Chapter 9 Three Feedings_2

Cen Ye had his hands in his pockets, and his hair still had fine snowflakes on it, perhaps melting away. This was the first time Xu Xunsheng saw such an expression in his eyes, in those deep, pitch-black depths, could there be a hint of tenderness?

But that gentleness was nearly fleeting, and he said, "You changed my music." His voice was neither cold nor warm.

Xu Xunsheng immediately said, "You eavesdropped on me playing the piano."

To her surprise, Cen Ye actually smiled, swaggering down, saying, "Alright then, we're even." He walked straight towards her, and Xu Xunsheng, puzzled, stood up straight. As he came closer, that handsome, clear face was arrogant, and his gaze forever direct. Xu Xunsheng's heart fluttered a bit uncontrollably at his stare, instinctively avoiding his eyes.

He walked to her side and rear, bent down to pick up a duckbill cap from behind the bench, and said lightly, "You forgot your hat here." Xu Xunsheng stood up and asked, "What about them?"

Cen Ye put the hat on his head with a flick, and just as Xu Xunsheng noticed, it also precisely pressed down the few locks of hair wet with snowflakes. He answered, "They've gone back, there's no performance tonight, Tanzi went to the computer city to do part-time work."

Xu Xunsheng asked, "You didn't go?"

He gave her a somewhat strange look, "I have my own specialty, my part-time work isn't in IT."

Xu Xunsheng couldn't help but laugh. Who knew the young man would stretch out his long arm, rest it on the keyboard stand, and lean in slightly.

Xu Xunsheng looked up at him directly.

He suddenly laughed. That laugh, though aloof, carried a trace of warmth and was somewhat casual.

"You play the keyboard like a pro," he said, "even better than Hai ge. Ms. Genius, would you consider joining our band?"

"Not considering it," Xu Xunsheng said plainly.

He stared at her, his expression unchanging, "I'm serious. A lead singer like me, a band like ours... when we really make it big, there won't even be a chance for you to join. Think it over."

All of a sudden, Xu Xunsheng slowly smiled. This boy, he didn't even have money for lunch today. But why was she so sure that what he was saying was real?

"Yeah, I've thought it over," Xu Xunsheng said, "Cen Ye, I don't want to live that kind of life. Best of luck to you all."

Cen Ye was quiet for a while, straightening up before pulling the hood of his hoodie over his head, now wearing two layers of hats, his face hidden inside, not minding the stuffiness. Xu Xunsheng heard him "heh" with a laugh and say, "Boring."

She didn't speak.

At that moment, there came a faint knocking from above, someone calling out, "Delivery's here." Xu Xunsheng turned and headed upstairs, Cen Ye following behind her.

The delivery guy, covered in snow, stood at the door, handing her the bag.

Out of the corner of her eye, Xu Xunsheng saw Cen Ye standing to the side indifferently, not taking the bag, and said, "I canceled the order."

The delivery guy let out an "Ah", looking down at his phone, "I didn't see it... no, it's not canceled... look, it's not canceled..."

Xu Xunsheng said, "Maybe I did something wrong, but I've made dinner plans tonight. Can I cancel this order?"

The delivery guy was in a quandary, "How can that work... It's already made, and you've paid for it, Miss. Why not just eat an extra portion..."

Xu Xunsheng laughed, "How can I eat more?" She made a frown, pretending to think, then took the food and turned to Cen Ye, "Could you take this meal with you?"

Cen Ye gave her a faint glance, saying nothing.

Xu Xunsheng continued, "I've made plans to have dinner with a roommate from university. There are several guys with you, so you could have it as a late-night snack. I hate wasting food. Xiaoye, please help."

The last five words were spoken softly, gently. When Cen Ye looked up, he saw the warm smile in her eyes, as if she didn't care about the contempt he'd shown her in the basement earlier.

"You've fed me twice now," Cen Ye said casually, taking the lunchbox, "Fine, I'll deal with it for you."

It was actually three times, Xu Xunsheng corrected in her mind.

Who knew this guy would act coy after getting a good deal? As he walked out, with Xu Xunsheng about to close the door, she suddenly heard him call out loudly, "Hey, Xu Xunsheng."

She stopped in her tracks, looking at him.

Yet under the streetlight, the boy was smiling, "When you were playing that piece just now, who were you missing?"

Xu Xunsheng was taken aback. He gestured to his left chest, "I can feel your emotions."

Xu Xunsheng's heart seemed to skip a beat at his words. Then she laughed wryly, "I wasn't missing anyone. Just recalling some old things. Don't talk nonsense."

Cen Ye tipped his hat brim, seemingly proud, and walked away with a smile.

The neighborhood where he lived wasn't far from Xu Xunsheng's workplace; it was just much less comfortable, nowhere near as upscale as her residential area. Carrying the lunchbox and humming a tune, he quickly climbed the stairs to his apartment. Sometimes, when he was too hungry, he didn't even feel it anymore. He hadn't received the payment for yesterday's performance yet—it wasn't much. He had spent all his money on late-night snacks. He was used to going hungry for a meal or two, not expecting Xu Xunsheng, that scatterbrain, to order extra takeout and give him an unexpected treat.

As soon as he entered the apartment, famished Cen Ye tossed the lunchbox on the narrow old wooden table and pulled up a chair to start eating. There were three boxes in total. He lifted the lids one by one, and Cen Ye paused for a moment:

A full box of rice, a serving of spare ribs stewed with Chinese yam, and a dish of stir-fried pork with chili peppers. Each had generous portions.

A tiny speculation suddenly surged through his brain like electricity. But almost immediately, he firmly denied the possibility—she couldn't have known he was out of money today.

And she had no reason to be kind to him. She might not even truly appreciate underground music.

Cen Ye had run all the way back, so the dishes hadn't cooled down; some containers were still emitting tempting steam. Two ordinary home-cooked dishes suddenly reminded him of a kind of warmth he hadn't felt in a long time.

He took a bite of rice, but felt a lump in his throat, making it hard to swallow. He put down his chopsticks, reached for a half bottle of mineral water on the bed, took a big gulp of cool water, and then quickly finished off the lunchbox. The young man's face returned to its usual coldness, calm and seeming invincible.