Folk tunes are generally not about showing off skills, but about being smooth and simple.
When Xu Musen mentioned the song "Chengdu,"
An Nuannuan's eyes sparkled because she had only ever told Xu Musen that she liked Sichuan and Chongqing.
Now, he was the only one who would take her shopping, eat hotpot with her, and knew she liked listening to songs…
So that day when he said he'd sing her a song when he had time, he was referring to this moment.
An Nuannuan perked up her little ears, her delicate nose took a deep breath, and even the air seemed to be filled with the scent of milk tea.
"How much farther must we walk, Yu Lu, you're holding my hand.
Making me feel uneasy, is the struggle for freedom..."
The simple and melodious guitar sound spread out, and Xu Musen's deep voice was also well-suited for folk songs.
It was as if in an instant, he transported everyone to a cool street corner laden with the scent of life and dim lights.
"Chengdu, how come I've never heard this song before?"
"Damn, he really pulls off a cool act! I just checked on my phone, and this song isn't even online. Could it be his own composition?"
Zhou Hangyu and Li Rundong suddenly couldn't sit still.
They hadn't had the chance to show off yet!
Their own failure was sad, but a brother's success was even more heart-wrenching!
Several classes around them were all listening to Xu Musen's singing, and Yao Mingyue raised her eyes, not having heard clearly what Xu Musen had said earlier.
But she knew that his words were not meant for her.
She clenched her clothes tightly, her teeth almost biting through her lips, knowing that he used to smile at her like that.
But now, he was holding a guitar for someone else...
"Farewells always occur in September, and memories are the sorrow of longing.
The tender green willows of deep autumn, kissing my forehead…
Chengdu, the only thing I can't take with me, is you.
Walking through the streets of Chengdu, one step at a time.
You would cling to my sleeve, I would stuff my hands in my pockets.
Walking to the end of Yulin Road, to the doorstep of a small tavern..."
Xu Musen's voice narrated a story filled with deep affection and grace.
An Nuannuan cradled her little head, her thoughts drifting back to the past, when she would hold her mother's sleeve, and her mother would touch her little head. She vividly remembered the bustling Yulin Road, Chunxi Road, and the Old Street...
Her mother would always buy them candied hawthorns, take them for hotpot, and put them to bed every night.
But now, it had been a very long time since she last saw her.
An Nuannuan's face, usually devoid of much expression, now carried a touch of sadness, her brows and eyes drooping.
The first half of this song seemed like a farewell, and its sorrowful thoughts made everyone feel the pangs of parting.
Especially the freshmen, most of whom were leaving home for the first time to come to this strange city.
It was also their first true experience of living away from their parents.
And right after arriving at the school, they faced intense military training. Today, finally letting their guard down, many listened to Xu Musen's singing.
Some girls even had red-rimmed eyes, already missing their homes.
"Are these girls for real, crying like that just listening to a song?"
"What's that streaming down your face then, horse pee?"
"Damn it, can't I have dust in my eyes?"
"There's no shame in it, I just miss my mom, I'm proud to be a mama's boy!"
The song "Chengdu" actually had just this one segment of lyrics, but that's the magic of music: a simple melody, straightforward and heartfelt lines.
Xu Musen's voice was melodious and magnetic, with a tall and straight silhouette, his shoulders square and elegant. At this moment, he was like a prince performing gracefully under the spotlight.
It made many girls look at Xu Musen as if there was an additional filter of a male god over him.
All these traits actually came from accompanying Yao Mingyue to various social functions in his past life, where he had been exposed to instruments like the violin and the cello.
And now, Yao Mingyue's gaze was firmly on him; she was finding Xu Musen increasingly incomprehensible.
She always felt as if he had suddenly acquired qualities he didn't previously possess.
Like knowing how to play various instruments, making dishes that suited her taste, and more.
Moreover, these were all points Yao Mingyue liked. She had even thought about teaching him these things and shaping him into her ideal partner after marrying him.
But now, Xu Musen seemed to have all of it already,
Except for liking her.
Yao Mingyue felt as if a sea of sourness was about to drown her.
She couldn't understand why he had changed so suddenly when sometimes he still looked at her with affection.
Even some subconscious physical touches seemed to find just the right points naturally.
Yet why did he always seem to be avoiding her?
Yao Mingyue's eyes turned slightly red, and she quietly took out her phone, intending to record Xu Musen, who was singing at the moment.
Chen Guangnian watched Yao Mingyue's complicated expressions earlier and gritted his teeth as he looked at Xu Musen singing.
He couldn't understand why there could be a guy in the world who would actively reject a goddess's advances.
Unless the guy was impotent, he could think of no other reason.
Seeing Yao Mingyue's slightly moist eyes, he thought, a goddess is a goddess; even her tears were beautiful like sparkling dew.
His restless heart couldn't hold back anymore; this was the perfect opportunity to make a move.