As Yan Cheng listened, he realized what he had done and why Wang Muman was unhappy.
"Such a pitiful child," Yan Cheng's grandmother said, placing her hands on the table and sighing.
Yan Cheng said nothing, eating in silence. Although his parents often traveled for work, they were still present, and his grandmother had always been there for him. He always had someone around, while she seemed to have only herself now.
Not long ago, Yan Cheng had chatted with Wang Mujin. Wang Mujin hadn't mentioned this, only asking him to look after Wang Muman more. Perhaps because they met often and were both boys, Wang Mujin spoke to him like a brother. As the conversation progressed, he became more animated, even calling Yan Cheng a good buddy. He talked about his girlfriend, sharing everything with Yan Cheng. Yan Cheng, feeling he was still young and didn't understand such emotional matters, ended the chat and went to sleep.
In fact, Yan Cheng felt that Wang Muman's personality must have a reason. Despite performing on stage so many times, she still got nervous. He really wanted to know why. Now that he knew, his heart felt a faint pang of sadness.
Yan Cheng's grandmother cleared the dishes, and the meal ended with a somber atmosphere. Yan Cheng went to the living room and sat at the piano, beginning to play.
Playing the piece again, he felt a deeper connection, immersing himself in Wang Muman's emotions. She liked this song because she was deeply touched by it.
Soon, a new week began. Wang Muman noticed that Yan Cheng seemed gentler when explaining problems to her, and it wasn't just gentleness; there was an indescribable feeling.
"Yan Cheng, have you passed your voice-changing period? Your voice doesn't sound like it used to," Wang Muman was very observant. She clearly felt that Yan Cheng's voice was no longer hoarse but had a magnetic quality, making it suddenly pleasant to listen to.
Yan Cheng saw Wang Muman's eyes on his mouth, as if she were observing something.
"Xiao Le, listen, has it changed!" Wang Muman nudged He Lele.
"What has changed?" He Lele leaned closer.
"Yan Cheng's voice. Yan Cheng, say something quickly."
Yan Cheng didn't know what to say for a moment. Wang Muman opened her Chinese textbook and asked him to read.
"Indeed, it feels a bit fresher. Not bad, you could be a radio host," He Lele leaned in close to Yan Cheng again. "Handsome kid, not only do you have a handsome face, but your lack of height has also changed, and your voice is now pleasant. I say, if you get to university, you'll be a hot commodity, with girls flocking after you. A handsome disaster! Too bad, you're not my type!" He Lele pulled away and glanced at Wang Muman.
Wang Muman didn't understand what she meant. He Lele didn't say anything and lowered her head to focus on her studies.
"Did you understand, Manman?" Yan Cheng called back Wang Muman, who was looking at He Lele with confusion.
Wang Muman shook her head. She had been paying too much attention to Yan Cheng's voice and had forgotten the problem.
"Then I'll quickly go over it again. Class is about to start," Yan Cheng began explaining without further ado.
Even though he explained quickly, Wang Muman pondered for a moment and then understood, smiling and nodding at Yan Cheng. "Got it!" If this were a comic, Wang Muman would surely have stars above her head.
"Manman, are you going to watch the basketball game today? You know," He Lele asked Wang Muman slyly, a half-eaten chicken leg still in her mouth.
Suddenly, someone stood beside them. "Of course, we're going!"