Chapter 1, An Unexpected Reunion

This scoundrel ... . ... I am so angry that I clench my fists, truly wanting to land a punch on his face

I apologize for being late

My heart raced, my breathing became irregular, and I stood still, staring at the doorway. The door creaked open, and a person emerged from behind it, seemingly holding something in their hand. Their footsteps were slow, appearing cautious.

"What are you talking about, God? Let go of me," the boy shouted angrily

Indeed, one cannot overestimate Aizhe's logical abilities; I thought he had discerned something, but it turns out he was just talking nonsense

"Get out of here!" A sharp reprimand rang out, and in the next moment, a baseball bat appeared right in front of my nose, startling me so much that I lost my balance and fell backward

"Ah? So you haven't made a single friend in the past year?" I looked at him in astonishment

If I tell Aizhe, I will definitely be ridiculed by him; I know this guy's character all too well

I, Xu Zhengyan, am directionally challenged. In this labyrinthine place known as the music academy, I am utterly lost. Oh no, I have never known where north is.

Alright, I understand. However, I need to check in first, otherwise it will be too late. After more than a decade of being childhood friends, I know Aizhe's personality very well; as long as I comply with him first, everything will be negotiable

Could it be that someone has arrived

Ah? You are applying for the vocal department? I always thought you would play the piano like me. " Ai Zhe was seriously eating the noodles in his bowl, while not forgetting to express his astonishment. His face was filled with surprise, which made me feel a bit proud.

Just as I was feeling anxious and restless, I faintly heard the sound of footsteps approaching

The boy swung a stick towards the door, producing a deafening sound, and I was stunned

In that moment, a sense of loneliness and sorrow appeared on Aizhe's face

Ah? Surname? What is the surname? Ai Zhe appeared to be quite confused.

Where are you going, Xiaoyan

I glared at him in displeasure without saying anything. I had originally planned to tell him about what I had heard, but after thinking it over, I decided against it

"Is it that you come here every Thursday to scream and scare people?" the boy asked angrily

Aizhe's words awakened my memory; a year ago, it seems he called me to mention this matter. However, what truly puzzles me is that since then, it appears he has never called me again. What could be the reason for this?

"Aizhe! How could it be you?" I was so surprised that my jaw nearly dropped to the ground.

The cotton ball I was wiping with paused for a moment, but soon resumed rolling, accompanied by Aizhe's remark: "You foolish girl"

What should I do

"Good kitty, come tell your sister, where exactly is the new student registration office?" I gently stroked the soft fur of the kitten and asked. This little fellow didn't mind at all, rolling over to expose its belly for me to pet, and it squinted its eyes in bliss.

Ah, it has indeed been discovered

"Have you taken your medicine or not?" Ai Zhe, sitting across from me, kept handing me tissues with a worried expression and said, "Where were you last night? You weren't out stealing, were you? You actually caught a cold."

"By the way, you mentioned that you would be trying out singing in class tomorrow, right?" Ai Zhe suddenly asked out of the blue. I was taken aback for a few seconds before nodding my head. Then, with a worried expression, he said, "That doesn't sound good..."

Wuwuwu ... ... Help me ... ...

Although I am not certain whether the singer is him, if it is a heavenly voice, then it is very likely to be him. Therefore, I cannot allow you to say that about him

I nonchalantly took Aizhe's hand and said, "Come on, call me 'idiot girl' a few more times to hear it."

As the sky grew darker, it seemed unlikely that we would wait for the person we were expecting today. Thus, I hurriedly bid farewell to the boy and returned to the dormitory

"What are you doing? Are you stealing?" Ai Zhe asked me with a look of suspicion.

"Where is it? By the way, you mentioned before that you applied to the music academy because of a certain goal. What exactly is that goal?" Ai Zhe looked at me with doe-like eyes, obediently.

Play dumb, yes, that's right, just remain silent

I might as well dig a hole and die in it

Ah! At that moment, a boy suddenly walked in, let out a scream upon seeing me, and then fled through the door

"Done, done, I forgot in a moment of excitement!" I slapped my forehead hard, blaming it for recently being preoccupied with joyful matters and forgetting the most important things

"Play the piano?" I rolled my eyes and said, "Just spare me, making me play that thing is harmful to both myself and others. My voice is so beautiful, I am more suited for singing, hahaha..." I laughed proudly, nearly causing Aizhe to choke on his food.

My "phobia of groups of more than ten people" has not flared up for a long time, and I am unsure if I have been cured. God bless, I hope that this ailment becomes like a knife that is no longer used, eventually becoming useless over time

Aizhe sighed and said, "Don't forget, you have 'fear of more than ten people'..."

Aizhe ignored me. After a while, he seemed to think that the rinsing was about done, then turned off the faucet and said to me: "Go to the infirmary for an injection"

Help! I am slumped over the table, my head hanging down, completely devoid of energy

Aizhe looked at me with a speechless expression, tossed aside the cotton ball in his hand, lightly tapped my head, and said: "Silly girl, silly girl, silly girl..."

If it is truly happiness, then that would be wonderful. All I need is to see him and tell him how much I admire him; my thoughts and intentions are that simple

I gestured randomly and pointed to my mouth, and the teacher seemed to understand something, so she let me sit down

This is indeed a renowned music academy with a long history, featuring Gothic architecture. The pointed rooftops pierce through layers of lush green trees, reaching towards the sky. Sunlight pours down from the heavens, as if the blessings of the deities have descended upon the earth, rendering the entire academy sacred and magnificent

A semester? I widened my eyes in surprise. ... He is surprisingly patient, a whole semester, how persistent he must be ...

"How can this be! Being scratched or bitten by a cat or dog could potentially lead to rabies, and you must get vaccinated. What if you contract rabies and start biting people indiscriminately?" Aizhe said in a very serious tone, leaving me speechless.

Aizhe shrugged indifferently, picked up a piece of green vegetable and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing as he said: "Not at all, I am surrounded by different girls every day, I barely have time to escape."

He smiled faintly, causing the flowers and plants nearby to lose their luster: "What? Don't you remember me?"

In order to gain admission to the music academy, I secluded myself for a year, not even seeing my childhood friend for that entire time. Today, encountering them here unexpectedly, those familiar feelings have returned.

How is it possible? Has anyone seen him go downstairs? Do ghosts walk down stairs?

What? This boy is surprisingly violent; does he not know that he should cherish and protect girls

That being said, one cannot blame the singer; it is clearly a matter of his insufficient composure.

Suddenly, Aizhe reached out and gently touched my head. Beneath his brown bangs, a pair of black eyes held a gentle smile as he said, "Don't worry, you will find him, I will help you find him..."

It's fine, it's fine, aren't you going to have dinner? Why aren't you leaving yet? I strode ahead, my mind constantly replaying the words of those girls, secretly making a decision; today is Thursday, and I must go see for myself tonight

Oh? Is it really that good? Does he have some kind of scheme? Although this kid is foolish, there are times when he is particularly clever, and I can never guess what he intends to do

The wind on the rooftop terrace is strong, and even if I hide in the corner, I am still blown by the wind to the point of tears.

Haha! I am so excited!

At that moment, my phone vibrated. Upon opening it, I saw a text message from Aizhe:

A boy stands in front of me, pointing a baseball bat at me. It is too dark for me to see his expression, but his stance is indeed somewhat intimidating

Your question is quite hurtful; have you forgotten me after just one year? I am a second-year student in the piano department here, after all, I am your senior! Although Ai Zhe's tone carried a hint of complaint, he still wore a smile on his face, a familiar expression.

I almost forgot, this guy is merely good-looking; in reality, he is a simple-minded chatterbox

Although the person being spoken about is not me, it is highly likely to be Xing. In my eyes, he is sacred and must not be insulted in such a manner by an outsider

What?

I have also heard this rumor you mentioned, but no one knows who he is

Ah? Oh!

After completing the registration procedures, Ai Zhe dragged me to the infirmary. The doctor in the infirmary was not present at that time, so Ai Zhe used iodine to clean my wound, his movements very skilled. Watching him with an exceptionally serious expression, I smiled, it was truly wonderful to see him again

Help! Is there anyone who can save me!

Looking back, that person had short brown hair, a signature gentle smile on his face, and exuded a unique aura of elegance. He stood under the tree, with light spots scattered on him, resembling a fairy that had stepped out of a fairy tale

Little fellow, you are quite comfortable. You don't tell me where the new student registration office is, yet you make me scratch your belly. Doesn't that count as getting something for nothing? I playfully poked the little cat's belly a few times, and the little creature immediately sat up and yawned at me

Oh?

Hearing such a guarantee from Aizhe instantly put me at ease. In the past, whenever Aizhe assured me of something, he would always follow through. Therefore, I trust him more than anyone else.

"Come on, come on, call out a few more times for me to hear. I don't know why, but just now when I heard you call out like that, it felt so familiar to me," I said with a smile

"Alright, I will take you there," I said. Upon hearing this, Aizhe's previously tense facial features softened.

The kitten completely ignored me, stretched lazily, and lay down on the ground to take a nap

The little fellow looks very cute, wearing a cat collar around its neck, suggesting that it has sneaked out from home to play

"Angels? If angels sing like that, I would advise them to commit suicide instead." After saying this, the boy walked away with a baseball bat, and I was so angry that my hair almost stood on end

I do not know where he found the courage, but his threats ignited my anger. I retorted loudly: "Hey! What do you mean by that? Everyone says it is the song of angels, yet you claim it is the wailing of ghosts. Is there something wrong with your hearing?"

I recklessly gained admission here, hoping to encounter happiness and fulfill a personal wish.

Something feels a bit off. ... From the tone of this person, it seems they are not here to sing, but rather ... ! ... to catch ghosts!

Not good? How bad is it? Could it be that the teachers here are very strict

I was taken aback for a moment before I remembered that he had said yesterday he would come to keep me company... However, it doesn't matter now; even if a deity were to come and accompany me, it would be of no use, as my old habits are bound to resurface...

At the teacher's request, everyone must sing a line unaccompanied. Watching the classmates who performed exceptionally well, I became increasingly nervous, with sweat beading on my forehead and palms, and my heart racing.

I can no longer endure; I feel as if I am on the verge of death. My nose is extremely uncomfortable, and I have no strength left in my entire body

Sigh! My goal is that boy... I really want to find him..." I rested my chin on my hand, looking at the people coming and going on the street outside the window, truly hoping that among them there is someone who is my fortune

I have spotted the target! I keenly caught sight of the target, trotted over, crouched down, and asked the leisurely strolling individual: "Hi, cutie, do you know where the new student registration office is?"

Being pursued by different girls... ? ... entangled ? and still every day ? What is going on? It has been a year since we last met, and it seems that many interesting things have happened during this time that I am unaware of.

The expedition was not successful

Is he truly foolish or just pretending to be foolish

Speaking of which, if I truly find happiness, what should I say or do

Every Thursday, there are ghostly howls and screams here; who are they trying to scare? Let me tell you, I am not afraid of you! If you have the guts, come out! Otherwise, when I catch you, you will definitely regret it!

Oh, I haven't heard this title in a long time, and today it sounds particularly endearing! Although I used to dislike this nickname, considering it a derogatory term, today it doesn't sound so harsh; instead, it evokes a warm feeling.

I really want to know who he is, could he be a ghost

Is there something on my face? Or is there food residue on my teeth that I haven't cleaned properly? How strange!

I am so nervous that I cannot make a sound at all

Hmm? What? When he suddenly said this, I was completely baffled

Ah ah ah

"Aizhe, Aizhe." I excitedly nudged Aizhe a few times, trying to get him to look up at me

It is too terrifying

Having been through so much turmoil, if I do not report now, it will be too late; I should hurry and report.

I truly regret it; had I known, I would have dressed more warmly yesterday

Seeing Ai Zhe staring at me with bright, wide eyes and an expression of admiration, I was completely at a loss for how to respond

How embarrassing!

The young man gazed into the distance and sighed, saying: "Alas, I have been waiting for him for an entire semester, yet I have never caught him. Sometimes I truly wonder if that guy is a ghost"

Wow, Xiaoyan is becoming more and more impressive, she has become a master thief!

No, it can't be...

To celebrate our reunion, I decided to have Aizhe treat me to lunch, and Aizhe readily agreed. I was instantly thrilled and pulled him towards the restaurant, receiving quite a few curious glances along the way

Where is it! I looked at him with amusement and said reproachfully

Aijie’s eyes widened in surprise as he looked at me, and after a long pause, he finally managed to ask, "It’s not your hand that’s injured, but your brain, isn’t it?"

When I was a child, there was an occasion when I played at Aizhe's house and ended up sleeping there. Two children sleeping together felt like a battle at night. When I woke up the next day, my entire leg was resting on Aizhe's stomach, and I was sprawled out in a disheveled manner.

When he is gentle, he is like water; when he is foolish, he is even more foolish than a donkey. Similarly, when he resorts to mischief, it is also "extraordinary".

What are you doing? It's quite unbelievable, isn't it? In any case, I won't rest until I catch that guy" the boy said fiercely

What on earth should I do!

I looked around at the people with embarrassment, their smiling faces seemed filled with mockery

The young man turned around and looked at me, saying: "Since you are not that loud and obnoxious person, I owe you an apology. However, about that so-called heavenly voice you mentioned, I must apologize, as I can hardly stand that kind of screeching sound. It's annoying!"

"Aizhe... can we change to another place?" I hesitated to speak, my eyes fixed on the restroom door, fearing that someone might come in again

Aizhe set down his chopsticks, crossed his arms, and stared at me without blinking.

Subsequently, everyone took turns introducing themselves, and I was the one who performed the worst, stammering for a long time and only managing to squeeze out a single sentence

I shot a glare at Aizhe; this guy seizes every opportunity to tease me. I should infect him with my cold, hmph!

Classmate Xu Zhengyan, it is your turn! A classmate beside me quietly reminded me

As soon as I sat down, I felt completely overwhelmed, lowering my head to look at my shoes, wishing to leave this embarrassing place immediately

Shall we learn to meow like a cat

Why haven't you come yet, Ah Ti! This is not good, if this continues, I will catch a cold. If I catch a cold, I will definitely have a high fever, and that is not a good thing

It is truly wonderful to have you here

"Stop right there!" I grabbed the boy's shirt and said, "I will not allow you to speak of my deity in that manner."

I gave him a light pat, and seeing his grimacing expression, I couldn't help but laugh

Indeed, the young man standing before me, elegant in appearance and radiating a dazzling brilliance akin to the rising sun, is my childhood friend—Sen Aizhe

Come catch ghosts

Before I could react, I was already being pulled away by him. Along the way, I received countless puzzled glances from people, and I couldn't understand why those boys and girls were all staring at me.

Bang

Aizhe looked at me seriously and asked, "Have you overcome that old problem of yours?"

A drop of sweat trickles down from my forehead

How could I embarrass myself in front of so many people

It seems that I really need to follow my mother's advice and wear a compass around my neck when I go out in the future, so that I won't easily get lost

"You really haven't changed at all, still so silly..." A somewhat familiar voice came from behind me, but I couldn't recall whose voice it was at that moment

The young man paused and said nothing, just looking at me. Now, we are very close, and I can see the expression on his face clearly, a mix of confusion, incomprehension, puzzlement, and displeasure, all intertwined, in short, very complex

No, that's not necessary." I hurriedly waved my hand

"It has already been 15 minutes, can we proceed?" I said, tugging at my stiff lips, "Moreover... this is quite obstructive for someone needing to use the restroom"

Oh no! I couldn't hold it in and sneezed, now I will definitely be discovered

Suddenly, the boy spoke up: "If you are planning to wait here for him, I advise you to give up."

What exactly did you do yesterday? Did you kick the blanket at night?" Ai Zhe looked at me as if to say, "You must have kicked the blanket, right?"

After a satisfying meal, I held my stomach and walked contentedly with Aizhe on the way back. Aizhe rents a house outside the school and does not stay in the dormitory. Although we are headed in different directions, he insisted on seeing me back before he left

Suddenly, a light flashed in my mind, and I remembered that there is an important task tonight

Old habit? I tilted my head, thinking back and forth but couldn't figure out what this old habit mentioned by Ai Zhe refers to

Oh? Where is this place? Where exactly is the student registration area? I looked around at everything unfamiliar, and I was almost in tears from anxiety

"What happened! What happened!" Aizhe ran over, grabbed my hand, and said with a frown, "It's bleeding, hurry and rinse it off, let's go!"

I stared intently at Aizhe, hoping to discover something on his face. However, this fellow displayed nothing but a look of innocence.

The problem is that I still do not know his full name, nor do I know which department he belongs to; I only know that he studies here

Why are you so persistent? I looked at him in disbelief, truly unsure of what this guy was thinking.

"Hmm... what a warm feeling!" As I got excited, I rushed over and hugged Aizhe tightly, clinging to him like a koala. "Ah, indeed, childhood friends are the most reliable! By the way, you don't mind if I call you 'prehistoric animal,' do you? Hehe..."

The boy withdrew his gaze and looked at me, saying in great frustration: "It's all that person's fault for coming here and acting crazy every Thursday, causing me to unconsciously follow his tune during my practice every Thursday. And every Friday morning, the teacher always conducts a surprise check, and I'm almost driven to a nervous breakdown by him"

I feel like an ignorant girl trespassing into forbidden territory, walking while unable to contain my admiration for the architecture here. However, when I come to my senses, I find myself standing in a place I have no idea about.

Early the next morning, I hurriedly ran towards the vocal music department classroom. As I ran, I thought to myself how unfortunate it was not to have a roommate, as there was no one to call me even when I was late. Indeed, I currently do not have a roommate, and as for the reason, I do not know either

I am running forward, my heart filled with anticipation and joy, as if I am in pursuit of a long-lost treasure

I looked at him with amusement and said, "It's only been a year since we last met; don't make it sound like it's been ten years."

Not only did I not wait for happiness, but I also caught a cold. Sneezes come one after another. Now, in the eyes of others, I am just a virus carrier. Originally, I had few friends when I first arrived here, and now even my classmates have become more distant from me. The only person who has not "abandoned" me is one individual.

"Then why do you suddenly want me to call you a few more times? Didn't you used to hate it when I called you that?" Ai Zhe looked at me with a puzzled expression, then reached out to touch my forehead

That evening, as I was walking on the way to the college cafeteria, I inadvertently overheard someone discussing something. At first, I paid little attention until the phrase "his voice is simply celestial" pierced my ears, prompting me to stop in my tracks

I had no idea how I managed to get through the first class; it was only when the bell rang for the end of class that I felt a sense of relief

Do not think about it anymore, it is useless to think about anything now. How about this, tomorrow I will accompany you to class, consider it as a way to cheer you on, how does that sound

"You can't be..." Aizhe stared at me mysteriously, making me feel a chill run down my spine. "You really went out to be a thief in the middle of the night, didn't you!"

What do you want to do? I have a vague feeling that Ai Zhe's eagerness to support me is certainly not that simple

Yo yo yo, are you showing off how popular you are? Hmph! I deliberately made a strange sound and glanced at him sideways

Aizhe, however, completely disagreed with my words. He looked at me very seriously, as if his face were inscribed with the seven large characters "This is my territory, you must listen to me"

A few girls were chattering away, and I listened intently, keeping their words in mind. The mysterious figure they spoke of immediately made me think of the person I am pursuing—Xing

I turned back to Aizhe, waving my hand and saying, "I have urgent matters to attend to, you can go back now, goodbye..."

Hello, Aizhe

In my memory, Aizhe appears to be an elegant and mature young gentleman, yet within, he is a laid-back, gentle, and carefree person

My goal, oh my goal, is that boy who possesses an angelic voice and appearance, the boy named "Xing".

Is this the person? Is he the one who sings? Why does he seem more like a thief?

"So, what are you planning to do tomorrow?" Aizhe kindly reminded me, while also taking several pieces of meat from my bowl.

I was caught by Aizhe in the men's restroom, and I rinsed my hands under the faucet for a full 15 minutes, to the point where my hands were almost numb

Do not let it go; such an uncouth young man must be taught a good lesson

"Screaming wildly here at night, is it not meant to scare people?" The baseball bat in the boy's hand swung back and forth in front of my eyes, "If you dare to scream again, I will hit you to death with one blow, treating it as a punishment for evil and a removal of harm"

But do cats really sneeze that loudly

Not long after, the doctor from the infirmary returned and gave me a sharp injection in my arm, causing me great pain

Hmm... no! Absolutely not! I can't make a sound at all! It's over, it's over! ... My old problem has indeed resurfaced, what, what should I do, sob sob...

Achoo! Achoo! The mucus flowed down once again, and I sniffed to try to stop it, but it was completely futile

After not seeing each other for a year, this guy is still as handsome as ever; no matter how you look at him, he is a beautiful young man. His facial contours are so perfect that they are "astounding"; his high nose bridge and long eyelashes make many girls envious. And then there is that hand holding mine, exuding a familiar warmth.

I cast him a disdainful glance, feeling both amused and exasperated

Indeed, every Thursday evening, the rooftop of Building 3 resonates with singing, as if angels are singing.

By the way, Aizhe, have you heard of someone here named 'Xing'?

"Why?" I asked in confusion

Ah? "Fear of more than ten people"? ... It seems that I ... ... perhaps ... ... ... indeed ... ! ... it really exists!

"Idiot girl, I have urgent matters and cannot go to support you. You must do your best."

"Xiao Yan, what is wrong with you? Have you been captivated by my charm?" Ai Zhe suddenly said to me with a smug look.

It is not a surname, but rather a name that contains the character '幸', which means 'fortunate' or 'lucky'. I explained patiently.

That won't work, as it will still expose us

This is terrible! I actually forgot such an important matter! During the interview, there were only five examiners, so I passed the exam smoothly. However, tomorrow I have to perform in front of a crowd, which means my old problem will...

"What are you doing?" I am disinfecting you. " Ai Zhe looked up at me, his face filled with displeasure

"Who is screaming and shouting!" I exclaimed in frustration. If it were truly happiness, then that sound would undoubtedly be heavenly, not a scream or shout.

Look, I told you so. I know his character all too well, and I have long had a set of methods to deal with him, hehe

Although the situation sounds quite precarious and unbelievable, if it is fortunate, anything is possible. Moreover, it is said that fortune lies within this academy, does it not

"Hey, you silly girl, what are you hiding here for?" A hand suddenly slapped my shoulder. There is only one person who would call me that, and only one person who would slap me like that. I turned around and shot a glare at this guy who had suddenly popped up to scare me.

What a violent fellow... How can there be such a violent person in a music academy? He must have gone to the wrong school; he should be at a sports school instead

As soon as I entered the door, more than twenty pairs of eyes in the class all turned to look at me. I was taken aback, and a chill ran through my entire body

"Great thief, I am still a master thief!"

Sleepy? Fond of eating? Dislike exercising? Losing track of time while reading comics? Oh? It turns out I have so many flaws

What should I do

I have a black line on my forehead, and I don't know whether to say he is narcissistic or that he lacks intelligence

Strange, is it really true that there is no conspiracy

Oh, it seems that there is indeed such a thing, hehe..." I laughed awkwardly, and without paying attention, while I was petting the kitten, I was scratched by its claws. "Ah, ah, ah—" Several bright red blood marks suddenly appeared, and it hurt so much that I cried out loudly.

"What are you thinking about? It's been so long since we last met, and you still haven't changed your habit of daydreaming," Aizhe said to me with a smile.

It is not ready yet. Ai Zhe did not lift his head, still diligently helping me rinse the wound

"Oh no! Hurry up and stake out!" I slapped my forehead and immediately ran towards the rooftop, with Aizhe's voice calling out behind me

What should I do, what should I do

I have lost count of how many boys I have scared now

Alas! How could those girls be so enchanted by him

Aizhe rested his chin on his hand while holding the chopsticks and thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I haven't paid much attention, and I am not very familiar with the people here"

From this point on, my "unparalleled" sleeping posture became the best excuse for Aizhe to tease me

Achoo

"Ahem, your voice is indeed wonderful," Aizhe took the opportunity to tease me.

"What, it turns out it wasn't you..." the boy said, suddenly realizing.

A sigh of resignation from Aizhe reached my ears, and I naturally took this sigh as a given. The nickname "Prehistoric Animal" is one I gave to Aizhe, and only I would call him that

Ah, so that's how it is!

Who? Who is there

Hmm... so lazy and so cute... hee hee hee... I couldn't help but pat its head again

Aizhe remained silent for a moment before softly murmuring, "It is the same for me."