Chapter 33

Lin Mian was still a little confused as she took a photo with the trophy. She wanted to refuse.

But the organizers were quite happy and told her directly, "I didn't expect our competition to be so attractive. Even professionals like you can participate. That's great."

This left Lin Mian speechless. It would be impolite to refuse.

As soon as he got off the stage, Jiang Dan rushed over and grabbed her hand, his expression was so anxious and incredulous.

"Why did you give up the piano?"

He didn't understand why Lin Mian wanted to give up. God knew he had been caught up in some kind of fanatical atmosphere, but Zhong Yuqi exposed him with just one sentence.

"She doesn't plan to continue playing the piano anymore. Don't you think you're lucky? She rarely plays the piano anymore."

Jiang Dan was rarely so shocked. It was like countless pieces of gravel falling on a calm lake. His eyes could no longer remain as calm as before.

Jiang Dan's question sounded more like a challenge.

Those around her were generally tolerant of Lin Mian's abandonment, believing it was simply too unchallenging for her, leaving her with little sense of accomplishment. Understanding her genius, they assumed her every idea was the product of careful consideration.

But Lin Mian knew that was not the case.

She was only eight years old, but she had already tasted sadness.

In the past, those people would look at her with blaming eyes after their failures, some of which were directed at themselves, and some at her.

Like countless little snakes entwined around Lin Mian's heart, he couldn't find a way out.

If it were just one or two gazes, Lin Mian could have digested them, but there were so many of them that he couldn't even find their source.

During the time when Lin Mei was worried about Lin Mian having nightmares, Lin Mian was not only afraid of her father who had suddenly changed, but also of countless pressures. Once the fuse was lit, it would be like a domino effect, and her world would collapse in an instant.

Lin Mian realized that she was a coward and not as brave as she thought.

She was afraid that others would look at her with such hatred. She couldn't help but wonder if this look would soon affect the people around her and how they would view her.

Is it sympathy or pity?

Would that frighten her more than the hateful gaze?

Lin Mian didn’t know.

She wanted to keep herself secret and not show herself in front of others.

But Lin Mian knew that this would make Lin Mei worry about her. Lin Mei was already very tired, and she didn't want to be a burden to Lin Mei.

Going to school is inevitable, and good grades are inevitable. Among all the gazes, the one she cares about most is Lin Mei's.

Lin Mian chose to wear glasses, not to comfort herself by saying that she didn't want others to understand her emotions, but to elevate this forced behavior and classify it as a proactive motive, which seemed more like an attempt to save face.

She chose to wear glasses because she didn't want to notice other people's gazes anymore, and didn't want to receive those gazes that were too strong to ignore, full of jealousy and hatred, like looking at a monster.

Maybe the new environment really brought good influences. Lin Mian wanted to accept the challenges of life as before, lead Wu Bingxia out of the predicament, play in a band, and become the happy self he used to be.

She wanted to touch the membrane that enveloped her, to come out of the shell she thought she had already come out of.

But it was not until Jiang Dan asked her at this moment that she realized that her first reaction was to escape.

Did she really come out?

Or is all this just her own fantasy?

Seeing that Lin Mian was not in a good state, Zhong Yuqi knocked Jiang Dan's hand away and no longer cared so much about his angry look.

"Aren't we here to see your performance today? Go now and don't waste time here."

She turned around, took Lin Mian's hand, and strode forward.

"You have the right to give up, and you also have the right not to answer, Lin Mian."

She said it so seriously.

What? It turns out her friend is the hero and she was saved a long time ago.

A tear slid down her cheek and soon disappeared.

Lin Mian stared blankly at the determined and brave figure in front of him.

Even though he couldn't see Zhong Yuqi's expression, Lin Mian knew that there was no sympathy or pity in it, only a desire to protect her.

After walking back, Zhong Yuqi hugged Lin Mian before Jiang Dan and the others arrived.

"Just like when I gave up the piano, Lin Mian, you were just feeling sorry, afraid that I would regret it later. But you didn't pity my decision, nor did you think that it was ridiculous for someone without talent like me to persist and give up. So today, Lin Mian, I will support all your decisions, as long as it is what you want, whether you make it carefully considered or rashly. I want to be your friend forever, and I don't want to be another Qin Yumin. Lin Mian, I cherish you very much, and I hope you cherish me too."

Her embrace was so warm and welcoming, just like the support she gave her every time.

"Yuqi..."

She knew everything and was willing to say nothing.

"Why are you hugging each other?"

Jiang Dan and the others are back.

Zhong Yuqi blocked Lin Mian behind her and asked her to tidy herself up first. She knew that Lin Mian didn't like to show weakness in front of others.

"Nothing, are you ready?"

"Of course," Jiang Dan grinned and picked up the drumstick. "3, 2, 1, go!"

The dense drum beats were so heavy that even the ground could feel the vibration.

Their music was different from the one Lin Mian had seen last time.

Lin Jianai's band is relaxed, lively, enjoyable and comfortable.

But Jiang Dan's band is hoarse, roaring, and heavy, like a cry from the heart.

Jiang Dan on the stage also looked different. The blue veins on his hands could be seen clearly under the dim light. His voice sounded as if he was singing with all his strength, as if he would be exhausted in the next moment.

Jiang Dan, who was shouting at the top of his lungs, seemed to be enjoying the music, but also a little crazy.

The next moment something unexpected happened.

The guitarist hit the wrong beat, and everyone present could hear it.

"Boom"

The swung drumstick hit the guitarist's head hard, and blood came out immediately, which shows how hard the drummer used.

Everyone was frightened and silent for a moment.

But judging by the reactions of the other members of the band, they seemed to be used to it. No one came out to persuade them, and all they could hear was Jiang Dan's voice.

Except for Jiang Dan, everyone else in the band is an adult, but everyone is afraid of him.

After being scolded, the guitarist did not refute or defend himself, but took out the paper in his bag to stop the bleeding.

After that, Lin Mian watched them play again and again, and whenever there was a problem, he would face Jiang Dan's anger. When he cursed, he didn't use any curse words, but instead used various sarcastic words, which, combined with his gentle tone, made people shudder.

Especially when it comes to beating people, there is no one in the entire band who has not been beaten by him.

But he really didn't make any mistakes, and no one resisted him.

After a lot of effort, the song was finally over. Jiang Dan slowly put down the drumstick and took out a handkerchief to wipe his hands. His hands were stained with blood from the drumstick.

"I'm sorry to have embarrassed you."

His smile was so gentle, yet frightening.

On the way back, there were only Lin Mian and Zhong Yuqi. Jiang Dan said he had to stay to take care of some personal matters.

In the car, there was silence for a while. Lin Mian couldn't help but ask, "Why do they all listen to him so much? They won't say anything even if they get beaten."

In the darkness of the night, Lin Mian couldn't see Zhong Yuqi's expression.

"Jiang Dan pays all of these people. He supports them all, and they're all there for him. Living in North City isn't easy. Besides, Jiang Dan held back today. He's a boxer and was drafted before, but there's no way his family would want him to go."

"He wasn't like this before. I don't know when he changed. The next time I saw him, he was in a band. I attribute all this to that. So I hope you don't join a band. I'm afraid you'll change... I used to admire Jiang Dan the most, but now I admire you the most, Lin Mian. I don't want you to become like Jiang Dan."

Her voice was filled with tears, but her face was still fixed on the car window.

They both have too high self-esteem and are unwilling to lower their heads to show their wounds to each other.

Lin Mian hugged her from behind, and she could clearly feel her warmth.

"Yuqi, I won't become like this. He is him, and I am me. I don't want to play his kind of music. What I want is the music we created together. That's what playing is. Yuqi, thank you for your tolerance of me. Can you give me a little more trust? I really want to see you and me standing on the stage together, just like that time when we played together, we were both so happy."

Her tense body slowly relaxed. "I've always believed in you, Xiao Mian," she said in a muffled voice. "I just said it before, I want to be your friend forever."

"I will support every decision you make, so don't be afraid. Then let's form a band. At least no matter what problems arise, you'll have me behind you."

She saw her vulnerability, she saw her sensitivity.

That's why they can share each other's anxieties, secrets and pains on such nights.

At the same time, on the other side, Wu Bingxia sat on the bed with her legs hugged.

Her mother didn't understand her pain, and she was afraid to tell her that Wang Xun was looking for her again.

The idea of ​​learning boxing also vanished after my mother's words.

"Isn't it good for girls to be a little bit good? You are the one who provoked those people because of your bad behavior. After all, we have spent so much money to let you study at the North Poetry School. You should behave yourself and stop using this face to provoke others."

At that moment, her mother made Wu Bingxia feel like she was falling into an ice cave.

What's the difference between her mother and those who believe in rumors?

She clearly knew that she was innocent and she was not wrong!

She is not wrong!

Wu Bingxia wiped away her tears. She was not a fool, nor did she want to be treated as a fool.

She was tired of hearing those self-righteous words, and she would still feel disgusted even if they were said by the person she thought loved her the most.

She doesn't want to be the person who can't resist and can only escape.

Lin Mian said that she would always wait for her.

Someone is still waiting for her. Wu Bingxia told herself that she cannot retreat. She cannot let others down again.

When the world hits her, she hits it back.

Only when those who hurt her feel hurt will all this end.

She wants to defeat Wang Xun and those who try to defeat her.

She is not supporting herself alone, she also has Lin Mian.

Thinking of this, Wu Bingxia's gaze became more determined.

She got up in the dark, turned on the desk lamp, and wrote down her plan in the warm light.

The next day, when Lin Mian met Wu Bingxia who was waiting for her at the school gate, she was not surprised. Instead, she had the thought that she was there as expected.

She leaned against the wall, lowered her head and stared at the shoes. Even so, she was incredibly beautiful, and everyone who passed by couldn't help but look at her a few more times.

Wu Bingxia's unrestrained beauty always leaves a deep impression on people.

"Is your ankle okay?"

When Wu Bingxia heard Lin Mian's voice, her ears moved. She raised her head, and her eyes, like stars, were full of surprise.

"Yeah, I've been waiting for you."

Wu Bingxia hugged Lin Mian in a bear hug.

"Let go! I'm dying!"

Lin Mian breathed a sigh of relief after being released. Seeing Wu Bingxia like this, she didn't need to ask any more questions.

As they walked, Lin Mian asked her, "Have you told your mother about wanting to learn boxing?"

"She won't let me learn, but," her eyes were so bright, "I can start exercising from today. I ran here today. Although I'm very tired, I feel really relaxed after running. All my worries are left behind. I used to hate physical education class, but now I don't think it's a big deal. Sweating can make people happier."

"So, do you want to learn boxing?"

"Think! Exercise only makes my body better, but I can't defeat those I hate. I can only escape, which only allows me to escape faster."

Lin Mian looked at Wu Bingxia in surprise. The girl's eyes were so serious: "I don't want to run away, Lin Mian."

"I've been saving my lucky money, even secretly, and I want to learn too."

"Lin Mian, I want to have my own power to defeat all the rumors."

It was difficult for Lin Mian to describe her feelings at the moment. Her friends were much stronger than she thought.

"Okay, I'll accompany you, and you'll accompany me, and we'll become stronger together."

"good!"