Chapter 10 Xiaoye and the Gossips (Part 1)

```

Two weeks had passed since then. Xu Xunsheng and Chaomu Band gradually became familiar with each other through repeated interactions. The snacks always stocked in her studio doubled. When the kids took breaks from their piano lessons, they would join her in listening to the sounds from underground. Sometimes they would even bring her some fruits and snacks. The most annoying time was when they brought a whole box of stinky tofu, which petrified Xu Xunsheng instantly. As a result, when the children came, they would cover their noses and frown, loudly complaining, "Teacher, this place stinks!"

Since his last confession, the interaction between Zhang Tianyao and her wasn't awkward, just like two ordinary friends. He also stopped saying any over-the-line remarks—he wasn't an inconsiderate young guy. But sometimes, when everyone was joking around, or when Xu Xunsheng went downstairs to listen to their playing, his gaze would sometimes linger on her face. Xu Xunsheng simply avoided them.

At that time, she would occasionally meet Cen Ye's gaze, cold and scowling as if he were looking down on her or sneering. Xu Xunsheng was less tolerant of him, and would unashamedly return his stare. Cen Ye's gaze, however, would quickly become less wild, as if it had carelessly drifted away, and from time to time, a faint smile would appear at the corner of his mouth. She never knew what he felt so pleased about.

The boys now casually flipped through the CDs and books on her shelf, even taking some to read, but they would always return them neatly after a few days. Sometimes when she had something urgent and had to step out, she would ask them to help look after the studio. Once, when she went out to meet a classmate and came back, she found Zhang Tianyao and Zhao Tan talking grandly to parents who came to inquire about piano lessons for their kids, sweetly calling her "sister". By the time Xu Xunsheng sat down, the parents were already smiling and ready to pay.

Xu Xunsheng bought another heater for the basement. A few days later, she discovered they had attempted to roast sweet potatoes on it, which she sternly prohibited. The next day, however, they truly brought her a warm baked sweet potato.

Among everyone, the one who seemed the least interested in Xu Xunsheng was probably Cen Ye. Whenever the group discussed women or mentioned her, he was the only one who seemed half-hearted and kept quiet.

There were the buddies who asked Zhang Tianyao: You're just going to let it go with Xu Xunsheng? Zhang Tianyao only smiled, cigarette hanging from his lips, saying, "Mind your own business."

What no one knew, not even this group of close friends, was that because of that initial confession which was half true and half false, because Xu Xunsheng didn't even furrow her brow in response, a pent-up frustration began brewing inside Zhang Tianyao. That frustration wasn't resentment, though maybe there was a bit of it, but also sweetness, and pain. Since then, whenever he saw her, that frustration seemed to settle and become a genuine sentiment. Full of hope and unease, her quiet smile, her slender white hands, her peaceful face, and the simple piano tunes became lines of something intricate, entwining in his heart.

Such are the hearts of young people in this world, with their mix of real and feigned emotions, their pretenses turning into reality.

That day, Xu Xunsheng was at her desk, focused on her task. A beam of light shone on the desk, the warmest and brightest corner of the entire studio.

When they walked in, she didn't hear them.

"What are you up to?" The world's most beautiful voice suddenly reached her ears.

Xu Xunsheng looked up and saw several of the boys, led by Cen Ye, standing by the desk, all staring curiously at the object on the table. But Cen Ye, even though his eyes shone, had a gaze as indifferent as a shooting star. It always made her a bit uncomfortable.

She held up the seal in her hand and said, "I'm carving a seal. A college roommate of mine is getting married, and she wanted me to carve one with her and her husband's names on it."

The boys in unison: "Oh—"

"How come you know how to do everything?" Zhang Tianyao asked.

Xu Xunsheng said, "I only know a little."

"What is this stone?" Zhao Tan asked.

"Qingtian Stone."

"How long does it take you to carve a seal?" Cen Ye asked.

Xu Xunsheng looked at him, answering, "I carve slowly, working on it when I have free time, probably about half a month."

Clearly, the boys had no real interest in this trinket and descended en masse.

Xu Xunsheng continued to immerse herself in her work.

```

After a while, someone suddenly flicked her forehead gently with their finger.

Cen Ye had come up by himself at some point. One hand rested on her desk while his long fingers rapped there, creating an annoying, restless feeling in her heart.

"Speak." Xu Xunsheng said.

He said, "Help me carve a seal."

Xu Xunsheng kept her head down, continuing her work, and spoke slowly and methodically, "I only carve four seals a year, and this year's quota is already filled."

Cen Ye laughed, Xu Xunsheng always didn't know why he laughed. He said, "I won't let you work for nothing, I'll pay you."

Xu Xunsheng paused for a moment.

These past few days, she indeed felt that the guy had more money at hand. Every time he came by, he looked more ruddy and had even switched to a new black down jacket. Xu Xunsheng vaguely heard them talk about how, after their performance at Heika, they had become famous in Xiangcheng, and for the time being, they weren't short of opportunities to perform. This guy naturally hadn't gone hungry again.

Xu Xunsheng also gave a slight smile.

Similarly, Cen Ye felt that he could never see through this woman, murmuring to herself, laughing about who knows what, thinking who knows what.

"My seals are expensive," Xu Xunsheng said, "because I carve them well."

Cen Ye said, "Okay, how much?" His voice was light, carrying a hint of shameless nonchalance. Xu Xunsheng, for some reason, suddenly remembered the night they had a late-night snack. He had spoken to her with this same tone, saying, "Okay, put it in my bowl."

"Daydreaming again?" Cen Ye asked.

Xu Xunsheng's attention then shifted back to him, and just as she did, she caught him reaching out his hand again, his finger poised midair about half a foot away from her, clearly intending to flick her head once more. Seeing that she'd noticed, he naturally dropped his hand. Xu Xunsheng, however, had already furrowed her brow and subconsciously moved halfway away from the table, dodging in utter distaste.

The next moment, Cen Ye laughed. He grinned, seemingly very happy and quite smug, his eyes full of dancing light.

Xu Xunsheng was startled, but a thought burst into her mind: Xiaoye better not smile like this on stage at the fans. As warm as the spring sun, as brilliant as starlight, they would go crazy.

"I charge 2000 yuan to carve a seal," Xu Xunsheng said, half-joking.

This time, it was Cen Ye's turn to be taken aback. After a few seconds of silence, he just laughed it off and said, "Fine, first help me carve it. Once I get my funds sorted out, I'll pay you."

Struggling to keep from laughing, Xu Xunsheng said, "Okay." She actually planned to charge him just the material cost, two to three hundred yuan. But for now, she didn't need to tell him to avoid making him too smug.

"Just carve two characters — Chaomu," Cen Ye said, "Carve it with a powerful presence, reflecting our style. You understand?"

Xu Xunsheng looked into his eyes, which were slightly covered by his bangs, that tall boy who was currently leaning his arms on the table, staring her down.

Xu Xunsheng met his gaze and nodded, "I think I should understand."