Chapter Seventy-Four: Longing to See You

“These days, make sure to take good care of yourself at home. Especially when it comes to meals and sleep, you must stick to a regular schedule, understand?”
It was half past six in the evening the next day when Li Mu accompanied his parents and his aunt to the train station. Before they even went through the ticket check, his mother was already fussing over him nonstop.

Li Mu nodded fervently, like a pecking chick, agreeing to every one of her instructions without hesitation.

His father glanced at the time and said to him, “Alright, don’t bother waiting here with us. Go take care of your own business.”

Li Mu replied casually, “It’s not like I have anything urgent. I’ll keep you company for a while.”

His mother then reminded him to check the doors and windows before bed, and to always close the screen door properly when coming and going, so mosquitoes wouldn’t get in.

Li Mu kept nodding, his head nearly spinning from all the reminders, until his phone rang and rescued him.

It was Chen Wan.

“You troublemaker!”

Chen Wan’s tone was a little disgruntled as soon as she spoke.

Li Mu knew she was upset because he couldn’t come to Jinling to watch Simple Plan’s competition, so he asked attentively, “Sis, you’ve arrived in Jinling?”

“Yes, I’m having dinner with my brother and the others right now.” Chen Wan’s voice was like a sulky little girl.

Li Mu chuckled, “Help me send them my best wishes, and tell them I hope they win this time.”

“Mm.” Chen Wan responded, hesitated for a moment, and then said, “All four of their parents are here for this dinner, even my mom and dad came. We’re all going to the event together to cheer them on. You can tell my uncle, aunt, and the other parents are all proud.”

“That’s wonderful,” Li Mu said with a smile. “Getting recognition from the parents is more important than anything.”

Chen Wan said, “I heard my brother and the others went to the venue earlier to do a sound check. The girls from Jinling University surrounded them—countless girls asking my brother for photos and autographs. I heard this is all thanks to the promotion you did online for them. I can hardly believe it…”

Li Mu replied, “That’s just a small matter.”

Chen Wan went on, “We really need to thank you for all this, so I won’t blame you for not being able to come.”

“That’s a relief.” Li Mu let out a breath. “Just remember to tell me the results of the competition as soon as you know.”

“Alright,” Chen Wan said. “I’ll get back to the private room now.”

“Okay.”

Just as Li Mu was about to hang up, Chen Wan suddenly added, “Actually, I really want to see you. I was hoping we could meet this time, but it’s alright. There will be plenty of chances in the future…”

“Mm.” Li Mu felt a little embarrassed.

“I’m hanging up then, bye-bye.”

After Chen Wan hung up, Li Mu’s heart felt warm.

It wasn’t because of Simple Plan’s current popularity, nor because of their gratitude—his or Chen Wan’s—but because of her simple words: “I really want to see you.”

Although Chen Wan was a few years older than him, in his eyes, she was just a passionate, lively, and genuine big girl.

If she wanted to see him, he wanted to see her too…

Li Mu suddenly felt a restless yearning in his chest.

He glanced at the time—it was just past six-thirty. He only knew the semifinals began at eight, with a total of eight bands, but he didn’t know what order Simple Plan would perform. Driving to the provincial capital would take about two and a half hours. Given the time and better traffic, maybe he could cut it a bit shorter and arrive by nine.

Though he wasn’t sure if he’d make it in time for Simple Plan, he knew one thing for certain: if he left now, he’d be able to see Chen Wan.

So, he hurriedly said to his parents and aunt, “Mom, Dad, Auntie, I won’t see you to the train. Call me once you’re on board—I have something urgent to handle.”

His father nodded and waved him off. “Go do what you need to. I’ll call you once we’re settled.”

With their permission, Li Mu turned and ran. His mother called after him, “Remember to eat well and don’t stay up late!”

“I know!” Li Mu dashed out of the waiting room, across the station square. The curb was lined with taxis waiting for fares. He scanned the row—most were small, sluggish cars, until he spotted a Jetta in the line and ran over.

“Driver, can you take me to Jinling?”

The driver, a man of about fifty, instantly perked up at the mention of Jinling. “Of course!”

These drivers waited at the station hoping for long-distance fares. The Jetta driver immediately named his price, “Five hundred yuan.”

The base fare for taxis was three yuan, less than one yuan per kilometer. Jinling was nearly two hundred kilometers away, so the price, including the empty return leg, was reasonable.

“The money’s not important, just get me there fast!” Li Mu said, climbing into the back seat.

The driver started the engine, reassuring him, “Don’t worry. I’ve been driving for twenty years—I know the road to Jinling like the back of my hand.”

“That’s good to hear.”

The driver sped out of the city. Li Mu sat in the back, closed his eyes, and rested. A little after seven, his father called to say they were on the train and that he could relax.

His father had always been reliable and thorough, so with him there, Li Mu had no worries.

His mother took the chance to remind him to remember to fill the solar water heater after showering, and Li Mu agreed quickly.

By eight o’clock, the car was still flying down the highway when Chen Wan sent a text: The competition has started.

Li Mu asked, “What order is Simple Plan performing?”

“Eighth. They drew second, but the venue is packed with fans who came just for Simple Plan. The organizers are worried everyone will leave after their performance, so they moved them to last.”

“Alright!” Li Mu let out a sigh of relief. If they’d gone second, he’d have missed them. But with them last, he’d definitely make it.

…

When the driver pulled up in front of Jinling University, it was just nine o’clock. Before getting out, Li Mu asked, “Driver, will you be able to find a fare back?”

“Definitely not,” the driver chuckled. “It’s rare to get someone from here going to Haizhou—once a month if you’re lucky.”

Li Mu grinned, “Almost two hundred kilometers, and you’re heading back empty?”

“That’s right.” The driver shrugged. “Nothing to be done.”

Li Mu said, “How about this? I’ll be heading back late tonight, probably after midnight. Do you want to wait for me?”

The driver’s eyes lit up. “How about three hundred for the return? I’ll find a place to rest for a few hours, leave you my number, and you can call me when you’re ready.”

“Deal.” Li Mu noted the number, then hurried into Jinling University.

When he reached the gymnasium, he was stunned. Outside, a huge crowd of young people had gathered, mostly girls—hundreds, at least.

He stopped a girl to ask, “Are you all waiting out here for something?”

“We can’t get in!” she said anxiously. “We all want to see Simple Plan perform, but the organizers say the venue is already full. They won’t let anyone else in…”

Li Mu was taken aback. He pointed at the crowd, “All these people came for Simple Plan?”

“Yes…” The girl stamped her foot in frustration. “The internet says they’ll perform a song called ‘Sunflower’ this time. Some say they’ve heard Zhang Kexuan, the lead singer, sing it at his house—it’s supposed to be amazing and really touching!”

Li Mu couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. Zhao Kang, you’ve really outdone yourself with these online promotions. The song’s title was something Li Mu had mentioned to Zhao Kang only in passing, and this story of someone hearing Zhang Kexuan sing it at home was clearly made up. Even if one of his friends had heard it, there’s no way the rumor would spread so well. Only Zhao Kang could pull this off.

He mentally awarded Zhao Kang the title of Grand Admiral of the Water Army.

But admiration aside, the reality was that every entrance was guarded by campus security; there was no way he could get in. What now?

Li Mu wanted to surprise Chen Wan, ideally by sneaking in, tapping her on the shoulder, and watching her face light up with joy.

But then he realized—even if he somehow got in, with over a thousand people inside, how would he find her?

Besides, he recalled Chen Wan mentioning on the phone that her parents would be with her tonight. What then?

After thinking it over, Li Mu called Ye Tianming. As a performer, Ye might be able to get him inside. He didn’t call Zhang Kexuan because there were too many fans outside, and he didn’t want to risk causing chaos.

When Ye Tianming answered, Li Mu told him not to draw attention and explained he was stuck at the entrance.

“I’ll come get you. Wait there,” Ye Tianming replied.

Two minutes later, the main doors opened, and Ye Tianming squeezed out between two security guards. At the sight of him, a number of fans rushed over, trying to seize the opportunity to get inside. The guards hurried to hold the crowd back. Li Mu, quick as a fox, ducked beside Ye Tianming. As soon as Ye saw him, he all but shoved Li Mu toward the guards.

“He’s our band’s manager!” Ye Tianming shouted. Maybe he’d already cleared it with them, because the guards parted just enough to let the two of them slip through.