Chapter 85

After listening until around ten o'clock, Taomeng got tired of sitting and wanted to go downstairs for a walk. Yang Jingxing took her to the parking lot, took out the card for Room 306 from the glove compartment, and prepared to give it out later.

Taomeng asked, "Is it for Qi Qingnuo?"

Yang Jingxing nodded.

Taomeng advised, "It's not good to give it in front of so many people."

Yang Jingxing explained, "It's for all of them."

"Ah!" Taomeng was surprised and reached out, "Let me see."

Taomeng opened the card and saw it read: "Wishing all the beauties of Room 306 a Merry Christmas and happiness every day."

Taomeng complained, "You wrote so little... Your signature is the only good part of your handwriting."

After a while, Taomeng asked again, "What about Yu Xinting's?"

"I gave it to her last night," Yang Jingxing greeted a passing classmate, though the classmate's eyes were on Taomeng the whole time.

After a round of walking, they returned to the North Building. Yang Jingxing knocked on the door of Room 306 and called, "Mailman!"

A few seconds later, Wang Rui's voice came from inside, "My mail-order handsome guy... come in!"

Yang Jingxing went in and placed the card on the chair where they were playing cards. Shao Fangjie quickly picked it up, glanced at it, and gave Yang Jingxing a sidelong glance, "I'm impressed!"

Wang Rui snatched the card and also looked down on Yang Jingxing, "You're too generous!"

Taomeng felt embarrassed, "I told you!"

Qi Qingnuo smiled after a glance, "Thanks, it's the thought that counts."

Wang Rui asked, "Where's the gift?"

Yang Jingxing quickly ran away.

As it approached noon, Qi Qingnuo came up to Yang Jingxing, who was teaching Taomeng how to play the double keyboard, and invited him, "Let's go, Yu Xinting is here."

Nian Qing also arrived, and a group of them went to the school gate, just in time to meet Yu Xinting and An Xin. There were eleven of them, and it was quite lively. Yu Xinting was pleasantly surprised to see Taomeng and asked if they would go shopping in the afternoon.

Taomeng said it was fine, but before she could finish, her phone rang. It was probably from home. After a few "uh-huhs," she told Yang Jingxing, "I have to go back by three."

Yang Jingxing said, "I'll take you after lunch."

Taomeng disagreed, "It's still early."

They discussed where to eat, and Qi Qingnuo asked Yang Jingxing, "Are you treating or am I?"

Yang Jingxing said, "You treat tonight."

Qi Qingnuo was happy, "Then let's go to De Yi." It was a bit more expensive but not far.

The eleven of them filled the large private room, taking turns to order dishes. Taomeng gave her turn to Yang Jingxing, "You order." When Yang Jingxing looked, she asked, "Is there anything you like?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I'm looking for what you like."

Wang Rui said, "Can you two cool it down a bit?"

Taomeng didn't mind and asked, "Where are you planning to go shopping?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I'll lead the way. With so many people, we can get discounts."

Qi Qingnuo said, "Let's split up after eating and regroup in the afternoon."

The restaurant was efficient, and soon the table was piled high with large plates and bowls. They started eating without hesitation, eager to fill their bellies before going shopping.

Wang Rui called to Qi Qingnuo, "Qi, the singing queen, pour me a drink."

Shao Fangjie scolded Chai Litian, "The last piece... let's share it!"

He Peiyuan introduced to Taomeng, "This is good, try it."

Although there was no specific theme, it was quite lively. Yang Jingxing ate quickly, and his bowl was soon empty. Taomeng surprisingly reached out, "I'll serve you."

After lunch, it was already one-thirty. Qi Qingnuo and the others were ready to leave, and Taomeng, after some thought, decided to go home. She asked Yang Jingxing, "Are you really taking me? Actually, it's not necessary."

Yang Jingxing said, "Let's go, I'm not going shopping anyway."

On the way, Taomeng suddenly exclaimed, "It's snowing, look!"

When they arrived, the fine snowflakes were still falling. Taomeng didn't want to get out of the car and looked outside, asking Yang Jingxing, "Will it get heavier?"

Yang Jingxing said, "The weather forecast says light snow." He reached into the glove compartment, took out the card and gift for Taomeng, and handed them to her.

Taomeng looked at Yang Jingxing in confusion.

Yang Jingxing said, "Merry Christmas."

Taomeng took it, recognizing the gift box as the necklace from yesterday. But she wasn't sure, so she slowly opened one side of the packaging, looked at the box inside, and asked Yang Jingxing, "Why are you giving it to me?"

Yang Jingxing said, "You said your mom didn't like it."

Taomeng was taken aback and hesitated before saying, "Then I don't want it!"

Yang Jingxing laughed, "It was always for you. Do you think I have such poor taste?"

Taomeng was angry, "Then why did you say that? It's annoying!" She then opened the card and saw it read: "Taomeng, wishing you happiness and beauty every day."

Taomeng gave Yang Jingxing an unsatisfied look and said insincerely, "Thanks."

Yang Jingxing said, "Let's go back."

Taomeng didn't move, looking at Yang Jingxing and speaking softly, "I thought you wouldn't give me anything... so I didn't prepare anything either."

Yang Jingxing said, "I've already received it."

"From who?" Taomeng's voice rose.

Yang Jingxing said, "From you. From nine this morning until now, five hours, thank you."

Taomeng wasn't very happy and remembered, "It's still your fault! I always get... annoyed when I'm with you!"

Yang Jingxing laughed, "Not annoyed, not annoyed. Are you happy to receive the gift?"

Taomeng hesitated and nodded slightly, "A little."

Yang Jingxing said, "That's good. I'll take your happiness as a gift, even if it's just a little."

Taomeng was annoyed, "A lot, a lot, okay!"

Yang Jingxing leaned back in his seat, pretending to struggle, "Oh, oh, can't take it anymore!"

Taomeng laughed and remembered, "The chocolate from yesterday was quite good, I'll give it to you next time."

Yang Jingxing nodded, "Let's go back."

Taomeng checked the time and asked, "What about you?"

Yang Jingxing said, "I'll go back to school."

Taomeng hesitated, "I'll tell my dad I'm not going!"

Yang Jingxing rejected, "That's not a good idea."

Taomeng was frustrated, "Then wait for my call."

... After some more chatter, Taomeng finally got out of the car.

On the way back to school, Yang Jingxing bought a flute and started learning on his own in Room 402. Although the techniques for the flute and trumpet were completely different, controlling the breath was still a useful skill. With the textbook, he got a basic understanding in the afternoon.

At six, Yang Jingxing received a call from Qi Qingnuo, asking, "We're gathering, are you coming to eat?"

Yang Jingxing said, "Maybe I won't come, you girls have fun."

Qi Qingnuo said, "Who will we play with if you don't come? Don't be so indecisive."

Yang Jingxing said, "Okay, I'll wait for you at the singing place."

Considering the traffic, Yang Jingxing didn't drive and chose a taxi, as Qi Qingnuo had instructed. He arrived at the KTV at seven, which was easy to find. After waiting for about ten minutes, he saw the group of girls getting off the bus from a distance, walking quickly over. They all seemed to have had a good time, each carrying large and small bags to sing.

After sitting down in the private room, Qi Qingnuo ordered a lot of drinks and snacks, probably using up most of her bonus. Wang Rui started singing, and Yu Xinting showed Yang Jingxing her new clothes and compared them with An Xin's.

Yang Jingxing said, "They all look good."

Yu Xinting said, "But this one can't be washed."

An Xin said, "Nonsense, this fabric is fine."

Yang Jingxing laughed, "I'll pay if it gets damaged."

Qi Qingnuo asked, "You didn't drive, right?"

Yang Jingxing shook his head, "Not until I'm drunk."

Qi Qingnuo praised, "You're a good friend."

Yang Jingxing asked, "Where's He Peiyuan?"

Qi Qingnuo said, "She's being a Christmas beauty."

Yu Xinting told Yang Jingxing that He Peiyuan was working as a hostess and etiquette girl at the mall they shopped at in the afternoon, earning as much in one night as a month of tutoring.

Qi Qingnuo, acting as the host, called for Wang Rui to stop singing, and everyone held a bottle of beer, "Cheers!"

Wang Rui said, "Yang Jingxing blew it!"

The small bottles of beer were quickly finished by Yang Jingxing in two gulps, and he still wanted more.

Wang Rui wanted to continue singing her love songs, but Shao Fangjie called, "Change, change." She directly switched the song and grabbed the microphone.

It was a newly popular English song, very dynamic and danceable. Shao Fangjie imitated the original singer's moves, causing the group to giggle and laugh.

Shao Fangjie called out, "Dance, dance, don't be shy!"

Guo Ling stood up first. Yu Xinting's eyes widened. Unexpectedly, Guo Ling, who played the yangqin, was also a great dancer, and it was jazz! Although her moves weren't perfectly in sync with the music, her dance skills were definitely well-practiced. After two sections, Guo Ling even took off her down jacket, and her not-so-slim waist moved flexibly.

The group cheered, and the atmosphere heated up. Wang Rui also took off her coat and sweater to dance with Guo Ling. Qi Qingnuo told Yang Jingxing that Guo Ling had been dancing since high school, and Wang Rui was her student. Yu Xinting's head swayed with Guo Ling's dynamic moves, looking quite happy.

But Guo Ling stopped after half the song, lying on the sofa, "No opponent."

Wang Rui called, "Get Yang Jingxing to dance with you!"

Guo Ling didn't even ask, "He can't."

Qi Qingnuo asked Yang Jingxing, "Can you sing?"

So Yang Jingxing sang, and Guo Ling danced. Guo Ling clearly treated Yang Jingxing as a supporting role, choosing the song and asking if he could sing it. Yang Jingxing could sing almost any popular song, even "Turandot."

It was another English song. Was there no Chinese jazz dance music? The original singer was female, and everyone was waiting to see Yang Jingxing's performance.

It was quite warm, and Yang Jingxing took off his coat, leaving a shirt. Yu Xinting helped fold his coat and placed it on her new clothes bag.

The song started with a strong and fast rhythm, very electronic and lively. As soon as Yang Jingxing started singing, Qi Qingnuo burst into laughter, and Yu Xinting and the others couldn't help but laugh. He sang very well, but it was so different from his usual style.

Guo Ling, being a professional, didn't laugh, standing close to Yang Jingxing and starting to dance. Wang Rui couldn't resist and stood on the other side of Yang Jingxing, following the rhythm.

The sound system was good, and the strong rhythm made Qi Qingnuo and the others sway their upper bodies. Yang Jingxing didn't need to look at the lyrics, occasionally imitating a few moves from Guo Ling. Yu Xinting covered her mouth and laughed.

As the song reached its climax, Guo Ling's hand reached Yang Jingxing's chest, moving around him. Yang Jingxing also cooperated, his hand moving near Guo Ling. Qi Qingnuo and the others clapped and kept the beat. Yu Xinting's legs also shook, and she smiled at An Xin.

At the end of the song, Guo Ling suddenly wrapped her arm around Yang Jingxing's waist, lifting her left leg and sliding it up his leg. Unfortunately, the height difference was too great, and she couldn't slide up.

Amidst the cheers from Shao Fangjie and the others, Yang Jingxing suddenly picked up Guo Ling, twirling her in the air like a doll before putting her down.

Shao Fangjie wasn't impressed, looking at Yang Jingxing, "Not bad."

Yang Jingxing was hooked, "Again, again."

Shao Fangjie shook her head, "Take a break, you're tired."

Wang Rui called to Qi Qingnuo, "Singing queen, your turn."

Qi Qingnuo shook her head, "You guys warm up first... Tian Tian, you go."

Chai Litian chose a song and took the microphone, a bit embarrassed.

Chai Litian sang a Mandarin song, not as fast and dynamic as the previous one, but not overly romantic either. Wang Rui wasn't satisfied, "Dance!"

Chai Litian became even more embarrassed, glancing at Yang Jingxing before lifting her arms. She went for a cute style, just moving her arms, slightly swaying her hips, and lifting her legs... it seemed like a Japanese anime style.

But it was still fun, and the audience followed the rhythm. Qi Qingnuo seemed to get into it and joined Chai Litian. She was imitating Chai Litian, but it wasn't her first time, so she was quite skilled.

Chai Litian was petite, and when she smiled, her triangular eyes became even more triangular, but she still looked sweet, completely different from Qi Qingnuo. The contrast made Qi Qingnuo look like a clown, especially with her exaggerated moves, which was quite funny.

Shao Fangjie invited Yang Jingxing for a drink, quite boldly, "You finish it, I'll take a sip."

Yang Jingxing didn't hesitate, "I'll finish it."

After Chai Litian finished singing and dancing, everyone applauded enthusiastically. It was then Qi Qingnuo's turn, and she said, "I'll give you a gentle shock!"

Oh, she chose a particularly gentle song. She started dancing as soon as the prelude began, with many classic ethnic dance moves... The audience was not very polite, laughing uncontrollably.

But Qi Qingnuo's singing was really good. Her voice wasn't particularly beautiful, but it was emotional, almost soothing to listen to.

Halfway through the song, the climax arrived, and Qi Qingnuo's dance style changed, becoming a mix of Guo Ling's and Chai Litian's. It was rhythmic and dynamic, yet still cute. Yang Jingxing led the cheering and clapping, and Yu Xinting was so happy that her butt bounced on the sofa.

After Qi Qingnuo finished, she asked, "Xin Ting, what do you want to sing? I'll choose for you."

Yu Xinting shook her head, "I can't dance."

Wang Rui laughed, "Do you think any of us can? Come on!"

So Yu Xinting chose a song that followed Qi Qingnuo's style. She looked a bit nervous, as if she were on a real stage.

Sure enough, Guo Ling and the others started cheering, "Dance, dance!"

Yu Xinting was so flustered that she bounced on the spot, and Yang Jingxing and the group burst into laughter, even An Xin couldn't care about her friend's face.