Mygo, you guys seem to be getting a bit heavy-hearted.

No, it will definitely go smoothly.

Xiangzi picked up a meatball and placed it on the rice in the lamp, asking with concern, "How did today's classes go?"

"Um……"

I played with the stones all morning and didn't listen.

"That's good. You can come to me if you don't understand anything."

Xiangzi had absolute confidence in his studies.

In their age group, she was already invincible.

Scholarships? If I, Sakiko, wanted that, the school would have to offer me financial aid as well!

"Ah."

Deng nodded, then thought of another thing that happened that morning, "Today, a new classmate... transferred to our school and is sitting in the seat behind me."

"A new classmate? But it's almost Golden Week... What kind of person is he?"

Although Xiangzi was a little puzzled as to why the other person would enroll at this time, he still asked.

Xiaodeng has very few friends, and even fewer attends this school. She can only consider herself a close friend.

Therefore, she needs to pay close attention to any changes around Xiaodeng.

"He greeted me... so he must be a good person..."

Xiangzi sighed helplessly, "Xiaodeng, you're too naive."

How can one determine a person's nature based on just one sentence?

"Hmm... But feelings don't lie. Aine's scent... smells really good, like... the puppy I used to pet when I was little."

Ai-yin? Is that classmate's name?

Is he sitting at the desk behind Xiaodeng? I need to find an opportunity to test the waters.

"Eat a little more, your band has rehearsal this afternoon, right?"

After hanging out with Yanming for a while, Xiangzi gradually picked up his habits, becoming more and more thoughtful in handling various small details... or rather, too thoughtful, to the point of being a bit fussy.

"The afternoon rehearsal has been cancelled..."

"Eh?"

Xiangzi's hand, which was holding a chopstick, froze in mid-air for a second before he asked, feigning composure, "Did something happen?"

When discussing this matter, a hint of frustration was clearly visible on Deng's face.

She then briefly explained the situation: "Xiao Le Nai has been unreachable since yesterday. Li Xi has been looking for her everywhere but can't find her. If we still can't reach her after school, we'll have to go home first."

"Rakuna-chan... it's not surprising, after all, that's just her personality, free and unrestrained."

During his time in Dysis, Xiangzi had also had contact with Lena, and their relationship was not bad. He also knew quite a bit about her.

She had previously considered recruiting Lena into Ave Mujica because of her exceptional guitar skills, but quickly gave up the idea.

The reason is also very simple.

According to her vision, Ave Mujica, which she runs, should be a band that is ruthless and completely profit-driven. Given Xiao Le Nai's personality, she would definitely not like such a band.

She didn't want to delay the child who longed for a place to belong.

If she actually did such a thing, regardless of whether Yanming would beat her to death, she would first and foremost be unable to live with herself.

"Hmm, but I think Lena is probably getting disappointed in us..."

Unlike Xiangzi, Deng expressed a more poignant perspective on life.

Xiangzi asked in confusion, "How could that be? Haven't your performances been very successful the last few times?"

She and Yanming went to see Deng and the others' live performance. The sound was fine, and Deng's singing skills were steadily improving. Everything seemed very promising.

“Each of us formed the band with different ideas… Mr. Yanming said that there’s nothing wrong with that, but if the band can no longer fulfill those goals, it will eventually disband, just like the previous two times…”

Lamp didn't want the band to break up.

If possible, she hoped to make that time as long as possible.

It doesn't have to be for a lifetime. Even when she becomes an old woman, has lost all her teeth, and can't speak anymore... that's fine too.

But even if I stop aiming for "a lifetime"... it's still so hard, so incredibly hard...

She simply couldn't be as considerate of everyone as Yanming...

“What Xiao Lena wants is a place to stay, but she doesn’t seem... happy at all when she’s with us, at least... not as happy as she was in Dysis.”

Chapter 124 The Terrifying Killer Octopus.

The closer Deng was to Yanming's situation at the time, the clearer she could feel just how outstanding her "hero" was in this regard.

He could bind them all together by his own efforts and by using everything at his disposal.

Even though everyone had different goals when they were in Dysis, with Mr. Yanming around... the atmosphere was always very harmonious. As long as you saw him in the rehearsal room, no matter what happened, your mind would not wander away from the band.

Only that ability to give people unparalleled peace of mind... is something that a lamp can never imitate.

"Don't be too pessimistic, Xiaodeng. Try to think positively and cheer up."

Xiangzi's encouragement had little effect.

The predicament the band is currently facing cannot be solved by just one person's words.

Deng sighed, "If Mr. Yanming were here, he would definitely have a solution."

"Well... he's not omnipotent, and we can't always bother him like this, but..."

Xiangzi leaned close to Deng's ear and asked, "Little Deng, you guys probably don't have any rehearsals tomorrow, right?"

Deng shook his head: "No, but... Xiao Xiang, why did you whisper in my ear? There are only the two of us here."

"Ah, right... no! Let's get down to business! Xiaodeng, don't interrupt!"

"Um……"

"So, how about we invite Yanming out for a bite to eat after school tomorrow, and then ask him for some advice on the band?"

Xiangzi revealed his plans.

The lamp was clearly somewhat tempted by this idea, its eyes even brightening slightly, but it quickly dimmed again: "I've spent all my allowance... I'm sorry..."

"?"

In Xiangzi's memory, Deng should be the kind of virtuous woman who would save her pocket money. Even if the band's expenses were taken into account, she shouldn't have no savings left, right?

Could it be that they were scammed by someone?

Deng said somewhat embarrassedly, "I recently... bought something that used up all my savings... along with my performance fees from the last few shows."

"Little Lamp, did you go buy gold?!"

Given the performance level of that band, the number they accumulated over several live shows was definitely not small.

Of all Xiangzi's hobbies, the only one he could think of that could incur such a large expense was gold, a beautiful and precious "stone".

Otherwise, they bought the penguin.

"No no!"

The lamp quickly waved its hand, "It's something else..."

At this point, Deng realized that he had made an impulsive purchase, but he did not feel any regret about it.

The moment he saw that bass, he had the idea of ​​buying it.

Of course, the lamp itself doesn't play bass, so the purpose of buying this bass is quite obvious.

Previously, Mr. Yanming had always used a bass guitar rented from Ring, and he had also mentioned that he only had one guitar.

It seems to be called... Magic Movement something...

Well... if I were to give him a bass guitar, Mr. Yanming might be... very happy.

"Xiao Xiang, could you lend me a little bit first? I'll pay you back after the next live performance..."

"I'm sorry, Xiaodeng, it's not that I don't want to lend it to you, it's just..."

Xiangzi scratched his chin awkwardly, "I've used up all the money I earned from working... and I also borrowed some more from Yanming."

Although Yanming said it was pocket money for her, Xiangzi herself didn't think so.

As for where all that money went...

Yanming forcibly took care of Xiangzi's food, clothing, transportation, and housing. Ave Mujica was not yet on the right track, so theoretically, she could not find any necessary expenses.

She used all the money she earned from her part-time job to buy one thing.

Even though he knew the other party might not need it, Xiangzi gritted his teeth and bought it anyway.

The color and feel... should be the type he likes.

Even if it's a little more expensive, it's worth it.

lamp:"……"

Xiangzi: "..."

The two penniless men ate their lavish bento boxes in silence, feeling a pang of despair.

You only realize how little money you have when you need it; even a hero can be brought down by a single penny.

"What if I don't have any money...?"

The lamp asked indecisively.

"Even if you ask me... there's nothing I can do. We can't expect Yanming to pay for our meal."

Another silent chewing sound followed.

Xiangzi: "...If all else fails, we'll have to activate the backup hidden energy source."

"?"

Deng didn't understand what he meant. "Xiao Xiang, what are you saying?"

"I'll try going back to that old man and extorting some gold coins. All he ever does is take money out to buy drinks."

That's what Xiangzi said.

Although his words still carried a hint of disdain, Xiangzi had noticed the changes in his father these past few days.

Although he's still a heavy drinker, at least... he's willing to go out and work now, isn't he?

If I'm willing to have a proper talk with him, my father should be able to lend me some money.

The lamp whispered, "Isn't this... a bit inappropriate?"

"Then there's really nothing I can do."

Xiangzi helplessly shrugged.

The two were unable to reach a conclusion by the end of their lunch break.

……

"Ah, Hitoshi, hello... eh?"

Under Ai-yin's watchful gaze, Deng staggered into the classroom, slumped into her seat with a thud, and didn't even hear her own greeting.

What's going on here?

With a few minutes left before class, Ai Yin felt it was her duty as a member of the class to check on her classmates.

Of course, she meant well, and it was definitely not because Deng was famous in the class and it would be beneficial for her to get along with her.

Hehehe... She looks even cuter up close, her face is so small, and her hair is so soft...

"Deng-chan? What's wrong with you?"

Ai Yin first changed to a more intimate way of addressing someone, and then moved her chair a little closer.

"Aine... classmate."