Chapter 3 Laozi Won't Sell_2

"Xu Xunsheng!" Zhang Tianyao looked very surprised, and he quickly stood in front of Cen Ye, between the two of them. Zhang Tianyao asked, "How did you get here?"

Xu Xunsheng explained why she was there, and the usually silent Cen Ye suddenly interjected, "When I saw her, she was picking up trash one by one from the ground." Both boys laughed, and Xu Xunsheng didn't know what they were laughing at. Zhang Tianyao gave her a thumbs-up, "I'm impressed, you really are a wonder!"

After thinking for a moment, Xu Xunsheng also smiled. Seeing the two big boys still standing before her, she kindly said, "Be careful not to catch a cold." Zhang Tianyao replied, "We won't, you're underestimating us. Taking up this job was Xiaoye's idea to get in shape. Musicians must have good health, especially the lead singer and the lead guitarist, right Xiaoye?"

Cen Ye murmured an "Mhm" in agreement.

Xu Xunsheng was a bit surprised; she had not expected this kid to be thinking so far ahead.

She waved her hand, "Then, see you later." But Zhang Tianyao spoke up again, "Xu Xunsheng, we have a performance at Heika Bar next Wednesday night, do you want to come and watch?"

Xu Xunsheng was taken aback, while Zhang Tianyao looked at her expectantly.

However, Cen Ye chuckled softly and said, "Why are you inviting her? Does she look like someone who likes underground scenes? You're not Beethoven, are you?"

Zhang Tianyao looked somewhat disappointed, but still hopeful, saying, "Come on, you've sponsored us now. Xiaoye, me, Huizi, TanzI, all of us will be there. We're the guest performers, and we get a few free tickets, you can also bring friends..."

In the sunlight, the two boys were unexpectedly met with her giving a slight nod and her eyes curving slightly, glittering as if amused.

"Okay, I'll go," she said, "You don't need to give me tickets, I'll buy my own, to support you guys. After all... I don't just listen to Beethoven."

Cen Ye was taken aback, but Zhang Tianyao burst out laughing, slapping Cen Ye on the head before saying, "Wow, I wasn't wrong, you really are a woman of taste! That day I'll definitely rock the whole place with my guitar!"

Xu Xunsheng slowly walked away, just as leisurely as she had arrived. Only then did the two boys continue with their work. Despite seeming relaxed and carefree while chatting with Xu Xunsheng, moving and unloading all day had left them sore and exhausted. Dragging their bodies like old oxen, they finally finished the remaining tasks. After someone took the equipment away by car, they finally put on their coats, too tired to bother with their sweaters, and sat down beside a flower bed in the square, looking at the river in the distance without caring about the dirt on the ground.

Zhang Tianyao took out a half pack of cigarettes, lit one for himself, and tossed one to Cen Ye. The two puffed away. Then, Zhang Tianyao shifted to a completely different, silent demeanor and, after smoking for a while, asked Cen Ye, "We've finally got a chance to perform at Heika, do you think next week... we can rock it?"

Cen Ye took a deep drag with his slender fingers and said, "Scared of what? When have we not totally killed it on stage?"

Zhang Tianyao laughed heartily, as if dispelling any bit of insecurity he felt. Narrowing his eyes, he said, "I didn't expect Xu Xunsheng would actually come." There was a clear note of delight in his words. Cen Ye glanced at him and said, "You're not falling for her, are you? What the hell? Are you sick or something?"

Zhang Tianyao replied nonchalantly, "Fall for her, my ass, can't I just tease her a bit?"

At 8:30 PM, the two arrived on time at a bar. Although it wasn't as famous as Heika Bar, the pay they offered wasn't bad. Huizi, Zhao Tan, had already arrived. The keyboard player, Zhang Hai, was traditionally late.

Before it was their turn to perform, they sat in the backstage lounge, smoking and chatting. As usual, Cen Ye took out his phone, absorbed in a game. Zhao Tan brought over a cup of herbal tea and placed it next to him, saying, "Have some, it will soothe your throat."

"Hmm..." Cen Ye managed to free a hand to take the tea.

They were all brothers, but only Zhao Tan was his college classmate, as well as the one who followed him from Dongbei to forge a path in Xiangcheng. Although reserved and quiet, he always looked after Cen Ye.

"Damn!" Cen Ye bellowed, rolling his eyes, "I got killed! TanzI, you're not my mom, stop nagging me to drink tea!"

Everyone laughed, and Zhao Tan wasn't offended, responding nonchalantly, "You're the lead singer, if you don't take care of your throat, how can you do us justice?"

Although Cen Ye was still a bit irritated, he fell silent, picked up the tea cup, and downed it in one gulp, with a "bang" as he set it down.

Right at that moment, someone knocked on the door. Zhang Tianyao lazily called out, "Come in."

The girl who entered had dyed yellow hair, wore a pair of cat ears, a short skirt, heavy makeup, and her snow-white long legs were on display. She couldn't have been more than twenty years old, and she was carrying a large guitar case. She peeked in, saw them, and smiled.

The boys all looked at Cen Ye when they saw her. Cen Ye glanced at her, then picked up his phone and continued to play.

"Should we leave the room?" Huizi said with a mischievous intent.

Zhang Tianyao whispered, "Didn't I say he's a chick magnet? Fuck, good looks just have their perks. How long have we debuted, and how many girls have fallen for him already? Shu Yan, do you need us to leave?" He addressed the girl.

Cen Ye, without lifting his head, retorted, "Leave my ass!"

The boys just laughed and waited to watch the drama unfold. Shu Yan was not shy at all; to those around her, her face and eyes seemed to gleam with a light unique to girls smitten with a boy. She greeted each of them openly and then approached Cen Ye.

"Xiaoye," Shu Yan said, "you mentioned last time that you liked this brand of guitar. I begged my dad to buy it. It's a gift for your premiere at Heika Bar next week, for you."

Her eyes and words were full of expectation.

Seeing that Cen Ye was indifferent, she gave a little laugh and opened the case. The boys gathered around, all exclaiming in amazement, "Damn! Shu Yan, you really splurged on this!" Zhang Tianyao then shoved Cen Ye's shoulder, "Xiaoye, why are you still pretending? For a guitar like this, you at least owe her a kiss! And Shu Yan is damn pretty to boot!" His implication was clear, he felt that if Cen Ye accepted Shu Yan, a fling would be perfectly fine.

Only then did Cen Ye lift his head to glance at the guitar, then at Shu Yan, and smiled.

Their band, based in Changsha, had been formed for several months, had played several performances, and had gained a bit of fame, as well as some fans. Shu Yan was one of them; it had probably been about two months. Whenever Chaomu Band had a performance, this girl was almost always there, following them every time. Cen Ye was actually a bit annoyed.

"This guitar must have cost several thousand, right?" Cen Ye asked.

Pride flashed in Shu Yan's eyes. The other boys, seeing Cen Ye's manner, sensed trouble; the guy was being sarcastic and probably angry.

Cen Ye slowly said, "It's so expensive, I couldn't afford it even if I worked for three months. If I accepted it, wouldn't I have to sell myself to you?"

Shu Yan's face flushed slightly: "Xiaoye, don't joke like that. I didn't mean it like that..."

Cen Ye didn't listen, cutting her off: "If not selling myself, then I'd have to sell a kidney, and I'm not willing to do either. I can't accept rewards without merit, so you better take this guitar back. Whoever wants it can have it. I don't take things from a woman for nothing."

After finishing his piece, he leaned back into the sofa and chuckled, "Moreover, right now, I've already got a much better guitar to play."