ENSEMBLE

Ensemble: several performers playing together

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"The new kid managed to grab the attention of three Shenshi[1] members, so they won't be taking over the music studio this lunch break."

Fang Xing and Yang Liu took a leisurely walk leaving their classroom. The two of them could take a stroll after they had walked quietly so that Ren Weisheng, Chen Guangli, and Huang Bo would not notice them when they were about to leave the classroom.

Every day was always like that. Fang Xing and Yang Liu would race with the two dwarves plus one giant baby to fight over an exclusive music studio in their school.

In their school, there was a music club with a total of 27 students as the member. It was a science school, so not many students were interested in music. From that number, 8 students focused to be solo singers and also instrumentalists, meanwhile, the rest 19 students formed 4 band groups. Of the 4 groups, 2 groups were committed to regularly practicing in the studio and appearing in various events both at school and outside of school. The 2 groups were Shenshi and THE PRODIGY.

Shenshi had four members in four different positions: Zhong Hai (vocal and guitar), Ren Weisheng (drums and leader), Huang Bo (bass), and Chen Guangli (guitar). Meanwhile, THE PRODIGY had five members: Shao Dingxiang (vocal and leader), Samuel Wen (drums), Fang Xing (bass), Guo Yanlin (guitar), and Yang Liu (keyboard).

As the 2 most popular groups in school, the 2 groups were often involved in a competition that sometimes could not be said to be healthy for the last six months since they were officially formed. During that period of half a year, they participated in several student-to-student band competitions and were involved in fierce competitions—even though they both never won the crown.

Even when they were off stage, they were still competing, especially competing for the music studio at school as a place to practice during the lunch break just like today.

So, it was no wonder that today, Fang Xing was very grateful to the new kid who managed to seize the attention of three Shenshi members. There was still Zhong Hai in the group, but the second-year student was too calm and easy to give in, unlike the other three friends who were used to persistently getting what they want.

"Don't you agree with me that the new kid is very interesting, Yang Liu? I don't know why, but I feel a different aura from him."

Yang Liu did not respond to Fang Xing's words. His long footsteps continued to stomp the floor without caring about his friend who kept on babbling beside him.

"Hi, Yang Liu. Am I talking to a statue? There's no point in you having a mouth if it's rarely used!"

"Disaster from mouth exits[2]."

Fang Xing immediately lost his steps due to Yang Liu's rushing attack, feeling that everything he said had no meaning at all to the latter. Talking to the wall was better than talking to a walking statue like Yang Liu. He wanted to sew up his friend's thick lips so they wouldn't be able to produce 'disaster' forever. Yeah, that would be better.

"Never mind, forget it. We'd better focus on preparing our band for the school festival in two weeks. We haven't even decided what song we want to perform. Have you called the others to let them know that we're going to practice this lunch break?"

"I'm a keyboardist, not a PR."

Fang Xing could only pat his chest, asking himself not to get carried away with anger when faced with the indifferent Yang Liu. It was normal for him to get that kind of response, but still, he was often almost consumed by his anger.

Meanwhile, at the same time but in a different place, Ren Weisheng, Chen Guangli, Huang Bo, and Zhou Yongliang were still busy chatting in class. The four boys whose ages ranged from seventeen seemed reluctant to leave their question-and-answer session. Questions that demanded answers were continually voiced by the first three names. Demanding Zhou Yongliang for a satisfactory answer.

They asked questions about villager life, they asked what were the routines that villagers usually do, what facilities were available there, to what foods villagers usually ate. Those questions sounded so insignificant, but the townspeople didn't know all those things. They were too busy with the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life.

"Maybe sometime I can take you guys to the village so that you can experience life in the village. Sounds good, right?"

Zhou Yongliang's offer made his new friends high as a kite. Ren Weisheng had even held Zhou Yongliang's hand tightly because he was too enthusiastic. The chubby-cheeked guy was unpredictable, the way he vented his emotion was always weird.

"Here you are! I have been waiting for you guys for ages!"

The screeching sound from the direction of the door caused four heads to turn, finding a man of short stature—but still taller in comparison to Ren Weisheng and Chen Guangli, standing in the doorway. From his expression, the young man seemed displeased.

"I was beaten up by THE PRODIGY in the studio, but you guys are even having fun chatting here!"

The student entered the classroom with an annoyed expression. Sensing that something was wrong, Ren Weisheng, Chen Guangli, and Huang Bo suddenly stood up.

"Zhong Hai gege! I forgot that today we promised to practice together!" Ren Weisheng gave a loud squeak as soon as he realized his mistake.

The young guy named Zhong Hai only let out a tired sigh. "I've been waiting for you in the studio for a long time. I waited for a long time, but the ones who came were Fang Xing and Yang Liu. After that, Shao Dingxiang, Guo Yanlin, and Samuel Wen also came in. They kicked me out, Ren Weisheng!"

Zhong Hai was also a member of Shenshi. He was a year older than them and currently in his second year in school. He was usually very calm and patient, but just now he suddenly raised his tone. That was natural, though. He was in a pressed condition alone in the music studio before he barged into the classroom just now. As if he was a herbivore surrounded by a herd of carnivores. A bad experience, so now he wanted to vent his anger.

"We are sorry, ge[3]. We were so busy chatting that we lost track of time," Chen Guangli apologized with a sad face so that his senior would feel sorry for him and stop getting angry.

Zhong Hai didn't mean to get angry, he was just annoyed. The black-haired youth's eyes suddenly narrowed towards Zhou Yongliang, who had been sitting quietly in his chair. "Who is he?" He asked as his index finger pointed at the new student.

"Oh, he's my new didi. His name is Zhou Yongliang," Ren Weisheng introduced Zhou Yongliang to Zhong Hai, but the latter furrowed his brows in confusion.

"New didi? What does that mean? He's wearing the same uniform as us. He's also a student at our school, right?"

This time, Chen Guangli nodded. "Yes, ge. He's a new student in our class. He's the same age as us too, but because he's so adorable, Ren Weisheng adopted him as a didi. Isn't that funny, ge?"

"You guys are nonsense." Zhong Hai shook his head seeing his juniors' childish behavior. "But, we should focus on preparing for our performance at the school festival in two weeks. Especially you, Ren Weisheng. You are the leader of our band."

"Are you guys in the band?" Zhou Yongliang, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke up.

This time, Chen Guangli turned to the new student and answered, "Yes. Our band is called Shenshi. Why? Want to join?"

"Um, I don't think so. That name sounds weird. Why did you guys choose that name? Why didn't choose some English name to make it sound cool?"

Oh, those words coming out from Zhou Yongliang's mouth seemed to have hurt Ren Weisheng's pride. He was the one who chose Shenshi as their band's name. What was wrong with that name, though? A gentleman could play music too!

But, it seemed that Ren Weisheng once again could tolerate the new student's bluntness and could only sigh without refuting. He started to understand Zhou Yongliang's character that was blunt and honest.

"You better see us play before judging our name. Do you know that we're better than Maroon 5?"

Ren Weisheng's question made Zhou Yongliang's eyes widened in surprise, but then he laughed heartily. "Is that true? Then, wouldn't it be better to name your band Maroon 4? That sounds better. Or maybe Macaron 4? That sounds cuter."

The four people in the classroom were dumbfounded hearing the question, but that was not too long because they then laughed loudly, echoing in the empty classroom.

"You guys are right, this Zhou Yongliang is adorable. I don't mind if he joins Shenshi."

Ren Weisheng, Chen Guangli, and Huang Bo nodded excitedly at Zhong Hai's statement.

"I agree! Besides, we actually need one more member. We need a keyboardist to complete our formation," Huang Bo suddenly spoke up.

"Xiao Bo is right, we need a keyboardist for the festival." Ren Weisheng nodded in agreement. "So, what do you say? Will you join our band?"

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Footnote:

[1] Shēnshì: a gentleman.

[2] Disaster from mouth exits: from Chinese sayings "Huò cóng kǒu chū" that means "Disaster comes from the careless talk"

[3] Ge: a short form of Gege