CS Chapter 11: Extra – Charity Performance

“Ran-ge.” Upon hearing the door open, Li Jiusi stuck his head in from the balcony and saw that He Xingran had returned. He wiped his hair while asking, “Will you and Lin-ge go to the charity performance on Saturday?”

The school organized events such as charity performances and charity sales on the street, and donating books to children in impoverished mountainous areas. All clubs prepared a performance, and since He Xingran and Lin Wenjing were the pillars of the Music Club, at least one of them should go to represent them.

He Xingran closed the door and placed his books on his desk, then began to take off his coat. “He has a competition on Saturday and might not make it back in time.”

“Ah.” Li Jiusi’s spoke regretfully, “Everyone wanted to see your joint performance.”

He Xingran furrowed his brows. “You guys have already seen more than enough.”

He and Lin Wenjing had been together for almost a semester and had thought that people’s enthusiasm in seeing them act lovey-dovey had cooled down by now.

“It’s different.” Li Jiusi combed his hair in front of the mirror. The weather had gotten hotter in early summer, and he couldn’t be bothered to blow dry his hair. He let his bangs, which were growing a bit long, fall wetly on his forehead. “Does Lin-ge know it’s your birthday on that day?”

He Xingran smiled but did not answer; he also didn’t know if Lin Wenjing knew. However, whether it was his birthday or the charity performance, it was obviously not as important as the competition Lin Wenjing was participating in. It would be the same if he could make up for it when he had time.

He grabbed a towel and his pajama pants to go shower, which only took ten minutes. When he came out, everyone in the dorm had returned, with an extra person sitting in his seat with a gift box on his knees. He had his head slightly lowered and was reading a book in his hands.

“Wenjing?” He Xingran’s body was still a bit wet, the gray pajama pants were loosely tied around his hips, and his abs were exposed openly. He saw Lin Wenjing furrowing his brows.

He suddenly felt a bit jealous of Ran-ge’s roommates.

“Your birthday gift.” Lin Wenjing held back his emotions, then gave him the box in his hands. “I’m giving it to you in advance.”

“How do you know…my birthday?” He Xingran was stunned for a moment, then he smiled.

When they ate together and came back from the study room today, Lin Wenjing didn’t say anything about it, so he thought Lin Wenjing didn’t know.

“As your boyfriend, if I don’t even know your birthday, then that would be too neglectful of me.” Lin Wenjing took the towel that was draped over his shoulder and dried his hair with it.

His action was gentle.

His tone was also gentle, “Wear your clothes.”

Li Jiusi, who’s hair wasn’t completely dried, silently turned his head.

But Lin Wenjing’s voice still bore into his ears.

“I’ll try my best to return as soon as possible.”

His voice was obviously still light, but Li Jiusi could hear a hint of tenderness.

He flipped through the calendar, and seeing his birthday approaching at the end of the year, he pouted.

He was extremely jealous, sob.

The other two roommates were very considerate and went to the balcony—one went to the bathroom to shower, the other went to wash his hair on the balcony. Li Jiusi stepped on the ladder and got on his bed, putting on his headphones and tried his best to make himself scarce.

He Xingran smiled. “Can I open my present now?”

“Mhm.”

Li Jiusi couldn’t hold back, looking at the box from the corner of his eyes. The moment he saw the sports sneakers, his entire being was being submerged in lemons.

F*ck.

Who can resist being given sports sneakers?

He Xingrang put the lid back on the box, then rubbed his hair. “It’s a bit too expensive, though.”

Lin Wenjing smiled at him. “Do you like it?”

“I do, very much so.”

Lin Wenjing blinked. “As long as you like it.”

Li Jiusi opened the forum and began to type quickly in He Xingran and Lin Wenjing’s CP post.

“I’m so jealous!!!!!!!”

“Lin-ge gifted Ran-ge sports sneakers! And it’s a limited edition!!!”

“Lin-ge is really amazing!!!!!!”

“Wuwuwu I’m really jealous.”

☆☆☆

The day of the charity performance, He Xingran wore the new sports sneakers. He vaguely felt that everyone was looking at him—his shoes to be exact.

But when he stood behind the microphone, it didn’t matter to him whether the audience were here for him or for his shoes. For a charity performance, the most important thing was to fill the violin case in the front.

At the beginning, most of the people who showed up were C University students, later, passers-by and spectators came over one after another.

From dusk to nightfall, He Xingran sang a lot of songs, even his voice had turned a bit hoarse. Someone picked “Don’t Ask,” so the president pushed him up the stage again.

He grabbed his guitar, then pulled a stool over to sit and sing.

Someone quietly walked out of the crowd at the back, grabbed a spare drumstick, and gestured to the drummer to let him take their spot.

He Xingran raised his gaze amidst the burst of murmurs, and as if he sensed something, he titled his head and looked over.

The young man originally wore a suit, but now his suit jacket has been taken off and casually placed to the side. His dress shirt sleeves were rolled up, revealing well-proportioned and beautiful arms. His drumming movements were clean and neat. His face was expressionless, but he was very focused, and very cool.

Only when He Xingran looked at him did he retract his cold vibe and revealed a gentle smile.

“If the light forgot to illuminate the way forward, would you hold my hand?”

“If the road were to lead to a place unknown, would you walk with me?”

The man’s low and soothing voice dispersed with the wind. Lin Wenjing smiled at him and answered silently, “I would.”