February passed by, and Tang You entered the busy period of March art exams. She became busier and busier. Most of her time was spent on small classes and intensive training, and she met Zhou Qinyao less and less.
Many times, Zhou Qinyao would drive his motorcycle to the downstairs of her house after get off work. He would not disturb her. He would just stand under a tree, quietly light a cigarette, and listen to her play a few songs. Only then would his heart become calm and fulfilled.
I thought the days would pass slowly in such a peaceful state, but no one knew that beneath this false calm, countless undercurrents were stirring and waiting for an opportunity to strike.
A few nights before Tang You took an individual exam, and just a week before Song Xiaoyang's birthday, Zhou Qinyao was still working overtime in the store. At around eight o'clock in the evening, Wu Zhiyu called crying, saying that Xiaoyang had been beaten unconscious.
Zhou Qinyao was stunned when he received the call, thinking that he had misheard. He asked again, and the old lady cried out of breath: "What can I do, Qinyao, please come back soon..."
He quickly put down the work in his hands and rushed back.
Xiaoyang was born with intellectual disabilities and was rejected since birth. His parents divorced because of him. After that, his mother went away to work, leaving him and Wu Zhiyu alone at home. Not many people of the same age in the alley were willing to play with him.
So Xiaoyang's life was a tragedy before he met Zhou Qinyao.
It was not until Zhou Qinyao moved into the courtyard two years ago that the child's world had a little more color and smiles appeared on his face.
Zhou Qinyao thought of Xiaoyang as his own brother. When he returned home and saw the usually honest and cute little guy lying on the ground, bleeding and unconscious, his heart seemed to be squeezed tightly by someone, and he couldn't breathe and rolled in pain.
But he could only keep a calm face, for fear of losing control and making Mrs. Wu even more at a loss.
"What happened? Who called?" Zhou Qinyao said as he calmly dialed 120 with his mobile phone.
Wu Zhiyu said sadly: "I don't know either. Xiaoyang said he was going outside to play with airplanes. I was cooking dinner at home when someone suddenly came to tell me that they saw the child lying on the ground in a dead end..."
The old lady cried very sadly and asked around, but it was dark and the neighbors didn't notice who it was.
In the past, Xiaoyang would often have conflicts with the kids in the alley, and there would be some quarrels and fights, but he would never hit them as hard as he did today.
Zhou Qinyao didn't have time to ask too many questions at the moment. Just then the ambulance arrived and the two of them quickly sent Xiaoyang to the hospital.
After arriving at the hospital and undergoing various X-ray examinations, it was found that the child was fine, with just some soft tissue contusions. The most serious thing was the swelling around his eye and a hematoma on his scalp, which looked like he had been hit by something hard.
It's really heartbreaking.
The doctor cleaned the wound and gave him an IV. After a while, Xiaoyang woke up.
He looked very scared when he woke up, crying and yelling for Zhou Qinyao, who hurriedly held her hand to comfort her:
"My brother is here."
Xiaoyang burst into tears and hugged him tightly, his eyes filled with confusion and fear after being frightened.
The policeman who came to take the statement came over as a routine and asked what happened.
They asked Xiaoyang to tell them everything that happened from beginning to end, so that they could arrest and deal with him. However, Xiaoyang's language organization ability was relatively poor, and he spoke intermittently for a long time before Zhou Qinyao could hear a general idea.
He was playing with a plane in the alley alone and accidentally bumped into a strange uncle. He said sorry, but the other party didn't listen and beat him up.
As Zhou Qinyao listened to the child's sobbing narration, his fists were clenched tightly, and the protruding knuckles were bluish-white.
He tried hard to suppress the anger in his heart.
The hematoma on Xiaoyang's scalp was as big as an egg. It was so shocking that he couldn't bear it. He was furious and couldn't understand what kind of person would attack a child.
But the alley was dark and there was a blind spot, so there was no surveillance and Xiaoyang couldn't say what the person who beat him looked like or how tall he was.
This seems to be an unsolved injustice, and there is no other way but to swallow it oneself.
The police could only do their best to say that they would step up patrols to rule out any suspicious persons in the area.
But they asked one more question: "Think carefully, have you offended anyone recently?"
Old Mrs. Wu has lived in the alley for decades and has a very good relationship with her neighbors. The old lady lives alone with her grandson and has never offended anyone. Moreover, even if Xiaoyang had a dispute with other children, such a serious injury would never occur.
"Oh, by the way, a few days ago, when I was playing with airplanes with Xiaoyang at the corner of the alley, we bumped into two little hooligans." The old lady suddenly remembered this incident, "But the child apologized at the time, and the other party didn't care, just scolded him a few times and left."
This clue is still valuable to the police, and it also matches the uncles Xiaoyang mentioned.
After carefully inquiring about the gangster's appearance, the police initially concluded that Xiaoyang was being vented by the gangster.
The police took the transcript and said they would conduct a detailed investigation. After they left, Old Mrs. Wu stayed with her grandson in the ward, and Zhou Qinyao went out to buy them some food.
When they returned to the hospital after shopping, Tang You, Cheng Xuan and Wei Kai all rushed to the hospital after hearing the news.
Although Song Xiaoyang has no playmates of the same age, he is happier than those people because he is loved by so many brothers and sisters.
The little guy wanted to eat McDonald's, so Zhou Qinyao bought it for him.
Drinking Coke and eating chicken wings, the little guy who was crying just now started to smile and make faces.
Everyone was relieved to see that Xiaoyang was fine.
Outside the ward, Cheng Xuan was very unhappy. "I have never seen such an arrogant gangster in this area. If I run into him, I will definitely beat him with a stick!"
Tang You has been worried since she saw Xiao Yang: "If there really are bad guys, you should be careful, especially you..."
Tang You looked at Zhou Qinyao, feeling very worried: "You shouldn't get off work so late. What if you run into these people on the way?"
She frowned, worried that she looked like a young wife.
Zhou Qinyao curved his lips and touched her head: "No, it's okay."
Tang You will first take the individual exam of An Lisa Music Academy next week. This is a special recruitment that only students from the international class are eligible to participate in. It will take almost a week in total. Cheng Xuan consciously pulled Wei Kai away:
"You two should have a good chat, otherwise we won't see each other for a while."
Wu Zhiyu was in the room with her grandson. At the door of the ward, Tang You and Zhou Qinyao were sitting side by side.
Tang You still couldn't rest assured about what he had just heard: "I'm going to Beijing to take the exam the day after tomorrow. Can't you just promise me that you won't let me worry about you while taking the exam?"
Zhou Qinyao was thinking about Xiaoyang's injury, and he always felt that it was strange and weird. Hearing the little girl's endless worry about him, he turned around to comfort her:
"Okay, I'll go home as soon as I get off work and I won't go anywhere."
Tang You's anxious heart finally settled down a little.
To be honest, she was scared when she saw Xiaoyang injured when she came in. Later, when she heard that it might be hooligans wandering in the alley, the first thing she thought of was Zhou Qinyao's safety.
"Zhou Qinyao." Tang You suddenly called his name in a low voice.
"Huh?" The man looked back.
The two looked at each other for a long time. Tang You seemed to have been thinking for a long time and asked tentatively:
"I want to take some time after the exam to confess your situation to mom, what do you think?"
Zhou Qinyao paused, then held her hand nonchalantly, "I'll do whatever you say."
"Aren't you afraid?"
The man suddenly laughed: "What are you afraid of?"
"… "
Leaning against the wall, Tang You sighed deeply and closed his eyes: "I dare not think about what she will be like when she knows that you are not the real Xie Cheng, but I don't want to hide it anymore. I want to stand with you openly."
"So." Zhou Qinyao gently embraced her from behind and held her in his arms: "Why do you ask me if I'm afraid?"
After a long silence, Tang You lowered her eyes and rested her head on the man's shoulder: "Actually, I'm afraid. I'm afraid that after I confess, I will lose everything I have now."
Zhou Qinyao patted the girl's body soothingly: "No, I promise you."
Tang You looked up at him: "Why?"
Zhou Qinyao deliberately made a sound of thinking, then turned the girl over and said seriously: "Doesn't your mother like diamonds? I will buy her a diamond-studded toilet to make her happy."
Tang You burst out laughing and hit him on the chest: "How come you took Zhou Yan's words to heart? You believed all his nonsense."
The girl had been frowning and feeling heavy-hearted just now, but now she finally smiled.
Zhou Qinyao also relaxed a little, then put away his smile and looked at her seriously:
"Tang You, you have to believe me."
The man's dark eyes were as firm as ever. This strength had given the lost Tang You the courage to move forward in countless dark nights.
It is still the same today.
As long as I look into his eyes, all my anxieties instantly disappear, and my heart is filled with peace and calmness.
"I trust you."
In order to liven up the atmosphere, Tang You continued his joke in a coquettish manner and deliberately said, "Then I want a cello inlaid with diamonds, okay?"
Zhou Qinyao's eyes were full of doting: "Okay."
"Haha, isn't that heavy...?"
…
The two of them leaned against each other at the door of the ward, enjoying the tranquility and beauty that belonged to each other at the moment.
In fact, for Zhou Qinyao, even if Tang You confessed to Fang Lai, he had already prepared to face and resolve the problem.
What worries him more right now is Xiaoyang's accident.
He remembered the silent phone call he received on Xiaoyang’s birthday a week ago.
There were also a few strange figures that flashed at the alley that day.
Intuition made the cautious Zhou Qinyao feel that things were not that simple. It was more like someone was well prepared and it was not just an accident.
The police's words reminded him that if he had offended anyone, he had actually offended Wu Meng severely recently, causing her to lose at least tens of millions.
But Zhou Qinyao still couldn't understand. If Wu Meng was really dissatisfied, she should come to him directly. There was no need to attack Song Xiaoyang, a child with congenital mental retardation.
Whether it was an accident or a conspiracy, Zhou Qinyao decided to find out.
It was already eleven o'clock in the evening when I sent Tang You home from the hospital.
"My mother will be back tomorrow and will take me to Beijing for the exam the day after tomorrow." Tang You looked at Zhou Qinyao reluctantly: "She won't be back for a week."
"Um."
The street lights stretched the shadows of the two people very long. Although the weather was a little warmer in March, it was still a bit chilly at night.
Zhou Qinyao helped Tang You pull up her coat: "Come on, do well in the exam."
"But if I do well in the exam, I will have to go to university in the UK..." The little girl raised her head somewhat dejectedly: "Four years, will you wait for me?"
"Of course." Zhou Qinyao answered without thinking: "Wherever you are, I will be there."
Tang You was amused by him. Whether it was out of comfort or sincerity, this sentence made her feel that all her efforts were worth it.
He deserves it.
"Go back soon." Tang You waved his hand: "See you in a week..."
This sentence inexplicably carries a sense of tragic grandeur.
A week later, Tang You finished her exams, and their relationship was brought to Fang Lai's trial table to be settled.
"Be good." Zhou Qinyao lazily took her hand and pulled her into his arms: "Let me hug you."
“… Goodbye.” Tang You shyly dodged, “Aunt Rong will see us, don’t, you—”
"Just hug."
The man was very strong, and even though Tang You resisted a little, he was unable to dodge his arms.
Being held tightly in his arms, she felt safe and secure, and all that was transmitted through her body was the familiar warmth and scent.
His voice fell beside my ear: "Do well in the exam, I'll wait for you."
Then, a gentle kiss was placed on the soft hair.
Tang You pursed her lips and nodded in his arms: "Yeah."
She will do well in the exam.
A long time ago, even before she met Zhou Qinyao, Tang You had decided that she would take the Anlisa Conservatory of Music exam "well".
The appearance of Zhou Qinyao only made her more certain of this idea and gave her more courage.
Two days later, Tang You and Fang Lai set off for Beijing.
The Annelida Conservatory of Music is a famous art school in the UK, and its most famous major is the orchestral team.
Fang Lai has always hoped that Tang You could become an elegant cellist, so his goal from the beginning was to send her to this school.
Fang Lai has high expectations for Tang You and is very confident in him.
Almost all the students who studied musical instruments in the International Class of No. 5 Middle School applied for the Anlisa Music Academy, so on the first day in Beijing, Fang Lai asked Tang You:
"Has Xie Cheng contacted you? When is his interview?"
"I'm not sure..." Tang You was evasive: "Their saxophone seems to be tomorrow."
After that, he hurriedly changed the subject to Fang Lai: "I'm here to take the exam now. Mom, can you please stop mentioning him? It won't be good if other students hear it. You promised me."
Fang Lai knew that her daughter was shy and didn't like to share her private matters with others, so she didn't ask any further questions.
Anyway, now that the exams are over, the two darlings can prepare to study in the UK together.
Fang Lai stopped asking questions and Tang You breathed a sigh of relief.
She had inquired and found out that Xie Cheng's class would have the exam one day later than his, so he and Fang Lai would not meet.
After spending three days in Beijing and going through the initial test, the re-test, and the language interview, the day of the final test finally arrived.
Because Anlisa has strict thresholds and conditions, and the tuition is very expensive, compared with the large number of art exam takers across the country, only a handful of people come here to take the exam.
Both in terms of family background and expertise, they are top talents in the country.
Tang You wore a white lace shirt today, paired with a black-hearted woolen vest skirt from Xiang’s family. She looked like a medieval princess, classically elegant, and full of talent.
Before going in, Fang Lai helped her tidy up her clothes carefully: "Baby, keep going."
Tang You held the zither in her arms and lowered her head to avoid her mother's expectant eyes. "Mom, if I don't pass the exam, will you blame me?"
Fang Lai thought his daughter was nervous before the test, so he comforted her: "How can you fail? Your international class is cooperating with An Lisa, and the test is just a process. As long as you don't make serious mistakes, there will be no problem."
Tang You lowered his eyes, nodded, and said nothing.
…
The twenty-minute interview assessment is over.
Tang You's palms were full of sweat and he came out with a pale face.
Fang Lai, who had been waiting, had a bad feeling when he saw her expression: "What's wrong?"
Tang You said apologetically: "I'm sorry, Mom. I was too nervous and made three mistakes."
Fang Lai was stunned: "..."
How is this possible...
Not to mention now, ever since Tang You started learning the piano, from participating in various international competitions to performing at school, he has never made a mistake.
How come today...
Fang Lai was stunned for a long time, not knowing what to say.
But she knew that her daughter should be the saddest one at this time, so she couldn't show any disappointment and make her sadder.
"It's okay, baby. The teacher will refer to your past grades. Even if you can't go to An Lisa, mom can still apply for other schools for you. Don't be sad."
Tang You raised his head and looked at the concern in his mother's eyes. Conflict and guilt surged in his heart.
All she could say was, "I'm sorry, Mom."
Fang Lai held her daughter in her arms: "Don't be sad, it's okay."
Tang You was actually a little sad.
But her sadness was completely different from what Fang Lai understood.
Her mother obviously loved her very much, but she had no idea what she wanted.
The next batch of examinees entered, and the mother and daughter turned to leave. A man came over and saw Tang You and greeted him, "Tang You, have you finished the exam?"
Tang You's body stiffened when he heard the voice, he looked up and it was Xie Cheng!
Isn’t their final saxophone exam scheduled for tomorrow
Tang You was so scared that he broke out in a cold sweat. He just hummed perfunctorily and pulled Fang Lai away.
Xie Cheng did not bother Tang You, and the two passed each other.
At this moment, a boy came from the opposite side and shouted in the corridor: "Xie Cheng, come back quickly, we went to the wrong place, our examination room is downstairs!"
Xie Cheng behind him responded: "Coming!"
Tang You and Fang Lai had already reached the stairs and were about to go downstairs.
Her heart was beating fast in her throat. She had never been so nervous before and she didn't even dare to look back.
There is a qualitative difference between confessing this lie yourself and being discovered by her.
At that moment, Tang You just secretly hoped that Fang Lai didn't hear anything and continued to go downstairs with her.
But-
Fang Lai stopped.
She turned around and called out to Xie Cheng: "Wait."
In an instant, a fierce look appeared on his body that frightened Tang You.
"Your name is Xie Cheng?"
Xie Cheng was slightly stunned: "Yes, what's wrong."
Fang Lai was so smart that he seemed to understand something immediately and asked again accurately:
"Xie Cheng from International Class B? Xie Cheng who studies saxophone?"
Xie Cheng smiled in surprise: "Hey, Auntie, do you know me?"
Tang You: “…”
Fang Lai slowly withdrew his gaze and looked at Tang You, his tone a little cold:
"Tang You."
She called out her daughter's name in a calm but sharp voice.
This sound was a question, giving Tang You a final chance to explain.
Tang You was silent for a few seconds, took a deep breath, and finally raised his head to meet Fang Lai's gaze.
The voice was soft, but there was no fear:
"Well, he is not Xie Cheng."
The author has something to say: Xie Cheng: “… ?”
Why don't I understand what you are saying
I am Xie Cheng!! How come I am not
———
◎ The Mountain of Light is a precious diamond, also known as the Koh-i-Noor diamond. It was produced in the Kollur mine in India. The original stone is said to weigh 800 carats. It was first polished into a rose shape and weighed 191 carats. It was owned by Sultan Babur in 1526, and became a trophy of Persian King Nadir Shah in 1738. It was owned by the British royal family in 1850. In 1862, in order to remove the flaws on it, it was re-polished into a round diamond shape, and its weight was reduced to 105.6 carats. This diamond once caused disputes between the Indian government and the British royal family, and its history can be traced back to the 14th century.