Chapter 88 That year in a hurry
The final of "Star of Tomorrow" was crowded with people and the number of online viewers was rising steadily.

This talent show that ignited the entire hot summer has finally ushered in the much-anticipated finale.

The host came on stage to warm up the audience, quickly read the sponsor's advertising slogan, and briefly introduced the rules of the competition. Then the contestants took turns to go on stage to sing.

In the last round, all contestants showed off their best skills and tried their best. Some sang and danced, some performed violin solos, and some added situational interpretations. In short, they did their best to be eye-catching and outstanding.

"Next, let us invite Li Jinting!"

After hearing the host's introduction and the reminder from the staff nearby, Li Jinting let out a sigh of relief and walked onto the stage with a determined look in her eyes.

The dazzling white spotlight came on, and Li Jinting appeared on the stage.

The fans at the scene cheered and screamed instantly, and the audience watching online also filled the screen with comments.

Li Jinting wore a simple white dress with her hair tied into a pigtail and hanging down in front of her. Without any fancy clothes or bright makeup, she just stood there quietly, making people feel very beautiful, a perfect example of the white moonlight on campus.

Li Jinting nodded to the band, the stage lights dimmed, and a gentle piano and a sad cello melody sounded.
There were no dancers or stage moves. Li Jinting just stood in the center of the stage holding a microphone and sang softly:

Those Years

How many times have we said goodbye?
procrastinate later

It's a pity that no one has ever loved
It is not an eloquent speech on the seven emotions.

The soothing and sad melody creates a beautiful and nostalgic picture of youth, just like a long shot in a movie, with the emotions progressing layer by layer.

Those Years

We left it in a hurry

unbearable promise
Just wait for others to fulfill their promise]

Youth is frivolous and young, beautiful and helpless, with laughter and tears, shyness and bravery, wanton and flamboyant.

Everything is so beautiful, but it happens too quickly.

[If you say goodbye, you can’t have red eyes

Can I still blush?

Just like the hastily carved
Together forever

Such a beautiful rumor】

Li Jinting's understated pronunciation of the lyrics, her ethereal and clear voice, coupled with the delicate and heart-wrenching writing style of the lyrics, perfectly depict the lingering love between the male and female protagonists.

If the past is still worth cherishing
Don't let go of the past too quickly

Who is willing to do this?
No worries or ties between each other

we owe each other

Otherwise, why should I cherish my memory?]

When everything becomes a memory, will that warmth still remain?

When I occasionally think of it when no one is around, does my heart still beat?

Jiang Congwen was listening to this song in the audience, feeling mixed emotions and was speechless.

The lotus root is broken, but what is the use of the silk? The lotus root is broken after all.

Tonight, many people remembered the name Li Jinting, remembered this unique girl, and her ethereal voice.

The champion is always the most dazzling.

"Ouch~~" Chen Nanxing let out a series of wails.

"Come on, slow down."

Xu Hongdou helped Chen Nanxing lie down on the bed slowly.

"Huh—" Only after lying down on the bed did Chen Nanxing breathe a sigh of relief.

"Look at you, you even sprained your waist." Xu Hongdou was quite helpless.

Today, Xu Hongdou received a call for help from Chen Nanxing. When she heard Chen Nanxing's "screams" on the phone, she thought something had happened and was shocked.

"How should I know? I just sat for too long and stood up suddenly, and I dodged it."

"Alas, I'm really old and feeble now." Chen Nanxing said weakly.

"What do you mean by old arms and legs? Stop sighing and whining." Xu Hongdou said soothingly.

"Didn't the doctor tell you that you didn't take enough time to rest even though you had this minor illness before? Sitting for so long accumulated fatigue in your waist muscles, and then suddenly getting up so hard, that's what caused the waist muscle injury."

"It's not a big problem, it will be fine soon."

"Same, in the final analysis it's because my body can't take it anymore." Chen Nanxing waved his hand.

"You, just take a few days of rest and you will be back to full strength soon." Xu Hongdou smiled.

"Well, I'm sorry to trouble you these days." Chen Nanxing said softly.

Chen Nanxing has had difficulty moving around these days, so he came to Xu Hongdou for care.

"There's no need to talk about this between us." Xu Hongdou shook her head.

"What do you want to eat later? I'll make it, or ask Chen Mo to pack some for him when he comes back."

"Just drink some porridge. The pain makes me have no appetite." Chen Nanxing said after thinking for a while.

"Okay, then you take a rest first, I'll call you for dinner later."

"it is good."

Chen Nanxing woke up in a daze.

She didn't know how long she had slept, or even whether she had fallen asleep. The pain in her waist made her sleep very uneasily, and she felt even more tired after a good night's sleep.

The pain is numbing.

"What's that smell? It smells so good." Chen Nanxing fanned his nostrils gently, feeling a little hungry.

Chen Nanxing struggled to get up slowly, holding his waist with one hand and the table, closet, wall, or anything else he could lean on with the other, and slowly walked out of the bedroom.

"Why did you get up? I was thinking I'd bring it in for you when you woke up."

When Xu Hongdou heard the noise, she hurried over to support Chen Nanxing.

"I can't sleep because of the pain. The more I sleep, the more groggy I feel." Chen Nanxing sighed.

"Let me help you sit down first." Xu Hongdou helped Chen Nanxing sit on the chair, and then took a pillow and placed it on Chen Nanxing's lower back.

"How long have I slept?" Chen Nanxing asked.

"About an hour." Xu Hongdou said.

"It's only been over an hour, but I feel like I slept for a century. I feel dizzy and dark."

"Didn't the doctor say that applying ice within 24 hours can also relieve the symptoms? I asked Chen Mo to buy a few bags of ice from the convenience store downstairs when he comes up."

"Okay." Chen Nanxing nodded, "Please help me apply some pain-relieving ointment before going to bed, otherwise I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep tonight."

"Okay, then I'll send a message to Chen Mo now." Xu Hongdou picked up the phone.

"What were you cooking just now? It smells so good." Chen Nanxing looked towards the kitchen.

"Clay pot porridge. Chen Mo made it for me several times before. I learned it from him." Xu Hongdou said with a smile.

"Tsk tsk tsk, you guys are living a very sweet life." Chen Nanxing said with some envy.

"Then you should find one quickly. What about Sun Zhixin you mentioned before? What's his current situation?"

Chen Nanxing's face darkened, "It's cold."

"Huh? Why did it get cold? When did it happen?"

"today."

"Today?!" Xu Hongdou was a little surprised.

"I just found out today that he established a relationship with a colleague from another department in our company two days ago." Chen Nanxing said frustratedly.

"You didn't sprain your waist because you were excited after hearing the news, did you?" Xu Hongdou asked.

Chen Nanxing covered his face silently and nodded, "Yeah."

"You..." Xu Hongdou didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and didn't know what to say.

"Woo~~ I was a little worried that I am six years older than him, so I was hesitant about whether to take action. I didn't expect that someone would get there first." Chen Nanxing was a little overwhelmed.

"Okay, okay, don't cry, don't cry. If it's gone, you can find another one." Xu Hongdou quickly hugged Chen Nanxing and comforted him.

“But he’s really handsome.”

"What's the point of being handsome? Being handsome can't make a living."

"But isn't Chen Mo handsome and can cook for you?"

"Uh..." Xu Hongdou couldn't refute this. "In fact, you only see the surface. Chen Mo also has many bad points."

There was no other way. In order to comfort Chen Nanxing, Xu Hongdou could only put Chen Mo in a difficult position temporarily.

"What's wrong?" Chen Nanxing looked at Xu Hongdou with tears in his eyes.

"Hmm." Xu Hongdou thought about it and couldn't say it for a moment.

"Look, you can't even tell me what's wrong with it, which shows that being handsome really works."

Chen Nanxing was very sad. Her beautiful love ended before it even began.

"Chen Mo is too clingy. Sometimes he annoys me." Xu Hongdou finally came up with an idea.

"Wow, you are showing off!" Chen Nanxing felt even sadder after hearing this.

When Chen Mo entered the room, he saw this strange scene:
Chen Nanxing burst into tears while Xu Hongdou smiled awkwardly.

"What's going on with you two?" Chen Mo asked tentatively.

Hearing Chen Mo's voice, Chen Nanxing's "crying" stopped abruptly. He sniffed, wiped his face with his hands, and returned to normal in an instant.

It doesn’t matter in front of her best friend, but Chen Nanxing still feels embarrassed in front of other people.

"You're back?"

Xu Hongdou breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Chen Mo, otherwise she really didn't know how to continue comforting Chen Nanxing.

After hearing what Xu Hongdou said, Chen Nanxing looked at Xu Hongdou quietly. Chen Mo came into your house, but you used the word "back". What does this mean?
Chen Mo nodded in response and raised the bag in his hand, "The ice you asked for."

Xu Hongdou walked over and took it. "Give it to me. I'll put it in the refrigerator first and apply it to Nanxing later. Wash your hands first. You can eat now."

"it is good."

Chen Mo looked at Chen Nanxing and asked, "Are you injured so seriously?"

"It's okay, I just sprained my waist. It will be healed in a week." Chen Nanxing said with a smile.

"So what did you do just now?" Chen Mo asked.

"Uh, it was so painful that I couldn't bear it for a moment." Chen Nanxing said vaguely.

"Oh, then let Hongdou give you some ice after you finish eating."

Although Chen Mo felt it was a bit strange, he didn't suspect anything else. It was normal for a girl to cry because she couldn't help but feel the pain.

In fact, what Chen Nanxing was referring to was not the pain of being injured, but the heartache.

Xu Hongdou brought out the casserole porridge and fried two dishes, and the three of them sat down to eat.

"How is Congwen doing recently? It seems like I haven't seen his live broadcast for a while." Chen Nanxing asked.

"He's been busy running around lately. He released an album, and after recording 'Star of Tomorrow', Congwen has really started to become famous. It seems that he will be participating in another music variety show soon." Chen Mo said with a smile.

"That's great, strike while the iron is hot." Chen Nanxing said with a smile.

"Everything is getting better and better. Hongdou has also been promoted, and your relationship is developing steadily. It seems that I am the only one standing still, with no progress in my relationship or career."

"Oh, I can't even take a step now, I can only lie down." Chen Nanxing laughed at himself.

"Aren't you almost there too? I remember you said that you should be able to move up a level before the end of the year," said Xu Hongdou.

Her work situation has always been similar to that of Chen Nanxing.

"I may not be able to make it." Chen Nanxing shrugged.

"Huh?" Xu Hongdou was puzzled.

"I want to resign and change jobs," said Chen Nanxing.

"Why so sudden?" Xu Hongdou was a little surprised.

"Not sudden." Chen Nanxing shook his head.

"Actually, ever since I started having some back problems, I've always had this idea in mind, but I never made up my mind."

"I sprained my back today, and that made me determined."

"If I continue doing this job, my waist will definitely get seriously injured one day. Then I will use the money I earn to treat the disease and buy medicine. This is just asking for trouble."

"It's better to find a relatively easy job now, even if the salary is lower."

"Just that?" Xu Hongdou stared at Chen Nanxing.

Chen Nanxing smiled and said, "I was originally thinking that my career and love would blossom this year, but now the flower of love has withered and my body can no longer sustain the blossoming of my career, so there is nothing to miss about this job."

"Flower of love?" Chen Mo was a little curious when he heard it.

"Yeah, I broke up before I even fell in love, so I just turned a blind eye to it." Chen Nanxing nodded.

Chen Mo now knew why he came in and saw that scene just now.

"So what are your plans next?" Xu Hongdou asked.

Chen Nanxing said: "I will wait until my waist gets better and I can walk normally, then I will go back to the company to resign."

"I'm not in a rush to find a job. The doctor said that if I want my back to fully recover, I'd better rest for a month or two, otherwise I might suffer from chronic back pain in the future."

"It just so happens that I haven't had a good rest in the past few years, so I want to take this opportunity to rest for a while."

"Okay, you should stay here with me for a few days and recover from your injury first." Xu Hongdou nodded.

"Of course, I'll rely on you to take care of me these few days."

Chen Nanxing wanted to reach out and hug Xu Hongdou, but when he leaned over, he pulled the muscles in his waist, "Ouch~~"

Xu Hongdou helped Chen Nanxing back and said unhappily, "Stop moving. What do you want to do in this state?"

"I forgot, hehe." Chen Nanxing stuck out his tongue.

After dinner, Chen Mo was responsible for washing the dishes.

Xu Hongdou took a towel wrapped in ice cubes and applied it to Chen Nanxing's waist in the bedroom.

"Hey, I hope my presence here won't get in the way of you two?" Chen Nanxing said with a smile.

"No, what can it do?" Xu Hongdou said casually while carefully helping Chen Nanxing apply ice.

Because the ice is so cold, I have to pick it up from time to time.

Moreover, Xu Hongdou also has to pay attention to the time. She cannot apply ice for too long. Ten minutes is enough, otherwise it will affect blood circulation.

Xu Hongdou remembered the doctor's instructions clearly, but Chen Nanxing was so busy enduring the pain at the time that he couldn't concentrate at all.

"That's it." Chen Nanxing smiled, and had the leisure to bump his fists together, then stretched out his thumb and bent it.

Xu Hongdou gently covered Chen Nanxing's forehead with the ice pack.

"Ouch, what are you doing?" Chen Nanxing was suddenly startled.

"Cool down your brain. What are you thinking about all day long?" Xu Hongdou said unhappily.

"What's the big deal? It's human nature." Chen Nanxing wiped his forehead with the back of his hand.

"Why are you reacting so strongly? You haven't yet?" Chen Nanxing asked tentatively.

Xu Hongdou glanced at Chen Nanxing and nodded slightly without denying it.

This time Chen Nanxing was really surprised.

"That's impossible. You can enter and exit freely through both doors. And when I saw Chen Mo come in just now, your reaction was like you two were living together. How is that possible?"

"You two have been dating for three months, right? Is Chen Mo's concentration so good?"

"That's not the case. He's not that honest."

Xu Hongdou subconsciously glanced in the direction of Chen Mo in the kitchen. The two of them were talking in a low voice with the door closed in the bedroom, so they were not afraid of being heard.

"He was quite determined in the first two months, but in the last month he can't hold himself back."

Thinking of Chen Mo's eager look, Xu Hongdou couldn't help but laugh.

"That's because you're not prepared?" Chen Nanxing asked.

Xu Hongdou snickered and said, "Not really, it's just that the times he picked were both inconvenient for me."

Because of this, Chen Mo was depressed for a long time. He also found out how long female relatives usually visit each month, but it seems that the dates are not necessarily fixed.

"What a coincidence." Chen Nanxing couldn't help but laugh.

Xu Hongdou leaned close to Chen Nanxing's ear and whispered, "I'm telling you, I think he's counting down the days until my period comes."

"Is it true?" Chen Nanxing was a little surprised.

"Hmm." Xu Hongdou raised her eyebrows.

Chen Mo, who was humming a song while washing dishes, had never expected that private conversations between besties could be shared to this extent.

(End of this chapter)