Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Nice to meet you
Burning Moonlight
By Zhu Ting
Original content, please do not reproduce.
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Around 2 a.m., the sound of coughing could be heard in the dimly lit ward.
Fog Bridge experiences little rain throughout the year, and the air becomes increasingly dry in autumn and winter. Xu Yuewei was awakened by the sound and felt a slight itch in her throat.
After a moment of confusion, she propped herself up, stepped off the bed with her heels, and walked quickly and lightly to the central hospital bed.
The woman lying on the bed stopped coughing; it seemed she had only been talking in her sleep.
She was still fast asleep, her short, silvery hair spread across the pillow, her brows relaxed, and moonlight seeping through the thin curtains, illuminating the shallow wrinkles on her face.
The monitor by the bedside displayed numbers and curves. Heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure were all normal, but blood oxygen was a little low, at 96.
Afraid of waking people, Xu Yuewei didn't touch the blue-green oxygen tube, but instead slightly turned the knob on the oxygen cylinder to increase the oxygen supply by half a level.
The effect was immediate; blood oxygen levels reached 97.
She breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a little guilty that she, the person keeping her company, had fallen asleep.
The person in the hospital bed was her teacher, Yan Yijun, a household name in the guqin (a seven-stringed zither) circle. When Xu Yuewei came to study under her previous teacher, Yan Yijun had already stopped accepting students, but seeing her young age and outstanding talent, she made an exception.
Xu Yuewei studied under her for several years. After graduating from university, she left Wuqiao. Four years later, she returned and heard that Teacher Yan had heart problems and had undergone bypass surgery, so she rushed to visit her.
Yan Yijun and her husband did not have children. After her husband's death, she lived alone. Fortunately, she still had a group of students in Wuqiao.
The blue curtains in the ward were a bit thin, and the moonlight shone through, making it look like a darkroom for developing photos, a blue one.
Xu Yuewei couldn't sleep and didn't dare to sleep, so she listlessly pulled the curtains open a crack.
The building was very tall, and looking into the distance, she saw the viaduct as several ribbons tied together in a knot.
The buildings that existed before she left home remained unchanged as anchor points after her return.
My gaze drifted along one of the strips, past the dense modern high-rises, and landed at the location of Wuqiao No.1 Middle School.
That was her alma mater. Nearby was a cluster of six-story old-style residential buildings, which were relatively inexpensive school district properties and very popular in the rental market.
She used to live there. She remembers the rusty apartment door creaking, and how she had to carry a heavy schoolbag up and down the fifth floor every day. The people living upstairs were...
Her dark eyes suddenly flickered, snapping her out of her reverie. She drew the curtains, propped the pillows behind her, and sat on the headboard, leaning against the wall.
During the two weeks she spent back in Wuqiao, she saw many old friends, and out of habit, even old friends she hadn't seen in a long time started to pop into her mind.
She closed her eyes for a moment, then took out her phone and started playing a match-3 game to perk herself up.
The night passed peacefully, and the next day at noon, her senior colleague Zhuang Fengrui came to the ward with a lunchbox to hand her over.
He was in his early forties, wore frameless glasses, was neither fat nor thin, and had the air of a refined professor.
"Xiaoyue is back! It's been so many years, you..."
Why did you come back? Did you change jobs? Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
Because my father passed away, I resigned and planned to take a break, but...
Just when Zhuang Fengrui thought the superficial greetings were over, he suddenly changed the subject:
"By the way, my music studio got infested with bugs this summer, so I did a thorough cleaning and found some old business cards, including yours."
Xu Yuewei seemed to remember something, and her polite smile froze for a moment.
“'Shi Wei,' right? You said you suddenly decided on this stage name, and all those business cards you printed are now useless. If you still want them, I'll get them for you next time; if not, I'll just throw them away.”
Xu Yuewei said, "No need to trouble yourself, I'll just pick it up at the music studio next time I have the chance."
"Oh right, there really is an opportunity."
Zhuang Fengrui placed the lunchboxes one by one on the table next to the ward, rocked the bed, and smiled at Yan Yijun: "It's only because Teacher Yan has health problems that we have this opportunity."
“A film project needed guqin music, and we wanted to invite Teacher Yan to come out of retirement, but given her current situation… she referred the matter to me, since I know many guqin players.”
"I'm planning to host a small gathering at my music studio this weekend, inviting the group to listen and maybe make some connections. Since you're back, would you like to join us?"
The so-called elegant gathering is a meeting for guqin players to exchange their skills. Xu Yuewei was very familiar with this kind of scene.
But she hesitated, and was also a little surprised: "Can I go?"
In terms of seniority, many of the senior teachers in the qin society are above her, and since she is no longer a member of the qin society, her return means competing for opportunities with these seniors, which is awkward no matter how you look at it.
But it sounded like a great opportunity, and I couldn't bring myself to refuse it so easily.
Zhuang Fengrui sensed the unspoken message in her silence and thoughtfully offered a Plan B:
"I'll invite them to stay for tea after the gathering. You can come now, just for about ten minutes to give a presentation, it's fine."
*
Three days later, the weather was clear and the streets were bustling with traffic. A black Audi was parked on the side of the road with its engine off and the hood slightly dented.
Wearing an open dark blue coat, Xu Yuewei stood in front of the car holding up her phone, the live image on the screen changing with the slight movement of her arm.
After taking photos to document the event, a phone call came in. Her eyelids twitched, and she answered while getting back into the car, saying as she spoke:
"Senior brother, I was just about to contact you, but I'm sorry, something unexpected happened..."
She was driving straight in the middle lane when a white car suddenly cut in front of her and changed lanes. It was too late to brake; she couldn't avoid it.
The white car owner was bald and had bowlegs. He got out of the car and greeted her, wanting to ask her for compensation from her car insurance.
When negotiations failed and she was in a hurry, she suggested calling the police, but the other party ran away, probably knowing full well that they were fully responsible.
After Xu Yuewei finished explaining, Zhuang Fengrui told her some bad news: "The gathering has ended ahead of schedule."
Zhuang Fengrui originally estimated that the meeting would end at 5 o'clock, and Xu Yuewei was aiming for 4:30, but one of them arrived early and the other was late.
Xu Yuewei sighed, burying her chin in the turtleneck of her sweater: "I'm so sorry, how about..."
She didn't want to waste everyone's time, but a voice suddenly came through the receiver, interrupting her.
"What happened?"
A man's voice, seemingly near yet far, hazy and indistinct, yet clear and pleasant in tone, echoed in her ears with a tingling sensation.
Xu Yuewei was taken aback, unsure if the other party was asking her directly. She didn't say anything, but her fingers unconsciously tightened around her phone.
They also completely missed the opportunity to say "never mind".
She heard Zhuang Fengrui's voice in the distance, as if he were explaining something to someone next to him.
After a while, Zhuang Fengrui's voice came closer again, asking her, "Where are you? Are you still far away?"
At this moment, the traffic light at the intersection turned green, and vehicles passed by like a flood, the noise being blocked out of the car windows, as muffled and indistinct as the previous sounds.
Xu Yuewei wanted to say it was near Wutiao No.1 Middle School, but changed her mind and said, "It's at the intersection of Xuchun Road and Mingrun Avenue."
"Okay. If you're not hurt, come quickly." She heard Zhuang Fengrui say with a smile, "Teacher Jiang said he doesn't want to let anyone go."
They didn't want to let a single person go.
The reverse of this statement means that one doesn't want to let anyone go.
Xu Yuewei suddenly remembered the way Jiang Shiyan looked when they broke up, his eyes red and his harsh words.
The voice from before was distorted by the static, but Xu Yuewei was certain she hadn't made a mistake.
But she still held a sliver of hope and whispered to her senior, "The Teacher Jiang you mentioned, could it be...?"
“It’s that very famous producer, Jiang Shiyan.” Zhuang Fengrui’s usually steady voice wavered. “I only found out today that he is actually the chief composer of this movie’s score. He’s so handsome in person.”
As Xu Yuewei listened to the cheerful laughter on the other end, her heart slowly swelled to the bottom.
From the day she returned to Fog Bridge, that name was like a Damocles' sword hanging over her head.
But it landed right when she was least prepared.
Xu Yuewei was momentarily lost in thought, and the hair that had been tucked behind her ears came loose at some point. She held her phone in silence.
Zhuang Fengrui called out to pull her back to reality: "Hurry up, don't keep people waiting too long."
Xu Yuewei nodded, then, remembering that her senior brother couldn't see, said "Okay" again.
The call was finally disconnected.
*
Twenty minutes later, when Xu Yuewei arrived late, the rendition of "Wild Geese Descending on the Sandbank" in the private room had just ended.
She stood outside the door and heard scattered applause and compliments coming from inside.
"I've heard that this piece has two schools, the Southern School and the Northern School. If I'm not mistaken, the one you just played was the Northern School?"
Even through the thin door panel, Xu Yuewei could hear his voice again.
She took a deep breath.
Then Zhuang Fengrui praised, half sincerely and half flatteringly, "Yes, you have a very wide range of knowledge."
"It's just that I happened to hear someone play the Southern style."
The man's voice was tinged with an ambiguous chuckle.
"Speaking of which, you might know that person."
Hearing this, Xu Yuewei became anxious and quickly knocked on the door three times.
Knock knock knock.
There was a moment of silence inside.
Zhuang Fengrui called out, "Come in," and she opened the door.
Inside the private room, the curtains were rolled up, revealing a desolate view of the courtyard outside the glass window, reminiscent of late autumn. Inside, however, the room was bright and clean, with the aroma of incense wafting through the air.
Xu Yuewei's gaze quickly swept over the people around the sandalwood square table, finally landing on the man sitting with his back to the window.
He seemed unchanged, still with deep-set eyes and sharp features.
However, the emotions in those peach blossom eyes were obscure and unclear.
Xu Yuewei was still caught up in the urgency of knocking on the door to interrupt the conversation. She met his eyes without any warning and suddenly forgot all her thoughts.
In a daze, she seemed to see Jiang Shiyan, who was nineteen years old, sitting backwards in a chair, listening to her play the Southern School piece "Wild Geese Descending on the Sandbank".
He wasn't listening at all; his eyes were more active than his ears, his gaze wandering over her.
She hated being disturbed when practicing the piano, so she gave him a reproachful look and said, "Why are you staring at me like that?"
He raised an eyebrow: "Can't I even look?"
"No, I need to clear my mind."
"So what thought just now had you in your mind?"
"..."
"You're not going to tell me? Then I'll guess for myself."
He stood up, bent down, and his lips suddenly brushed against her cheek, leaving a light, fleeting kiss.
But as if discussing a mathematical problem, he showed no lust, blinked lightly, and looked into her eyes with ease: "Let's check the answers."
She covered her eyes with her left hand and gave him a blind punch with her right hand. Hearing his triumphant laughter, her ears burned.
Now, no one covers their eyes anymore.
They all learned to hide the answer in the deepest, deepest places.
Xu Yuewei's breathing became shallower, her eyelids drooped slightly, and she quickly put on a generous and appropriate smile:
"Hello everyone, I apologize for the slight hiccup and for being late."
As her gaze, which had been focused on the center, gradually spread to both sides, three unfamiliar faces gave her friendly smiles, and Xu Yuewei felt her heart rate drop from its peak.
Zhuang Fengrui had said everything he needed to say about her, and gestured for her to come forward, introducing her with a smile:
"This is my junior sister, Xu Yuewei. The video I just showed you was her playing, although her face wasn't shown. She also transcribed the sheet music herself!"
All eyes were on her. Xu Yuewei stepped forward and shook hands with everyone to greet them.
When it was the middle man's turn, someone unnecessarily chimed in:
"This is our chief producer, Mr. Jiang Shiyan."
The handshake was interrupted. Xu Yuewei's hand, which was halfway raised, froze in mid-air. She bent her fingertips, wanting to pull back, when he also raised his hand, but did not shake hers. His fingertips were only half a centimeter away from hers.
The room suddenly became as quiet as if the last lit candle had been blown out.
Jiang Shiyan lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on the top of her fluffy hair.
He blinked slightly, as lightly as snowflakes falling on snow, his smile faint:
Hello, nice to meet you.
A note from the author:
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The story is finally starting! It's a bittersweet tale set in autumn and winter, with a heartwarming ending. I hope you enjoy it!
Next summer I'll be telling a bright and cheerful story about youth, please add it to your favorites! [heart emoji]
Pre-order sweet treat "Those Who Love Me Are Sweet"
[Childhood sweethearts | Male lead has a cold demeanor but harbors a secret crush | Cool guy and cute girl | Includes the "stay at someone else's place" trope]
Li Qianyi's online romance failed when she met her boyfriend in person, and she also missed the last high-speed train home.
Fearing her parents would misunderstand and think she had spent the night with a male online friend, she reluctantly contacted her childhood sweetheart, with whom she was still in a cold war.
Her childhood sweetheart, He Jiashu, was two years older than her. He was handsome and mature, and therefore trusted Li Qianyi's parents. Whenever she lied, she would always use him as a cover.
But this time, she didn't get her wish.
Ninety kilometers, a two-hour journey, He Jiashu took a taxi directly over.
Upon meeting and confirming her safety, He Jiashu confiscated the handmade gift she had brought for the male online friend, his smile chilling:
"Li Qianyi, you've really made something of yourself."
Li Qianyi cowered and squatted down, covering her head.
That evening, Li Qianyi was completely led by the nose by him, deciding which restaurant to eat at, what dishes to order, and which hotel to stay at. He held her wrist with a fierce grip, then quickly let go when she cried out in pain.
Li Qianyi was a little angry: "I broke up with my boyfriend today, can you be a little gentler with me?"
He Jiashu gave her a deep look:
"I almost was too."
That night, Li Qianyi finally got her first kiss.
However, the person involved has changed.
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Please add my other pre-order novel of the same genre, "Sunset Crossing the River," to your favorites!
[Reconciliation after a breakup/Micro-entertainment/Small-town fairy tale/Both are virgins/Princess x Knight]
Jiang Yue worked in the industry for five years before finally landing her first leading role.
The male lead opposite him was a popular young actor, but he was so thin that he played a general, so the director had no choice but to use a body double.
Her assistant told her, "Oh my god, I think the stunt double is more handsome, and he has a better physique. Oh, and I heard he's from the same hometown as you!"
Jiang Yue comes from a small town in the southeast and has never met anyone from her hometown in the industry, so she is a little curious.
Unexpectedly, when the general put on his armor, revealing only his eyes, she was instantly stunned.
She had kissed those eyes; how could she not recognize them?
They were not only from the same hometown, but also old lovers.
Jiang Yue quickly composed herself, offering a polite handshake that was brief and then leaving, as if afraid that people would notice that the two hands had once intertwined, gripping each other tightly on the deeply wrinkled sheets.
She sat on horseback, and the camera couldn't capture how heavy her heartbeat was.
He Nian, representing another man, held her and softly recited lines from the play:
"Several years have passed since we last met. Does Your Highness still remember me?"
*
The town has nothing but a wide river.
Jiang Yue once thought of ending it all by drowning herself in the river.
He Nian gave her oxygen; the river water was icy, but his lips were warm.
After getting ashore, the boy cupped her face in his hands and promised, "I won't let you sink, even if it means stepping on me."
From then on, in the humid and boring town, she had a loyal and devoted man.
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