Li Qian came to Teacher Qi Jie's house across the street for the second time.

  After several days, the room is now spotless and everything is neatly arranged.

  This time, Li Qian's treatment was an extra cup of coffee.

  The two of them stood facing each other, and yet that awkwardness still lingered, refusing to dissipate.

  "It's cleaned up really well." Li Qian praised.

  Qijie smiled and said, "Just now... thank you."

  "Hey!", Li Qian shook his head, "Didn't help much, just stood beside and made up the numbers."

  Qijie looked up at him and said, "I remember when I was teaching you guys, your personality was much more lively than it is now. Especially that mouth of yours, I seem to recall it being particularly eloquent. How did you become so subdued?"

  "Hmm..." Li Qian was slightly stunned upon hearing this, and after some thought, he felt that it was indeed the case. When he first arrived in this world, he seemed to be particularly glib, of course, even now when facing Wang Jingluo, his dad, and mom, he still subconsciously wanted to be glib, but when facing others, his mouth had become more and more honest.

  "After some thought, he said: 'Maybe it's because I think... being too smooth-tongued isn't liked by girls?' As he spoke, he himself laughed and explained: 'Just kidding, you're my teacher after all!'"

  Qijie smiled and took a sip of her coffee, scalding her tongue. She glanced up at Li Qian and thought about saying something, but decided against it. Instead, she just laughed and said: "A boy like you, whether he's honest or smooth-tongued, there are plenty of girls who would love him. You're handsome and have no human rights!"

  Li Qian looked up at her with some surprise, shrugged, smiled, and then lowered his head.

  It's been two months since we last met, and it seems like something has changed about Teacher Qi Jie.

  This change isn't that she cut off her original ponytail and changed to a more spirited, more mature-looking straight hair. Nor is it that she seems to have lost the tone of being a teacher before... but rather... her whole person's spirit, the whole person's aura and flavor seem to have undergone quite a bit of change.

  Sounds even more concise?

  In short, more outspoken and direct, of course, speaking has also become much sharper.

  After a moment, she took the initiative to speak up and asked: "You... are still writing songs?"

  Li Qian smiled and nodded, "I'm writing, preparing for a future where I'll rely on this to make a living!"

  Qijie nodded and said: "The songs you gave to Liao Liao are really popular now, they're all great. I've listened to many of your songs without you knowing, they're all great, you're very talented!"

  Li Qian smiled and nodded, saying: "Thank you."

  Then he hesitated for a moment, seemingly wanting to say something, but hesitated again and instead pointed to the room, saying: "Here... still used to it?"

  Qī jié took a look around her own house. She smiled and said: "Living alone is pretty good, originally I lived with my parents. No need to cook, not even cleaning up after myself, everything was ready-made. Now that I've moved out... except for being a bit more tired, everything else is better, freer. More carefree, and also... anyway it's all good, you're moving out for this reason too, right?"

  Li Qian smiled and nodded, "It's all right, young people want to be carefree."

  Qijie smiled and nodded upon hearing this.

  Then she took a light sip of her coffee, lowered her head for a moment and said: "So..."

  Li Qian was taken aback for a moment, then put down his coffee cup and stood up, smiling apologetically. "Oh, sorry... I'm sorry to have disturbed you for so long. I'll head back first, we can catch up another time."

  Qijie also put down her coffee cup and stood up, smiling, saying: "Alright then... see you later."

  "See you later."

  Li Qian got up and walked out.

  However, he had just taken a few steps when Qi Jie suddenly said behind him, "I know you must be dying to ask something, right?"

  Li Qian turned around and looked at her.

  She smiled, turned back and sat down, pointed to the sofa, and laughed self-deprecatingly, saying: "Alright, if you want to ask something, just go ahead and ask. I know Liao Liao has been quite curious too... Are you wondering why I got angry?"

  Li Qian thought for a moment and sat back down, saying: "I am a bit curious. But if you're not comfortable talking about it, then actually..."

  "There's nothing inconvenient," Qijie said, "I just...just..."

  She smiled self-deprecatingly and said, "Do you still remember a song you wrote yourself?" Her arm waved unconsciously, and she shouted in a choked voice, "Because of us, born to be free!"

  Of course, not a single word is true.

  Li Qian nodded, "That song is called 'Little Bird'. Have you heard it?"

  Qijie nodded and smiled, "You know? Actually, since I found out you were the one singing on the rooftop, I've always felt that you're not really you. I've always thought... uh, I don't know how to describe it, but it's like... it's as if there's another person living in your brain, a wise and intimidating old guy! In short, everything about you, from what you say to what you do, your songs, your personality, gives me a feeling of maturity that's almost unbelievable. Just like that song, I remember clearly how you shouted out those lyrics that day, I remember at the time I..."

  She smiled and frowned at the same time, saying: "I remember that after I heard this sentence, I cried so much!"

  Li Qian remained calm and listened quietly, occasionally interjecting a sentence, asking: "So, what then?"

  "Then... then I kept thinking, kept thinking, born free? What is born free? How can one be free? I couldn't understand it... No, actually I understood, but I was hesitant, I didn't have the heart to let go of some things. Then Liao Liao came, and then I introduced you guys, and suddenly I felt, ah, it's so much fun interacting with you guys! You see, whether it's you or Liao Liao, you're both the kind of people who can pick up a guitar and improvise a song, I thought your lives must be filled with joy! You're all so free! You can write songs, Liao Liao can release albums, you're all doing what you love, and still getting paid to do what you love... At that time, I felt it was really lucky to be friends with you guys..."

  Li Qian nodded thoughtfully at this point, as if he had understood something.

  Qijie saw his appearance, also smiled and nodded, "That's right, so... hehe, at that time really felt quite sad, a kind of... being drawn a boundary by you guys' genius!"

  Li Qian nodded and said: "Although it's a bit late, but... sorry! I didn't mean to..."

  "I know, I know, I understand..." She hurriedly interrupted with a smile, "Actually, at the time, I already understood. Later, Liao Liao told me that this is an unspoken rule in your industry, and I understood even more. I just couldn't control myself, I just couldn't help but feel sad and disappointed... Hehe! But now it's fine..."

  She smiled, with an inexplicable radiance on her face. Then she looked around her room, with a pride that couldn't be put into words. "I quit my job! I lived the life that my parents had planned out for me for over 20 years, but now I'm free! And then I sold my car. It was only used for a little over a year and still had 90% of its original value left. Although I lost some money on it, adding to the small amount of private savings I'd accumulated over the past two years, I managed to save up enough to cover the original price of the car. And then I returned the dowry, so my marriage is free too! Hehe, although I'm a bit poorer now... but it feels great!"

  Li Qian looked at her and nodded solemnly, "Congratulations!"

  Qijie smiled and nodded her head, saying: "Thank you."

  Hesitating for a moment, Li Qian asked again: "So, you are now in..."

  "That's right, selling cosmetics." She smiled and said: "The probationary period is three months, 300 yuan a month, with commission, and the other party doesn't care about your education background, as long as you can talk and sell things, it's best to be like me, my skin is okay, I can be a living advertisement, so... I only used one and a half months to end the probationary period ahead of time, now the basic salary is 800 yuan per month, plus commission, the income is not bad. Then, before moving house, I was just promoted to be the team leader of our counter, hehe... I plan to do it for a few more months, and then try to find a way to be an agent for a brand..."

  Li Qian held the coffee cup in his hand, taking a sip from time to time, listening to her talking non-stop about her current achievements, looking at the excited light on her face that was naturally released, and couldn't help but feel happy for her.

  No need to mention that the profession of a teacher is more dignified when mentioned, no need to mention that teachers' income is more stable and their future life is more secure. Of course, there are people who are willing to live such a life, but it's clear that Qijie doesn't like it. Now she has gotten rid of the stability and dignity of her past and is living the life she likes... Is there anything better than this in the world?

  "Congratulations!" Li Qian gave a sincere congratulation.

  Qijie smiled and put down her coffee cup, jokingly saying: "So, if you want to give Wang Jinglu a gift in the future, please consider the cosmetics I represent! Don't worry, I'll give you a 30% discount, only available for VIPs!"

  Li Qian smiled and nodded, "No problem!"

  To be honest, after clearing up that little misunderstanding between them, Li Qian found Qi Jie to be a pretty lovely girl.

  Like the girls he knew in his previous life, she was simple, sincere, and had ideals, but also a bit idealistic. She dared to take big strides towards her goals... To be honest, after living into his thirties, facing such an energetic young girl, Li Qian couldn't help but feel a little envious and ashamed of himself.

  After coming to this time and space, it is said that we will relive our youth again, but in fact, Li Qian himself is very clear... the damn youth... a person in his thirties, no matter how you imitate, no matter how you try to find back that young sentiment, how can you?

  Just as Qijie said earlier, that illusion: although I am only seventeen years old, my mentality has long been aged to become a middle-aged person.

  He lowered his head in silence, and his mood suddenly sank.

  At this time, Qi Jie seemed to have noticed Li Qian's abnormality. She stopped talking and waited for Li Qian to look over before smiling and asking: "So... another cup of coffee?"

  "Oh, no more!" Li Qian put down the cup and explained with a smile, "I dare not drink too much, afraid that drinking too much coffee will be too exciting!"

  Qī Jié nodded slightly, hesitated for a moment, and said: "So... I'm not your teacher now, but still hope to be friends with you... Is that okay?"

  Li Qian smiled and nodded seriously, "Of course!"

  He paused for a moment, then said self-deprecatingly: "As long as you don't think I'm still a little kid, or...don't mind that there's another old man living in my head..."

  Qī jié hē hē de xiào qǐ lái.

  Translation: Qi Jie burst out laughing.

  "Right on! That's more like your style of speaking!"

  Li Qian just smiled.

  Then. Qijie suddenly stopped, and after a moment, she raised her head, looking at Li Qian with a hopeful face. "That... can you sing that song again for me? The one called 'Little Bird'?"

  Li Qian nodded, "Of course! Now?"

  "Right now!" said Qi Jie.

  Li Qian smiled and stood up, saying "Wait for me, I'll go get my guitar!"

  After finishing, he opened the door and went home to fetch his guitar. He came back quickly, but just as he sat down on the sofa, he suddenly raised his hand and pointed at the ceiling with his finger, saying: "Want to go upstairs?"

  "Great! Let's go upstairs!"

  Then the two of them went out, and directly climbed to the rooftop - although one was a teaching building and the other was a residential building, but in an instant, that feeling of hiding in the corridor listening to Li Qian sing came back.

  Then Li Qian lightly swept the strings and quickly became fierce, starting to sing: "Ideals are always flying around, vague and elusive; reality is still solid and substantial, cannot be hidden. ……"

  Suddenly, Qijie felt her heart being grasped tightly by someone, the familiar harmony and the familiar yelling made her recall everything from that day in an instant. Her nose suddenly became sour...

  Li Qian sang very emotionally...... This "Little Bird" was originally a work that he personally liked very much.

  As he sang on and on, he unknowingly closed his eyes, his body swaying to the rhythm.

  Qī Jié stared blankly at him, despite her efforts to control herself. Efforts to control... but...

  …………

  After a burst of rough and repeated strumming, the guitar sound stopped.

  After playing the last note, Li Qian slowly exhaled and opened his eyes.

  Qijie raised her head and looked at him with tears in her eyes, dull and haggard.

  Then she raised her hands and buried her entire face in her palms, sobbing.

  In his entire life, Li Qian had never heard anyone cry with such grievance and heartbreak, as if all the grievances accumulated over decades or even a lifetime were released at this moment.

  He didn't say anything and wasn't even going to go over and persuade her.

  He sighed, moved the guitar to his side, took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, looked at Qijie, hesitated for a moment, and finally lit one up with a snap, taking a deep drag.

  For Zijie, this should be a good release, but for himself, what's the difference?

  He is now in the music circle, and has already begun to have a sense of success and fame. At least he is on the road to success and fame, and if nothing unexpected happens, it should be a smooth ride ahead.

  But from time to time, he also feels lonely and isolated.

  …………

  Smoke burst from his mouth and nose, and was soon dispersed by the cool September breeze.

  He took another deep drag and exhaled...

  It's just like saying, as a musician and singer, he knows that smoking is bad for his throat, and in fact, there are no benefits to smoking at all. Moreover, when he first crossed over, this body of his didn't have any nicotine addiction either. But is the problem of nicotine addiction really a physical issue?

  Whenever he's happy, whenever he's down, whenever he's lonely, whenever he's bored... he still always wants to light up a cigarette.

  …………

  Qijie sobbed uncontrollably, her hands covering her face, her body shaking violently, but not loudly wailing.

  She seems to be just venting out the grievances and confusion of the past... rather than being angry.

  Li Qian sniffled, took a deep breath in, and then slowly exhaled...

  Then he squatted down and extinguished the cigarette that had only been smoked a few puffs on the ground, and put the remaining half of the cigarette back into the cigarette box.

  Qijie had cried until she was oblivious to everything, as if it would never end.

  Li Qian sat there, gazing at her lightly, just like looking at a little girl who had lost her doll.

  …………

  It's also unclear how long it took, maybe a few minutes or tens of minutes, Qijie's crying gradually subsided and weakened, eventually almost stopping, leaving only occasional sobs...

  After a while, she finally stopped completely and raised her head to look at Li Qian.

  Li Qianzheng looked at her and smiled, "Finished crying?"

  Qijie wiped away the tears from her eyes, face and chin with a smile, saying: "You just smoked, don't think I didn't see!" Her voice was slightly hoarse.

  Li Qian smiled and said, "I'm a bit of a foodie, I occasionally take two puffs, but I don't dare to smoke too much, I need to protect my throat."

  As they spoke, he pulled out a packet of tissues from his pocket and handed it over.

  Qijie smiled and took it over, teasing him, "Is it because you often make Wang Jinglu cry that you're so prepared?" while taking out a tissue to wipe away tears. Wiping and wiping, she said helplessly, "I knew I would cry, I knew I would definitely cry when I heard this song, but... I didn't think I would end up crying like this."

  Li Qian smiled and said calmly from start to finish, "A woman crying is not a bad thing. A woman who can cry is beautiful."

  Qijie heard this and burst out laughing again, "How come I feel like the you now is completely different from the you an hour ago? Now you're just like a old playboy! Smooth-talking and arrogant!"

  Li Qian just smiled and didn't answer.

  She finally wiped away the tears on her face with four paper towels, and after throwing the remaining half pack of paper towels to Li Qian, she stood up, "Crying a good cry is really refreshing!"

  Li Qian smiled again and still didn't speak.

  Qijie looked at him and asked: "Hey, don't tell me that there's really an old man living in your brain? How old are you, how can you possibly write a song like this?"

  Li Qian pointed at himself and smiled: "I am a genius!"

  Qijie let out a "tch" sound and gave him a sideways glance, seemingly mocking Li Qian's narcissism.

  She took a deep breath, gazing at the still radiant sunlight not far away, and said: "Thanks for your song! I've had a good cry, let's go down!"

  Li Qian smiled and stood up, following her downstairs.

  The two of them didn't say another word and walked to the third floor, bid each other farewell, and returned to their respective homes.

  Back in his own home, Li Qian stood on the balcony, looking at the building across from him, the flowerbed below, and the children playing beside it, and he couldn't help but let out a sigh.

  A moment later, he took out his mobile phone, typed a few words and pressed send.

  Then he took out the cigarette box again, knocked out the remaining half of the cigarette he had just smoked, wanted to light it up, hesitated for a moment, sighed and put it back.

  "I miss you," he said.

  ***

  54,000 words!