Chapter 22: I Also Want Cake (22)
As the system predicted, Yang Xiao wouldn’t miss such an opportunity. She had initially been completely uninterested, but after learning that Jiang Zhiyan and Liang Xi were going to collaborate, she instantly became incredibly enthusiastic.
And she also requested a change of practice location, with a very good reason – a piano couldn’t be easily moved.
“It’s fine, I have a piano at my new place.” Jiang Zhiyan looked at Yang Xiao with a smile.
Yang Xiao: ?
“And my new place is closer to school, more convenient. Clearly, my house is better.”
“You’re ruthless.” Yang Xiao gritted her teeth. “Don’t tell me you bought a new piano just for this.” She felt that Jiang Zhiyan was capable of such a thing.
“I also play the piano, so it’s normal to have a piano.” Although the piano was indeed newly bought.
Yang Xiao took a deep breath: “Fine.”
Liang Xi, standing beside them, couldn’t help but laugh.
It was their first time visiting Jiang Zhiyan’s new place, so both Liang Xi and Yang Xiao brought gifts.
“You’re actually being so formal.” Jiang Zhiyan said, feigning surprise.
“I didn’t want to be.” Yang Xiao placed a fruit basket on the table. Looking at Jiang Zhiyan’s pretentious expression, she wanted to dump the basket on her head, but remembering Jiang Zhiyan’s combat ability, she restrained herself. Besides, she could barely carry the basket anymore. The action of “dumping” was too difficult for her. She forced a smile. “Just a small token of appreciation.”
“Thank you, you shouldn’t have.” Jiang Zhiyan glanced at it and nodded.
Liang Xi brought a lot of things, packed in three boxes, filling the doorway. Jiang Zhiyan helped carry them in, surprised by their weight as she glanced at Liang Xi. How did these two manage to bring the boxes over here?
“These two boxes are things you’ll need for your new place, this one is a gift.” Liang Xi said. “I didn’t know what you needed, so I brought some things I thought you might.”
“Thank you.” Jiang Zhiyan took Liang Xi’s hand and swayed it. “You’re so thoughtful. Come in, the slippers are new.”
Yang Xiao glanced at the three pairs of slippers on the floor, then at the pair Jiang Zhiyan was wearing, and decisively chose a different style. Just as she was about to pull Liang Xi to wear the same style but in different colors, Liang Xi had already changed her shoes and gone inside.
“What’s wrong, Xiao Xiao?” Liang Xi looked at her with some confusion.
“Nothing.” Yang Xiao appeared calm on the surface but was screaming internally. She couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Zhiyan several times. Jiang Zhiyan was really strange, very strange.
They moved the boxes to the living room, and Jiang Zhiyan sat down on the carpet and opened the boxes. Yang Xiao also joined her.
The first two boxes were filled with small appliances, packed tightly, no wonder they were so heavy and secured with several layers of tape.
“Thank you, these are all things I haven’t bought yet.”
When Jiang Zhiyan was about to open the third box, Liang Xi stopped her.
“You should wait until we leave to open it.” Liang Xi said shyly.
“Okay.” Jiang Zhiyan glanced at the box again. She wasn’t usually very curious, but now she understood the meaning of being on tenterhooks.
The main purpose today was to discuss the performance piece. Jiang Zhiyan said she was fine with anything, and Yang Xiao, not to be outdone, declared she could handle any level of difficulty.
“Really? Then…”
“Since you two have no objections, then I’ll choose.” Before they could start arguing, Liang Xi quickly took out her tablet and expressed her opinion. “I’ve already chosen these three dances at home. If you choose the music first, I won’t know where to find a suitable dance to match.”
“It just so happens that I can find the sheet music for these three pieces directly, so we don’t have to transcribe them. And they all have parts that highlight the instruments. We just need to slightly modify some sections.”
“As expected of Xi Xi, so impressive.” Jiang Zhiyan immediately praised her, her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Liang Xi blinked shyly: “Ah, actually… it’s nothing special. If you think they’re not good, I’ll find others.”
“I think they’re all good, I’m just having trouble choosing. Which one do you like the most? I’ll go with whatever you choose.” Jiang Zhiyan leaned on Liang Xi’s shoulder.
“I think the third one is the best. Xiao Xiao, what do you think?”
“Huh?” Yang Xiao came back to her senses, looking away from Jiang Zhiyan’s head resting on Liang Xi’s shoulder. “I’m fine with anything, I’ll also listen to you.”
Jiang Zhiyan touched her neck: “My neck feels a bit chilly. Yang Xiao, if you have any opinions, just say it. It’ll be more troublesome to change it later.”
“I have no problem!” Yang Xiao gritted her teeth.
“That’s good, then let’s go with the third one. Let’s go over there, I have a room specifically for practice.” Jiang Zhiyan glanced at the unopened third box on the floor as she stood up. “Or I can take you there, and then I can secretly peek at the gift.”
“No way!” Liang Xi grabbed Jiang Zhiyan’s arm. “You can only look after we leave! Let’s go, let’s go, which room?”
Jiang Zhiyan sighed softly, looking back every few steps: “What did you give me?”
“I won’t tell you.” Liang Xi smiled smugly. “It’s just one day, are you feeling impatient?”
“Yes, I’m dying of impatience.” Jiang Zhiyan leaned weakly against Liang Xi.
Liang Xi’s smile widened, but her ears turned red. She patted Jiang Zhiyan’s head: “Keep feeling impatient then.”
Yang Xiao narrowed her eyes shrewdly and followed behind them with her hands in her pockets.
Jiang Zhiyan turned her head slightly, glancing at Yang Xiao from the corner of her eye: “Why does she look so creepy?”
“You’re asking me? Don’t you know?” The system retorted. “And how does she look creepy? That’s clearly the look of someone who thinks you’re up to no good.”
Jiang Zhiyan looked away, continuing to lean against Liang Xi until they entered the room and sat down, then she straightened up.
“Jiang Zhiyan, you’re really clingy to Xi Xi.” Yang Xiao’s words were loaded with meaning.
“So are you.” Jiang Zhiyan sighed. “I thought you wouldn’t participate in this activity, so I could have some alone time with Xi Xi.”
After saying that, Jiang Zhiyan leaned against Liang Xi again.
Liang Xi pushed her shoulder, but couldn’t push her away, and said with a smile: “Stop it, I need to change my shoes.”
“I won’t get up until Xi Xi coaxes me.” Jiang Zhiyan looked at Liang Xi expectantly, swaying slightly.
Yang Xiao, next to them, turned her head: “Ugh, you shameless person! Xi Xi, you’re so tolerant, if it were me, I would have pushed her away, spun her 360 degrees in the air, and then thrown her on the floor.”
Jiang Zhiyan moved next to Yang Xiao: “Come on, you do it.”
Yang Xiao: …
“Waaah, Xi Xi, look at her, she’s bullying me.” Yang Xiao went around to Liang Xi’s side and tugged on her sleeve.
“I can spin you 360 degrees in the air and then throw you on the floor.” Jiang Zhiyan said faintly.
Yang Xiao stopped talking and let go of Liang Xi’s sleeve: “Xi Xi, you change your shoes, I’ll go check if the piano is in tune. Let’s start practicing soon.”
Liang Xi covered her face and chuckled.
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