7 SFORZANDO

Sforzando: a dynamic instruction that requires players to play a note abruptly and loudly. The emphasis put on a sforzando note is usually more than an accent.

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His thick brows furrowed slightly at the sight in front of him. It was the lunch break, and he was dragged by Fang Xing to accompany the latter to the canteen.

But, their steps halted when they reached the neighbor's classroom. In front of the classroom's door, ten to thirteen students were peeking at the classroom.

Fang Xing also sensed the strange atmosphere, and he quietly dragged Yang Liu's arm to get closer to the group of students. The taller boy didn't have any other choice than to comply with his friend's wish.

"Hey, guys. What's happening in your classroom?" The tan-skinned young man asked the students that were still standing in front of the opened door.

The students turned their heads to Fang Xing, and one of them answered, "It's Yuan Boqin. He's cornered by Shenshi's members."

That answer seemed to increase Fang Xing's curiosity. He silently pushed the crowds apart and walked between them to the front. Of course, his right hand was still gripping Yang Liu's arm, making the latter followed him despite his unwillingness. Yang Liu could only roll his eyes in annoyance but didn't bother to protest.

The two newcomers then reached the front line and could directly witness the scene in the classroom. It looked like the student earlier didn't lie to Fang Xing. The classroom's atmosphere was so tense.

Seeing the tense atmosphere, Fang Xing couldn't help but chuckle. "Shenshi is so desperate now. If there's any student who dared to report them, they would be in trouble."

Yang Liu's expression remained the same. He just quietly looked at the crime scene with his cold expression. There were six students in the classroom. One student was sitting timidly on his seat, while four students surrounding him like a pack of wolves surrounding a weak lamb. Other than them, another student was sitting quietly on a chair not so far from them. The student seemed to silently observe the scene before him without wanting to join the 'party.'

Yang Liu stared at the boy for a moment before sighing and turned to Fang Xing beside him. "You are full just by watching them, aren't you? I should go to the music studio because you're no longer want to go to the canteen, right?" He asked, and without waiting for Fang Xing's response, he brushed off the latter's hand and left the scene.

Fang Xing was stunned for a moment, but he then started running to catch up with his friend. The other students just shook their heads and started to disperse from that place as well.

Fang Xing actually still wanted to observe his boyfriend from afar, but his cold friend ruined his golden opportunity.

Meanwhile, in the classroom, six students didn't seem to care about the other students who peeked at them not so silently. Well, of course, they could hear what they were talking about, but they didn't care much.

"We want you to commit, Yuan Boqin!" Ren Weisheng spoke up abruptly and loudly. His arms crossed neatly in front of his chest, his face was so fierce, intimidating the black-haired boy in front of him.

If you think it was a bullying case at school, then you were mistaken. They weren't bullying the weak at school, they were just demanding a commitment from Yuan Boqin. But yeah, people probably would misunderstand the scene as bullying because the atmosphere was so tense and dangerous at the moment. Fang Xing was right, if any students dared to report them to the teacher, they would be in trouble. But, they still had to do that despite being too risky. You cannot catch tiger cubs without entering the tiger's lair[1].

Just imagine it. Yuan Boqin was a pure-looking student with a modest appearance. His face was quite attractive with his small face and his thin body. Don't compare Yuan Boqin's body with Ren Weisheng's body. The difference wasn't so extreme like Asterix and Obelix, but there was much difference with their postures.

Yuan Boqin was quite attractive, but he seemed to not care much about his appearance. Just look at his messy black hair that was not styled at all, and also look at his thin mustache above his thin lips. He did not care much about his look.

"What commitment? I'm not a permanent member of your band. I'm just an additional member, so there's no need to commit," the black-haired refuted bravely despite his timid appearance. He didn't feel intimidated in the slightest by the aura emitted by the four Shenshi members.

Yes, only Shenshi, because now Zhou Yongliang was only sitting calmly on one of the chairs, became a spectator when Shenshi urged Yuan Boqin. He didn't want to interfere because it was none of his business.

It had been a week he became a student in the school, and in that one week, he was getting closer to Shenshi's members and was always be with them in any situation, including the current situation when they were asking for a commitment from the keyboardist.

He was not a Shenshi member, but he supported Shenshi with all his heart and he called himself number one Shenshi's fan. It was no wonder since Shenshi's members were so nice and so kind toward him. They were getting along well and became close friends in no time. They were like the pieces of a puzzle that just clicked perfectly after their first meet.

"We understand, but next week we have to perform at the school festival. We need a keyboardist, but during this week you haven't even been practicing with us." Chen Guangli joined Ren Weisheng to press the poor boy. His tone was flat, his expression was as cold as the ice.

It was clear that this Chen Guangli was a tsundere at times like this. Arrogant, cold, and heartless. Those were the characters he was trying to show in front of Yuan Boqin, in stark contrast to what he always showed in front of Zhou Yongliang. The reason was unclear, but he seemed so comfortable when he was with the new student.

"In a month I also have to take part in the national basketball competition. I also have to prepare with my team. From the start, I have told you guys that I will still prioritize basketball over music. You should know that."

There was invisible steam rising from Ren Weisheng's caramel head. It was bad, the short man started to lost his temper. Zhou Yongliang who had been the spectator also started feeling the tension and now showed a nervous expression.

But, before Ren Weisheng exploded, Zhong Hai pulled his arm back, and now it was his turn to speak. "We understand, Yuan Boqin." He then patiently explained the situation, "We just want your commitment until the school festival. After the festival is over, you are free to leave us. The Principal himself appointed us to perform at the event, so we want to put our best. At the very least, promise me that you will come on the D-Day."

Fortunately, Zhong Hai's soft voice could reduce the tension between the hot-headed Ren Weisheng and the stubborn Yuan Boqin. Zhong Hai was indeed the most normal and the most reliable of them all.

"The school festival is next week, huh? But, next week the basketball team has a trial match in Hebei. I can't miss that."

"Just a trial match, right? Just drop it! Think of it as the last time you join us!" Ren Weisheng was on fire again to force Yuan Boqin. The short boy with the adorable face had no other choice but to keep pushing Yuan Boqin to the edge of the cliff, scared him until he finally gave in and reached out to grab his hand.

"I'm not sure about that. I can't promise you anything."

That answer finally came out of Yuan Boqin's mouth. A disappointing answer for the four people who had forced him to commit.

Chen Guangli actually still wanted to argue, still wanted to insist until Yuan Boqin was willing to say "yes," but Ren Weisheng tugged at his wrist first. "Forget it. Let's go," he spoke up again in a cold tone.

They were all about to leave Yuan Boqin's class, but suddenly Ren Weisheng stopped and turned to stare at Yuan Boqin sharply. "We don't give you a choice, Yuan Boqin. You have to come next week. Otherwise, I will chop off your little head, turn it into a basketball, and give it to your basketball team as a present."

Oh, what a terrible threat! Ren Weisheng's face didn't seem to get angry, but his threat was enough to make people shudder. Moreover, Ren Weisheng wore a flat and cold expression like a psychopath while voicing his threat. His four friends shuddered at the ultimatum that had just come out of his thin lips. Was he serious?

Shenshi plus Zhou Yongliang finally left Yuan Boqin's classroom in silence. They walked to the canteen to fill their empty stomach since the lunch break was not over yet. Their hearts were still so heavy, but their stomachs were heavier now.

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Footnote:

[1] You cannot catch tiger cubs without entering the tiger's lair: from Chinese proverb "Bù rù hǔxué, yān dé hǔ zi" that means "No pain, no gain."