The rehearsal of the program and the arrangement of the song accompaniment were almost happening simultaneously.

Since Mei Fang had also made significant progress in his guitar fingerstyle technique, for the melody of I Know, for which guitar tabs were readily available, he only needed a couple of hours of practice to play it smoothly.

During the weekend, he practiced the guitar accompaniment for I Know with Lin Youxi at home, while Xia Yuan brought her laptop to school to work on the arrangement with Liu Xiaoyu. After two weeks of joint effort, the arrangement and rehearsal work were finally nearing completion.

Liang Meijuan knew that the children wanted to showcase themselves on stage. Unlike most parents who would worry about it affecting their studies, she silently supported and encouraged Mei Fang and the others.

“Come here… Ah Fang, Youxi, I made chicken soup for you. Take a break from what you’re doing and come have it while it’s hot.”

“Okay, Aunt Liang.”

Mei Fang and Lin Youxi obediently went to the dining table to eat the chicken soup. Lin Youxi ladled it into Mei Fang’s bowl one scoop after another and also added plenty of chicken gizzards.

“I don’t eat chicken gizzards. Don’t scoop so much, please…”

“You shouldn’t be picky about food.”

Lin Youxi emphasized this point as always, then she scooped up a spoonful of soup as if she were about to feed Mei Fang.

“If you don’t eat the chicken soup properly, I’ll have to feed you.”

Currently, Liang Meijuan was in the kitchen, cleaning up the dishes and chopsticks. Lin Youxi’s action startled Mei Fang, so he quickly took the spoon from Lin Youxi and obediently ate it.

Lin Youxi knew that Mei Fang was afraid of being seen as being too intimate by others, so she always teased him about it.

Of course, it was just teasing, and she had no ulterior motive.

“Ah Fang, be careful, it’s hot.”

“Ahh! Hot, hot!”

“That’s why I said…”

Mei Fang and Lin Youxi were happily eating the soup when Liang Meijuan approached Mei Fang with a stainless steel thermos full of chicken soup.

“Ah Fang, Yuan Yuan is still busy at school, right? After you finish the soup, could you please take it to her? Chicken soup is best consumed hot.”

“Okay, Aunt Liang. I’ll bring it to her in a moment.”

Mei Fang thought for a moment and then said to Liang Meijuan, “Aunt Liang, could you prepare an extra? Xia Yuan’s friend is also helping her.”

“Oh, I see… Then I should prepare an extra portion for her friend too.”

Lin Youxi didn’t go with Mei Fang. She just patted his shoulder and said, “Yuan Yuan has been working so hard lately. After you go there, spend some time with her. Bring her back together later. I’m afraid she’ll forget to come home for dinner again.”

“Alright… got it.”

The Ximilu Studio’s club room was only as big as a six-person dormitory. Before entering the room, Mei Fang saw Xia Yuan sleeping on her desk due to exhaustion, while Liu Xiaoyu was still wearing headphones, testing the soundtracks.

At the same time, Liu Xiaoyu was slowly chewing on a pineapple bun, seemingly not wanting to disturb Xia Yuan.

When Mei Fang knocked on the door and entered, Liu Xiaoyu saw him and immediately put down the bun. She smiled and waved at him, softly asking, “Did you come to visit Xia Yuan?”

“Mhm… she’s working so hard.”

Mei Fang gently closed the door and sat down next to Xia Yuan. It was now officially autumn, the weather was a little cool, but Xia Yuan had Liu Xiaoyu’s jacket draped over her, showing that Liu Xiaoyu took good care of her.

“The accompaniment arrangements for all three songs are now completed. Xia Yuan asked me to wake her up again around 5 o’clock. Would you like to listen and see if any adjustments need to be made?”

Liu Xiaoyu handed Mei Fang the headphones, but Mei Fang shook his head and smiled, “No need. If you and Yuan Yuan have decided it’s good, then it’s fine.”

“Mhm…alright.”

Liu Xiaoyu saw the thermos on the table and stood up, saying, “In that case… I won’t disturb you and Yuan Yuan anymore. I’ll head back to the dormitory first.”

“Ah, wait a minute. Don’t rush off.”

Mei Fang stopped Liu Xiaoyu and said, “Youxi’s mom asked me to bring some chicken soup. Would you like some?”

“Oh, I couldn’t possibly… I don’t need any,” Liu Xiaoyu hurriedly waved her hand. “It’s for Xia Yuan, right?”

“Yuan Yuan can’t eat so much, and it seems like you haven’t had dinner yet. Or… are you planning to fill your stomach with just that bun?”

Liu Xiaoyu quickly waved her hand again, “This… I’m just snacking to fill my stomach. I’ve been working all afternoon and I’m a bit hungry, but it’s still early for dinner.”

“Alright, alright… no need to be so polite. Just have a taste.”

Mei Fang opened the thermos and handed Liu Xiaoyu a small bowl with chopsticks and a spoon. He also gave her a small ladle.

“I don’t know how much you can eat, so serve yourself. This is the traditional way we make chicken soup in Baimei County. It’s really flavorful.”

“Um, okay… thank you.”

Liu Xiaoyu scooped just a small portion for herself, and after taking a small sip, she gratefully said to Mei Fang:

“Please thank Lin Youxi’s mother for me. This chicken soup tastes really good, just like how my mom makes it.”

“If you really like it, have some more. You’ve also worked hard.”

“Haha… This is enough for me. It wouldn’t be good if Xia Yuan doesn’t have enough to eat later.”

Mei Fang didn’t continue the insist and instead propped his cheek with his hand, looking at Xia Yuan who was sleeping next to him.

“How long has Yuan Yuan been sleeping?”

“We just finished the sound check not long ago, maybe half an hour before you came.”

“I see.”

Mei Fang gently took off Liu Xiaoyu’s coat that was on Xia Yuan and handed it back to her with both hands. “Thank you for taking care of Yuan Yuan. Take care not to catch a cold.”

“Hehe… it’s nothing.”

Liu Xiaoyu quietly ate the chicken soup and then watched as Mei Fang took off his own coat and carefully put it on Xia Yuan.

Perhaps smelling the delicious aroma of the chicken soup, Xia Yuan smacked her lips in her sleep.

Liu Xiaoyu wanted to tease Xia Yuan about her adorable expression, but seeing Mei Fang gazing affectionately at Xia Yuan’s cheek, she realized it wasn’t the right time to disturb them. She lowered her head and continued eating.

After finishing the soup, Liu Xiaoyu didn’t ask for another bowl. She cleaned up the bowl and chopsticks, put them back, and closed the thermos again.

Let me close this until Xia Yuan wakes up…

Liu Xiaoyu handed the thermos back to Mei Fang, wiped her mouth with a tissue, and then got up to say goodbye to him.

“Since you’re here, I’ll head back to the dormitory to rest first.”

Mei Fang nodded and said gently, “Mhm, you’ve worked hard during this time.”

“It’s nothing. After all, I’m still getting paid.”

Mei Fang silently watched Liu Xiaoyu close the door and unconsciously let out a sigh of relief.

Did I handle the situation properly just now?

At least it wasn’t as awkward and evasive as it was in the beginning…

Being too enthusiastic would make her think I have ulterior motives, and being too cold would be too artificial and would only make me feel more guilty.

In this life, she is someone I know because she’s Yuan Yuan’s good friend and a fellow from Baimei County.

Remembering this point will help me maintain a sense of propriety…

Mei Fang took a moment to forget about Liu Xiaoyu’s matter and then leaned in close to Xia Yuan.

Before long, Xia Yuan was awakened by his warm body, which felt like a blazing furnace.

“Ah, it smells so good, like Ah Fang’s scent,” Xia Yuan said, still half-awake.

“It really is Ah Fang…”

She wiped the drool from her mouth and then groggily rubbed her reddened cheek against Mei Fang’s cheek.

“Ah Fang… what time is it now?”

In fact, Mei Fang almost fell asleep too. He rubbed his eyes and checked the time. “It’s 5:15. Oh yeah…Aunt Liang brought some chicken soup for you. Have it while it’s hot.”

“There’s chicken soup! Yay!”

Xia Yuan excitedly asked Mei Fang to bring the chicken soup.

“Serve it for me.”

“Why are you acting like a spoiled princess today?”

Mei Fang grumbled, but he still served it to Xia Yuan attentively, carefully scooping the chicken soup for her and blowing on it before placing it near her mouth.

“Humph… of course, it’s because both Xiaoyu and I have finished arranging the accompaniments! Oh, by the way… where’s Xiaoyu? Let her taste the chicken soup too.”

“I already let her have some. She already went back to the dormitory to rest while you were still sleeping.”

“Oh… I see.”

Xia Yuan stretched her neck and ate a few mouthfuls of the chicken soup that Mei Fang fed her.

“It feels a bit strange to eat it like this…”

Xia Yuan still seemed a bit drowsy. She patted the chair next to her, looking happy as if she had drunk some alcohol. “Ah Fang! Let me sit on your lap, and you can feed me the soup.”

“Okay, okay…”

Mei Fang let Xia Yuan sit on his lap like he was feeding a child.

“The weather is gradually getting colder.”

“Yes.”

“Ah Fang is still warm.”

Xia Yuan shifted her body closer to Mei Fang, snuggling up to him.

After only drinking a few mouthfuls of the chicken soup, Xia Yuan suddenly turned her head and looked at Mei Fang.

“Ah Fang, it seems like it is standing up?”

“You used to always suspect that I’m not normal, right? Let me show you a perfectly normal side of myself.”

“Um…” Xia Yuan blushed and turned her head, then asked Mei Fang, “Do you want me to help with——”

“Hurry up and finish your soup and let’s go home.”

“Oh.”

It was clear that Xia Yuan had expended a lot of energy on arranging the accompaniment. In no time, she obediently finished all the chicken soup.

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