Chapter 20: The Request
An Ran'er still had not come to school these past few days.
However, Li Nuo did receive a message from her.
[I have something important to discuss with you. Meet me at Huarong Park at 2 PM on Saturday.]
Although he had no idea what it was about, he did not ask any questions.
After all, he knew that even if he asked, An Ran'er would not tell him over the phone.
Well, he would find out when the time came.
Lying on his bed, he suddenly realized that he had not uploaded a video to Li-Station for almost a month.
He immediately got up and turned on his computer.
As soon as he logged into his account, he saw 99+ private messages waiting for him.
"Please update soon, Sister [A Promise Worth a Thousand Gold]!"
"Oh no, it's been a whole month. The uploader must have disappeared."
"Sigh, I followed another singer. Coo coo coo."
"Stop waiting, everyone. This uploader probably forgot their password."
……………………
Reading the many different comments under his videos, Li Nuo could not help but laugh.
"It was only one month without an update..."
That was what he said, but deep down he was actually very happy.
He really liked and enjoyed the feeling of being cared about.
Thinking back on everything that had happened during the past month, Li Nuo opened the instrumental track of one of his favorite songs.
Putting on his headphones and pressing the record button, he began to sing:
"There are always unexpected encounters,"
"Like the moment when I met you."
"Those gentle and clear eyes of yours"
"Appeared in my dreams."
……………………
The original singer of this song was male.
But after being covered with Li Nuo's gentle, clear, and airy female voice, it seemed to have a completely different feeling.
After uploading the video, he was about to shut down the computer when a comment under the newly uploaded video caught his attention.
[Untainted by the World: Luckily, I met you. Good night.]
Although he did not know who this person was, she had left a comment under every one of his videos since he started uploading.
It was obvious that she really liked his voice.
Smiling, he replied,
"Thank you for staying with me. Good night."
………………………
Soon, Saturday arrived.
Today, Li Nuo wore a white hoodie and a pair of dark blue casual pants.
Since he arrived a little earlier than the agreed time, An Ran'er was not there yet when he reached Huarong Park.
While waiting at the park entrance, he watched the couples passing by.
His heart could not help but stir a little.
If only An Ran'er and I were meeting as a couple...
Just as he was lost in his thoughts, someone poked him lightly on the back with a finger.
"Li Nuo."
Hearing the voice, he turned around.
Standing before him was An Ran'er. She was not dressed up much today.
She wore light makeup, an off-white hoodie, light blue denim shorts, and a pair of over-ear headphones.
Her orange hair flowed loosely over her chest.
"A-An Ran'er..."
Even though they had met many times already, she still amazed him every time. Even in such simple clothes, she carried a special charm that made her stand out.
Looking at the beautiful girl in front of him, Li Nuo awkwardly touched his cheek.
"What is this important thing you wanted to talk about?"
An Ran'er glanced around before saying,
"It's not convenient to talk here. Come with me."
Then she turned around and started walking. Although he had no idea what she was planning, Li Nuo obediently followed behind her.
After walking for about ten minutes, they arrived in front of a luxury apartment building.
"This is...?"
Li Nuo looked at the tall building in confusion.
"This is where I live."
After following An Ran'er into the elevator, they soon reached her floor. While she entered the password at the door, Li Nuo curiously looked around.
After entering, he saw a spacious apartment. Although he was impressed, he was not surprised. After all, An Ran'er was an idol, so living in a place like this seemed normal.
What he really wanted to know was why she had brought him here.
"Why did you bring me to your home?"
Instead of answering directly, An Ran'er pointed at the sofa in the living room.
"Sit down first. I'll get you some water."
Sitting on the sofa, Li Nuo looked around the apartment.
It was a duplex apartment with two floors.
The bedrooms were upstairs, while downstairs there was a living room, kitchen, and private bathroom.
The overall decoration style was simple and modern.
Several guitars of different colors and styles hung on the living room wall.
There was also a pleasant scent in the room.
Maybe it was perfume, he thought.
Looking at An Ran'er's home and then thinking about his own small rented room, he suddenly felt a huge gap between them.
Maybe we were never part of the same world...
Before he could think further, An Ran'er returned with two glasses of water.
After setting them down, she sat across from him.
"You already agreed to join our band, right?"
"Yes."
Li Nuo picked up his glass and nodded.
"During the past few days, I've already talked with our manager and the other band members. Tomorrow, I'll take you to meet them."
"So that's why you haven't been coming to school..."
At last, Li Nuo understood the reason for her absence. Then he asked,
"But if it's only a meeting, you could've just told me on the phone. Why bring me here?"
"There's a reason. Listen to me."
An Ran'er took a sip of water and slowly said,
"I want you to dress as a girl when you meet them."
Pffft—!
Li Nuo immediately sprayed out the water he had just drunk.
After wiping his mouth, he stared at her.
"An Ran'er... you're joking, right?"
An Ran'er grabbed a few tissues and cleaned the water that had splashed onto the table.
"I'm absolutely not joking."
"I don't understand... why do I have to dress as a girl?"
If she had told him this from the beginning, he would never have agreed to join the band.
"Haven't you already dressed as a girl before? At the convention and at the beach?" She lowered her voice. "I thought you could accept it..."
"That was because I had no choice!"
Li Nuo quickly replied.
"It's not like I wanted to do it. And you never told me joining your band would require this."
Looking away nervously, he spoke in a weak voice.
After hearing that, An Ran'er lowered her head and gripped her glass tightly.
Then she suddenly shouted,
"Didn't you know [The Girls] is a girl group, you idiot?! If you don't dress as a girl, how are you supposed to join?!"
"I..."
Li Nuo was completely speechless.
Realizing she had gone too far, An Ran'er softened her tone.
"Besides, you don't want people to know you've joined [The Girls], right?"
"I'm just saying if you wear girl's clothes and a wig, then people who know you won't recognize you."
Li Nuo still looked hesitant. Seeing this, An Ran'er bit her lip.
Her voice trembled slightly, as if she was about to cry.
"I really... don't have any other choice... Please... Can you agree to this...?"
Looking at her pitiful expression, Li Nuo lowered his head and stared at the glass in his hands.
After thinking for a long time, he finally made up his mind.
With determination, he said,
"I understand, since I already promised you before, I won't go back on my word. Otherwise, what kind of man would I be?"
Then he picked up the glass and drank the remaining water in one gulp.