Times of Our Lives - Chapter 37

Ji Qinyang signed a five-year contract with Wen Tao, during which Ji Qinyang would serve as the advisor and behind-the-scenes figure for the band, responsible for the style and direction of their music and merchandise. Wen Tao required that all releases be under the band’s name, but Ji Qinyang insisted that all individual names be included in the credits.

 

“I’m part of the band, even if I’m behind the scenes, people should know I’m here,” Ji Qinyang was firm. “This actually won’t affect the band much.”

 

Wen Tao thought for a moment and conceded, “Alright, then we need four songs per month and an album every three months.”

 

Ji Qinyang responded, “Whether or not you release an album depends on your own strength. The affiliated entertainment company needs to be considered as well.”

 

“You don’t need to worry about that,” Wen Tao smiled. He pointed to the drummer, “Binggan’s uncle is a senior executive there. We’re just borrowing their name; they won’t interfere with the development.”

 

Ji Qinyang hesitated, “Is there a signed contract?”

 

Binggan shook his head, “No, it’s just verbal.”

 

“Having connections is helpful,” Wen Tao said proudly. “Sometimes we can get some promotion, and the album will have a record company.”

 

Ji Qinyang gave a noncommittal “hm.”

 

Qian Mo looked at Ji Qinyang and offered, “Shall we celebrate tonight?”

 

“No, thanks.” Ji Qinyang kept a copy of the contract for himself, put on his headphones, and smiled at him. “I have plans tonight. You all enjoy yourselves.”

 

Xie Meng looked at the bowl in front of Xiong Baobao. Unlike before, Xiong Baobao was eating very little.

 

“Not feeling well?” Xie Meng asked with a frown.

 

Xiong Baobao was dejected, “I got hit with a double whammy of psychological and physical blows today.”

 

Xie Meng, deciding to change the topic, asked, “How’s your micro-movie shoot going?”

 

“That…” Xiong Baobao sighed. “I can’t find good actors.”

 

“Weren’t you going to ask Zheng Ming?” Xie Meng inquired.

 

“I was planning to, but when I met him today, he lifted me up, and I forgot all about trying to get him for the movie,” Xiong Baobao explained.

 

“…”

 

“Taller people are just so spoiled,” Xiong Baobao said angrily. “Even for a book, the methods are all fancy!”

 

“…”

 

After finishing a call with Ji Qinyang, Xie Meng turned around to see Xiong Baobao staring at him.

 

“Is he that handsome guy from the other day?” Xiong Baobao asked.

 

Xie Meng smiled, “His name is Ji Qinyang.”

 

Xiong Baobao nodded, “Central Conservatory of Music, right? It’s a shame he’s not an entertainer.”

 

Xie Meng remained silent. He opened a jar of pickled vegetables given by Zhai Lin and scooped some for Xiong Baobao. “You’re not bad looking either. Why become a director and not a star?”

 

“It’s different.” Xiong Baobao chewed on a leaf of vegetable, “Height is a hard limit. If I were to act, it would only be in comedy.”

 

“Besides, as a director, you can direct tall people,” Xiong Baobao waved his chopsticks. “I make them squat, and they can only squat.”

 

Xie Meng, “… Playing a villain?”

 

“No.” Xiong Baobao said seriously, “Playing a rock.”

 

When Ji Qinyang arrived, he had an extra scarf with him. Xie Meng found it a bit odd.

 

“It’s windy outside.” After the October holiday, Beijing quickly turned cold. Whenever Ji Qinyang ate out in the evening, he would first go home to get a jacket.

 

Xiong Baobao’s gaze went from them to the scarf, “Do you two live together?”

 

Xie Meng didn’t think much of it, “Yes.”

 

Xiong Baobao pondered for a moment.

 

Ji Qinyang was more concerned with how much Xiong Baobao had eaten, “Who’s paying for this meal?”

 

Xiong Baobao felt hurt, “You’re so stingy…”

 

“We still have to pay the rent.” Ji Qinyang sat next to Xie Meng and gestured to the waiter for beer. “You know Beijing’s rent… Are you treating? If not, eat less.”

 

Xiong Baobao, “…”

 

The three ate quickly. Ji Qinyang and Xiong Baobao surprisingly found common ground, and Xiong Baobao showed them his work. A thirty-minute video posted on Bilibili had no comments or engagement, feeling cold and lonely as snow.

 

### Chapter 37

 

Originally, Xie Meng was just casually watching, but within a minute, he became engrossed in the video.

 

Half an hour isn’t enough to tell a significant story, but Xiong Baobao’s filming technique was very straightforward, while the scenes were skillfully chosen. The story depicted a father who, despite working hard to support his daughter’s education, couldn’t even afford a new pair of shoes for himself. He walked many miles to deliver food and books to his daughter, eventually wearing out his shoes. In the end, his daughter, who had just been accepted into university, bought him a new pair of shoes and put them on him in the yard.

 

“I was planning to submit this to an advertising company,” Xiong Baobao rested his chin on his hand while watching his video, “It’s a shoe advertisement.”

 

After watching, Xie Meng felt somewhat unsatisfied, “It’s really well done.”

 

Xiong Baobao pouted, “The ad company said it was too sentimental and lacked impact. It wouldn’t catch the eye of buyers.”

 

Ji Qinyang, sipping his drink, commented, “Yes, it does look like a public service ad promoting respect for the elderly and children.”

 

“…” Xiong Baobao rolled his eyes, “Can you be quiet?”

 

Xie Meng adjusted the video progress bar and watched the particularly beautiful, meaningful, and touching parts again. He still couldn’t believe that the ad company didn’t want this idea.

 

“It’s just like Yi Mei said,” Xiong Baobao understood well, “My filming is too artistic, like a public service documentary, without the gimmick the ad company wanted. So it’s normal that they didn’t take it.”

 

Ji Qinyang had nearly finished a bottle of wine, “So what did they end up choosing?”

 

Xiong Baobao recalled slowly, “They decided on an ad where the shoes shoot out like rockets with sparks when running, and they got Bolt to endorse it.”

 

“…” Xie Meng said, “Who would dare wear those shoes?”

 

Ji Qinyang laughed heartily, “Everyone’s Bolt now.”

 

When they left, the wind had indeed picked up outside. Xiong Baobao, with foresight, had brought a thick coat, while Xie Meng spread out the scarf, wrapping it around himself and Ji Qinyang. Xiong Baobao extended his hands and made a camera-like gesture with his fingers.

 

“This shot looks good,” Xiong Baobao muttered.

 

Ji Qinyang joked as he held Xie Meng, “You’re charging for this?”

 

“That meal wasn’t enough?” Xiong Baobao almost went crazy, “Let’s talk about art! Not money!”

 

Ji Qinyang laughed, “Alright, no talk about money.”

 

Xiong Baobao said earnestly, “I’m serious. When I make a big movie, will you do the music for it?”

 

Ji Qinyang was taken aback; he hadn’t thought about that before.

 

“Don’t underestimate me,” Xiong Baobao lifted his chin. Despite his short stature, his posture was always straight, as if his backbone were full of spirit. “I’ll make the best films and show them to more people.”

 

Xie Meng thought of the shoe ad earlier and said seriously, “I think so too.”

 

Ji Qinyang glanced at him and told Xiong Baobao, “There will definitely be opportunities to collaborate in the future.”

 

Xiong Baobao cheerfully waved his finger, “Don’t worry, you won’t lose out following me.”

 

After sending Xiong Baobao off, Xie Meng and Ji Qinyang wrapped in the large scarf went back. When they were about to reach home, Ji Qinyang held Xie Meng’s hand and put it into his coat pocket.

 

He told Xie Meng about joining Qian Mo’s group, and the boy remained silent for a while.

 

“Why are you so quiet?” Ji Qinyang’s tone was relaxed, “Don’t worry too much about the rent. Money will stabilize eventually.”

 

Xie Meng’s face was mostly covered by the scarf, and his voice was muffled, “… I feel like I haven’t done anything.”

 

Ji Qinyang asked, “What do you want to do? Quit your tutoring job?”

 

Xie Meng frowned, “Of course not.”

 

Ji Qinyang said, “Then stop saying you haven’t done anything. You handle daily expenses. Have I complained about it?”

 

“That’s not the point,” Xie Meng sighed and then smiled, “Never mind, I won’t argue with you.”

 

Ji Qinyang raised an eyebrow. He opened the door and, while Xie Meng was changing shoes, picked him up from behind and carried him to the bed.

 

Xie Meng had only one slipper on, the other left in the living room. Ji Qinyang efficiently removed his clothes and tucked him into bed.

 

Xie Meng, holding the blanket, asked in confusion, “What are you doing?”

 

“Going to sleep.” Ji Qinyang climbed in from the other side, kissed Xie Meng’s half-exposed body through his underwear, and said, “Making love.”

 

When Xie Meng woke up in the middle of the night, Ji Qinyang was no longer beside him. He touched the blanket and found it cold.

 

The small room’s soundproofing wasn’t too bad, but he could still faintly hear the sound of an electronic keyboard. Xie Meng put on a coat, checked his phone, and saw it was 3 a.m.

 

Ji Qinyang, wearing headphones, was hunched over the keyboard, composing music. Occasionally, he would stop and play a few notes before resuming writing.

 

There were empty beer cans in the corner, and the one next to Ji Qinyang was still half full.

 

Xie Meng watched for a long time from the door, eventually doing nothing but quietly lying back in bed.

 

In the darkness, he closed his eyes, resting his head on the pillow, with Ji Qinyang’s beautiful and moving piano music filling his ears.