Chapter 54

On Monday noon, Yu Xinting told Yang Jingxing that she had a lot of fun with Qi Qingnuo and others yesterday. They had dinner first, then sang songs, and the whole activity lasted about four to five hours. The only downside was the AA system, where each person spent over a hundred yuan.

Yu Xinting also said that Qi Qingnuo sang very well, but it was her first time going to a KTV, so she didn't perform well. However, she was proud of herself: "I drank a cup of beer and only felt a little dizzy. She can drink three cups and not show any signs... Cai Fuxuan is even more amazing, she and her boyfriend are so naughty..."

Yang Jingxing asked, "Did they bully you?"

Yu Xinting chuckled, "Not me, it was Yu Feifei... Did you have fun?"

Yang Jingxing nodded, "It was okay."

Yu Xinting was happy, "That's good."

Yang Jingxing asked, "What's the plan for Wednesday?"

Yu Xinting was puzzled, "Wednesday? Classes..."

Yang Jingxing was even more puzzled, "Your birthday! Don't pretend you forgot."

Yu Xinting was surprised, "No, it is... How did you know?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Of course I know. I'll order the cake, just think about which friends you want to invite. Tao Meng will come too."

Yu Xinting wasn't particularly happy, but a bit worried. She clenched her fists in front of her chest and said, "Actually, I celebrate my birthday according to the lunar calendar."

Yang Jingxing asked, "When is that?"

"...Tomorrow." Yu Xinting hesitated before answering.

Yang Jingxing was envious, "You're lucky, you can celebrate your birthday for two days... How about this, you celebrate with your parents tomorrow, and we'll celebrate the next day. Is that okay?"

Yu Xinting smiled, a bit embarrassed, "Okay... Should I invite others?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Of course, we should invite all our friends."

"An Xin." Yu Xinting confirmed one, then hesitated, "Qi Qingnuo, can I just invite her? It might not be good, I also want to invite Nian Qing..."

Yang Jingxing said, "Just tell everyone in 306, if they're free, they can come."

Yu Xinting was worried, "There will be too many people, it will cost a lot of money."

Yang Jingxing said, "It's your birthday, of course I'll pay. That's the rule."

Yu Xinting wasn't a fool, "There's no such rule... If there are ten people, and we go to the same place as yesterday, it will cost five or six hundred. When will I be able to pay you back?"

Yang Jingxing said, "We're just freshmen, I'm not in a hurry. Just pay me back before we graduate."

Yu Xinting thought for a while and then hesitated, "How should I tell them... I feel embarrassed."

Yang Jingxing decided to help, "I'll tell them."

Later, Yang Jingxing called Qi Qingnuo, "Are you free on Wednesday evening?"

Qi Qingnuo asked, "What for? You didn't come yesterday, want to make up for it? No need."

Yang Jingxing said, "No, it's Yu Xinting's birthday, let's have some fun."

Qi Qingnuo said, "No problem... You're organizing it, right?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Ask them if they're free, and those who are can come."

Qi Qingnuo said, "We never did this before. I'll ask, is it Wednesday evening... You're really busy, is your girlfriend coming?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Are you trying to tease me? It's not shameful to not have a girlfriend!"

Qi Qingnuo clarified, "I heard from Yu Xinting, go ask her!"

Yang Jingxing then asked, "I have another question, how do you apply for a classroom?"

Qi Qingnuo asked, "Do you want one too? We applied through a club. Find ten people and form a club, a singles club would be easier."

Yang Jingxing retorted, "Count you in."

Qi Qingnuo didn't mind, "Sure, I can even get a few more for you."

In the afternoon, Yang Jingxing went to the student affairs office to apply for a club activity classroom. There were many rules and regulations, and the most frightening one was that if someone was found doing something unrelated to the club activities or violating school rules in the classroom, the initiators would be punished.

The initiators had to be at least ten people. Yang Jingxing, Yu Xinting, An Xin, and Qi Qingnuo were four, and he needed to find six more. In the first-year composition department, the only person Yang Jingxing could find was Xu Xuesi, who he talked to more often.

Yang Jingxing was worried, but then Qi Qingnuo called, "I found six people for you. Don't worry, they usually don't show up, you can have the classroom to yourself."

Yang Jingxing was very grateful to Qi Qingnuo.

On Tuesday, the club members gathered and got to know each other. The four guys Qi Qingnuo found included Liu Siman's boyfriend and a few guys who helped set up the stage last time. He Peiyuan and Wang Rui also joined the club.

What should the club be called, and what would be its theme? They had to fill out forms. Yang Jingxing decided, but he was very democratic and asked everyone for suggestions.

Qi Qingnuo felt she had done enough, "How do we know what you want to do? We're just here to sign our names, just don't cause any trouble."

Yu Xinting quickly assured, "I won't!"

Qi Qingnuo giggled, "Don't let him fool you, Vice President."

Yu Xinting was embarrassed, "No, I won't!"

Yang Jingxing said, "We're already appointing a vice president, President, make a decision quickly."

Qi Qingnuo said, "Let's call it... New Folk Music."

Liu Siman, who was there to watch, commented, "That's a bit boastful!"

Qi Qingnuo patted Yang Jingxing's shoulder, "Everyone has high hopes for you."

Yang Jingxing was nervous, "I can't live up to that, let's just pick a name. How about the Boastful Club?"

Yu Xinting chuckled, "No, I have an idea, let's call it 'Yue Xing'... But people might think it's 'Yue Xing.'"

Yang Jingxing said, "Troublesome, let me see, how about 402?"

Wang Rui agreed, "402 is available."

So, a group of people went to register and fill out the forms, and the 402 club was officially established. The club's goal was to develop traditional Chinese music and integrate Western music. The president was Yang Jingxing, and the vice presidents were Qi Qingnuo and Yu Xinting. It wasn't just for fun; it had to be filled out.

The management office was reluctant to assign 402, saying, "402 is a large classroom!"

Yang Jingxing pleaded, "We need it, it's even too small."

After getting the classroom keys, Yu Xinting was excited, "I'll be in charge of cleaning!" There were two keys, one for her and one for Yang Jingxing. Qi Qingnuo said she was just a figurehead.

Yang Jingxing said, "Not today."

Yu Xinting said, "It's okay, anyway, tomorrow..."

Yang Jingxing said, "Don't talk, let's go check it out first."

The others were too lazy to go, so Yang Jingxing took a few girls over. 402 was about the same size as 306, around thirty to forty square meters. However, it looked much worse, with dirty walls and a messy floor with chairs and benches scattered around, covered in dust.

Yang Jingxing carefully checked the door lock to prevent the expensive equipment from being stolen. Qi Qingnuo said, "Don't worry, there have been no problems. Even if you leave the door open, no one can steal anything. The janitor is more responsible than the police."

Yu Xinting started claiming her spot, "The drum goes here, dum dum cha..."

He Peiyuan objected, "President, I want to play!"

Qi Qingnuo scolded, "Flirt, you can watch occasionally."

After dinner, Yang Jingxing bought some cleaning tools and went to 402 to clean, but found Yu Xinting and An Xin already busy.

Yang Jingxing was unhappy, "I just became president and already have disobedient members. Did you call home?"

Yu Xinting said, "I did, they called me... It's such a waste, but we can use it later. This mop is really good!"

The three of them worked hard for over an hour and cleaned the classroom thoroughly. The two girls even cleaned the windows spotlessly.

At 4 PM on Wednesday, Yang Jingxing drove to Hongfu Jiayuan to pick up Tao Meng. Tao Meng wore brown pants with a slightly fancy belt, a long-sleeved T-shirt, and a light jacket, mainly in black and white with some lace. She still looked beautiful, just not as formal.

Yang Jingxing looked at Tao Meng for a while and said, "It's fine, I know you tried your best. You're naturally beautiful."

Tao Meng didn't care and asked, "How many people, confirmed?"

Yang Jingxing said, "A few."

"Tell me."

Yang Jingxing introduced everyone, and Tao Meng figured out, "Just you as the only guy?"

Yang Jingxing chuckled, "I feel embarrassed, maybe I should drop you off and leave."

Tao Meng ignored him and asked, "Just dinner? I need to go home early."

Yang Jingxing suggested, "Don't think about going home, just have fun."

Tao Meng was unimpressed, "What's so fun?"

On the way, Yang Jingxing had to pick up the cake, which took a longer route. Tao Meng asked, "Did you go so far to order it?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I was afraid you wouldn't like it. It's a strawberry cake, how is it?"

Tao Meng said, "It's okay... It's so big, can we take it apart?"

Yang Jingxing said, "We'll take it apart eventually, it's not your birthday, why the rush?"

Tao Meng said, "Actually, I prefer mousse cake."

Yang Jingxing nodded, "Noted... But it's not my turn to buy one for you, right?"

Tao Meng said, "If you have the heart, there's no such thing as 'not your turn'... Yang Jingxing, don't feel pressured being friends with me. Have I ever put pressure on you?"

Yang Jingxing quickly said, "No, no."

Tao Meng added, "Including your friends, past and present, have I ever done anything wrong?"

Yang Jingxing chuckled, "I really wish I wasn't my own friend."

Tao Meng laughed, "Good to know... Of course, you're not without merit."

Yang Jingxing was grateful, "Thank you!"

Tao Meng became serious, "That's not what I meant. I'm saying, you're a good friend... Sometimes, my personality might not be the best, but you're a man, you should be more generous."

Yang Jingxing was nervous, "My heart is going up and down, what are you trying to say?"

Tao Meng said, "I know you're not the type to be sycophantic. You might really consider me a friend, and I do too."

Yang Jingxing was sad, "Or maybe, are you that insecure?"

Tao Meng was silent.

Yang Jingxing said, "Friendship should be a natural thing, not like a scholarly pursuit that needs to be defined. Friendship is different from social relationships, don't you think?"

Tao Meng said, "Maybe."

Yang Jingxing said, "So, thank you for considering me, and I hope you can relax too."

Tao Meng was unhappy, "I'm not nervous, okay!"

Yang Jingxing laughed, "I was nervous."

Tao Meng didn't believe him, "You get nervous? You have so many friends!"

Yang Jingxing said, "Friends are about emotions, each one is unique and touches your soul. Unlike money, if you lose a hundred, you still have a thousand, and you can afford to lose it."

Tao Meng asked, "What's the most important thing in friendship?"

Yang Jingxing thought for a moment, "Happiness, I guess."

Tao Meng was unsatisfied, "That's too vague."

Yang Jingxing said, "It is a bit, but whether it's mutual admiration, support, or even just drinking buddies, the goal is always happiness."

Tao Meng asked, "What about you and me?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I admire you."

Tao Meng smiled, then asked, "What about Yu Xinting?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I admire her too, but in different ways."

Tao Meng was curious, "What do you admire about her?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Her authenticity."

Tao Meng was direct, "I don't see it... What about me?"

Yang Jingxing flattered, "Your confidence, maturity, and strength... Do you believe me?"

"Annoying!" Tao Meng stomped her foot in frustration.

By the time they arrived at the school, it was already 5:30 PM. Yang Jingxing parked the car and called Yu Xinting to meet at the school gate. A few girls came together: Yu Xinting, Qi Qingnuo, An Xin, Liu Siman, Yu Feifei, Wang Rui, and He Peiyuan. Yu Xinting wore a pretty blue jeans and a cute jacket, and she had makeup on, clearly done by Qi Qingnuo. Qi Qingnuo herself wore a more fitted white shirt and a short jacket, with her hands in the pockets of her military green pants, looking very cool.

Yu Xinting ran a few steps to welcome Tao Meng, "You look so beautiful today."

Tao Meng smiled, "Thank you, happy birthday." She handed over the gift.

Yu Xinting was delighted, "Thank you, thank you!"

Tao Meng said, "We picked it out together, I hope you like it."

Yang Jingxing quickly said, "She made the decision, don't blame me if you don't like it."

Yu Xinting said, "I definitely will!"

Qi Qingnuo looked at Yang Jingxing, "That's a big cake, do you think we're like you?"

Yang Jingxing quickly introduced, "Tao Meng, my high school class president."

The girls nodded and greeted her. Yang Jingxing asked Tao Meng, "Do you want to guess?"

Tao Meng gave him a reproachful look. Yang Jingxing introduced, "This is An Xin..."

Tao Meng quickly added, "Hello, you and Yu Xinting are good friends, right?"

An Xin smiled, "Yes."

"This is He Peiyuan."

Tao Meng still smiled politely, "Hello, Yang Jingxing said you play the erhu very well."

Everyone was surprised, and Yang Jingxing quickly clarified, "I didn't say that, she misremembered... It's the sanxian!"

Tao Meng frowned and smiled apologetically, "Sorry, I misremembered. There were too many people, I got confused."

He Peiyuan said, "I can play the erhu a bit."

Next was Qi Qingnuo, and Tao Meng said, "Yang Jingxing said you're a talented girl."

Qi Qingnuo laughed, "Not really, I don't look like it."

Tao Meng chuckled, "Definitely a beautiful girl."

Qi Qingnuo was modest, "I can pretend, but not with you here."

Tao Meng disagreed, "Don't say that, the music college is full of talented and beautiful girls."

Yang Jingxing laughed, "That's why I'm here!"

Wang Rui interrogated, "Are you his girlfriend? Don't deny it!"

Yang Jingxing was flustered, "When did I ever say that!"

Tao Meng smiled, "We're good friends."

Wang Rui didn't give up, "Still developing?"

Yang Jingxing was angry, "Are you trying to hurt me again?"

Tao Meng chuckled.

Qi Qingnuo pulled Wang Rui, "Okay, the threat is gone."

Wang Rui insisted, "We can't let her go to another school."

Yu Xinting stopped them, "Don't say that." To Tao Meng, she said, "They're just joking."

Tao Meng was gracious, "It's fine."