Chapter 324

Chapter 324: Meeting Peng Xue Again

The Spring Festival of 2014 was at the end of January. After New Year’s Day, there were only a few days left before school started again. However, in preparation for the college entrance examination, the senior high students were all working hard on their studies.

Although Mei Fang had already reached a special admission agreement with Pengcheng University, which included preferential treatment, the three of them still needed to meet the first-tier university admission line. Otherwise, there would be some hidden issues later on.

In terms of academic performance, both Mei Fang and Lin You Xi had been consistently diligent. Mei Fang might have found it challenging, but for Lin You Xi, it was a piece of cake. As for Xia Yuan, who had switched to liberal arts, she could still ensure her scores in cultural subjects for the first-tier university admission.

Now, although they were preparing for the college entrance exam, they only needed to put in a little more effort. To avoid leaving too many problems for the future, the three of them still needed to review and prepare seriously. Especially Xia Yuan, who was diligently solving math problems every day.

“Ah Fang, Ah Fang, why do we need to differentiate here to prove this inequality?”

“I made a mistake somewhere in this conic function. I really don’t understand; I’ve been calculating for two hours.”

“It should be like this…”

Even though they were no longer tormented by physics, Xia Yuan still found mathematics and logical reasoning quite challenging. This was also evident in her calculations involving contour lines and isotherms in geography. However, Mei Fang patiently taught her as usual.

“Do you get it now?”

Xia Yuan grinned and stuck out her tongue, “If I encounter the same type of problem next time, I think I can solve it.”

“You’re amazing! Let me give you some love encouragement?”

“Okay, okay—ah, ouch, ouch…”

Mei Fang was tapping Xia Yuan’s head when her phone suddenly lit up.

A message from a long-lost friend appeared.

[Hello, Yuan Yuan]

[I’m back in Jiangcheng]

Excitedly, Xia Yuan shared this news with Mei Fang, “Ah Fang, Ah Fang! Look! Xiao Xue is back!”

“Let her stay at our place.”

While reminding Xia Yuan, Mei Fang quickly sent a message to Peng Xue.

[Peng, you’re finally back! How about staying at my place tonight?]

[No, no, I’ll stay at a hotel with my cousin. Don’t bother.]

[DON’T be so formal! We haven’t talked in a while, I have so much to catch up on and ask you.]

[Alright…]

[…]

“Xiao Xue’s message sounds so distant.”

Xia Yuan murmured to herself. Mei Fang leaned over to look at the message Xia Yuan shared.

“It’s normal to sound distant after not seeing each other for a long time.”

Mei Fang thought for a moment, “At least let’s meet up for dinner. She should be going home, and we can talk about her plans.”

“Mm-hmm, yes…”

Just as Xia Yuan was about to send a message, another one from Peng Xue arrived.

[We’re planning to perform at a quiet bar tonight. Do you have time to come listen?]

[Sure, sure! I just mentioned to Ah Fang that I wanted to meet you for dinner. It’s perfect to go to the quiet bar.]

[…]

Peng Xue responded with a series of ellipses.

[By the way, didn’t you break up with Mei Fang? Why are you still together?]

[This matter is a bit complicated…]

[Forget it.]

Peng Xue’s words clearly lacked enthusiasm for past matters.

[I’ll send you the address. If you want to come, feel free.]

[Sure, sure! I’ll get ready.]

Xia Yuan responded with many emojis, but Peng Xue did not reply with her usual cute and quirky ones.

…

After talking to Peng Xue, Xia Yuan’s smile gradually faded.

“Xiao Xue has really become much colder.”

“Maybe it’s not coldness, but just tiredness?”

Mei Fang thought for a moment and gently patted Xia Yuan’s shoulder.

“In any case, let’s see how she is now.”

Mei Fang considered, “Do you want me to go with you? You haven’t been to a quiet bar…”

Mei Fang shook his head, “Never mind, I’ll go with you. You’re a big star now; you can’t go alone.”

“A bodyguard isn’t necessary… Look, Xiao Xue’s band doesn’t have any boys, yet they got through it.”

Xia Yuan thought for a moment, “Then, Xiao Xue must have gone through a lot.”

“But I’ll go with you. I won’t go in with you, just watch from the corner.”

“I’m not that delicate… We agreed for seven PM, we can come back early. And why are you acting like my dad?”

“How can I not accompany you to a bar?”

“That’s just a quiet bar, there are lots of college students. Oh, right… Shall I bring You Xi along?”

“Then I definitely need to go! This is double trouble for me, how can I not worry if someone hits on you?”

“Who’s your wife! Can’t you be a bit more patient…”

Xia Yuan felt very happy being so needed by Mei Fang.

In the afternoon, Xia Yuan told Lin You Xi about this. Lin You Xi asked Mei Fang if she should go along. After getting a positive response, Lin You Xi decided not to go.

Her reason was simple.

“I was the one who took Ah Fang away from her, Peng Xue probably doesn’t want to see me.”

“She doesn’t seem to care anymore, why don’t you—”

Thinking about Peng Xue’s current attitude, Xia Yuan decided to go alone, “Then, Ah Fang and I will go?”

“Mm-hmm, be careful.”

Quiet bars mainly feature light music, creating a calm atmosphere without disco or dancing girls. They are suitable for conversations, friendship bonding, and casual drinks. Folk singers often perform there, making them popular among college students.

The Daphne Quiet Bar, located near the university district, was the most famous one. Xia Yuan and Mei Fang arrived by taxi and found it packed.

Outside, many young people in trendy outfits gathered, seemingly unaffected by the cold winter. Some smoked and laughed loudly.

The innocent Xia Yuan suddenly felt intimidated and clung to Mei Fang.

“Why, do we need to split up?”

“Ah Fang! You don’t want me to be hit on by strange men, right?”

“What kind of nonsense is this?”

Mei Fang rubbed Xia Yuan’s head and smiled, “There are many girls here, are you sure you’ll be the only one hit on, not me?”

“Stop joking around, let’s go in.”

Xia Yuan held Mei Fang’s arm, and they pretended to be an adult couple entering the quiet bar. The best seats were already taken, so they sat at a corner table. Just as they were about to order, a red-haired girl dressed in punk style approached them.

“I recognize you… Are you Fang Bao and Yuan Bao?”

“Oh.”

Xia Yuan felt embarrassed, “Today we came to watch a friend perform. I can sign for you, but please keep it quiet—”

*Pfft.*

The red-haired girl suddenly laughed.

“I know you’re here to watch a friend perform. I saved a good seat for you. Sit here?”

…

After experiencing social embarrassment, Xia Yuan blushed and hid in Mei Fang’s arms for a while before daring to come out.

“Was my signing gesture embarrassing?”

“Not at all, I think it’s cute.”

Mei Fang smiled at Xia Yuan, “Our Yuan Yuan is always cute.”

“You better mean it!”

Xia Yuan stuck out her tongue, “Speaking of which, what do you want to drink? Should we get cocktails?”

“I’m not of age yet, let’s just have non-alcoholic drinks.”

“Non-alcoholic drinks… like orange juice?”

“Not exactly, some cocktails are non-alcoholic. Like this one, it’s labeled…”

“How knowledgeable you are, Ah Fang!”

“Of course, I always prepare well before coming out.”

Mei Fang smiled and shook his head.

As the band members came out, Xia Yuan immediately searched for Peng Xue.

“Wow, Xiao Xue!”

Xia Yuan wanted to shout but feared disturbing others. She whispered and waved at Peng Xue.

Compared to six months ago, Peng Xue’s attire was simpler, wearing a black and white striped shirt and jeans. She adjusted her bass and tuned in — the lead singer and guitarist, Peng Xue’s cousin, surprised Xia Yuan.

Isn’t this the red-haired lady who greeted her earlier?

After hearing Xia Yuan’s call, Peng Xue looked up and gave her a faint smile before returning to tuning her instrument.

Apart from pierced ears with silver studs, Peng Xue seemed unchanged.

Amid sporadic applause, Peng Xue’s band began their performance.

Their first song was the well-known “Serious Snow.”

However, they adapted it into a folk-style song, starting with the bass and gradually incorporating the guitar.

[The snow falls so deep—so earnestly]

[Reflecting the scars on me lying in the snow]

[I don’t care about myself]

[How many scars I bear]

[But I care if you have anyone by your side]

The song transformed from a nostalgic sorrow to a restrained protest, conveying an unspoken grief.

Peng Xue’s cousin, Yan Zi, performed this silently with great depth, showcasing her impressive talent.

Listening to their singing, Xia Yuan felt inadequate.

“They sing so beautifully… much better than me.”

“I agree with the first part, but your styles are different.”

“But…”

As the song ended, everyone started clapping softly, including Xia Yuan.

After Yan Zi finished singing, she stepped down from the microphone and reminded everyone,

“Now, our bassist, Mi Xue, will present our new song.”

Following Yan Zi’s words, Peng Xue stood up and took the lead singer’s position.

She cleared her throat, noticed Xia Yuan eagerly watching her, then gripped the microphone and began singing softly—

[If you want to go to the beach]

[We can lie on the sand all night]

[If you want to take risks]

[I won’t be scared]

[We promised to reach the edge of the world]

[See the densest forests and endless snow]

When Peng Xue sang alone in Baimei County, her smoky voice was distinctive. Today, her voice was more subdued but still recognizable.

[Perhaps the brightest light will one day fade]

[Wishing we can withstand life’s changes]

[Want to stand by your side/Only by your side]

[Complete this adventure]

Xia Yuan listened quietly with her eyes closed, feeling Peng Xue’s voice through the song. Mei Fang sipped his non-alcoholic drink, watching Peng Xue sing intently.

Compared to her past sharpness and boldness, her new style seemed softer and more naive, evoking a sense of helplessness about the unpredictability of life.

Mei Fang listened and heard Xia Yuan’s soft sobbing.

Though he didn’t know why Xia Yuan was crying, Mei Fang remained quiet, only gently handing her a tissue when she shed tears.

After the band’s performance, Peng Xue quickly removed her bass and sat beside Xia Yuan.

“Long time no see, Yuan Yuan!”

After stepping off the stage, Peng Xue seemed to shed her persona and became more like the familiar person Xia Yuan and Mei Fang knew, “How have you been?”

“Mm… long time no see… sniff…”

Xia Yuan suddenly began to sob, and Peng Xue quickly hugged her, “What’s wrong with you? Why are you crying again? Did Mei Boss bully you?”

“No… I just… you were so cold in your messages today, I wondered if you didn’t like me anymore. But when I heard your song today and saw you lost weight, I felt you must have gone through a lot. I was just thinking about whether you still liked me… I’m too self-centered.”

“Hahaha… That’s not self-centered at all?”

Peng Xue laughed and patted Xia Yuan’s shoulder, then smiled, “Yuan Yuan is still the same as before… I’m fine. It wasn’t as tough outside as I imagined, nor as fun. My cousin and others took good care of me, and I was happy in Rongcheng.”

She turned and snapped her fingers at Mei Fang, who had been watching them, “Boss Mei, it’s rare for me to come back. Can you treat me to a [Alexander]? I’m tired from singing.”

“Sure, I’ll order it for you.”

Mei Fang stood up and noticed Peng Xue’s forearm, which bore a prominent and tiny word: “Yuan.”

…

Upon first hearing Peng Xue’s solo on stage, she sounded lonely and desolate, as if singing a melancholic song in the far north.

But once they spoke, she reverted to her familiar, outgoing personality, as if everything had returned to normal, yet something seemed irretrievably lost.

Today, there will be another chapter by midnight, this is to make up for yesterday’s 4000 words.

Friendship recommendation: “Are you completely ignoring the rules?”

“Winning is enough, why bother with the rules.”