A Young Woman's Heart

"Huh?" This time, not only Wang Jiale, but even Mo Xiaoxiao and the others couldn't help but turn their heads to look at Mr. Xue.

"Mr. Xue is a hidden... gangster... boss?" Yu Shu stammered, seemingly unable to believe what she was seeing.

While others weren't as extreme as her, they weren't far off.

"Haha, we were just young and impetuous back then, but we've turned over a new leaf now!" Wu Xiaoping laughed heartily, shifting his gaze from Mr. Xue's face to Mo Xueyao's. "Xiaoyao, is this the band you were talking about? Is Mr. Xueyao also a member of the band?"

"Yes."

"Oh? What instrument does he play?"

"Hmm—suona." Mo Xueyao deliberately didn't say bamboo flute.

"As expected of the master!"

"You flatter me," Mr. Xue replied jokingly.

"Come, come, let me introduce you..."

When a group of people meet, they naturally need to get to know each other.

Mo Xueyao introduced the band members, and at this moment she seemed more like the leader.

There weren't many of Wu Xiaoping's people today; only three of them were in the shop.

It is said that the others went to buy things, while Wu Xiaoping still needs to compile a list.

"Sigh, everyone chipped in some money, I need to tally the total and then see if there's anything I absolutely have to buy..."

"Then you continue with your work, we'll practice here, is that alright?"

"No problem, no problem."

"It might be noisy!" Hua Yinyin patted the box containing the Mozhu You drum kit next to her.

“No problem, no problem, we love listening to heavy metal!” Wu Xiaoping’s eyes started to light up.

Mo Zhuyou gave an awkward twitch of her lips: "It's not that exaggerated..."

The store had clearly been renovated.

The original furniture was rearranged.

Most of them were placed against the right wall, and the plot of land that Mo Xueyao wanted was indeed vacant.

There's no stage set up here yet, so the drum kit can just be placed on the ground.

"Oh, by the way, I originally wanted to buy you some more professional chairs, but I was short on funds, so I ended up with three old bar stools..."

"It's okay, as long as I can sit, it's fine. Besides, sometimes practicing while standing is more effective." Hua Yinyin sat on the high bar stool and spun around, feeling like she was in an underground bar all over again.

Of course, this place is much brighter than an underground bar—even in the evening.

The sun was slowly setting, its orange rays slanting into the room, bringing a slight warmth.

Wang Jiale has already taken out his bass guitar and is making minor adjustments, or you could say he's getting a feel for it.

Even though it's just practice, there are other people watching, so I can't afford to embarrass myself too much.

Fortunately, the bass is mostly inaudible, and even if it goes off-key occasionally... most people probably wouldn't notice.

“Every time—at this time—” Wang Jiale painstakingly set up his drum set, adjusting the distance to make sure it was the most comfortable position, “I just—envy—you guys so much!”

"But the sound of the drum kit can't be ignored when playing."

“That’s true.” Mo Zhuyou nodded in agreement, seemingly feeling that her hard work was worthwhile, but she immediately realized something was wrong. “What about Xiaoxue! His suona is so small, even more portable than your qin! But every time, my drum can’t keep up with his rhythm!”

“The suona is considered a musical instrument hooligan and is not within the normal scope of calculation…” Wang Jiale coughed lightly, somewhat embarrassed.

Wu Xiaoping watched them for a while, and seeing that they hadn't arranged everything yet, he lowered his head again to start calculating.

On a newly bought old sofa next to him, Zhou Yufan, looking like a panda, lay down again, seemingly planning to catch up on sleep with the help of music.

Zhu Zhimao was fiddling with something nearby, seemingly assembling furniture.

Mo Xueyao clearly saw that there was an extra game console in the corner of the wall.

If this continues, who knows, they might turn this place into an arcade someday...

"Yu Shu!" After setting up the electronic keyboard, Mo Xueyao sat comfortably on the folding keyboard stool.

It wasn't that she disliked high stools, it's just that they were too high; if she sat on one, she wouldn't be able to press the piano keys...

"Huh?" Yu Shu, who was gently pressing the synthesizer, looked up nervously.

"Didn't Xiaoxue install the sound of another instrument for you before? Do you want to try that? What's it called...?"

"Is it tuned to the instrument I brought last time?" Hua Yinyin took out the small thumb piano from her bag. "This is called a kalimba!"

"You still have it with you...?"

"Of course, sometimes when I'm on the bus home, if there's a seat, I'll play it for a while. It's quite fun, you know. If you want one, Xiaoyao, I'll buy you one."

"Forget it... I don't even have time to play the electronic keyboard..."

"That...that hasn't been practiced properly yet..."

"Of course you have! I've seen you practicing these past few days."

"We haven't been with everyone yet..."

"Let's practice together and give it a try!"

"Hmm, if it's suitable, I can include it in the new song!" Hua Yinyin was also very excited. "It's been so long since I composed a new song. I don't know if it's because my standards have been too high lately, but I've written several songs before and I'm not satisfied with any of them..."

“Inspiration doesn’t come often,” Wang Jiale said matter-of-factly.

"Boom boom—bang bang! Okay, I'm all done!" Mo Zhuyou raised her drumsticks high. "We can start now!"

Mo Xiaoxiao, who had just helped set up the drum set, stood up, stepped back to the sofa, and sat at the other end of the sofa.

"May I sit here?" she asked with a gentle smile, her eyes like crescent moons, her two deep dimples adding to her gentle charm.

"No problem!" Wu Xiaoping glanced at her and nodded cheerfully.

After turning his head back, he couldn't help but glance back at her again.

He then discovered that she was still looking at him, and he laughed awkwardly twice.

While Mo Xueyao with her blue eyes is certainly beautiful, he seems to be more interested in Mo Xiaoxiao.

"Boom boom!" The sound of the drum kit interrupted his thoughts.

Mo Zhuyou stared at him with wide eyes and banged her drumsticks hard: "One, two, one, two, three!"

As the drumbeats began, the other instruments followed suit.

This song has lyrics by Mo Xueyao and music by Hua Yinyin.

The name is very simple: Shower.

Compared to other songs, this one is relatively soothing.

Most of the time, the drumbeats exist only as a sound similar to raindrops, which is relatively gentle.

Yu Shu had already switched the shoulder-mounted electronic synthesizer to kalimba mode, and when she pressed the button, it produced that ethereal sound.

It sounded as if it were coming from an ancient, quiet forest.

Moreover, it was a mysterious forest that hadn't been visited by anyone for hundreds of years.

If the drumbeat is the dull, massive sound of rain, then it is the continuous, crisp sound of rain, or the sound of wind blowing in the rain.

Wu Xiaoping glanced at them in surprise; clearly, this was completely different from what he had imagined 'rock and roll' to be.

This includes pieces like "Fallen Leaves Are Like Potato Chips" that were played during later practice sessions.

"Is this considered new popular rock? It sounds pretty upbeat."

"I guess so, but these should be called light music."

"Sure enough, it didn't feel like the kind of rock I usually listen to."

“Light music isn’t that noisy…” Mo Xueyao shrugged.

“That’s not noisy, that’s dynamic and rhythmic.” Wu Xiaoping couldn’t help but raise his voice a little.

"Yes, yes, yes—"

"Haha, I won't comment. You guys continue. There's water in the water dispenser if you want some."

"—Speaking of drinking water..." Hua Yinyin, who had just finished practicing the third piece, let her hands fall listlessly. "Isn't it time for a break?"

"Hey, hey, we've only been practicing for less than twenty minutes, okay?"

"Practice for twenty minutes, then rest for twenty minutes... It's about balancing work and rest!"

In response, Mo Xueyao rolled her eyes dramatically.

"It's rare to practice together, let's practice..." Yu Shu insisted softly, standing on Mo Xueyao's side.

"Take a break, drumming is tiring..." Mo Zhuyou pressed her little face against the drum set, as if she might slip off the drum stool at any moment.

"Let's vote!" Mo Xueyao looked at Mr. Xue. "Whoever gets the most votes will get it, but if they're the same, it's just practice!"

"Okay~" Hua Yinyin said, raising her arm. "Those who agree to have tea and rest, please raise your hands!"

Mo Xueyao and Yu Shu remained motionless, while Mo Zhuyou and Wang Jiale raised their hands one after another. Her gaze fell on Mr. Xue, and she stared intently at him.

He is the key to victory right now!

Unfortunately, Mr. Xue also smiled and raised his hand, saying, "Shall we take a break?"

"Oh dear, why is Xiaoxue like this too! She's been corrupted by Yinyin!"

……

Chapter Seventy-Eight: A Rare Band Tea... Band Practice! (Part Two)

"Oh dear, how come Xiaoxue is like this too? She's been corrupted by Yinyin!"

Hua Yinyin glanced at her and gently brushed her hair aside: "Hmph, if Xiao Yaoyao wants to practice, she can practice by herself later."

"We gathered everyone together to practice our teamwork, okay... Otherwise, couldn't we have practiced at home? Seriously..." Mo Xueyao rolled her eyes at her, her gaze almost like she was looking at an idiot. "Are you an idiot?"