Chapter 30

At around three in the afternoon, Yang Jingxing walked into Shangpu's gate with a relaxed demeanor, heading first to see Hu Yiqing. Despite being a genius, the past three to four months had been tough for him. Hu Yiqing had hardly enjoyed any weekends, and even during holidays and the New Year, she often called to check on Yang Jingxing's progress. Although she was quite reassured, she still felt nervous when Yang Jingxing took the exam, urging him to relax.

Now, Yang Jingxing had secured the top spot in the cultural examination for the Composition and Composition Techniques program at Puhai Music College, and his efforts had not been in vain.

Yang Jingxing knocked on the office door and said, "Report."

"Come in," a voice that wasn't Hu Yiqing's replied.

Yang Jingxing entered, and the other teachers greeted him first, "You're back, triumphant. Come, sit down."

Hu Yiqing stood up, smiling at Yang Jingxing.

Yang Jingxing said, "Congratulations, your student has been accepted."

Hu Yiqing smiled even more brightly and said, "Congratulations to you too."

The other teachers laughed, making Hu Yiqing a bit embarrassed.

Yang Jingxing chatted with the teachers in the office for over an hour, laughing and joking. This was one of the advantages of being an arts student; the students and teachers in the cultural subjects were far from relaxed.

Hu Yiqing, who was supposed to be the main character, didn't say much, just listened. The other teachers were quite envious of Hu Yiqing. No one had initially believed in her, but now her student had been accepted, and her paper had won an award. She was on the verge of a promotion and better pay.

Later, as the class was about to end, Hu Yiqing walked Yang Jingxing out of the office and said a bit more, reminding him to thank Li Yingzhen and He Hongchui. She also felt a sense of achievement, "I told you, you can do it. Where there's a will, there's a way."

Yang Jingxing then opened his backpack, took out a mousse cake and a tiramisu for Hu Yiqing, and said, "Don't let them find out, or they'll scold me."

Hu Yiqing laughed, "I'll go back to the dorm first. Have you eaten?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I brought five, in case you couldn't finish them all."

Hu Yiqing remembered, "By the way, how is that girl doing?"

"Accepted."

Hu Yiqing said, "She's pretty."

Yang Jingxing said, "You two can compliment each other. She also said you're beautiful and have a great temperament."

Hu Yiqing rolled her eyes, "Nonsense!"

Yang Jingxing still had to see his homeroom teacher, Mr. Jiang. Mr. Jiang was extremely supportive of his decision to continue studying cultural subjects and said he would mention it at the class meeting that evening, which would be a great encouragement to the other students.

By the time he left Mr. Jiang's office, it was already dinner time. Yang Jingxing went back to the dormitory first, planning to take a shower and change clothes. He received a call from Tao Meng, "You're back at school?"

"Back, in the dorm."

"Mr. Jiang said there will be a class meeting tonight."

Yang Jingxing said proudly, "Haha, I'm going to be praised."

Tao Meng asked, "Accepted?"

"Of course."

"Oh." Tao Meng hung up the phone.

After dinner, Yang Jingxing returned to the classroom at 6:30 PM, and many classmates came to ask about his exam.

Tan Dong shouted, "Damn, I wish I had taken the exam with you."

Ren Chuyu sneered, "You? Dream on."

Even Shao Lei was envious, "You're living the life, do whatever you want!"

Tao Meng didn't like the noise, "Others still need to study!"

Mr. Jiang entered the classroom just before 7:00 PM and said, "Everyone probably knows that Yang Jingxing has been accepted to the Composition Department of the Music College with the top score. Let's congratulate him together."

After leading the class in applause, Mr. Jiang continued, looking at the embarrassed Yang Jingxing, "Yang Jingxing came to our school in high school, in the first and second years... What kind of student was he back then? Who wants to speak first? Tao Meng, you're the class monitor, you go first."

Tao Meng stood up, glanced at her desk mate, and said, "I used to think Yang Jingxing wasn't passionate about anything, lacked a positive attitude... that's it."

Mr. Jiang asked, "You've been desk mates for so long, what do you think now?"

"I think he works very hard." Tao Meng seemed a bit perfunctory.

Mr. Jiang called on Tan Dong, "You've been roommates for three years and desk mates for a long time. What do you think?"

Tan Dong chuckled, "In the first and second years, we played together every day. Last semester, he came back to the dorm at 3 or 4 in the morning, often waking me up. It was so annoying."

Mr. Jiang quickly said, "I don't encourage studying until the middle of the night, but we should learn from his hardworking spirit. To get into the Composition Department, you need to pass the piano exam, and you need to be at a certain level. Some of the students in the class have learned piano, and you know that high-intensity practice requires a lot of perseverance..."

In Yang Jingxing's student life before his senior year, he had never been praised for his hard work. Tonight, his wish was fulfilled. The class meeting was a commendation meeting for him, and he felt very satisfied.

The theme of the class meeting was to implement the idea of "learning from the spirit of Yang Jingxing" and to make a full effort in the final three months of senior year.

The class meeting lasted about an hour. After Mr. Jiang left, the classroom remained quiet, with everyone studying and doing problems. It seemed that the "spirit of Yang Jingxing" was quite effective.

However, Yang Jingxing's serious study demeanor was really annoying. Tao Meng asked, "Are you not going to practice the piano at night anymore?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I will, after the study session."

Tao Meng said, "You don't seem very happy."

Yang Jingxing said, "The college entrance exam isn't over yet."

Tao Meng muttered to herself, "That's true, you don't have many friends to celebrate with."

Yang Jingxing felt sad, "You're not going to celebrate with me?"

Tao Meng asked, "Did you tell me?"

Yang Jingxing argued, "I wanted to surprise you, but Mr. Jiang is such a big mouth."

Tao Meng coldly said, "There's nothing to be surprised about."

Yang Jingxing said, "I knew it, I'm glad I didn't say anything."

Tao Meng focused on her studies.

Yang Jingxing's face was really thick. After a while, he said to Tao Meng, "I'm starting to study math." A little later, he said, "I'm starting to do problems... I finished the first one... the second one... starting the third one..."

Tao Meng finally couldn't take it anymore, "Are you ever going to stop!?"

Yang Jingxing continued, "I noticed Tao Meng is angry."

Tao Meng glared, "Why should I be angry!"

Yang Jingxing was worried, "Oh no, if I say I don't know, you'll be even angrier. Should I say it or not?"

Tao Meng said, "No need, I'm not angry."

Yang Jingxing said, "Then tell me what happened these past few days."

Tao Meng was quite generous and shared her notes and everything.

It was past nine, and the students started to leave. Yang Jingxing said to Tao Meng, "I'm going to practice the piano, and I'll come to the study session at 7:00 AM tomorrow."

Tao Meng looked at Yang Jingxing and said, "I called you during your exam, you should have at least sent a text message. You have no manners! That's why you don't have many friends in the class."

Yang Jingxing was shocked, "Ah, I thought I had a lot of friends!"

Tao Meng didn't want to overly discourage Yang Jingxing, so she said, "Anyway, I don't know what you're thinking."

Yang Jingxing said, "Now I think, when I get my college entrance exam results, I'll tell you right away."

Tao Meng was angry, "That's not the point!"

Yang Jingxing nodded, "Okay, okay, I'll call everyone in the class, but you'll be the first."

Tao Meng was annoyed, "Just go!"

On Saturday morning, the school asked Yang Jingxing to go to the music room for a photo, a photo with Hu Yiqing. The photo was quickly posted on the website, with the headline "Warm Congratulations to Our School's Yang Jingxing for Passing the Composition Department Exam at Puhai Music College."

The content of the news was so exaggerated that Yang Jingxing felt embarrassed. It made it seem like getting into a music college was harder and more glorious than getting into Tsinghua or Peking University. And Yang Jingxing was portrayed as an excellent student, excelling in all subjects and well-rounded...

Hu Yiqing was also praised, with a significant amount of coverage.

On Friday, Yang Jingxing received a text message from Yu Xinting: "I'm home."

Yang Jingxing replied, "Wish you success in your college entrance exam."

On the weekend, Yang Chengyi and his wife came to Puhai, mainly to treat the teachers to a meal. Hu Yiqing, Zhang Chujia, Li Yingzhen, and He Hongchui were all there.

Xiao Shuxia was already worried about Yang Jingxing's college life, asking if he could live off-campus. Yes, local students at the music college were all commuters.

Li Yingzhen reminded Yang Jingxing that college was a time to work even harder, not to indulge in pleasure. In other universities, you might get a degree and find a job, but at a music college, especially in the Composition Department, without real talent, you'd be left with nothing.

More importantly, the piano. You, Yang Jingxing, wouldn't be satisfied with your current level, right? You might be able to勉强去当个钢琴老师或者职业琴手，但这不应该是你的理想吧。Puhai Music College's symphony orchestra would likely be the first orchestra Yang Jingxing would collaborate with, and he should be prepared.

He Hongchui also advised Yang Jingxing not to be complacent just because he got first place. That didn't mean much. The world of music knowledge is vast, and he had only just begun. During the exam, many of the things Yang Jingxing wrote were not the best and needed improvement.

Thus, Yang Jingxing still had to practice the piano at the music college every weekend and prepare to apply for a double degree in the piano department. He also had to continue studying composition and write pieces for He Hongchui to review.

Everyone thought Yang Jingxing would be more relaxed, but he was even busier!

Before they knew it, it was March 8th. Yang Jingxing wished Tao Meng a happy holiday early in the morning, "Happy holiday."

Tao Meng was suspicious, "Are you trying to annoy me again?"

"I'm sincere."

"Still sounds strange to me."

Yang Jingxing said, "Then I'll wait until June 1st."

"You're the one who celebrates June 1st."

On March 9th, Yang Jingxing wished Tao Meng a happy holiday again, "Happy holiday."

"What do you want to say?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Today is Girl's Day, younger than Women's Day."

Tao Meng laughed, "Just one day younger!?"

Yang Jingxing chuckled, "Exactly."

Tao Meng scrutinized Yang Jingxing, "What are you thinking!"

Yang Jingxing shook his head, "Nothing."

On the 13th to 15th, it was the exam, simulating the college entrance exam. After school on the 13th, Tao Meng said to Yang Jingxing, "I'm going home tonight."

Yang Jingxing nodded.

"It's my birthday today," Tao Meng said softly.

Yang Jingxing asked, "Are you going to say I'm impolite again? No way! Follow me."

On the way, Yang Jingxing turned to the class monitor, who was a few meters behind him, and said, "Hurry up, don't you want to go home!"

"I'm not slower than you!" Tao Meng said louder.

The two arrived at the music room, and Tao Meng stood there listening to Yang Jingxing play a birthday song. Yang Jingxing then improvised and sang, "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you!"

Tao Meng smiled, "Thank you."

Yang Jingxing said, "Go back quickly."

Tao Meng asked, "Aren't you going to eat?"

Yang Jingxing said, "You go first, to maintain a distance."

"How can you be so petty!" Tao Meng was angry, "Are you coming or not? If not, I'm going!"

This time, the two walked side by side, and Yang Jingxing was proud, "See, we're so upright, no guilty conscience at all."

Tao Meng couldn't argue, "You're the one with a guilty conscience."

Yang Jingxing looked around suspiciously, "Who said that? I have no ulterior motives."

Tao Meng asked, "Do you have a lot of friends at Jiuchun?"

Yang Jingxing shook his head, "Not many, just a few."

"Are they good friends?"

"I think so."

Tao Meng asked, "Do you often joke around with them?"

Yang Jingxing laughed, "More than just joking, we even fight."

Tao Meng didn't believe it, "Girls fight too?"

Yang Jingxing asked, "Have you ever fought?"

Tao Meng shook her head.

"Have you ever cursed someone?"

"Does cursing you count?"

"Of course not."

Tao Meng sighed in relief, "Then it doesn't count."

Yang Jingxing asked, "Am I the lowest in your esteem?"

Tao Meng was a bit smug, "Who made you so annoying."

Yang Jingxing called out, "Go back quickly, return my birthday song to me!"

Tao Meng hummed, "The more you say, the more enthusiastic... you're only like this to me."

Yang Jingxing felt wronged, "I think you're cute!"

Tao Meng was self-aware, "You're just mocking me."

Yang Jingxing felt sad, "It seems you really dislike me."

Tao Meng laughed and asked, "Do you have more male friends or female friends?"

Yang Jingxing counted on his fingers for a long time and said, "More male friends. If you ever count, it would be balanced."

Tao Meng refused, "So many, I don't want to join in."

The next morning, Tao Meng wanted to tell Yang Jingxing a joke, "Similar to the last one."

Yang Jingxing couldn't wait, "Tell me, tell me."

So Tao Meng read it out, "A fool steals a beggar's wallet, a blind man sees it, a mute shouts, a deaf man is startled, a hunchback steps forward, a cripple kicks, and a madman says, 'Everyone, be rational.'"

Yang Jingxing laughed for a long time, "This one is better."

Tao Meng explained, "Actually, there was a leper too, I forgot to mention... My dad tells me jokes every week to help me relax, but I think it's okay."

This time, Tao Meng performed well in the exam, ranking fifth in the class and fifteenth in the grade. Yang Jingxing seemed to have been distracted by the music exam and only ranked tenth in the class.

The weather was getting warmer, and spring felt great. The school's garden and trees were turning green again. Students could dress up in light outfits to look stylish.

On April 1st, Saturday, April Fool's Day, Yang Jingxing went to the music college early in the morning. Zhang Chujia also came to inform Yang Jingxing that Room 306 was recruiting boys and urged him to sign up quickly.

Yang Jingxing and Liu Miao and Xia Xue also sent text messages to each other, almost making the two girls believe he had returned to Jiuchun.

At lunchtime, Tao Meng sent a text message to Yang Jingxing: "On the journey to the West, Tang僧 scolds Zhu Bajie, 'You pig, you still have the leisure to read text messages.'"

Yang Jingxing replied, "Demon, you sent it to the wrong person, I'm the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong."

Tao Meng: "You're the demon."

Yang Jingxing: "No, I sent it to Ren Chuyu by mistake."

Tao Meng: "Then you're busy."

Yang Jingxing: "I just sent a text to Tao Meng, she said you're a demon."

Tao Meng was upset and called Yang Jingxing, "Are you joking?"

Yang Jingxing was confused, "Joking about what?"

"You said I called Ren Chuyu a demon!"

Yang Jingxing was angry, "She told you? How could she do that!"

Tao Meng was really upset, "How could you do that!" and hung up the phone.

Yang Jingxing quickly called back to explain.

Tao Meng only answered after Yang Jingxing called several times, proudly saying, "You fell for it!"