Chapter Forty-Six: Summer and Mother

"More than seven hundred roses! And one person alone sent 299!" Wang Ou exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement. The thought that she too could be among them once she mastered the guitar filled her with irrepressible joy.

Huang Yong was equally stunned. That number surpassed all the roses their band had received in three years performing at Lantern Forest. Over seven hundred roses in a single night—that meant more than seven thousand yuan. His heart raced at the thought; perhaps some of it would be shared with him.

Cheng Xiaoyu was surprised as well, but recalling the wealthy patrons of his past life, he thought such a sum was mere pocket change to them. Besides, they had sung only classics, and the lead singer, Xia Shamo, was stunningly beautiful. It would be odd if their popularity hadn’t exploded. Smiling, he said, “Half the credit goes to SR. She worked the hardest, and most of these roses were surely meant for her. We’re just basking in her glory!”

Inside the dressing room, all eyes turned to Xia Shamo. Only now did Cheng Xiaoyu have a chance to study her closely. He was especially pleased with the look he’d created for her tonight. The outfit from New Year’s Eve had been grander and more dazzling, but in private, he preferred this blend of innocence and alluring mystery, as if she were close enough to touch—yet, on closer inspection, her delicate features and distant expression revealed a gulf as vast as light-years.

No one wanted to avert their gaze from Xia Shamo. She, on the other hand, had no concept of money. Even if she received more, she wouldn’t know what to do with it, nor did she crave wealth, though she came from a modest family. Of course, if she could ease her mother’s burden, she would be delighted. But she hadn’t yet grasped the fact that they’d earned over seven thousand yuan that night. Her thoughts were still adrift in the lingering emotions of their final song. She had once resolutely abandoned her dream of majoring in vocal performance at a conservatory—the cost was too high, and the risk of failure too great. Getting into Fudan, studying a reputable subject, and finding a good job after graduation would allow her to let her mother enjoy life sooner.

“But I really do love singing,” Xia Shamo silently cried in her heart, oblivious to the fact that Cheng Xiaoyu and the others were watching her, or to what they were saying.

Cheng Xiaoyu waved his hand before her eyes and raised his voice slightly. “Hey! Xia Shamo.”

Startled, Xia Shamo looked up and asked, a little confused, “What is it? Can we go home now?”

“Come on, we’re all talking about what to do with so many roses and this sudden windfall,” Cheng Xiaoyu said, slapping his forehead. “So you didn’t hear a thing we said!”

A blush spread swiftly across Xia Shamo’s cheeks. “Sorry, I spaced out. I don’t mind—do as you see fit.”

Cheng Xiaoyu glanced at Chen Haoran, who wore a look of complete indifference.

The dressing room fell silent for a moment before Cheng Xiaoyu said, “Alright, then I’ll decide. Don’t blame me later if anyone thinks I’m unfair!”

Just then, Chen Jinglong walked in, a thick wad of cash in hand and a beaming smile on his face. “What’s with all the seriousness? Holding a tribunal in here?”

Huang Yong quickly stood and offered his chair, but Chen Jinglong waved him off.

Cheng Xiaoyu grinned, “Brother Chen, Dazhuang just told us we hit the jackpot! We’re wondering where to go celebrate!”

Chen Jinglong’s smile didn’t fade. “You should treat us all. The money you made from roses tonight is far more than my bar’s profit for an entire evening! When you go out to celebrate, don’t forget to bring me along!” He handed the wad of cash to Cheng Xiaoyu. “Count it—7,270 yuan. At this rate, you’ll soon have no use for my performance fees!” He chuckled self-deprecatingly, though in truth, tonight’s beer and drink sales had already doubled his expectations.

Cheng Xiaoyu took the money with a sly grin. “How could we turn that down, Brother Chen? Every little bit counts! If you don’t give us a raise after such a successful show, we’ll just deduct it from Haoran’s share!”

The dressing room erupted in laughter.

Chen Jinglong laughed heartily. “You little schemer. Fine, tonight’s late supper is on me. I’ll go out and greet the guests—don’t you leave! Chen’s treating you all!” With that, he stepped out, leaving them to split the money.

Cheng Xiaoyu turned to Xia Shamo. “Our first concert was a triumph. SR, are you in a hurry to head home?”

She nodded. “My mom said she’d pick me up at half past ten.”

Regret showed on everyone’s face. Cheng Xiaoyu thought for a moment. “Then invite your mom tomorrow, and let’s have dinner together. I shouldn’t stay out too late myself.”

Xia Shamo nodded.

Cheng Xiaoyu turned to Huang Yong. “After rehearsal tomorrow, let’s go for a feast. Bring your girlfriend if you have one!”

Huang Yong agreed with a smile.

Cheng Xiaoyu began counting the money, handing three thousand to Xia Shamo. “Here’s yours.”

Xia Shamo was surprised by the amount. “Wasn’t it 600 a day? Why so much?” She accepted it without counting.

Wang Ou jumped in to explain, “That’s rose money, not a performance fee.” Seeing Xia Shamo still confused, she elaborated further.

Cheng Xiaoyu handed 2,500 to Chen Haoran, who likewise pocketed it without counting.

He had 1,770 left. He took out a thousand and offered it to Huang Yong. “Brother Yong, yours is a bit less—hope you don’t mind.”

Huang Yong quickly waved his hand. “Brother Chen said I don’t get a share.”

Cheng Xiaoyu stuffed the money into his hand. “If you don’t take it, you’re looking down on us!”

Embarrassed, Huang Yong clutched the money. “You’re too generous, Xiaoyu.”

Cheng Xiaoyu smiled. “Unexpected fortune should be shared. Without you, the performance wouldn’t have been half as good. And you worked hard rehearsing with us this afternoon.”

Huang Yong replied, “It’s only right. I’ll head out and help, then, Xiaoyu.”

Cheng Xiaoyu nodded, and Huang Yong said goodbye to the others before heading to the bar’s main room.

Noticing Cheng Xiaoyu had little left, Xia Shamo felt awkward and resolved to give him half of hers later.

Cheng Xiaoyu turned to Wang Ou. “Dazhuang, from now on, your meals at Lantern Forest are on me!”

Wang Ou grinned. “I’ll have to think about how to eat you out of business, then.”

Cheng Xiaoyu snorted. “Is that all you’ve got? Even if you ate abalone and bird’s nest every day, it’s nothing to me.” He stood up. “Let’s go. Rehearsal early tomorrow!”

Wang Ou led the way, with Cheng Xiaoyu and Xia Shamo following. Chen Haoran said goodbye and turned left toward the basement—Cheng Xiaoyu guessed he was off to practice the drums again.

He signaled Wang Ou and Xia Shamo to leave by the back door while he went to the bar’s main room to find Chen Jinglong and apologize for missing supper, inviting him to dinner the following day instead. Chen Jinglong, ever obliging toward his cash cows, agreed with a smile.

As Cheng Xiaoyu left the bar, intending to head home, Xia Shamo called out to him at the door.

Seeing her nose reddened from the cold, he couldn’t help but smile. “Why are you still here? Hasn’t your mom arrived?”

Xia Shamo pointed to a middle-aged woman standing not far away with a bicycle. “She’s here, waiting for me over there.”

Cheng Xiaoyu glanced over—a plain but pleasant-looking woman. He teased, “Aren’t you going to introduce me to my future mother-in-law?”

Xia Shamo blushed even deeper, her cheeks rosy from the wind. “You gave me too much when splitting the money earlier. I want to return half.” She dared not mention the words “mother-in-law” in front of him, knowing his roguishness; one joke from her would be met with ten from him. She handed him some carefully counted bills.

Cheng Xiaoyu shook his head. “SR, money doesn’t mean much to me. Besides, you did most of the work, and most of the roses were for you. You deserve a bigger share.”

She didn’t withdraw her hand, her gaze earnest. “You wrote all the songs. We owe everything to you. Without you, I wouldn’t have sung here, and being able to perform your songs makes me truly happy—honored, even.”

Cheng Xiaoyu’s head ached now, unsure how to refuse her. At last, he slipped two hundred yuan from her hand and said, “Now you and Chen Haoran have the same amount. I’ve got more money than I can use; I don’t know why you care so much.” Without waiting for her response, he strode toward her mother.

Taken aback by his sudden move, Xia Shamo hurried after him, afraid he might actually greet her mother as “mother-in-law.”

Her mother stood at the edge of Bar Street with a cobalt-blue women’s bicycle. Though called Bar Street, it was really more of an alley, its narrow sky crowded with neon lights on either side. A solitary streetlamp cast a dim glow amid the shimmering nightlife.

Cheng Xiaoyu walked over, bowed politely, and with a cheerful grin said, “Thank you for coming so late to pick up Xia Shamo. I’m her classmate, Cheng Xiaoyu.”

Her mother’s face was kind and gentle, her features refined and her voice youthful beyond her years. She smiled back. “Sasha has mentioned you before. Just call me Aunt Xia. Thank you for looking after her.”

Cheng Xiaoyu replied, “I just thought I’d make good use of the winter break—gain a bit of experience, broaden my horizons, maybe even earn some tuition to help my family. If we’ve brought you any trouble, I apologize.”

Aunt Xia smiled, her wrinkles full of kindness. “Sasha doesn’t have many friends and rarely goes out. I’m glad she wanted to join you. Please look after her.”

“Xia Shamo is more mature than any of us boys—we should learn from her. Auntie, let me have your number, so if anything comes up, we can keep in touch.” Cheng Xiaoyu offered his phone.

She didn’t refuse, entering her number and calling his phone. “You’re a clever one,” she said with a laugh. “I feel at ease knowing Sasha is with you. Still, bars can be a mixed crowd—keep an eye on her, she’s just a young girl and a bit naïve.”

Cheng Xiaoyu saved her number as “Aunt Xia” and said, “You can rest assured, Auntie. The bar’s customers are all students, and the owner is my classmate’s brother. I give you my word—nothing will happen.”

Xia Shamo tugged her mother’s arm and said softly, “Don’t worry, Mom. My classmates all look out for me.” Yet there was no hint of childishness in her tone.

Cheng Xiaoyu seized the moment to say goodbye. “Take care, Aunt Xia, and you too, Xia Shamo!” He winked at her before turning to leave.

Aunt Xia watched Cheng Xiaoyu’s broad back. “He seems like a good boy. How are his grades?”

Xia Shamo quickly replied, “Our drummer is the top student in the grade. Cheng Xiaoyu got a zero in math, but he’s thirty-third in our class, and some of his scores are better than mine. He got 150 in Chinese, caused quite a stir at school.” She made no mention of Wang Ou, who was last in the class, nor did she explain that Cheng Xiaoyu’s zero in math was due to genuine ineptitude.

Her mother asked nothing more, turning to push the bicycle as they headed home together.

Xia Shamo breathed a quiet sigh of relief, worried Cheng Xiaoyu might have left her mother with a bad impression.

As Cheng Xiaoyu turned away, his eyes brimmed with tears. The streetlamp’s elongated shadow and the smile etched in those wrinkles reminded him so much of his own mother.