Chapter 24: Just writing whatever comes to mind!

Putting down her phone, Song Yao surveyed the backstage.

A few sofas, a small table with beers and drinks, a vanity in the corner, and a wall painted black for graffiti—covered in signatures and doodles from past bands.

That piqued her interest.

She’d been to plenty of live houses with Qin Qianlan, but a big one like Big Pub? First time.

Hosting an exclusive here wasn’t hard—pay up.

Qin Qianlan wasn’t short on cash, but filling seats? Tough.

Especially for a no-name band like Red Rose.

Guesting Reverse Thinking’s exclusive was a solid hype boost.

“Found it!”

After scanning the graffiti wall, Song Yao spotted Red Rose’s mark in an obscure corner.

Fresh ink—done recently.

“Yo, checking our doodle?”

Qin Qianlan snuck up—Song Yao nearly jumped out of her skin.

“You walk like a ghost?!”

Resentful glare.

Scare people to death!

“Wanted to tease—you were so focused.”

Qin Qianlan grinned, teeth sparkling like jade. “Our signature cool, right?”

“Definitely…”

Red Rose’s mark matched the band: a blooming red rose under the name, lifting it.

Qin Qianlan wasn’t just songwriting/guitar—she painted too.

Sometimes Song Yao thought music wasted a painter.

Her choice—nothing to say.

“Xiao Yaozi, add something for us?”

“Me?”

“Yeah.”

Qin Qianlan grabbed a marker, shoved it in her hand. “You’re our OG listener. Doodle a blessing.”

“This… okay? I suck at art…”

Song Yao hesitated. The 10g marker felt like tons.

Mess up—pay damages?

“What’s wrong? Look—how many here are good?”

True.

Most bands: abstract chaos.

Red Rose’s vivid rose stood out.

“Then…”

Song Yao uncapped, drew a tiny, wobbly heart beside the rose. “This work?”

“Perfect!”

Qin Qianlan studied the crooked heart like fine art.

Song Yao flushed. “No need to stare… it’s ugly…”

“Beautiful! Just missing something.”

Qin Qianlan took the marker, wrote two characters inside the heart.

Song. Qin.

“Hehe, now perfect.”

“Qianlan, this… not great?”

Like a couple.

Extra charge!

“What’s wrong? Without you, I’d never have started the band.”

Qin Qianlan dropped the marker, nuzzled Song Yao’s shoulder. “Not a player, but band core. Name’s nothing.”

“If it makes you happy…”

Cash bonus would be happier.

“Wind from afar brushes the face~
Lonely clouds drift in the sky~
After walking far~
Maybe I’ve found my way home~
Quickening steps~”

Melody floated from the stage.

“Latecomer crew finally here.”

Qin Qianlan dragged Song Yao out of backstage to stage front.

Five on stage played, final tuning.

“Back to familiar ground~
That lonely shadow no longer sad~
New stories to hope for~
No matter the clouds~
They can’t block the light~”

Final guitar solo roared—song ended.

Just tuning, but lights on the band felt like thousands watching.

Song Yao’s first exclusive—vibes strong.

Imagine full crowd later.

“Xiao Yaozi, new song—thoughts?”

Qin Qianlan eager.

“Title?”

“Homeward.”

“Fits the theme.”

Song Yao’s music take: good or bad.

Homeward—good.

Deeper? Nope.

But bullshitting? Mastered long ago.

“Like life, right? Leave parents, unknown path. Cross mountains, seas—find belonging, return home, share stories with loved ones, await next journey.”

Deep breath, profound. “Bass intro sets warm tone. Melody catchy. Final solo stunning. Meaningful track.”

“Wow, Xiao Yaozi—deep! I didn’t even think that!”

Qin Qianlan starry-eyed.

Song Yao hair-flip.

Impressed?

Money-bought.

Enough cash—not just review, full thesis.

One song run—tuning done.

Wait for 8 PM—showtime.

“Qianlan, aren’t you opening? Why they tune last?”

Backstage, Song Yao asked.

Qin Qianlan shrugged. “Told you—chronic latecomers. Our slot, but they weren’t here—we went first.”

“Captain Qin, too obvious?”

Short girl pointed at Red Rose graffiti, smirking.

Heart with two surnames—clear couple vibe.

Qin Qianlan blushed. “J-Just doodling!”