Chapter 69 School
"Brother, let's talk about something serious. Is that your girlfriend next to you?" Zhou Jianwei asked.

Chen Mo glanced at Xu Hongdou, thought about it, and said truthfully: "No."

"Can you let go of your hand before you say that?" Zhou Jianwei looked at Chen Mo and Xu Hongdou holding hands, and was really speechless.

Yes, Chen Mo has been holding Xu Hongdou's hand since they finished dinner, and it has been more than an hour, and he has never let go.

Chen Mo was afraid that if he let go of her hand, he would have no way to hold it, so he kept holding it.

Xu Hongdou had been holding Chen Mo's hand for so long that she had forgotten that it was still held by Chen Mo. She only realized it when Zhou Jianwei said so.

"Not yet."

Chen Mo was also a little helpless. You took my nonsense seriously, and when I spoke seriously, you thought I was talking nonsense.

He and Xu Hongdou have indeed not confirmed their relationship yet.

Although sometimes Chen Mo would intentionally or unintentionally do things that would cause others to "misunderstand" their relationship in order to assert his sovereignty.

But if someone really asked, Chen Mo would not say anything nonsense before Xu Hongdou formally agreed.

"No, she is not your partner, why are you holding her hand?" Zhou Jianwei was a little confused.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm taking advantage of others." Chen Mo said shamelessly.

Hearing this, Xu Hongdou gently pinched the back of Chen Mo's hand that was holding hers with her other hand.

Chen Mo felt Xu Hongdou's little movement and grabbed Xu Hongdou's "mischievous" hand with his other hand, so that their hands were crossed together.

Zhou Jianwei noticed the two people's little movements and thought that Chen Mo's joke made his girlfriend unhappy, so he immediately turned the microphone to Xu Hongdou.

"Beauty, your boyfriend said you are not his type. What do you want to say about this?"

"It's indeed not." Xu Hongdou nodded.

"Then why are the two of you arguing with each other in public?" Zhou Jianwei asked with his eyes wide open.

"He took advantage of me." Xu Hongdou said seriously.

Zhou Jianwei was speechless and the audience started to make a fuss, thinking that the two were just showing off their love.

"Brother, do you have any happy things recently that you can share with us?" Zhou Jianwei took the microphone back to Chen Mo.

"Yes, I won 500 million."

"real or fake?!"

"Really." Chen Mo nodded seriously, "When I redeemed the prize, the staff asked me to donate a little, but I didn't want to donate."

“Did you donate in the end?”

Chen Mo said angrily: "I get angry when I talk about this. The staff member was very strong at the time and said that I would not get the money if I did not donate."

"and then?"

"Then we started arguing." Chen Mo said indignantly.

"It got louder and louder, and finally woke me up."

"Ouch~" The audience booed.

"Brother, do you mind if I swear a few words now?" Zhou Jianwei asked with a smile.

"I will refund the ticket." Chen Mo said seriously.

"You've almost finished watching the whole show and you're going to refund your ticket?" Zhou Jianwei's eyes widened.

"Leave me alone?"

"We buy tickets at the gate, and the refund counter is in Hainan."

"It doesn't matter. I can go to Hainan to withdraw money. I have enough money."

"You're not short of money, so why do you want to refund the ticket?"

"I'm happy to do that. It's none of your business."

The two of them performed like a crosstalk, praising and joking at the same time, and the audience enjoyed listening to them.

"Brother, now you say you don't have a partner yet, and you haven't received the five million yet. So if you were asked to choose between making money and finding a partner, which would you choose?"

Chen Mo thought for a moment and said, "I choose to let my partner make money."

"Beauty, your boyfriend asked you to make money. What do you think?" Zhou Jianwei asked Xu Hongdou.

Xu Hongdou said seriously: "But what should I do with the money I only know how to get from my partner?"

"Then you have to hold on to me for the rest of your life. Not everyone is as easy to fool as me." Chen Mo smiled.

Zhou Jianwei was a little tired after seeing another mouthful of dog food. He couldn't ask any more questions and changed his target to ask other people.

After watching a one and a half hour talk show, Chen Mo and Xu Hongdou walked out of the theater and found a place to have a drink.

Chen Mo ordered a cup of fruit tea, and Xu Hongdou ordered a cup of coffee.

"How about this talk show?" Chen Mo asked.

"Well, it's very different from what I saw on the Internet. It's more contagious in person." Xu Hongdou said after thinking for a while.

"Just feel the atmosphere, don't take their jokes seriously." Chen Mo said.

"That's for entertainment and eye-catching purposes. They magnify a point to arouse other people's emotional resonance. It's a bit like selling anxiety."

Seeing Chen Mo's worried look, Xu Hongdou couldn't help but laugh: "Don't worry, I'm not stupid. Everyone's life is different, including marriage. How can I just assume what others say?"

"Some people divorce after quarreling, some people stay in love till old age, some people divorce even if they are calm and peaceful, and some people can live together for a lifetime even if they quarrel and bicker."

"Every marriage has its own way of working together."

"If you listen to what others say, you will feel that there is something wrong with your marriage."

"If you have to rely on other people's opinions to determine whether you are happy or not, then it is only a matter of time before you break up."

"That's good. Don't let watching a talk show make you afraid of marriage. Otherwise, where can I find such a beautiful wife?" Chen Mo patted his chest, looking relieved.

Xu Hongdou rolled her eyes at Chen Mo, ignored his smirk, picked up the coffee and took a sip.

Although she knew that Chen Mo's words were a bit exaggerated, Xu Hongdou's mouth corners still rose slightly, barely perceptible.

Of course Chen Mo also knew that Xu Hongdou would not take the talk show seriously. She just listened for fun, not a pyramid scheme.

It’s Xu Hongdou’s business that she doesn’t care. Chen Mo has to show that he is worried and that she cares. Attitude is the key and details determine success or failure.

"It's still a little early to eat now, let me take you around our school." Chen Mo looked at the time, it was just past four o'clock.

"Your school?"

"Well, my school, Beijing Institute of Music, is not far from here."

The two came to Beijing Institute of Music.

"Is this your school?" Xu Hongdou was a little surprised when she saw the gate of Beijing Institute of Music.

"Yeah, how about it? Does it feel like a courtyard house?" Chen Mo said with a smile.

"Yes, if you hadn't told me, I would have thought you were taking me to see some palace." Xu Hongdou nodded. "There is indeed a palace inside." Chen Mo said.

"Huh? Is it true?" Xu Hongdou was a little surprised.

"Of course, you can see it as soon as you enter the door. Come on, I'll show you."

Chen Mo took Xu Hongdou into the school gate, and they could indeed see a royal palace as soon as they entered.

"This is Prince Chun's Mansion. Emperor Guangxu was born here. It is also called the 'Hidden Dragon Residence'."

"Then you don't even have to go out to visit the palace." Xu Hongdou sighed.

"This one isn't big, and there's nothing much inside. It just has some anecdotes, but it's far inferior to Prince Gong's Mansion." Chen Mo shook his head.

Chen Mo has often followed Fang Shuyun to Beijing Institute of Music since he was a child. While other students might enjoy the novelty of the school for the time being, Chen Mo no longer felt anything.

But Prince Chun's Mansion is a historical building that needs to be protected, and it is not open to the public during normal times.

"Come on, I'll take you around the school."

The campus radio started on time in the evening, and groups of students were laughing and joking, discussing which cafeteria to go to and what game to play tonight.

Under the trees or on the grass, you can always see students holding guitars or other musical instruments, playing and singing by themselves, or couples hugging and snuggling with each other.

Chen Mo and Xu Hongdou strolled along the tree-lined school road. The setting sun shone through the gaps in the leaves, casting dim beams of light diagonally. The figures of the two were also dyed golden. The breeze blew gently, and their shadows were also lengthened.
"I haven't been back to campus for a long time." Xu Hongdou couldn't help but stretching comfortably.

Although there is only a wall between us, it seems to block out all the noise outside, making people feel like they are two different worlds inside and outside.

It is peaceful and tranquil inside, filled with the fragrance of books and the prime of youth, while the reality outside is cruel, materialistic and noisy.

Chen Mo looked at Xu Hongdou, who was standing beside him with her head tilted back and eyes half closed, and couldn't help but smile knowingly.

The afterglow of the sunset shines on her body, and the breeze gently blows her hair, revealing her beautiful face. This scene makes people feel that the years are so peaceful.

Chen Mo took Xu Hongdou on a brief tour of the school's practice building, library, and Steinway Garden. He also sat in on half a guitar lesson and watched a symphony rehearsal and performance.

Finally, Chen Mo took Xu Hongdou to the cafeteria for dinner.

During this time, Chen Mo also told Xu Hongdou a lot of interesting things that happened during his time in school.

Although the Beijing Institute of Music is located in a prime location, its area is not very large. Apart from a few pools of roses in the Steinway Garden, there is actually no beautiful scenery.

However, as one of the top music schools in China, the humanities and arts atmosphere on the campus of Beijing Institute of Music is still very strong.

Of course, Chen Mo brought Xu Hongdou here not to let her receive any musical influence or to reminisce about school life.

If you just want to visit a school, wouldn't it be better to go directly to Tsinghua University or Peking University, which have more historical and cultural heritage?

Chen Mo mainly wanted Xu Hongdou to understand his past.

People's insecurity mainly comes from the unknown, so understanding each other's past will help enhance the progress of the relationship.

Chen Mo had indeed put some thought into arranging today's date.

There is no need for any luxurious venues or expensive restaurants. Chen Mo knows that these will not make Xu Hongdou happy, but will only increase her worries and concerns.

So the main theme is to seek truth in the ordinary, understand each other, and cultivate feelings.

Listening to Chen Mo chattering about his past, Xu Hongdou pursed her lips. She also felt Chen Mo's intention of bringing her to his school.

After finishing their meal, the two of them walked out along the school path.

The afterglow of the setting sun had long disappeared into the horizon, and the street lights on the school road had already been lit.

Two shadows were walking side by side. One of the taller shadows could be seen walking and swinging his arms while his hands kept reaching out to the smaller shadow next to it. However, after several attempts, he failed to "catch" the smaller shadow.

Chen Mo did not lose heart. While he was telling interesting stories about school life, he kept trying.

Xu Hongdou half lowered her head, looking at the shadows of the two people on the ground, trying not to laugh. She deliberately moved her hands fast and slow, just to prevent the shadow next to her from succeeding.

Suddenly, Chen Mo's voice stopped and his footsteps also stopped. Just when Xu Hongdou was feeling a little strange, she heard Chen Mo say something.

"Mom, why are you here?"

Xu Hongdou was stunned for a moment, and slowly looked up, and saw a woman with a graceful temperament, a kind face and a kind smile looking at her.

If she was Chen Mo's mother, she should be in her sixties, but Fang Shuyun didn't look like someone in her fifties at all.

At this moment, Xu Hongdou finally knew from whom Chen Mo inherited his looks.

Although Xu Hongdou was a little flustered when she heard Chen Mo's words, she quickly calmed down and greeted her gracefully, "Hello, Auntie."

"Yeah." Fang Shuyun smiled and nodded repeatedly in response.

After Xu Hongdou raised her head and saw her appearance clearly, Fang Shuyun's smile became more kind and profound.

"Mom, this is..." Chen Mo wanted to introduce Xu Hongdou to Fang Shuyun.

Unexpectedly, Fang Shuyun stepped forward and took Xu Hongdou's hand without waiting for Chen Mo to speak, "You are Hongdou, right?"

"Auntie, do you know me?" Xu Hongdou was a little surprised.

"Of course. When Chen Mo was at home, I kept hearing him mutter your name."

"This is the first time he mentioned a girl's name in front of me." Fang Shuyun said with a smile.

Xu Hongdou couldn't help but glance at Chen Mo. He told his family about me so early?

Chen Mo smiled and nodded, but he was a little puzzled. He seemed to have only said it once at home and then moved out. Why did he keep talking about it?

"Auntie also saw the video you guys took last time. I told her at the time how come this girl is so pretty."

"Now that I see you, Hongdou, I realize that you are not photogenic after all." Fang Shuyun's eyes revealed satisfaction.

"No, Auntie, I'm far worse than you." Xu Hongdou shook her head repeatedly, "If I hadn't heard Chen Mo calling you just now, I would have thought you were Chen Mo's sister."

Chen Mo looked at the two of them and was a little confused. Why were each one speaking more exaggeratedly than the other?

To be honest, Bi Shiqun's shooting technique is still very good, and he basically captures the beauty and temperament of Xu Hongdou.

Although Fang Shuyun looks much younger than she actually is, she can't be 20 years younger. How can she be so young as to be demoted?

"No way, I just gave birth to this troublesome boy, otherwise I would be a few years younger now." Fang Shuyun shook his head and sighed.

"Your current condition is enough to make us young people envious. When you see Chen Mo, you will know how excellent your genes are." Xu Hongdou said with a smile.

"Only you can like him. I was really afraid that no one would want him before." Fang Shuyun patted the back of Xu Hongdou's hand.

"Auntie, actually we..." Xu Hongdou wanted to explain that she and Chen Mo had not yet formally established a relationship.

"Don't worry, Auntie understands." Fang Shuyun thought Xu Hongdou knew that she had been urging Chen Mo to get married, and was a little worried.

"You young people want to date freely and don't want to get married so quickly. Auntie understands that."

"Auntie won't urge you to get married and have children. Before, I was worried that he would be single for the rest of his life."

"Now that you are by his side, I can accept that you two get married a few years later."

Fang Shuyun never thought that the two had not yet established a relationship, because she just saw them holding hands.

Xu Hongdou was a little confused. She hadn't even settled down as a boyfriend yet, so why were they heading towards getting married and having kids?

(End of this chapter)