Soon, Wang Muman also returned home. After dinner as usual, she went upstairs and happily sent the song and score to Yan Cheng. A message quickly came back: "I'll familiarize myself with the score today!" accompanied by a smiley face.
Wang Muman replied with an emoji, then thought for a moment and told him she would arrive at nine the next morning. Yan Cheng replied with a simple "Okay," and Wang Muman put down her phone. She looked at her wardrobe, thinking about what to wear tomorrow to appear more presentable to the elders. After choosing her outfit, Wang Muman returned to her desk to do her homework, as there was still quite a bit to finish.
Wang Mujin returned quite early that day. He knocked on Wang Muman's door and went in.
"I'm back. How was your week?" Wang Mujin asked as usual.
"Just the usual. Brother, I'm going to a classmate's house tomorrow to prepare for the preliminary selection for the Sucheng Youth Performance Competition," Wang Muman told her brother directly about her plans.
Wang Mujin thought for a moment, recalling seeing something about it on his phone. "They say there's a chance to be on TV, and the prizes are generous. Are you going with a classmate?" Wang Mujin had expected Wang Muman to go alone and was surprised she would be collaborating with a classmate.
"Yes, this way the opportunity is greater."
"Do you want me to drive you tomorrow?" Wang Mujin wanted to meet the classmate.
"Sure. I'll be at the Taiwu Bridge bus stop at nine tomorrow. He said he'd pick me up," Wang Muman nodded to her brother.
Then, Wang Mujin didn't disturb his sister further and returned to his own room to wash up.
Wang Muman thought about finishing more homework so she could wake up early tomorrow to practice her dance. She decided she could also ask Yan Cheng about her geography assignment and then go to bed after finishing it. Her sleep was very good this time; she didn't dream and slept soundly until seven.
Wang Muman went downstairs and saw her brother typing away. Thinking he was busy, she didn't say good morning and started eating breakfast. The steamed buns were still warm. After finishing, Wang Muman returned to her room to practice her dance, recalling her performance. Fortunately, her memory was vivid. As soon as the music started, her memories flooded back, and she immediately found that sense of loneliness and fragmentation again. It felt like a dream, and as soon as she woke up, it was time to leave. Wang Muman put on her coat and asked her brother to take her to the meeting point.
Yan Cheng waited a quarter of an hour early, so Wang Muman spotted him immediately by the car window. He stood there like a tree, lost in thought, with a faint smile. He watched Wang Muman, wearing a green coat, walk towards him.
"Brother, this is my classmate, Yan Cheng. We've even played games together!" Wang Muman got out of the car, walked to Yan Cheng's side, and started introducing him as Wang Mujin caught up behind her.
Wang Mujin hadn't expected it to be a boy; he had thought it would be a lively girl. "Hello, I'm Wang Muman's brother, Wang Mujin." Wang Mujin had an impression of him, a stern one, but in person, he looked upright and sincere. His eyes conveyed honesty, and he had a decent appearance, though not particularly tall.
"Hello, I'm Yan Cheng." Yan Cheng also hadn't expected Wang Muman's brother to come. He wasn't sure what to say, and his ears turned red slightly as he became flustered.
"Don't be nervous. I just wanted to know who would be performing with Manman. Does your family live around here?" Wang Mujin noticed Yan Cheng's nervousness.
"Yes, just up ahead. My grandmother lives here. Um, are you coming too, brother?" Yan Cheng wasn't sure how to address him and called him "brother" out of necessity.
"Yes, after all, it's a boy's home, and I should see it to feel at ease." Wang Mujin had initially intended to leave, but upon seeing it was Yan Cheng, he couldn't help but feel a bit worried. Yan Cheng nodded and walked forward.