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Chapter 6
Really Can’t Quit

Shen Yanxing’s tone was unusually concerned.
“What’s going on?”

Shen Sichen’s expression froze. He closed his eyes and said nothing.

“Did you go to the hospital for a check-up?”

“How can you be careless about something like this?”

Shen Yanxing asked in a tone of disappointed anger, itching to punch him.

Shen Sichen turned his head away and spoke so softly he was almost inaudible.
“It’s nothing. It was just the first time. We used protection.”

“Sit up and tell me exactly what happened from the beginning to the end,” Shen Yanxing barked, suppressing the urge to hit him.

Shen Sichen immediately sat up and truthfully recounted what had happened that day.

Feeling a little guilty, he quickly changed the subject.
“That Zhao Qingzhi is so annoying! Can’t you talk to her dad and tell her to stop bothering me?”

“We have some connections with the Zhao family,” Shen Yanxing stated plainly, meaning they still needed to maintain appearances.

Then he asked, “Are you really okay? Who was the girl? Have you looked into her background?”

Shen Sichen lazily leaned back on the sofa.
“I’m really fine. At first, I thought she was sent by someone, but it turns out she was tricked too. She slapped me twice and even said she was going to call the police.”

She even called him a dog.

“You and that mouth of yours. When you’re annoyed, you can talk in a way that makes people furious,” Shen Yanxing said. “Since it was a misunderstanding, make sure to properly apologize to her later. Don’t leave any dirt for others to dig up. I’ll talk to the Zhao family.”

“Got it, thanks, big bro,” Shen Sichen quickly agreed.

Shen Yanxing patted his shoulder.
“Anything else? If not, let’s head out together.”

“After this project, take a break for a while. And also, cut down on drinking. Can’t quit for real?”

Shen Sichen pulled himself up by Shen Yanxing’s arm.
“Don’t nag, bro. Drinking’s my only hobby. I really can’t quit.”

As the two walked out, the moment the door opened, Shen Sichen let go of his arm, wiped the smile off his face, and returned to a serious, proper expression.

Shen Yanxing also softened his tone a little.
“Take it slow on the way back. Let Wei Chuan drive.”

“Got it, big bro.”

There were school officials waiting at the entrance. Hearing him call “big bro,” they turned to look. Shen Sichen gave a slight nod and left with Wei Chuan.

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Near the holidays, only Zhou Xingyang and Xia Shu were left in the dorm.

After the fight that day, Song Weilan moved off-campus. Xu Mucheng, who was rumored to be dating Qiao Jin, also didn’t come back much.

But none of that mattered to Zhou Xingyang. She had just passed the interview for her summer job a few days ago and would start working that night.

Right now, she was helping Xia Shu pack. Xia Shu was heading off on a trip with her boyfriend in the afternoon, excitedly sorting through clothes.

A bunch no longer fit her, and she tossed them onto a chair.

Xia Shu sighed and looked up.
“Hey? Aren’t you going to work this afternoon? What time?”

“Eight tonight. No rush.”

“What kind of job? Is it tiring? Don’t get scammed,” Xia Shu asked again.

“It’s just playing the piano in the lobby of a music lounge. Three hours a day, not tiring.”

“You can play piano?!” Xia Shu perked up. “How long did you study? Since what age?”

“Hmm… I studied for three years. Started when I was ten.”

But that was ten years ago. Back then, she also learned ballet, guzheng, and painting. Later on, she never had the chance to do any of it again.

“Three years… at ten…” Xia Shu counted on her fingers and then exclaimed,
“That means you haven’t touched a piano in six or seven years!”

She suddenly laughed out loud.
“Xingyang, you’re kind of impressive.”

Zhou Xingyang felt a little embarrassed.
“I just wanted to try it. The pay is pretty good and the hours work. Didn’t think I’d pass.”

Xia Shu looked at her and smiled.
“Even if we don’t talk about your piano skills, just sitting there is a feast for the eyes!”

“If you’re performing, don’t you need a nice dress? I can’t fit into these anymore anyway. Borrow them, just don’t get them dirty.”

Before Zhou Xingyang could say no, Xia Shu was already done talking and dumped a pile of clothes into her arms.

Zhou Xingyang looked at her, a bit overwhelmed.
“Xia Shu…”

“Stop! If you cry, I don’t have time to comfort you. I said you’re just borrowing them. If you really feel bad, buy me a new one when you get paid, okay?”

Zhou Xingyang nodded. Even if Xia Shu hadn’t said it, she would’ve done so. Xia Shu had already helped her a lot.

After seeing Xia Shu off, Zhou Xingyang studied the sheet music for a while, then headed off to Yunding (Cloud Top).

Yunding had just opened recently, so there weren’t many customers. Take the elevator up and turn right to reach the lobby. The front desk was there, and in the corner on the left was a small stage with a pure white piano.

“Manager Wang.” Zhou Xingyang arrived an hour early and greeted the man who interviewed her the day before.

“Oh? Little Zhou, right?” Manager Wang smiled. “Why so early?”

Zhou Xingyang smiled and nodded.
“I wanted to get familiar with the piano first.”

Manager Wang pointed at the piano.
“Go ahead. Just like we said yesterday, play whatever you like.”

“Okay, thank you, Manager Wang.”

Zhou Xingyang replied and cheerfully ran off.

Before the interview yesterday, she had practiced in the school’s public piano room. That last-minute prep got her through the audition.

When she was little, her parents made her learn piano. Her mom said she hoped Zhou would like it and one day shine on stage. But before she even figured out if she liked it, the opportunity to learn was gone.

She never thought piano would become a skill she’d use to make a living. Sitting here now, feeling the keys beneath her fingers, a smile crept onto her lips. Maybe… she really did like it.

The piano was tucked in a quiet corner, not drawing much attention. Though playing for three hours wasn’t tiring, her wrists and arms were sore by the end.

When she left Yunding, it was already past 11. Seeing the text message that 600 yuan had been deposited into her account, Zhou Xingyang smiled joyfully—as if even the breeze felt a bit sweeter.

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