At 3 a.m., the landmines in front of the station

"I choose him! I choose him! I want a cat to study with me!"

"???"

"The cat owner just graduated, and now that she's graduated, she can pursue further studies! If she studies piano with a master, she might become more skilled, and her playing won't be as cute anymore!"

"..."

Su Che was convinced.

He never expected that there would be such a checkpoint waiting for him at the school gate.

Judging from the expression on Hayasaka's manager's face, it seemed to be a half-smile, giving the impression that it was premeditated.

"Su Che, I checked your information and it just happens to meet the master's requirements for recruiting students to accompany him in his studies."

It's worth noting that your university's newly established international exchange program has brought in many new professors who, with investment from the university, have set up private studios in the new building. This facilitates internships for graduates and further education for current students.

She approached with a smile, holding the tablet, and patiently explained,

"And if you can accompany Miya to complete her studies, you will not only be able to enjoy master courses for free, but also gain more industry opportunities."

Furthermore, accompanying your child to study isn't simply about attending classes; you also receive a "study-accompanying allowance" from "Lingyun." The specific amount is dynamically set based on your responsibilities and is deposited into your account at the end of each month.

"what?"

Su Che felt dizzy, but he could roughly understand, "Does that mean whoever Miya chooses can get free masterclasses while also enjoying an extra salary as a side income?"

"Yes. The prerequisite is that the person Miya chooses can pass our review."

Hayasaka pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, staring at Su Che in the reflection of the lenses: "If it's you, then there's no need for verification. Just send me the card number."

"........."

Su Che was caught in a dilemma.

He understood.

He is making a choice.

The current situation is clearly an organized and planned trap set against me.

But at first glance, this trap seems quite tempting.

Especially considering Hayasaka's super-elite secretary attire, combined with her status as a high-level agent at "Lingyun," the "salary" she mentions is definitely not a pittance.

If the monthly salary is less than a few thousand yuan, it's like slapping Lingyun in the face. This can be deduced with a little thought.

On the other hand, Su Che had already heard of the Brazilian master Marci, knowing that he was a master of fusion jazz with unique compositional ideas and could speak some Chinese.

Although Miya is by my side, in most cases, someone who plays the piano well isn't necessarily a teacher.

As for Master Ma, he has been teaching for over 30 years, even longer than I am. If I were to learn from him, even if I weren't a formal disciple, just by listening in, I would probably benefit greatly.

From a long-term perspective, it plays a crucial role in promoting his development within the band.

[Is it really not impossible?]

Su Che narrowed his eyes and looked at Miya again.

Miya's pleading eyes had already conveyed what she wanted to say—

She longs to be accompanied and receive more care.

"May I ask, what is the frequency of the courses?"

Hayasaka: "One session a week, one morning, specifically from 10:00 to 11:30 every Monday, for one and a half hours."

"Oh……"

Su Che nodded, then his pupils contracted. "Huh? Wait. You mean, only one class a week??"

"Yes, you also play the piano, don't you understand? When a master teaches, he often only gives some pointers, and the most important thing is the student's own practice. It's not that the more lessons a student attends, the better they will learn."

"...That's true."

Su Che raised his head slightly and took a deep breath.

He understood what Hayasaka was saying, but considering the conditions she offered... Su Che felt he didn't quite understand.

[Spend one day a week with Miya and you'll get paid for "Spiritual Enlightenment"...?]

[Could I meet masters, make new and highly talented classmates, and gain access to new opportunities within the industry?]

Is there really such a good thing in the world?

The return on investment is beyond comprehension?

The prize pool is still growing.

The temptations kept accumulating.

After much deliberation, Su Che concluded that from any perspective, this was a sure-fire way to make money.

Just as graduation was approaching, I had nothing to do except for the band, and I didn't want to go back to "Night Listening" to work full-time for the boss lady, because that would likely result in her feeding me endlessly, which wasn't a good idea.

Accompanying a cat to study not only provides an extra source of income, but also sounds effortless and provides emotional support, allowing the cat to feel loved by its owner. It's a win-win situation and an option that should be taken.

With this in mind, he nodded:

"Okay. That's settled then. I accept this proposal. Please tell me everything I need to prepare and all the necessary procedures."

"very good."

Hayasaka smiled with satisfaction, a smile that carried the relaxed air of a mature woman deceiving a child.

Su Che frowned, his wariness growing, but he didn't back out.

Over the next few days, he took the kitten to the special education building, followed Ms. Hayasaka to the academic affairs office to complete the accompanying student procedures, and also picked up his own degree certificate.

Graduating from senior year wasn't as complicated as I'd imagined.

What Su Che had previously thought were things like graduation photos and farewell dinners were referred to as "voluntary activities" by Su Che's advisor. "Many people are introverted and feel it's unnecessary, so they don't participate."

In today's impersonal society, people are the majority, especially in art schools. Everyone has their own things to do, so what sounds like a very important "graduation" day has simply turned into going back to school to receive a degree certificate and a graduation certificate, nothing more.

Walking on the stone path on campus, Su Che became interested in Ms. Hayasaka in front of him.

He wanted to find out more information about his cat from outsiders.

[I know that Ms. Hayasaka is a member of "Lingyun," and Miya and UU are also members of Lingyun. So, if I ask about their daily activities, will it help me improve my cat-raising skills?]

Thinking of this, he called out to Hayasaka and asked directly, "Miss Hayasaka, have you known Miya for a long time?"

"Ok?"

Hayasaka glanced back at him unexpectedly, then nodded cautiously. "Yes. Su Che, what would you like to know?"

"what……"

It doesn't feel good to be seen through at a glance, but Su Che didn't care and continued to dig for the information he wanted:

"I'd like to know more about Miya's teacher. What kind of person is he?"

Su Che had long realized that Master Cat was a divine being.

But every time I asked the kitten, it would hide the truth and never say anything.

Since I've found an opportunity to ask an outsider, I assume it won't involve anything confidential, right?

To everyone's surprise, Hayasaka's expression changed upon hearing this, and as if realizing something, he immediately put on a fake smile, "That person? I'm sorry, I don't have the authority to disclose anything about him."

"Does it really require authorization just to ask around?"

"Yes, I'm so sorry."

"."

Su Che became even more concerned.

He couldn't help but frown.

In his view, Master Cat is a master of musical instruments, a successful person with his own business, a lonely old man who dotes on his students and spoils them excessively, a mysterious leader whose power exceeds that of ordinary musicians, and at the same time, an invisible person with an extremely wide network of connections.

If the other party hadn't repeatedly affected his life, he probably wouldn't have bothered to pry into other people's affairs. But ever since the other party agreed to let the kitten learn how to have kittens, Su Che felt that something was off.

In particular, the voice coming from the microphone seemed to be familiar to someone I remembered.

Even though the memory is from a very long time ago, the sense of déjà vu is still very strong.

[If Miya won't tell, and Hayasaka won't tell, is there no way I can find out?]

"This kind of thing, you think it can stump me?"

Su Che dislikes information cocoons and doesn't believe that information isolation can confine him to one place forever.

After Aunt Gu's incident, he realized that he had to actively seek out and investigate some clues himself.

He has his own solution—

[I remember Miya mentioned that she recently took on a junior apprentice, I think it's... the one we played together last time, a pink Schecter SD24 new... oh wait, her name is Ling Yao.]

He carefully planned, and soon a smile appeared on his face as he remembered that he even had a note from Ling Yao.

If I approach the issue from Ling Yao's perspective, will she also be wary of me like this?

Even though I forgot to add it for several days, it doesn't matter. The other party definitely won't mind, right?

Su Che felt that, regarding her master, Ling Yao was more likely afraid to speak than unwilling to.

If she doesn't dare to speak...

That's easy to handle.

[Then I'll give her something in return, something enough to make her tell me all her secrets. Wouldn't that break down all her secrecy?]

Upon realizing this, Su Che suddenly understood.

Suddenly, I felt confident and assured of everything.

He really enjoyed the feeling of dismantling the bomb, like unraveling a mystery.

This process gives him the illusion that "I am still conscious," allowing him to resurface from his decadent lifestyle and breathe again.

It will make him raise his head and pierce through the dark clouds.

Hayasaka hadn't expected him to have this trick up his sleeve. She simply completed all the necessary procedures, said goodbye to him, and drove off to attend to her work.

Su Che stayed on campus alone, holding his graduation certificate. He thought that before contacting Ling Yao, he could go back to his dormitory first, meet his good friends one last time, and then go their separate ways.