Chapter 4
This is incorrect
Song Shijia's condition is not very good; she injured her arm when she fell and is calling out in pain.
Song Shijia struggles to maintain her composure, stating, "First, I do not act on whims; I simply have a greater respect for myself. I know what I do not want and what I must obtain, and I strive for it. This may cause inconvenience to others, but what does it matter to me? We are responsible for our own lives, not for others'. Second, the word 'embarrassment' exists in my dictionary. However, compared to embarrassment, I fear missing out even more. As for the third point, why must I block your lens... We are responsible for our own lives, not for others'. Second, the word 'embarrassment' exists in my dictionary. However, compared to embarrassment, I fear missing out even more. As for the third point, why must I block your lens..."
Song Shijia should have realized that if even Ji Xiang could not gather any information, then the son of the top leader in Wangcheng, who is regarded as a close friend, must have a very deep background
There is a young boy below, appearing slender, yet his overall physique is well-proportioned. His profile, illuminated by the remaining light, is sharply defined like an image captured through a lens. He stands in front of a large jar carved in the shape of a dragon, holding a small cup of liquid and gently sniffing it
She was completely bewildered and had no time to react before being pulled down the slope for a while. Then she noticed the dry soil mixed with pebbles rolling towards her feet, accumulating more and more.
The tune is incorrect, Zhou Lang observes
Looking around, the adults either whispered to each other or nodded their heads in feigned enjoyment, while only Song Shijia let out a light scoff
The decorations and furnishings in the inner room exude an ancient charm, and it seems that any item casually picked up has a historical story behind it. Song Shijia did not wish to attract trouble, so she turned to leave, only to discover that there appeared to be an exit behind the screen directly in front of her. Driven by curiosity, she moved forward, only to find that it was not an exit, but rather an entrance, with a staircase winding down.
Seeing him in a daze, Song Shijia seized the opportunity and pressed on, "What’s the matter? Don’t you feel as if the sky is dark and the sun and moon have lost their light?" He pondered to himself, how could there be such a girl? My goodness, it seems I can’t shake her off; the past nineteen years have been in vain... a sense of bewilderment?
Earthquake
The piece performed by Gu Changfeng, "The Colors of the Wind," was quite unconventional, yet it harmonized with the scenery of the day
This is the wine cellar, and Song Shijia thought, as the aroma of wine wafted in upon entering, that what he was holding must also be the fine brew from that jar. Based on his age, Song Shijia squinted slightly, estimating that he was probably the young master who did not wish to head north.
Gu Changfeng seized the key words, relaxed his grip on the camera, and instead tightened his hold on the girl's slender wrist, issuing a command: "Run!"
The whole world is silent
Perhaps, what he cannot forget is not the taste itself. Rather, it is the person who successfully evaded Gu Changfeng in a corner not illuminated by the corridor lights, suddenly smiling at him in the darkness with a sense of relief.
Zhou Yan laughed, still wanting to say something while lying on the ground. Gu Changfeng patted the dust off his thin sweater and looked at him with raised eyebrows: "It is necessary to have a phone call with your father to discuss the test results."
The range of the hillside is not large, and Zhou Yan did not take much time to bring people over.
Gu Changfeng is not a talkative person, but he excels at summarizing and identifying key points. The fact that Song Shijia can ask this question indicates that there is a possibility of persuading him to withdraw. For the sake of future tranquility, he feels that sacrificing a little principle is not out of the question
Gu Changfeng helped lift a section resembling a white lotus root and observed it for a moment, stating, "It should be dislocated, not fractured." After a brief pause, as if having made a decision, he extended his right hand towards Song Shijia's mouth, succinctly instructing, "Bite down."
Puff. Puff. Puff.
Old Song coughed twice behind his daughter as a warning, but Song Shijia paid no heed and, to everyone's surprise, walked straight towards the young man in front of the piano
Later, Ji Xiang joked, "I never noticed before that your walking posture can be as proud as that of a distinguished swan. In fact, that aura is quite difficult to approach and somewhat annoying, but it truly dazzles like lightning."
The prominent figure's surname is Gu, which Song Shijia only learned on the way. It is said that the Gu family has served in the military for three generations, with numerous merit medals, and photos of several generations of men have been displayed in the national photography studio. Currently, the higher-ups have sent a dragon-shaped Erguotou, and everyone knows what this implies.
When everything returns to silence, the dark red gums gradually turn pale white. The light above is completely buried, and a faint star occasionally flickers in the pitch black, the moon in its crescent phase
The marked lowering symbols are at an introductory level, and Gu Changfeng clearly plays the wrong notes intentionally, mocking those who are pretentious. He has no way to resist, so Song Shijia speaks on his behalf, later finding a good entry point to play the bass in rhythm.
"Senior, do you think I am a bit annoying?" she suddenly asked
Song Ma gossiped with her card friends: "It is said that the transfer order in the capital is being drafted, and the other party is indeed a leader of the three armed forces. This time, his old father is celebrating a grand birthday, and the higher authorities have even bestowed Erguotou."
Hearing a sound, Gu Changfeng thought it was the guard coming to summon him. However, he turned around and found himself gazing at Song Shijia in the dim light. His thin lips parted slightly and then closed again, without uttering a word, as the two of them continued to gaze at each other in the sparse remaining light
On the eve of the Spring Festival, Old Song took Song Shijia to a prominent figure's home to attend a birthday banquet, and it was said that obtaining the invitation required some effort.
The rain outside falls incessantly, pattering softly, while an occasional gust of wind stirs the leaves, creating a hazy dance. The overlapping gloom contrasts with the piano keys, making them both distinct and elegant, and then that graceful light reflects back onto the face of the pianist.
Song Shijia blocked the light with one hand, seizing the moment: "Isn't this just a case of love and death? You came too quickly, and haven't even transformed into a butterfly yet"
"Stop, may I explain a few words before the death sentence is pronounced?"
At this moment, Miss Song's world was also shaken to its core
Having successfully rescued the camera, Song Shijia turned around triumphantly to show off, but did not anticipate that the loose and unstable soil beneath her feet would give way, burying her completely.
In many aspects, he articulated, "You act in a careless manner, too capriciously, and do not respect the feelings of others"
"In what regard?" He appeared to be ready for an open and honest discussion.
She felt a sudden urge to turn and leave, but the person heard the noise and turned back, and then someone appeared as if struck by lightning
Not long after returning to Wangcheng from the field trip, the winter vacation arrived
She is not afraid of Ji Xiang, but rather of the people from the Ji family. Every time the two families meet, a storm of academic comparison arises, and the only option is to flee.
Although the person displayed a slight impatience on their face, they were certainly not an ignorant child. After politely nodding, they went to the grand piano on the several steps above, tested a few notes, and began the prelude
The Gu family's residence in Wangcheng is ancestral. Although Mr. Gu primarily resides in Beijing, it is said that the young master of the Gu family grew up in the old residence and has become accustomed to it, not wishing to venture north to mingle in the so-called Beijing circle. Song Shijia wandered around, savoring the charm of the old residence, and then entered a hall.
Gu Changfeng steadily held the camera, without hesitation: "Yes."
Gu Changfeng had changed into new attire, standing gracefully beside his father, Gu Yuan. Seizing the opportunity, someone tried to get closer, mentioning that their daughter’s piano teacher had also taught Young Master Gu, praising his exceptional skills. As everyone's interest was piqued, they eagerly inquired if he could perform a piece.
The muffled, faint grunting sound coming from the ground finally brought Song Shijia back to her senses
In any case, those who can obtain invitations in such situations are all individuals of status and influence, so who would bother to discern whether it reflects the host's intentions or not
She was so close that the corners of her eyes seemed to curve like a crescent moon, and Zhou Yan suddenly felt his heart skip a beat, fleeing in a panic
Without turning her head, she exclaimed, "Your camera!"
With this bond forged through shared adversity, in the following days, Song Shijia lingered even more around Gu Changfeng, euphemistically calling it close protection. Although the latter did not become overly friendly, he at least did not openly reject her. This slight change filled Song Shijia with ecstatic joy, prompting her to act even more recklessly, even dragging Zhou Yan out of the room in the dark to discuss grand plans.
Song Shijia bit her lip, displaying a half-true, half-fake shyness, "I just want you to keep looking at me."
Moreover, the hillside is so wide, and there are countless country paths. Why must you suddenly appear and obstruct my view? This is quite impolite
Half an hour later
There are many high mountains nearby, and coinciding with tectonic movements, there has been heavy rainfall in recent days. Even minor aftershocks can easily trigger landslides. In the midst of fleeing for her life, Song Shijia recalled something and, shaking off those beside her, rushed upward against the rocks, provoking angry shouts, "Are you crazy?!"
Upon hearing "Erguotou," Song Shijia laughed immorally, saying, "Isn't it just Erguotou?" The card players reacted similarly to Song Shijia, all bursting into laughter, mocking Song's mother for her lack of knowledge. However, Song's mother looked down on the crowd with a disdainful gaze, saying, "Erguotou is not rare, but this jar of Erguotou requires four strong men to carry it, and it is shaped like a dragon?"
Moreover, Song Shijia's preference for using lanolin instead of skincare products often left her with a hint of milky fragrance. Once this scent entered the nostrils, it lingered for a long time, to the extent that Zhou Yan could not forget it even after many years, mistakenly believing it to be a perfume. He traveled extensively in search of it, even purchasing a fragrance company, yet he was unable to recreate the delicate scent of the girl from his memories
Song Shijia's conditioned reflex was to obey, yet the force of her bite was very light. Until a crisp "crack" sound was heard, the pain in her arm suddenly intensified. She let out a startled cry as her two sharp canine teeth sank into the flesh of the other party, right at the vulnerable area of the tiger's mouth. This time, it was Gu Changfeng's turn to hiss.
With a swift move, he sealed Zhou Yan's throat and quickly devised a way to pull him up.
Song Shijia has overestimated herself; she should not have retreated to advance. For someone as clever as Gu Changfeng, once she retreats, he will understand to take the opportunity to attack, leaving her unable to stand again
During the discussion, Song Shijia caught sight of a familiar figure slowly approaching under the corridor lights, causing her heart to race. She quickly pulled Zhou Yan and squeezed into a narrow gap. The gap was very narrow, a place commonly used in the countryside for stacking firewood. With the firewood used up, there was just enough space for the two of them to lean against the wall.
The camera is not expensive, yet it is a commemorative edition from a certain old brand. The shutter button has been crafted with a vintage technique, giving it a worn look that adds to its charm. Song Shijia is not someone who lacks discernment; she naturally understands Gu Changfeng's fondness for it. Moreover, since the camera contains a photo of herself blocking the lens, she certainly does not want it to disappear
Yet, little do we know, at this point in time, whether anyone still remembers that young man on the piano stool who once, in a daze, sank into his dimples, as a certain phrase flashed through his mind.
Everyone: "Wow..."
It is quite disorienting
I want you to keep looking at me
From that day on, Song Shijia gained a new understanding of the frog at the bottom of the well. In fact, there is nothing wrong with being confined to a corner for a lifetime, if one has the right person to accompany them.
He is mistaken, she is concerned
The Song family was able to enter such an occasion primarily because Ji Xiang's grandfather held a prominent position in Wangcheng and had a friendship with the old father of the Gu family, both having come from the Red Army, which allowed them to take advantage of the opportunity to make introductions.
With a soft sound, Song Shijia silently endured a stab
Gu Changfeng was rendered speechless
Chop. Another cut
Song Shijia silently thought that with Gu Changfeng's character, he could only have such a response, but he did not
Sometimes, the things you do make me wonder how you can have the audacity to act that way, as if the words 'shame' do not exist in your dictionary
Before departing, the weather turned unfavorable as it began to rain, a continuous drizzle that evoked the melancholy of winter. The entrance to the Gu family remained bustling with visitors. As soon as I entered, Old Song and Song Ma were busy greeting one acquaintance after another, pouring champagne cup after cup.
A seamless collaboration that is sufficient to be remembered by some people present.
The girl, due to her nervousness, had her lips and brows tightly closed, with a slight rise and fall in her chest, indicating good development. All of this fell into the eyes of the young man, who was filled with youthful passion, leaving him at a loss as to where to direct his gaze
Song Shijia did not have many feelings about it; at that moment, she simply felt that in the vastness of the universe, only she was his confidante. Therefore, regardless of whether the other party was repulsed or not, she boldly sat down on the other end of the piano chair, extended her hand, and pressed down heavily on the fourth black key with her index finger, her voice clear and light.
He leaned down, as if catching someone in the act, and a bright flashlight was cast upon the two individuals, teasingly saying: "Is this a performance of... Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai?"
During this time, Ji Xiang noticed Song Shijia not far away and approached her, but she had already slipped away first
Gu Changfeng, with quick reflexes, stepped forward and barely managed to grab the girl's sleeve, but was met with inertia and slipped, subsequently falling in. When all the commotion ceased, both of them were covered in dust and dirt.
Without exaggeration, as soon as she finished speaking, Gu Changfeng felt the world shake and tremble.
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