"Chinese classical folk music and electronic music." Logan Brooks put down his pen. "That's not exactly new, but it hasn't become overused in boy groups yet. Mr. Samuel's guzheng can totally be used as a pluck or lead. Take trap, for example—the deep bass and the bright timbre of the guzheng should create a great sense of vertical space. Add in a catchy drum set, and I think we could make an awesome dance track."
(There will be a terminology explainer in the author's notes.)
His idea was quickly endorsed by the electronic music enthusiast Brian Harris. "I've actually thought about this before. Honestly, I even have a few demos on hand that follow this concept—some are trap, some are future bass. If we do a non-title track with a guzheng vaporwave base, it would definitely be cool. Plus, the guzheng has a lot of finger techniques and can go really fast, which is perfect for building up to the drop." After speaking, he looked at Samuel Reed. "What do you think?"
Samuel Reed smiled. "Sounds interesting. If you really want to try it, I have another suggestion." He looked at Caleb Grant. "Caleb could try some operatic vocals. Your voice is high, and if you push it up there with folk music and electronic, it should give people goosebumps."
"Now that you mention it, I'm already getting goosebumps." Caleb Grant rubbed his arm. "But I've never tried it before. What about you, Henry Foster? Want to give it a shot too?"
Before Henry Foster could answer, Logan Brooks said, "His voice naturally has a mixing effect—perfect for the hook."
Caleb Grant immediately teased mischievously, "Tsk tsk tsk, already reserving the hook for yourself."
Brian Harris replied seriously, "The hook is the soul of hip-hop, you know."
"Wow... the soul~" Owen Clark chimed in. "I've been watching so many CP videos these past couple of days, I'm kind of obsessed."
"Obsessed with what?" Ethan Carter knocked Owen Clark on the head. "What about the choreography?"
Caleb Grant instantly launched into a fake Northeastern accent, "Don't hit his 'boleng' head."
"Get lost, you can't even imitate it right. What 'boleng' head, that's the crown of the head." Owen Clark rolled his eyes and got serious. "Finally, it's my time to shine. For boy group choreography, you need memorable points and stage presence. Since we've settled on a theme, I don't think we should stick to traditional choreography. We could do two types of live shows—one is a band version, playing guzheng and DJing live, and the other is a sing-and-dance live."
"That's a good idea." Watching everyone's ideas spark, David Brooks smiled. "Anything else?"
"I have a suggestion." Owen Clark grinned at Henry Foster. "For memorable moments, we have to let our Henry Foster take the lead."
Henry Foster was confused. "Me?"
"Since it's a clash of tradition and modernity, the choreography should have traditional elements too. I just pictured a scene in my head—Henry Foster doing a classical dance, just a short solo in the middle bridge. If we could get a one-take camera shot on stage, it would be amazing..."
Hearing this, a scene automatically played out in Logan Brooks's mind. Under a guzheng solo, the stage is pitch black except for a single spotlight on him. He bends at the waist, flicks his sleeve, and with a folding fan in hand, his long figure stretches and twists. The light filters through silk fabric, tracing the supple lines of muscle and bone, moonlight chasing flowing water.
Pointed toes land on the final guzheng note, the fan snaps open, and a touch of red appears at the corner of his eyes.
"Xiao Pei? Logan Brooks."
Ethan Carter's voice pulled him out of his imagination. Logan Brooks snapped back to reality and looked up to find everyone staring at him. "Why are you all looking at me?"
"What were you daydreaming about?" Brian Harris was already standing up. "Come on, meeting's over."
That fast.
It was only the length of a single dance.
"So, what do you think of my suggestion?" Owen Clark slung an arm around Henry Foster's shoulders. "I remember you said you learned classical and modern dance as a kid."
Henry Foster nodded. "I danced when I was little."
"When you were little?" Caleb Grant could always jump into any topic. "Henry Foster, did you start learning dance as a kid too? You never told us that."
Logan Brooks walked at the back with his hands in his pockets, thinking, let alone as a kid, this guy has never shared anything about his past.
"Yeah." Henry Foster's eyes unconsciously dropped. The corridor's white floor tiles glared under the lights, and a glowing tile reflected a stage. On that stage, a man danced with ease and grace. Moving forward, he saw his younger self below the stage, holding his mother's hand and looking up.
[Mom, I want to be just like Dad when I grow up!]
[Of course, sweetheart, you'll be the best dancer ever—even better than your dad~]
"I learned for a few years, then stopped." Henry Foster looked up and faced forward, walking with everyone to the elevator. His tone was calm, and as if to prevent further questions, he quickly added, "I should still have the basics. I can give it a try."
Samuel Reed looked down at his own hands. "Ah, I guess I have to get back to my old trade too." As soon as he finished, Brian Harris grabbed his right hand. He mimed scratching a record and laughed, "Back to my old trade 2.0."
Owen Clark: "Then hurry up and make a demo! I want to start choreographing right now!"
Caleb Grant started buttering up, "Mr. Owen! Dalian's finest! I want a super cool part!"