#sssv

The sudden eruption of applause snapped Shen Qingqiu out of his wandering thoughts and he looked around the dive bar again. About ninety percent of the patrons were on their feet, applauding loudly and drunkenly. A few even called out for encores. Resigned to his fate for the evening, Shen Qingqiu slowly stood up as well, clapping with much less vigor but twice as loudly. 

The bass player noticed him first and his dark eyes widened, his mouth gaping open slightly. While Shen Qingqiu wasn’t a hermit by any means, being recognized so quickly on the spot was a tad unsettling. What a strange kid!  On the makeshift stage though, Luo Binghe was a mess of crashing adrenaline and excitement. If his eyes weren’t failing him, then someone very important had apparently come to their set. But the impossibility of it all had his nerves jittering and his hands clammy. Is it really him?!!!

Shen Qingqiu watched as the bass player scrambled to put his instrument away and then tug on the lead singer’s arm. The lead kept shrugging him off though in favor of trying to talk to their guitarist, a slight woman that curled her hair around her finger every few seconds, who was facing away from him to address some of their fans. 

Luo Binghe still couldn’t believe his eyes as he rushed to put his bass away in its case, managing to slam a finger under the lid before successfully securing the clips. The pain didn’t even register as the more he blinked, the less that man disappeared. 

“Ming-Fan!” Luo Binghe shouted, reaching for their lead singer. “Ming-Fan, look!”

Ming-Fan, used to (and annoyed by) Luo Binghe’s excitable nature, shrugged him off without even turning around. Ning Yingying was talking to some men claiming to be their “fans.” I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen any of those bastards before…

Just as Ming-Fan was reaching to tap Ning Yingying on the shoulder, she suddenly shifted back and his hand touched her lower back. Ming-Fan felt as if he were electrocuted and he heard Luo Binghe’s sharp intake of breath. Ning Yingying turned sharply, heart in her throat because she had no idea who stood behind her and touched her so casually. Some of her fear evaporated seeing Ming-Fan’s flushed face. However, she quickly noticed Luo Binghe and her heart sprang to new life in her chest.

From below Shen Qingqiu watched with a thin eyebrow raised as the lead’s hand seemed to accidentally graze the woman’s back. Her tight posture seemed to relax though. At first Shen Qingqiu thought it was because she was relieved to see it was him; but she pushed past him in favor of the bass player. The lead stood to the side and tapped his foot angrily for a few beats before turning sharply on his heel to address their drummer. 

The woman and the bass player however looked at Shen Qingqiu at the same time, like they were checking he actually existed and was indeed standing in front of them. He couldn’t resist a smirk and small wave in their direction. Even above the den of people Shen Qingqiu heard the woman’s shrill squeal. He felt his cheek twitch, but it was the only outward sign of his irritation. The squeal caught everyone’s attention and they looked from Ning Yingying, to her pointing finger, and finally landed on Shen Qingqiu standing there.