Cheng Che never dreamed that Su Miaoyin would live across the hall from the apartment he rented.
A small outbuilding in a traditional courtyard house in a hutong (traditional alleyway) costs 7,000 yuan a month. It's in a remote location and has a small area. Its only advantage is its proximity to Peking University.
It turns out I ran into someone I knew in a place like this, and it was even a senior I'd just met a week ago.
Su Miaoyin was also stunned.
She stood at the doorway, holding a garbage bag, her expression shifting from bewilderment to surprise.
"You... moved out?"
Cheng Che nodded. "I haven't applied to the school yet... But senior, aren't you living on campus?"
Su Miaoyin nodded. "Yes, I live at school. I just occasionally want to come out and be alone."
Cheng Che's lips twitched slightly.
Occasionally staying out?
Paying 7,000 a month, more than 80,000 a year, just to occasionally go out and be alone?
If he hadn't known he could make money in the future, he wouldn't have dared to rent a place in Capital City.
Even if he signs a contract for eight million, he might only actually receive four or five million.
Lawyer Chen helped him register a studio, which could reduce his tax rate.
But it also costs a lot of money. Plus, Qin Lie became his agent. Although it was a contract signed afterward, the revenue sharing still had to be done according to the rules, and he couldn't avoid getting 15%.
There are also various miscellaneous fees, so there's not much left after all.
So when he thought about how Su Miaoyin only stayed there occasionally, he couldn't help but sigh.
She's a rich woman.
Why are there rich women everywhere?
Su Miaoyin probably noticed the expression on his face, but she didn't say anything. She turned around, put the trash by the door, and said, "Don't rush off, wait for me."
Cheng Che closed the door and leaned against the doorframe to wait.
A few minutes later, Su Miaoyin came out again.
She changed her clothes.
She wore a white short-sleeved shirt, a dark pleated skirt, and black over-the-knee stockings. Her hair was tied up again, looking much neater than before.
She threw the trash into the trash can at the entrance of the alley, then walked towards Cheng Che.
"Let's go," she said, "Back to school together."
Cheng Che nodded, and the two walked Peking University.
After walking for a while, Su Miaoyin suddenly spoke.
Why don't you come to me to learn music anymore?
Cheng Che paused for a moment.
"You've only come once since joining the music club. The second class hasn't been held since." Su Miaoyin tilted her head to look at him, her tone slightly serious. "Are you just a flash in the pan? You have great talent, and I don't want to see you waste it."
She patiently and earnestly persuaded him, her tone carrying the tone of a teacher's disappointment and frustration with her student.
Cheng Che remained silent for two seconds.
What should he say?
Are you suggesting I say, "I've found a new teacher, I don't need you anymore"?
He said he couldn't say it.
Moreover, this new teacher is Yan Ruanning, whom Su Miaoyin likes.
If he were to tell, who knows what would happen to Su Miaoyin.
He then said apologetically, "I've been too busy lately. I'll come when I have time later."
Su Miaoyin looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then nodded. "Okay. Then remember."
As she spoke, she suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right, now that you're my neighbor, come on, let me treat you to dinner to celebrate."
Cheng Che thought for a moment.
It's best to avoid walking with this girl for now.
Spreading rumors is not a good idea.
"Next time," he said. "Come to my house, I'll cook for you."
Su Miaoyin looked at him in shock. "You can cook?"
"I know a little."
Su Miaoyin stared at him for two seconds. She could sense that Cheng Che was distancing himself from her.
She suddenly felt a little annoyed.
I wasn't trying to pursue you, so why are you looking down on me?
Aren't you being a bit too narcissistic?
Her eyes lit up, and she said, "There's no time like the present. Don't you have no classes this afternoon? Let's eat now."
Cheng Che asked in surprise, "How did you know we didn't have class?"
"So there are people in your class in the music club too?" Su Miaoyin said casually. "I mentioned it in the group chat, asking if anyone wanted to practice instruments together."
She paused, then gave him a teasing look. "You don't think I'm watching you all the time, do you?"
Cheng Che's lips twitched.
I'm still too narcissistic.
Why have I become so narcissistic lately?
To express his apology, he nodded. "Okay. Let's go then."
The two turned a corner and went to the nearby farmers' market.
To avoid triggering the " Stars Surrounding the Moon " effect, Cheng Che put on a mask.
Su Miaoyin disliked the smell of the market, so she also put on a mask.
The two walked side by side in the aisle of the market; one was tall and slender, the other slim and delicate, and they looked quite well-matched.
Cheng Che bought some groceries and some household items, including a set of pots, pans, and dishes.
Su Miaoyin followed behind, helping him carry a few lighter items.
The two returned to Cheng Che's courtyard.
Su Miaoyin collapsed onto the sofa as soon as she entered the room, panting heavily.
Cheng Che smiled and said, "Lie down and rest. I'll treat you to dinner."
Su Miaoyin muttered, "It's your job anyway."
Cheng Che carried the groceries into the kitchen.
Su Miaoyin glanced around the room, then sprawled on the sofa, pretending to be a lazy bum.
After a while, she fell asleep.
Unbeknownst to her, two people had arrived at the courtyard gate.
It was Yan Ruanning and Qin Lie.
Yan Ruanning originally wanted to come by herself to see Cheng Che's new house.
As they walked to the alley entrance, they ran into Qin Lie.
Qin Lie is Cheng Che's agent, so he also needs to know where Cheng Che lives.
When the two met, Qin Lie felt awkward, unsure whether to advance or retreat.
"I just came to check on how he's doing," Qin Lie explained.
"Me too," Yan Ruanning said.
The two exchanged a glance, both seeing something subtle in each other's eyes.
Then they walked together to the courtyard gate.
Qin Lie knocked on the door.
There was no sound inside.
Cheng Che had the range hood on and was cooking, so he didn't hear anything.
But the groggy Su Miaoyin was awakened by the knocking on the door.
She opened her eyes, her mind still a complete blank.
"Why is someone knocking on the door..." she muttered as she sat up. "Are Lin Lin and Xiaoman here?"
She stood up groggily, swayed as she walked out of the house, completely unaware that this wasn't her home.
She walked to the courtyard gate and opened it.
The three of them stared at each other in disbelief.