... In the following days, this strange communication became the norm.
There was no fixed time, no fixed topic.
Sometimes Song Yuqi would send a funny photo of a backstage sister, complaining with a "LOL."
Sometimes, while Zhou Ping was doing practice problems, he would take a photo of a physics question and send it over, without any accompanying text.
Then Song Yuqi would reply with a "?".
He would reply with "Butterfingers."
Zhang Sheng saw Zhou Ping more than once, a curve on his lips he didn't even notice, as he looked at his phone screen.
That expression was more unsettling than when he solved a difficult math problem.
"It's over," Zhang Sheng said to Wu Rui, heartbroken. "Old Zhou is falling for her. This is a love even dogs wouldn't bother with. He's going to be a simp!"
... Friday after school.
As soon as Zhou Ping packed his bag, his phone vibrated.
It was that familiar corgi avatar again.
【Song Yuqi】: Free tomorrow?
Zhou Ping's heart skipped a beat.
【Zhou Ping】: What's up?
There was no immediate reply.
Zhou Ping put his phone in his pocket, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and walked out of the classroom, but his steps unconsciously slowed.
He was waiting.
Waiting for that chat box to pop up again.
This feeling was very unfamiliar, completely out of his control, a passive, illogical... anticipation.
He reached the school gate when his phone vibrated again.
He pulled it out almost immediately.
【Song Yuqi】: I'm leaving next week, so I'm having a small farewell party with just a few friends.
Zhou Ping's fingertips hovered over the screen.
The next second, her second message popped up right after, like a direct hit, with a hint of a mischievous smile, catching him off guard.
【Song Yuqi】: Coming? My sugar daddy junior.
【Zhou Ping】: Yes, definitely.
【Zhou Ping】: Send me the time and address. I'll be there on time.
A map location link was sent directly.
【Song Yuqi】: Tomorrow at 7 PM. Don't let me catch you being late.
Before Zhou Ping could reply, a third message followed.
【Song Yuqi】: Remember not to bring a gift, I won't accept it, junior.
Zhou Ping's Adam's apple bobbed, and he put his phone back in his pocket.
He looked up at the bustling crowd at the school gate, and for the first time, he felt that his "energy-saving principle" might not be so unbreakable after all.
He had just voluntarily taken on a huge problem for himself.
But strangely, every cell in his body, far from resisting, was... a little excited.
This feeling was even more thrilling than solving a difficult physics problem...
Back home, Zhou Ping collapsed onto the sofa in the living room on the first floor.
Song Yuqi said not to bring a gift.
That instruction lingered in his mind, carrying a playful warning.
But he insisted on giving one.
Zhou Ping's fingertips unconsciously swiped across his phone screen, stopping on the recording file.
Two complete musical pieces lay there quietly.
He had completely figured out this pattern.
Song Yuqi was the person who could make melodies sound in his head.
She was the key to unlocking an unknown realm within him.
Before she appeared, his world was defined by his constant complaints of "trouble" and "saving energy."
Everything was precise, stable, but also incredibly boring.
Now, a brand new path unfolded before him, full of unknown melodies and vibrant colors.
A life he subjectively wanted to pursue more.
He suddenly felt that living meant consuming something.
Become an idol? Stand on stage?
No, facing so many spectators.
Not to mention the nervousness, just thinking about it felt exhausting.
Then... behind the scenes?
Zhou Ping sat up abruptly.
Producer.
These three words, like a flash of lightning, instantly cleared all the confusion in his mind.
He could continue playing this addictive music game, and also... stay in touch with Song Yuqi.
After all, she was going to be an artist, and what she lacked most were good works.
And he could provide them.
Zhou Ping's lips curved upwards uncontrollably.
As for the gift, he had actually thought of it long ago and prepared it.
His family owned gold and jewelry stores, so giving girls things they liked was like a fish in water for him.
But what to give was a technical skill.
Too expensive, she definitely wouldn't accept it.
Too perfunctory, it would seem insincere.
Zhou Ping opened WeChat, his gaze falling on the round corgi avatar, and the answer was already there.
He got up and went back to his room, pulling out a small velvet box from his bookshelf.
With a 'click,' it opened.
A warm, golden gleam lay quietly on the black velvet.
A palm-sized corgi pendant, exquisitely crafted, the short legs and the iconic butt, the curves made so lifelike and endearing.
This thing wasn't heavy, just a few grams.
Though it was gold, it looked more like a delicate little toy.
That way, she shouldn't feel any burden when accepting it.
To give a gift to this extent, Zhou Ping himself felt that his "energy-saving principle" was completely broken.
This gift had actually been lying on his bookshelf in his room a few days ago.
He remembered a few days ago, holding a meticulously drawn blueprint, he uncharacteristically approached his mother, Wang Ya, who was watching financial news in the living room.
"Mom, help me make something."
Wang Ya glanced at him, then at the blueprint he handed over, and let out an "Oh."
"Has the sun risen from the west? Our family's master of slacking off actually needs something from me?"
On the blueprint was a corgi.
It wasn't a simple outline; from the curve of the head to the iconic short legs, and then to the round butt, every detail, even the range of gold weight, he had clearly marked with a pencil.
Wang Ya picked up the blueprint, and the smile on her face grew wider the more she looked at it.
"A corgi? And drawn so meticulously, even the curve of the butt is marked."
She looked up, her eyes full of teasing.
"Tell me, who is it for?"
Zhou Ping's gaze drifted elsewhere, his tone feigning indifference.
"A friend."
"Male or female?" Wang Ya pressed.
"...Female."
"Oh—" Wang Ya deliberately drew out the sound, tapping the blueprint between her fingers. "Which friend has such a big face that they can make our young master, who finds even going downstairs for dinner too much trouble, personally draw blueprints and supervise the craftsmanship?"
Zhou Ping's ears instantly turned red.
He uncharacteristically stammered, taking a long time to squeeze out a sentence.
"...A classmate."
"Alright, alright."
Wang Ya smiled as if she had a secret, no longer pressing him.
"Mom will rush it for you, I guarantee it'll be even cuter than the blueprint."
She paused, then added meaningfully.
"Your taste, it seems pretty good."
—
Zhou Ping placed the small box containing the gift in the most conspicuous spot, to avoid forgetting it tomorrow.
Thinking about facing a group of Song Yuqi's friends tomorrow, his "energy-saving principle" instantly went into full gear again.
How about bringing Zhang Sheng along?
That guy was a natural at socializing; with him there, Zhou Ping could at least say a hundred fewer words, saving enough energy to sleep through three more classes.
As soon as this thought emerged, he slapped it down himself.
No.
This was her gathering, her farewell party.
What would it look like if he brought a plus-one?
Song Yuqi might agree, but it wouldn't be out of willingness, it would be to save his face.
Convenience obtained through favors was the most troublesome.
What if it made her uncomfortable? Would there be a next time?
The words "next time" made Zhou Ping's heart jump for no reason.
Tomorrow was destined to be another day surrounded by troublesome things.
But for the first time, he felt that this kind of trouble, actively chosen for someone, seemed... not so bad.