He simply took off the old strings and replaced them with new ones.

After changing, calibrating, and tuning the guitar, he inspected it under the light. He found it was neither a famous brand nor a master craftsman's work. A new one would cost about one or two thousand yuan at most. It also looked very old, with its pickguard already badly scratched.

"Really? Such a big star using such a shabby guitar? Is it necessary?"

Muttering to himself, Chu Tian flipped the guitar over and suddenly saw a familiar signature.

Doesn't this look like my own name?

After a careful look, he confirmed it was his name. Could it be my own guitar?

Chu Tian closed his eyes and recalled. It didn't take long to find the corresponding memory. A flash of surprise crossed his face, and his expression grew complex.

Goodness, so it really was one I gave away... No wonder...

He chuckled bitterly. No wonder Xu Qingqiu wanted me to change the strings, and why her expression looked a bit strange when I asked if she could play the guitar. So *that* was the connection!

"Alright, bro, I get your point. And, well, this girl seems really nice. I think I'm really starting to like her..."

Gently caressing the guitar in his hands, Chu Tian spoke, perhaps to someone unseen, or maybe just to himself.

After a moment, he picked up the guitar, tried a few notes, and then started playing softly.

"To see you once again, from the South to the North,"

"As if blinded by the Fifth Ring Road,"

"Please tell me again about that day,"

"The girl with the box and the man wiping his sweat,"

...

A rendition of "Anhe Bridge" somehow felt particularly fitting here—not because of the mood, but because of the place.

This wasn't Anhe Bridge, but the atmosphere of the Capital remained unchanged. Beneath its prosperity lay a multitude of ordinary people. The very term "drifting North" encapsulated so many feelings of helplessness and intensity.

What Chu Tian loved most was the song's interlude. Although its composer had fallen from grace, one should appreciate the music irrespective of the person. The music itself was truly a great piece; it was just a pity the man had lost his way.

After strumming the guitar a little, he felt an unexpected, familiar ease with it.

Just as he was wondering what song to try next, he suddenly thought of Xu Qingqiu downstairs. The corners of his mouth lifted in a slight, inexplicable smile, and then his right hand began to move.

"Who could replace you, my dear?"

"Let's love to the fullest while we're young."

"My dearest one,"

"The road is long, let's be together."

As he sang, the smile on Chu Tian's face grew wider and more radiant.

Just then, Xu Qingqiu emerged, having changed her clothes. A towel was wrapped around her hair, and she carried two cups of coffee.

"Were you singing just now?" she asked.

Chu Tian turned to look at her and said with a smile, "Yeah, you heard me?"

"Of course, I'm not deaf. So, you're not pretending anymore?"

Xu Qingqiu shot him a playful glare. Fresh from her bath, she looked as pure as a lotus emerging from water. Her delicate, dewy cheeks were flushed, and her bashful expression held a hint of myriad charms.

Chu Tian's heart fluttered. He paused for a moment, then chuckled awkwardly, "Well, since you already know, why keep pretending?"

"Hmph! I thought you were going to keep it up forever," she said, pushing one of the coffee cups towards him. "Freshly brewed. We don't have any other drinks at home right now, so make do with this."

Chu Tian took a sip and immediately frowned. "Hey, did you forget to add sugar to this?"

"Hahaha! You're exactly the same as before, can't handle anything bitter at all! Just teasing you, this one is yours," she said, taking back the first cup and handing him the other one she was holding.

As Chu Tian sipped his coffee with a disgruntled expression, Xu Qingqiu suppressed her smile and asked, "What song were you singing just now? It sounded pretty good. Can you sing it again?"

Actually, what she really wanted to ask was who the song was for. The lyrics were so obvious, after all, and it wasn't as if she couldn't understand them. She wanted to confirm her suspicion and was also subtly hinting at him.

However, Chu Tian genuinely didn't get the hint. He put down his cup and readily said, "Sure, it's a new song."

He paused, then looked at Xu Qingqiu. "By the way, this song happens to be a duet. How about you sing it with me?"

Xu Qingqiu, who had been feeling a little disappointed, immediately brightened up at his words.

"Really? But I don't know how to sing it..."

"No problem. Do you have paper and a pen? I'll write down the sheet music and lyrics for you. Just look them over once, and you can sing along."

"Wait a minute..."

Before he could finish, Xu Qingqiu hurriedly ran off, returning shortly with a notebook and a pen.

"Quick, write it down!"

Seeing her impatient eagerness, Chu Tian smiled while slowly recalling the melody in his mind.

The quickest and most complete method would, of course, be to get it from the system. But the system's version would require a computer to open, and for a casual sing-along like this, I don't need to spend any Reputation Points. Besides, writing it out myself is faster.

In just a few minutes, Chu Tian finished writing the lyrics and the simplified sheet music.

"Take a look first and get familiar with it," he said. "I've separated the male and female lyrics. Later, just listen to the rhythm and come in at the right time."

He then played the accompaniment once to let Xu Qingqiu get used to it. After she listened two or three times, Xu Qingqiu nodded at him. Chu Tian understood instantly. The rhythm in his hands shifted slightly, returning to the song's introduction.

"One, two, three, go..."

Following his lead, Xu Qingqiu immediately got into the groove.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.