I've already said this isn't a life simulator!

If you have talent, you can get support from your family and have enough money to support yourself... Unlike me, I have to rely entirely on church funding and school help... No, no, I can't think like that. I'm already very lucky. At least I can go to school and get into this school based on my grades. I don't even have to worry about expensive tuition and other fees. Well... although the price is that my daily life is very frugal.

And because of other people's "targeting," Xi Wang can't even stay in the school dormitory anymore. I don't know what's wrong with those people, how they managed to get his dormitory key, and he can't even avoid changing the locks or changing rooms... And now he can't even get his practice time or room... Ugh, it's so annoying just thinking about it!

Xi Wang could tolerate everything else, but not being allowed to practice music was truly unbearable... The only thing he could be proud of right now was his grades, which were second only to Eden's, but if he didn't practice diligently, his grades would definitely drop... You know, Eljia, who was ranked behind him, was also very talented, and she was also a child from a wealthy family. Her learning environment was much better than his, and he could easily be surpassed.

If it turns out like that... he really won't have anything to be proud of... what follows will definitely be worse things and more ridicule. Just thinking about that scene is disgusting and repulsive.

but……

Xi Wang lowered her head slightly and looked at the violin case in her hand.

I am still "loved".

His teachers and the school helped him... They recommended a place to stay off-campus, and even let him rent the school's violin to practice for free, as long as it wasn't damaged when he returned it... They even recommended a music school where he could rent a room to practice at a lower price.

Although all of this costs money, and even though the school didn't refund his dormitory fees because he couldn't continue living in the dormitory due to special circumstances... Xi Wang didn't care too much about these things. After all, the school had already been very good to him, and the dormitory was reserved for him, but he just couldn't live there due to some special reasons.

Ugh... It's so annoying just thinking about this. It's such a terrible thing to do, but even if they catch the culprit, the teacher won't dare to punish them severely... The teacher can't afford to offend the person's background, and the school can't handle a big fuss.

It's so frustrating... I do something wrong but don't get punished, I do something good but don't get any reward... but someone else does! It's so frustrating!

That's so unfair...

Xi Wang's mood became increasingly depressed and frustrated, but soon he forced himself to cheer up, put on a smile, and walked forward quickly.

Indeed, there is no harm without comparison... Oh well, let's think about what's in front of us.

"Let me check... number 13... number 13... okay, this is it!"

Xi Wang stopped in front of a building, then politely rang the doorbell and waited quietly.

But isn't this area a little... quiet and desolate? I don't think I've gone very far. — Xi Wang looked around and felt that there were very few people around this street.

Click——

The sound of the door opening reached Xi Wang, who quickly looked away and turned to see who had entered.

Hmm... He's a tall young man with a somewhat fierce look and tattoos, and he's holding a cigarette in his hand... Doesn't he look a bit like the stereotypical "delinquent"?

Xi Wang subconsciously thought to herself, while her body instinctively shrank back a little... After all, the person in front of her didn't look like a good person, but considering that this place was recommended by the teacher, there shouldn't be any problem... right?

So, with a smile, Xi Wang extended her hand and introduced herself.

"Hello, I was introduced by Professor Frino..."

“Xi Wang, I know… Pfft, that name is quite funny.”

He gently interrupted Xi Wang, while looking Xi Wang up and down... He had just noticed Xi Wang's shrinking back, but he didn't mind. This was the effect he wanted. However, Xi Wang didn't show any fear or worry... He didn't even show any doubt. What's wrong with this guy?

...Well, at least it proves that this guy has a good mentality and won't judge a book by its cover, which he likes.

So he took Xi Wang's outstretched hand and introduced himself in the same way.

“I am the owner of this building, that is, the landlord… My name is [Li], and I’m not much older than you. You can call me Brother Li, or Boss, just like everyone else here.”

"It would be wonderful if you liked my name, Brother Li."

"Don't use such a respectful address... By the way, don't make me say this twice, or I'll beat you up even if you're new here."

"……I see."

Xi Wang's expression stiffened slightly before she slowly followed Li into the building.

It seems this landlord isn't a particularly easy person to get along with...

"Now let me tell you our rules here... Of course, like I said before, don't make me repeat myself, or I'll beat you up. Also, if you break the rules, admit it and resolve it yourself, or I'll beat you up too, understand?"

"it is good……"

"First of all, you should clean your own room, including the hallway in front of your own door. Don't ask others for help. Of course, this doesn't apply to boyfriends or girlfriends, provided you have the ability and interest to bring them in."

"Throw your trash at the garbage station outside. Don't leave it in the hallway or pile it up in your room. If I find even a trace of trash smelling in my room, I'll beat someone up, understand?"

"As for your room, you can do whatever you want. The soundproofing here is pretty good. As long as you're not making a loud noise like a saw, no one will hear you... If anyone complains, I'll beat them up. I'll beat them up even if they complain randomly, understand?"

"There's a communal kitchen on the first floor. You can use it if you want, but be mindful of the time and cleanliness. Clean up after yourself and don't touch the utensils or seasonings. Even if you use them, put them back in their original places. I have a student studying to cook here. That guy occupies the kitchen on Saturdays to research recipes, so don't let him mess it up... He occasionally cooks dinner, and he's pretty good at it. If you want to freeload, you can come back earlier."

"There's a backyard with a flowerbed where you can relax, but don't pick or trample on the flowers, or I'll beat you up."

"Finally, there are questions about your room and some fees."

Li brought Xi Wang to room [505]. He first took a deep drag of his cigarette, exhaled a smoke ring, extinguished the cigarette, took out a wet tissue from his pocket, wrapped it up, held it in his hand, and then opened the door.

"You won't have to pay for your accommodation during school hours, but if you want to stay during holidays, give me 1,000 yuan at the beginning of each month. Otherwise, I'll kick you out. You'll have to pay for your own water and electricity. There's a meter in your room, and if you don't pay, I'll beat you up."

"at last……"

As he spoke, Li pulled over a chair from the room, sat down casually, crossed his arms, and looked at Xi Wang who had just entered.

"Tell me, what can you do?"

"……Well?"

"Don't understand? Simply put, you have to put in some labor here, understand? Otherwise, why should I give you rooms? And let you live here for free while you're in school? Like that guy who studies cooking, he comes up with dishes for us every Saturday, which solves our food problem. What about you? What can you do?"

Although he was asking a question, Li's gaze remained fixed on the violin case that Xi Wang was holding. He had clearly already figured out that Xi Wang was a musician, but he still needed to get a definite answer from Xi Wang... It was a matter of attitude.

"I studied music, so...can I be a music player for everyone?"

"Take a look?"

Li raised his chin, signaling Xi to perform a short piece on the spot.

Xi Wang also performed a segment on the spot as promised, but...

"Okay, that's enough."

Just a short section of the song had passed when Li frowned, waved his hand, and signaled to Xi Wang that she didn't need to continue.

Judging from his expression, he seemed somewhat dissatisfied... No, Li was very satisfied, but he still felt that something was wrong.

Even though Mingming Xiwang's melody and rhythm were correct, not a single note was wrong, and there wasn't even any nervousness in front of strangers, Li still had a feeling that it was "too rhythmic" or "too faithful to the original." There was nothing wrong with it, but he still felt that something was off.

There's a... "rigid" feeling to it.

His gaze lingered on Xi Wang, watching him carefully put the violin away before he continued to ask questions.

"You majored in violin?"

"I majored in piano...and minored in violin and cello."

"Then how will you practice the piano? And what about your cello?"

"You can practice piano and cello at a music store. As for cello... I don't have one, I don't have the money to buy one. The violin I have now was rented to me by the school."

"Then how come you... never mind, never mind."

Li frowned subconsciously again, swallowing back the question he originally wanted to ask, "Why don't you practice at school?"... Li realized that further inquiry might touch on someone's sore spot.

Can you sing?

"meeting."

"Alright, from now on you'll be the record player here. You'll sing us a song every week when you have time. You can't refuse, or I'll kick you out."

[Record Player]...What is this? A code name? Or a nickname? This is so weird...Never mind, although Brother Li doesn't seem like a good person and his attitude is fierce, I always feel like...he has a very good personality?

As Xi Wang pondered this, she slightly bowed and thanked Li.

"I will, and... thank you very much."

"Tch, your attitude is making me uncomfortable... Also, although there's no curfew here, it's best to be back before 11 p.m., or bring your own key. I don't want to get up in the middle of the night to open the door for someone."

As he spoke, Li stood up and tossed a key to the room and the front door to Xi Wang. Then he walked out of the room, stood in the corridor, took out a cigarette, put it in his mouth, and lit it.

"If you need money, go find a job. There are some places around here where you can do odd jobs. I know some people who can help you earn some pocket money."

"I will ask if needed, and... thank you very much."

"Be more casual, don't keep saying thank you all day long, it's annoying... There's a welcome party later, remember to come down and attend, I'll introduce you to the other people."

"Necessary formalities are still necessary... As for the welcome party, I will definitely attend. Um... I've also prepared two pieces of music; I hope you'll like them?"

"what ever."

Li waved casually and left.

"……call."

After closing the door and opening the window to dissipate the lingering smell of smoke, Xi Wang breathed a slight sigh of relief.

The surroundings were deserted, but also very quiet... Xi Wang really liked this atmosphere.

Looking back at the room, which had clearly been cleaned once, Xi Wang rolled up her sleeves and cleaned it again according to her own habits. She then arranged her clothes and daily necessities, sat down in a chair, closed her eyes, and quietly enjoyed this rare tranquility.

A gentle breeze slipped in quietly from outside the window, like a silent stream flowing by, gently brushing past Xi Wang's ear and passing by his figure.

"Hmph~? Hmph~?"

Subconsciously, she hummed her own tune softly. After hesitating for a moment, Xi Wang stood up again, took out her violin, and stood straight.

"call……"

Adjust your breathing again, calm your mind, and then... close your eyes, gently place the bow on the strings, and slowly pull.

????~

Unlike the "standard" performance previously given to Li, this time it was a relaxed and gentle melody infused with a great deal of personal emotion.

However, this altered piece of music gives people a feeling of "being more pleasant to listen to". You can clearly feel the performer's emotions from the melody, and feel the emotion of "finally finding peace and finally being able to relax". Even the rhythm has been deliberately slowed down, revealing a gentleness like water, as if it is soothing someone's anxious heart.

As the sun gradually sets, the last rays of sunlight illuminate the earth, giving everyone a final warmth before nightfall.

The twilight light streamed through the window, falling onto the floor of the room and resting at his toes, like a polite and elegant listener, obediently taking its place before him. As time passed and the music gradually came to an end, it slowly and silently departed.

The breeze gradually grew cooler, a subtle hint that night was approaching, but none of this could dampen Xiwang's enthusiasm for the performance.

He immersed himself in his own melodies, gathering his thoughts and emotions in his hands, conveying them to the instruments, and finally merging them into the music.

The gradually cooling wind gently brushed his face, bringing him some care and comfort, and then quietly left, carrying away the music that carried his thoughts and emotions, quietly taking his song and slowly drifting into the distance.

"...It sounds much better when you play the violin like this."

Li, who was in the backyard, looked up at Xi Wang's room. A gentle melody drifted out from the open window, carried by the breeze, and flowed into his ears.

"It's because this guy practices the piano without closing the window... It's no wonder he disturbs others. He broke the rules on his very first day here, and he forgot what he said right after he finished speaking. He really deserves a beating."

Li took a drag of his cigarette, frowned, and seemed somewhat irritated.