A band, or a battleground?

Qi Yuan nodded: "That's right."

"Your standards are so high..." Qiu Mengxue sighed. "You're not going to ask me for help again, are you?"

Qi Yuan asked with a smile, "Besides you, who else can I turn to?"

A second before Qiu Mengxue agreed, Jiang Yi reacted, exchanging a wary glance with Ning Qianyu. The meaning in her eyes was clear: Mengxue was about to have another chance!

Sure enough, after sighing, Qiu Mengxue said with a helpless expression, "Last time I helped you arrange the music for 'Sunny and Cheerful Boy,' but it wasn't used in the end. The version that Dida uploaded was your own singing and playing... Oh well, what can I do? You're the pillar of our band, so I'll help you with that now."

Ning Qianyu nodded at Jiang Yi, leaned closer and whispered, "She clearly wants to, but she pretends to be helpless and says it's for the band's sake."

The two people walking in front, of course, couldn't hear the whispers of the two girls behind them.

Qi Yuan asked, "When are you free?"

Qiu Mengxue: "Tonight is fine. Or, I can come to your place now and we can discuss the arrangement ideas first?"

Qi Yuan: "That works too..."

The two people in the back row were still whispering to each other.

Jiang Yi: "See, see, I knew it!"

Ning Qianyu: "Mengxue is really cunning."

Just then, Qi Yuan stopped and turned around, only to see Jiang Yi and Ning Qianyu whispering to each other.

Under Qi Yuan's gaze, the two of them froze instantly.

Qi Yuan was slightly surprised and asked, "When did you two become so close?"

Ning Qianyu's expression stiffened: "Yi Yi and I have always been on good terms."

"She tickled you really well, didn't she? What, did she tickle you into submission?" Qi Yuan made a casual joke before getting down to business. "I just wanted to tell you that the director asked me if I could bring you along when I go on the show."

Ning Qianyu pointed to herself with a surprised look: "Take me with you?"

Qi Yuan nodded and said, "Chen Songmo is unavailable. I heard that there is some kind of meeting in the film and television industry, and they happen to be short of one person, so he wants you to go."

Ning Qianyu thought for a moment: "But what about that Bai something-or-other guy?"

Qi Yuan smiled and said, "That guy offended me, fine, but he also offended the director. He played too stupidly. In the director's eyes, you are definitely much better than him."

Ning Qianyu immediately perked up: "Is the famous detective Serant Solander Feather going online again?"

Qi Yuan: "Oh, by the way, the script this time is set in Victorian Britain. Doesn't that suit your taste?"

Ning Qianyu couldn't help but clap her hands: "A foggy night in London? This is practically a stage prepared for a great detective!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

179 three girls in one group

After having dinner together, the four of them went to Qi Yuan's place.

Qiu Mengxue went to help him with the arrangement, while Jiang Yi and Ning Qianyu, using the excuse that "we can also give our opinions," did not give the two of them a chance to be alone together in a room.

Once inside, the three girls sat on the sofa and first went through the routine with Qi Yuan.

He posted the lyrics and music in the group chat, and then sang the new song a cappella.

Looking at the lyrics and music, Qiu Mengxue had already begun to conceive of how to arrange the music.

Ning Qianyu commented, "So the theme of the next episode is vampires? That really fits."

Jiang Yi exclaimed, "How can you write anything? Even this fantasy style..."

Qi Yuan: "This isn't the first time you've met me, are you still surprised?"

Jiang Yi smiled and shook her head: "No, I'm not surprised. Before you sang it, no, before I even saw the lyrics and music, I already guessed that this song would be really good and amazing. It's just that I didn't expect it to be this good."

Qi Yuan smiled at her, then turned to Qiu Mengxue on the other sofa and asked, "So, have you got any ideas?"

Qiu Mengxue pondered for a moment and said, "If it's for a band, I can figure out what to do right away. But if it's a solo performance, then... judging from the lyrics of this song and the speed at which you sang it just now, it should have a gothic feel, right?"

Qi Yuan nodded: "Your intuition is quite sharp, that's true."

Qiu Mengxue: "That would be a bit difficult. Of course, even if the guitar part is simpler, it can still be very outstanding if it's just based on the singing. But I don't want such a good song to be ruined by a poor accompaniment."

At this moment, Ning Qianyu suddenly interjected, "But two or three months ago, when Qi Yuan first met us, you used a formulaic arrangement on 'Blue Lotus'."

Qiu Mengxue glared at her: "That was then, and now is now, it's different!"

Ning Qianyu pursed her lips and whistled.

Qiu Mengxue continued her analysis: "If you want a gothic style, the chords can't be too simple; you need to add some minor and diminished seventh chords. If you want to create a band effect with just one guitar, then add muted weak beats, you can tap the guitar soundboard with your knuckles, and add barre chords..."

"Stop, stop, stop!" Qi Yuan scratched his head. "Aren't your expectations a bit too high? Can you master those techniques in just a few days?"

Qiu Mengxue looked up at him and blinked: "Sorry, I forgot about your guitar skills. Complex fingerstyle is a bit too advanced for you, and barre chords and extended chords are probably difficult to handle too, right?"

Qi Yuan thought for a moment and said, "Okay, let me explain my approach. The verse doesn't need to be so emotional; just use simple 4/4 arpeggios and keep the dynamics light. For the chorus, just strum the strings, strum them really hard, and push the emotion up."

Qiu Mengxue pointed at her phone and said, "Where's the introductory chorus?"

Qi Yuan: "I haven't decided yet, either a cappella or strumming is fine..."

Seeing that the two were chatting happily, Jiang Yi moved closer to Ning Qianyu. They were sitting on the same sofa, so subtly getting closer wouldn't easily attract attention.

Jiang Yi whispered, "I've thought of a way."

Ning Qianyu: "What did you think of?"

Jiang Yi: "Since you're going this time too, you'll see Sister Yihan again, right? And this time it's not just you and her, Qi Yuan is there too. You can carefully observe Sister Yihan's reaction to Qi Yuan."

Ning Qianyu: "Is this considered the second test?"

Jiang Yi nodded: "You could say that, but you don't even need to say anything. Just observe carefully. If Sister Yihan doesn't pay attention to anyone else on the show and only focuses on Qi Yuan, then we really need to sound the alarm."

Ning Qianyu nodded: "You're right, but what happens after the alarm goes off? What can the two of us do?"

Jiang Yi was stunned.

The girl suddenly became somewhat dejected: "Yeah, she's a pillar of Tianhua Entertainment, a top idol. If she really wants to do something, can the two of us compete with her..."

Ning Qianyu thought for a moment and came up with an idea: "If the two of us can't handle it, how about adding Mengxue? Three people, and all of Qi Yuan's teammates, won't affect others, but at least they can keep Qi Yuan in check, right?"

"Add Mengxue?" Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi's eyes lit up.

She had always regarded Mengxue as a rival, but forgot that when facing Shen Yihan's threats, Mengxue could also be a comrade-in-arms in the same trench!

Qi Yuan and Qiu Mengxue discussed for a while longer when they suddenly felt a bit thirsty. He wanted to drink some water, but then realized that none of the three girls had any.

"I'll go boil some water for you."

As Qi Yuan said this, he walked towards the kitchen.

Jiang Yi and Ning Qianyu seized the opportunity, exchanged a glance, and almost simultaneously stood up, ran to Qiu Mengxue's side, and sandwiched her between them.

Thinking of how the two of them had been scratching each other all the time lately, Qiu Mengxue immediately became wary: "What are you two up to?"

Jiang Yi lowered her voice and said, "I created a group, shall I add you in too?"

Qiu Mengxue was confused: "What group?"

Ning Qianyu grinned: "A group of comrades fighting against external threats."

Qiu Mengxue: "What external threat?"

Jiang Yi: "Our band has just gotten on track, so the lead singer can't just start dating, right?"

Hearing this, Qiu Mengxue was startled, but her face remained blank: "What are you talking about?"

Ning Qianyu lowered her voice but quickened her pace: "I went to Shanghai last week to record a program and chatted with Sister Yihan. That's when I found out that she not only doesn't film kissing scenes, but she's never even been in a relationship."

Qiu Mengxue was taken aback: "Really?"

Ning Qianyu and Jiang Yi nodded in unison, their small faces showing seriousness.

Jiang Yi added, "Think about Sister Yihan's attitude towards us, especially Qi Yuan. Aren't you wary? This is what we mean by a threat to the band."

Ning Qianyu added, "You wouldn't want to see Qi Yuan get involved in a scandal with someone, especially a big star like Sister Yihan, would you?"

Qiu Mengxue gritted her teeth: "Okay, I'll add it!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Two hours later, when the three members of the newly created group had all returned home, finished washing up, and were lying in bed, the group messages started to become active.

YiYiYi: [Okay, from now on, all S-related information will be shared in this group. For the first operation, QianYu will be in charge of on-site observation, while MengXue and I will provide support and exchange information online.]

Fishing Alone on a Snowy River: [Does it have to be this serious...?]

Yi Yi Yi: [Taking it seriously?]

Higgs Boson: [Mengxue, think about it. A top female idol who doesn't give a damn about countless handsome men, but actively seeks out Qi Yuan. Think about it carefully, don't you really think we should be more cautious?]

Fishing Alone on a Snowy River: [...]

Fishing Alone on a Snowy River: [You're right, Qianyu, I really have to ask you for help this time.]

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

180 Clown's Performance

Ning Qianyu still remembered that the last time she landed at Shanghai International Airport, she called Shen Yihan.

So when the plane landed and Qi Yuan took out his phone to make a call, Ning Qianyu naturally became wary. However, the first words spoken after the call connected put her at ease.

Qi Yuan: "Hey, is Teacher Zhou looking for me? I was on the plane, just landed..."

Ning Qianyu also silently took out her phone, opened the group chat, and sent a message:

Sigh, Qi Yuan just made a phone call, and he'll probably be out until very late.

Then she put her phone on silent mode, turned off the vibration, and put it in her pocket.

Led by their agent Liu Weiting, Ning Qianyu and Qi Yuan got off the plane, exited the terminal, and got into a car to go to the hotel.

Since they were only staying in Shanghai for one night, they didn't need much luggage, so they each only brought a backpack with some essentials in it.

In the car, Ning Qianyu and Qi Yuan chatted and laughed for a while.

It wasn't until the car was almost at the hotel that she took out her phone, opened the group chat, and sure enough, saw her two teammates' increasingly anxious messages.

Fishing Alone on a Snowy River: [What does this mean?]

Yi Yi Yi: [What is Qi Yuan up to? Why is he outside?]

Fishing Alone on a Snowy River: [Are you two still together?]

YiYiYi: [Could Qi Yuan have gone off on his own after getting off the plane?]

Fishing Alone on a Snowy River: [Who did he call?]

YiYiYi: [Could it be an S?!]

Fishing Alone on a Snowy River: [Qianyu, are you still there?]

YiYiYi: [Is your phone out of battery?]

Fishing Alone on a Snowy River: [Possibly, but why now of all times...]

YiYiYi: [QianYu, hurry up and charge your batteries!]

Fishing Alone on a Snowy River: [Don't say anything, she can't see it.]

Yi Yi Yi: [What should we do? Are we just supposed to wait like this?]

Fishing Alone in the Snowy River: [Yeah... but seriously, if S really invited him out, then Chiyu would probably go along, right?]

YiYiYi: [Do you have some misunderstanding about Qianyu's reliability?]

Fishing Alone on a Snowy River: [Qianyu... Hey, why aren't you online yet!]

Yi Yi Yi: [How about we call Sister Liu?]

Fishing Alone on a Snowy River: [Don't forget, although Sister Liu is our manager and should side with us, she's also an employee of Tianhua Entertainment.]

Yi Yi Yi: [Yes, in the end it all comes down to... So are we just going to wait like this?]

Fishing Alone on a Snowy River: [A thousand feathers, a thousand feathers!]

Seeing this latest post, Ning Qianyu smiled broadly before replying: