Chapter 58

It was getting late, and Yang Jingxing copied the audio track he had just recorded and played to Qi Qingshuo, who was about to go home. Yang Jingxing wasn't in a hurry, and Yu Xinting stayed with her a bit longer.

When Qi Qingshuo left, she asked Yang Jingxing if he was free on the weekend. Yang Jingxing said he was free on Sunday, and Qi Qingshuo suggested they go to her father's bar, where there would be a gathering of older musicians, and the younger generation could learn from them. She also invited Yu Xinting to come along.

Yu Xinting was worried: "I've never been to a bar."

Qi Qingshuo laughed: "With him around, what are you afraid of?"

After Qi Qingshuo left, Yu Xinting asked Yang Jingxing why he had written a piece with such a majestic theme. Yang Jingxing then told her about the time he and his friends had gone on a wild bike ride in the rain at home, and how it felt great to go a little crazy once in a while.

Yu Xinting had many playmates when she was young, but most of them had drifted apart due to moving and changing schools. She had never done anything particularly wild, except for once digging up a large ant nest, creating a big hole in the ground.

Yu Xinting wanted to play the electric piano and tried to play the piece Yang Jingxing had just composed by following the sheet music on the computer. She said, "My family gave me money to buy a computer, but I want to pay you back first."

Yang Jingxing said, "Buy the computer first; this software is really useful."

Yu Xinting had high standards: "I want your handwritten score."

Yang Jingxing laughed: "Sure, it might even appreciate in value in the future."

Yu Xinting said, "I won't sell it."

Yu Xinting then played a small tune and quizzed Yang Jingxing: "Do you know what it is?"

Yang Jingxing sang: "I'm a big thief, I'm not afraid of anything..."

Yu Xinting giggled and continued playing, looking at Yang Jingxing.

Yang Jingxing laughed: "This is too easy, la la la la la, I'm a little newspaper seller..."

Yu Xinting didn't believe him and continued.

Yang Jingxing was disappointed: "I'm a painter..."

Yu Xinting thought hard, then looked at Yang Jingxing suspiciously and played again.

Yang Jingxing was proud: "Little slob, truly a slob, the slob king is him..."

Yu Xinting laughed.

Yang Jingxing was angry: "Alright, you just want to see me make a fool of myself!"

Yu Xinting quickly explained: "No... I just find it funny." She continued laughing.

Then the two of them studied the double-manual keyboard together. This instrument was indeed powerful, with hundreds of preset sounds and the ability to combine various sounds, even layering different sounds based on the force of the key press. Qi Qingshuo said that Roland's string sounds were better than Yamaha's, but Yamaha was still very good.

Yu Xinting, of course, wanted to play Yang Jingxing's piece again, but she stopped after the introduction, clenching her right hand and patting it with her left, feeling a bit embarrassed: "I can't play it well."

Yang Jingxing praised her: "You did great, everyone has their own style. If you want to learn from me, you need to use more force, but pay attention to the legato, keep going!"

Yu Xinting played the introduction a few more times to get a feel for it. She was really not used to it, having played the piano for over ten years, and now the keys produced orchestral sounds.

But Yang Jingxing still praised her, saying she was versatile and very impressive. Yu Xinting felt very embarrassed.

It was ten o'clock, and Yang Jingxing urged Yu Xinting to return to her dorm. Yu Xinting asked, "Are you hungry?"

Yang Jingxing said, "No, don't worry about getting hungry."

Yu Xinting said, "I'll bring you an apple."

Yang Jingxing said, "No need, I'll be back soon."

After Yu Xinting left, Yang Jingxing played the electric guitar for a while. Although he could play a bit of acoustic guitar, it was a different story with the electric guitar, which required different techniques. He also tried the drum kit, but he wasn't as good as Yu Xinting.

On Friday, Yang Jingxing returned the guzheng he hadn't mastered yet and eagerly borrowed a trumpet. He spent the whole day practicing it.

Oh, playing with the mouth was so difficult! Yang Jingxing practiced with the textbook all morning but still couldn't get the hang of it, making it his biggest challenge in learning instruments on his own. He couldn't even play the basic notes accurately, let alone a complete piece.

Before lunch, Yu Xinting and An Xin came to Room 402 to pick up Yang Jingxing. An Xin agreed with Yang Jingxing's frustration: "The trumpet is the hardest. I've seen many people give up, and there aren't many good teachers."

Yang Jingxing gave Yu Xinting the handwritten score he had written the night before, complete with a signature and a message, like a gift. Yu Xinting had already thought of a name for the piece, either "Sun in the Rain" or "Wind Sprint," and let Yang Jingxing choose. Yang Jingxing liked "Sun in the Rain," and Yu Xinting was a bit proud, spinning around with An Xin, saying she liked it too.

After lunch, Yang Jingxing hurried to find a brass teacher. His eagerness to learn was well-known, and a teacher who taught the trombone greeted him, saying the trumpet professor wasn't there that day.

However, this trombone teacher could also play the trumpet, and he was at least ten thousand times better than Yang Jingxing. The techniques for the trumpet were actually quite limited, seemingly simpler than the 88 keys and a few pedals of a piano. But the human hand is the most flexible, while the mouth and tongue are far less so. Playing the piano or string instruments, from a purely physical standpoint, is all about the hands.

But the trumpet is about finger technique and breath control. Breath control involves the entire upper body, requiring precise control of the lungs, throat, mouth, and chest. Breath is intangible, and you even have to change your breathing habits, mastering various breathing techniques! When do piano teachers ever talk about practicing breathing?

People can still be piano or violin masters in their seventies or eighties, but blowing brass instruments at that age is incredibly challenging. If any instrument requires physical fitness, it's brass. And the breath control for the trumpet is arguably the most difficult of all brass instruments. The saxophone doesn't count.

The scariest part is that if you play a wrong note on the trumpet, even a layperson can immediately criticize you. It's so easy to hear. And the trumpet is the hardest instrument to play accurately. A layperson can practice a piano for a month, memorizing each key, and play a few simple tunes without sounding too bad. But with the trumpet, without years of practice, it will sound terrible to everyone.

Yang Jingxing shamelessly asked the teacher for a two-hour lesson, gaining a basic understanding of trumpet playing methods, including circular breathing.

Before dinner, Yang Jingxing extended the borrowing period for the trumpet from a week to a month at the instrument rental place. The teacher teased, "This isn't easy, is it?"

Yang Jingxing nodded and smiled.

The teacher added, "My son also learned... It's not good, you should buy your own."

Yang Jingxing sought advice and decided to buy a professional-level trumpet, which would be a significant expense.

In the evening, Yang Jingxing continued practicing the trumpet. An Xin and Yu Xinting played the double-manual keyboard and drum kit. Yu Xinting felt that Yang Jingxing's progress was very slow and suggested he find a teacher.

An Xin said, "Be content! Do you want to drive him crazy?"

Around ten o'clock, Yang Jingxing received a call from Tao Meng, confirming the time and place for their meeting the next day, as well as his attire.

Tao Meng said, "We'll go to the New Century area." She didn't want to shop in the mall near her house, even though it was nice.

Yang Jingxing said, "Wherever you want to go."

Tao Meng objected, "You can't just listen to me; you should have your own ideas."

Yang Jingxing said, "My idea is to go wherever you go."

"Cheeky!" Tao Meng was still a bit upset, "Have you made any progress these past few days?"

Yang Jingxing said his studio was almost ready, and Tao Meng, of course, wanted to see it. So Yang Jingxing moved the pickup time up by an hour, to 7:00 AM.

Tao Meng reminded him, "Get some sleep, don't be tired during the day."

Yang Jingxing patiently replied, "When am I not energetic!"

Tao Meng added, "I might shop for a long time, so don't get impatient."

Yang Jingxing said, "As long as you stay in my sight."

"Hmph, you sound so nice now... I hear someone talking?"

Yang Jingxing explained, "I'm still at school, Yu Xinting and An Xin are here." Yu Xinting glared at An Xin, blaming her.

Tao Meng scolded, "It's so late, you should be back in the dorm... You should go home early too!"

Yang Jingxing said, "I'll be back soon."

Tao Meng added, "Say hello to them for me, see you tomorrow on time... I'm going to sleep, good night."

"Good night."

Yu Xinting and An Xin prepared to return to the dorm, wishing Yang Jingxing, "Have fun tomorrow."

Yang Jingxing smiled bitterly, "I will."

On Saturday, Yang Jingxing woke up at 6:00 AM, put on the light gray suit Tao Meng required, tied the specified tie, and even checked the color of his socks.

Before 7:00 AM, Yang Jingxing was already downstairs at Tao Meng's building. He called, and Tao Meng asked if he had eaten breakfast. Yang Jingxing said he had, and Tao Meng was puzzled, "So early, what did you eat?"

"Steamed buns."

Tao Meng suddenly became kind, "Do you want milk? I'll have the nanny warm it up."

Yang Jingxing said, "Bring me a box down."

Pushing his luck! Tao Meng was annoyed, "Drink it or not, I haven't eaten breakfast! I'm the only one at home."

Yang Jingxing said, "Then I'll come up."

Tao Meng was still impatient, "Ring the bell, I'll open the elevator for you."

Getting up early and driving for half an hour just to have breakfast was quite romantic. The nanny had everything ready: milk, eggs, bread, and bacon, all set across from Tao Meng.

Tao Meng didn't even stand up, just glanced at Yang Jingxing, "Eat quickly."

Yang Jingxing didn't hesitate. The nanny asked, "Little Yang, can you eat the eggs? Miss likes them well-done."

Tao Meng said, "Don't worry about him, he can eat anything."

Yang Jingxing said, "The bacon is good, do you have more?"

The nanny hurried to fry more.

Yang Jingxing asked while eating, "What era is this, you're still called 'Miss'?"

Tao Meng was annoyed, "It's my grandmother, she insists they call her that... Didn't you eat already?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Steamed buns aren't as rich."

"When did you go to bed last night?"

"Early."

"What time!?"

"Midnight."

"That's not early! Did you wash the car?"

"Last week."

Tao Meng glared but controlled herself, "Forget it, just be careful in the future."

Yang Jingxing chuckled.

Tao Meng pouted, "Is that funny?"

Yang Jingxing asked, "You don't want this?"

Tao Meng shook her head, "It's for you, I don't eat meat in the morning."

After breakfast, Tao Meng went to change clothes. Yang Jingxing didn't wait in vain for over ten minutes; she looked stunning. She wore brown short boots, black skinny pants, a white long-sleeved hoodie, and a brown short jacket, looking like a fashionable girl.

Yang Jingxing clapped, "Worth it today."

The nanny also praised, "Another outfit looks good too."

Tao Meng asked, "Is this bag okay for today?"

Yang Jingxing nodded, "Sure, it's perfect."

They went downstairs, and Yang Jingxing looked in the mirror, saying, "We don't match."

Tao Meng asked, "Do you have a choice? This is fine."

What bad luck, getting a ticket so early in the morning! The traffic police were really too dedicated. Fortunately, Tao Meng didn't criticize Yang Jingxing and took the ticket, saying, "I'll have the driver handle it."

First, they returned to the school, where Tao Meng inspected the hardware construction of Room 402. On the way, Tao Meng discussed the studio with Yang Jingxing in detail, asking if it was mainly for composing and arranging. She then advised Yang Jingxing to protect his intellectual property, as future members of the club might claim credit for his work.

Yang Jingxing, of course, knew about such issues. "Butterfly Lovers" was a prime example; what should have been a proud achievement turned into a bitter feud between the two authors, a major embarrassment for the Shanghai Conservatory of Music.

Tao Meng was kind, "If you write your own pieces, you can let me listen. Even as a regular listener, I can offer feedback... I won't be too harsh on you in this regard."

Yang Jingxing nodded, "Sure, I'll play you a piece later."

Tao Meng said, "I'm serious, since you're in the composition department, you should strive in this direction. It's up to you."

Yang Jingxing said, "I'm serious too."

"Alright." Tao Meng nodded.

Yang Jingxing was upset, "Doubting my ability!"

Tao Meng explained, "Not... Blame yourself, who knows what's real and what's not!"

They arrived at the school around 8:00 AM. Tao Meng said the teaching building was well-maintained. On the fourth floor, Yang Jingxing heard the sound of the drum kit, which must have been Yu Xinting.

Yang Jingxing quietly opened the door and shouted, scaring Yu Xinting. He laughed, "Look who's here."

Yu Xinting was genuinely startled, looking at Tao Meng, "Sorry, I didn't know you were coming."

Tao Meng smiled, "It's fine, aren't you a pianist?"

Yang Jingxing said, "You underestimate her, she's the future drummer of Room 306."

Tao Meng chuckled, "So early, very diligent."

Yang Jingxing said, "Come on, welcome to the tour."

Tao Meng could play the piano but was less familiar with electronic equipment. She recognized the electric guitar but needed to learn more about the differences between the double-manual keyboard and the electric piano.

Looking around, Tao Meng asked, "Are all these yours?"

Yang Jingxing said, "The trumpet is borrowed from the school, and the erhu is borrowed from Liu Siman."

Tao Meng asked, "So many... For yourself or for them?"

Yang Jingxing said, "For myself."

"Can you use them all?"

"Gradually."

Yu Xinting said, "He learns quickly, mastering an instrument in just a few days."

Tao Meng laughed, "Don't exaggerate for him."

Yu Xinting said, "You chat, I'll leave."

Tao Meng quickly said, "No need, we're going shopping soon, you can continue."

Yang Jingxing asked Yu Xinting, "Do you want to come along?"

Yu Xinting shook her head, "No!"

Tao Meng said, "Didn't you say you had a piece?"

So Yang Jingxing opened the equipment and called Yu Xinting over. Yu Xinting refused, "You can do it alone."

Yang Jingxing glared. Yu Xinting reluctantly sat behind the drum kit. Tao Meng moved a chair and sat opposite Yang Jingxing.

It was the same version from yesterday, with a brass ensemble introduction. Tao Meng's neck stiffened, then she just stared at Yang Jingxing. Yu Xinting seemed to have improved her rhythm from this morning, playing better than yesterday.

At the end of the piece, Yang Jingxing used a sound he had created the night before, a grand orchestral effect with rich chords, much more powerful than before. Yu Xinting nervously played a roll, and it sounded quite good.

Tao Meng looked at Yang Jingxing, who was waiting for her comments, and said, "Definitely not yours, you're lying to