Chapter 4

Chen: I can hardly wait to have it tattooed on my body, Anan when are you free! I can no longer hold back!

When Lin Qingye initially received the award, there were countless opportunities, all of which were merely hopes for his personal gain. Lin Qingye rejected them all for the sake of this band

She took it down and glanced at the promotional flyer dominated by red and black colors, with several large characters reading—Tattoo Design Competition. It is likely that the event organizers distributed it uniformly to tattoo shops along the street.

The three people chatted for a while

"That is also very good. I see many outstanding seniors graduating and starting their own studios, which is quite similar to what you are doing now," Jiang Yue remarked. "How wonderful, you have even saved yourself the trouble of finding a job in the future"

Dressed in a police uniform, with handsome features, it was indeed Xu's father, who had died in the line of duty a few years ago

Xu Zhinan smiled and said, "Many of the customers who come to my shop are repeat visitors, after all, the number of people who choose to get tattoos is still a minority"

Xu Zhinan is a major in art design and has opened a tattoo shop, where she needs to help customers create numerous design sketches every day, which can barely be considered relevant to her field of expertise

Understood

Miss Chen frowned and said, "Oh dear, but I still feel a bit apprehensive upon hearing that sound"

It is a reply to the text message she sent last night

Xu Zhinan paused for a moment, raised her eyes to look at the mirror beside her, and the corners of her mouth were turned upwards

Under the scorching sun, I held an umbrella, wearing a tank top paired with work pants, and adorned with a beautiful floral arm tattoo, which I had gotten at Xu Zhinnan's shop, as I am a long-time customer there

She quickly finished drawing, took out the tattoo machine to complete the disinfection preparations, connected the power supply, and the engine noise began to emit

Xu Zhinan: Otherwise, I can help you design the image first. If you are satisfied, we can get it tattooed this afternoon, is that alright

The flyer was casually tossed onto the table, and Xu Zhinan put on gloves and a mask: "I will first create a design on your arm."

Xu Zhinan inserted a new incense stick into the incense burner, gazed at the father in the photo frame, and softly said: "Dad, I will come back to see you another day"

"Then you still have to take care of the shop, don't you?" Xu's mother patted her shoulder, "Don't tire yourself too much"

I just really like him

Lin Qingye was too lazy to return to the apartment and planned to sleep directly in the studio. After finishing his grooming, he sat back down by the bed and opened his phone, immediately seeing the chat page with Xu Zhinan. He had just turned off his phone earlier without logging out.

Well, it hurts much more than a tattoo

So you studied that in high school

Xu Zhinan took a sip of water and replied: "Approximately how big?"

Yesterday, I went to bed late. Xu Zhinan leaned against the railing, rubbed her eyes, and asked, "Mom, do you have something to discuss?"

Just now at the barbecue stall, I saw Xu Zhinan hurriedly wanting to return to the dormitory. Lin Qingye also didn't eat much. He kicked the chair and sat down at the table, poured himself a glass of beer, tilted his head back and drank half a glass, and said softly: "I sent someone back to the dormitory, where is Guan Chi?"

Have you been waiting for a long time? I apologize for being late. Xu Zhinan walked over quickly

Such a tattoo recovery will take one week

As soon as the words were spoken, the screen of the mobile phone beside me lit up

Indeed. Jiang Yue nodded and said, "So you will be running your tattoo shop from now on?"

I received another phone call on the road, it was from Ji Yan, the female bassist in the band

Later, I met my current girlfriend. My father fell seriously ill at home, and it was indeed inappropriate to continue being reckless. Therefore, I submitted a request to withdraw from the band

As the two of them finished washing up and headed out, Zhao Qian was still in a daze, half asleep. Jiang Yue went to the library, while Xu Zhinan took the subway at the east gate, parting ways at the fork in the road

Lin Qingye took out his phone, and just then a low battery notification popped up. He got up and walked back to the bedroom, plugged it in to charge, and then opened the message lying in WeChat.

Lin Qingye had little reaction: "Marriage is quite good"

Fourteen echoed: "That's right, that's right"

As soon as he finished speaking, he was kicked by Ji Yan beside him: "Who the hell are you cursing at!"

At that time, my father had passed away. I originally intended to make money, but unexpectedly, I became quite interested in it later

Miss Chen extended her arm and said, "Don't mention it, I find this tattoo really quite addictive. Clearly, I almost cried from the pain when I got my last one, and now I can't help but want another. No wonder those men are covered in tattoos from head to toe."

Fourteen was taken aback for a moment, then smiled: "Who would dare to mock you, the beautiful Ji? Don't misinterpret and place the blame on me!"

Lin Qingye took a drag from his cigarette and asked, "What happened?"

Thus, the time was finalized

Anan has excellent grades in his major courses, and designing such patterns is a breeze for him. He quickly drew a lovely Samoyed and sent it to Miss Chen.

But it is already three o'clock in the afternoon now

Chen: It doesn't need to be very large; my arm is only that thick. A length of 10 cm will suffice, something a bit cute.

The chat history with Lin Qingye remains at the message she sent in the early morning.

Before leaving, Xu Zhinan walked into the small room by the side door of the house, where a wooden table was adorned with fruit and pastries, and in the center was a black-and-white photograph

He still has not replied to her

He recalled the appearance of Xu Zhinan trying to suppress her drowsiness just now, smiled slightly, and still did not reply

It seems to possess an indescribable coolness

Xu Zhinan originally intended to go into the kitchen to help, but unexpectedly, a female customer from a tattoo shop suddenly sent her a message, which was a picture of a Samoyed.

Zhao Qian was still asleep. The two did not chat much. After taking the toothbrush cup into the bathroom, Jiang Yue asked again: "Anan, your grades are so good, have you not thought about continuing your studies further?"

Changing trains twice will allow me to just make it home in time for lunch

After hanging up the phone, Xu Zhinan yawned again, finally overcoming her drowsiness. She forcefully opened her eyes and opened WeChat.

My mother called me" Xu Zhinan said softly, "Are you going to the library"

A guest is coming over unexpectedly. Xu Zhinan smiled and said, I will be back to keep you company as soon as the school exams are over

Xu Zhinan smiled and, in a soft voice, said in a playful manner: "I originally planned to come back to see you today. I will go home shortly, Mom"

Indeed

Miss Chen was taken aback for a moment, not expecting this layer of story. After apologizing, she changed the subject: "However, how come you don't have any tattoos on you? I see that tattoo artists usually have large floral sleeves."

The young girl, wearing a mask that covers half of her face, has fine hairs visible in the sunlight. She is quiet and focused, with her black eyelashes framing her eyes, watching as the ink-filled needle punctures her skin, not blinking even once.

Miss Chen waved her hand and said, "It's nothing. I could have waited for you in the car, but I just had someone take it for repairs."

[ Chen: Sure! Love you! ]

I am fine, not very busy

Captain, you can reach out to us for anything in the future

"Captain, you finally returned. I was just trying to find you to have a drink, but I couldn't locate you. Where have you been? It's so mysterious."

"Hello, Captain, where are you?" Ji Yan asked

At the beginning of her freshman year, Xu Zhinan attracted a great deal of attention during the welcome party and was even crowned with the title of "Light of Pingchuan" as the campus belle. Many school events would invite her, a student from the Fine Arts Department, to host, and due to her good temperament and personality, she made many friends.

After sending Xu Zhinan back to the dormitory, Lin Qingye walked alone towards the studio

As she opened the balcony door and stepped inside, Jiang Yue was just getting out of bed. Seeing her, she was almost startled and asked in a hushed tone, "Why are you up so early?"

Lin Qingye had a smile that seemed ambiguous: "Hmm"

Xu Zhinan: Sure, you can briefly tell me about the design requirements, and then we can schedule a time for you to come to the store.

Ji Yan coldly snorted and cast him a glance

She rolled the flyer back into a cylindrical shape and unlocked the door: "Please come in with me."

For this group of people, staying up late is a common occurrence, and they do not feel tired at all. Fourteen and Ji Yan became even more spirited as they chatted, and by the time they left, it was already 2 AM

Indeed, I have heard that getting a tattoo removed can be quite painful, is that true

I will wait for you

Anan: Qingye, the final test for the Modern History class is next week, don't forget to go

Come, do not move your hand, I will begin to tattoo you now

After many years of working together, the relationship within their band has become quite good, and the three of them are indeed very grateful to Lin Qingye

I learned from a master before, and later, after attending university, I opened a shop here

Miss Chen doesn't feel much at the moment. After observing her for a while, I couldn't help but laugh and said, "Anan, how did you become a tattoo artist? You really don't look like someone who does this."

Xu Zhinan only left a surname in the remarks

As Lin Qingye walked back to the studio and opened the door, he was nearly hit by a throw pillow tossed at him by Shisi. He caught it and threw it back, saying, "What are you doing"

This thing, if the tattoo artist has good skills, initially there won't be much sensation of pain, but later on it will start to feel both numb and painful.

On the way back

The next morning, Xu Zhinan was jolted awake by a phone call. She squinted her eyes to glance at the caller ID.

"You two have a good relationship, don't you? It's obvious that you particularly like him/her," she said with the demeanor of someone who has been through it all.

[ Chen: Sending you a little heart JPG ]

"Ah, isn't it just about getting married? He now always feels like a traitor."

Such small tattoos take a relatively short time to complete, around one hour. Xu Zhinan removed her gloves, pulled down her mask to rest on her chin, and wrapped her arm in plastic wrap.

I can no longer stay at home, Xu Zhinan stood up and said, "Mom, I am going back to the store."

Chen: Can you hurry up? I have an appointment with a photographer next week for a photo shoot. It was a last-minute decision, and I want to take a picture with my family dog, Lucky.

Mother Xu said: "Did I wake you up? Why did you get up so late today"

When I arrived at the entrance of the tattoo shop, Miss Chen was already there

On the way to the subway station, I encountered many people greeting each other

"Isn't it almost time for the wedding? I'm going home to accompany my wife." After a moment of pause, he quickly realized, raised his eyebrows, and joked, "Are you sending the light of Pingchuan to them?"

So much joy that receiving a long-overdue text message can bring such happiness

I don't have anything in particular that I want to get tattooed. " Xu Zhinan smiled softly, her voice gentle: " I don't want to regret it after getting it done in the future.

Ji Yan: "Why are you leaving so early today? We bought some late-night snacks and are currently at the studio. Are you coming?"

Xu Zhinan puffed her cheeks, her dark eyelashes casting a crescent shadow in the sunlight that swept across her eyes, and then she slowly exhaled, putting away her phone

"It's nothing much, I just wanted to ask if you are going home today." Xu's mother quickly added, "But you are about to have exams, right? If you are busy, then it's better for you to stay at school and study well."

It should be, I quite like it

"As expected of our captain," said Shi Si, lifting the bottle to clink it with him. "However, that Xu Zhinan is truly beautiful, so pure, unlike those women who wear heavy makeup."

Xu Zhinan lightly furrowed her brows and replied.

Guan Chi is the drummer of a band, but his family has always opposed his pursuit of this seemingly unorthodox career. They have arranged various blind dates for him early on, hoping to steer him back to a conventional family life

Mother Xu came out of the kitchen wearing an apron: "Anan is back, wait a moment, the meal will be ready soon. Have you been busy lately?"

Miss Chen joked, "The information about my boyfriend is so sweet that it makes me smile."

No, I don't really like theoretical things

The family backgrounds of the three of them were far inferior to that of Lin Qingye. As they gradually grew up, they had to consider the realities of life more, not just Guan Chi. It would not be long before Shisi and Ji Yan would also be unable to continue, which led to the thought of disbanding.

Chen: This is my family dog Lucky. I would like to get a tattoo of it on my arm. Anan, could you help me design it?

Because she took on a temporary job, she took out her drawing board and began to draw after finishing her meal

Jiang Yue sighed: "Indeed, I must be the most diligent one; otherwise, how can I get into the graduate program of the Academy of Fine Arts"

Why are you leaving so early

Chen: Wuwuwuwuwuwu, my Lucky is so adorable!

Lin Qingye glanced at the screen, then at the time, did not reply, pressed the screen off again, turned it face down on the bedside table, and walked out.

Although it is called the Acacia Band, in reality, only Lin Qingye represents the Acacia Band, and all the fans are his.

Lin Qingye raised his eyebrows slightly, took out a cigarette box and tossed it onto the table, leaning back against the chair: "What is it?"

Xu Zhinan reached into her bag to open the door, only to find a flyer wrapped around the doorknob

The plastic wrap can be removed after three hours

Her home is far from the school, as Pingchuan University is located in the suburban university town, while Xu Zhinan's home is on the other side of Yancheng

"Mother." As Xu Zhinan pushed open the door to her home, she was greeted by a fragrant aroma of vegetables.

[ Qingye Ge: Teacher Xu, could you please provide me with some guidance? ]

"By the way, Captain," Shisi turned back while holding a bottle of wine and called out to him, "Just now, Guan Chi asked me to apologize to you."

In the dormitory, Zhao Qian and Jiang Yue were still asleep. She got up quietly, put on a coat, gently pushed open the balcony door, and answered the phone: "Hello, Mom"