The control room returned to a quiet atmosphere.

Confirming that Shu Nian had finished speaking, Xie Ruhe withdrew his gaze and played the song he had just processed for her to hear: “Listen to it a few times first and start singing after you’re familiar with it.”

Shu Nian obediently responded with an “Oh.” After her resentment had dissipated, her feelings were somewhat difficult to describe.

They used to be very good friends. But after several years without contact, when they met again, his attitude was so cold. She had instinctively distanced herself from him as well.

The conversation they just had somehow made her feel like they had returned to that time from before.

A bright time when the world was filled with warmth.

In the next moment, Xie Ruhe handed her the music score with lyrics on it: “Listen first.”

Shu Nian nodded, took the score, and dutifully listened four times.

Before playing it a fifth time, Xie Ruhe instructed: “Sing along with it once.”

Hearing this, Shu Nian glanced at him, her lips moving slightly, somewhat reluctant because she was afraid he would laugh at her.

Xie Ruhe was very serious: “First get familiar with the rhythm.”

Because of his attitude, Shu Nian felt that her suspicions of his intentions were indeed unreasonable. She also got into the right mindset, focusing seriously as if she were in class.

…

That rain scattered in fragments/Light gathered in an instant/Night turned into day.

Thought it was a star knocked down by rain/Looking up

But it was you appearing

…

The music was played directly through speakers, not through headphones. The volume wasn’t small, and when Shu Nian sang, she could faintly hear her voice mixing with Xie Ruhe’s, though his voice generally overpowered hers.

This gave Shu Nian the illusion that her pitch was on the same level as his.

Shu Nian sang along with the complete version three times.

Afterward, Xie Ruhe handed her headphones and said: “This time wear headphones while you sing.”

Shu Nian took the headphones, noticed he wasn’t going to wear any, and hesitantly asked: “Aren’t you wearing any?”

Xie Ruhe made an affirmative sound and said softly: “I’ll listen to you sing.”

Shu Nian imagined that scene.

Wouldn’t he just be hearing her a cappella at that point…

But if she was singing along, it should be fine.

Another round ended.

Taking off the headphones, Shu Nian looked at him, as if waiting for his next instruction.

Xie Ruhe pressed his lips together, thought for a moment, and then said: “Half of it was off-key, the other half had the correct pitch and rhythm. With a bit more practice, it will be fine.”

Shu Nian could roughly guess and circled a part of the score with her finger: “Was it this part that went off?”

Xie Ruhe was silent for a few seconds, reached out, and circled another part: “It was this one.”

“…”

Shu Nian felt somewhat defeated and said in a depressed tone: “Maybe we should change singers after all…”

Xie Ruhe didn’t comment on her remark, showing extreme patience as he took out another sheet of music and said: “I’ll sing once, and you follow.”

Hearing this, Shu Nian paused, as if something occurred to her, and quickly agreed.

Xie Ruhe lowered his eyes and began to sing: “Thought it was a star knocked down by rain…”

Shu Nian followed: “Thought it was a star knocked down by rain…”

Xie Ruhe paused and repeated: “Knocked down by rain…”

“Kno-knocked down by rain…”

“Don’t start with too high a pitch.”

“Oh, okay.” Shu Nian was very obedient. “Thought it was a star knocked down by rain…”

“Good, try singing it once by yourself.”

Shu Nian sang it once more.

Xie Ruhe breathed a sigh of relief: “Right, just like that. Now follow along with the beginning once.”

“That rain scattered in fragments/Light gathered in an instant/Night turned into day/Thought it was a star knocked down by rain…”

“…”

Noticing his expression, Shu Nian asked: “What’s wrong?”

Xie Ruhe covered his lips with the back of his hand, not looking at her, his voice seemingly containing amusement.

“You went off-key again.”

“…”

They practiced for the entire afternoon but still didn’t record the song.

When it was time for dinner, Xie Ruhe didn’t keep her any longer and asked: “Do you have WeChat?”

“Yes.”

“Then add my WeChat.” Xie Ruhe looked at the computer, saying casually, “I’ll send you the song; take it home to listen to. Come back tomorrow to record.”

Shu Nian nodded and added his WeChat.

After receiving the song file, Shu Nian said: “Then I’ll head back now?”

Xie Ruhe was silent for a few seconds before saying: “I’ll see you out.”

Shu Nian thought for a moment and didn’t refuse: “You should put on more clothes; it’s a bit cold outside.”

Not receiving the expected refusal, Xie Ruhe was in a good mood: “Wait for me a moment.”

“Okay.”

Watching Xie Ruhe leave the studio, Shu Nian looked away, sat in place, and continued listening to the song, singing quietly as she listened.

Soon, Xie Ruhe returned to the studio, having added a long coat; his pants were unchanged, still the same fitted black casual pants.

Shu Nian stood up, instinctively going over to push his wheelchair.

Xie Ruhe’s eyelashes flickered, but he said nothing.

Shu Nian stood behind him, no longer mentioning work-related matters. Feeling that an afternoon of interaction had brought them somewhat closer, she asked softly: “When did you return to China?”

Xie Ruhe answered honestly: “I’ve been back for two years.”

Shu Nian recalled: “If I remember correctly, didn’t you go abroad during high school?”

Xie Ruhe responded in a low voice: “Yes, in my second year.”

The two reached the entrance, and Shu Nian bent down to put on her shoes and then looked at Xie Ruhe. He was also bent over, slipping his feet into sneakers. She pinched the corner of her shirt and suddenly blurted out: “Can I ask you a question? You can pretend you didn’t hear if you don’t want to answer.”

Xie Ruhe kept his eyes lowered and casually replied: “There’s nothing you can’t ask.”

Shu Nian licked her lips, feeling that he spoke much less than before as if they had returned to when they first met. But back then, he was full of thorns toward everyone, not letting anyone get close.

He didn’t believe in anyone’s goodwill and rejected any kindness offered to him.

He was guarded against everyone.

Now, in front of her, he didn’t give off that feeling. His sharp edges had been put away, his claws had been trimmed. Most of the time, he was like a quiet young man.

Shu Nian guessed that this demeanor was probably because of his legs.

Thinking of this, Shu Nian carefully asked: “That day outside the supermarket, were you unhappy because something I did reminded you of your physical condition?”

Hearing this, Xie Ruhe’s expression froze for an instant.

He immediately denied it: “No.”

“I don’t want to affect your mood.” Shu Nian’s voice was small, a bit dazed. “I truly believe that gradually getting better is a good thing. Even if hope seems slim, others can give up on you, but you can’t give up on yourself.”

Xie Ruhe was quiet for a moment, then said: “I know.”

“Life needs something to look forward to.” Shu Nian pushed him into the elevator, earnestly continuing what she had to say. “As long as you can persist, even the hope you couldn’t see before will appear.”

Xie Ruhe looked back at her, and the dead end that had seemed impossible to escape suddenly seemed to have a bright exit at that moment.

“Okay.”

For a time, it was as if they had returned to the past.

Back then, Shu Nian always had a mouth full of principles, annoying principles.

Everyone thought she was foolish, and no one was willing to listen.

Only Xie Ruhe was willing.

Xie Ruhe escorted Shu Nian to the entrance of the residential compound and suddenly said: “Shall I have Fang Wencheng drive you home?”

Shu Nian quickly replied: “No need, I still need to see my teacher.”

Xie Ruhe frowned slightly: “How will you get there?”

Shu Nian pointed in the direction of the subway station: “By subway, of course.”

Xie Ruhe looked at the darkened sky and hesitantly asked: “Shall I accompany you there?”

This was Shu Nian’s first time in this area. Outside the residential compound was a commercial street, which was fairly busy, but reaching the subway station required navigating several intersections. She had noticed when she arrived that most of the shops in that direction were still under development, with very few people around.

She was most afraid of places with few people.

Shu Nian was also too embarrassed to actively ask Xie Ruhe to accompany her, and logic told her that politely declining would be better. She struggled for a moment, feeling that the dark road in the distance looked as if it would swallow people, and immediately changed her mind: “Will you be returning alone afterward?”

Xie Ruhe made an affirmative sound: “I haven’t been out for too long; it’s good to get some fresh air.”

Shu Nian felt relieved and reminded him: “Don’t stay out too long; it’s getting late.”

Xie Ruhe was very obedient: “Okay.”

The two headed toward the subway station, one in front, one behind, chatting on and off. After walking for about twenty minutes, they reached the entrance of the subway station. Shu Nian said goodbye to him: “I’ll be going now.”

Xie Ruhe said: “Mm, be careful.”

“You too.” Shu Nian smiled at him. “Get home early.”

Having said that, Shu Nian was about to enter the subway station. In the next moment, Xie Ruhe suddenly called out from behind: “Shu Nian.”

Shu Nian turned back: “Huh?”

Xie Ruhe was a short distance away, the white streetlight shining on him, making his skin appear even paler, though his lips had good color. Winter had already arrived, and the temperature around them was very low; white vapor formed as they spoke.

He looked at her and suddenly said: “Didn’t you say last time that we should get in touch when we’re free?”

Shu Nian couldn’t remember when she had said that, but she nodded: “Yes.”

Xie Ruhe was silent for a moment, thinking about how they had agreed to start recording at one o’clock in the afternoon. He lowered his eyes, his voice low, clear, and clean, with a trace of barely perceptible nervousness.

“I’m free tomorrow morning.”