"How did it go, Momo? Were you selected?"
Wang Ying approached, smiling as she asked.
"Yeah."
"Really?"
Wang Ying was taken aback, then asked incredulously, "Then why do you look so unhappy? This is a CCTV-hosted gala... Oh my, Momo, you’re going to be famous!"
Wang Ying was far more excited than Jiang Mo, obviously, although she had joked about it before, she didn’t actually expect Jiang Mo to be chosen.
Undergraduates, graduates, postgraduates... Huaxia Music College had a student body of over two thousand. While not exactly a gathering of geniuses, it was certainly full of talent. Out of the initial hundred or so programs submitted, only a dozen had made it to today’s final selection, and ultimately only two would break through.
Moreover, generally speaking, to accommodate most people, a solo program like Jiang Mo’s would theoretically have even less hope of being selected.
Just like the joke she made with Zhou Wang earlier, chances were this campus selection was just a formality, and those who eventually made it to the big stage would still be those few senior students who had already made their mark in the entertainment industry.
So Wang Ying hadn’t even bothered about the results of the selection and had snuck out to chat with Zhou Wang first.
Now, hearing that Jiang Mo was really selected, she found it unbelievable.
Zhou Wang wasn’t surprised, though. Aside from Jiang Mo having the ability, there was also the intangible influence Ding Yi exerted.
While he wasn’t sure what she truly thought of her senior, as far as he knew, she had been nothing but supportive of Jiang Mo, looking after every aspect of Jiang Mo’s studies and life in Beidou, leaving Zhou Wang completely at ease.
"But I... don’t really want to go."
Unlike Wang Ying’s happiness, Jiang Mo seemed somewhat down.
"Huh, why?"
Wang Ying couldn’t understand.
"Rehearsals... they take up too much time."
Jiang Mo said, glancing at Zhou Wang.
"?"
Wang Ying was bewildered, since Jiang Mo had always been very diligent and a reason like rehearsals taking time had never come from her before.
Only Zhou Wang understood. If she hadn’t come to Beidou at this moment, Jiang Mo might not have cared, but now, she’d worry about having to reduce their time together because of being selected for this program...
After all, Jiang Mo could have guessed that she wouldn’t be able to stay in Beidou for long.
Zhou Wang couldn’t offer more promises. Jiang Qingkui had already subtly reminded her that she should really be headed to Magic City first, to prepare in advance for next month’s charity gala.
Rather than running back and forth between White City and Beidou just for two women...
That last part wasn’t spoken by Jiang Qingkui, but Zhou Wang could sense that’s what she truly meant.
From a secretary’s perspective, a boss should focus on important business. So Jiang Qingkui’s suggestion wasn’t wrong; it was even completely correct... but Zhou Wang chose not to heed it.
"No matter, the fact that you were selected is a big joy. Haha, I’ll just shout it out in the group chat now, call Cindy, Brother Jie, and everyone else, let’s not wait until tonight, let’s have a big lunch celebration instead!"
Wang Ying, who didn’t understand, didn’t dwell on it and excitedly pulled out her phone.
Jiang Mo stopped her, shaking her head, "No, Ying, I won’t go tonight either."
"Huh, how’s that possible? You agreed to join us for fun this time, and besides, Momo, if you don’t go, the performance list we submitted to the restaurant will be wrong. At the last minute, where am I supposed to find another keyboardist..."
Wang Ying hurriedly tried to persuade her, but seeing Jiang Mo just shake her head, she suddenly realized Jiang Mo’s real reason for not wanting to go and looked towards Zhou Wang.
"Zhou Wang, I know you two are probably planning to go on a date today, but please, can we borrow Momo for one day? Actually, it’s not even a day, just for dinner time. This performance is crucial for the survival of our band..."
"Slow down, I can’t understand when you speak so fast."
Zhou Wang said helplessly, bewildered.
So Wang Ying started from the beginning, explaining the situation to Zhou Wang.
It turned out Wang Ying and a few Huaxia Music College alumni had formed a band together. In a music college, such bands or small temporary groups were quite common...
And Jiang Mo was an unofficial member of this band where Wang Ying was the lead singer. She wasn’t fond of participating in such things, but Wang Ying believed music should be fun with like-minded companions, so she forcibly dragged Jiang Mo into it.
Apart from playing music together, they also took some commercial gigs outside, like performing as resident artists. It was a way to earn money while accumulating performing experience.
And tonight, they happened to have a performance for a restaurant’s opening. Jiang Mo had agreed to go with them after Wang Ying’s persistent persuasion, but now that Jiang Mo had changed her mind, Wang Ying was naturally unhappy.
"I see, but I don’t quite understand, why do you say this performance is crucial for your band’s survival?"
"Because they pay well. Everyone in our band needs to earn their living expenses themselves. If I can’t earn money for them, the band will have to dissolve on the spot..."
Wang Ying replied honestly.
Amused, Zhou Wang realized that most music students came from well-off families, but there were always exceptions. From Wang Ying’s simple attire, she seemed to be one with a relatively ordinary family background.
Zhou Wang suddenly understood why Jiang Mo chose to take the bus and wear her old clothes...
Having experienced family upheavals, the once aloof senior had come to understand the hardships of life. Perhaps maintaining this unexpected friendship with Wang Ying was her way of keeping that connection alive, discreetly.
Zhou Wang glanced at Jiang Mo, and judging from her hesitant expression, he knew his guess was probably right.
Thinking it over, Zhou Wang smiled, "If I can go as well, I have no objections, otherwise, I’ll have to apologize to you all."
"You can go, of course, you can go!"
Wang Ying nodded eagerly, "Then it’s settled. I’ll contact the others now, let’s all help Momo celebrate at lunch!"
Afraid Zhou Wang might change his mind, Wang Ying quickly walked aside with her phone to call others, while Jiang Mo, who had just realized, looked at Zhou Wang and said softly, "There’s no need for this, I’ll... be fine."
"Anyway, I’m spending the whole day with you; it doesn’t matter where we are. Since you already promised Wang Ying, there’s no need to break your word."
Zhou Wang waved his hand with a smile, indicating he didn’t mind. He thought to himself that he would personally assess, and if there weren’t any problematic people in the band, it would be good for Jiang Mo to participate more in such group activities...
He was still somewhat concerned about whether Wang Ying alone could bring Jiang Mo out of that subtle sense of detachment and help her return to a normal life.
Currently, Jiang Mo definitely had some psychological issues.
Zhou Wang wasn’t sure how much it related to him. He only felt he could monopolize the senior’s blossoming in the darkness, but he couldn’t let her daytime brilliance belong only to himself; that would be unfair.
She was a living person too, and should have her own life.
Entering the Music and Art Academy was supposed to be a good start, but the senior’s current state made Zhou Wang uneasy.
"Okay..."
Jiang Mo naturally listened unconditionally to Zhou Wang. She nodded, drew a little closer, and then actively reached out to grasp Zhou Wang’s fingers softly, her serene gaze fixed solely on him.
From a short distance away, the gaze of many curious students and teachers passing by on the tree-lined paths occasionally drifted over to them. Zhou Wang clicked his tongue and suddenly thought about changing his mind.
Maybe he should forget about it and take the senior home to hide away, becoming his own...
After all, such a senior, perhaps psychologically unhealthy, showed an absolute dependence through her subtle actions, which was surprisingly satisfying... something Zhou Wang couldn’t get from any other woman.
Oh, such a headache.