Chapter 52 The Temperature of the Motorcycle
The band was doing a sound check before the performance, so Yan Ning had to put it aside for the time being. With a growing bad feeling in his heart, he walked to the front of the microphone.
And during the audition.
The large mirror in front of him reflected the actions of everyone in the room in real time.
Yan Ning also saw it clearly—
At the back of the rehearsal room, Xin Jing and Lu Chen chatted in low voices for a few minutes, and then seemed to have reached a consensus happily.
Xin Jing gave one of the cheering sticks in her hand to Lu Chen, and made a few waving movements of the stick.
Lu Chen nodded, and after learning the replica, he did a few new ones, improving, enriching and connecting the whole set of movements. Xin Jing also happily followed suit.
So far.
Yan Ning could already guess what she would face next.
At this moment, Du Ying, holding the drumstick, asked, "Are you all ready?"
In the mirror, Liu He and Pan Yuncheng both nodded at Du Ying.
Yan Ning stood at the front. She exhaled lightly, discarded all distracting thoughts, and focused only on the present.
Then she raised her hand and made an "OK" gesture.
The music starts.
…
Once again, the song ends.
Yan Ning was so immersed in the performance that she even broke out in a sweat, but before she could completely withdraw from the lingering music.
Suddenly, there was a loud noise——
"Hello Ningning! Ningning is beautiful! Ningning, Ningning, you are the best!"
"Yan, Xiao, Ning are beautiful and have sweet songs!"
"I'll bang my head against the wall for you!"
It came from the back of the rehearsal room.
The two people who shouted brainwashing slogans also waved cheering sticks at the same time, accompanied by a set of equally eye-catching cheering exercises.
Finally, there is even a fixed action -
The two conspicuous pink cheering sticks were placed on the left and right at the same height, like a couplet, and the words on them were also displayed to the band members.
Before, because Xin Jing kept interrupting and always deliberately turned the words on the cheering stick to the opposite side, Yan Ning had never been able to see clearly what was written on it.
Now, Yan Ning knew clearly——
Lu Chen is holding the first couplet:
【My Ningning! 】
Xin Jing's line is the second line:
【She is beautiful and has a sweet voice! 】
Du Ying smiled happily: "You already have die-hard fans before your official performance, Ningning. I'm very optimistic that you'll win the first place for 'Most Popular Performer' this year!"
Liu He stroked his chin, thinking seriously, "When I officially take the stage, I'll have to hire a few people to help me shout from the audience. Look, how cool is that!"
Pan Yuncheng nodded again and again.
Faced with the good-natured teasing from senior students, Yan Ning just smiled mechanically and shyly.
Then, she turned around—
There was a loud "bang".
After so many days of rehearsal, the biggest mistake Yan Ning made was that he was so embarrassed to hear the cheering words that he lost his grip on the microphone and did not put it back on the stand, so it fell to the ground.
Everyone asked Yan Ning if he was okay.
Yan Ning quickly waved his hands, bent down, lowered his head, and went to pick up the microphone as if nothing had happened, but in fact, his cheeks were flushed and he wanted to bury his head in the ground.
But this is the case.
Yan Ning believes.
The two students at the back door were obviously enjoying themselves and their voices were louder than each other.
All--
The responsibility is very heavy!
-
The last rehearsal was two days before the official performance.
That day went as smoothly as usual. After it ended, according to the original plan, Yan Ning would go to a "farewell banquet" with Du Ying and others.
but.
Just like that, everything is about to come to a successful conclusion.
An urgent call suddenly came.
Yan Ning was just listening to Du Ying describing how delicious the restaurant they had booked for tonight was.
hind foot.
As soon as the call was connected, Xin Jing said anxiously on the other end:
"Ningning! I'm so sorry!
I just ran into your mom on the street. She asked me where I was going, but I forgot you were rehearsing today, so I stupidly said I just left home and was going shopping...
Anyway, I see Auntie is holding the car keys, so she might be going home now. Are you guys done with rehearsal? You should go home soon too!
The reason Yan Ning used for coming out today was still to meet Xin Jing.
People are indeed.
Don't expect good luck to always be with you.
No time to think about it.
After Yan Ning hung up the phone, he said to the people next to him, "Sorry, I have something to do and I have to leave first!"
Seeing Yan Ning's anxious look, Du Ying and the others didn't ask any more questions and quickly made way.
Yan Ning had just packed up his things, and ran out of the rehearsal room with his bag on his back, when he ran into someone head-on.
Lu Chen.
The weather has gotten a bit hotter.
Lu Chen was wearing a simple black T-shirt and black trousers today. His hair seemed to have just been trimmed, revealing his facial features more completely, and he looked refreshed and neat.
As soon as I saw Yan Ning coming out of the rehearsal room.
Lu Chen's brows relaxed, he raised his hand and was about to greet her.
But Yan Ning was really a little panicked now, and hadn't decided whether to stop and explain.
Lu Chen paused as he was about to wave his hand, then he restrained his expression and guessed at a glance:
"Want to rush home?"
Yan Ning finally stopped in front of him, pursed her lips and nodded.
The anxiety in her eyes said it all.
Lu Chen didn't say anything more, just quickly left a sentence: "Wait for me."
And seeing Yan Ning nodded subconsciously after hearing this.
Lu Chen turned around and ran quickly to the lounge of the street dance class.
Although he didn't know what Lu Chen was going to do specifically, Yan Ning still followed the agreement and stood there waiting for him to come back.
And during that short, long period of waiting.
Yan Ning's mind was in a mess.
She couldn't help but keep thinking -
It's the evening rush hour now, and this is a commercial street with a lot of people, so the traffic will probably be even more congested.
Therefore, whether she takes the bus, subway, or taxi, she may not be able to get back to Huize Community before her mother.
So.
What reason should she use?
How can I explain the fact that she is not at home?
Some bad ideas began to emerge uncontrollably.
Lin Xinci has always been very good at understanding people's hearts.
If she reveals even the slightest flaw, her mother might be able to follow the clues and connect all these things together.
She had been lying all along.
He went out frequently, not for fun, but to secretly join a band for rehearsal.
What will be the consequences for her?
Is he pardoned?
Or is it like sliding into the abyss, returning to the past, and being blocked and stopped again?
That group of people in the rehearsal room.
The eagerness and desire for their upcoming and last chance to perform on stage.
How should she face...
Just when I was about to be swallowed by negative emotions.
"I'm back."
A voice, a slight gasp, as usual, clear and a little casual, but it immediately pulled Yan Ning out of those obscure thoughts and brought him back to reality.
Lu Chen reappeared in front of her. He had a clear expression and a faint, familiar, and reassuring smile. He looked at her and said to her:
"There's still time, trust me."
So, Yan Ning followed Lu Chen without thinking any more.
The box elevator took the two people directly to the underground floor.
to the destination.
Lu Chen stopped.
Yan Ning saw that the car parked in front of him was——
It is a heavy motorcycle that is completely black.
A black full-face helmet hung on the side of the motorcycle, where the helmet lock was located. Lu Chen leaned over, took out another white full-face helmet from the drawstring bag he had just brought back to the room, and handed it to Yan Ning.
Lu Chen said succinctly: "The main road is blocked, let's take a detour and take the small road. We will definitely be there within fifteen minutes."
Yan Ning's eyes brushed against the white helmet and then fell on the pitch-black motorcycle. The contrast between black and white was so stark that she was even slightly dazed.
Lu Chen did not urge her, but simply gave her the right to choose:
"Want to take a gamble?
Or should we work together to find another solution?"
Time waits for no one.
Right now.
She knew that the option he provided was the best solution at the moment.
But……
No buts.
The moment the hesitant thought came to her mind, she suppressed it in her heart.
All those rules, those constraints, those shackles were thrown behind her, and her focus instantly shifted back to the white helmet that was right in front of her.
Yan Ning seemed to hear his own voice, his blood boiling, clamoring to break free from the cage...
"I bet."
Yan Ning didn't hesitate any longer and took the helmet from Lu Chen.
As he said.
No matter what the result is, she wants to try again and take another gamble.
The moment the handover ceremony was completed.
She raised her eyes and he lowered them.
The two people's eyes met, and they saw in each other's eyes the same, irrepressible, eagerness to try.
It's like a silent declaration to the world.
Yan Ning put on his helmet quickly.
There was a slight pressure on the cheek.
At this time, Lu Chen handed over another piece of clothing, a men's black leather jacket, which he had just taken out when he returned to the room.
Yan Ning was stunned for a moment.
She was wearing a thin coat today, and after taking it subconsciously, she thought that Lu Chen wanted her to help hold it.
But then Lu Chen said:
"It's mine, you should put it on, otherwise the clothes will be exposed easily."
Even in this emergency moment.
He was also attentive.
Able to handle such minor details properly.
Yan Ning's heart was moved. He tightened his grip on the leather jacket for a moment, then nodded and said:
"good."
However, her voice sounded a little muffled through the helmet.
The nodding action seemed a bit clumsy because he was not used to the extra weight on his head.
Lu Chen smiled and said, "Okay, polite little penguin, put on your coat, we should go."
Although I know he wanted to make a joke, ease the tense atmosphere and help her relax.
But I don't know if it's due to breathing restriction.
Yan Ning suddenly felt his cheeks getting hot again.
Yan Ning quickly put on the coat.
It's obviously much bigger.
But, just as Lu Chen said, the coat covered most of her current clothes, so even if she met Lin Xinci on the road later, she probably wouldn't be recognized.
Over there, Lu Chen also put on his helmet, got on his motorcycle, and was waiting for her.
Yan Ning didn't waste any more time.
She stepped forward and sat astride him.
But soon, as if the more urgent it was, the more likely it was to go wrong, she faced a new dilemma -
There was nothing to hold onto around.
She rolled up the cuffs of her leather jacket, revealing her hands, but she had no idea what to do with them, so she let them hang on her thighs, clutching the fabric of her pants.
In front of her, the black full-face helmet obscured the boy's face. When he turned his head, she could only vaguely see the pair of dark eyes looking at her.
But his voice is still as soothing as ever.
"Lend me your hand," he said to her.
At that moment, my heart suddenly beat twice.
Yan Ning had a vague premonition of what was going to happen next, but he still did as he was told.
"It's safe to do this."
Then, Lu Chen gently grasped the wrist of Yan Ning's right hand, which he had just extended, and pulled it forward, placing it on his waist.
"We need the other one too."
As Lu Chen spoke, he turned around and took Yan Ning's left hand, also wrapping it around his waist, and let her hands overlap.
All this happened almost in the blink of an eye.
Through the thin T-shirt fabric, Yan Ning could almost feel the skin exposed on her wrist, Lu Chen's tense abdominal muscles rising and falling with his breathing, and the temperature that was obviously higher than her body temperature.
The locomotive engine roared, and there was a slight vibration.
At the last moment before departure.
While the heart is beating violently.
Yan Ning still heard Lu Chen's voice with a hint of smile, and said in a slightly raised voice:
"Hold on, we're going to speed up."
No more hesitation.
She tightened her arms around him.
After that, there was the whistling of the wind in his ears and the pounding of his heart in his chest, but all Yan Ning could see was the broad, mature shoulders of the young man before him, which gave him a sense of security and support...
We travelled at lightning speed.
Finally arrived downstairs of Huize.
The pitch-black motorcycle was parked downstairs of the previous building, in an inconspicuous corner, almost blending into the night.
Yan Ning hurriedly got out of the car, then raised his head and quickly looked towards home.
The lights are not on.
Lin Xinci should not be home yet.
At that moment, it was like the rising tide, and the stranded fish returned to the sea.
No need to face embarrassing difficulties.
Yan Ning suddenly felt an incomparable sense of relief.
But there was no time to waste, Yan Ning quickly took off his helmet and leather jacket, and hurriedly handed them both to Lu Chen.
Lu Chen also withdrew his gaze from her house, took it, and said:
"Go back quickly."
He was still sitting on the motorcycle, wearing his full-face helmet. At this moment, Yan Ning could not see his face.
After nodding, she wanted to say something, but didn't know what to say.
I wonder if Lu Chen noticed this.
He raised his hand, opened his goggles, and revealed his pair of dark eyes, immersed in the night, with a casual smile, looking at her and said:
"If anything happens, just say you went to deliver the keys to the neighbor next door again. Grandpa and grandma and I will be your witnesses."
But actually.
There was such seriousness in his words.
Once again, he was helping her to hold on.
Spring night.
The wind is gentle.
Under the gaze of those dark eyes.
Yan Ning still couldn't find the right words to say anything. She just lowered her eyes, slightly shifted her gaze, and nodded gently, again and again.
-
When Lin Xinci got home.
The room was completely silent.
Lin Xinci turned on the light as usual, put down the things she brought back, changed into indoor slippers, walked to the door of Yan Ning's room, and knocked twice.
After opening the door.
Yan Ning was sitting at the desk, reading a book called "Selected Physics".
The mother and daughter's eyes met.
It had been agreed that Yan Ning would have dinner out today, but Lin Xinci didn't ask why she came home early, she just casually asked:
"Are you hungry now?"
Yan Ning nodded and answered honestly, "A little bit."
"Shall we stew fish tonight?" Lin Xinci asked again.
Yan Ning nodded again: "Okay."
Soon, the door of the room was closed again.
Yan Ning was the only one left in the room.
But Yan Ning was still in a daze, sitting at the desk again, stunned for a long time.
until.
Her hands, which had just been rinsed with cold water, gradually warmed up.
A little while ago.
Those touches.
It seemed as if they were awakened together.
The cold helmet, the slightly cool leather jacket, and the delicate warmth coming through the boy's waist and abdomen through his jacket...
Memories flooded back.
Yan Ning suddenly realized that this was the first time in her life.
So proactive.
Go hug a boy.
It seems that’s not right either.
Last time at school, after she fainted in the exam room, it was Lu Chen who carried her to the school hospital.
She had experienced the same physical contact before, even when she was half-conscious? Had she enjoyed it? Had it? ...
Although the last word had no practical meaning, Yan Ning was trying to figure it out, or to divert his attention. He thought about it over and over again, racking his brains, but he couldn't find a suitable one.
Yan Ning placed his hands on the table.
Clench and release.
Not long.
She simply rested her forehead on the table.
Because no matter how hard she tried to divert her thoughts, she couldn't ignore it, let alone explain it.
Her cheeks were burning, and the temperature was getting worse and worse, as if she was about to have a fever. It was because of the cold wind and the cold water she washed with, and then she felt warmer indoors.
Or is it because——
tonight.
From the moment I met Lu Chen.
My heart was beating fast and couldn't be calmed down.
Or perhaps, the memory of his warmth that remained on her fingertips...
This went on for a long time.
"Am I..."
"It's over."
Ambiguous meaning.
Yan Ning lay on the table, muttering to himself.
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The author has something to say: Baby, you have fallen in love [shy][fireworks]
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