Chapter 30

After finishing the sugar painting with the name Song Ruichi, Xu Er returned to the competition venue.

Soon after, Xu Er once again experienced the weight of Song Ruichi’s presence.

While Xu Er wandered around, confused and searching for people and places, any staff member nearby could accurately tell him where Song Ruichi was at that very moment.

Often, before Xu Er even spoke, the staff would glance at the sugar painting he held and then point him in the right direction.

Xu Er had never witnessed an art competition before; the complicated rules he heard in the morning had already made his head spin. Now, nearing the end, he arrived just in time.

The competition hall was vast, with many contestants and numerous rounds. Xu Er took his time, strolling and pausing here and there before finally heading toward the hall where Song Ruichi was.

Along the way, he ran into Song Ruichi’s friend, Zhang Cheng.

“Hey, Xu Er.”

Zhang Cheng was carrying a pile of things. After greeting him, Xu Er reached out his hand, “Let me help you with that.”

It was indeed cumbersome, so Zhang Cheng handed some items over to Xu Er. “Thanks.”

“No problem,” Xu Er replied.

The two then walked together.

“Are you going to find Song Ruichi?” Zhang Cheng asked.

“Yes.”

“I’m heading there too. The competition ends early today. What are you planning to do afterward?”

“Don’t know.”

“Oh, by the way,” Zhang Cheng recommended, “there’s a cinema in the nearby mall. The movie ‘Rescue’ is pretty good.”

Xu Er replied, “I’ve seen it.”

“Did you watch it with Song Ruichi?”

“Yes.”

“How about ‘Mountain Tales’? It’s a suspense film that came out last month.”

“We saw that too.”

Zhang Cheng was momentarily at a loss. “Okay then. Sorry to bother you.”

“I’ll think about it,” Zhang Cheng clicked his tongue. “There’s really nothing much to do in City C.”

“No worries. Song Ruichi will make arrangements,” Xu Er said.

Zhang Cheng smiled. “True, why am I even concerned? I have things to do tonight, otherwise, I’d take you guys around.”

Xu Er smiled back. “It’s fine; you’re busy.”

“Xu Er,” after a few steps, Zhang Cheng called out his name, chuckling twice before asking, “What do you think of Song Ruichi as a person?”

“He’s pretty good,” Xu Er answered.

“In what way?”

Xu Er thought for a few seconds. “He’s just a very good person, and he’s been very kind to me.”

“Kind to you, huh?” Zhang Cheng repeated thoughtfully, then asked, “What about you? Are you good to him?”

Xu Er suddenly felt a bit guilty.

He thought he had treated Song Ruichi well enough.

But comparatively, Song Ruichi was a bit better.

Zhang Cheng’s question made Xu Er reflect, and he realized many things.

When he was exhausted from work, his first instinct was to find Song Ruichi and vent; just chatting with him made things better.

When he saw something fun or amusing, he would immediately share it with Song Ruichi.

He didn’t know exactly when it started, but Song Ruichi had become a constant presence in his life. No matter what, whenever he needed Song Ruichi, he could always find him—Song Ruichi was always there.

Having Song Ruichi around, Xu Er felt at ease; he didn’t need to worry about anything because Song Ruichi would take care of everything.

“As for me…” Xu Er grew embarrassed and couldn’t bring himself to say, “I’m pretty good to him too.”

He could only smile awkwardly. “You should ask him.”

Zhang Cheng made a sound of surprise and then asked, “Why do you think Song Ruichi is so good to you?”

Xu Er hadn’t considered that question before but felt it shouldn’t even be a question.

From his perspective, it was just a lucky coincidence—meeting a friend at just the right time, a friend with whom many things aligned perfectly, and their relationship naturally grew close. Wasn’t that perfectly normal?

Right then, six words flashed through his mind:

Our souls are in harmony.

But it was a little awkward to say aloud, so Xu Er kept it to himself.

“Well then,” Xu Er smiled politely, “go ask him.”

Just as he spoke, Song Ruichi appeared.

He came from the other end of the corridor, rounding the corner with just a few steps to reach them.

“Yo.”

Zhang Cheng was the first to tease in a sardonic tone, “That’s timely,” he stepped slightly toward Song Ruichi and muttered, “Hope no one’s eavesdropping.”

Song Ruichi ignored Zhang Cheng, taking the items and sugar painting from Xu Er’s hands. “Why did it take you so long to come over?”

“Just wandering around,” Xu Er replied.

Zhang Cheng, still ignored, squeezed in again. “What plans do you have after the competition this afternoon?”

Song Ruichi said, “Taking him to eat.”

Xu Er’s eyes lit up. “What’s good to eat?”

“Not telling you.”

Xu Er grew even happier. “Alright, a surprise.”

Once again ignored, Zhang Cheng pushed his way in. “Teacher Song, Xu Er asked me to ask you, why are you so good to him?”

Xu Er was shocked. “I didn’t say that.”

Song Ruichi seemed not to understand Xu Er’s words. “You want to know?”

Xu Er… well, he wanted to know.

“Then say it yourself,” Xu Er urged.

But Song Ruichi said it to Zhang Cheng instead: “Because I want to.”

Zhang Cheng burst out laughing. “Fair enough.”

Not knowing what was so funny, Zhang Cheng kept chuckling, “As long as you’re happy, Song Ruichi.”

Xu Er stayed with Song Ruichi for a little while. From what he observed, Song Ruichi wasn’t serving as a judge this time.

Xu Er didn’t quite understand the specifics but knew the main thing was just having Song Ruichi present.

After the afternoon’s competition ended, the place grew lively and less orderly.

Song Ruichi turned down several dinner invitations and posed for photos with people in the hall.

Throughout the photo sessions, he held the sugar painting with his own name that Xu Er had bought for him.

It was oddly amusing, but since it was Song Ruichi, it didn’t feel awkward.

Thankfully, the cold weather kept the sugar from melting, providing a small prop for Song Ruichi.

While waiting, Xu Er ran into Zheng Niannian, who, like Zhang Cheng, gave him a few suggestions for evening activities. After a brief chat about gathering with classmates during the New Year, Zheng Niannian went on her way.

After the photo sessions, Song Ruichi took Xu Er with him.

“Are you taking me to eat something delicious now?” Xu Er asked on the way.

“Yes, Mr. Xu,” Song Ruichi replied.

Xu Er turned to look at him. “Say that again.”

“Say what?”

“Yes, Mr. Xu.”

Song Ruichi seemed to understand what Xu Er wanted and put on a playful air. “Show some attitude.”

Xu Er stuck close. “Teacher Song, Mr. Song.”

Song Ruichi was not satisfied at all.

Suddenly, Xu Er thought of something.

“Brother.”

Song Ruichi laughed and then repeated, “Yes, Mr. Xu.”

“Hehe.”

“Like my voice?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you say so earlier? I’m just now finding out.”

“Better late than never, right?”

“Too late. I should have known earlier.”

“If you’d known earlier, what would you have done?”

Song Ruichi said, “If I had known earlier, I’d be whispering ‘Yes, Mr. Xu’ in your ear every day.”

Xu Er laughed until his eyes curved.

Bonus points, bonus points.

Curious, Xu Er asked, “Do a lot of people tell you your voice is nice?”

“Some, I guess.”

“No wonder you immediately knew what I wanted to do.”

“Bonus points, Mr. Xu?”

Xu Er laughed. “Yes, yes, yes.”

Song Ruichi added, “I also like your voice.”

That remark made Xu Er a bit embarrassed.

“My voice isn’t nice.”

“It is.”

Xu Er was naturally delighted. “No one’s ever told me my voice was nice.”

“They don’t know a thing.”

Xu Er laughed heartily.

Song Ruichi said, “When we get back, I’ll record a wake-up ringtone for you.”

Xu Er was puzzled. “What kind of thing?”

In a warm tone, Song Ruichi said, “Xu Xiao’er’er, time to get up.”

Xu Er understood. “Oh, oh, oh, that. Sounds good. Make it a bit longer, okay?”

Song Ruichi then lifted Xu Er’s chin. “What should I call you?”

“Thank you, brother. You’re the best.”

Xu Er burst out laughing. “You realize you’re pretty arrogant, right?”

“Mr. Xu, speak properly.”

Xu Er laughed and quickly changed his words. “You have talent. With such great hardware like you, Teacher Song, what’s wrong with showing it off a bit?”

Song Ruichi said, “Though it might not be that nice to hear, since it’s from Xu Xiao, I’ll forgive you.”

Xu Er smiled. “I’m praising you.”

“Good morning, Mr. Xu. Time to get up.”

“Hahaha.”

Speechless—Song Ruichi’s antics made him laugh in waves.

How wonderful—it was just so delightful to have someone as straightforward as Song Ruichi around.

After a short while, Song Ruichi said, “You should record one for me too.”

Reciprocity made sense to Xu Er. “Sure.”

“Song Ruichi, you’re really a good person,” Xu Er said.

“What do you mean? Giving me a ‘good person’ card?”

Xu Er laughed. “Why would I be the one giving you that card…”

He paused.

“Teacher Song.”

From nearby, someone interrupted them.

Turning toward the approaching voice, they saw a contestant who looked like a student jogging over.

“Sorry to bother you,” the young man smiled at Xu Er and then at Song Ruichi, “Teacher Song, may I take a photo with you?”

Used to it, Xu Er prepared and handed over the student’s phone.

After they posed and Xu Er took the picture, just as he was about to return the phone, the student changed his pose.

Thinking the posture wasn’t quite right, Xu Er took the phone again.

On the screen, the student had leaned slightly toward Song Ruichi, raised a peace sign, and tilted his head.

Xu Er pressed the shutter and looked up at them.

From his angle, the student appeared to be leaning on Song Ruichi’s shoulder.

Of course, it was just an optical illusion, but the photo seemed to say otherwise.

“Thank you,” the student said, probably seeing Xu Er lower the phone, and then ran over.

“You’re welcome,” Xu Er replied.

The student swiped through his phone and then turned to ask Song Ruichi, “Teacher Song, may I add you on WeChat?”

Before Song Ruichi could answer, the student added, “I don’t know if you remember me. I’m Ye Xixi’s student from the Fine Arts Academy. We met at the academy before; you gave us a class.”