As he was flipping through the books, Aunt Xu came over with a cup of warm water. Tu Nian didn't think much about it and took the cup and drank two sips.
After a while, as she slowly finished her glass of water, Tu Nian realized the atmosphere had become a bit awkward. She was about to warm things up when Aunt Xu suddenly spoke.
"Tiantian's tuition is not less than a penny."
"Ahem!" Tu Nian choked on a mouthful of water. She wiped her mouth in panic and pretended to be calm, "I was very busy during the registration period, and there were so many people coming. I was afraid of disturbing your work."
"So, I've been pretty idle these past few days."
"That would be worrying." Tu Nian's voice became lower.
"Have you been anxious for more than two months?" Aunt Xu's tone was still as slow.
"Oh, I was wrong. You already know it, so don't be angry." Tu Nian was immediately deflated. She shrank her neck and dared not breathe, for fear that she would make this person angry again.
A man in his forties looked at the two of them, munching on his lunch box while laughing. However, he also tried to smooth things over for Tu Nian: "Sister Xu, Teacher Qin was also doing good things. Look how you scolded her."
Aunt Xu was so angry that she laughed dryly. She took the water cup from Tu Nian's hand and said, "Doing good deeds? I've taken care of this child for so long, and she doesn't want to save me any trouble. Instead, she has learned to use her own food and clothing to take care of others."
Seeing Tu Nian lowering his head and not saying anything, as if he knew he was wrong, Aunt Xu calmed down and took out her cell phone and clicked twice.
Tu Nian was startled by the vibration in her pocket. She took out her phone and saw that it was a transfer from Aunt Xu, which was almost as much as Tiantian's remaining tuition. She looked up quickly and said, "No need..."
Before she could finish her words, Aunt Xu glanced at her sideways.
Tu Nian understood what was going on and immediately fell silent, putting his phone back in his pocket.
Seeing Tu Nian's terrified face, Aunt Xu's sullen expression was completely gone: "The last time I scolded you like this was probably when I was making a song with Qin Lan."
When Tu Nian heard her mother's name, she couldn't help but glance at Aunt Xu. She looked nostalgic and gestured with her hands: "Back then, you were so small, and now you're taller than me."
Having said this, without waiting for Tu Nian's response, Aunt Xu laughed self-deprecatingly: "That's all in the past." After saying this, she seemed to remember something and glanced over to see that the booklet was indeed held in Tu Nian's hand: "By the way, why are you flipping through my booklet?"
This question hit the nail on the head. Tu Nian slapped his thigh and got down to business: "Have you been looking for a music store for a performance recently? Can you help me see if there's any suitable one that can make some money?"
"Performance... Now that you mention it, it seems like you haven't participated in this kind of performance in a long time." Aunt Xu took the notebook and lowered her head to search for it. "Any requirements?"
"Just give more."
Aunt Xu glanced at her. She looked at the neat handwriting in the notebook, pondered for a moment, and said, "There's a large-scale performance at Yaoguang Plaza this Saturday, but the lead singer has already been confirmed. Now we're only missing a keyboardist."
"Keyboard player?" Tu Nian hesitated for a moment, then asked hesitantly, "How many people can come to this show?"
"The next one will pay 10,000, and you'll only be responsible for a portion of the repertoire." Aunt Xu glanced at her again and added, "But the competition is fierce. As far as I know, many music stores have been contacted."
"No problem, please help me contact the person in charge and ask for the music score."
In less than ten minutes, Aunt Xu had contacted the performance boss as Tu Nian had instructed. After everything was settled, she asked casually, "Are you short of money lately?"
Tu Nian rubbed his nose and said, "No, I just want to show off my skills."
After saying goodbye to Aunt Xu and several teachers, Tu Nian returned to Huai Street.
Compared to Elm Street, the rain on Huai Street was visible but inaudible. The sound of the rain was completely drowned out by the various hawkers in the alley. When Tu Nian first returned from Elm Street, the constant clamor had even given her ears a little tinnitus. To her ears, Elm Street was actually more appealing.
After walking for a while along the left alley of Huai Street, Tu Nian picked a restaurant with decent food. He went in and ordered a portion of shredded potatoes, which he ate with porridge. He packed up the remaining food and took it away.
After throwing the leftovers into the refrigerator, Tu Nian collapsed back into bed. It was just getting dark, around seven or eight o'clock, but she was already feeling a little tired.
She pulled back the stuffy blanket, rubbed her still aching left cheek, and stared at the grimy ceiling, lost in thought. She'd been living frugally this month, and after deducting the rest of her daily expenses, she still had over three thousand left. Adding that to her usual savings, she could barely cover the extra payment, but next month's rent would be a stretch.
"Alas..." Thinking of this, Tu Nian sighed deeply. She reluctantly got up from the bed and imported all the sheet music sent by Aunt Xu into the computer.
"Is it Erxi's music?" Tu Nian glanced at the repertoire and, unusually, revealed a look of satisfaction. "You have good taste."
Looking at the black and white, jumping musical scores, she hummed softly at her computer desk. Her hands flew back and forth on the desk as she hummed.
Neither when she was young nor now, her family had enough money to buy her a piano, or even an electronic keyboard. It was thanks to Aunt Xu that she became an outstanding pianist.
Aunt Xu once asked Tu Nian why he didn't teach piano but chose to teach guitar.
Tu Nian's answer was simple. Unlike guitar, her piano skills were taught by her mother, and now that her mother has passed away, she no longer has to play except when absolutely necessary.
It is not difficult to understand that for her now, having no money is the most necessary situation.
The songs performed were almost all those that Tu Nian would listen to on a daily basis, so she memorized most of them in less than two hours.
As for the music needs for other parts, this would require negotiation with the person in charge on the spot. In terms of music theory, she claimed to be much better than the average person.
After finishing her practice, Tu Nian stretched out tiredly. She grabbed her computer and slumped down in the soft chair, counting notes in boredom and worrying.
Liu Lai's people said she would get the money tomorrow morning, but they didn't specify the time. In other words, she had to withdraw the money tonight.
"Twenty thousand..." Tu Nian muttered softly.
By now, she had finally understood the noble quality of not bending to the will of a single man. Tu Nian swore that if anyone could truly help her earn a million dollars, she would be willing to do nothing but shine shoes.
Tu Nian fiddled with the computer, trying to finish the song that Zai Xing had written, but he couldn't concentrate no matter what.
After a long stalemate, she finally couldn't help but throw the computer onto the table.
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