Chapter 84

Tao Meng actually wanted to eat hot pot, saying that on a cold day, looking at a hot pot gave a warm feeling. It was on the 56th floor of the Grand Hotel, and the specialty hot pot here was quite good.

Although she had complained of hunger several times on the way, Tao Meng didn't eat much, and Yang Jingxing's good appetite was admirable.

"How many days off do you have for New Year's Day?" Tao Meng still held her chopsticks, but she hadn't moved them for a long time.

Yang Jingxing said, "Just the weekend, my mom is coming."

"To see you?"

Yang Jingxing said, "To see the mall, and to see me while she's at it."

Tao Meng nodded, "Then let's go shopping tomorrow afternoon... We can't get the tickets for the 29th until next week, so we'll go early when the time comes."

Yang Jingxing said, "It will be very cold, so wear more clothes."

Tao Meng said, "I know!"

After finishing the hot pot, Tao Meng said her energy was restored and she could walk a bit. The international metropolis was indeed different, with a strong Christmas atmosphere already. Christmas elves could be seen everywhere on the commercial streets, along with various activities to attract customers. Discounts weren't very appealing, so Tao Meng paid attention to what was fun.

A huge Christmas tree in a mall caught Tao Meng's attention, and she decided to go inside. The Christmas decorations inside were even more grand and beautiful, with a special Christmas counter selling all kinds of delicious, playful, and attractive items.

These days, everything foreign was popular, even small Christmas cards. Tao Meng picked a few, saying some were for her father and mother, and some were for Kuang Jing and others.

Yang Jingxing also followed the trend and got five, and Tao Meng guessed, "There must be one for Yu Xinting and Qi Qingnuo, and who else?"

Yang Jingxing said, "And An Xin."

Tao Meng counted, "So there are two left."

Yang Jingxing said, "I'm afraid I might write the wrong thing and have to scrap it."

Tao Meng knew, "You must be sending them home, but it's too late."

Yang Jingxing said, "It will arrive soon."

A counter was selling Christmas bells, all kinds of which were beautiful. Tao Meng picked a pair of gold ones, finely crafted and not cheap, jingling in her hands.

Yang Jingxing looked and looked, and unexpectedly found a platinum necklace with two small crystal bells, only as big as large soybeans, crystal clear and connected by a platinum ribbon shaped like a silk thread.

It was very beautiful but very expensive, costing as much as a song. Yang Jingxing still bought it and asked for it to be wrapped as a gift.

Tao Meng didn't comment while choosing, but when Yang Jingxing held the gift box, she said, "If you're giving it to your mom, I doubt she'll like it."

Yang Jingxing said, "The thought counts."

Tao Meng lectured, "Can't you put more thought into it!"

Yang Jingxing asked, "Do you want to eat chocolate?"

Tao Meng wasn't very enthusiastic, "You buy it."

Yang Jingxing bought a large box, with over forty pieces, and gave it to Tao Meng, "For you, a gift."

Tao Meng didn't even take it, "This is a gift?"

Yang Jingxing said, "If I wrap it, you'll have to unwrap it, it's troublesome."

Tao Meng indignantly, "Why wrap it? Because it's a surprise before you open it!"

Yang Jingxing put the chocolate box behind his back, "I'll do a magic trick for you, hey... why didn't it work, just take it."

Tao Meng took it unhappily and cursed, "It might not be good at all."

Yang Jingxing laughed, "Then just look at it."

At around four, Yang Jingxing sent Tao Meng home. Tao Meng said the weather forecast predicted snow tonight, and if the roads were bad tomorrow, Yang Jingxing should leave early.

When Yang Jingxing returned to 402 and found no one, he first wrote a few greeting cards and then started working on the musical score. He only prepared to go to the cafeteria at six. On the way down, he met Yu Xinting and An Xin, who had come to see if Yang Jingxing had returned so they could have dinner together. They had gone shopping in the afternoon and had a good haul. Yu Xinting took out a Christmas hat from her pocket, put it on, and showed it to Yang Jingxing, looking quite cute.

After eating in the cafeteria, they returned to 402, and Yang Jingxing gave the greeting cards to Yu Xinting and An Xin. An Xin was a bit surprised, "There are these too? Haha."

Yu Xinting opened hers with surprise, saying, "It's beautiful... it seems to have a fragrance."

At around eight, Yang Jingxing received a call from Tao Meng, "Dad said he's going to meet friends tonight and wants to take me along."

Yang Jingxing said, "It's fine, go ahead."

Tao Meng asked, "What about you?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I'll hang out with Yu Xinting and the others."

Tao Meng was silent for a moment, then said, "I had already arranged it with my family, but he told me suddenly tonight... maybe I can come to you earlier, in time, and just get home a bit later."

Yang Jingxing said, "It's just Christmas, it doesn't matter to us, you should spend time with your family."

Tao Meng quickly said, "You still have to pick me up in the morning!"

Yang Jingxing agreed.

An Xin sensed something and asked Yang Jingxing, "What's the plan for tomorrow?"

Yang Jingxing asked, "What's your plan?"

Yu Xinting said, "Qi Qingnuo said we'll go shopping in the afternoon and sing in the evening, the place is booked."

Yang Jingxing was enthusiastic, "I'll sing a couple of songs too."

Yu Xinting looked at her card again and asked, "What about the afternoon?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I'm afraid of shopping, you go."

Yu Xinting nodded and then remembered, "Qi Qingnuo said we'll sing at Wuxin, which is a bit far from school, we might not come back in the afternoon."

An Xin said, "You're worried he won't find you!"

On Sunday morning, Yang Jingxing picked up Tao Meng on time. This girl was dressed beautifully, with mascara, lip gloss, and small pearl earrings that Yang Jingxing hadn't seen before.

Tao Meng first asked, "Have you told Yu Xinting and the others?"

Yang Jingxing nodded, "We'll go sing in the evening."

Tao Meng asked, "Will there be a lot of people?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Probably quite a few."

Tao Meng said, "Dad said he's just having dinner with friends, maybe we can leave by seven, I'll call you then."

Yang Jingxing said, "No, you have class tomorrow, go to bed early."

Tao Meng asked, "Where will you be?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I haven't asked Qi Qingnuo yet."

Tao Meng insisted, "Ask now, I want to know, and find out how many people there are."

Yang Jingxing called Qi Qingnuo. Qi Qingnuo was surprised, "Don't you have plans?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Plans can change."

Qi Qingnuo described the location of the KTV to Yang Jingxing, saying, "We booked from seven to eleven, come whenever you want."

Yang Jingxing asked, "Will there be a lot of girls?"

Qi Qingnuo said, "Yes, and they're all single, but they all know you well."

Yang Jingxing laughed, "That's good, see you then."

Tao Meng was satisfied and said, "If I can't leave by eight, I'll call you."

Yang Jingxing advised, "No need, it's rare for your dad to have time for you."

Tao Meng was a bit annoyed, "When I have time, he doesn't!"

Back at school, Tao Meng and Yang Jingxing were going to rehearse "Through Wind and Rain" together. On the third floor, they heard noise from room 306, and Tao Meng said she wanted to go and say hello.

Yang Jingxing knocked on the door and heard He Peiyuan's voice, "No visitors, friends come in."

They pushed the door open and saw He Peiyuan, Qi Qingnuo, Wang Rui, Chai Litian, Shao Fangjie, and Guo Ling. Qi Qingnuo was surprised, "So early?"

Tao Meng chuckled, "You're early too." The people inside were playing cards, it looked like a game of Double Up, while Shao Fangjie was still practicing, but with a horsehead fiddle.

Qi Qingnuo pointed at Tao Meng and asked Guo Ling and the others, "Do you need an introduction for this one?"

Tao Meng introduced herself, "Hello, I'm Tao Meng."

The girls who hadn't met Tao Meng nodded and smiled. Wang Rui welcomed her, "Beautiful lady, please come in, it's an honor."

Tao Meng walked in a couple of steps, looked around, and praised, "It's beautifully decorated, no wonder no boys are allowed." She looked back at Yang Jingxing, who had already followed in.

Qi Qingnuo said, "I just gathered everyone, we're still playing Double Up, want to join?"

Tao Meng shook her head, "You play... so many instruments, even a guzheng."

Qi Qingnuo said to Yang Jingxing, "Play a song."

Yang Jingxing shook his head. Tao Meng asked, "Where's Gao Pianpian?" She still remembered.

Qi Qingnuo said, "She has a boyfriend, she's being sweet. How did you end up here?"

Tao Meng said, "I just wanted to check... I have something to do tonight, otherwise I could have gone singing with you."

Qi Qingnuo said, "It's his loss."

Tao Meng quickly noticed the cartoon drawing on the blackboard but didn't go closer to look, and said to Yang Jingxing, "It's a funny drawing."

Yang Jingxing laughed, "Guess which one is me?"

Tao Meng didn't believe it, "You... that one?"

Wang Rui proudly, "Isn't it a good likeness?"

Tao Meng looked for a while, "This one is the ugliest, the others are beautiful. Have fun, we'll go up... by the way, what are your lunch plans? Want to eat together?"

Qi Qingnuo nodded, "Sure, no need to go to the cafeteria."

Tao Meng said, "Okay, we'll go up for a bit, maybe go for a walk later, let's meet at twelve?"

Qi Qingnuo said, "Twelve-thirty, Yu Xinting has a tutoring session."

Tao Meng nodded, "Okay, I'll call you then, bye."

After Yang Jingxing and Tao Meng left, Guo Ling whispered, "No wonder so many beautiful girls aren't moved!"

Wang Rui sighed, "Such a good young man, it's a pity."

Chai Litian was interested, "How is it a pity?"

Wang Rui shook her head, "He's like a lapdog."

Qi Qingnuo laughed, "Not with me."

Wang Rui called, "I'm afraid he'll melt in my mouth, and I'm afraid he'll fall if I hold him in my hands!"

He Peiyuan grinned, "You like to hold."

Qi Qingnuo was annoyed, "Look at how ladylike others are, you're all wolves."

...

Yang Jingxing was indeed a bit frustrated. As soon as they went up the stairs, Tao Meng started questioning, "Why would they draw you?"

Yang Jingxing said, "You said I was the ugliest, to highlight them."

Tao Meng asked seriously, "Who decided that?"

Yang Jingxing said, "It's not a state matter, it doesn't need a decision!"

Tao Meng said, "Someone must have brought it up first, and it's so ugly, you didn't object?"

Yang Jingxing acted stubborn, "She didn't break the law, what can I do?"

Tao Meng was sharp, "I think you're quite happy about it!"

Yang Jingxing pleaded, "I'm not happy, I'm not happy."

Tao Meng glared at Yang Jingxing and said, "I can draw like that too, it's too childish, like kindergarten."

Yang Jingxing said, "Lower your voice, the acoustics here are good."

Tao Meng glanced downstairs and spoke louder, "Impossible."

After entering 402, Tao Meng asked again, "Who drew this?"

Yang Jingxing confessed, "Yu Xinting and An Xin."

Tao Meng didn't criticize, looked around, and found, "Put the piano away if you're not using it, don't just leave it anywhere!"

Yang Jingxing urged, "Stop talking, I want to hear you play."

Tao Meng set up the equipment herself and said, "I don't need the sheet music."

Yang Jingxing quickly got his trumpet ready.

It seemed Tao Meng had practiced well. This time, the duet was much smoother and clearer, almost as if she had a deep understanding of the piece. The parts that should be soft, loud, fast, or slow were all handled appropriately.

Tao Meng didn't even look at the keyboard, her body swaying gently with the pedal movements, occasionally exchanging glances with Yang Jingxing, or even a slight smile.

After the duet, Tao Meng's fingers rested lightly on the keyboard, and she smiled more deeply at Yang Jingxing. Yang Jingxing looked at Tao Meng's eyes for a while and said, "This is the best version I've heard so far."

Tao Meng's fake dimples deepened, "How many have you heard?"

Yang Jingxing said, "It's also the worst one."

"You're annoying!" Tao Meng turned her legs, "Is it good or bad?"

Yang Jingxing shamelessly, "Really good, as the composer, I thank us."

Tao Meng stood up and waved her arms, "Thanking me is more like it... which part did I play best?"

Yang Jingxing said, "From start to finish."

Tao Meng said seriously, "I used to be a bit reluctant to play those broken chords, but this time it was easier, I felt they were simple... I compared myself to others, your trumpet playing is also good."

Yang Jingxing asked, "Compared to whom?"

Tao Meng said, "I bought a CD, a Russian one... there aren't many good trumpet pieces, this one would be much less impressive if played alone."

Yang Jingxing nodded, "Of course, it can't be without you."

Tao Meng asked, "If you wanted to sell this piece, would you need my permission?"

"No." Yang Jingxing was being a jerk, "I wouldn't sell it anyway."

Tao Meng's eyes widened and then softened, "I want to hear you play something, something emotional."

Yang Jingxing asked, "What do you want to hear?"

Tao Meng was unsure, "A serenade?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I'll play something everyone likes."

Yang Jingxing played Canon, and Tao Meng sat beside him, resting her chin in her hand, listening until the end. She said, "It's beautiful, but it's been overplayed, my classmates all say this one."

Yang Jingxing said, "That's what makes it successful music."

Tao Meng remembered, "Can your computer go online?"

The purpose of going online was to log into the alumni forum. As the forum administrator, Tao Meng pinned a post: "Yang Jingxing and Tao Meng's collaboration: 'Morning Glow.' Singer: Duan Liying. MP3 production: Cao Linglan."

Tao Meng clicked into the post and explained, "At first, I only knew how to post links, then Cao Linglan taught me, and she added the lyrics."

The post was made on the evening of December 20th, and although there were only about forty replies, it was already a hot post on the forum.

Tao Meng controlled the cursor and complained, "The internet is so slow!"

Finally, they got in, and Yang Jingxing saw the main post content: "Morning Glow" is Yang Jingxing's first song after entering the music college, with lyrics by Tao Meng, and performed by the famous singer Duan Liying. Please listen patiently, thank you.

Tao Meng saw Yang Jingxing smiling and said, "I knew it... but shouldn't classmates share their achievements?"

Yang Jingxing nodded repeatedly.

After about ten seconds, the song started, and Tao Meng slowly scrolled down the post, complaining, "The effect is not good."

The first reply was from a boy who had no interaction with Tao Meng or Yang Jingxing before: "Can't open it! Yang Jingxing is writing songs now? Haven't seen you in a while, are there many beautiful girls in the music college?"

The second reply was still from him: "I can hear it, it's lagging. Does the class president know Duan Liying?"

The third reply was from a girl: "Class president is here? Only the second floor, Dong Zhuorui, you're quick. Reply first, listen later."

... A bunch of nonsense, Tao Meng scrolled down quickly, and the eighth reply was the first to comment on the song, from Cao Linglan: "A very beautiful song, Tao Meng is indeed the representative of our girls, the lyrics are great. If you find it lagging, you can search for it yourself, there are many, in the top fifty of new songs."

The ninth reply: "I heard this song the day before yesterday, did Yang Jingxing write it?"

The tenth reply was from Tao Meng: "Yes, Yang Jingxing wrote it. A company asked him to write a song, originally for Xu Cheng, but they thought Duan Liying would be more suitable. Why is it not lagging for me?"

The eleventh reply: "The class president must have a hundred-megabit fiber, we're on dial-up! By the way, Yang Jingxing doesn't show up."

The twelfth reply was from Shao Lei: "That guy, he didn't even come to our Puhai gathering last time, I'll listen for Tao Meng's sake."

Tao Meng saw Yang Jingxing smiling again and said, "There's another reply from him."

Yang Jingxing said, "Log in to my account, I want to tell him I hang out with you every day!"

Tao Meng consoled, "Oh, it was wrong of you not to go, and I explained for you."

The fourteenth reply: "I believe Yang Jingxing wrote it, but why is he called 402? Good song, good lyrics."

The fifteenth reply: "I never expected it, I've been listening to this song for a week, and it's written by a high school classmate. Class president, sorry, there are too many people with the same name in this world!"

The sixteenth reply: "This song is really beautiful."

The seventeenth reply: "This song is really beautiful!"

The eighteenth reply: "Haha, why did the class president write the lyrics? Does the class president know Duan Liying?"

The nineteenth reply: "Tao Meng and Yang Jingxing? What's going on?"

The nineteenth reply was Tao Meng's explanation: "Yang Jingxing first met the people from Hongxing