The temperature in City A was getting colder day by day. On days when he wasn't working, Ji Yan didn't even want to leave the house. He would keep the heating on full blast and stay at home reading.
He was reading the music book that Ning Wei had lent him. He thought it would involve profound music theory, but the book only popularized the development of R&B music and was not obscure at all. Even Ji Yan found it fascinating.
Feeling embarrassed to borrow it for too long, he sent Ning Wei a WeChat message saying that he would finish reading it soon.
The other party sent a picture—a bookshelf filled to the brim with books.
"If there's anything you're interested in, you can send me the book title."
Ji Yan also took a photo and sent it over.
His collection of books was naturally not as extensive as Ning Wei's, but it was essential to expand his reading volume in order to write songs and lyrics. In addition to music books, Ji Yan also had quite a few literature books. He would exchange books with Xie Mingxuan and the others, and over time, his collection naturally grew.
To Ji Yan's surprise, he and Ning Wei had several books on their bookshelves that overlapped.
"That one, 'The List Life'," Ning Wei specified.
“Then I want The Nashville Voice.”
How do I change it?
At almost the same moment, the two typed the same message in their WeChat messages.
According to Ji Yan's habit, when he goes out with others, the destination is usually chosen by them. Xie Mingxuan or Lu Wei are usually in charge of this in the "Wing" group. Unless the destination is a hot pot restaurant, Ji Yan and Fang Yu will not take on the responsibility of making the choice - because they have a particularly strong sixth sense when it comes to food.
Ji Yan waited for a while, but Ning Wei did not reply.
Ji Yan sent another message: "Where does Brother Ning usually like to go?"
Ning Wei thought for a while before replying, "I rarely go out, but I occasionally browse music stores."
After sending the message, Ning Wei stared at the WeChat page. This time, Ji Yan didn't send any messages.
He's not very good at answering these kinds of questions.
In the entertainment industry, Ning Wei is probably seen as an oddball by everyone. He doesn't like going to bars and nightclubs, nor does he like participating in lively events. He likes things related to music and enjoys driving around on quiet roads. Whenever asked where he likes to go, Ning Wei feels that he is answering very seriously, but in other people's eyes, it is a way of refusing, or even a bit pretentious.
The phone rang again. On the chat page, Ji Yan sent a long message: "Are you free tomorrow? We can meet at the bookstore and then go to the music instrument store. Do you like hot pot..."
Ning Wei read the message several times before finally replying with just one word: "Okay."
Ji Yan took "The List Life" off the bookshelf. It wasn't a very serious book and should be categorized as a light novel. Ji Yan then looked around his bookshelf again and took out a few more books that he thought were good, as well as... a limited edition album by the Western singer RJ that Xie Mingxuan had helped him find.
Ji Yan noticed that he tended to talk a lot when chatting with Ning Wei.
The other party usually only sends a few words along with a rabbit emoji, but I always have a lot to say and send a bunch of ugly panda emojis.
He often only remembered that Ning Wei was his senior in the entertainment industry and the lead singer of "Blue" after he had finished talking. But for some reason, whenever Ji Yan felt awkward or wondered if he was being too long-winded, Ning Wei would always reply with a timely comment and send a bouncy rabbit emoji... and the chat would continue.
So the two chatted for many, many days without realizing it, and Ji Yan's attitude became more and more casual.
Perhaps it was his sixth sense at work, or perhaps he was indeed a bit overconfident, but he always felt that... Ning Wei treated him quite well, unlike how she treated others, so he would be a little more unrestrained.
...
The next day, Ji Yan got up early, which was unusual for him. He happened to run into Lu Wei, who was returning from her exercise. Lu Wei stared at him in surprise: "You didn't sleep in today?"
"I have a date," Ji Yan said mysteriously. "I'm leaving now."
Lu Wei: "..."
As soon as Ji Yan came downstairs, Lu Wei slammed her hand on the living room door, waking Xie Mingxuan and Fang Yu: "Wake up! Teacher Ji said he's going on a date!"
“That’s impossible.” Although Fang Yu wasn’t fully awake, he righteously denied Lu Wei’s words. “Teacher Ji can’t possibly have a boyfriend, so he can’t possibly go on a date.”
“I also thought it was impossible, but I’m sure I heard him say the word ‘date’.”
"Who is Teacher Ji? A straight man with a homosexual personality."
"Wings" is an idol group, and the members still have some professional ethics. Even if DW Entertainment did not issue a so-called no-dating order, no member of "Wings" is dating. Even though the group's development has gradually deviated from the traditional idol category and is closer to a singer group.
Indeed, some celebrities in the industry have expressed their affection for Ji Yan. Some have even sent him WeChat messages late at night, while others have secretly tickled his palm backstage at events. After all, "Wing" is currently enjoying great popularity, and Ji Yan still has the Ji family's influence.
Although Ji Yan and the Ji family actually had little contact, that was not the case in the eyes of outsiders.
The "Wing" film and television support program has been launched, with a huge initial funding and the support of several influential figures in the film and television industry. Ji Yan's fans may not realize this, but in the eyes of some industry insiders, Ji Yan has become a representative of capital.
When Ji Yan received the message late at night, he was struggling to come up with lyrics. He had been trying for a long time but couldn't think of a single word. His mind and brain were completely blank. At this crucial moment, someone asked him in a sweet and cloying voice, "Are you asleep?"
No!
He actually really wants to sleep, okay?
But the lyrics aren't finished yet! I can't sleep!
Is someone who's been sleeping coming to him on purpose to show off?
Ji Yan sensed the deep malice emanating from the darkness. He sent over the lines he had come up with and then asked the other person what the next line should be.
There was no reply from the other party for a long time.
Ji Yan: "..."
He thought the other person would, but it turns out they were just as bad at studying as he was.
In the eyes of the other members of "Wing", Ji Yan should be the type to take the initiative. He is happy to spend time on people or things that interest him, but he will basically not care about things that do not interest him.
Ji Yan is quite sensitive when it comes to family, but he's actually quite oblivious when it comes to love.
As for dating—in the "Wings" group, Ji Yan and Xie Mingxuan are rather homebodies, so the word "dating" doesn't seem to fit them at all.
Xie Mingxuan: "...Why are you dragging me into this?"
"Then who can he date?" Fang Yu stroked his chin. "Sister Ying?"
"Sister Ying's son is indeed on winter vacation, but even if Sister Ying is too busy, she should still leave the child here to be taken care of. She can't just leave him to Teacher Ji alone."
Fang Yu counted the people on his fingers, but he really didn't know who Ji Yan had recently developed a close relationship with, so he could only give up guessing.
...Ji Yan and Ning Wei arranged to meet at a nearby bookstore.
It was a weekday morning, and the weather was cold. There were very few people in the bookstore. As soon as Ji Yan entered, he saw Ning Wei standing by the bookshelves, wrapped in a gray scarf.
The other person was wearing a down jacket that was even thicker than his, and his hands were hidden in his sleeves, making it impossible to imagine that he looked like he was on stage.
Ning Wei was the celebrity Ji Yan had ever seen with the biggest difference between his stage persona and his everyday life. Standing in front of the bookshelf, Ning Wei seemed to blend into the bookshelf itself. No one was staring at him, and no one noticed that this most ordinary customer was actually the lead singer of "Blue".
Ji Yan waved his hand vigorously: "Brother Ning!"
His voice wasn't loud, but Ning Wei noticed it immediately. Her dark eyes focused on him in that instant, and her expression relaxed.
"You've arrived."
Ji Yan nodded.
After meeting, the two didn't talk much. They each occupied one side of the bookshelf and slowly read. The bookstore was large and quiet, and the heating was very good. After reading for a while, Ji Yan took off his scarf.
He and Ning Wei shared a desk. Ji Yan's attention was a little scattered at first, but he quickly became immersed in the stories. He picked out a collection of short stories, and after reading two stories, he looked up and saw Ning Wei staring intently at him.
Ji Yan pushed the book he was reading toward him: "This one is very interesting."
Ning Wei also handed him the book she was reading.
About an hour later, the two went to the CD section again. Ji Yan couldn't find a suitable album, and neither could Ning Wei. When they came downstairs, Ji Yan handed the books and albums he was carrying to her.
"For me?" Ning Wei turned her head to look at him.
Ji Yan nodded: "The books are for exchanging, and the album is a gift from me."
"Thanks."
"If I want to express my gratitude..." Ji Yan looked at the other person, "Could you give me four concert tickets, VIP section?"
"You can ask for a few more."
“Four are enough.” Ji Yan smiled, her eyes crinkling. “Our group especially loves ‘blue’.”
The music store was a bit far from the bookstore, so Ji Yan sat in Ning Wei's car and went with him. Ji Yan originally wanted to drive himself, but Ning Wei waved to him, and he obediently followed.
Ning Wei's car was not flashy, just like him. After Ji Yan got in, the car's music player was turned on, and it was playing a song from the album "At 23".
"It sounds great," Ning Wei said softly. "Listening to it while driving helps me stay calm."
"I think you've calmed down quite a bit."
The car went straight and then turned right, eventually entering a slightly secluded alley. Ning Wei stopped the car and led Ji Yan into a musical instrument store.
"I've been eyeing this shop for years; the owner has a great eye for business."
Inside, it was a paradise of musical instruments, with many guitars. Ji Yan wasn't very good at playing instruments, but Ning Wei was the one who talked more at this time. Even though he couldn't understand her, Ji Yan could tell that she liked these instruments.
Because at this moment—the expression on the other person's face was exactly the same as when he was on stage.
Most of the time, Ning Wei's expression is calm, but when she is in sync with the music, her radiance gradually shines through.
Ning Wei handed Ji Yan a guitar: "Give it a try."
The guitar is a bit heavy, but it feels smooth to the touch. With a gentle strum, a smooth rhythm emerges from your fingertips.
Ji Yan sat down and played a section of "Reversing Time". He was so engrossed in playing that he didn't notice that Ning Wei's gaze had been fixed on him ever since he played the first phrase.
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