Chapter 59

The two of them went out and down the stairs. Tao Meng straightened her legs, pausing at each step as if she had a playful mood. She asked Yang Jingxing, "Do you spend most of your time at school practicing composition?"

Yang Jingxing nodded, "Practicing on your own is more important than attending classes."

Tao Meng was somewhat envious, "After our classes, we don't have much to do... What do the composition teachers think of you?"

Yang Jingxing replied, "They don't say much, just tell me to work hard."

Tao Meng asked, "What about this piece of yours?"

Yang Jingxing said, "It's just taking shape, I haven't shown it to the teacher yet. The demo isn't even done."

Tao Meng said, "I think it's pretty good... Why did you name it 'Sun in the Rain'?"

Yang Jingxing explained the reason, and Tao Meng was skeptical, "Is it because your surname is Yang? It feels a bit pretentious. You should choose a more grand name."

Yang Jingxing said, "It's not petty. The name doesn't matter, as long as the content is good."

Tao Meng asked again, "Does Yu Xinting understand composition?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Not really, but she plays the piano well."

Tao Meng asked, "Are there more boys or girls at your school?"

"More boys."

Tao Meng laughed, "If someone like her came to our school, she'd definitely have a lot of admirers."

Yang Jingxing asked, "Don't you have any admirers?"

Tao Meng said, "Not really."

Yang Jingxing was curious, "What do you mean by 'not really'?"

Tao Meng was a bit helpless, "Maybe I'm not very approachable."

Yang Jingxing chuckled, "There must be a couple of thick-skinned ones, right?"

Tao Meng said, "But I detest men who lack self-respect and backbone... It's disgusting and an insult to me to pursue me."

Yang Jingxing stiffened his neck and raised his head, "Hmph, I have a proud spirit!"

Tao Meng frowned and laughed, "You're so annoying!"

Yang Jingxing said, "If someone is willing to give up their self-respect to pursue you, you might consider it."

Tao Meng was angry, "To pursue someone without even a basic understanding is irresponsible and immature!"

Yang Jingxing advised, "Youthful recklessness is precious. Why be so mature? You're still a young girl, do you want to find an old man?"

Tao Meng said, "Maturity has nothing to do with age. Men should be confident, broad-minded, have ideals and ambitions, and most importantly, have a sense of responsibility."

Yang Jingxing chuckled, "You treat me like a sister... Is it because many people around you have boyfriends?"

Tao Meng glared at Yang Jingxing, "Did you check the alumni list? Jiang Qing has one too, the guy is like... a sissy."

Yang Jingxing understood, "You mean he's handsome, right?"

Tao Meng disagreed, "That's not called handsome! Anyway, I don't like it."

Yang Jingxing comforted, "Don't worry, take it slow. Everyone knows you have high standards. I can imagine how many people drool when they see you..."

Tao Meng was anxious, "Am I worried? I just think they're ridiculous. Is such a man worth boasting about?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It's a good thing, it shows they have a good relationship. Your blessing!"

Tao Meng was angry, "I didn't say I wouldn't bless them!"

Yang Jingxing said, "Buy more ugly clothes today to give the boys at Fudan more courage!"

"You're so annoying!"

On the way to the mall, Tao Meng told Yang Jingxing about the day's plan: visit two places in the morning, have lunch, watch a movie in the afternoon, and then go home.

Tao Meng said, "The restaurant is run by Australians, they do molecular cuisine. Have you heard of it?"

Yang Jingxing shook his head, "No, what does it mean?"

Tao Meng said, "It's more scientific, involving a lot of physics. You should be interested... I heard about it from someone else, I haven't been there yet."

Yang Jingxing was excited, "We have to go and see!"

Tao Meng chuckled, "That's why I chose it, it's close. For the movie, we'll decide at the cinema. There are a few good ones, do you prefer sci-fi or horror?"

Yang Jingxing asked cheekily, "No horror movies?"

Tao Meng glared, "No! I don't like them!"

The parking lot here was expensive, and Tao Meng didn't suggest splitting the cost. By the time they entered the mall, it was almost ten, but there weren't many people around.

Tao Meng wanted to buy skincare products first, and Yang Jingxing said she probably didn't need them yet. Tao Meng said, "It's better to start early."

Yang Jingxing didn't believe it, "You're still growing, do babies need them?"

Tao Meng said, "I'm not using anti-aging products, mainly for hydration. The weather is dry now."

Tao Meng accepted the welcome and introduction from the counter, and Yang Jingxing sat nearby listening. It was clear that he was out of his depth with all the technical terms.

But Tao Meng still asked for Yang Jingxing's opinion, "What do you think? Should I get this one?"

Yang Jingxing said, "You're already so fair, you don't need it."

Tao Meng also wanted to choose lip gloss, and Yang Jingxing suggested a light, moisturizing one. Tao Meng introduced him to a makeup store, run by a famous designer, offering custom makeup with excellent results, even celebrities come here.

Yang Jingxing said, "Makeup is for girls who aren't pretty, you don't need it."

Tao Meng wasn't modest, "It's like adding flowers to brocade... Do you want to go to the men's section?"

Yang Jingxing refused.

Yang Jingxing carried Tao Meng's skincare products as they went upstairs to look at clothes. They didn't need to wander around, just went straight to the store Tao Meng liked.

"How about this one... or this one... I kind of like it." Tao Meng picked one and went to try it on.

After looking, Yang Jingxing praised her and helped choose matching belts and pants. Tao Meng seemed to have confidence in Yang Jingxing's taste and always respected his opinions.

They spent two hours and bought several T-shirts, two jackets, three pairs of pants, two belts, two scarves, and a hat for her grandmother. They were quite efficient.

Yang Jingxing didn't want to go to the men's floor, but Tao Meng said she wanted to buy something for her father. They went upstairs, with Tao Meng leading the way. Yang Jingxing looked at the trendy brands around and asked, "Is your dad really that young at heart?"

Tao Meng gently scolded, "Just take a look, maybe he'll like something. Do you really dislike buying clothes that much?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I don't like taking off my clothes in public."

They entered a store, and Tao Meng showed Yang Jingxing some jeans, but he said he didn't like wearing jeans. Tao Meng was annoyed, "Isn't it uncoordinated?" She called the salesperson, "Measure him, he doesn't like trying on clothes."

Tao Meng also persuaded, "They'll look good, trust me... It's good to change your style sometimes, it's refreshing."

Then Tao Meng found a jacket, similar to a short windbreaker. She almost begged, "Just try it on, you just need to take off your coat, it won't take long."

The salesperson helped, "Yes, try it on, Miss, you have good taste."

Yang Jingxing was pushed into the changing room, and Tao Meng quickly took his coat. When Yang Jingxing was dressed, Tao Meng was a bit doubtful, "It looks a bit old-fashioned, forget it."

Thank goodness, that coat wasn't worth 6,000 yuan! 6,000 yuan could buy a decent trumpet.

But Tao Meng didn't give up and continued to choose, sighing, "Your clothes are really limited, no wonder you don't like buying them."

Yang Jingxing said, "It's because we don't like buying them, so there are fewer options."

Tao Meng said, "My dad is the same... But taste and preference are different things, don't you think? Don't you have a style you like? Would you wear a leather jacket?"

Yang Jingxing shook his head, "For me, comfort is the most important."

Tao Meng said, "Okay... What kind of clothes are comfortable?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Loose and natural, no need to constantly check the cuffs and collar."

Tao Meng agreed, "Then don't wear a suit next time... Do you like sweaters?"

Yang Jingxing still shook his head, "I don't like fuzzy ones."

"Oh, I haven't seen you wear one... What about a down jacket?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I don't like thick ones."

Tao Meng was annoyed, "Why are you so picky?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Otherwise, you wouldn't have a sense of achievement."

Tao Meng dismissed, "I don't need a sense of achievement."

But they finally chose a long coat. Yang Jingxing accepted it, otherwise, they wouldn't have lunch anytime soon. Tao Meng looked satisfied, "Do you like it?"

"Like it, like it." Yang Jingxing nodded repeatedly.

Tao Meng said, "Then wear it, take off your tie."

Seeing it was almost one o'clock, Tao Meng said she was hungry. Yang Jingxing asked, "Not buying anything for your dad?"

"No suitable ones, forget it." Tao Meng checked the items, "Let's go."

They entered the restaurant at 1:30. It was small and elegant, with waiters in formal attire. The tables were a bit crowded. The waiters seemed very knowledgeable, explaining the dishes in detail, from liquid nitrogen cooling to laser grilling, vacuum processing, and various chemical terms... Of course, there were also traditional dishes to choose from.

Tao Meng looked at Yang Jingxing, also excited, "Do you want to see?" The waiter said the liquid nitrogen ice cream was made in front of the customers.

So they discussed and ordered different dishes. Science is rigorous, so they had to wait a while. They reminisced about high school, as physics and chemistry were no longer part of their current studies.

Tao Meng couldn't understand absolute zero. If there's no upper limit for temperature, why is there a lower limit? Yang Jingxing said no one knows if there's an upper limit, as human knowledge of physics is still limited, and he himself hasn't learned much.

Tao Meng asked, "Do you think the universe is finite or infinite? Infinite is impossible. But if it's finite, what's beyond the boundary?"

Yang Jingxing laughed, "So many worries, live for today."

Tao Meng laughed, "I don't drink, can you understand relativity?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I understand part of it, but I think it's nonsense."

Tao Meng giggled, "There you go again."

Yang Jingxing said, "Really, I don't believe in time. Time isn't an objective existence, it's just a dimension in our consciousness. I don't believe time can flow backward."

Tao Meng nodded, somewhat understanding, "I don't get it either, but those movies are interesting, like 'Back to the Future.' Have you seen it?"

As college students, their conversation over lunch was full of scientific and cultural content.

The dishes finally arrived. Yang Jingxing's first dish was red wine foam beef, which looked very appealing, bright and vivid, but it was hard to tell if it was red wine or blood. A bite confirmed it was very tender and different.

Tao Meng had lemon salmon, which seemed very tasty. She praised, "Very tender and fresh, no fishy taste... How's yours?"

Yang Jingxing cut a piece of beef and offered it to Tao Meng. Tao Meng carefully placed it on her plate, cut a small piece to try, and said, "It's good... Do you want mine?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Of course, quickly."

The meal took an hour, and they tasted each other's dishes. The flavors were good, but not overly impressive, just very novel.

Finally, it was time for the ice cream made with liquid nitrogen. The thick white mist was quite realistic, and Tao Meng said the ice cream tasted good.

Then it was Yang Jingxing's turn to pay, and it wasn't too expensive. He said it was worth it. Tao Meng was a bit proud, "We didn't come to the wrong place, I knew you'd like it... Do you want to come again?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Can't come often, it would ruin the feeling."

Tao Meng agreed, "True, otherwise there would be no novelty... Are you full? The portions were a bit small."

Yang Jingxing was indeed not satisfied, but there was a fast food restaurant nearby, so they went in and bought two burgers. Tao Meng accompanied him with a drink and said, "Take your time, no one is rushing you."

Yang Jingxing said, "I'm afraid you'll get impatient."

Tao Meng was hurt, "When have I ever been impatient about such things?"

Yang Jingxing laughed, "You're in a good mood today, I don't know who to thank."

Tao Meng said, "No other reason, I adjusted myself."

Yang Jingxing said, "Thank you."

Tao Meng asked, "Do you know why I adjusted?"

"Why?"

Tao Meng said, "Obviously, it's because I was in a bad mood. If I was already good, I wouldn't need to adjust."

"Why was it bad?"

"Never mind, I don't want to talk about it now." Tao Meng teased.

Yang Jingxing protested, "You're leaving me hanging, it's killing me!"

Tao Meng looked at Yang Jingxing, "If I say it's because of Yu Xinting, would you find it strange?"

Yang Jingxing was surprised, "Are you jealous?"

"Strange?" Tao Meng seemed to be interrogating.

Yang Jingxing said, "Not strange."

"Why?"

"Everyone gets jealous."

Tao Meng coldly said, "I'm jealous of you!?"

Yang Jingxing said, "We're friends, and even more so, we're opposite-sex friends. It's natural. If I went to your place and found another male friend, I'd be jealous too."

Tao Meng asked, "Would you?"

Yang Jingxing nodded, "Most likely."

Tao Meng commented, "That's strange."

Yang Jingxing disagreed, "It's human nature. If you had a brother or sister, and your grandmother treated them better, you'd be jealous too. It's the same thing. You don't have to feel petty. In my mind, and in your own evaluation, you're still a broad-minded and beautiful girl."

Tao Meng seized the opportunity, "You knew I'd be jealous and still let her stay!"

Yang Jingxing defended, "It's not a big deal, and you adjusted yourself. Good job!"

Tao Meng asked, "What if I had turned around and left?"

Yang Jingxing was happy, "I'd think you like me!"

Tao Meng laughed coldly, "Dream on!"

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