eleven
"Eleven".
Suddenly, a sentence appeared.
"What?" Zhu Shiyi scratched his ear.
Did something just crawl through?
Cody suddenly burst out laughing and pointed at Pan Yue.
Pan Yue lowered his head and smiled.
Zhu Shiyi and Billy both looked puzzled.
What the heck?
“Eleven,” Cody said, his eyes crinkling, “is the perfect time.”
Zhu Shiyi finally realized what was happening.
...That's a really lame joke.
Hahaha! That's absolutely hilarious!
Should I ask her to clap her hands?
"Why are you calling me by my online name?" The old man's mind works pretty fast.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Billy agreed.
Zhu Shiyi inexplicably became rebellious: "Phonetic puns still depend on the Chinese context."
"Chinese culture is profound and extensive. In my opinion, it should just be called 'Eleven'."
"Whatever." Pan Yue blinked and smiled.
Cody got down to business: "Shall we do a sound check? You have a few songs with mediocre keyboard playing, but playing the original instrumental version directly is irresponsible to customers who paid to listen to the live performance."
"So try it now. If it doesn't work, you might need to change the song."
Zhu Shiyi: "I'm fine with anything."
“There will be a lighting technician at night, so don’t worry too much about the lighting changes when you go on stage,” Billy added.
Zhu Shiyi gave an OK sign: "Okay, which song should we try now?"
“Let me see,” Cody said, looking down at his iPad. “I remember only two or three songs, one of which is…”
"One is 'Too Clever'."
My mind went blank for a moment.
The starting point of fate.
This marked the beginning of her singing in front of everyone once again.
Isn't this also a kind of destiny between her and this song?
I tried a song first.
Billy and Cozy also devised a solution. They prepared a new arrangement scheme, and after trying it, it was indeed more suitable than the sheet music online. It also sounded quite cheerful.
“It feels pretty good,” Cozy clapped his hands gentlemanly. “The next song also has a new arrangement, want to give it a try?”
Zhu Shiyi nodded.
The prelude is slow and gentle.
It's an R&B style arrangement.
The keyboard makes electronic sounds, ticking and clattering.
Romantic and mysterious.
Immerse yourself in the music, close your eyes, and begin to sing.
He unconsciously frowned.
Zhu Shiyi opened his eyes.
The arrangement features a gentle blues style, with staccato notes added to the transitions between beats.
Continuous and cheerful.
The second verse introduces drum beats.
The song unfolds naturally, with a heavy, slow, and somewhat dull rhythm.
She is gentle.
But it lost its authenticity.
Zhu Shiyi patiently finished singing.
"Add a dot to the end of the note," Cozy said, turning his wrist a few times with his hand, subtly raising an eyebrow. "A trill? A vibrato?"
Billy frowned: "Change the air vents? It would have a more bluesy feel."
Zhu Shiyi opened his mouth and tried to say something.
...She felt like she was making the honking sound of a goose.
"I'm sorry," Zhu Shiyi said, feeling a little bad. "I'm not good enough to sing the vibrato well."
Cozy provided an example.
"I'm not a good singer, just listen to the noise."
"What's the feeling like? Find the right breathing point and add a bit of staccato."
Zhu Shiyi took a deep breath, changed his breathing pattern, and deliberately slowed down his rhythm by half a beat.
"I can guess what's in your heart." He had to quicken his pace.
“‘Guess’ that word, jump around a bit more.” Cozy jumped her fingers.
Zhu Shiyi did as instructed, adding a slight breathy sound to the end of his pronunciation.
“Great,” Cozy affirmed. “Keep this feeling and try again.”
Zhu Shiyi calmed his thoughts and sang again.
The music ended.
Billy laughed and said, "You have a lot of talent. This way of singing is very trendy. Live performances with more elements are more attractive."
Zhu Shiyi nodded reluctantly.
After trying out another song, Zhu Shiyi stepped off the stage.
There were only a few of them in the shop.
Pan Yue was on the side of the stage, holding a computer, as if he was working.
She silently walked over and sat down opposite Pan Yue.
Pan Yue seemed to glance at her, but didn't say anything.
Zhu Shiyi remained silent and did not disturb his work.
The new arrangement was very interesting, and she sang it quite well.
But she just didn't like it.
"Something on your mind?"
Looking in the direction of the sound, Pan Yue's eyes remained expressionless.
Like a distant lake in my heart.
It was clearly a statement of concern.
Zhu Shiyi pursed his lips.
They might not be familiar with each other, because he always remained indifferent.
But in Qincheng, he's quite talkative.
"...It's nothing." Zhu Shiyi had no solution, so she simply didn't bring it up.
Pan Yue moved the computer away and leaned forward slightly: "So it is?"
A rising tone at the end of a syllable indicates an inquiry.
His gaze was directed to the side, but it didn't convey any suspicion.
“…Hmm.” Zhu Shiyi said in a muffled voice.
The song "Too Clever" is like a sensitive young girl who is firm and persistent in her feelings, yet remains quiet.
She peeled back her heart little by little, probing it step by step.
Her emotions were full of pretentiousness, entanglement, and speculation, yet they were sincere, genuine, and pure.
"A sound check," Pan Yue frowned slightly, "not comfortable?"
Zhu Shiyi nodded: "It differs from my understanding of this song."
Pan Yue placed his hands on the table, folded over each other, and said, "Tell me about it."
The original accompaniment is very simple, just a guitar.
Yet it doesn't feel monotonous.
She has her own endearing qualities.
The young girl's thoughts were subtle, yet her actions were skillful and tactful.
It was she who was speaking.
Even if it's very light.
The redesign, however, is like a God's-eye view.
It is a lyrical expression from a third-person perspective.
Zhu Shiyi bit her lip, carefully choosing her words: "I think the new arrangement is too elaborate."
She glanced discreetly at the stage; Cozy and Billy were probably working on the sheet music and weren't looking this way.
She lowered her voice and emphasized, "Of course, this is just my personal opinion."
Pan Yue lowered his eyes and then looked up: "Is the accompaniment from Qin Cheng the one you wanted?"
He realized he was referring to the lead singer in sunglasses.
"That time it was the original accompaniment."
"Guitar?"
"Yes," Zhu Shiyi said tentatively, "Do you have it?"
"No."
"......"
Zhu Shiyi sighed, "Never mind."
"Old Pan!"
She looked up.
He was dressed in gray clothes and yellow boots.
It looks like we're really going camping.
Overlapping with faces from memory.
"Brother Chang." Zhu Shiyi's eyes widened slightly.
“Shiyi,” Lin Changren grinned, revealing a hearty laugh, “I really didn’t expect to meet you in Jinrong.”
"What a coincidence." Zhu Shiyi then noticed what he was carrying on his back.
"A guitar!" Zhu Shiyi exclaimed with delight, extending her finger. "Can I borrow it for a moment?"
Lin Changren glanced to the side: "It's not mine."
Suddenly someone appeared from behind.
“Hello, my name is Yu Fan,” the man said, extending his hand to her. “I’m another singer tonight.”
Zhu Shiyi stepped forward and shook hands: "Hello, my name is Zhu Shiyi, it's nice to meet you."
He couldn't help but be captivated by her stunning face.
Yu Fan has large facial features, with a nose bridge that is straight and sharp, and a beauty mark at the corner of his eye.
She was very tall, wearing a one-shoulder top and a bodycon skirt, paired with over-the-knee boots. The belt cinched her waist, making her look extremely slim and highlighting her curves.
She is both heroic and sexy.
High-class, mature woman.
Zhu Shiyi withdrew her hand and rubbed her fingertips.
My mouth is watering.
She couldn't help but steal a few more glances at Yu Fan, suppressing the smile on her lips.
Zhu Shiyi, stay calm and cheer up!
Don't laugh so evilly.
Yu Fan chuckled softly, "You're so cute."
Zhu Shiyi dropped the pretense: "Really!"
Yu Fan's voice was captivating: "Really."
Zhu Shiyi immediately responded with a smile that made her eyes sparkle: "You're so beautiful."
Yu Fan lowered his eyes and smiled, then reached out and gently squeezed it.
The softness of her face was alluring, and Zhu Shiyi's face inexplicably flushed as she pursed her lips.
He secretly rejoiced.
"Do you want to borrow my guitar?" Yu Fan asked gently.
Zhu Shiyi, recalling the important matter, replied, "Mmm!"
Lin Changren took the guitar off his seat, and Yu Fan took it from him: "No problem. Are you going to play and sing by yourself tonight? Did you forget to bring it?"
“No,” Zhu Shiyi frowned slightly, “I just had a song that came up on the spot, and I wanted to try playing it on the guitar.”
Yu Fan opened the guitar case and handed the guitar to her.
"Why did you all come together?" Pan Yue asked Lin Changren.
"Mr. Lin happened to live near my house and brought it over for me on his way," Yu Fan explained.
“Yes,” Lin Changren echoed.
Pan Yue glanced at Lin Changren meaningfully.
Lin Changren slightly raised his eyebrows.
"Thank you!" Zhu Shiyi took the guitar, sat down, and placed it on her lap, her movements gentle and careful.
I'm glad I bit my nails out of boredom a few days ago.
Long fingernails are inconvenient for the left hand, which plays guitar and presses chords.
Zhu Shiyi found the guitar tabs, put his phone on the table, hugged the guitar, and leaned forward.
The phone screen is too small; the sheet music is hard to see.
"Is this it?" The large computer screen suddenly appeared in front of me.
Zhu Shiyi played a few sections of the tablature.
"This is the original song," Zhu Shiyi's eyes lit up. "Thank you!"
Pan Yue pushed the computer forward.
The notes flowed, leaped smoothly, and flowed continuously...
It made a muffled sound.
“The thumb of a barre chord should be placed vertically,” Yu Fan gently touched his hand and straightened the finger. “You need to use a skillful touch. If you use brute force, the thumb will easily bend and it will be difficult to change chords.”
Zhu Shiyi's ears burned: "It's been too long since I played it."
If you don't press the barre all the way down, the string sound won't be crisp and bright.
I practiced horizontal pressing for a few more minutes to regain my feel for it.
Let's start from the beginning.
Barre chords still sound a bit dull, but fortunately the chord transitions are smooth.
Zhu Shiyi sang softly.
Her tone was crisper and brighter than a guitar.
I can guess what's in your heart.
Forget the skills you've learned.
Elegant and clean;
Lively, sincere.
It is refreshing and pleasant.
The evening light shone through the lens.
Pan Yue's eyes flickered.
The music ended.
Yu Fan was generous with his praise.
Cozy and Billy also noticed this.
“The original arrangement suits you best,” Billy said.
"Do you want to play and sing yourself?" Cozy asked.
Zhu Shiyi nodded.
Cozy's gaze shifted to Pan Yue.
"You can decide on professional matters," Pan Yue said, lowering his head slightly and lifting his eyes.
She met his eyes.
"I'll practice more and try to avoid any problems."
She then changed her tune: "There's definitely no problem. I play this song often at home."
Pan Yue hummed in agreement, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I believe you."
"Your voice is very distinctive; you're a natural talent," Yu Fan praised.
Zhu Shiyi's heart was bursting with joy: "Thank you, sister. My voice is too monotonous, and I can't sing many types of songs."
“It’s alright, as long as you enjoy singing,” Yu Fan said with a smile. “President Lin told me about you guys on the way here. It’s really fate.”
"yes."
After a few casual words, Zhu Shiyi continued practicing his guitar.
A moment later, it was dinner time.
The waiter brought out plates of delicious food.
hash browns, steak, pasta.
The table is a round table.
To Zhu Shiyi’s left was Yu Fan, and to his right was Pan Yue.
"Is it free?" Yu Fan asked, forking a hash brown. "Is it part of the staff meal?"
"It was Mr. Lin who invited us, so he had to treat us," Cozy joked.
"The staff meal is so good today." Billy ate heartily.
“To celebrate the birthday of our motherland,” Lin Changren continued, picking up his juice. “You’ve all worked hard, let’s have a drink.”
Zhu Shiyi wiped his mouth, grabbed the cup with both hands, and raised it towards the center.
"cheers!"
The rim of the cup on the right tilted slightly towards her.
“They even include a meal,” Zhu Shiyi said, forking a piece of steak. “I thought I could just drink some alcohol to stave off hunger.”
"Aren't you afraid of stomach aches?" Yu Fan chuckled lightly.
“MEETING is a restaurant and bar,” Pan Yue explained.
Customers, mostly sophisticated urban men and women, gradually entered the restaurant to have dinner.
They ate and drank their fill.
"Get ready, we're going on stage soon," Cozy reminded her.
Zhu Shiyi checked the time; he had fifteen minutes left before going on stage.
She pulled out a mirror and lipstick to touch up her makeup.
“This one will be better,” Yu Fan suddenly handed over a lipstick. “You need to wear heavier makeup for the stage. This shade is too light, unless you’re going for a Western-style makeup look.”
"Also, if you're going to take photos, I recommend applying matte lip gloss. Mirror-finish lip gloss doesn't look as sophisticated in photos as matte lip gloss."
Zhu Shiyi thanked him, saying, "But I don't look good on camera."
“That’s the photographer’s fault,” Yu Fan said with a smile. “If you don’t believe me, I’ll take some photos for you later, and I guarantee they’ll turn out great.”
Zhu Shiyi was extremely excited: "Okay, I'll give it a try!"
Pan Yue handed over two tissues.
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