December 26, 1998, Saturday. Guan Xuchen arrived at the gate of Gao Xinglang's residential quarter and saw Gao waiting under the big banyan tree with a guitar in hand. He trotted over, greeted Gao Xinglang with a smile, and then the two headed toward the neighborhood cultural plaza together.
Guan Xuchen looked at the guitar in Gao Xinglang's hand and asked with interest, "Lang, are you really going to perform a guitar singing later?"
"Of course." Gao Xinglang replied with a grin, "I'm not as good as Brother Cheng Gangyu, but I'm willing to go all out to help our schoolmate."
"You play the guitar beautifully too." Guan Xuchen said with a smile, then sighed, "It's a shame Brother Cheng Gangyu's already in college—I wish I could see his performance again at yesterday's variety show."
"But you still got me." Gao Xinglang said confidently, "Soupy, whenever you want to hear some guitar singing, just let me know!"
"Great, it's a deal then," A sweet smile spread across Guan Xuchen's face.
When they reached the neighborhood cultural plaza, they saw some teachers, student cadres, and neighborhood officers already busy setting things up. In the center of the venue stood a simple small stage, with a banner reading "Guangzhou Xiaoda Middle School Charity Fundraising Event". Several tables were set up nearby, each with a donation box along with some stationery, sporting goods, and handicrafts. Next to the tables was a display board with pictures and materials explaining the background of the event.
It turned out that a Junior One boy from Xiaoda Middle School had been injured in tragic car accident last week and had an amputation. And he would need a second surgery soon. His parents were divorced, and the family was in poor financial straits. Upon learning about this, the school contacted the neighborhood office to jointly organize this charity fundraiser to help the student.
Gao Xinglang and Guan Xuchen greeted the teachers, students, and neighborhood officers present, then walked over to one of the tables. Gao Xinglang pulled six 100-yuan notes from his pocket and dropped them into one of the donation boxes.
Su Yarong, monitor of Class 2, Senior Three, who was standing behind that table, smiled and said, "Gao Xinglang, thank you for your generosity."
"It's nothing. Just glad I can help a schoolmate," Gao Xinglang scratched his head and said in a carefree manner.
Director Liu from the Discipline Office, having heard that Gao Xinglang donated 600 yuan, walked over and said with a smile, "Gao Xinglang, it's good to be enthusiastic about helping your schoolmate. But you donated such a large sum—do your parents know about it?"
Gao Xinglang replied in a relaxed tone, "Don't worry, Director Liu. I discussed it with my parents, and they fully support me in doing this."
"That's good to hear," Director Liu nodded in approval.
While they were talking, Guan Xuchen took out a stack of notes from his pocket—five 10-yuan notes, six 5-yuan notes, plus several 2-yuan and 1-yuan ones—and quietly dropped them into the donation box.
He then picked up one of the basketballs and examined the autographs on it: those of the school basketball team's coach, as well as current and former team members. He suddenly pointed at one of the autographs and said excitedly to Gao Xinglang beside him, "Lang, I've found your autograph!"
Gao Xinglang glanced at the autograph and teased, "I'm no celebrity, and my handwriting isn't even nice. Why are you so excited, Soupy? If you want my autograph, I can write you a hundred of them, no problem."
"Guan Xuchen, how much did you donate just now?" Su Yarong asked with a smile.
"I—I just donated 100 yuan..." Guan Xuchen replied, a little sheepishly.
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Love Me in Another Universe
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