026 The One-Time Support Group
Coming out of the restroom, Pei Ningle went back to get her backpack and phone. Although it had only been charging for a short ten minutes, it was enough for this kind of black-and-white keypad phone to run for several hours in a low-power state.
But just as she was about to say her goodbyes and leave, Wang Heng suddenly asked, “Did you know that Brother Song before?”
Pei Ningle shook her head.
Wang Heng: “You’ve never even met, just chatted online a few times, and you came all the way to Rongdu to join him?”
Pei Ningle: “Because… he said he would reimburse my train ticket!”
Wang Heng: “What about the studio’s credentials? Did he show you anything that could prove his identity?”
The girl thought for a moment and held up her index finger. “On Q, he sent me a picture of the studio. It looked pretty nice!”
However, a picture of an office doesn’t prove anything. Wang Heng originally wanted to say this, but looking at the girl’s completely unsuspecting expression, he felt that she wouldn’t believe him even if he did.
Because she saw no hope of making it in the Imperial Capital, she had rushed straight to Rongdu upon receiving an invitation. It was like a drowning person grabbing onto a piece of driftwood; she wouldn’t worry about whether a venomous snake was hidden within. As long as there was no evidence right in front of her eyes, clearly stating that this Brother Song was unreliable, Pei Ningle definitely wouldn’t back down.
Wang Heng hesitated for a moment, then asked again, “What about your parents? Do they know you’ve come to Rongdu?”
Pei Ningle pouted. “Don’t mention them. It’s impossible to reason with them. No matter what I say, they always have the same lines, without any variation.”
“Alright, let’s go back to Brother Song. What works has his music studio produced?”
“I forgot to ask…”
Wang Heng had already anticipated this answer, so there was nothing to be surprised about.
He considered for a moment and said, “I’ll go with you later. If you’re alone and something really happens, it will be very troublesome. But when we meet that Brother Song, don’t say that we just met today.”
Pei Ningle: “Why?”
“Because a new friend can’t easily interfere in your affairs, but if it’s a support group of friends and family, it’s more convenient to speak up for you.”
**
Brother Song sat in the driver’s seat of his Mazda, looking at the bustling and lively street scene outside, feeling particularly content. Because the nature of his ‘work’ was rather special, he hadn’t really wandered around the urban area of Rongdu much.
“After these few deals are done, I’ll definitely have to live it up.” He caressed the old steering wheel and muttered to himself.
Suddenly, he saw a petite girl run over and open the rear car door. The girl’s clothes were very simple, which made him frown slightly; but when he looked at the girl’s appearance, his heart stirred.
“You must be Pei Ningle, right?” he asked.
The girl quickly replied, “Yes. I’m sorry, Brother Song. My phone died and I got lost.”
Brother Song waved his hand. “It’s okay, it’s a small matter. You… Hey, who are you?”
Behind Pei Ningle, a handsome young man who looked equally young had also gotten into the back seat, right next to her.
The young man replied, “Hello, Brother Song. I’m Little Le’s cousin.”
“Didn’t she come alone?”
“I happen to be attending university in Rongdu. This girl’s phone died, so she went to my school, found me, and then called you.”
Brother Song frowned slightly, feeling that a huge variable had been added to his originally foolproof plan.
He thought for a moment and decided to stay calm for now. So he asked, “Alright, what’s your name?”
The handsome young man’s face was full of sincerity. “My name is Liu Heng. Brother Song, you can just call me Little Liu.”
Pei Ningle glanced at him, wanting to laugh a little, but managed to hold it in.
Brother Song nodded. “Okay, Little Liu. Your cousin is coming to work for me. What about you? You’re still a university student. What are you here for?”
The young man replied, “Little Le’s parents heard that she had arrived in Rongdu and specifically told me to take good care of her. So I have to check out her work environment, living environment, and so on.”
Brother Song gripped the steering wheel and used the rearview mirror to observe the expressions of the two young people in the back seat. Hmm, very good. They don’t seem very wary. They shouldn’t be difficult to deal with…
So Brother Song started the car, released the handbrake, and said, “Then come and have a look with me. The place is a little far, but after you’ve seen it, I’ll drive you back to the city.”
“Okay, thank you, Brother Song.”
**
In Pei Ningle’s imagination, Brother Song’s music studio should be in the urban area of Rongdu. However, as the car drove further and further, and the surrounding roads became more and more desolate and deserted, she couldn’t help but feel a little apprehensive. Fortunately, Wang Heng was by her side, which gave her a little more sense of security.
It was clearly the first time they had met, and she had at least chatted with Brother Song a few times, whereas Wang Heng had never known this person before today. But for some reason, Pei Ningle just felt that Wang Heng was exceptionally reliable.
It was just that at this moment, Wang Heng was also a little absent-minded, always silently looking out the car window. When Brother Song tried to talk to him, he would just give a simple, perfunctory reply, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.
Pei Ningle also finally began to feel a little solemn.
After a long while, just as Brother Song was rambling on about how livable the environment in Rongdu was, the girl suddenly asked, “Brother Song, I still don’t know what style you’re good at… Do you have any finished works that I can listen to?”
Brother Song didn’t turn his head, but there was a hint of a smirk in his tone. “Oh? Are you testing me?”
Pei Ningle was at a loss for words for a moment. Fortunately, Wang Heng, who was beside her, came to her rescue.
Wang Heng said, “Little Le isn’t testing you. She just thinks that talking about professional music stuff can bring you closer.”
Brother Song laughed heartily. “No need to be in such a hurry. When we get there, there will be plenty of time at work. We can talk about music however you want. And Little Le, you haven’t been to a music conservatory or studied professionally. I’m afraid it might be a bit difficult to explain things to you directly.”
Pei Ningle was immediately unconvinced. “I’ve studied music theory on my own!”
Brother Song said dismissively, “Self-taught definitely can’t compare to having professional teachers at the Provincial Conservatory of Music. But it’s okay. After we get settled, I can teach you slowly. Don’t worry.”
Pei Ningle pouted and closed her mouth, saying nothing.
After a long time of twisting and turning, the car finally stopped.
Brother Song turned off the engine, got out, and opened the rear car door. “We’re here. Let’s go.”
Pei Ningle got out of the car, looked around, and the sense of dissonance grew stronger and stronger. This place clearly looked like a residential area, and the old-fashioned residential buildings were from decades ago. To say that a music studio was hidden inside was really… very unconvincing.
