Volume One: Our Own League Chapter 31: The Reason for Not Participating in Group Activities

Xu He hadn’t even left the school grounds when he ran into Li Liying.

Xu He asked, puzzled, “Aren’t you going with everyone to celebrate?”

Li Liying wasn’t just the president of the league, she was also the manager of the Tenth Class’s soccer team. The whole squad was heading out for dinner to celebrate their victory, so it only made sense that their manager would be there too.

She hadn’t refused earlier, either.

So Xu He was genuinely confused.

Li Liying said, “Something came up at home last minute, so I can’t go.”

So that’s how it was.

Xu He simply replied with an “Oh,” and didn’t press further.

Li Liying had expected Xu He to persist with his questions, but he suddenly let the matter drop. That caught her off guard.

She stared at him and asked, “Aren’t you going to ask what happened at my house?”

“Huh?”

Xu He was a little stunned.

Seeing his bewildered expression, Li Liying couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“Who would have thought you’d be this cute?” she chuckled.

Xu He was full of question marks.

What was that all about? How was he cute? What connection was there?

He was even more perplexed.

And as Xu He’s confusion grew, Li Liying only laughed harder.

He was completely lost. What was so funny? Quickly, he changed the subject: “So, what happened at your house?”

Li Liying grinned mischievously, “Not telling you!”

Xu He was genuinely speechless.

If you weren’t going to tell me, why did you ask if I was curious? Are you crazy?

Xu He suddenly felt that Li Liying was acting differently today.

He scrutinized her for a moment. She seemed the same as always—capable and poised. What was going on today? Had she taken the wrong medicine?

Li Liying, noticing his strange look, felt awkward herself and promptly steered the conversation elsewhere. “Congratulations on your win today.”

Xu He paused, thinking to himself, “Is this how abrupt conversations are these days?”

He replied, “Thank you.”

Li Liying praised him sincerely, “You played really well. I saw it myself.”

Xu He gave a wry smile and said, “Thanks.”

After a moment’s thought, Li Liying awkwardly changed topics again. “Are you heading home so early because you’re really a mommy’s boy?”

It was obvious she’d mustered up the courage to ask. This had to be her ultimate purpose today.

Xu He stopped, fixing his gaze on her for a long moment until she grew uneasy and looked away. Only then did he speak: “So, after all that, this is what you wanted to know?”

Li Liying’s gaze darted aside as she feigned nonchalance. “No, just asking.”

Xu He let out a soft laugh. “Sure, just asking.”

He said, “Let me make it clear: I’m not a mommy’s boy.”

Hearing this, Li Liying visibly relaxed, letting out a breath.

Seeing her reaction, Xu He thought, amused, “Women.”

Li Liying immediately looked up at him. “So you were lying? Don’t you want to celebrate with your teammates?”

Xu He shook his head. “Do I seem that antisocial? Of course I want to go celebrate.”

Li Liying was puzzled. “Then why are you leaving?”

Xu He replied as they walked, “I need to go home to practice my instrument.”

He hadn’t intended to tell anyone about this, but now he had no choice. Otherwise, not only would he be branded a mommy’s boy, but he’d also earn a reputation for looking down on his teammates.

Li Liying’s eyes sparkled with interest. “What instrument?”

Since the topic was out, Xu He didn’t hide it. “Guitar.”

Li Liying nodded with enthusiasm. “Acoustic or electric?”

“Both, actually,” Xu He said.

Li Liying was delighted. “I never would’ve guessed! You’ve been hiding this skill well.”

Xu He rolled his eyes. “No matter how well I hide it, you still managed to dig it out, didn’t you?”

Li Liying laughed. “That’s because I’m good.”

“You are,” Xu He admitted.

She glanced at him. “How long have you been playing the guitar?”

“Four or five years, I started in elementary school.”

“So you must be really good.”

“Just average. Third in the country.”

“Liar.”

“In this, I don’t bother lying.”

“Really? If you’re that good, why not play something for me?”

“Why should I play for you?”

“We’re good friends, aren’t we?”

“Fine.”

“Don’t be so reluctant! I’m helping you, you know.”

“Helping me?”

“Of course! If you’re as good as you say, we could start a band together!”

“A band?”

“Yeah!”

“And what do you play?”

“Drums.”

Xu He was surprised—a girl who played drums? That was seriously cool.

Li Liying raised an eyebrow. “What, surprised?”

Xu He nodded. He really was a little taken aback.

He gave her a thumbs up. “Impressive.”

Li Liying, confident in her drumming skills, accepted the praise with ease. Then she asked, “So, are you interested in starting a band with me?”

Truth be told, Xu He had thought about being in a band before.

But with soccer, he wasn’t sure he’d have the time.

Li Liying seemed to sense his hesitation. “Starting a band won’t take up much of your time. It won’t interfere with soccer.”

Hearing this, Xu He said, “Then I’m in.”

Li Liying smiled. “It’s settled then. We’ll start a band.”

Xu He nodded in agreement.

She smiled sweetly and nodded too.

Starting a band was no small matter. For now, they’d only reached a preliminary agreement; the details would have to wait for another day, since both of them were busy heading home.

After bidding Li Liying farewell, Xu He hurried home.

The moment he crossed the threshold, he saw his mother busy in the kitchen.

Tang Qian glanced up from her work and, seeing Xu He, said, “Back already?”

Xu He greeted her, “Mom, I’m home.”

Tang Qian was very pleased—her son was back early.

She said, “Go practice your guitar first, then come eat. Save your homework for after dinner.”

“Okay, Mom!” Xu He replied.

Tang Qian waved him off. “Go on, then.”

At this hour, Xu He’s father, Xu Tie, was still at work at the entrance to their community.

Xu He went straight to his room to practice.

In his room stood his old acoustic guitar, which had been with him for many years—a birthday gift from his aunt when he was seven.

Xu He loved music and had been teaching himself guitar for quite some time.

He ran his hand over the instrument, feeling his mood instantly settle, as if he’d stepped into another world where only he existed.

That was what he loved about the guitar.

He didn’t need to tune it; he played it almost every day, so it was always in perfect pitch.

Taking a deep breath, Xu He pressed the frets with his left hand, plucked the strings with his right, and began playing his favorite piece, “Castle in the Sky.”

He’d fallen in love with the song the first time he’d ever heard it as a child. It awakened something pure and powerful within him, and the subtle melancholy in the melody had a lasting allure.

To be honest, it was this very song that inspired Xu He to fall in love with the guitar.

From that moment, he set out on the path of learning to play.

He was intimately familiar with this piece—he’d played it at least a thousand times—but he never tired of it. Each time, he found new meaning, always maintaining that sense of innocence, never a trace of weariness.

This, more than anything, showed just how much “Castle in the Sky” meant to Xu He.

As the final notes faded away, a burst of applause sounded.

Two little ones were watching him, their eyes full of adoration, their small hands red from clapping, though they didn’t notice.

They idolized their big brother.

Seeing these two, Xu He smiled warmly and murmured, “Silly kids, do you even understand what you’re hearing?”

Little Xu Fei pouted. “We’re not silly. You’re the silly one, big brother!”

Xu Yi nodded earnestly. “We understand. It’s really good.”

Then, picking up his ukulele, Xu Yi began to play in earnest. And, to be fair, for such a young child, his playing was quite good. Simple as it was, his rendition of “Castle in the Sky” was impressive.

It seemed this five-year-old had been learning for quite some time and had real talent.

Xu Fei immediately turned, cupping her chin in her hands, her big eyes sparkling with admiration as she watched her younger brother.

Xu He gazed at his little brother as well. Truthfully, he was a bit envious of the boy’s talent—he really was quite good.

Perhaps, one day, this little one would grow up to be a remarkable musician.

Their parents were already considering signing Xu Yi up for piano lessons, giving him the chance to study the instrument properly.

Indeed, Xu Yi didn’t just like guitar. He loved piano, violin, cello—all kinds of instruments. Or, rather, he loved music itself; whenever he heard the sound of an instrument, a sweet smile would bloom on his face.

Even when he was crying, as soon as he heard music, he would stop and burst out laughing.

But piano lessons were expensive.

Given their family’s current situation, it would be hard to afford, so the idea had been postponed. For now, Xu Yi practiced guitar and ukulele alongside Xu He.

Xu He sometimes felt sorry for his little brother.

That was why he taught Xu Yi with such care, sharing everything he knew about the guitar.

This was also why Xu He had to come home.

Watching his little brother play “Castle in the Sky” so earnestly, Xu He picked up his own guitar and joined in for a duet. The pure, heartfelt music enveloped little Xu Fei, who listened, enchanted, like a tiny, innocent angel.