After the college entrance examination, life began to follow one's heart

Chapter 233 Old Deng, watch out, this is my era!

After walking around, Xu Lin felt that the famous courtyard house was nothing special.

It's far inferior to a large apartment or villa.

However, Xu Lin thought again, if someone can afford a courtyard house of 500 or 600 square meters, a large apartment, or a villa in the second ring road of Beijing, would they be lacking?
"Maybe I'll have the chance to build a courtyard house someday?"

Xu Lin finished his shopping.

When I returned, I saw that Pei Danqing had changed into a set of home clothes, and her long hair, which had been tied up, was now loose. She was making tea in the front yard.

There are no complicated tea-making techniques; there's just a tea set here, and a small pot of tea leaves next to it.

One of the teacups and the porcelain kettle were steaming with white heat.

"Would you like tea?"

When Director Pei saw Xu Lin return, he asked him a question.

"I'll have a cup to try."

Xu Lin came over, sat down in the seat next to him, and casually asked, "What kind of tea is this?"

"Peace Monkey King."

"Oh."

Xu Lin knew nothing about tea, and had never heard of Taiping Houkui, so he was unaware that it was a precious tea.

Xu Lin picked up the kettle, poured a cup of water, and then added some tea leaves. Before long, the water began to turn green.

This is a type of green tea. Other types include black tea, dark tea, white tea, and so on.

For the next half hour, the two of them chatted casually while drinking tea.

Half an hour later, Director Pei said, "I don't think it's too late. Let me take you to your room."

"it is good."

So Xu Lin followed the other party to the first courtyard.

The layout of a siheyuan (courtyard house) is quite complex, with three courtyards. For example, in a three-courtyard house, the main house is located to the north, south, east, and west, while the back house is located to the south, west, and north, and the east and west wing rooms are located to the east and west.

Director Pei then pointed to the east and west wing rooms, "Which of these two rooms would you like to stay in?"

"Let's go to the east wing!"

Xu Lin is a guest, so I won't say much since he has a place to stay. But if you're being picky about the place, that would be impolite.

Pei Danqing added, "I live in the main room. You can call me if you need anything. By the way, there's a bathroom in each room."

"Ok."

"By the way, your clothes?"

"I'll just wash it and hang it to dry later."

I slept without clothes on at night.

Pei Danqing nodded slightly: "Then it shouldn't be a big problem, right?"

Xu Lin: "It's not a big problem, Director Pei. You should get some rest too."

"Just call me Sister Pei."

Xu Lin calling her Director Pei made her feel strange. "You can call me Sister Pei in private, and Director Pei in formal occasions."

"Ok."

Modern courtyard houses have all been renovated, and now they have everything you could need, such as bathrooms and air conditioning.

After the two parted, Xu Lin moved into the east wing.

His clothes are still at the hotel; he only has the outfit he's wearing now.

It was still quite hot in May. Xu Lin had just taken a shower in the afternoon and was already sweating a little.

Besides, he's a clean person.

You don't have to wash your suit jacket, but your shirt, pants, and underwear definitely need to be washed.

While taking a shower, Xu Lin casually washed his clothes and pants.

There's air conditioning indoors, so you can just let the air blow directly on your clothes. Plus, suit pants and shirts are actually quite easy to dry.

By the time I finished all that, it was almost midnight.

Xu Lin lay in bed, not feeling sleepy for a moment. After thinking for a while, he made a video call to his older sister.

The older sister was still busy at the computer, her phone was on the side, and Xu Lin could see her, the computer, and of course, her hands on the keyboard.

"what?"

Chi Linyue glanced at him.

"I couldn't sleep, so I got up to chat with you."

"Oh."

Chi Linyue noticed that the building behind Xu Lin was quite unique; it wasn't in the style of modern architecture, but rather in the style of ancient architecture.

"where is it?"

"Capital."

Xu Lin didn't go on this long trip with anyone; only Shang Wanjun granted him a long leave.

"Hmm? What are you doing in the capital?"

Xu Lin then briefly explained to her why she had come to the capital.

"Wow, that's impressive! They provided background music for a CCTV program!"

Chi Linyue was quite surprised.

Xu Lin: "Let me tell you something interesting. I have a dinner party tonight, with an old Bi Deng..."

"Is this old man so arrogant? Is he trying to intimidate you?"

"So I didn't tolerate him and confronted him on the spot."

Xu Lin laughed out loud.

"Of course, we can't tolerate this kind of person. They've just lived a few decades longer than you, and they're already acting all high and mighty!"

Chi Linyue wouldn't care about his opinion; Xu Lin was on her side, and regardless of whether he was right or wrong, she would stand by Xu Lin.

Not to mention that Xu Lin is in the right today.

Chi Linyue then asked, "Where are you staying in the capital now?"

"Siheyuan."

"Oh? You're living in a courtyard house now? Can you rent a courtyard house over there?"

"My friend's courtyard house."

Do you have friends over there?

Yes, we just met today.

"Male and female?"

Chi Linyue asked.

Xu Lin immediately thought, "Oh no, I should have known better than to say it, especially since Director Pei is such a beautiful woman."

"male."

he said.

"Oh." Chi Linyue didn't think much of it.

Xu Lin managed to get away with it.

“I’ve never lived in a courtyard house before,” Chi Linyue said.

"Actually, there's nothing special about courtyard houses. They're just like that. I took a walk around today, and well, they're alright. I just had a biased view of courtyard houses before."

"Should I have you send me a video tomorrow?"

"Okay, I'll take the photos for you tomorrow."

The two chatted for another ten minutes or so before ending their conversation.

Xu Lin finally went to sleep.

At the same time, there was another rumor circulating online about Xu Lin's dinner party that night, in which he allegedly had a dispute with Wu Zongting, a veteran in the music industry. This rumor was spread by someone present at the dinner party. However, since there were no videos or pictures, it did not become a trending topic and was only mentioned briefly by a marketing account.

"Mr. Xu and Wu Zongting got into an argument?"

Who is Wu Zongting?

"Wu Zongting is one of the masters in the field of film scores. You younger people may not know him, but he used to be very famous."

"Don't tell me you used to be famous, you're washed up now, aren't you?"

"Good heavens, what happened? Mr. Xu and this old man got into an argument?"

"I heard that there was a huge argument at the time, but when I checked, there were no pictures, no videos, and no audio recordings. I don't know where it came from; maybe it's just a rumor."

Netizens discussed it extensively, but not many people actually paid attention, since it didn't even trend on social media. It was only mentioned by a few marketing accounts, and those marketing accounts know what's going on; you don't even know if it's true or false.

Silent all night.

After getting up in the morning, Xu Lin washed up, got dressed, and went out with Pei Danqing around seven o'clock.

We ate a typical Beijing breakfast, which was basically just some snacks, nothing special, and the two of us ate a simple meal.

Frequent travelers know that the so-called tourism, which involves eating local specialties or delicacies, is actually quite similar across the country.

Of course, if you're rich, that's a different story. With money, anywhere is paradise, and you can eat all the delicacies you can get tired of.

Around nine o'clock, Xu Lin followed Pei Danqing to the legendary CCTV building.

Along the way, Xu Lin met many celebrities from the screen.

However, Xu Lin was unmoved by this. First, he didn't idolize celebrities, and second, he had already reached this level where he could take any celebrity in stride.

Of course, if it were those big shots who could just casually utter a word that could be considered policy, even if Xu Lin were a true dragon, he would have to behave himself.

Sixth floor.

Xu Lin saw Old Bi Deng from yesterday again.

The old man's name is Wu Zongting. Today he is wearing a black Tang suit and is using a cane.

When Wu Zongting saw Xu Lin, he didn't give him a friendly look, just snorted coldly and didn't say a word.

Xu Lin didn't say anything. He came in with his hands in his pockets, and his suit made him look like a dragon among men.

But Xu Lin felt it wasn't enough, so he silently activated another buff: "Awesome Without Angry".

Therefore, Xu Lin only glanced at Wu Zongting casually, and Wu Zongting felt a chill in his heart. He was a little scared and unconsciously took three steps back. His heart was racing. He thought to himself, "Why does this kid look a little strange?"

Your bodies and names will perish, but the Yangtze River will flow on forever!
—Du Fu.

Old Bi Deng, that's all you've got. Watch closely, it's my time to shine!

Xu Lin felt that it was best not to provoke this old man.

Xu Lin isn't a celebrity; he doesn't need to be active on screen, so he won't be held hostage by fans at all.

reputation?

Xu Lin didn't care.

The group is currently in a music room, which contains all kinds of musical instruments from both the East and the West.

Xu Lin has not studied Western musical instruments yet; he can play the guitar and piano at most.

Xu Lin is proficient in many classical Eastern musical instruments.

On a whim, he picked up an erhu.

"Xu Lin, do you play the erhu?"

Director Pei was curious.

I know a little about the erhu.

Xu Lin didn't mention that he was already proficient in the erhu.

He sat down, placed the erhu on his lap, and looked quite dignified.

"Oh, pretending!"

Wu Zongting couldn't help but say that Xu Lin didn't take him seriously and had even scolded him yesterday. Wu Zongting was so angry that he couldn't sleep all night.

Confucius said: "At fifty, I knew the mandate of Heaven; at sixty, my ear was attuned to the truth; at seventy, I could follow my heart's desire."

Wu Zongting was already seventy-six, an age when he should be able to do as he pleased. However, ever since Xu Lin had confronted him last night, he had been feeling depressed.

If this gets out, he'll lose all face.

Just then, Xu Lin also stopped indulging him: "You old bastard, all you do is act like an old man, let's see who's putting on an act."

"You, surnamed Xu, are extremely impolite. Mr. Wu is a senior figure in your circle, and you should naturally show him respect. How can you be so disrespectful to your elders? Director Pei, don't you agree?"

Xiao Minghua couldn't help but say this, and then looked at Pei Danqing, who was standing there with her arms crossed.

Pei Danqing is quite serious and aloof.

Xiao Minghua felt a surge of desire; things that are unattainable always stir within, let alone something as beautiful as Pei Danqing.

However, he didn't sleep well last night either, and barely slept at all.

Because after dinner last night, he followed Pei Danqing's car and eventually discovered that Pei Danqing had taken Xu Lin to stay at her house.

As the night passed, no one but them knew what had happened between the two inside.

Fortunately, Pei Danqing walked without any strange behavior today, which relieved Xiao Minghua.

It should be noted that Xiao Minghua had been paying attention to Pei Danqing for several years, and knew that she had never been in a relationship and never got close to any boy.

If a woman is slept with by a man for the first time, she will walk strangely because she is not used to it at first. What if Xu Lin is very young and is a superhero? At this moment, Xiao Minghua actually hoped that Xu Lin was a strong man, because at least he could see that something was wrong. But thankfully, nothing was wrong.

Furthermore, their emotional state today didn't suggest that anything had happened.

Therefore, based on Pei Danqing's walking posture and the two people's reactions today, Xiao Minghua deduced that nothing probably happened between the two last night.

Xiao Minghua finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But like Wu Zongting, Xiao Minghua also disliked Xu Lin, and the more he looked at him, the more he disliked him.

Oh shit!

That bastard actually moved into Pei Danqing's house.

You have to understand, how many years has Xiao Minghua liked Pei Danqing? Even if he ultimately fails to win her over, even if Pei Danqing is won over by another man, she shouldn't be some young, blond-haired girl who's not even twenty years old and just popped up out of nowhere!

This is so incredibly embarrassing for him.

rough!
How could Xiao Minghua tolerate this?

Therefore, Xiao Minghua seizes every opportunity to refute Xu Lin in order to suppress him, and at the same time, to let Pei Danqing see clearly that this Mr. Xu is a morally bankrupt scoundrel.

At the same time, Xu Lin looked at him: "Alright, you sit at the children's table. If you like respecting the elderly so much, why don't you go to a nursing home or old people's home? And what do you mean by jumping in when I told you about Mr. Wu's mutual respect and uncontrollable feelings?"

Xu Lin didn't even want to talk to this person. What's the worst thing about men? They like to put down another man in front of their goddess in order to make themselves look better and get the goddess's attention.

This is one form of competition.

Xu Lin knows him all too well.

Damn it!
Who's showing you any sympathy?

Wu Zongting was speechless.

However, he didn't want to pay attention to Xu Lin because Xu Lin was too sharp-tongued and shameless, and he felt like he couldn't win an argument with him.

Wu Zongting said to Xiao Minghua, "This person is young and hasn't gained much influence yet, so we don't need to pay him any attention!"

"Yes, Mr. Wu!"

Xiao Minghua was about to refute Xu Lin, but with Wu Zongting's comfort, he felt much better and decided not to argue with a young man who had just come of age.

However, Xu Lin didn't want to argue with them anymore.

"Old Deng, do you know anything about the erhu?" Xu Lin asked Wu Zongting.

"Of course I know how to play the erhu. And what do you mean by calling me Lao Deng?"

"You call me a brat too, so how about I call you an old scoundrel? Do you want to be an old scoundrel or an old fool?"

"Ha! Eloquent!"

Damn it, this is so frustrating. Wu Zongting felt as uncomfortable as a eunuch going to a brothel when facing Xu Lin.

"Listen up, Lao Deng. Let's see how good my erhu is. I'm not going to waste time with your nonsense. Let's let our skills speak for themselves."

After saying that, Xu Lin started playing the guzheng on the spot.

A mournful erhu melody.

Is all erhu music sad?
No, that's not true. In fact, the erhu has a very rich timbre. The low register is sad and sorrowful, the middle register is lyrical and melodious, the high register is lively and agile, and there is also a sharp high register.

Xu Lin is currently playing sad music.

However, this is just the beginning, because he will rise through each register one by one.

Xu Lin's learning ability and erhu skills, while not quite reaching the pinnacle, are still very strong.

A piece of erhu music came out, and it was an impromptu composition by Xu Lin.

The music was so melancholic that it drew people in within ten seconds, and as they listened, they felt a deep sadness in their hearts.

What exactly is causing this discomfort?
Some people thought of their own love, how their first love left because they saw no hope in them.

Some people thought of their hometowns, but now they are drifters in Beijing, unable to return home.

Some people thought of their parents, who have passed away, and now they can only find solace in their recordings, photos, and videos.

Some people thought of their own difficult childhood. One such person was Wu Zongting, who had a very tough childhood. In the 1950s and 60s, people didn't have enough to eat or wear. He actually ate tree bark and leaves when he was a child. Later, when he grew up, he went out to make a living and suffered a lot before his life finally improved. However, due to special circumstances, he was imprisoned for several years.

Why is my life like this?

My first half of life was too bitter!

Wu Zongting almost burst into tears.

However, he held back. It was too embarrassing. He couldn't admit defeat in front of Xu Lin, otherwise he would lose face.

As they listened, many people had tears welling up in their eyes.

But Xu Lin's voice shifted, moving from sorrow and grief into another register. This lyrical and gentle tone quickly pulled the listener out of their grief.

"This kid really has real skills!"

Wu Zongting was quite shocked, but his pride told him that he couldn't admit that the man was outstanding!

A few minutes later, the timbre changed again, becoming cheerful and lively, giving people a pleasant feeling as if they were dancing.

The moment Xu Lin stopped playing the erhu.

A round of applause broke out, and then everyone clapped along. It turned out that Director Pei was leading the applause.

"Sounds good!"

Pei Danqing wiped the corners of her eyes with her fingers.

However, not everyone applauded; Wu Zongting and Xiao Minghua did not.

"Old Deng, how are you feeling?" Xu Lin hadn't forgotten about the old man, Wu Zongting.

"Ha, it's just a trivial skill. I learned to play the erhu more than forty years ago!"

"Alright, Old Deng, I know what you're thinking."

"Ha!" Old Deng snorted coldly.

Xiao Minghua didn't forget to add, "It's just so-so!"

Xu Lin didn't even want to talk to him. You can't expect someone who doesn't like you to applaud you. Humans are creatures that like to make the same mistake over and over again. Otherwise, if you admit that someone else is excellent, where will you put your own pride?

On the other side, Xu Lin put down the erhu and picked up a guzheng.

"Xu Lin, do you also know how to play the guzheng?" Director Pei asked.

"I also know a little about the guzheng!"

Can I say that I know everything? Of course not. He prefers to speak with facts rather than words, otherwise people who question him will automatically jump out.

Xu Lin is a results-oriented person.

Ta-da!

With the guzheng in hand, Xu Lin played a few notes, gathering his emotions.

What should I play?
Xu Lin thought for a moment and decided to play some somber music.

Instruments like the guzheng and guqin are quite suitable for playing music of similar styles.

The opening music is eerie, quickly drawing the listener into the story.

Xiao Minghua heard eerie and even somewhat terrifying music, and he couldn't help but look behind him.

Oh shit.

It's daytime now!
Outside the window, you can see blue sky, white clouds, and the sun.

clank!

However, the music became even more eerie and terrifying, as if a troop of people was charging towards them—no, it should be said that a troop of ghostly soldiers was charging towards them.

terrible!

"I'm going to the bathroom!"

One of the girls present couldn't take it anymore and started trembling.

After the girl left, a big man followed her out.

Then came the third, the fourth, and the fifth person.

Five people left in succession.

"This kid is actually this strong?"

Wu Zongting was deeply shocked. Xu Lin's skill level was truly too high. He admitted that he could not play music that could draw people in like this. He could only stay on the surface.

Music can evoke emotional fluctuations. The more powerful the music, the stronger the emotional response and the greater the effect.

Xu Lin's strength goes without saying.

He has a very strong ability to compose music; he can do it anytime, anywhere, however he wants.

Ten minutes later, the song ended.

"Old Deng, how are you feeling?"

Old Bi Deng remained silent, unwilling to acknowledge Xu Lin, but inwardly he had to admit that Xu Lin was indeed very formidable.

Xu Lin continued his performance, and then sat down in front of a guqin (a seven-stringed zither).

"Xu Lin, do you also play the guqin?"

Pei Danqing couldn't help but ask her, "Xu Lin's performance today was truly astonishing."

"Isn't this something you can easily do?"

Xu Lin said, "For someone like me who's in the martial arts world, having more skills is never a bad thing."

What should one play on the guqin?
Xu Lin's sharp eyes swept across the entire room, finally settling on Pei Danqing.

Speaking of Pei Danqing, she really looked great today, quite casual. She was still wearing a shirt, but the pencil skirt she wore yesterday had been replaced with trousers, and her shoes had changed from high heels to sneakers. However, Pei Danqing still tucked the hem of her shirt in, and I wonder if she always likes to dress like this.

Pei Danqing is very beautiful, a top-tier mature woman.

The ospreys cry, on the islet in the river; a fair maiden, a gentleman's ideal.

Liking a woman, especially a beautiful one, is an instinctive reaction for males after they reach adulthood. At this time, hormones in the body begin to gradually take control of the brain, just like the saying goes: all things revive, and animals have reached mating season again.

In primitive societies, male courtship was a simple affair: if a male saw a woman on the road, he would knock her unconscious with a stick, carry her back to his cave, mate with her, and have her bear his children. In this way, his genes would be continued and his bloodline would be passed down.

When humans entered the civilized era, the process of male courtship became much more complicated. You can't just knock them unconscious with a stick, can you?
In Xu Lin's view, winning over a woman requires tactics and strategies. Since the goal is to win her over, any means are acceptable except for underhanded or illegal methods. The objective is to win her over, and as for the process, you can go wherever it works.

Soldiers who, deception also.

"Let me sing 'The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate'!"

Xu Lin thought of this piece of music. It is worth mentioning that more than two thousand years have passed and "Phoenix Seeking Its Mate" has not been lost. However, since this piece has been passed down for more than two thousand years, there are many versions. You don't even know which version is the one that Sima Xiangru played two thousand years ago. Just like Chinese characters, which have been constantly evolving over thousands of years, music is a subjective thing. Different people will have different feelings when they play it, so it is normal for it to change.

Of course, when Sima Xiangru played the zither, Zhuo Wenjun on the other side was also captivated, after all, Zhuo Wenjun was a woman of great talent.

There is a very famous line of ancient poetry: "I wish to win one heart, and stay together until our hair turns white."

Many people know this ancient poem.

But many people may not know that the author of this quote is the talented woman Zhuo Wenjun.

Getting back to the point, it was precisely because Zhuo Wenjun was a woman of great talent and had the ability to appreciate beauty that she and Sima Xiangru were attracted to each other. Otherwise, if you were to play the zither for a woman who had little education, it would be like casting pearls before swine; she wouldn't understand, and you would only be deluding yourself.

Is Pei Danqing educated?
Xu Lin examined her closely and thought Pei Danqing had a very good temperament, so she must be quite knowledgeable.

"A person with a wealth of knowledge naturally exudes elegance." This is not just an empty saying. You can tell whether a person has good character at a glance. That's how magical character is.

(End of this chapter)