It was just a love letter; I'm really no great writer!

"Huh?" Zhu Yishu was confused. "There's someone else playing the pipa?"

"I think so," Gu Xian said.

After she finished eating the rice in her bowl.

Pour out the clear broth from the clay pot, take a small sip, and the delicious flavor spreads in your mouth, making you close your eyes in satisfaction.

The ancients said that beauty is edible, but Lu Ran thought that beauty was more edible than food.

Watching her eat is a pleasure; her full appetite hints at a satisfied desire.

"Senior Gu, who else plays the pipa? Do you know them?" Zheng Yue asked, a little confused.

"I don't know any of the art students taking folk music classes," Gu Xian said.

The music examination in Chiang Du province is in January next year, so art students will enroll in training classes in advance.

The folk music teacher at Huaizhong High School is Xie Jingna, a professor at Qingdu Conservatory of Music. There are so many students who come to study under her.

Lu Ran pondered for a moment and asked:

"So you didn't have classes this week?"

"Yes, classes ended last week." Gu Xian narrowed his eyes, like a long, slender crescent moon.

Zheng Yue scratched her head.

It was already like finding a needle in a haystack, but now it's like a clay ox sinking into the sea—completely lost without a trace.

Lu Ran relaxed and leisurely ate his food.

—As the saying goes, you won't be disappointed if you don't have expectations.

Despite his seemingly carefree attitude in advising Zheng Yue, he would be even more anxious than Zheng Yue if he were to actually meet that pipa player again.

Even with his pride and indomitable spirit, he couldn't withstand another devastating blow.

"Oh, that's a bit of a shame." Zhu Yishu said with a slight annoyance, then laughed heartily, "But you and A-Xian can be friends, maybe you'll get some inspiration!"

Gu Xian glanced at her best friend indifferently.

Zhu Yishu chuckled; her intention to matchmake her good friend with Lu Ran was quite obvious.

She had a good impression of Lu Ran—the fact that he could get along well with someone as rough and unrefined as Zheng Yue showed that he was tolerant and sincere.

Secondly, she is very talented; although she doesn't understand it, she seems very capable.

Most importantly, he's quite handsome and a perfect match for Ah-Xian in every way.

Of course, the downsides are also obvious: such outstanding men are in high demand and face many temptations.

Girls who lack confidence and self-assurance cannot be controlled...

However, judging from the love letters he had written before, which showed deep affection and devotion, Zhu Yishu figured he wasn't the type to start something and then abandon it.

That's why I had the idea of ​​playing matchmaker for my friend, not to deliberately set them up, but just to joke around.

"Okay, sure," Lu Ran replied with a smile.

He was still wondering who that mysterious pipa player was.

They're probably not from this school.

After all, Huaizhong is his stronghold; who doesn't know King Lu?

Hmm, are they art students from other schools who come to Huaizhong for classes?

Maybe like Gu Xian, he doesn't surf the internet much...

They might be shy or have low self-esteem, and therefore dare not approach you.

"This Jiangxi cuisine restaurant is absolutely amazing."

Lu Ran changed the subject, "The spicy chicken feet are very tender, stewed until they are soft and mushy, and they fall off the bone with just a touch. The spiciness is also off the charts. I give it full marks."

"Yes, yes!" Gu Xian's eyes lit up. "The chef here makes food that tastes just like it's from my hometown. I like it mildly spicy, not too pungent!"

She had been sipping the soup in small sips, clearly because it was too spicy.

Her small lips were bright red, and a layer of sweat glistened on her forehead, like a blush spreading across white porcelain. This added a touch of bold and alluring charm to her appearance.

"Is the senior student from Jiangxi Province?"

"Yes, my hometown is the porcelain capital."

"I heard that people there can really eat spicy food."

"It also varies between southern and northern Jiangxi. The food in my hometown is very bland. I can only eat a little bit of spice, but I can't do without it..."

Realizing he had talked too much, Gu Xian stopped talking and silently drank his soup.

Zhu Yishu smiled secretly, thinking to herself that Lu Ran was quite good at chatting.

Praising a girl's good shot area directly at her could be considered glib and slick.

Actually, when praising a beautiful woman, it's best not to compliment her figure or appearance; she's already beyond compare.

If you're going to praise someone, praise their inner qualities, their hard work, and their cats and dogs—do it subtly and without leaving a trace.

If she's married, empathize with her—empathize with her independence, her hardships, and her untold grievances—and maximize her emotional value.

Zheng Yue looked at Lu Ran with envy.

No wonder scholars have always been scoundrels. And you say you don't know how to flirt?

Lu Ran is completely innocent.

Isn't this just aimless chatting between strangers who become ordinary friends?

When you're with a girl, don't hesitate to show your affection.

But you must not reveal your purpose.

……

"Hello, checkout please."

After finishing her meal, Zhu Yishu went to the front desk to pay the bill.

"That handsome young man has already paid the bill," the receptionist said to Lu Ran.

"Then we'll give you the money," Zhu Yishu said.

"Okay." Lu Ran then opened the QR code and let them add each other as friends.

Then, looking at the trembling Zheng Yue, he suddenly called out to Gu Xian as they were getting off the elevator: "Senior, could you come here for a second? I have something to tell you."

Gu Xian, carrying a pipa bag, subconsciously glanced at Zhu Yishu.

Zhu Yishu blinked and gave a maternal smile: "Then we'll wait for you downstairs."

As she spoke, she quickly pulled the taciturn Zheng Yue into the elevator.

Seeing this, Lu Ran also revealed a knowing smile.

Gu Xian followed Lu Ran to the window in the corridor. At this moment, the sky outside the window presented a tranquil blue hue.

The cool, soft light gave her dark rose-colored hair an indigo misty glow, and her apple-like cheeks were flushed with a rosy blush, making her very alluring.

"What...what do you want to say?"

"Uh, I heard that the bride price in Jiangxi Province is very high, is that true?" Lu Ran casually made up a question.

"It depends on the location."

Seeing that Lu Ran was staring at him, Gu Xian had no choice but to explain:

"The bride price in the porcelain capital is not high, ranging from 60,000 to 80,000 yuan. In some places, it is much higher, reaching 300,000 yuan."

"So that's how it is." Lu Ran suddenly realized.

"It also depends on the person."

Gu Xian said, "My cousin's family lives in the countryside. She originally wanted a dowry of 300,000 yuan to get married, but her boyfriend of six years couldn't afford it..."

"And then you don't want a bride price?" Lu Ran asked with awe.

"No." Gu Xian pursed her lips. "Then she went on a blind date and married a man who was willing to pay a dowry of 400,000 yuan."

"..." Lu Ran's lips twitched slightly.

I never expected my senior to tell dry humor.

What, it's not a joke?

That would be even more humorous.

Judging that Zheng Yue should have sorted things out, Lu Ran said with a smile, "Haha, every place has its own customs. Let's go downstairs."

Gu Xian: ...

……

The two took the elevator downstairs.

Zheng Yue and Zhu Yishu were coming out of a convenience store next door, carrying several bottles of pure milk.

"Brother Ran, have some milk to cool down the spiciness." Zheng Yue ran over excitedly and handed a bottle to Lu Ran.

Lu Ran asked in a low voice, "Has it been sent out yet?"

"I gave it to you." Zheng Yue smiled broadly.

That's good... Lu Ran felt relieved, opened his phone, and received the payments one by one.

"We had a great chat, so let's head back now," Zhu Yishu said with a smile.

"Okay, bye-bye." Lu Ran waved goodbye as he watched them hail a taxi.

Gu Xian held the pipa bag in her hands, stepped into the car, and glanced back at Lu Ran who was flying backward.

"How was it? What did you talk about?" Zhu Yishu asked excitedly.

"He asked me about the bride price in the porcelain capital," Gu Xian said after thinking for a moment.

"...It's progressing so fast!" Zhu Yishu exclaimed in surprise.

She immediately beamed with joy.

"As expected, Ah Xian, you're so beautiful that even a great poet like Lu Ran fell in love with you at first sight!"

"No," Gu Xian shook her head slightly. "What about you?"

"Hehe, he wrote me a letter. It must have been Lu Ran who suggested it." Zhu Yishu opened the letter and read it over and over again.

Well, although the sentences are plain, the handwriting is a bit crooked.

But the things they told were all fresh and interesting, making them especially enjoyable to read.

"Ah-Xian, thank goodness you were here, otherwise I wouldn't have dared to go to Huaizhong to find him..."

She hugged Gu Xian affectionately, "So what should I do next?"

Gu Xian, like a chess player deep in thought, pondered, "You should also reply to him."

"We'll mainly chat online, but not too much, so we can go on a date alone next time..."

"Hmm, girls should be more reserved. You're being too enthusiastic."

"There's nothing we can do, he's just too dense," Zhu Yishu chuckled.

"Speaking of which... why do you like Zheng Yue? She doesn't seem special, and she's still in a rather immature stage," Gu Xian asked.

"Hmm..." Zhu Yishu looked at the letter, lost in memories, "I used to be very fat, and all my classmates laughed at me, but he was the only one who didn't mind at all. Although he also laughed at my fatness, he was the kind of person who made me happy..."

"Oh, let's not talk about this anymore."

"Ah-Xian, didn't Professor Xie only teach you? Why do you say you didn't hear the sound of the flute?"

After seeing the online video interpreting the song "Pipa Xing", Zhu Yishu immediately thought of Gu Xian.

If Lu Ran knew that A-Xian was the source of his inspiration for composing "The Song of the Pipa," he would have become an instant friend, if not a couple.

Was Ah Xian so engrossed in playing the pipa that she didn't notice Lu Ran's flute playing at all?

Wouldn't that mean Lu Ran wrote a masterpiece simply by being delusional...?

Gu Xian shook his head, gazing absently out the window.

……

"Brother Ran, she accepted my letter and even bought me milk. Does that mean there's something going on?"

Zheng Yue and Lu Ran scanned shared bikes and went back and forth on the non-motorized vehicle lane, with the evening wind whistling.

"Yes..." Lu Ran didn't want to talk to him.

This kid really hit the jackpot.

Most love in this world is constrained by reality.

What's most infuriating is that they're both love-struck and have no guile whatsoever. The real difficulties they face will only make them more united and help them overcome the challenges together.

Furthermore, Zheng Yue has matured considerably because of Li Xingping's situation, making it truly the right time and the right person.

Childhood sweethearts, being too familiar with each other, are less likely to spark a romance. But after parting ways, they unexpectedly reunited and both saw the other's good qualities...

Isn't that infuriating?

"Ran-ge, don't you think you and Senior Gu are destined to be together? She's beautiful and plays the pipa."

Zheng Yue also had her own ulterior motives.

If Ran-ge and Gu-xuejie get together, wouldn't that give me and Zhu Yishu a role model?

"Don't bother looking for that mysterious pipa player. She might just be an old lady who's seen it all," Zheng Yue laughed.

Lu Ran was speechless.

To be fair, there's some truth to Zheng Yue's nonsense.

The pipa music that resonated with him must have come from a seasoned musician with decades of experience in music theory, which is why his skill was so superb.

Gu Xian is too young; it's highly unlikely she's the pipa player...

Could the person playing the pipa be... Professor Xie?

"Stop talking nonsense. Do you even know what a musical prodigy is? Do you even know what an innate pipa physique is? I'm leaving." Lu Ran scoffed.

Believe that geniuses exist in this world.

I turned a corner and entered a side road, then returned the car at the entrance of the residential area.

He scrolled through his contacts on WeChat, wondering who he could reach with his network to get in touch with Professor Xie...

Seems to be in tune with each other.

A familiar name popped up at the top.

Di Qingling: "Let's meet at the entrance of Huaicheng Theater tomorrow, don't forget!"