it."

"I see. It seems the bass is a very discreet instrument." Cheng Fei thought of Nagasaki Asuna and guessed that her instrument, like herself, had the ability to remain hidden.

"As for the computer-synthesized sound effects that you mentioned are not from traditional musical instruments," Shen Xi glanced at him, "they were all handled by the keyboardist."

"Why do keyboardists have to endure so much?" Cheng Fei was dumbfounded.

“There’s no reason why, that’s just how keyboardists are.” Shen Xi said expressionlessly. “I’m reminding you, the instruments that keyboardists in pop bands usually play are not traditional pianos, but electronic keyboards, synthesizers, or arranger keyboards.”

The girl paused for a moment, then continued, "The special feature of these keyboards is that they can produce sounds other than piano, including drums, guitar, bass, and so on. Then, with the addition of electronic synthesis effects, theoretically, a skilled keyboardist can single-handedly rival an entire band."

"Huh?" Cheng Fei was shocked. "I'm that strong?"

"You're the stronger one?"

"Okay, keyboardists are that good?"

Shen Xi crossed her arms in front of her chest and said, "So on the other hand, it also requires keyboardists to have solid basic playing skills, rich music theory knowledge, familiarity with the timbre of various instruments, certain improvisational ability, and skillful use of various techniques to support the band's performance."

"Teacher Shen."

"what?"

"Why don't you be the keyboardist? I'll go learn guitar right away."

“If you’re confident you can perform on stage within a month, I have no objection.” Shen Xi raised her chin.

Cheng Fei hesitated for a moment, then said, "Never mind, I'll just play with the keyboard."

Although playing the keyboard sounds very difficult, at least the keyboard provides a proficiency bonus for eighth notes. Cheng Fei couldn't guarantee how well he would play it on the guitar.

"Teacher Shen, are the keyboard parts of those three songs you chose difficult?"

"We already took your lack of ability into account, so none of it is difficult."

"Teacher Shen, you're so kind." Cheng Fei thought for a moment, "Speaking of which, does that mean I have to buy an electronic keyboard?"

"Any keyboard with plenty of features will do."

"Okay, how much will it cost?"

"Considering the performance quality, I suggest you buy at least a mid-range one costing a few thousand."

"Oh, it's so expensive. Can I get reimbursed for it?"

Why should I reimburse you for your belongings?

"How can you call it my stuff? I was born a member of the gang and I will die a member of the gang. My stuff is gang property."

"Then your money also belongs to the gang."

"But you know my family situation."

Shen Xi seemed to have thought of something, and suddenly sneered, "Isn't your girlfriend very rich? Just ask her to reimburse you."

"Teacher Shen, can you smell anything?"

"What's that smell?" The girl frowned, her small nostrils twitching.

"The smell of vinegar."

Shen Xi's face turned extremely cold. "Stay away from me."

"Yes." Cheng Fei obediently moved the steel pipe chair back to its original position, then took out his phone and sent a WeChat message to Lin Xuanqi.

"Xuanqi, transfer me 100,000 yuan."

"?"

I want to buy an electronic keyboard.

"roll"

……

60. Ye Shuang is a numerical monster.

Not long after Cheng Fei and Shen Xi finished their conversation, the door to the club activity room was pushed open.

Nagasaki Asuna walked in, carrying a long black bag.

"Good afternoon." The girl with short brown hair gave a signature gentle smile.

Shen Xi acted as if she couldn't see her, burying herself in her own work.

"Nana, what are you carrying on your back?" Cheng Fei asked curiously.