As the performance was in progress, a door creaked open, and an uninvited guest poked his head in.
Immersed in her performance, Chen Bing didn't notice the newcomer, but Su Miaomiao frowned and glanced at her. Upon seeing that it was her best friend, she gave her a fierce look before turning back to listen to Chen Bing's playing.
A few minutes later, as the bow finished its final dance on the strings, Chen Bing put down her violin and looked up at Su Miaomiao sitting directly opposite her.
To his slight surprise, a third person entered the room at some point, and he recognized this person.
"There has been progress, but it's much slower than before. Have you been slacking off lately?" After the performance ended, Su Miaomiao first gave Chen Bing a couple of comments, and then, without waiting for a reply, turned to the person who had come in and said, "Du Meiling, why did you come to my little place again without saying a word?"
Du Meiling, does this name sound familiar? That's right, she's the young female teacher who substituted for Chen Bing's music class at the school.
When Chen Bing recognized the other person, the other person also recognized the little boy who played the violin very well as being from their class.
She excitedly pointed at Chen Bing, then turned to Su Miaomiao beside her and asked, "Is this your student? What grade is she in violin?"
Su Miaomiao glanced at Chen Bing, who was standing still, and then at her best friend. She puffed out her chest and said with considerable pride, "He just got his Level 6 certificate two months ago. But just based on the fact that he could play Viotti's Concerto No. 23 completely, he's at least at Level 7 or 8!"
Hearing this, Du Meiling was even happier.
"I happen to be teaching his class! What an amazing kid! Why didn't you tell me sooner? I'm in charge of the school's New Year's Day rehearsal right now, can I borrow this kid for a few days of rehearsal?"
"Rehearsal?" Chen Bing and Su Miaomiao asked in unison.
"Yes, it's the rehearsal for the school's New Year's Eve party. Baishi Town Central Primary School holds it every New Year's Day. About four or five hundred people, including teachers, students' parents, and so on, participate. It's held in our school's small auditorium. The music teacher who was originally in charge had something to do this year, so the task fell to me."
As Du Meiling quickly introduced herself to the two, she extended her left and right hands and grasped one of their hands in each, making a requesting gesture.
"Isn't this great? Chen Bing, do you want to go?" As someone who studies a musical instrument, it's perfectly normal to perform at events, big or small. Occasionally participating in such events can significantly improve a student's stage presence and performance skills.
"Sure, but I might not have much time to rehearse."
"It's okay, you're very skilled. Just familiarize yourself with the venue and the order of entry before it starts. It won't take up too much of your time." After hearing Chen Bing's concerns, Du Meiling immediately waved her hand and said, "It's just a New Year's Eve party held by an elementary school. It's not very formal."
"In that case, there's no problem." Chen Bing nodded, then immediately gave an OK sign.
Seeing that he had agreed, Du Meiling immediately smiled.
"If anything good happens at school in the future, the teachers will always think of you."
"Uh-huh!"
After the matter was settled, Du Meiling listened to a few more pieces played by Chen Bing. Although they were pleasant to listen to, she felt that pieces like "Kreutzer Etude," "Violin Concerto in A minor," and "New Year's Joy" were a bit too sophisticated for ordinary people and didn't seem to fit the style of a primary school New Year's Eve party.
She shared her worries with Chen Bing and Su Miaomiao, hoping they could help her think of something.
Should we aim for something that appeals to both refined and popular tastes?
Chen Bing's first thought was of "Flying to the Distant Sky," a song she had been practicing alone at home recently, which was the theme song of that certain Yuan (a fictional character). But after thinking about it a bit more, she felt it was inappropriate.
The first person to come up with an idea was Su Miaomiao. She slapped Du Meiling on the forehead and said to the other two, "We can play some popular songs, like 'The Most Dazzling Ethnic Trend' or something."
Du Meiling, who was inexplicably slapped on the forehead, first looked at her best friend with a wronged expression, and then felt happy about her suggestion.
"This one is good, let's take this one. I'll write out the violin score for you."
A moment later, Chen Bing looked at the freshly printed sheet music and tried playing it once or twice.
"So, can you play?"
Chen Bing gave the two of them a no-questions-asked gesture.
"You can play it proficiently within three days."
Upon hearing this, Du Meiling happily patted Chen Bing's head and praised him profusely.
As a way of thanking him for participating, after the extracurricular class, Du Meiling and Su Miaomiao took Chen Bing shopping and bought him many trinkets. Of course, they had called Liu Yue beforehand to let her know.
And so, starting from December 23rd, the last few days of 2011 gradually passed by in Chen Bing's limited practice and rehearsals. As the unfinished business of the whole year piled up at the end of the year, it naturally became busier.
As a child, Chen Bing might not have too many things to worry about, but he still had one or two things to worry about. Compared to the New Year's Eve party on the 30th, his birthday on the 31st was obviously more important to him.
According to most Chinese customs, birthdays are usually celebrated according to the lunar calendar. However, Chen Bing's family is slightly different.
Because Chen Bing was born on December 31st, the last day of the year and the day of the New Year, it is a very memorable day. Therefore, whether in her past life or this life, Chen Bing celebrates her birthday according to the Gregorian calendar.
Similarly, Shang Yunmiao's birthday was also celebrated according to the Gregorian calendar, and preparations began on December 31st, precisely at midnight.
After learning about each other's family situation by chance, the two mothers hit it off immediately and decided to celebrate their children's birthdays together this year.
This feeling is something few can truly understand: the joy of celebrating one's birthday as the New Year approaches. While most adult men are indifferent to birthdays, this childhood joy, a coincidence in the calendar, has remained deeply rooted in Chen Bing's heart, growing stronger with age.
For what is likely the most lively birthday of her life, Chen Bing's feelings can be expressed using a certain pink Doritos catchphrase.
Wow, so cool!
That's why, ever since school let out on the 30th, Chen Bing's mood has become increasingly cheerful. So much so that he would unconsciously hum a little tune while sitting in the classroom.
"Chen Bing, are you happy too?" Shang Yunmiao, who was also in a good mood, tugged at Chen Bing's sleeve and said this as she looked at Chen Bing.
Looking forward to one's birthday seems a bit shameful for an adult male.
Chen Bing immediately stopped singing and gave Shang Yunmiao a rather dishonest rebuttal.
"No, I didn't, don't talk nonsense."
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