The following process went very smoothly—
Lu Qing ordered a full set of accessories for his sister online, including additional cables, consumables, a basic all-in-one electric guitar effects pedal, and a small orange home practice amp. To ensure that "Zhen Ye Shang" (True Night Appreciation) remained in an optimal humidity and temperature environment to prevent warping or moisture damage, Lu Qing even purchased a 3000 RMB guitar storage humidity-controlled cabinet.
This was a cube-shaped glass cabinet, large enough to hold three guitars or five electric guitars/basses (electric instruments are thinner than acoustic ones). With this, his mother no longer had to worry about the expensive treasure warping during Tianhai's rainy season.
As for Lu Qing's original prized possessions, they were safely stored in their cases, which contained desiccants and drying agents. If the cases were not opened for a long time, there was no need for a humidity-controlled cabinet like this. However, since his sister would be practicing, "Zhen Ye Shang" would be exposed to the air and surrounded by unclean air, which would cause wear and tear. Therefore, Lu Qing felt it necessary for his sister to store "her" in a safe zone after each practice session.
This was crucial. (If you didn't want a 30,000 RMB guitar to depreciate rapidly to 15,000 RMB.)
"Brother, I've seen online that practice guitars are fine to buy for under 2000 RMB. But... I don't think Black Cat here looks like a guitar in that price range at all?"
"Huh? Black Cat?"
Lu Qing, who was in the middle of setting up his RME sound card, was slightly stunned upon hearing Su Ling's seemingly casual remark.
He quickly caught on. "Did you give her a name?"
"Ah, yes, brother. I think she looks like a cat, a shy black cat. So I..."
Su Ling sat on the edge of the bed, cradling "Black Cat" in her arms and gently stroking "her" strings, whispering softly:
"Hehe, does brother think I'm being childish?"
"!?!"
Her words completely delighted Lu Qing.
His hand, which was plugging in the audio cable for the sound card, even trembled slightly—
Dear heavens.
Not only did his sister not think he was crazy, but she also followed through and named his beloved guitar!
Could it be...
Could it be that she truly has the same talent as me in this area...?
After all, "Grade 10 in Guitar Language" is a skill that, besides Ryo and Lin, seems to be possessed by no one else.
"Very good, you did well! Yes, take good care of Black Cat, she will be your lifelong companion. Treat her well, take care of her, open your heart fully and accept her! Pour your heart out to her, listen to her voice."
Lu Qing rambled on like a madman, his heart surging with emotions.
He knew that if his sister was sincere and truly devoted herself to loving "her,"
Perhaps one day,
She might truly sense Black Cat's call through dreams, stages, whispers, or even telepathic listening.
"A fully devoted bond with a treasured instrument will, in the future, return unattainable healing to you through some means."
"How wonderful."
Lu Qing felt deeply moved.
After a brief silence,
He suddenly spoke:
"Su Ling, I need to tell you a few things. You must take them to heart."
At this moment, he seemed to be taking his sister's "desire to learn guitar" more seriously.
—Originally, he had planned to use this opportunity to buy "Zhen Ye Shang" for himself, but perhaps from today onwards, it could truly become "Black Cat" in his sister's hands.
If that's the case,
Then I should pass on to her the things that "cannot be learned outside."
How much she understands is up to her.
"Mm-hmm, brother, go ahead. I'll listen carefully."
Su Ling obediently sat beside him, watching as Lu Qing connected the cable from the lower right side of "Black Cat" to the Babyface Pro audio interface on the computer desk.
A 7500 RMB audio interface (BabyFace Pro) paired with a 30,000 RMB electric guitar, neither outshining the other, both flawless.
After finishing the software instrument setup, Lu Qing swiveled around in his office chair to face his sister, speaking with the tone of a mentor:
"There are three principles to follow when practicing the guitar."
He began teaching without even realizing it.
Completely forgetting that he was a "never-practices-guitar" kind of guy.
"First, 'always wash your hands before practicing.' You must not touch the guitar body with dirty hands. If you ever have the opportunity to perform with the guitar outdoors, remember to carry wet and dry wipes with you. If possible, bring a cleaning cloth, like an eyeglass cloth."
Su Ling: "Oh..."
Though abstract, she quickly extracted the key points: "Wash your hands frequently, keep yourself clean," otherwise, you can't touch the guitar.
"Got it." She nodded.
"Alright, next."
Lu Qing extended his index and middle fingers, his expression serious:
"Second, 'practice with full concentration.' Don't think about other things, like what to eat today, where to go later, or practicing while watching anime, chasing dramas, or listening to audiobooks. That's wrong.
You might be able to mechanically carve muscle memory while practicing basic skills and finger strength, but never treat this attitude as the norm. We must take practicing and performing seriously."
"Okay."
Su Ling nodded, "Brother means that playing the guitar is about playing the guitar. I have to be fully invested."
"Very good, you have great comprehension."
Lu Qing smiled approvingly.
Then he extended his ring finger—
"Third."
"After practicing, 'conduct a tactical review.'"
He said, "Every practice session is not in vain. Solving problems and overcoming challenges with purpose is more efficient than aimlessly playing whatever you feel like.
You are at the beginner stage now, so you are not qualified to just play songs. You must first master all the basic techniques before you can truly enjoy music and ACG. I know this sounds harsh, but do you understand what I mean?"
"Yes. Brother means I shouldn't aim too high or be overconfident. I should first build a solid foundation; otherwise, I'll end up with twice the effort for half the result."
Su Ling quickly grasped the essence of what he was trying to convey,
"And if I master the basics, practicing songs will be the opposite—half the effort for twice the result."
"!"
What?
Lu Qing widened his eyes upon hearing this.
Her interpretation ability made him pause slightly.
He thought,
How come my sister seems to understand everything?
She even knows how to "draw inferences about other cases from one instance"!
This...
Such abilities are not something a wooden-headed person can grasp or comprehend, right?
I only told her three "small points about attitude," and she has already fully absorbed them.
Then if,
I teach her some more abstract things in the future...
Would she also completely get my ideas?
Come to think of it.
"How come... she seems to know me so well?"
No.
Her expression.
It looks like she's really listening carefully...
At this moment, Lu Qing had no doubt that if there was a notebook beside her, his sister might even pick up a pen and start taking notes right away.
Seeing her brother stunned,
Su Ling tilted her head slightly, showing a pensive expression, and asked in return:
"Brother, how come you seem to know so much? It feels like you've taught other people instruments before, huh?"
"!?!"
"Hey, how's that so?" She asked with a smile.
...
...
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
Resolve] Gu Yang was once a true disciple of the Falling Cloud Sect, but after failing to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, his cultivation regressed, his foundation was damaged, his lifespan was nearing its end, and he was about to be demoted to a menial servant. At his moment of despair, he awakened the [Daily Intelligence System]. By refreshing it daily, he could learn about countless hidden opportunities and secrets within the cultivation world! [Today's intelligence has been refreshed] [White Intelligence: One month ago, the Foundation Establishment spiritual item "Profound Ice Spirit Marrow" used by the host to attempt his breakthrough contained a trace of the poison "Bone-Corrobing Spirit-Dissolving Powder".] [Purple Intelligence: Tonight during the Yin hour (3-5 AM), a wisp of "Golden Crow Primordial Flame" will overflow... If this flame is devoured, it can recast the shattered cultivation foundation, fully restore cultivation, and awaken the one-in-ten-thousand—Primordial Supreme Yang Body. [Click to view coordinates]] [Golden Intelligence: Shen Qingyue, a Golden Core elder of the Falling Cloud Sect who possesses the Nine Yin Body, suffers from backlash of cold energy every full moon night, causing her strength to plummet and excruciating pain. Grand Elder Zhao Wuji has secretly bribed Shen Qingyue's personal maid, Hongxiu, and learned the rear gate array node of the protective formation "Clouds and Mist Veiling the Sun Array". Tomorrow late at night, he intends to take advantage of Shen Qingyue's flare-up of the cold poison, when she is weak and unable to resist, to use a secret technique to refine her into a cauldron and force her into a Daoist partnership. [Click to view coordinates]] The cultivation world is a jungle where the strong prey on the weak, and human hearts are as treacherous as ghosts? Sorry, but I can read the script! From then on, relying on his informational advantage, Gu Yang proceeded step by step with careful planning. Seizing opportunities, plundering fortunes. Selling intelligence. Playing rivals against each other. Step by step, he ultimately became the Immortal Emperor!
u serious?" Chen Feng watched helplessly as his painstakingly trained disciple, fresh off a championship victory, publicly abandoned him. "You had your chance, but you didn’t appreciate it. Now, face the consequences of your choice!" Chen Feng possessed the "Master System," a treasure trove of supreme martial arts techniques, capable of molding ordinary individuals into peerless prodigies. "Legs like yours? A shame not to train in the Crippling Kick." "Ever heard of a palm strike that descends from the heavens?" "Auntie! I see extraordinary bone structure in you—a martial arts prodigy, one in ten thousand." The once-defiant senior disciple, now watching her juniors rise to fame one after another, dominating the internet, was consumed by endless regret.
Cheng's father told him he was getting remarried—to a wealthy woman. Cao Cheng realized his time had finally come: he was about to become a second-generation rich kid. Sure, it might be a watered-down version, but hey, at least he'd have status now, right? The wealthy woman also had four daughters!! Which meant, starting today, Cao Cheng gained four stunning older sisters?? But that wasn't even the whole story... "My name is Cao Cheng—'Cheng' as in 'honest, smooth-talking gentleman'!"
