At 3 a.m., the landmines in front of the station

"Ah...indeed."

Su Che thought for a moment, "But it's different. My family all know this. I'm half from a family with a long tradition, and half a child who started learning it."

"That's amazing! I want to be like that too... but my parents know nothing about music, and there's no one to guide me...!"

Don't think like that.

He interrupted, "People always regret not having had the chance to fully enjoy something they liked. But you should know that when you spend your time on other things, you at least get a happy childhood."

"what…"

"If practicing the piano could bring me a perfect future, I would have no complaints. But as you can see, right now, all I can do is play in a band with you guys and help my senior win a trophy, and that's only after giving it my all... That's all I have."

A hint of sadness flashed across his face.

"..."

Yuan Xiao knew that Su Che was not satisfied with the current situation.

I want to say, "But you still have me..."

But the words wouldn't come out.

Because I am not strong enough, not strong enough to shelter him from the wind and rain.

One day, I also want to stand before my master and properly say these words, conveying my heartfelt wishes.

The child gripped the pick tightly, his face serious, a difficult cause and effect buried deep in his heart.

"Actually, I had already made up my mind to give up this field before."

Su Che sighed and said with emotion, "If I hadn't met everyone, met my senior, met you and An Qing—I might be focusing all my energy on creating now."

"Really...? Am I that important to A-Che?"

Yuan Xiao was flattered and his fingers even plucked a note from the chords.

"Ah."

His gaze remained fixed on her fingertips, not on her delicate, flawless face.

"Yuan Xiao, you have a pair of very skillful hands. They are as intelligent as you are."

"I could tell at first glance that the Telephone's design is a perfect match for you, which is why I left my Guirenniao guitar at your house."

"!"

Now, the child's face temperature doubled.

"Have you tried it out?" he asked.

"No... I haven't dared yet!"

Why wouldn't you dare?

"I'm afraid my playing is too poor, and I'll tarnish that beautiful instrument...!"

Yuan Xiao honestly replied, "Ever since the day you ordered the cabinet for me, I've kept it inside, and I haven't dared to touch it... I feel that I'm not yet strong enough to even touch it..."

"is it?"

"Yes, and then I listened to A-Che and communicated with her."

"communicate?"

"Yes, you told me to 'talk' to the piano more, and I tried to do so."

Yuan Xiao recalled all the actions he had taken and reported the situation in detail.

"So, what did you say to her?"

Su Che became interested and pulled up a chair, moving closer to the child.

"what…"

Yuan Xiao became even more nervous and tightened her calves:

“I heard her say that if we want to sign a contract, we need to…we need to start with the most basic things.”

"What matter?"

"It...it just requires your permission."

"I have already agreed."

"No, no, it's not simply agreement, it's 'approval'...!"

Do you agree?

"Yes! I acknowledge that I am qualified to establish a contractual relationship with her."

"I see."

Su Che seemed to be deep in thought.

"As for 'Sakura Arashi,' she's rather delicate, suitable for someone who loves their zither dearly. I generally respect her wishes, and I had some discussions with her before bringing her over."

His expression was calm as he uttered a series of cryptic remarks that left An Qing, standing outside the door, utterly bewildered.

"I think if you can pass the test of this performance, you should be qualified to use her in a real sense."

And she will willingly lend you a hand in the competition, helping you achieve the best in terms of tone, feel, dynamics, and live performance.

"Is that so?!"

The child actually understood, and their eyes lit up. "As long as the performance the day after tomorrow doesn't go wrong, it'll be fine, right?!"

"Yes, you have to believe in yourself. Besides, I'm here with you."

He gave her an encouraging look.

...

...

Yuan Xiao gradually became engrossed.

Immersed in my master's expectations.

"Establishing a spiritual connection with the zither" was something Su Che mentioned.

Because he loved the piano so much, he could often hear sounds that others couldn't.

Such a sound is transmitted through the heart.

Manifested through the hands.

When he first taught Yuan Xiao, he mentioned, "Give a sincere gift to the zither, and you will deeply love the zither."

Abstract dogmas leave children completely confused.

But soon, through countless all-nighters, she came to understand the meaning of those words.

[Ache once said that I am a gifted child.]

Therefore, I am different from others. What others cannot sense, I can definitely do.

Yuan Xiao has possessed delicate emotions since childhood.

Because no one talked to him when he was a child,

My sister is indifferent.

Friends: 0

The classmates are masters of backstabbing, making it impossible to upgrade relationships and become true friends.

Only the senior student listened to my complaints.

But my senior is very busy.

The older girl is going to practice the piano, specifically the grand piano.

During a conversation, Yuan Xiao heard about the concept of a "senior female student"—

Practicing the guitar: This refers to finishing the physical chores (eating, drinking, using the toilet, getting a good night's sleep, taking a shower, washing hands, and wiping the guitar), then putting the clock in front of you, connecting the guitar cable, and starting a high-intensity military training session of "practicing until you've mastered it without stopping".

This method of practicing the piano was called "Big Piano" by the senior student.

What's outrageous is that she practices the violin like this almost four times a week.

With this combination of frequency and intensity, it would be strange if he didn't become a master.

Today was Yuan Xiao's first time practicing the zither. After all, it was impossible for him to stay up all night under his master's supervision; he was worried about his health.

If he's not around, I'll definitely stay up all night, using my senior's habits as a benchmark, and work myself to the bone.

[An Qing is at my house, so I can't reveal my true feelings; I have to act like I'm not fussy at all.]

The child started to have some ulterior motives.

[Hmm, we need to rest after practicing this part 8 more times.]

In the past, I would have done at least 80 repetitions, and maybe a little over 200, and so on.

-

-

"Master, my head is itchy."

"…it is good."

— "Secret code communication: pat on the head".

Su Che glanced back at the door.

Seeing that An Qing hadn't finished showering and was still coming back, and with the sound of running water coming from the bathroom, he raised his arm and gave Yuan Xiao a small reward.

"hey-hey……"

Feeling the gentle friction from above, the child narrowed his cat-like eyes and smiled contentedly, as if to say, "It wasn't all for nothing."

"I tried my best today, let's try playing together again after I wake up?"

He suggested.

"Okay! I only need 4 hours of sleep!"