After the haircut, Xie Hong came to find him.

She pulled Shi Ye into the livehouse, not saying a word before pouring him a beer.

They had just held a performance last night, so the place was a mess and wouldn’t be cleaned up until the afternoon. Xie Hong was still dressed flamboyantly. She looked at the bandage on Sheng Xia’s left cheek and just smiled, not teasing him.

“I need to talk to Shi Ye about something,” Xie Hong said to Sheng Xia, “You go to the kitchen and make yourself a drink, or go listen to some music at the front desk, okay?”

Sheng Xia nodded and glanced at Shi Ye before turning and heading to the front desk.

Shi Ye watched Xie Hong skillfully light a cigarette and smoke in front of him, then smiled and said, “It’s been a few years, and our Xiao Hong is becoming more and more like a boss.”

“I can’t compare to you,” Xie Hong said, “I’m just running a small business to have some fun, not living as rich and colorful a life as you, Master Shi.”

Shi Ye picked up the glass and took a sip. It did taste good, not bitter or astringent, with a hint of wheat flavor.

It was hot, and he was indeed thirsty. He finished the beer in one gulp and asked Xie Hong, “Not going back to Beijing?”

“No, staying here is so much better. The weather’s nice and comfortable,” Xie Hong said, ashing her cigarette, “Beijing is too cold.”

“Yunnan is too far, you should find somewhere closer.”

“Far is good, otherwise, I keep thinking about those days,” Xie Hong smiled, “Let’s not talk about me, let’s talk about you. How long are you planning to stay?”

“I’ve always done things according to my mood, as you know.”

“Rare opportunity to visit, stay a few more days,” Xie Hong played with her hair, “I found a star-rated tour guide for you, contact them. I’m heading to Chuxiong this afternoon, won’t have time to entertain you for a few days, so get yourself a guide.”

Shi Ye looked at Xie Hong for a moment before smiling gently, “Xie Hong, are you too busy to entertain me, or do you not want to entertain me?”

“Both,” Xie Hong replied nonchalantly, “Everyone in our circle knows what happened between us and Gao Ce… Although we still have a connection, you’re now working with him, so we… You know what I mean?”

Shi Ye remained silent for a moment before reaching for the beer in front of Xie Hong and taking a sip.

“Yeah, I understand,” Shi Ye nodded, “I won’t mention it to them when I go back, let alone mention you. Rest assured.”

“Thanks.” Xie Hong flicked her cigarette, took out another one, but didn’t light it, just held it in her hand and played with it, “I’m heading out to Chuxiong this afternoon, a friend’s getting married. Technically, you came here to help me, so I should entertain you properly, but you’ve already paid for your own room, and you seem like you want to enjoy some peace and quiet by yourself, so go ahead and explore on your own.”

Shi Ye was taken aback, “What?”

“You’ve already paid for Sheng Xia’s room yourself, right? Still being polite with me like before, really feels a bit awkward.” Xie Hong shook her head, “But it’s also good, let’s keep it simple. I remember your help this time, and I’ll repay you in the future.”

After a moment of reaction, Shi Ye looked up and glanced at Sheng Xia, who was sitting at the front desk listening to music.

“That sounds awkward, what are we even talking about, repaying favors?” He avoided mentioning the room charge, “You go do your thing, don’t worry about me.”

“I’ll send you the contact information for that tour guide,” Xie Hong said, opening her phone.

Shi Ye’s gaze returned to the front desk, where Sheng Xia was lost in the music.

“No need, tour guides are a hassle, I’ll figure it out myself.” Shi Ye refused directly, “You go handle your business, don’t worry about me.”

Xie Hong had no choice but to put her phone away and said, “Same as before, not wanting to owe anything to anyone.”

After they finished talking, Sheng Xia had almost fallen asleep at the front desk.

Xie Hong looked at the back of Sheng Xia’s head and whispered to Shi Ye, “This kid is quite fun, don’t be too harsh on him. He’s honest and straightforward.”

Shi Ye didn’t respond but reached out and flicked Sheng Xia’s ear.

Sheng Xia raised his head in a daze, took off his headphones, and looked at Shi Ye with sleepy eyes. There were still a few red marks on his face, and he looked a bit annoyed, as if being woken up had made him unhappy.

Xie Hong began to instruct him, “I’ll be going out this afternoon, catching a ride with your mom to Chuxiong. Did she tell you?”

“She did, said we’d probably be gone for three to five days.” Sheng Xia rubbed his eyes, “Hong Jie, remember to tell my mom to drive slowly.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Xie Hong straightened his collar, “You just take your idol and have a good time for a few days. Since he’s already settled the room charge himself, and he’ll pay for your expenses when you go out to play later, you don’t need to worry…”

Sheng Xia snapped awake instantly and interrupted anxiously, “Hong Jie… No, um, that, you don’t need to worry about us, you just go handle your business.”

He didn’t know if Shi Ye heard it.

As a result, Shi Ye suddenly interjected from behind, “Yeah, when I come out to play, I certainly won’t let others spend money. You don’t need to worry about anything extra, it’s unnecessary.”

No matter how you heard it, this statement seemed to have a hidden meaning.

Xie Hong, who didn’t understand, seemed satisfied, “Alright, then you guys go and have fun.”

After saying this, Sheng Xia was completely stunned in place, feeling embarrassed to turn back. It was Shi Ye who reminded him, “Let’s go.”

In the past, Shi Ye would definitely not have the mood to tease a strange-looking little boy like this. But now he was quite idle, and being idle made him do things he wouldn’t normally do and say things he wouldn’t normally say.

After the two of them walked out and walked side by side for a few steps, he looked up at the clouds in the distance and asked casually, “Do you always let guests stay at your homestay for free?”

He sounded casual.

Sheng Xia knew he couldn’t hide it, so he explained, “I’m sorry, Teacher Shi Ye… because it was too late yesterday, and it would be inconvenient for you to find accommodation elsewhere. I just brought you to my room. Because it’s my own room, I didn’t feel right charging you or anything. Please don’t mind.”

“You let me have your room, then where do you stay?”

“I have two rooms… the one you’re staying in is my music room, where I keep instruments and such.” Sheng Xia sounded cautious, “No one has stayed there before. Teacher Shi Ye, please don’t mind.”

“Xie Hong is my friend, and you’re Xie Hong’s recognized little brother. Logically, I should also treat you as a little friend Xie Hong recognizes,” Shi Ye paused, “But you’re being so evasive, what’s your purpose?”

Sheng Xia thought, What purpose could I possibly have? I just think it’s really nice that my idol can stay in my room.

“In that case, I’ll charge you,” Sheng Xia decided firmly, “Is that okay?”

“Sure,” Shi Ye nodded, “How much, just tell me. Also, think about the expenses for showing me around these days. I’ll pay you according to the market price here.”

Actually, Shi Ye said this out of laziness. Staying elsewhere might not be as good as Sheng Xia’s attic, and he didn’t like finding a tour guide either. The young man in front of him was his best choice for this trip.

Sheng Xia’s response was unexpected, “For the room fee… Teacher Shi Ye, you can buy me a pack of cigarettes every day to cover it. As for the expenses for showing you around… every evening, you can give me a lesson, help me with singing or something.”

Shi Ye almost laughed at this. Did this kid know how much his appearance fee was now?

But Sheng Xia didn’t seem to be joking. He nodded and said, “I’m serious, Teacher Shi Ye. I never thought I’d get to see you, to be this close to you… I can’t bring myself to charge you.”

Shi Ye was annoyed by the way he kept calling him “Teacher Shi Ye.”

“Can you stop calling me Teacher Shi Ye?” Shi Ye felt quite irritated, “I won’t take on students. I’m not patient, and I won’t teach anyone. And I definitely won’t buy you cigarettes; kids shouldn’t smoke.”

Sheng Xia insisted, “But I’m serious, Teacher Shi Ye. Can you teach me? I’ve never thought I’d see you this close… Can you charge me?”

In the past, Shi Ye would have directly retorted or rolled his eyes at such a request.

But Sheng Xia’s cautiousness towards him was quite pleasing, and it dissipated some of the fatigue Shi Ye had from his past work.

“I don’t like taking on apprentices, I’m not patient, and I won’t teach people. And I definitely won’t buy you cigarettes. Kids shouldn’t smoke,” Shi Ye bargained, “At most, I’ll play a few songs for you, and we can exchange some techniques.”

“That would be great!” Sheng Xia’s eyes lit up instantly, “Then this afternoon, I’ll take you to the town? There’s a place near my old middle school that sells delicious snacks. We can come back early in the evening, and Teacher Shi Ye, can you help me with a song I’ve been working on…”

How nice, Shi Ye thought, looking at Sheng Xia.

Young, sincere, and at an ignorant age, wearing all emotions on the face.

At that time, Shi Ye only felt that he envied a teenager.