Today was a rare window of free time; the other band members all had classes, leaving only Lin Feng alone guarding the rehearsal room.
In name, guarding the tower; in reality, doing tasks.
Lin Feng sat on that somewhat wobbly folding chair, expressionlessly looking at the Lucky Roulette on the System interface. Since binding this System, adding up before and after, he had probably already spun it close to one hundred and fifty times.
Apart from the [Eternal Padlock] at the start and the [Absolute Score Eye] that appeared later to save an emergency, the rest was entirely a pile of trash not even as good as Bing Xixi 9.9 free shipping items.
Things like [Thank you for your patronage] were simply a common home-cooked meal; occasionally when luck exploded, giving a [Coca-Cola (Large Bottle)] or [Expired Throat Lozenge], these counted as the System showing mercy.
"System, is this drop rate of yours a bit illegal? Does the Bureau of Industry and Commerce not manage you?"
The System's emotionless mechanical sound rang out:
[Host please be patient and do not be impetuous. Upon detection, your non-Chief index has already broken through the horizon. The pity mechanism is about to activate.]
"Pity mechanism?" Lin Feng paused for a moment, "Isn't this the routine of pay-to-win mobile games that scam for money? The key point is your System doesn't even have a recharge entrance; what do I use to whale? My life?"
Just as Lin Feng was still contending with the System's bad taste of "although you cannot recharge money, it still wants to make you experience the pain of drawing cards," the rehearsal room door was pushed open.
A gust of fragrant wind attacked.
Four people entered. Three women and one man, a considerably luxurious configuration.
That boy walked at the very front; his hairstyle was obviously meticulously groomed, Korean-style comma bangs, wearing that kind of trendy brand T-shirt with sequins on his body, the whole person emitting a trainee-like sense of exquisiteness. The three girls behind him also wore exquisite makeup and carried instruments on their backs; obviously, they were also here to rehearse.
The boy saw Lin Feng in the room, froze for a moment at first, then immediately his eyes lit up, revealing a very standard smile that seemed to have been practiced countless times.
"Eh? You are that legendary 'Guitar Liver Emperor,' right?"
Lin Feng: "...?"
What the hell?
"Liver Emperor your big head ghost." Lin Feng thought inside.
It had only been a few weeks; how did he already have this kind of nickname in the Jianghu that sounded like an internet-addicted youth who would book seven consecutive all-nighters at an internet cafe?
"Hello, I am the lead singer of the 'Starry Sky Band' formed by everyone, Zhang Zhe." The boy reached out his hand and introduced himself, "Sorry ah, we have booked this rehearsal room for the next two hours."
Lin Feng looked at his watch; indeed, time was up. He stood up, just preparing to pack his things and leave, when he suddenly remembered he still had a daily task—[Music Appreciation (Any): Listen to others perform for 30 minutes]—that he hadn't done yet.
"That," Lin Feng stopped his hand packing the guitar, "I won't leave, is that okay?"
Zhang Zhe froze, his hand still hanging in mid-air: "Ah?"
"I want to stay and listen." Lin Feng had a face full of sincerity, even carrying a trace of desire for music, "I heard you guys are very strong; I want to learn a bit."
Zhang Zhe obviously hadn't encountered this kind of request; his expression management almost lost control.
At this time, a girl with linen-dyed hair behind him made a "tsk" sound, walked forward with a face full of guard, and whispered in Zhang Zhe's ear: "Brother Zhe, that's not okay, right. I looked at the program list; this kid's band appears right before us. What if he stays to steal the master's skills and copies our arrangement or creativity?"
Although she lowered her voice, in this basement that was not large, Lin Feng heard it clearly and distinctly.
Lin Feng's eyelid twitched.
This Big Sister, have you watched too many palace struggle dramas?
This is just a university club mixer; everyone is just going up to sing a song and seek some fun, at most to scam the WeChats of junior school sisters. Who would have nothing to do and engage in some commercial spy war for this level of performance? Still stealing skills? If I had that time, I might as well do two more sets of finger exercises.
Zhang Zhe was obviously a person who wanted face; being spoken to like this by the girl, he instead felt embarrassed to chase the person away, putting on an act of magnanimity.
"It's fine, it's fine, music is shared. Since Brother Liver Emperor wants to listen, then stay and give some pointers."
That girl still wanted to say something but was stopped by Zhang Zhe's eyes.
Thus, a weird scene began.
The four people of the Starry Sky Band set up their formation as if facing a great enemy, as if what they were about to play next was not a pop song, but a state secret.
"Cough, then we are starting." Zhang Zhe looked back at Lin Feng, that look in his eyes seeming to say, "Watch carefully, this is the gap in strength."
The sound of music rang out.
It had to be said, this outfit was not worn in vain; indeed, there was some level of skill.
However, Lin Feng, sitting in the corner, had his attention completely not on them at this moment.
At the very instant the music rang out, he glanced at the System panel.
[Path Task: Finger Expansion Exercise (23h/24h).]
Still one hour short. This task did not require playing the instrument, only needing to arrange the fingers into various anti-human postures and hold them there.
Since it was "listening" to others perform, then the hands being idle was also being idle.
Therefore, while the Starry Sky Band passionately sang a rock song about youth and hot blood, Lin Feng in the corner was lowering his head, expressionlessly prying his left hand's index finger and middle finger apart abruptly into a right angle, and then twisting the ring finger to a weird angle.
If one did not look at his face, and only looked at the hands, one would think he was forming some evil hand seal.
The song ended.
Zhang Zhe wiped the sweat from his forehead, very satisfied with his high pitch just now. He felt this wave was stable, and could definitely awe this so-called "Liver Emperor."
He turned around, looking at Lin Feng with an expression expecting praise, yet implying a contest.
"How was it? Student Lin, give some opinions?"
The linen-haired girl next to him also crossed her arms, with a face saying, "I'd like to see if you can spit out any ivory."
The air suddenly went quiet.
Lin Feng was just concentrating fully on pressing his little finger toward the back of his hand; hearing someone call him, he suddenly raised his head, his eyes carrying the confusion of just returning from another world.
"Ah?"
Lin Feng blinked, looking at the four expectant faces in front of him.
His brain just now was full of "pain pain pain" and "why is the progress bar still not full"; although his ears weren't plugged, his brain had long ago automatically screened out external sounds.
"That..." Lin Feng looked at Zhang Zhe honestly, his tone as flat as if saying today's weather was not bad, "Sorry, I zoned out just now, didn't hear it. How about you guys do it again?"
Zhang Zhe: "..."
Linen-haired girl: "..."
Starry Sky Band all members: "..."
At that moment, the concentration of awkwardness in the rehearsal room was enough to suffocate an elephant.