I didn’t expect it to be so difficult.

After walking for a while, the Palace Master said, "I haven't ridden a bicycle in ages."

Zhang Pa suddenly recalled a long-ago, sweltering summer, each of them with a bike, riding along the riverside road under the blazing sun...

The Palace Master said, "Let me ride it for a bit."

Zhang Pa agreed. The Palace Master circled around, mounted the bike, pedaled a few times, and rode off. Soon she returned, saying, "It’s uncomfortable."

Zhang Pa laughed, "Of course it’s uncomfortable."

At this hour, the school gate was lively, cars parked along both sides of the street, at least half of them luxury vehicles. Some were clearly there to flirt, sitting in convertibles, sizing up passing girls. Others leaned against their cars, flaunting not just the vehicle but their own stylish attire and handsome looks.

The Palace Master frowned, "They’re so annoying."

Zhang Pa smiled, "My bike is still the best."

The Palace Master laughed, "Yes, your bike is the best, haha."

The two pushed the bicycle past the many parked cars, slowly making their way onto campus. A young man, seeing Zhang Pa’s battered bicycle and the Palace Master’s beauty, whistled a sleazy tune.

The Palace Master quickly looked at Zhang Pa, who smiled reassuringly at her, and the two continued into the school.

The Palace Master said, "Next time, I’ll treat you to a meal at the cafeteria."

Zhang Pa agreed.

The Palace Master said, "Counting it up, you owe me twelve meals now."

Zhang Pa agreed again.

Suddenly, the Palace Master sighed, "Why do you always say yes to everything I say?"

Zhang Pa smiled but said nothing.

The Palace Master stopped. "I’m heading back. Ride slowly."

Zhang Pa agreed once more.

The Palace Master smiled at him, then walked briskly toward the dormitory. Zhang Pa watched her leave, then rode out of the school, leisurely heading home.

Halfway there, Liu Xiaomei called, "Are you free tomorrow morning?"

"Yes," Zhang Pa replied.

"I bought you a guitar for thirty-five hundred. I thought you’d like it," Liu Xiaomei said.

The price was well over two thousand; Zhang Pa thanked her.

"If you’re free, meet me at the school gate at ten tomorrow morning," Liu Xiaomei said.

Zhang Pa agreed. Liu Xiaomei paused, "It’s way over budget—aren’t you going to ask me why?"

"Why?" Zhang Pa hurried to add, "I mean, why should I ask why?"

Liu Xiaomei laughed, "See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow," Zhang Pa said, and hung up.

He continued riding, spotted an ATM, withdrew thirty-five hundred, thinking how his ten thousand yuan had dwindled to twenty-five hundred in no time.

He went home with the money. On the way upstairs, he glanced at the first floor—lights out, unclear whether the occupants were asleep or out. Upstairs was dark too; three rental rooms, now only himself remaining.

He turned on his computer and continued writing his script. Around ten in the evening, Wang Baihe knocked and entered, "Could you do me a favor? Someone’s coming to see the room tomorrow morning, can you help show them around?"

"I can find Fatty for you, is that okay? I’ve already arranged to buy the guitar tomorrow morning," Zhang Pa said.

"Can’t you buy it in the afternoon? Or wait until after they’ve seen the room?"

"I’m asking someone to buy it for me; we’re meeting at ten. They’ve already paid upfront. I’ll call Fatty?"

"No need." Wang Baihe closed the door and went downstairs.

Zhang Pa exhaled softly, never expecting he’d ever become so busy. After a sigh, he got back to work. Such is the fate of an online writer: to update daily, you must type every day.

At nine, Fatty called, saying Da Zhuang had secured an apartment and invited everyone to see it.

Zhang Pa didn’t go, made up an excuse, hung up, then called Monkey—one to check on Yun Yun’s illness, another to ask if the other four monkeys had attended class.

Monkey said they had.

"I’ll take your word for it. Classes start Monday; I’ll go with you to the college," Zhang Pa said.

"But my mom’s in the hospital."

"Then stay two more days, wait until she’s discharged, okay?"

Monkey agreed. Zhang Pa hung up, went out to wash, brush his teeth, change clothes, and instead of cycling, took the bus.

He arrived ten minutes early, waited until ten, but didn’t see Liu Xiaomei. Instead, she called, "Go through the school gate to the classroom where we met last time."

Zhang Pa agreed, thinking, Why does this feel like an illegal transaction?

The beautiful teacher was in class, twenty-plus students practicing barre exercises. Zhang Pa entered through the back door, peering in through the glass.

Amazing—after only a moment, Liu Xiaomei turned and met his gaze. Was this telepathy? Zhang Pa muttered, raising a hand in greeting.

Liu Xiaomei smiled at him, then turned back to teaching. Soon, the bell rang. Liu Xiaomei called out the end of class, and a group of laughing beauties left the dance studio.

Liu Xiaomei was the last to leave, carrying her bag, an extra jacket draped over her arm, and the guitar case in the other hand. Zhang Pa hurried to take the guitar case.

"Robbery!" Liu Xiaomei joked, handing him the guitar, and walked to the adjacent music room, swiped her card to enter.

She set down her jacket and bag casually. "Open it up," she said.

Zhang Pa unzipped the case. Inside was a wood-toned guitar with shark-gill sound holes, usable both acoustically and electrically.

"My friend said this guitar suits you best. Is it okay?" Liu Xiaomei asked.

"It’s perfect." Zhang Pa took out the money, "Thirty-five hundred, right?" and handed it to her.

"Yes." Liu Xiaomei counted the money. "Anything else?"

Zhang Pa hesitated, "I’d like to treat you to a meal, if that’s okay?"

"No need. I have class this afternoon, and I’ll eat at the cafeteria at noon," Liu Xiaomei said, "There’s something else," pointing to the small pocket on the guitar case.

Zhang Pa unzipped it, finding many accessories—capo, tuner, three sets of strings. There were two thick guitar books and a music theory guide.

"It’s best to learn theory alongside the guitar; it makes for a solid foundation," Liu Xiaomei said.

"Thank you, teacher," Zhang Pa said.

"Is there such a thing as fake gratitude?" Liu Xiaomei laughed.

Zhang Pa smiled.

"There’s more inside," Liu Xiaomei said.

Zhang Pa reached further and found a USB drive.

"It contains two sets of video tutorials, folk and classical guitar, both are music school courses. There’s also a fretboard exercise. They say if you focus and follow the videos diligently for two years, you’ll be able to play by then," Liu Xiaomei explained.

"I’ll do my best," Zhang Pa replied.

"If you don’t understand anything, call me. I’ll ask the teachers for you," Liu Xiaomei said.

"Thank you so much," Zhang Pa said.

"Is there a fake thank-you?" Liu Xiaomei teased.

Zhang Pa smiled again.

"I don’t really understand about solid wood or not. If you’re not satisfied, be sure to tell me," Liu Xiaomei said.

"I’m satisfied, very satisfied," Zhang Pa replied firmly.

"This guitar sells for seven or eight thousand outside. You got a bargain," Liu Xiaomei said.

"I have to thank you. When can I treat you to a meal?" Zhang Pa asked.

"Are you trying to get close to me?" Liu Xiaomei sat on the piano bench, opened the piano lid, and placed her hands on the keys. Without any warning, a cascade of beautiful notes filled the room.

It began and seemed never to end, each note etched in his mind, tinkling and resonant, filling the space with beauty and happiness.

When the piece ended, Liu Xiaomei said, "Do you want me to teach you music theory? By the way, can you sing?"

"No," Zhang Pa replied.

"I’ll teach you to sing. I sing beautifully, really beautifully," Liu Xiaomei boasted.

"Are you trying to make me die of happiness?" Zhang Pa asked.

Liu Xiaomei tilted her head in thought, "Yes, wouldn’t you be taking advantage of me then?" She asked, "Where do you live?"

"In Xingfu Li," Zhang Pa answered.

"Where’s Xingfu Li?" Liu Xiaomei asked again.

Zhang Pa was at a loss, "Are you local? How can a local not know Xingfu Li?"

"There are plenty of places I don’t know, what’s so strange about it?" Liu Xiaomei said. "I have a good friend who’s a guitar expert, won many awards, but she plays classical guitar. Would you study with her? If you want... Oh, she’s in Beijing. Forget it, I’ll teach you singing, you follow the videos for guitar."

"Can you not be so adorable?" Zhang Pa smiled.

"Is this how you always charm girls?" Liu Xiaomei countered.

Zhang Pa replied seriously, "Yes. That’s why I have three thousand beauties in my harem, and over ten thousand confidantes."

"Let’s see—three hundred sixty-five days in a year, one per day is three thousand plus in ten years, over ten thousand would take thirty-plus years," Liu Xiaomei calculated. "Can you manage?"

"It’s tiring, but since I chose this profession, I must persevere," Zhang Pa said with a sense of dedication.

"You’ve changed," Liu Xiaomei shook her head. "Completely different from yesterday. Too fast. I can’t accept it. Goodbye," she said, standing up.

"No, no, no," Zhang Pa hastily said.

"No what?" Liu Xiaomei asked.

"Nothing at all," Zhang Pa replied.

Liu Xiaomei laughed, "Just teasing you." Then added, "Learn to dance with me, sing, and study theory."

"Why?" Zhang Pa asked.

"I have a dream—to sing a song with someone I like. Don’t you want to be someone I like?" Liu Xiaomei said.

"I’ll start learning now," Zhang Pa replied immediately.

"You really believe it?" Liu Xiaomei laughed.

"Even if you’re joking, I have to believe it, I must," Zhang Pa declared.

"Then believe it. But I won’t teach you," Liu Xiaomei picked up her clothing and bag. "I’m off."

Zhang Pa packed everything into the guitar bag, slung it over his shoulder, and followed her out. Liu Xiaomei suddenly turned and asked, "What will you do this afternoon?"

"I don’t know," Zhang Pa said. "How about I treat you to a meal?"

"No, I have dance class at the elementary school at four-thirty. Come, I’ll teach you to dance."

"Can I not come?" Zhang Pa asked.

"What do you think?" Liu Xiaomei smiled.

Zhang Pa snapped to attention, "I promise to complete the task."

Liu Xiaomei patted his shoulder, "Kiddo, now that’s a good comrade." With that, she left, not even saying goodbye.

Zhang Pa felt a bit lost and called out loudly, "Are you abandoning me already?"

"Just temporarily," Liu Xiaomei replied, "Be here at four-twenty this afternoon."

Watching her walk away, Zhang Pa left the music room with his guitar, hurried to the bus stop, and after an hour finally got home.

He started working as soon as he got back, skipping lunch for fear he wouldn’t finish his task before four.

When he wrapped up for the day, he set off on a city bike dash, pedaling so fast he made it to the music academy in twenty minutes, arriving at the dance studio drenched in sweat.