Rose in No-Man's Land

40 How do you like it?

On the day of the concert, Xia Xingmian was taken backstage to the venue to prepare, while Lu Qiurui took Tao Ye to the audience seats alone to wait for the concert to begin.

At the narrow entrance of the lounge hallway, Xia Xingmian stood sideways, secretly watching the two people in the audience.

The preparations behind her were almost done, and whenever she found herself free, she would come here to stand and steal a few more glances at Tao Ye.

Tao Ye and Lu Qiurui were sitting together, with Lu Qiurui habitually resting her shoulder on Tao Ye, tilting her head to talk to her.

Tao Ye smiled slightly, nodding from time to time, and occasionally responding. It was unclear what they were discussing.

From the way Tao Ye treated Lu Qiurui, there didn't seem to be anything odd.

Xia Xingmian's feelings grew more complex. That night, she had indeed heard what Tao Ye said. It was because she heard it so clearly that she felt entangled.

—"Don't leave again."

This statement sounded as though Tao Ye wanted to possess her. But if Tao Ye was truly jealous of Lu Qiurui, would she be so calm while chatting with Lu Qiurui now?

Could it be that she was overthinking...

It might also be... just words spoken in a moment of passion, said without earnestness, and she didn't need to dwell on it.

Xia Xingmian let out a long sigh, withdrew her gaze, and leaned against the wall with her arms crossed.

Sometimes she felt like she thought too much, fearing that she complicated things that were originally simple. But at other times, she worried that she didn't think enough and would miss certain details.

A staff member from backstage came over, calling for Xia Xingmian in accented English, saying Mr. Charlie was looking for her.

Upon entering Charlie's lounge, a middle-aged man in a well-tailored tailcoat smiled at her, inviting her to sit on the sofa opposite him.

After Xia Xingmian sat down, Charlie awkwardly addressed her in Chinese, "Miss Xia..."

"You can speak Chinese?"

"No..." Charlie shook his head. "Just for you, only this sentence."

Xia Xingmian felt flattered.

Charlie continued to communicate with her in English, saying he had been observing her performance in the ensemble over the past few days and that it was excellent. He hadn't seen a talented pianist like her in many years.

Xia Xingmian thanked him.

Charlie asked her age, how long until graduation, and whether she planned to pursue a master's degree in finance afterward.

Xia Xingmian said she was also unsure. Charlie earnestly told her she had a perfect pair of hands as if she was born to play the piano.

Xia Xingmian responded with a soft, "Mm..."

Charlie suddenly asked, "May I have your phone number?"

Xia Xingmian replied, "You have given me your business card."

Charlie said, "I'm afraid you won't contact me."

Xia Xingmian fell silent for a moment and said she was going back to her country.

Charlie responded, "I can go to China in the future."

Xia Xingmian was a bit surprised by such affection.