“How interesting!”

Niu Xiaojun looked at Shi Ye, who was smoking opposite him, mocking incessantly, “This is interesting! In the morning, when I invited you to eat, you were unwilling and reluctant, with a very cold and reluctant tone, just replied with ‘okay’. But in the afternoon, you’re actively organizing a meal when it’s cloudy and turning sunny, huh?”

Xiao Xiang was playing with his phone, and upon hearing this, he also looked up and replied, “Interesting. A patient who was discharged from the hospital today due to a gastric bleeding, gathered with the band members in Xiao Zheng’s hot pot restaurant at 3:40 PM Beijing time. I wonder what’s the urgency?”

Zhong Zheng stared at the hot pot in front of him, jokingly continuing, “Interesting. Just a moment after suffering from gastric bleeding, the person organizes a meal gathering hastily, as if they’re about to enjoy my treat? I’m worried this patient might start bleeding halfway through the meal. What do you guys think?”

Shi Ye glanced at the time, furrowing his brows. He didn’t bother with their banter. Sheng Xia hadn’t arrived yet, and it was raining outside. He was worried the kid wouldn’t find the place, but he didn’t want to call and ask.

Growing impatient, Shi Ye asked Zhong Zheng, “Is there a guitar in here? Bring it out, let’s play.”

Xiao Xiang was reluctant upon hearing this, “What are you doing? Do you want me to watch you guys play a duet and feel left out? Can’t the drummer bring his instrument along?”

“Letting you listen to live music, and you’re still not happy!” Zhong Zheng laughed and got up to fetch the instrument.

Usually, when they gathered for dinner at the restaurant, Zhong Zheng would close the shop and send the staff home. At the moment, there were only a few of them and a waitress who didn’t want to ride her electric bike in the rain, huddled at the cashier playing “King of Glory”.

Everyone in the restaurant knew the boss played in a band. The young waitress, seeing Zhong Zheng with a guitar, peeked over with interest, saying, “Boss, cool! You’re cooler than Gao Jianli!”

Zhong Zheng accepted the praise from the young girl, but returned confused, “Why did this kid say I’m cooler than Gao Jianli? Isn’t Gao Jianli a historical figure? What does that have to do with me, the bassist who runs a hotpot shop?”

Xiao Xiang was about to burst into laughter and found Gao Jianli’s introduction in Baidu to show Zhong Zheng, “This is the one she meant, a game character with purple hair. How cool, Xiao Zheng!”

After the discussion about Gao Jianli ended, Zhong Zheng handed the guitar to Shi Ye, “Last time I played the fourth string, it wasn’t quite right.”

Then he handed the small drum that the cashier’s grandmother bought for her grandson to Xiao Xiang, “Here, you play this.”

Zhong Zheng himself used the old bass guitar in the shop.

After tuning the strings, Shi Ye said to Zhong Zheng, “The guitar of a bassist is always trash.”

Xiao Xiang shook the drum and didn’t bother to retort, just saying, “The drum the bassist plays with is so dusty that even kids don’t want to play with it anymore.”

Niu Xiaojun was used to seeing them like this at the dinner table. Suddenly starting to play the guitar and sing while eating was common, and many of the songs were written by them during meals.

Niu Xiaojun knew a bit about music theory and instruments but usually didn’t interfere. He quietly recorded some of their daily interactions, like these impromptu performances and arguments, on his phone. He had hundreds of videos like this.

After tuning the strings, Shi Ye thought for a moment and said to Zhong Zheng, “Let’s play ‘Polaris’, but change it up. Replace the bridge with…” He started playing and demonstrating, and Zhong Zheng immediately caught on, cutting into the bass part where it was supposed to appear.

Xiao Xiang played with the small drum while eating, causing chaos, temporarily acting as the lead singer.

After knowing each other for so long, their tacit understanding was self-evident. With just a few casual words, they understood each other’s intentions. After playing it once, Shi Ye felt the touch wasn’t right. It might be because they hadn’t touched the instruments for some time, or perhaps they hadn’t rehearsed together for too long.

He furrowed his brows and said to Zhong Zheng and Xiao Xiang, “Let’s try it again. It doesn’t feel right.”

“Wait a minute, Shi Ye, this version of ‘Polaris’ sounds familiar to me,” Zhong Zheng said, feeling like he had caught on to something, “What’s going on? Last week, didn’t you say you didn’t want Sheng Xia to join the band? You said you didn’t want him, but secretly went to watch his cover videos? And even learned to rearrange the scores like him?”

Xiao Xiang, enjoying the show, laughed along, “Shi Ye, what’s going on with you!”

Ignoring their banter, Shi Ye’s hands had already started the prelude smoothly. Zhong Zheng had no choice but to comply, slowly getting into the bass performance, while Xiao Xiang started humming the lyrics along with the melody:

“If I lose myself in a world of doubt,

And I wonder what’s mine.

There’s no doubt when you kiss me the star sighs,

It’s supernatural delight.

…

Xiao Xiang used chopsticks to tap the bowl rhythmically, singing his favorite line with his eyes closed:

“Please wake me up when the summer ends.”

Listening to this song, Shi Ye suddenly thought of that summer year.

All his vivid memories of summer seemed to be stuck in Dali four years ago. Since that year, Shi Ye began to dislike summer.

As Xiao Xiang sang the word “summer,” a figure appeared near the glass door directly opposite their table. Shi Ye and Zhong Zheng continued playing, but their gaze was drawn to the figure outside the door.

Sheng Xia held an umbrella, slightly lowering his head and furrowing his brow as he looked at the glass door in front of him. He hesitated for quite a while, unsure whether to push or pull the door.

After trying for a long time, he finally managed to push the door open. As he entered, he slipped on the floor, almost falling down. Watching Sheng Xia’s almost falling motion, Shi Ye’s body tensed up… and then, distracted, he pressed the wrong chord.

He sighed inwardly and decided to stop playing, simply holding the guitar and staring at Sheng Xia from afar.

Xiao Xiang, astonished by this series of actions, couldn’t help but exclaim, “How… when he sings, he seems quite stylish, but doing other things, why does he seem a bit dim-witted…”

“He seems cold and indifferent when singing, quite cool and powerful. The contrast in his life is so significant. I reasonably suspect that the person rehearsing songs with us that day is not the same person standing in front of us now.”

Niu Xiaojun sneered, “What are you saying? This is called being real. Shouldn’t life be different for those who excel in music? What’s wrong with contrast? If everyone were as boastful as you guys, our band would turn into De Yun She (a Chinese comedy group).”

“Alright, Professor Niu Degang,” Zhong Zheng joked with a fist bump, “I’m fine with that. We can transition to doing cross talk (a traditional Chinese comedic performance), it wouldn’t be bad to form a band in that style. In the future, let’s rent a van, take our stuff, and travel to different counties to perform at various events…”

Xiao Xiang chuckled, “Sheng Xia’s appearance would be out of place in a band like that! Hey, what’s he doing standing there? Can’t he see us or is he too embarrassed to come over?”

Shi Ye, looking at Sheng Xia standing still and hesitant, sighed helplessly. Sheng Xia definitely couldn’t see them and didn’t know which direction to go. He was nearsighted, with a poor sense of direction.

He could only say to Niu Xiaojun beside him, “Bring him over, he probably didn’t see us.”

“Not see us?!” Xiao Xiang exclaimed, “Is he nearsighted? That’s… too serious! Shi Ye, we’re less than ten meters away from him, and there are only two tables in this big restaurant. How can he not see us?”

Zhong Zheng waved to Sheng Xia, “Hey, little brother! Over here!”

Sheng Xia heard the voice, squinted toward their direction, then glanced left and… he briskly walked toward the table of staff playing cards on the left side of the store, without hesitation.

The people at that table watched Sheng Xia getting farther and farther away from them, thinking, “…”

Xiao Xiang remarked, “Poor eyesight and poor hearing…”

Zhong Zheng added, “Does he listen to music too much that his ears can’t hear properly anymore…”

Niu Xiaojun suggested, “We should call him louder next time. He’s nearsighted and can’t hear well.”

Shi Ye sighed and had to put down the guitar, walking toward Sheng Xia’s direction.

Sheng Xia’s demeanor, even from a distance, seemed indifferent and absent-minded to Shi Ye, but he couldn’t help but think he looked foolish… Others might describe him as cold, but Shi Ye felt he was just slow and sluggish.

This time, he clearly saw the orange socks under Sheng Xia’s jeans, which seemed wet again. Shi Ye couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Didn’t he look where he was going? Did he always choose the puddles to step in?

As he approached, Sheng Xia finally turned his head.

He slightly squinted to confirm it was Shi Ye. His eyes seemed to light up for a moment, but then he lowered his head, masking that light.

Neither of them spoke.

Shi Ye, seeing that Sheng Xia had noticed him, turned around and led the way back to the dining table. Sheng Xia followed closely behind.

Maintaining this awkward atmosphere, they sat down at the table. Just as they settled in, Zhong Zheng suddenly stood up and began applauding, “Today is the initiation ceremony for the Aviator band! Allow me to introduce ourselves to everyone! I am…”

“Get lost,” Xiao Xiang poked Zhong Zheng’s waist with the drumstick, “Stop adding drama to it. Bring me some duck gizzards.”

Zhong Zheng retorted with a curse but went to the kitchen to get the food.

Niu Xiaojun, while setting the tableware for Sheng Xia, said, “Eat whatever you want. It’s okay to eat until the boss goes broke. In the future, just come to this restaurant for a free meal whenever you want, no need to pay.”

Xiao Xiang cheerfully handed Sheng Xia a drink, “Shi Ye’s stomach isn’t well today, so he won’t drink. You can have some milk instead.”

Sheng Xia reached out to take it and said thank you.

“Before you came out, I watched your livestream! Your singing is so good!” Xiao Xiang grinned, “But, I noticed you’re different when you sing compared to in real life. You’re… cooler when you sing! In your daily life, you’re a bit, well, strange…”

Shi Ye suddenly interjected indifferently, “Xiao Xiang, your brain’s about to boil. Hurry up and fish it out.”

Seeing Xiao Xiang busy scooping the brain, Sheng Xia didn’t know how to respond. He figured Shi Ye just handed him something without much thought, so he didn’t dwell on it.

“You can’t see well?!” Niu Xiaojun was curious, “How come you couldn’t see us at the entrance?”

Sheng Xia shook his head, “One eye is over 500 degrees, the other is over 400. Is that very serious? But I don’t like wearing glasses, and contact lenses are uncomfortable.”

“Isn’t it inconvenient without glasses?”

“It’s okay. I bring a pair of glasses when I go out. I wear them when necessary.”

Niu Xiaojun was puzzled, “You don’t like wearing glasses?”

Sheng Xia nodded, “I don’t like them, and I’m not used to them.”

Suddenly, Shi Ye remembered what this kid had said to him when he was 17:

“I’ve gotten used to seeing a blurry world. If I wear glasses and see a very clear world for a long time, I’ll feel a bit scared.”

He guessed Sheng Xia had probably forgotten, but he remembered.

Zhong Zheng, returning with duck gizzards, handed a bowl of porridge to Shi Ye, saying, “Here, I cooked it for you.”

Shi Ye glanced at the steaming hotpot in front of him, then pushed the bowl of silver ear fungus porridge over to Sheng Xia and silently got up to refill his own bowl with porridge.

Sheng Xia didn’t think too much about it. He wasn’t someone who overthought things, especially since it was something Shi Ye gave him. He just picked up the bowl and started eating.

He didn’t dare to look at Shi Ye too much either.

So far, no one at the table had served him food, which relieved Sheng Xia. His throat wasn’t feeling well, so he avoided spicy food.

It was quite a peculiar scene, sitting at the hot pot restaurant with Shi Ye, drinking porridge together on the same bench, while watching the other three eat hot pot.

The relaxed atmosphere made Sheng Xia feel a bit more at ease, and the silver ear porridge made his throat feel much better.

“Zhong Zheng, as the bottom of the band’s food chain, I advise you to flatter our lead singer more in the future,” Xiao Xiang chuckled. “Otherwise, if the lead singer’s too handsome and successful, your bass will definitely become more and more dim. Who knows, you might get kicked out of the band one day.”

“?” Zhong Zheng also chuckled, “The bass is the soul of the band. Can you just see the soul whenever you want?”

“Now that the main guest is here, let’s sing the adapted version of ‘Polaris’ from Galileo S again,” Xiao Xiang banged his chopsticks, inciting excitement. “We’re all sitting here at Xiao Zheng’s restaurant eating hot pot, which counts as mutual recognition. Come on! Let’s commemorate this moment with music!”

“I quite like the lyrics of ‘Polaris’. Shi Ye rarely writes such gentle songs,” Zhong Zheng plucked the strings, “What do you say, little brother Sheng Xia, is it okay?”

Sheng Xia was taken aback by the question. His throat wasn’t feeling well today, but he felt that… it wouldn’t be good not to sing, especially with Shi Ye here.

He thought for a moment, just about to agree, since singing one song wouldn’t hurt. But then Shi Ye furrowed his brows and said, “Focus on eating. Why sing?”

Zhong Zheng was puzzled, feeling it was inexplicable. “Shi Ye, didn’t you just ask me to bring the guitar? Aren’t we usually…”

“Usually what?” Shi Ye glanced disdainfully at the guitar beside him. “Your lousy guitar is protesting. I can’t play it.”

Xiao Xiang looked at Shi Ye, then at Sheng Xia’s tense expression, and finally at the silver ear porridge in front of Sheng Xia. After a moment of thought, he chuckled.

“Let’s skip singing today,” Xiao Xiang chuckled to defuse the situation, “Let’s wait until we have drums in the rehearsal room. Do you want me to sit there with my drumsticks, watching you guys play?”

Sheng Xia quickly added, “Let’s record a better version together next time, with drums and bass added to make it fuller.”

Zhong Zheng could only compromise, “Okay, next time then. Oh, I’ve seen your video of singing this song. It’s my favorite among all your videos, along with ‘Galaxy’. Your voice suits this type of song.”

“This song was written by Shi Ye four years ago,” Xiao Xiang pondered for a moment, “Back then, Sheng Xia, you… were only 18?”

Sheng Xia was stunned for a moment before nodding. “Yes, I had just turned 18 back then.”

Xiao Xiang smiled, “You’ve covered and adapted many of our songs. Could it be that you’re a fan of the band… someone’s fan?” After all, the Aviator used to be quite popular, so it wouldn’t be unreasonable for someone of your age to have been a fan.

Sheng Xia hesitated after hearing that, his hand tightening slightly.

After a moment of thought, he said slowly, “Yeah, I’ve always liked this band.” He paused for a moment before adding, “Always.”

Xiao Xiang glanced at Shi Ye before continuing jokingly, “Oh, you’re making quite a profit then. Are you joining the band with impure motives? Singing on the surface but secretly idolizing behind the scenes.”

Sheng Xia hesitated for a moment before laughing, “Maybe, but I do have impure motives. I’m quite ambitious, actually. I want to fulfill a dream.”

When Shi Ye heard this, he felt something sharp pierce his heart, making him feel somewhat embarrassed and hesitant again.

He closed his eyes, not wanting this topic to continue, and pointed at the pot, saying to Zhong Zheng, who wanted to ask further, “The soup base is drying up. Add some more.”

Except for Shi Ye, the other members of the band were quite talkative and interesting but also knew their limits. Sheng Xia could feel that everyone was taking care of him, the youngest, and their words were filled with care and goodwill, which made him feel quite reassured.

Moreover, he didn’t expect Shi Ye’s attitude towards him today to be not as harsh as usual. Initially, he was a bit cautious and didn’t dare to talk to Shi Ye much, but later, as they chatted, he tried to join in a few sentences.

Shi Ye’s attitude towards him had always been indifferent, similar to how he treated others, which relaxed him, but then he felt a bit sad again.

He couldn’t quite explain why he felt sad, but he just felt empty.

No one even asked him why he was a bit late, as if no one cared. Although the other members of the band had only met him a few times, they were still friendly and caring towards him.

In contrast, the person who seemed the most indifferent to him was the one he had known the longest, Shi Ye.

He thought to himself, so this is how it is. The people around Shi Ye are so kind, and his band is so good.

After some thought, although no one asked, he still wanted to explain to Shi Ye why he was late. Otherwise, how would Shi Ye think of him? Being late was not a good habit.

During a pause in the conversation between Zhong Zheng and Shi Ye, Sheng Xia quickly took out the notebook and pen he always carried with him from his backpack, wrote a few lines under the table, and then placed it lightly on Shi Ye’s leg.

The paper was very light, and it was difficult to perceive when placed on the leg. Shi Ye could only sense it because he had been keeping an eye on the movements of this kid beside him.

Sheng Xia had a habit of carrying a notebook with him to write and draw. Most of the time in his daily life, he was immersed in his own world, doodling, writing songs, and drawing some symbols that others couldn’t understand.

At that time, Shi Ye thought this was just a habit of adolescence, but he didn’t expect this kid to still be like this now.

He discreetly pressed down on the paper on his leg, slowly, little by little, unfolding the crumpled paper.

The handwriting above wasn’t very pleasing; it was the handwriting from Shi Ye’s memory, a bit messy.

It read:

“I really left home early today, but I got off the bus at the wrong stop, then walked around for a long time before finding the place.

I’m sorry, I’m still clumsy. 😢 I’ll try not to be late next time, please don’t be angry.

P.S., I do have impure motives, I came for you.

Summer isn’t over yet, hopefully not too late.

🌧️ – S.”