17. Rehearsal 1

Xu Bin pointed at Tang Yiyi. "Both of us want haircuts, but since you’re alone, you can take her first."

The young woman nodded, motioning for Tang Yiyi to lie down for a hair wash. Xu Bin lingered nearby, clearly wanting to say something but holding back. Finally, the young woman spoke: "My sister wants to make big money. I can’t stop her, so let her go."

"With her boyfriend?"

"Yes."

"She’s bound to fall flat on her face because of that boyfriend of hers sooner or later."

"She won’t listen to advice, so I won’t bother anymore."

Xu Bin let out a sigh. Qin Baike patted him on the shoulder, and the two of them walked out together.

Qin Baike said, "Her boyfriend made this money-making opportunity sound incredible. I suspect it’s a pyramid scheme. While I was in Kun City, I gave her my old comrade’s number—he’s a police officer. I told her to be extra cautious, at least to keep herself safe."

Xu Bin shook his head. "She must be out of her mind with the thought of making money. When has money ever fallen from the sky for free? Baike, it seems this young woman is more willing to confide in you."

Qin Baike glanced at him sideways. "Tell your aunt to hurry and find her a boyfriend, then." With that, he strode off, leaving Xu Bin alone, grinning from ear to ear.

Near closing time that afternoon, Xu Bin waved his phone at Tang Yiyi from behind the counter and shouted, "Yiyi, let’s go see a movie tonight!"

"Huh? Um... sure!" Tang Yiyi played along with his act, though inwardly she complained—couldn’t he be a little more discreet? He made it sound like they were really dating.

Zuo Chengjiang lifted his head from his phone and asked, "Going to the movies? Can I come too?"

Xu Bin shot him a glance. "We’re going to see ‘Doraemon: Stand by Me.’ You want to come?"

"Sure, take your uncle along!"

"Alright, I’ll take you, and you bring the money. Let’s go!"

"Er… maybe not. I just remembered I have leftovers to eat at home. If I don’t, they’ll spoil."

The whole clinic burst into laughter.

After dinner, Tang Yiyi asked Xu Mingtang for the side door key, folded up the prescription and tucked it into her backpack, then dashed out with Xu Bin in tow.

Mrs. Xu watched the two leave, then turned to her husband. "Do you really want Xiao Bin to pursue Yiyi? To make that girl our daughter-in-law?"

"I’d like it, but whether they fall in love is up to them."

"Don’t be so modest. I’ve never seen one of your plans fail. Does your fourth uncle know what you’re thinking?"

"He wouldn’t, not when I’m not even sure myself."

"Then why did he so readily agree to teach Yiyi acupuncture?"

"What do you know? What he truly wants is to teach Xiao Bin. Acupuncture’s systematically taught at school, or you can buy a book, practice on a bronze dummy for a few months and master it. But his family’s bone-setting technique must be taught by a master, hand by hand. If Xiao Bin truly masters it, maybe he won’t be rich and powerful, but he’ll never lack for food and clothing."

"Now that Xiao Bin’s willing to learn, isn’t it because he likes Yiyi?"

"That would be best. If Yiyi helps Xiao Bin support Shengshitang, then I’ve passed on the responsibility. If the son doesn’t succeed, but the daughter-in-law does, that’s good enough. And if the grandson himself wants to learn medicine, all the better."

"Don’t forget, Yiyi has a boyfriend."

"Who can say where young people’s feelings will go? Especially with them living in different places—few manage to last."

"But I still hope our daughter-in-law is a girl from our own city," Mrs. Xu grumbled.

"Yiyi is the perfect daughter-in-law for Shengshitang," Xu Mingtang declared, standing up, brushing off his tai chi suit, and heading downstairs for exercise.

Xu Bin and the others used to practice singing in Xuanzhi’s stationery shop.

The shop was tucked down a small alley near the bustling city center. At night, when all the surrounding stores were closed, they could sing as loudly as they wished without disturbing anyone.

By the time Tang Yiyi and Xu Bin arrived, the three boys were already there, and Xuanzhi had just finished setting up the microphone and speakers. When they saw Tang Yiyi, they all cheered happily, "Welcome, little junior sister!"

"Where’s Xiaoxiao?" Xu Bin asked.

"She’ll be a while. She’s coaching a company’s choir."

"Let’s get started first, then, so we can finish early and get some sleep." Xu Bin turned to Tang Yiyi. "You listen to us first and tell us what you think."

The group stood and found their places. Xu Bin raised his hand in a cue.

There were no instruments. Wentao began with rhythmic “doo doo” sounds, mimicking drumbeats, while the “prison guard” contributed melodic hums. Their voices were deep and blended together like echoes in a silent valley. After a few bars, Xuanzhi’s slightly clearer voice joined in.

The melody unfurled gently and gracefully in their harmony. Suddenly, Xu Bin’s voice emerged from that soft backdrop:

"Memory is like a storyteller, narrating with a hometown accent, skipping over puddles, circling round small villages, waiting for the moment we’d meet..."

His singing was like sunlight breaking through morning mist—brilliant and warm upon the face.

It was Joey Yung’s "Little Little." Xu Bin’s voice was bright and broad; he didn’t belt it out, but it perfectly matched the song’s nostalgic tone.

"The little vows are still unsteady, the little tears still holding on, innocent lips speaking of parting, from then on someone lived in my heart."

This part was sung by Xuanzhi, his voice a little husky, filled with gentle warmth.

Tang Yiyi was deeply moved, as if a gentle hand was kneading her heart, almost bringing her to tears.

Her two-year campus romance with Wang Yufeng had included countless dreams of the future—a sunny apartment, simple décor, a balcony full of plump succulents.

"I’m searching for the one in that story; you are an irreplaceable part. Small hands holding a small person, guarding a small eternity."

Perhaps everyone wishes for a childhood sweetheart, a love that could preserve a little piece of forever.

When the song ended, they all turned to look at Tang Yiyi, only to see tears glimmering in her eyes.