Chapter 4 4. Put it simply
The festival's performances were short, with no encores. After the performance of "What Kind of Person," everyone at Lily Heart put down their instruments, walked to the front of the stage, and said goodbye to the audience.
Xie Kang touched the scratch on the guitar for the last time, and reluctantly put it back on the stand. He stood awkwardly in the corner of the stage, looking at Lily Heart, who had nothing to do with him anymore, and prepared to sneak away while they were taking their curtain call.
Zhuang Yongyuan suddenly turned around and waved to Xie Kang.
Xie Kang returned to his side, and Zhuang Yongyuan naturally put his hand on Xie Kang's waist and bowed with Xie Kang to thank the audience.
They only stood up when the black curtain completely covered the stage. Zhuang Yongyuan then simply let go of Xie Kang, wiped his sweat, and bent down to organize his things without saying another word to Xie Kang.
Besides Zhuang Yongyuan, there are three other members of Lily Heart. The two male members are new to the group, but Xie Kang knows the female drummer, Adian, well, she used to be close friends with him. Adian often played drums for Lily Heart in college, so she's considered a half-member.
Ah Dian enthusiastically approached Xie Kang, patted his shoulder, and said, "Long time no see!"
Xie Kang smiled and said, "It's been a long time."
"What are you doing now?"
“Be a teacher.”
Zhuang Yongyuan heard them talking, turned around and rolled his eyes at them, then walked by with his electric guitar on his back, saying, "Are you guys free? Chatting here? The next band is still downstairs waiting to change over."
Xie Kang fanned himself with his hands and said to Ah Dian, "Then I'll be leaving first."
Ah Dian opened his eyes wide and said, "Why are you so anxious? It's so rare for us to meet, and you won't even give me a chance to catch up?"
She snorted and said, "If you want to buy a ticket to see us, you may not be able to get one."
Xie Kang grinned: "Can you give me an internal ticket?"
Adian glanced at him and said, "If you want an internal ticket, at least add me back on WeChat first, right?"
"That's not a good idea. Zhuang Yongyuan will be angry." Xie Kang looked past Adian and at Zhuang Yongyuan who was squatting and sorting out the wires.
Zhuang Yongyuan had lost some weight. His performance attire was a T-shirt with the lower part cut off, revealing his entire waist. Xie Kang saw that his dimples were deeper than before.
"Zhuang Yongyuan!" Adian called him loudly.
Zhuang Yongyuan turned around, looked at Ah Dian strangely, and said, "Aren't you going to work yet?"
Adian asked him, "Isn't it possible that you wouldn't be mad if I added Xie Kang back on WeChat?"
Zhuang Yongyuan curled his lips: "What does it have to do with me?"
Adian raised his eyebrows at Xie Kang and took out the WeChat QR code for Xie Kang to scan.
Xie Kang had no choice but to add her as a friend again.
"Is it fun to be a teacher? Will the students be very annoying?" Ignoring Zhuang Yongyuan's urging, Adian pulled Xie Kang to the backstage to chat.
Xie Kang shook his head and looked at Zhuang Yongyuan, who looked annoyed as he was fixing his cables. He said, "Actually, I was even more annoying when I was in high school."
After hearing this, Ah Dian patted Xie Kang on the back and laughed heartily. He said, "Now that you're a teacher, your demeanor has completely changed. If your students knew what you were like before, wouldn't they be scared to death?"
Xie Kang chuckled and asked Adian, "Did you discuss this part of today's event beforehand? At least tell me in advance so I can be mentally prepared. This is too scary."
Ah Dian quickly denied it, "Zhuang Yongyuan just went crazy all of a sudden. I was scared too. Fortunately, you performed well. Have you been practicing piano?"
"I'm so busy with work, guitar..." Xie Kang glanced at the acoustic guitars being boxed, "I didn't buy any more."
"You really have retired from the underworld." Just as Ah Dian finished speaking, Zhuang Yongyuan suddenly came over and said to Ah Dian fiercely, "Have you had enough of chatting?"
He didn't even look at Xie Kang, as if Xie Kang didn't exist.
"I'm talking to Xie Kang about his performance fee," Adian said with a playful smile, "We can't let him work for us for nothing, can we?"
"Oh, such a small matter, why are you talking for so long?" Zhuang Yongyuan only then turned to look at Xie Kang, nonchalantly examining him from head to toe. He then continued, "We're not short of money right now. How much do you want? I'd give you all the money for this performance. Your salary as a teacher in Pingnan isn't high, is it? And finding a wife requires buying a wedding house and a dowry? Raising children is very expensive these days, isn't it? Your parents' retirement depends on you, right? It's really not easy."
"Zhuang Yongyuan, I'm sorry."
Xie Kang did not respond to Zhuang Yongyuan's barrage of sarcasm, but pronounced Zhuang Yongyuan's name in a clear and loud voice. Zhuang Yongyuan felt as if he had an allergic reaction when he heard it, and scratched his face uncomfortably several times.
"What are you sorry about? Didn't sing well at the beginning?"
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said such harsh words." Xie Kang looked at A Dian: "You too, I'm sorry."
Zhuang Yongyuan let out a long, exaggerated breath and said, "It's just a small matter? I would have forgotten it if you hadn't mentioned it."
"I hope you're not angry."
Xie Kang pulled a guitar pick from his pocket and asked Zhuang Yongyuan, "Do you want more? If not, I'll take it home."
"What's the use of this? You don't play the piano anymore."
"Keep it as a souvenir." Xie Kang looked down at the black pick in his hand and said softly.
"I'm sorry, I don't like people taking my things." Zhuang Yongyuan took the pick coldly and asked Xie Kang, "How much do you want?"
"I don't want any money."
Xie Kang slowly closed his fingers, clenched a loose fist in his pocket, and asked Zhuang Yongyuan: "Why do you want me to..."
Before he could finish his words, several people suddenly rushed towards the stage, causing Xie Kang to stumble. If Zhuang Yongyuan had not pulled him back, Xie Kang would have fallen onto the pile of effects pedals beside him.
But they bumped into people and showed no sign of apologizing, with some people muttering, "What are you dawdling about?"
Zhuang Yongyuan let go of Xie Kang and shouted at them, "You bumped into someone and you're not going to apologize?"
Someone responded, "Don't you need to apologize for delaying?"
Xie Kang touched the skin on his wrist that Zhuang Yongyuan had just touched, frowned, and looked closely at the group of people. They were not strangers, but the Yan Tong Band.
He and Zhuang Yongyuan both liked this band very much when they were in high school, and they even released songs they wrote to the band. What's more, the Yantong band also appeared on a variety show with Lily Heart. Zhuang Yongyuan should be very familiar with them, but judging from the current situation, their relationship is obviously very bad.
"Let's be clear. It's my fault for delaying your performance, but you should also apologize for bumping into someone," Zhuang Yongyuan said, bending down and bowing 90 degrees. "I added a song at the last minute and delayed your performance. I'm sorry."
He finished speaking, straightened up, and looked at Yan Tong intently. The band members exchanged glances, but no one apologized. Ah Dian and a few staff members came over, pulled Zhuang Yongyuan from behind, and said, "Let's not worry about it for now."
Xie Kang also advised: "I'm fine..."
Zhuang Yongyuan glanced at him and said coldly, "This is a matter between the bands. It has nothing to do with you. You can leave now."
Seeing Xie Kang didn't move, he urged again, "Hurry up and leave. What are you doing here? I'll let Adian settle the performance fee with you when I get back."
Seeing Zhuang Yongyuan clashing with someone, Xie Kang was momentarily dazed. He subconsciously wanted to stand in front of Zhuang Yongyuan and help him settle the situation, just like he had done countless times before. But Zhuang Yongyuan clearly no longer needed anyone's protection.
Xie Kang murmured a "hmm" and walked slowly down the hall. As he left, he saw the guitar he had just played being put into its case, its glossy finish reflecting a last ray of sunlight.
He remembered that he still hadn't asked why Zhuang Yongyuan had invited him to perform on stage. Moreover, he suddenly had an unspeakable and almost impossible wish.
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