After more than a month of hard work, even if the result deviated from what they had imagined, it didn't stop the members of the Calf Band from getting together for a celebration dinner.
Even Gu Xiuyuan and He Xiang, two busy people, came.
As soon as Yang Xinyu arrived, he handed his bag to the staff and then came to Ji Nian to complain, "My Douyin messages didn't stop last night. I don't know who posted my account."
Xiang Wan looked extremely dejected. "Me too..."
Even some classmates from Hai Nuo High School who she wasn't very familiar with had messaged her.
Ji Nian motioned for the two of them to sit down and shrugged. "So what?"
She poked Shen Qingtang beside her.
Shen Qingtang smiled brightly. "Some companies have contacted me, asking if our band wants to debut."
Yang Xinyu shook his head immediately. "No way. I don't want to be a star."
After the performance, people kept coming to talk to him, ask for his contact information, and take photos with him. At first, he was quite happy, but as the number of times increased, he gradually became numb and even scared.
As the group chatted about their experiences, Ji Nian tugged at Lu Jinghuai, who had somehow sat down on her other side.
"Your Highness, have you sorted things out?"
Lu Jinghuai tilted his head and looked at her with a half - smile.
For some reason, Ji Nian instantly understood.
She coughed softly and whispered in his ear again, "A... Huai, have you sorted things out?"
Previously, the two of them had agreed to be more affectionate in private.
"Yes, I've already had the things delivered."
Ji Nian nodded.
"Ah - hem!"
Gu Xiuyuan over there suddenly coughed loudly.
His gaze swept over the two of them like a knife, especially landing on Lu Jinghuai.
Since learning that it was Lu Jinghuai's idea to print the big - head photo on the T - shirt, Gu Xiuyuan had been giving him the cold shoulder recently.
Ji Nian immediately sat up straight and smiled. "The dishes are all served."
Gu Xiuyuan was the only adult present, so everyone used drinks instead of alcohol.
"Now, let's invite our honorary team leader, Gu Xiuyuan, to say a few words."
Yang Xinyu reacted quickly and led the applause.
Amid the applause, Gu Xiuyuan glanced at Ji Nian, who was making faces over there, then slowly stood up and picked up his glass.
"Thank you all for your hard work during this period. This glass of... tea is to toast your perseverance and hard work. No matter what difficulties you encounter in the future, I hope that when you recall this past event, it will inspire you to keep your enthusiasm for life."
After saying that, he took a sip of the tea in his glass.
Ji Nian clapped her hands and exclaimed, "Wow—"
Gu Xiuyuan asked, "What now?"
Shen Qingtang shook her head and pretended to wipe away non - existent tears from the corners of her eyes. "Gu Xiuyuan, you've grown up and become a very proper adult."
The arrogant kid who always thought he was mature when he was young was finally approaching the ideal version of himself.
Looking at Shen Qingtang's fake crying, Ji Nian really felt a bit emotional.
"Come on, everyone."
Yang Xinyu, filled with excitement, stood up and held up his glass, calling on everyone to stand up.
"Congratulations to our Calf Band for winning first place in this art festival!"
"Cheers!"
The glasses clinked together, and the clear sound echoed along with the voices of the teenagers.
Although they weren't drinking alcohol, the atmosphere was so lively that it felt like they were drunk. Yang Xinyu was howling a song for Gu Xiuyuan, and He Xiang beside him was even clapping for him. This encouragement made him even more excited.
Gu Xiuyuan turned his head angrily and glared at He Xiang.
Xiang Wan took off her prosthetic leg and imitated the scene of Ji Nian kicking the door before for Shen Qingtang.
Lu Jinghuai watched with great amusement.
He even asked Xiang Wan how heavy her prosthetic leg was.
After a long time of fun, when everyone was exhausted, the celebration dinner came to an end.
When they went out, He Xiang was talking to the caregiver in a low voice about Grandma He's condition. Her condition had been getting worse recently. Her heart function was deteriorating, and the long - term dialysis had made her blood vessels brittle and caused blockages.
The doctor had specifically told him a few days ago to be mentally prepared in the near future.
Since the day Grandma He was diagnosed, He Xiang had been prepared to lose his loved one at any time.
But when this day was really approaching, He Xiang still couldn't help but feel a dull pain in his heart.
He knew.
He was about to lose his family.
He turned off his phone screen, put it back in his pocket, and started to plan his next itinerary.
Just then, he noticed that everyone had stopped in their tracks.
He also stopped and looked at the girl standing in the middle of the group, who was turning to look at him.
Ji Nian met his gaze and smiled.
"He Xiang, we have a gift for you."
Under everyone's gaze, He Xiang's eyes flickered.
Then he saw everyone moving to the side, revealing two huge boxes placed in the restaurant hall, leaning against the black marble wall.
His eyes were fixed on the words on the packaging.
To outsiders, he still showed no expression at this moment.
But the trio who had known him the longest and understood him best knew.
At this moment, in He Xiang's dark, pearl - like eyes.
There was nothing but helplessness.
He was like a child who suddenly received a generous reward without doing anything.
"Did you participate in the competition just for... this?"
He thought of the washing machine at home that had broken down recently and that he had been reluctant to replace.
He thought of how everyone who came to his room would always ask if he was comfortable sleeping on such a hard bed.
All his thoughts were finally condensed into a hoarse "Thank you."
He could feel that his friends were trying their best to protect his self - esteem, tolerate his poverty, and feel sorry for his difficult situation of being alone at a young age.
He Xiang always thought that his life was doomed to be full of hardships, but what good deeds had he done in his previous life to meet such wonderful friends in this life.
"Come on, stop standing there staring. Go home first. Someone will deliver these to your place later."
Ji Nian came over and patted him on the shoulder, which made He Xiang shift his hesitant gaze away from the washing machine and the mattress.
"Okay."
He replied in a low voice.
The shadow cast by Grandma He's illness dissipated a little.
He Xiang clearly realized.
He wasn't alone.
...
Ji Nian returned home.
Thinking about the call from Grandma He's attending doctor a few days ago, she let out a soft sigh.
She hoped that their gift could make him feel a little better.
He Xiang always kept everything to himself and never made a sound.
As soon as she entered the door, she saw Ji Tingzhou sitting with his back against the sofa, carefully reading a book.
Ji Nian walked around and patted him on the shoulder.
"Dad, you have to live a long and healthy life."
There was a touch of emotion in her tone.
Ji Tingzhou looked up at her in confusion. "If you're bored, go do some research. Don't fantasize about me dying."
Caught red - handed, Ji Nian touched her nose and took a closer look at the book he was reading.
The title on the cover was "One Hundred Ways to Prevent Your Daughter from Falling in Love Early."
Ji Nian was speechless.
It was this man who was on guard against his daughter's puppy love, yet he looked up and said, "Ms. Li is coming for dinner tomorrow."
Ji Nian nodded, indicating that she knew.
Then she heard him add, "She's bringing her nephew."
Ji Nian blurted out, "My arranged marriage partner?"
Ji Tingzhou raised his eyebrows.
She immediately made a zipping - up - the - mouth gesture.
"It's good to have him come."
Ji Tingzhou sneered.
Ji Nian knew that this meant not intending to give the other person a good look.
Well...
Who could stand Ji Tingzhou when he became so cantankerous?
