Translator: Ryn
Immediately after those words were spoken, the two felt a little stunned.
Naturally, Ling Ke was stupefied as he felt those words unbelievable.
As for Qi Feng, his admittance “I haven’t had my first kiss yet” was a subconscious one that he made in order to increase the credibility of his previous statement of him “never having a girlfriend before”. It was definitely not something he had deliberately wished to reveal to Ling Ke.
After all, for a straight guy, whether or not other straight men had their first kisses intact was an inconsequential detail.
Hence, with his final sentence, not only did it not make Qi Feng seem “pure”, contrarily it even made him appear a bit foolish.
However, just as Qi Feng felt a tinge of regret from blurting out those words, Ling Ke suddenly couldn’t hold himself back from emitting a “pfft” sound of laughter.
Though, it only took 0.1 second before Ling Ke realised what he did and immediately restored his original facial expression.
It was a very brief, fleeting laugh; if it wasn’t for Qi Feng noticing the slight arc on the corners of Ling Ke’s lips and hearing the slight “pffft” sound that echoed in the room, he wouldn’t have believed the other capable of secretly laughing at him!
Qi Feng narrowed his eyes: “Are you laughing at me?”
Ling Ke lifted his hand and lightly covered his mouth with his palm: “No.”
Qi Feng: “…”
As a matter of fact, Ling Ke was delighted with Qi Feng’s words.
He had always thought of Qi Feng as a player; he totally did not expect Qi Feng to not have dated anyone before, and even has his first kiss still intact… how can he not be pleasantly surprised with these new revelations?
Even so, these new discoveries were meaningless to him– even if Qi Feng’s firsts were still intact, it was not as if they were reserved for him ah.
But once he recalled Qi Feng’s previously earnest expression whilst revealing he “haven’t even had his first kiss yet”, Ling Ke just couldn’t help but want to laugh.
…this guy, he is just too cute!
Ling Ke released a light cough, and calmed himself down before glancing towards Qi Feng. The current expression on Qi Feng who looked as if he was about to fly into a rage out of humiliation and wanting to tear himself apart, was not as cute.
Ling Ke tried to divert his attention: “Why would you explain to me… your relationship with Xiao Zhi?”
To be precise, what Ling Ke wanted to ask was why Qi Feng thought of this as the reason for Ling Ke avoiding him.
This was undeniably an opportunity, but at this very moment, all he thought of was to cool off and suppress his emotions. He didn’t want his one-sided jealousy to end up exposing his feelings and then cause trouble for Qi Feng.
“I don’t want you to misunderstand me and think badly of my character. Even if I really want a girlfriend, I definitely will not be the third party in someone else’s relationship.” Qi Feng still seemed a little angry at being laughed at previously, but there was nothing he could do about it.
“Oh…” Ling Ke pretended to feel relieved whilst nodding his head. Actually, it didn’t really matter however Qi Feng responded. Qi Feng’s “haven’t even had my first kiss yet” was enough to make him laugh for three full days! … Since Qi Feng thinks of this as the reason why he avoided him, then just let him continue to think so ba.
After a pause, Ling Ke plucked up his courage and asked: “You care this much about what I think of you?”
“Of course,” Qi Feng had wanted to add, “I regard you as my best friend in F University”, but he suddenly felt those words a little hypocritical when spoken out loud hence he stopped himself from continuing on. Instead, he asked, “You will not…avoid me anymore, right?”
Ling Ke lied through his teeth: “I wasn’t avoiding you, it’s just…recently… I have been quite busy.”
Qi Feng: “…”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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Now that everything’s been said, he felt a huge weight taken off his shoulders, and decided not to avoid Qi Feng anymore.
Besides, they still have to practice the piano together for half a month, how is it possible for him to hide ah….
“Don’t take this to heart,” Ling Ke, albeit guiltily, tried to appease Qi Feng and said, “Let’s first think about what piece we should play ba.”
Qi Feng stared at him for two seconds, and subsequently scooted to one side of the piano bench. He patted on the empty side of the bench and said: “Come sit over here.”
Ling Ke: “…”
It was indeed very cramped for the two to sit together on a single bench; they had to shrink their shoulders to avoid touching the other.
Ling Ke couldn’t help but find a way to ease the tension: “That…what is the name of the piece you’ve just played? It sounded quite nice.”
“《Faylinn》, a piece by David Hicken, it’s quite easy to play. We can first try to modify the song and see where we go from there.” Qi Feng said whilst reaching out to demonstrate the first bar of the song. Ling Ke quickly leaned forward and paid attention.
“Did you get it?” Qi Feng asked once he finished playing.
“En.” Basically, the broken chords of the C and F key.
Qi Feng instructed: “You play the bass notes. Add a column chord after every four beats.”
“Okay…” Ling Ke placed his left hand on the piano keys, and the two first tried to play with one hand each.
After getting Ling Ke familiarised with the melody, Qi Feng proceeded by instructing him to add a trill on his right hand after every eight beats, in addition to repeating the initial chords. In a moment, the piano piece that was originally simple and relaxing became increasingly complex.
At the same time, Qi Feng also added in his other hand, shortening and prolonging his original chords in an alternating fashion whilst jumping back and forth, randomly inserting different scales.
Due to the wide extension of their arms as they reach towards their intended notes, sometimes Qi Feng would stretch towards Ling Ke’s side of the piano, resulting in both their bodies pressed tightly against one another.
Ling Ke had no way to avoid this, nor did he have the intention to. While he was amazed at the gradual improvement of the song, at the same time he was also somewhat attracted to Qi Feng’s talent and sense of creativity.
If he was the one directing song adaptation, at best he would’ve only deepened the complexity of the chords. But presently, not only did Qi Feng modify the chords; he even attempted to alter the original melody and rhythm of the piece. Even though the music had sounded a bit chaotic, there was still some order within it. This clearly showed that Qi Feng had put in some thought into the changes he made, and not something that he had simply conjured.
This really tested the aptitude and level of a pianist, not all who passed level 10 were capable of such a feat.
After they finished the song, Ling Ke’s interest was fully aroused.
“How was it?” After expending such a high degree of concentration, Qi Feng looked a bit tired. He smiled and asked, “It sounded a lot better ba?”
“En, then on the day, should we just perform this?” Ling Ke asked.
“Impossible. This is way too simple. I just wanted to test out the effects of our four-handed piano duet,” Qi Feng then turned towards Ling Ke and asked. “Do you have any other suggestions for songs that we could perhaps modify?”
At such a close distance, Ling Ke could clearly view each strand of Qi Feng’s eyelashes; they are really long ah…
Really want to get close and lick…
“…!!!”
Ling Ke was so stunned by his own shameless thoughts that he felt like smashing his head against the piano keys!
Ling Ke controlled his voice and said, “I don’t know, I’ve only ever played Beethoven’s and Chopin’s piano pieces… but I don’t think everyone would enjoy listening to those.”
When he was younger and had family and friends come to his house for a visit, they preferred for him to randomly play a song by Richard Clayderman, over any of Beethoven’s and Chopin’s piano pieces. No matter how awesome the piece of classical music, amateurs just wouldn’t know how to appreciate it. The average person only cares if the music sounds nice or not.
Qi Feng agreed: “En, I also think so. There is a song that I quite like, but I do not have the music score for it.”
Ling Ke: “Which song?”
“Jump,” Using hand gestures, Qi Feng wrote an exclamation point in the air, “It’s a song by ‘Two Steps From Hell’.”
Upon seeing Ling Ke’s face filled with confusion, Qi Feng pulled out his mobile to search for the song, for Ling Ke to listen.
Ling Ke took a look and realised that the song itself was called 《Jump!》, and there really was an exclamation mark behind the title of the song.
The two gathered close and listened to the original music using Qi Feng’s mobile. It was indeed a very exhilarating piece of music; the more he listened, the more he felt tempted to press Qi Feng against the piano and ravish him with kisses…
“How is it? Isn’t it good?” Qi Feng asked, with a face filled with excitement.
“…It’s good.” a bright flash of light emanated from Ling Ke’s eyes.
Qi Feng: “Then… should we go with this?”
Ling Ke: “En, let’s go with this!”
Knowing that the song he liked was also well-received by the person he liked, Qi Feng was so happy to the point where he wanted to jump up and dance, but very quickly, he recalled: “We don’t have the music score though.”
“We’ll have to rely on you for this.” Ling Ke believed that Qi Feng had the ability to transcribe the score.
Qi Feng: “…”
Having been entrusted with the heavy responsibility, Qi Feng could only smiled helplessly: “OK, givemefive!”
Ling Ke acquiesced and reached out his hand for a high-five. To his surprise, Qi Feng captured and detained his hand right after completing the motion.
Qi Feng looked at his hand and asked: “I have just realised this, but are your hands smaller than mine?”
Alarm bells started ringing in Ling Ke’s head. Nevertheless he promptly reminded himself of his “straight-male” camouflage, and tried to feign indifference: “I think my hand size is just right, just a little bit smaller than yours…” He calmly retracted his hand, whilst internally screaming, “F**k!”
… Just like the previous time after applying the ointment on Qi Feng, it seems like he will have to abstain from washing his hands for a week now too!
As they didn’t have the music score, there was nothing for them to practice on, hence the two of them only played for a short while before planning to go for dinner. This time, Ling Ke was the one who initiated: “Let’s go to the cafeteria together?”
“En? Okay.” Qi Feng gave him a quick glance and laughed in his heart. And he still said he wasn’t avoiding me. Obviously his attitude now is a 180 degrees change from before ah!
***
For a period of time after this, the two of them were constantly together; they went to class together, practiced the piano together, and when they had to go their separate ways to attend club activities, they would even take the initiative to send text messages to inform the other. It was to the point where they were almost inseparable, just as a shadow is to a body.
Seeing their good relationship with one another, naturally there wasn’t a lack of people teasing them about it, especially the girls in their class.
Once, before class had started, several girls sitting on the row in front of them had turned around and asked: “Ei, Qi Feng, there were so many girls who confessed to you, were you not attracted to any of them?”
With an earphone plugged in his ear and a hand supporting his chin, Qi Feng listened to the song whilst transcribing, and at the same time, lazily raised his eyelids and smiled at them: “No ah, there were so many pretty girls who came to me, how is it possible for me to choose? Why don’t you guys help me pick one?”
Ling Ke’s eyes twitched. He had to admit; Qi Feng certainly had a flamboyant air to him that attracted the opposite sex. If Qi Feng hadn’t admitted to himself that he still had his first kiss intact, just based on his current frivolous behaviour, Ling Ke would have been tempted to give him a good kick.
But the girls have long gotten used to Qi Feng’s antics, and helpfully suggested: “The long-haired girl who confessed to you last week is quite pretty ah.”
Qi Feng pretended to recall: “There were so many girls with long hair, who are you talking about? I can’t recall, pick another.”
Another girl asked: “Then how about the flower from the German Faculty?”
Qi Feng waved his hand: “Her German isn’t even as fluent as mine, could it be that she’s only looking for me to tutor her? No, no, I am too busy.”
A girl then boldly recommended herself: “Then why don’t you consider me?”
“You?” Qi Feng pretended to be shocked, shook his head and teased her. “You haven’t even written me a love letter, don’t play with me ah.”
Everyone laughed.
After teasing Qi Feng, they turned to Ling Ke: “Ling Ke, why aren’t you looking for a girlfriend either?”
Ling Ke was a lot more blunt compared to Qi Feng. He coldly replied with two words: “Too troublesome.”
— Two words leading to a direct, fatal blow. And no one dared to gossip further.
However, as they found Ling Ke helping Qi Feng in reviewing the important keypoints from their previous lecture, one after another, they exclaimed in surprise: “Wa, Ling Ke, you treat Qi Feng so well! The both of you are not looking for a girlfriend, and instead, you stick to each other all day long. You guys might as well just date each other ah!”
————
【A brief interlude】
After playing the piano together, Ling Ke wants to lick Qi Feng’s eyelashes.
Qi Feng: Baby! Come! (☆_☆)
After listening to 《Jump!》, Ling Ke wants to ravish Qi Feng with kisses.
Qi Feng: Baby! Come! (☆_☆)
【Translator POV】
Ryn: KeKe, just lick him, why are you not licking! (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
Ryn: KeKe, just ravish him on the spot ah!!! Qi Feng is very willing!!!
Ryn: Qi Feng, how naughty you are to use the piano as a chance to eat KeKe’s tofu oh! But if you want to touch, then make sure to touch him properly oh! (づ￣ ³￣)づ
these two are honestly hilarious with their trying to be a “I’m a straight man” persona
Grandioso novela
Thanks for the chapter <3
Thanks for picking up this novel, I appreciate all your hard work!!! I still hope the old translator is ok tho ^^
No one:
Them: I’m a straight man. I’m a straight man. I’m a straight man. I’m a straight man. I’m a straight man. I’m a straight man. I’m a straight man. I’m a straight man. I’m a straight man. I’m a straight man. I’m a straight man. I’m a straight man.
I’m a straight-up bent man.* Missing a few charaters.
1+ lmfao that’s them on the inside,,, AHHH I WANT ACTIONNN >w<
Pfftt, the girls at the end are really spot on! Hehe, both of them are so close to each other that they might as well be dating already~
Thank you for the chapter~
Aaaah~ author-sama knows Two Steps From Hell :3 Love their music ;__;
Girl, you’re right, they should just start dating lol
Thx for the ch (ㅅ˘ㅂ˘)
HAHA! I can’t stop myself laughing for these two. their inner thoughts are so cute! Both of them pretending to be a straight man when we know they are so gay for each other. I can’t wait when the time comes when they finally knew the truth. We’ll definitely be fed with a lot of dog food.
Who is the gong and the shou?????
Aiya… these two.
Thanks for the chapter!
Thank you for translating!!!
not me getting more excited over two steps from hell being mentioned than the current developments (‘-_-) jump is such a good song. thank you for the chapter <3
I just knew it’d be cool and epic if it’s Two Steps from Hell. I can imagine two hunks QF and LK playing it, they gonna be slaying 🤩
Thank you for the chapter!
I feel my playlist is rapidly extending. Who asked them to pick such a good pieces!!! And It’s so funny to watch them dancing around each other, both gay, but neither knows about the other! So good. I usually don’t read novels with modern school settings, this and Seizing dreams beeing the only exeptions. But it’s good. Thank you for the chapter!!!
Alternate name: Gay Panic the novel 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Ryn-sama is so adorable XD thank you for the chapter! 😇
The fun goes on 😂😂😂