Chapter 23: Living Together?
After all the equipment had been set up and tested, Yu Haoshen gave the four girls an OK sign.
The drums started first, followed closely by the guitar and bass.
After the three of them had been playing for about ten seconds, Li Nuo was still standing there blankly, looking confused.
Seeing that Li Nuo still had not started singing, Yu Haoshen asked in confusion,
"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
"Um... I don't know this song..."
Li Nuo scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
It really wasn't his fault. He had never paid much attention to [The Girls], and he had barely listened to their songs before, so he had no idea how to sing it.
An Ran'er paused for a moment after hearing that.
Only then did she realize that she had never actually asked whether Li Nuo had listened to The Girls's songs before.
Yu Haoshen calmly asked, "Miss Li Nuan, have you never listened to The Girls' songs?"
"Uh... no."
"Hmm. It looks like our band really has become unpopular."
After thinking for a moment, he continued,
"Then why don't you sing a song that you already know? Would that be okay, Miss Li Nuan?"
"Uh, sure."
After receiving Yu Haoshen's signal, Li Nuo closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Holding the microphone tightly, he began to sing when the music started.
♪ Maybe this is the last night ♪
♪ Waiting for you to come home ♪
♪ Wearing the same expression as before ♪
♪ And saying, 'Welcome home' to you ♪
……………………
When the song ended, applause filled the rehearsal room.
"That was way too good! It's like hearing a voice from heaven! Li Nuan-chan sounds even better in person than online!"
Ye Feilu said excitedly, her eyes sparkling.
"The voice sounds very nice. Yuxin likes it."
Wu Yuxin said coldly as usual, though the slight smile at the corner of her mouth showed that she was genuinely happy.
"I told you already. The person I found couldn't possibly be wrong." An Ran'er said proudly.
Being praised by all three of them made Li Nuo blush immediately. He rubbed the tip of his nose and said shyly,
"Please don't praise me so much. It's embarrassing."
"They're right."
Yu Haoshen nodded.
"Miss Li Nuan, your voice is truly special. Unlike ordinary female voices, I can hear a slight youthful boyish tone in your singing. It's surprising, but also very unique."
As he spoke, he took out a document from his briefcase.
"This is the contract for joining [The Girls]. Take a look. If everything is acceptable..."
He smiled.
"Welcome to [The Girls]."
Taking the contract, Li Nuo still found it hard to believe.
"I... joined [The Girls] just like that?"
"Of course."
"Yay! Welcome, new member! Our band finally has a lead singer again!"
Ye Feilu cheered while spinning her drumsticks in her hands.
"Yuxin likes the new member."
Wu Yuxin said expressionlessly.
The moment she finished speaking, An Ran'er blurted out,
"You're not allowed to like him."
The moment the words left her mouth, she realized she had misspoken.
"I mean... welcome! Yes, welcome our new member... hahaha..."
After saying that, An Ran'er secretly glanced at Wu Yuxin. Seeing that she still showed no expression, she finally relaxed.
Meanwhile, Li Nuo continued reading the contract.
When he saw a clause requiring personal identification information, he looked up and asked Yu Haoshen,
"Do I really have to provide my personal ID information?"
"Yes. That's normal, isn't it? Is there a problem?"
If he provided his identification, the fact that he was a boy would immediately be exposed.
So Li Nuo quietly asked, "Can I join without providing it?"
"Well..."
Yu Haoshen looked troubled.
Noticing something was wrong, An Ran'er walked over.
"What happened?"
"Miss Li Nuan says she can't provide her personal information."
Of course, An Ran'er knew exactly why Li Nuo didn't want to provide it.
After thinking for a moment, she said, "If I remember correctly, there is another way to join the band without providing identification, right?"
"There is."
Yu Haoshen nodded.
"But someone would need to act as her guarantor."
"That's easy. I'll be his guarantor."
"Are you sure, Ran'er?"
Yu Haoshen looked serious.
"If she causes trouble or breaks any rules in the future, you'll be responsible."
"I'm sure."
Seeing the determination in her eyes, Yu Haoshen could only sigh.
"Alright."
Then he smiled bitterly.
"You're becoming more and more like her. Back then, she was also the one who acted as your guarantor and helped you join [The Girls]."
"...Mm."
An Ran'er's expression suddenly darkened.
Only then did Yu Haoshen realize he had said the wrong thing.
Still, he gently said,
"You shouldn't keep blaming yourself over that. It wasn't your fault."
"No."
An Ran'er's voice became cold.
"It was my fault." Her body trembled slightly.
Yu Haoshen sighed.
"It's been so long. You need to learn to let it go."
"I can't."
An Ran'er lowered her head.
"And have you really let it go yourself, Brother Hosen?"
"I..."
Yu Haoshen fell silent.
The atmosphere in the room instantly became strange and heavy. Li Nuo cautiously asked,
"Um... what are you talking about?"
"None of your business."
An Ran'er snapped at him immediately.
"S-Sorry..." Li Nuo was startled.
From their expressions and conversation, he could tell that something unpleasant had happened in the past, and it was probably related to the band.
But since An Ran'er clearly didn't want to talk about it, he decided not to ask any more questions.
After all, asking further would only annoy people.
Seeing Li Nuo become so scared that he didn't dare speak anymore, Yu Haoshen covered his mouth and chuckled. Then he asked,
"May I ask where you're living right now, Miss Li Nuan?"
"I live in the suburbs."
"With your family?"
Li Nuo shook his head.
"My parents are gone. Right now I rent a small place and live alone."
"Sorry."
Realizing he had touched on another sensitive topic, Yu Haoshen quickly apologized. Then he said,
"In that case, I have a suggestion. I wonder if you'd like to hear it."
He glanced at An Ran'er as he spoke.
"What suggestion?" An Ran'er asked directly.
"I think Miss Li Nuan should move in and live with you."
"What!?"
The two of them shouted at the same time. They looked at each other. Then An Ran'er spoke first.
"Absolutely not. I refuse."
"Why?"
Yu Haoshen was surprised by her strong reaction. After thinking for a moment, he said,
"So you're still concerned about that incident."
"It has nothing to do with that."
An Ran'er's face turned slightly red.
"Anyway, it's impossible."
"Um... I refuse too."
Li Nuo's face was also slightly red.
Living together with An Ran'er?
That was ridiculous. He was a boy!
If he lived every day with such a beautiful girl, what if one day he couldn't control himself?
He definitely didn't want to end up getting arrested while he was still young.
Seeing both of them oppose the idea so strongly, Yu Haoshen looked completely confused.
"I just thought living together would help you get used to working with each other faster."
He shrugged.
"If both of you are against it, then forget I said anything."
Hearing that, both Li Nuo and An Ran'er secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Their reactions did not escape Yu Haoshen's notice.
Looking suspicious, he asked, "You two aren't hiding something from me, are you?"
"Of course not."
They answered at exactly the same time. Then they looked at each other and spoke again at the same time.
"Don't copy me."
Their synchronized reaction made Yu Haoshen laugh.
He decided not to ask further. Smiling, he said to everyone,
"Alright then. From now on, come here every weekend for rehearsals. I'll handle the preparations for the band's comeback. For this next month, focus on getting used to working together."
"Okay!"
All four of them answered together.