Dating Show Side Character, Getting Rich by Roasting People

CHAPTER 52: That’s Not How You Play the Drums

　　Ever since hearing Sheng Yi perform live last time, Chu Ling had been curious.

　　She wanted to know what kind of practice, daily life, and work went into creating music like that.

　　There was also a bit of selfish curiosity—she wanted to hear the full band’s version. After all, just Sheng Yi alone with his guitar had already been so captivating. With the whole band, it would be even more powerful.

　　So, this suggestion wasn’t entirely for Sheng Yi’s sake. There was her own interest hidden inside it too.

　　But Chu Ling didn't know why, after she said that, Sheng Yi froze for a second, his expression seeming even more nervous.

　　Chu Ling blinked. “?”

　　Did she say something wrong?

　　An hour’s drive later, they finally arrived at their destination.

　　“Let me warn you first. You might be disappointed.”

　　Before they went inside, Sheng Yi spoke up. “The place is actually pretty small, and some of the equipment isn’t great. It might not be what you imagined.”

　　The truth was, their band didn’t make much money. Renting this rehearsal space was already a luxury, and normally Sheng Yi never minded it.

　　But knowing Chu Ling was coming today, suddenly every corner of the place felt inadequate in his eyes.

　　He couldn’t refuse her request though, so he had hurriedly messaged the other three members to tidy up the rehearsal room as best they could. He had no idea how it looked right now.

　　Just before pushing the door open, Sheng Yi’s heart thudded nervously.

　　As the door swung inward, a whole new little world appeared before Chu Ling’s eyes.

　　The rehearsal room wasn’t big. It was packed with speakers, cables, and instruments, full to the brim yet surprisingly not messy.

　　Posters covered the walls—some of other bands, others from their own past performances.

　　Inside, three young men around Sheng Yi’s age turned toward them. On seeing the two enter, they raised their hands in greeting. “Hey, welcome.”

　　Chu Ling blinked again.

　　So this was Sheng Yi’s workplace. His everyday life.

　　“It’s actually pretty close to what I imagined,” she said, tilting her head toward Sheng Yi. “Aren’t you going to introduce me?”

　　She wasn’t just saying it for herself. She was saying it for the cameras, for the audience watching too.

　　Sheng Yi paused only a moment before catching her meaning. Then he began introducing Chu Ling to his band and each of his teammates in turn.

　　“Hello, hello, Miss Chu Ling.”

　　The bassist grinned. “I’ve seen you on TV before, and now finally seeing you in the flesh—”

　　Before he could finish, the drummer jabbed him in the ribs, forcing him to switch his words. “I mean, finally meeting you in person. Nice to meet you.”

　　The keyboardist pulled an exaggerated face. “Hello, Miss Chu Ling. So happy to meet you. You know, this is actually the first time I’ve ever seen Sheng Yi bring a girl back here—”

　　Chu Ling: “...”

　　Why did this feel like she had stepped into a romance drama scene?

　　Something along the lines of “this is the young master’s first time bringing a lady home.”

　　Sure enough, before the keyboardist could finish, Sheng Yi smacked him. “Hey.”

　　【Who else feels this? It’s giving major family vibes.】

　　【Like introducing your girlfriend to your friends for the first time, I swear!】

　　【I’m shipping this so hard. Isn’t this the only couple on the show who’ve actually stepped into each other’s real lives?】

　　【He even let her meet his bandmates! If that’s not love, what is!!】

　　Chu Ling glanced around. “So this is where you usually rehearse?”

　　“Yeah. Unless we’re out doing gigs, most of our time is spent practicing here,” Sheng Yi said.

　　The place wasn’t bad at all. Just a little cramped.

　　Chu Ling nodded thoughtfully. “It looks tough.”

　　She was used to throwing sharp comebacks around, but when it came to giving compliments, her mind suddenly went blank. After racking her brain, she forced out, “Chasing a dream really isn’t easy.”

　　【Excuse me, what kind of motivational chicken soup was that?】

　　【Is this really Chu Ling? Who possessed our Queen of Sass?!】

　　【Am I imagining things, or has she not dissed anyone since she walked in?】

　　【Honestly, I kind of miss her sharp tongue.】

　　Even Sheng Yi looked a little thrown off. “...It’s fine. I’m used to it.”

　　“By the way, that song you performed on the cruise,” Chu Ling asked, “that was one of your band’s original pieces, right? Could I be lucky enough to hear the full band version this time?”

　　She blinked at him. “Do I need to pay for the ticket?”

　　Sheng Yi: “.....”

　　He couldn’t help but laugh. “If you insist on paying, I won’t stop you.”

　　He stepped back two paces and tipped his chin at his bandmates. With just that one gesture, the others immediately understood and moved into position.

　　Chu Ling also retreated a step, signaling for the cameras to focus on Sheng Yi.

　　She had originally come with the thought of giving Sheng Yi some publicity. With so much exposure, it would be a waste not to.

　　But the moment the first beat of the drums thundered out, she suddenly felt it wasn’t just that.

　　The powerful rhythm crashed down, and as the guitar, bass, and keyboard joined in, it was as if the entire room began to vibrate. For a second, Chu Ling even thought the floor beneath her feet was trembling.

　　Sheng Yi held the mic, lifted his gaze, and looked straight at her.

　　In that instant, it was like a current shot straight into her chest. Chu Ling’s back tingled with a sudden jolt of electricity.

　　His voice carried a raw power that cut straight through the instruments, ringing clear above everything else.

　　The last time she heard him perform, she had already been surprised. But this time, he was even more at ease. Maybe it was because he was back in his own territory, surrounded by bandmates who knew him inside out, his performance flowed with an effortless perfection.

　　【The full band version is insane!!】

　　【I’ve never even heard of this band before… who knew I’d stumble on such a gem while watching a dating show?】

　　【Please, I beg you, go on a music festival tour. I swear I’ll buy tickets.】

　　It wasn’t until the final note faded that Chu Ling finally snapped out of her daze.

　　On stage, Sheng Yi’s charm was overwhelming, almost impossible to resist.

　　“Is this where I’m supposed to hand over a bouquet?”

　　She clapped and laughed softly. “When you guys finish your shows, do fans usually give flowers or gifts?”

　　“Of course. And most of them go to the lead singer,” the bassist said, pointing at Sheng Yi. “But he’s never once accepted any.”

　　Sheng Yi slung his guitar off and set it aside, walking over to Chu Ling. “Because some girls slip their phone numbers into the flowers. I don’t want to waste someone’s hope like that.”

　　The bassist rolled his eyes. “And rejecting them outright doesn’t count as wasting it? What’s the difference?”

　　“There is one.” Sheng Yi answered calmly. “This way it’s clean. And the flowers can still go to the next band after us.”　　

　　Chu Ling: “.....”

　　“You really don’t take a single one?” She gave him a teasing look. “Makes me wonder if you’re even capable.”

　　Sheng Yi didn’t get angry. He only smiled helplessly. “If I wasn’t, what would I be doing on a dating show?”

　　Chu Ling thought to herself: bold words coming from someone who joined the show just to promote his band.

　　“I just feel like this kind of romance…” Sheng Yi paused, then found the word. “It’s too rushed. Honestly, it doesn’t suit me.”

　　That opened the floodgates. His bandmates immediately joined in.

　　“You have no idea, he’s impossible when it comes to dating. Picky as hell.”

　　“Exactly, and his mouth is so sharp. If any girl actually dated him—”

　　Sheng Yi coughed loudly, cutting them off. “We’re still filming. Can you not? Maybe say something good about me for once?”

　　He was out here working hard for the future of their band, and his teammates had the nerve to sell him out. Right in front of the girl he liked, no less.

　　The others reluctantly shut their mouths, though one of them nearly blurted out that there was a reason Sheng Yi was still single.

　　Chu Ling grinned and asked, “What about you guys, then?”

　　“Don’t even think about it.”   

　　Sheng Yi cut in. “They all have girlfriends.”

　　The keyboardist froze. “???”

　　What the hell, I don’t! Stop making things up.

　　Chu Ling caught on immediately. “So that’s why the only single one, the lead singer, had to join the show?”

　　“Something like that.” Sheng Yi chuckled. “Though honestly, maybe it’s just that my face was the only one qualified.”

　　Keyboardist: “.....”

　　He couldn’t stand this narcissist anymore. Someone needed to shut him down.

　　He was just about to argue when the drummer tugged his sleeve and smoothly said, “Why don’t we stop bothering you two and let you keep chatting?”

　　Chu Ling wanted to say they weren’t really a bother, but Sheng Yi nodded anyway. The three of them made a quick retreat, leaving the space for Sheng Yi and Chu Ling alone.

　　“So?” Sheng Yi asked. “How was the performance just now? Passable?”

　　“It was really good,” Chu Ling said firmly. “And that’s the truth.”

　　“What about before?” Sheng Yi leaned closer. “Were you lying to me then?”

　　“.....”

　　Some of them were nothing more than advertising slogans, carefully crafted for the sake of giving him promotion.

　　Chu Ling smiled. “I honestly think your songs are great. The style is unique, and it sounds amazing.”

　　Almost absentmindedly, she added, “If only I knew how to play an instrument too.”

　　Sheng Yi asked, “If you could learn one, which would you choose?”

　　Chu Ling thought for a moment. “Drums, I guess. Being a drummer seems like a great way to blow off stress.”

　　She mimed holding drumsticks and tapped wildly in the air. “When you’re in a bad mood, just go bang bang bang for a while. Feels like you’re flattening the whole world.”

　　Sheng Yi laughed softly. “It’s not too late to actually learn.”

　　“Really?” Chu Ling raised a brow.

　　He walked over to the drum set, pulled out a pair of sticks, and handed them to her. “You can try.”

　　Chu Ling was genuinely intrigued. She walked over, took the drumsticks, and sat down at the set. Tentatively, she gave one of the drums a hit.

　　The sharp clang startled her so much her ears buzzed painfully.

　　“Nope, not playing.” She started to set the sticks down. “That’s way too loud. I sound like I’m just making noise.”

　　“That’s because you’re doing it wrong.”

　　Standing behind her, Sheng Yi reached down and held the hand that gripped the drumstick. “That’s not how you play a kit.”

　　His palm was still warm.

　　Chu Ling froze for a second, glancing up. Sheng Yi had bent slightly, his lashes casting faint shadows as his gaze fell not on her, but on the drums in front of her.

　　“Relax your wrist,” he murmured, pressing his fingertip lightly against her skin. His voice brushed past her ear. “Drumming isn’t about brute force. It’s about rebound. Like this—tap lightly, feel the drum bounce back, then ride that energy into the next strike. Try it, get used to the rhythm.”

　　He pointed at the bass drum pedal. “And here, left foot down. Match the beat. Thump, thump, thump, thump.”

　　The closeness between them should have felt intrusive, yet strangely, Chu Ling didn’t mind.

　　She let Sheng Yi guide her wrist, following his rhythm.

　　Even with a simple pattern, in his hands the beat carried weight and groove. Chu Ling pressed the pedal with her left foot, while her hands followed his lead.

　　Thump, thump, thump, thump.

　　Thump, thump, thump, thump.

　　Each clear, steady strike seemed to slip perfectly into place with something else—

　　Chu Ling listened, still as could be, until she realized the rhythm echoing in her chest.

　　Oh.

　　It was her heartbeat.

  

________________

T/N: Sorry about yesterday. I wasn’t feeling well. I actually finished everything and wanted to post it, but… sigh, my internet decided to play hide-and-seek. Frustrated, I just went to bed early instead. Haha. Oh, by the way, this novel is almost complete!!! Woohoo, only 35 chapters left. I guess I should start hurrying to find a new project now, since it’s really hard to come across a good one these days. I think I’m leaning toward an apocalypse novel or maybe some Xianxia to translate. We’ll see. 😆  

 

Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter