Chapter 25

"Hello, you just arrived today, right?" The girl took the initiative to greet Yang Jingxing, her voice a bit raspy. She was about the same height as Xia Xue but not as slim, with a short ponytail that had been dyed. This girl had a round, fair face, round eyes, and it seemed her mouth was also round. Her nose was really small, and if you stared at her, it seemed her ears were also small. This girl was not short, but she gave off a delicate and petite impression.

Yang Jingxing was pleasantly surprised, "Hello, yes, I just arrived."

The girl's smile remained, "Are you going to class? Let's go together." She then knocked on the door next to hers, "Geng Xidong, let's go."

A boy came out of the room, tall and thin, wearing large glasses, with an outdated fine part hairstyle that didn't match his sharp face.

The girl introduced herself enthusiastically, "He's Geng Xidong, I'm Yu Xinting, what about you?"

"I'm Yang Jingxing..."

The three of them went to class together, getting to know each other a bit more. Geng Xidong was from Qinghai, having traveled a long distance to get here. Yu Xinting was from Yidu, where it was said there were many beautiful girls.

"What about you?" Yu Xinting asked Yang Jingxing.

"I was studying in Puhai, just on break."

Geng Xidong asked, "You're from Puhai?"

Yang Jingxing shook his head, "No, from Quhang."

"Did you transfer specifically?" Geng Xidong was a bit impressed.

Yang Jingxing nodded, "More or less."

It turned out that Geng Xidong and Yu Xinting had been in Puhai for three to four months, preparing for the exams. They had known each other for a few months, as they had both been staying in the small music room from the beginning. For the pre-exam tutoring classes, Geng Xidong and Yu Xinting were in the same class.

Yu Xinting asked Yang Jingxing which teacher he had been in contact with for training and guidance. When Yang Jingxing said it was Li Yingzhen, he was looked at with new respect.

Since Yang Jingxing was in a different class, Yu Xinting invited him to have dinner together after class, which made Yang Jingxing quite happy.

It was only four o'clock after class, not yet dinner time, so they went back to put their things down first. Yang Jingxing had only been sitting at the piano for a couple of minutes when Yu Xinting knocked on the door, bringing him an apple.

"It's already washed." Yu Xinting looked around Yang Jingxing's room, "Why don't you have a blanket? Haven't bought one yet? I know a place..."

Yang Jingxing explained, "I don't stay here at night."

"Oh." Yu Xinting nodded, a bit nosy, "Going back to school?"

"I stay at a hotel." Yang Jingxing took a bite of the apple, "It's sweet."

Yu Xinting's voice suddenly became a bit softer, a bit mysterious, "I heard you play 'Pathétique' this morning... Is this what you're preparing?"

Yang Jingxing laughed, "No, I'm applying for the composition department."

"Ah!" Yu Xinting's mouth opened wide, then she laughed, "I thought... That's great!"

Yang Jingxing modestly said, "Even if I were applying for the piano department, it wouldn't be a threat to you."

Yu Xinting was a bit embarrassed, "It would be a big threat... I've practiced 'Pathétique' too, but I can't get the feel for it. Later, I chose 'Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2'."

Yang Jingxing knew that for the piano department exams, one had to play two etudes, a fugue, a sonata, and a large piece. He had also played Liszt's 'Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2' himself, which had a large structure and complex techniques, but in terms of content, it seemed less expressive than 'Pathétique'.

Yang Jingxing, of course, wanted to enjoy a good performance and see if there was anything he could learn, so he said to Yu Xinting, "Since it's not a threat, can you play it for me?"

Yu Xinting asked slyly, "Are you really not applying for the piano department?"

Yang Jingxing held up the apple core, "Why would I lie to you!"

Yu Xinting giggled, "Then come over."

Yu Xinting's room seemed a bit larger than Yang Jingxing's. A few nice coats were neatly hung on hooks on the wall, the single bed was tidy and clean, and there was a small table next to it with a water cup, facial cleanser, and moisturizer.

Yu Xinting chuckled, "I won't invite you to sit."

Yang Jingxing asked, "Should we close the door?"

Yu Xinting said, "Close it."

It seemed Yu Xinting didn't want to be underestimated. She sat down, adjusted her breathing, and after a moment, gave Yang Jingxing a smile before starting.

Yu Xinting was qualified to apply for the piano department, and the piece she had prepared for the exam started off well, achieving a smooth expression. However, after about 200 measures, some problems became apparent, with some hurried and chaotic parts, especially after 300 measures, where the continuous octaves in both hands were quite challenging.

Even Yang Jingxing could hear so many shortcomings. If Li Yingzhen were there, she would have scolded for a long time.

But Yang Jingxing couldn't show off in front of a girl, so he clapped twice and said, "Luckily I'm not applying for the piano department."

Yu Xinting asked, "How was it?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Not bad."

"That means it's average, then." Yu Xinting's eyes fell, then she encouraged herself, "I have one more month, I'll give it my all!"

Yang Jingxing asked, "What did your teacher say?"

Yu Xinting said, "Just to practice hard."

Yang Jingxing asked, "Which teacher?"

It turned out that the teacher Yu Xinting had hired was just a lecturer at the music college, and private lessons cost 200 yuan per hour. Professors started at 500 yuan and didn't easily take students. Someone like Li Yingzhen would probably cost 800 yuan, with at least 20 hours of lessons, totaling around 16,000 yuan.

After doing the math, Yang Jingxing realized he owed Li Yingzhen a big favor.

Yang Jingxing didn't dare to give random advice, so he said, "I'll play it once, let's exchange ideas." The two then went to Yang Jingxing's room.

Yang Jingxing wasn't very familiar with 'Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2', but to Yu Xinting, his performance was already much better than her lecturer's.

When Yang Jingxing played the series of octaves, Yu Xinting made a face and jumped on the spot, "This part really got me, you're showing off!"

Yang Jingxing stopped, looked at Yu Xinting, and said, "Wait a moment."

Yu Xinting watched as Yang Jingxing thought, not knowing what he was thinking.

After being stared at by Yu Xinting for five minutes, Yang Jingxing had an idea, "See if this works." He demonstrated his idea, which involved not playing octaves but single notes with chords. In other words, he modified Liszt's piece, reducing the difficulty, so Yu Xinting could play it for the music college exam. However, this modification was based on respect for the original, preserving the spirit of the piece, and Yang Jingxing's chord choices were appropriate, with no noticeable issues in the transitions.

But Yu Xinting still had a sad face, "How can that work!" She thought Yang Jingxing would come up with some magical solution.

At least it's better than forcing it! Yang Jingxing comforted, "Don't worry, I'll ask an expert." He called Li Yingzhen.

"Professor... class is over... no need... hey... I want to ask, if I were to apply for the piano department, I would play 'Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2'..."

Li Yingzhen was surprised, "You're applying for the piano department!?"

Yang Jingxing laughed, "No, it's a friend of mine... I just met her today... yes, we're in the same class... I found a practice room here... no trouble."

Li Yingzhen asked, "What's your friend's name?" She knew a few students preparing for the piano department.

"Yu Xinting," Yang Jingxing said, "from Yidu." Yu Xinting was so excited that she was dancing and making faces, but she didn't dare to make a sound.

"A girl," Li Yingzhen said, a bit unhappy, "What did you say just now? 'Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2'?"

After all that, they finally got to the point. Yang Jingxing said, "Yes, her hands are small, and she struggles with the later parts. Do you think this way of playing works?"

"Play it, let me hear."

Yang Jingxing put his phone down and played his modified version, then picked up the phone, "Did you hear clearly?"

"Was that you playing? What are you thinking!" Li Yingzhen knew her student too well.

Yang Jingxing laughed, "I'm trying to help her."

Li Yingzhen said, "Playing it this way isn't impossible. Zhang Chujia sometimes takes shortcuts... But what's the point of just this part? It depends on the overall level... I have to go to the school tomorrow afternoon, come over."

Yang Jingxing quickly said, "Thank you."

Tomorrow, they would meet Professor Li Yingzhen. Yu Xinting was so excited that she was taking it out on the door, pushing and pulling it, "I can't wait, I need to practice... Oh, what gift should I buy... But I don't have much money."

Yang Jingxing said, "I haven't bought anything, so you can do whatever you want."

Yu Xinting was happy, jumped out, and pushed the door back, "I forgot, how do I play it?"

Yang Jingxing finally got to be a teacher, explaining his modified version of 'Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2' to Yu Xinting from start to finish. Then Yu Xinting practiced the modified 20 or so measures over and over, looking much more relaxed.

A little after six, Geng Xidong came to invite Yu Xinting for dinner. Yu Xinting then called Yang Jingxing, "Let's go, let's go! Finally, we can eat!"

As soon as they stepped out, Yu Xinting shivered, "It's so cold!" She asked Yang Jingxing, "What do you want to eat? There's rice with toppings, noodles, dumplings, and fried rice."

Yang Jingxing said, "I'll have rice with toppings."

Yu Xinting said, "I'll take you there, he only likes noodles."

Geng Xidong said, "I'll go to your place for dumplings."

Yu Xinting then shared the good news with Geng Xidong, "He's not applying for the piano department, but for the composition department."

Geng Xidong glanced at Yang Jingxing and nodded.

Yu Xinting was familiar with the small restaurants in the area, warning Yang Jingxing about a few places that were not good. There was a hotpot place at the street corner that looked quite nice.

Yu Xinting said, "Last time my dad brought me here, it was so good. I'll come back after the exam, no matter what!"

Yang Jingxing said, "You can eat your fill when you go home for the New Year."

Yu Xinting said, "I'm not going home for the New Year, and neither is Geng Xidong."

The three of them entered a small restaurant, which had noodles, fried rice, and various dishes.

"The peppered pork chops here are good," Yu Xinting introduced to Yang Jingxing.

So Yang Jingxing ordered peppered pork chops with rice, Yu Xinting ordered braised pork with rice, and Geng Xidong ordered a few ounces of beef dumplings.

After finishing their meal, the three of them paid their bills. Yu Xinting asked Yang Jingxing, "Are you going back?"

Yang Jingxing had to go back, but he probably couldn't practice until midnight.

After returning to the practice room, Yu Xinting brought Yang Jingxing a cup of hot water in a disposable cup, saying it would warm his hands.

"Can you bring Geng Xidong tomorrow?" Yu Xinting looked at Yang Jingxing.

Yang Jingxing said, "No need, I heard him play, and he's pretty good."

Yu Xinting said, "Yeah... I'm afraid he'll be mad at me."

Yang Jingxing laughed, "He won't, he doesn't seem that petty."

Yu Xinting looked serious, "No, it's not that... Ah, I don't care!"

It seemed everyone liked to practice at night, from 7 PM to 10 PM, it was quite chaotic. By 11 PM, it seemed everyone was preparing to sleep, and it became quiet.

Before leaving, Yang Jingxing said goodbye to Yu Xinting.

Yu Xinting said, "Be careful on your way back."

Yang Jingxing smiled.

The next morning, after class, the three of them met again for lunch. After paying and preparing to go back, Yu Xinting said to Geng Xidong, "Geng Xidong, I won't go to class this afternoon. I'm going to meet Yang Jingxing's teacher."

Geng Xidong was surprised but couldn't object.

Yu Xinting was still worried, "Will he be mad at me?"

Yang Jingxing comforted, "You care so much about him, he won't be."

Yu Xinting shook her head, "No, he's my only friend here."

Yang Jingxing was a bit upset, "Don't be so absolute, I'm still trying."

Yu Xinting laughed, "You're a friend, but we just met."

The two waited for Li Yingzhen at the school. In the middle, Yu Xinting received a call, speaking in the Yidu dialect, "Dad... yeah, I'm at school... yes, I told you yesterday... I thanked him... it's fine... where's mom..."

After hanging up, Yu Xinting looked at Yang Jingxing, a bit unhappy, "What are you laughing at?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I like listening to your dialect, especially when girls speak it, it sounds so gentle and warm."

Yu Xinting laughed, speaking in the dialect, "Is that true?"

Yang Jingxing nodded, "Really!"

Yu Xinting smiled slyly, "What if someone calls you a silly fool?"

Yang Jingxing was actually getting more and more pleased, "I like it."

Yu Xinting switched back to Mandarin, "Do you know anyone from Yidu? Have you heard it before?"

Yang Jingxing said, "A long time ago." It was when he was in elementary school, and during the summer vacation, he went to his father's construction site to play. There was a little girl from Sichuan on the site, and they played together for a while.

Li Yingzhen arrived around 1:30 PM, scolding Yang Jingxing for wearing too little before introducing herself to Yu Xinting.

"Professor Li, hello!" Yu Xinting took off her gloves and bowed.

Li Yingzhen looked at Yu Xinting, then at Yang Jingxing, not very happy. But she still asked about Yu Xinting's background, learning that she had been playing the piano for ten years and had studied with a teacher from the Sichuan Conservatory in her hometown. She had been in Puhai for four months, taking private lessons from a lecturer and attending a few lectures by professors.

Li Yingzhen didn't want to ask too many details, so she said, "What pieces have you prepared? Play them all."

Yu Xinting started with a Chopin etude, feeling a bit nervous. But Li Yingzhen didn't ask her to play it again, just pointed out a few flaws and how to correct them.

Next was a Liszt etude, and Li Yingzhen said some things that any researcher could say.

Then came the Bach fugue and Haydn sonata, about which Li Yingzhen said a bit more. Regardless of whether Yu Xinting could understand, she recorded it with a voice recorder.

Finally, 'Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2'. Li Yingzhen listened and laughed, almost angrily, "You're teaching students now!"

Yang Jingxing tried to defend himself, "I'm spreading your ideas."

Li Yingzhen scolded, "You're not qualified!"

Li Yingzhen then gave Yu Xinting a detailed explanation of the piece, listening to her play it twice. Afterward, she asked how Yang Jingxing's Chopin Piano Concerto No. 2 was coming along.

Yang Jingxing, of course, had to play it for inspection. It took nearly half an hour, and Yu Xinting sat there, completely absorbed.

Li Yingzhen rarely praised Yang Jingxing, saying his mood and attitude were correct today, at least he wasn't messing around.

Li Yingzhen asked when Yang Jingxing planned to go home and if his parents would come to pick him up, saying, "Call me when you get home. Your father says you have many friends and will just play when you go home..."

Yang Jingxing quickly promised, "I won't stop practicing."

Li Yingzhen nodded and then said to Yu Xinting, "You need to hurry, and you can ask him for help in some areas."

Yu Xinting stood up and bowed, "Thank you."

After Li Yingzhen left, Yu Xinting jumped around excitedly, "She's really amazing... I'd rather take one lesson from her than ten from that guy!"

Yang Jingxing scolded, "You shouldn't say that in front of her!"

"How could I!" Yu Xinting giggled, asking Yang Jingxing, "You really aren't applying for the piano department?"

Yang Jingxing asked, "Does my face look like it's lying?"

Yu Xinting looked at Yang Jingxing's face and said, a bit embarrassed, "Thank you."

Yang Jingxing said, "Thank the apple."

"Ah..." Yu Xinting waved her right arm, "If I pass, I'll buy you a whole car of apples!"

Back at the small practice room, Yu Xinting started practicing right away. Yang Jingxing received a text from his father: "Son, I received your report card, you're eighth in the class, 24th in the grade. Your mother and I believe you are actively facing your life, and we support you."

Xiao Shuxia called directly, chattering for a while, and promised Yang Jingxing that no matter which school he attended or where, a car and a house were guaranteed, but no motorcycles.

At dinner time, Yu Xinting knocked on Yang Jingxing's door, not as excited as the day before, "Geng Xidong left by himself, he must be mad."

Yang Jingxing comforted, "If he gets mad easily, he'll forget easily too."

Yu Xinting said, "Actually,