Chapter 12 She Doesn't Look at Me (Part 1)

In recent years, domestic television stations and video websites have organized quite a few music talent competitions. The effect is very obvious, as they have made a lot of people famous. Conversely, traditional singers who debut by releasing records find it harder to gain fame. After all, music has died; entertainment reigns supreme.

True, most of the singers emerging from talent shows are flashes in the pan, shining only for one summer before fading into obscurity. Only a very few stay on to become stars. But for most young people with dreams, even if they are but fleeting flowers and shooting stars, a brief moment of brilliance is more worthwhile than never having striven for their dreams at all, never having shone. Besides, there is also a chance to shoot to universal fame in one go.

So the people flock to audition for these competitions, one after another.

This time, Shuangma Video Site organized the "Super Band" competition, which is divided into three stages—

First, national auditions held in nearly twenty large and medium-sized cities;

Second, the top ten from each region are decided, with the top two advancing to the national finals;

Third, the national finals are recorded for a variety show and streamed online, determining the top ten of the year and the overall champion. And for the winners, awaits a contract with a top domestic music company, tour concerts, and record recording.

This will also be the largest and most influential band competition in the country. In just half a month, more than fifty bands signed up in and around Xiangcheng alone.

The weather was surprisingly nice this morning. The clear sunshine, filtering through thin clouds, shone into Xu Xunsheng's yard. The garden gate was wide open, and an old pickup truck was parked at the door, with boys moving stuff in and out.

Xu Xunsheng wore a red down jacket and a thick cotton skirt, originally looking like a Chinese-style lady from a picture book in the boys' eyes. But she wore a thick woolly hat and wrapped an even thicker scarf several times around her face, revealing only her eyes. So every boy carrying an instrument past her wanted to laugh, finding her adorable.

Zhang Hai's gaze made Xu Xunsheng uncomfortable. He had only moved things once before sitting in the driver's seat of the pickup to smoke with a ruffian-like vibe, and kept looking at Xu Xunsheng with a smile. She understood that this man wasn't necessarily interested in her; he was just narcissistic. But she just disliked him, always feeling he wasn't as pure as Cen Ye and Zhang Tianyao.

Zhang Tianyao was the second-to-last to come out, still holding a speaker in his arms. Xu Xunsheng's demeanor remained as calm as ever, while he hesitated as usual in front of her.

He finally stopped and looked at her with a smile, "Is it that cold?"

Xu Xunsheng: "Umm..."

Zhang Tianyao turned his head and said to Cen Ye, who was a few steps behind him, "Hey, Xiaoye, she looks like a squirrel."

Xu Xunsheng glanced sideways; Cen Ye had just appeared at the top of the stairs, holding a guitar and wedging a small speaker under his arm. He looked at her from afar with a deep gaze and didn't respond. Unintentionally, Xu Xunsheng also noticed that this kid was running the most trips and carrying the most. He had taken off his jacket long ago, wearing only a semi-old sweater, and yet his hair was still damp with sweat.

"Teacher Xu, don't forget what you said. Becoming the champion of Xiangcheng will qualify us," Zhang Tianyao suddenly lowered his voice, snapping Xu Xunsheng back to reality, "I'm headed for the championship."

Xu Xunsheng's heart skipped a beat, thinking to herself that what she had said was just an offhand remark when she had been pestered and had no other way out, and he took it seriously? Besides, even if they qualified, they could be eliminated immediately, right? But knowing that they had auditions today, she saw no need to discourage him at this moment and thus kept her mouth shut.

Seeing her silence, Zhang Tianyao felt dejected, indifferent not out of carefree attitude but out of disappointment. Then he thought to himself, how pathetic he truly was. She was about his age, maybe a year or two older. How did she manage to have the upper hand so steadfastly?

But he still insisted on extending an invitation, "Our competition is at 1 p.m. Can you come and watch?"

Cen Ye had already strolled over at a leisurely pace. Before Xu Xunsheng could answer, he opened his mouth, "Yaozi, are you forcing a decent woman again?"

His greeting was met with Zhang Tianyao and Xu Xunsheng glaring at him in unison. Cen Ye smirked, his expression still cool as he walked forward, only to hear Xu Xunsheng slowly say, "I have classes in the morning, but I should be free by noon."

Zhang Tianyao said, "Then it's a deal."

No sooner had Cen Ye stepped out of the yard than Zhang Tianyao caught up with him, and the two walked side by side. Cen Ye was whistling when Zhang Tianyao suddenly remarked, "Xiaoye, I've noticed that every time you tease him, Teacher Xu immediately gives in."

Cen Ye was about to laugh at the comment when he suddenly froze, turning his head to look. Zhang Tianyao's expression was normal with a smile on his face as if he meant nothing by it. Cen Ye then laughed as well and said, "Maybe she's afraid of me?"

He passed the amplifier to Huizi in the truck, slung his guitar over his shoulder, and hopped into the vehicle. Zhang Tianyao also got in, and the pickup truck started up with a "putt-putt." Each person's face bore an excited and proud smile. Cen Ye saw Zhang Tianyao light up a cigarette against the wind, slowly puffing away, but he didn't bring up that woman again.

——

The preliminary round was held at a theater in the center of town. When Chaomu Band arrived, the waiting room was already filled with some bands. There were familiar faces, and everyone greeted each other. Band people are generally quirky and self-centered, and even when participating in a competition, sitting in the waiting room involved smoking, chatting idly, jesting, and swearing—a lack of any tense or competitive atmosphere.

Chaomu Band had recently become a bit famous in Xiangcheng, so they did attract some attention. Especially Cen Ye, who had bought an expensive pullover and new jeans for the event, and had his hair washed and combed that morning, looking even more radiant. As a result, several veteran musicians came over to chat, patting his shoulder ambiguously and saying, "Xiaoye is truly handsome today!" "With looks like yours, that's some extra points there."

Most of the brothers laughed it off, Cen Ye smiling in the moment but cursing inwardly as soon as they left.

Zhao Tan probably noticed his displeasure and patted his shoulder, whispering, "They're jealous because your music is badass!"

Zhang Tianyao then adjusted his hair in the mirror and said, "I'm clearly the more handsome one, why aren't they sour about me, dammit!"

Everyone burst into hearty laughter, including Cen Ye. The two brothers exchanged glances, seemingly perceiving the familiarity and warmth behind each other's audacious smiles.

"Chaomu Band!" A staff member opened the door and came in, calling out loudly.

Zhao Tan noticed that at this moment, most people in the hall looked their way, some more obviously than others. This gave him a sense of brazen pride and exhilaration. It meant that, young as they were, Chaomu Band was already considered a formidable competitor in Xiangcheng's underground music scene. Cen Ye had jumped up and was the first to follow the staff member inside.

They entered the theater. A broad stage lay before them, devoid of any decoration, with only instruments placed upon it. The audience seats below were nearly empty, except for a row in the center where three judges sat. Behind them were a few staff members. Aside from that, there were a few scattered people sitting in the corners, possibly fans or listeners brought in by other bands or staff members.

Zhang Tianyao had already sent an entrance QR code to Xu Xunsheng. Cen Ye glanced briefly around and did not see her. But this thought occupied only a split second in his mind, as his attention quickly focused on his guitar. He tuned it lightly, stepped forward a few paces, looked up, and grabbed the microphone.

A beam of light shot from the opposite side, hitting the stage and casting a hazy, surreal glow on the vision of those on it. Through the light, Cen Ye could still see the glint of amusement in the eyes of the judges. The female judge even whispered something to the middle-aged man beside her and nodded her head.

He knew it was because of his looks.

He was both irritated and somewhat proud of their reaction. A haughty thought flashed through his mind: You haven't heard my music yet.