Times of Our Lives - Chapter 25

They had rested for less than 10 minutes when the instructor blew the whistle for assembly. Ji Qinyang put his hat back on, sweat dripping down from under the brim.

 

Zhai Lin’s delicate face was sunburned red, but his spirits were high, and he stood with his back straight.

 

The instructor patrolled back and forth, correcting the postures of a few boys. With another whistle blow, he pointed at Ji Qinyang, “You! Step out!”

 

Ji Qinyang marched out, “Here!”

 

“Flag bearer!”

 

Ji Qinyang was momentarily stunned, then responded loudly, “Yes!”

 

The instructor pointed again, “Fall in!”

 

Ji Qinyang returned to his place, and Guo Linan, standing beside him, gave him a discreet thumbs-up.

 

This year, the Central Conservatory of Music had only recruited a little over 200 new students, with less than 100 boys. The military training teams were divided into four groups, each with just over 20 people. With such small numbers and strict supervision from the instructor, they stood at attention in the morning and marched in the afternoon. By the last break, Ji Qinyang’s camouflage shirt was so drenched it could be wrung out.

 

“At times like this, studying wind instruments has its advantages…” Guo Linan lay on the ground, almost melting, “Lung capacity and stamina are top-notch.”

 

Ji Qinyang drank water and put his hat back on. Zhai Lin, next to him, was memorizing something like a script. Guo Linan leaned over to take a look, “A speech for the freshmen’s welcome party… hahaha, why are you practicing this, hahaha!”

 

Zhai Lin’s cheeks were bright red, either from urgency or the sun. He quickly closed the script, “Get lost, get lost. I can practice whatever I want.”

 

“Hahahaha, are you going to use standard Mandarin?!” Guo Linan laughed until he had tears in his eyes, “You sound so cute now, why practice standard Mandarin? Don’t!”

 

Zhai Lin ignored him. Ji Qinyang glanced at the script.

 

“I remember you have ear training classes.” Ji Qinyang raised an eyebrow, “Is your Mandarin that bad?”

 

Zhai Lin looked at him gloomily, “I can’t distinguish between ‘l’ and ‘n’.”

 

Ji Qinyang: “That doesn’t matter. There aren’t many words with ‘l’ or ‘n’ in a speech.”

 

Zhai Lin frowned and said nothing.

 

Guo Linan sat up and said seriously, “Tell me the truth, has someone made fun of your accent?”

 

“No, no.” Zhai Lin waved his hand awkwardly. After hesitating for a moment, he said, “Why make it so serious… fine, fine, I won’t practice anymore.”

 

Ji Qinyang didn’t say anything. He saw Bai Xintian walking over, followed by a few others.

 

“There are only 13 boys in the composition department this year.” Bai Xintian sat down next to Ji Qinyang, “These are from the dorm next to ours.”

 

One taller boy spoke first, “Does anyone here know Ji Qinyang?”

 

Bai Xintian probably didn’t expect him to ask so directly and instinctively looked at the boys beside him. Ji Qinyang, looking calm, stared at Zhai Lin. Zhai Lin was momentarily stunned, then immediately turned to look at Guo Linan.

 

“…” Guo Linan coughed, brushed his hair back coolly, and said, “What do you want?”

 

Bai Xintian: “…”

 

Zhai Lin: “…”

 

Ji Qinyang put his hat over his face, shaking with silent laughter.

 

“…” The boy was embarrassed, “I mean no harm, just want to get to know him.” After a pause, he added mysteriously, “Internal information: his compositions are highly praised by the professors, and he ranked first in both the initial and final exams.”

 

Guo Linan, pretending to be shocked, patted his chest, “I can’t act that part; the script is too intense, and my acting skills aren’t good enough.”

 

Ji Qinyang lazily said, “What are you afraid of? It’s not like you have to carry the box office.”

 

Bai Xintian laughed helplessly, “Alright, you two stop teasing Liu Wendao. Wendao, introduce your dorm mates.”

 

“Sure.” Liu Wendao, not being shy, invited the other three to sit in a circle, one of whom sat directly between Ji Qinyang and Zhai Lin.

 

“Sorry.” The newcomer was very thin, as fair-skinned as Zhai Lin. He extended his hand to Ji Qinyang with a smile, “I’m Qian Mo. You must be Ji Qinyang.”

 

Ji Qinyang shook hands with him, only then noticing he wore contact lenses.

 

Qian Mo smiled slightly. He was particularly delicate and pretty, with long hair tied back over his shoulder.

 

“Qian Mo has always wanted to meet you.” Liu Wendao introduced with a smile, “He’s quite famous in 798 and has his own band.”

 

Qian Mo waved his hand, “Not that exaggerated.” He took a business card from his pocket and handed it to Ji Qinyang, “You and your friends can come by sometime. We’re all into music, so let’s get to know each other.”

 

As Xie Meng walked towards the canteen on the west side of the school, he looked over some tutoring job advertisements. When he turned to the second page, someone suddenly patted him on the shoulder from behind.

 

“What are you looking at?” Yu Run leaned over to see, and was taken aback when he saw the words “tutoring job.” “You can’t be serious. You’re already looking for a job in your first semester of freshman year? Didn’t you just apply for student loans?”

 

“It’s just a student loan.” Xie Meng folded the paper and rolled it up in his hand. “I have to earn my own living expenses too.”

 

Yu Run pouted, “You’re really working hard… Haven’t you been in touch with your girlfriend these days?”

 

Xie Meng: “Yes, we’ve been in touch. He’s still in military training.”

 

Yu Run: “Military training is the most dangerous. Even though boys and girls are trained separately, they can still see each other. If your girlfriend is pretty, she’ll definitely get some attention. You have to keep an eye on her.”

 

Xie Meng smiled without saying anything. Yu Run thought for a moment, then uncertainly said, “But you’re so handsome, your girlfriend must adore you… You should introduce her to us sometime.”

 

“You just said it’s dangerous.” Xie Meng said coolly, “Why would I introduce her to you?”

 

Yu Run: “… A friend’s wife is off-limits! I have principles!”

 

Zhang Ganggang created a WeChat group and added the six of them. This year, Suzhou University didn’t send students to the military base for training; they trained right on campus. Qi Fei was thrilled because the most he did was post food pictures late at night. Zhuo Xiaoyuan, who was studying at a medical school in Shanghai, had just finished military training and started classes a few days ago.

 

In Beijing, besides Xie Meng, the other three had started military training right after school began, so the group chat was mostly filled with Qi Fei spamming food pictures, with only occasional messages from Xie Meng and Zhuo Xiaoyuan.

 

One day, Zhuo Xiaoyuan couldn’t take it anymore and said, “I’m about to get on the lab bench… Can you have a bit of conscience?”

 

Qi Fei: “I’m posting for Xie Mengmeng. Mengmeng isn’t eating well in Beijing; shouldn’t I let him see some good food?”

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan: “You bully him so much, be careful your old buddy Ji flies over to deal with you!”

 

Qi Fei: “Let him come, I’m lonely and cold~”

 

Xie Meng: “[Picture]”

 

Qi Fei: “??!”

 

Xie Meng: “Our school food is pretty good, and there are lots of cafes.”

 

Qi Fei: “…”

 

Xie Meng: “Classes aren’t too tight, our school is even called the Chinese People’s Holiday University.”

 

Qi Fei: “…………”

 

Zhuo Xiaoyuan: “Hahahahaha serves you right!”

 

On the last day of military training at the Central Conservatory of Music, besides the parade and formation drills, there was an art performance. For music students, the art performance was practically a large-scale concert. Zhai Lin represented the composition department and gave a freshman speech, while Guo Linan was even more nervous than him in the audience.

 

“I’m really afraid he’ll start with ‘I’m so happy to be here! Are you guys happy!’ Guo Linan grabbed Ji Qinyang’s shoulder and babbled, “It’s starting, it’s starting!”

 

Zhai Lin took a deep breath. As soon as he said the first word, the whole audience went quiet.

 

His Mandarin was perfect, comparable to a broadcast host. Guo Linan listened with his mouth agape and didn’t react until the speech was over.

 

Zhai Lin was reading the last sentence: “During this military training, we learned a lot, which will allow us to work harder in our studies and life!”

 

It took the audience a full five seconds to realize that Zhai Lin had mispronounced “努力” (effort) as “撸力,” and they burst into laughter.(check at the end of the ch.)

 

“…” Guo Linan covered his face. “I thought he could hold on until the end…”

 

Ji Qinyang high-fived Zhai Lin, who had come down from the stage with a sullen face. Bai Xintian comforted him, “It was great, it really was. Your earlier part was perfect, definitely scored points. None of us expected that, really!”

 

“What’s the use!” Zhai Lin said angrily, “My image is ruined.”

 

Xie Meng received Ji Qinyang’s call during class. He had Yu Run cover for him and sneaked out to answer.

 

“I forgot you were in class…” Ji Qinyang laughed on the phone. “Is it convenient?”

 

Xie Meng leaned against the wall. “Answering your call is more important.”

 

Ji Qinyang chuckled, “You really know what to say.”

 

Xie Meng smiled. “Is military training tiring?”

 

“Not bad,” Ji Qinyang seemed to be on the road, with the sound of a bus horn in the background. “It’s pretty fun. I met some people in a band. How about I take you to 798 in a few days?”

 

Xie Meng asked curiously, “What’s that place?”

 

Ji Qinyang didn’t elaborate. “You’ll know when we get there.”

 

“And you?” He asked, “Are you getting along well with your roommates?”

 

Xie Meng thought for a moment. “Not bad, but you’re probably better at this than I am.”

 

“Me?” Ji Qinyang’s voice was lazy, “Except for you, I don’t put effort into anyone else.”

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

“Don’t stay silent.” Ji Qinyang was still laughing, then suddenly said, “By the way, we have a handsome guy from Chongqing in our dorm. His dialect is hilarious; our whole dorm is starting to pick up his accent.”

 

Xie Meng: “Chuanpu (Sichuan dialect)? Can you understand it?”

 

Ji Qinyang: “It’s quite similar to Mandarin. Want me to show you?”

 

Xie Meng: “Go ahead.”

 

“Um…” Ji Qinyang thought for a moment, “We’re dating, right?”

 

Xie Meng laughed, “Aren’t we dating right now?”

 

Ji Qinyang: “I really miss you to death.”

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

Ji Qinyang: “I like you to death.”

 

Xie Meng: “…”

 

Ji Qinyang: “I love you to death, baby.” He laughed and asked Xie Meng, “Do you love me?”

 

After hearing Ji Qinyang’s affectionate imitation of Sichuan dialect, Zhai Lin, who couldn’t stand it anymore, turned around and exclaimed, “What’s with all this lovey-dovey talk? People from my place don’t talk like that!”

 

Ji Qinyang ignored him and kept talking for a while before hanging up. He knocked on Guo Linan’s chair, “Hey, wake up, I need to ask you something.”

 

Guo Linan, groggy and wiping his drool, mumbled, “State your business… otherwise, leave me alone…”

 

Ji Qinyang couldn’t help but laugh. He patted Guo Linan’s face, “How much does it cost to rent a place around Xizhimen?”

 

Bai Xintian turned around, “Why, are you planning to move out with your girlfriend?”

 

“That’s the plan.” Ji Qinyang didn’t deny it. “But I don’t have enough money this semester, so I need to figure out a way to scrape it together.”

 

Guo Linan finally responded, after a long pause to think, “Renting a place in Xizhimen isn’t cheap. The average price is around 5,000 yuan a month… Are you looking to rent a whole apartment?”

 

“Yeah.” Ji Qinyang nodded, “A whole apartment.”

 

Guo Linan admired him, “You’re really loaded… your girlfriend must be a beauty.”

 

Ji Qinyang smiled without saying anything. He logged onto 58.com in the back seat to search for rental listings around Xizhimen. Including the agent fee and the payment terms of three months’ rent upfront and a one-month deposit, it would cost at least 20,000 yuan.

 

Frowning, he put his headphones on and continued browsing the web. Just then, a text message notification popped up on his phone.

 

Qian Mo: “Our band has a performance this weekend at MAO Livehouse in Nanluoguxiang. Want to come?”

 

Zhai Lin mispronounced the word “努力” (nǔlì), which means “effort” or “to work hard,” as “撸力” (lūlì). The character “撸” (lū) is often associated with a slang term related to masturbation. Therefore, this mispronunciation turned a serious and motivating statement into something unintentionally humorous and inappropriate, causing the audience to burst into laughter.