Mr. Lizard Outside the Window - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Find Someone You Like

Perhaps because she had rested all day, Banxia, usually a heavy sleeper, woke up in the middle of the night.

The light was off, but the stove was on, and a figure stood before it, their back to her.

From her position on the bed, she could only see a portion of their back.

The person wore a soft pair of pajamas, the sleeves neatly folded up to the elbows, revealing a well-defined arm. They held a ladle, stirring something in a clay pot.

The pot simmered softly, the warm glow of the stove illuminating their clothes and arm. It was a peaceful, dreamlike scene.

Not wanting to disturb the tranquility, Banxia lay quietly, watching the figure, the pajamas she had bought, the pink apron tied around their waist.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to her. When Xiao Lian first arrived, wasn't he just wearing that apron while cooking?

If I had woken up then, what would I have seen?

A giggle escaped her lips. The figure at the stove stiffened, their arm tensing, their hand freezing on the ladle.

"It's okay, take your time. I'm not peeking," Banxia rolled over, facing the wall, but couldn't help but giggle again, muffling the sound with her pillow.

The figure remained motionless for a moment, then Banxia heard their footsteps moving towards the table, followed by the clatter of bowls and chopsticks.

"Since you're awake, come and eat something," Xiao Lian's voice said from behind her.

Banxia turned over and saw a steaming pot of porridge and two bowls on the table.

A pair of pajamas lay on the floor beside the table, and a small black gecko was emerging from them, struggling to drag the fabric away with its tiny claws.

"Let me do that," Banxia said, getting out of bed. She picked up Xiao Lian, placed him on the table, neatly folded the pajamas, and placed them beside his terrarium before sitting down to eat.

The clay pot contained freshly cooked millet porridge with diced apples and rock sugar.

The cooked apples were soft and slightly tart, the sweetness of the rock sugar balancing the flavor. It was a comforting, stomach-soothing meal.

After a bowl of porridge, Banxia felt a warmth spread through her stomach, the sweet taste lingering on her tongue. Already feeling better, she said, "Can we have fish porridge tomorrow? With thin slices of fish and crispy fried shallots? I've been craving it." She looked at Xiao Lian, her voice pleading.

Xiao Lian sighed. "That's deep-sea fish. It's not good for you right now."

"Then how about oxtail soup? With butter, carrots, and celery? I've been sick for two days, and I need something flavorful."

Xiao Lian shook his head, sighing again.

---

At lunchtime, Banxia opened her lunchbox and found a thermos of hericium mushroom and duck soup. The duck fat had been carefully skimmed off, the clear, brown broth fragrant with the unique aroma of the mushrooms.

"This is good stuff, very nourishing for the stomach," Pan Xuemei said, recognizing the dish. "But it's a lot of work to prepare. Just soaking the mushrooms takes three or four hours."

I've been working Xiao Lian too hard lately, Banxia thought, as she savored the delicious soup.

---

In the afternoon, Banxia had a Contemporary Pop Music Arranging elective.

The class had no homework, and the only requirement for passing was submitting an original song at the end of the semester, regardless of its quality. It was a popular choice for students looking for easy credits.

Banxia, always short on time, had signed up for it at the beginning of the semester.

As the professor lectured, Banxia sat in the back row, catching up on homework for other classes, occasionally jotting down a few notes to appear attentive.

The professor was young, recently returned from studying abroad, and had strong opinions about the current trends in popular music.

"I've noticed that some students think writing a song is just about writing lyrics and a melody. They think it's easy."

A student protested, "It's not easy! Writing lyrics and composing music is hard!"

The professor tapped the title on the projected screen. "That's why this class is about a crucial aspect of music creation: arranging. The success of a pop song depends not only on the lyrics and melody but also, and perhaps more importantly, on the arrangement."

"An arranger needs a deep understanding of music theory, orchestration, harmony, and so on. They also need to be proficient in musical form and various music production software. It's a highly specialized skill."

A few murmurs of agreement came from the students.

The class was a mix of piano, orchestral, and vocal students, all with busy schedules. Apart from the composition majors, few were genuinely interested in pop music arranging. Most were just there for the easy credits.

The professor sighed, looking at the uninspired students.

He knew that in a few short elective classes, he could only introduce them to the basics of arranging. They wouldn't learn anything truly in-depth.

But there had been one exception.

Ling Dong, the piano prodigy, had shown a keen interest in the subject.

He had even contacted the professor after class, eager to learn more, discussing arranging techniques and sharing his own ideas. It had been a source of great satisfaction for the professor.

Unfortunately, the talented student had disappeared.

"Of course, after the song is written and recorded, it still needs mixing, mastering, and a producer. So, creating and releasing a song is a complex and demanding process," the professor continued, his voice droning on as the students struggled to stay awake. "That's why there are fewer and fewer truly talented independent musicians. The music market is dominated by large corporations that prioritize profit and popularity over artistry and originality."

Banxia, busy with her ethics homework, listened with half an ear.

So composing is actually quite difficult, she thought. Senior Ling Dong must work very hard.

"But there are still many dedicated, passionate independent musicians out there, some incredibly talented," the professor continued.

"I recently heard a song online by an independent artist. I find the arrangement particularly interesting," he said, his voice filled with excitement. He clicked on a file. "I've removed the vocals so we can focus on the melody and accompaniment, to better understand the arranger's work."

A unique melody filled the classroom. Banxia paused in her writing, a flicker of recognition in her eyes.

She put down her pen and listened intently. The melody was beautiful and distinctive, but she couldn't quite place it.

She shook her head. Maybe I heard it in a dream.

"What do you hear in this piece?" the professor asked.

A piano student immediately said, "Wow, the piano part is amazing!"

Another student added, "This person is a master of orchestration! So many instruments!"

The professor waved his hand dismissively. "That's not what I'm asking."

A composition student raised their hand. "The music is so rich and layered. It has electronic elements, like the bass and drums, but also a classical structure. It's very colorful, very emotional. Like a love song."

Another student said, "What's most impressive is the shifting tonality, moving between major and minor keys. That requires a deep understanding of music theory."

The professor nodded approvingly. "Exactly! That's what creates the emotional ups and downs, the feeling of yearning, of almost reaching something, but always falling short. The desire, the frustration, the longing… the arranger has captured it perfectly."

"The song is called 'Through the Wall.' The arrangement is brilliant and inventive. You can all learn a lot from it."

The classroom buzzed with discussion.

"Just listening to the melody makes me want to fall in love!"

"Unrequited love! My inner teenager is swooning!"

"'Through the Wall'? I've never heard of it. Where did you find this song, Professor?"

Banxia's pen hovered over her notebook, frozen.

The melody, echoing in the classroom, was like a distant song, heard through a wall.

She hadn't heard it before, yet it felt familiar, like a melody from a dream.

It was sweet and joyful, yet tinged with sadness, full of hope and despair, longing and uncertainty.

It sounds like what Xiao Lian described… a young woman in love, her heart fluttering…

---

That evening, as Banxia played her violin by South Lake, the melody of "Through the Wall" played in her mind.

A young woman in love…

How could someone capture that feeling so perfectly, express it so beautifully through music?

She tried to find that same emotion in her own interpretation of the Tchaikovsky concerto, but it always felt… lacking.

"Banxia," a voice called out.

Banxia looked up and smiled. "Xiaoyue! What a coincidence! Are you here for a walk?"

Shang Xiaoyue, her violin case on her back, looked at Banxia. "It's not a coincidence. I saw you playing here before. Your performance of 'The Phantom of the Opera'… it was incredible."

"Really? I play here often," Banxia chuckled. "Do you want to try?"

"Me? Here?" Shang Xiaoyue blushed slightly. She glanced at Banxia's violin case and the QR code for donations, feeling a flicker of interest, yet hesitant to lower herself to busking. She nervously kicked a small stone.

"It's a good experience. You might even enjoy it," Banxia offered her the spot. "We could even have a competition. A few songs each, and whoever earns more wins."

At the mention of a competition, Shang Xiaoyue's hesitation vanished. She quickly took out her violin and replaced Banxia.

Shang Xiaoyue played with fierce determination, choosing technically demanding pieces like Paganini and Bach's Chaconne.

Banxia, unfazed, stuck to her own unique style, imbuing even the simplest melodies with depth and emotion.

After a while, they stopped competing and played the Tchaikovsky concerto together.

Two young women, their music intertwining, both rivals and companions, their beautiful melodies echoing across South Lake.

Exhausted after their performance, they sat together, counting their earnings.

"We worked so hard, and this is all we got?" Shang Xiaoyue, the sheltered princess, couldn't believe how little they had earned. "It's not even enough for a decent meal."

"What are you talking about? It's enough! Come on, I'll treat you to something delicious!"

Banxia led her through a maze of alleyways to a small, unassuming shop with a long line of customers.

"Can you eat cilantro?" Banxia asked.

"Yes," Shang Xiaoyue nodded.

Banxia called out to the shop owner, "A-Po, two popiah, with extra seaweed and cilantro! And two bowls of bian shi, with scallions and pickled ginger!"

A white-haired elderly woman behind the counter called back, "Coming right up!"

Two plump popiah and two bowls of bian shi soup arrived shortly.

Shang Xiaoyue took a hesitant bite, then her eyes widened. "This is actually really good! How did you find this place?"

"Isn't it? My stomach hasn't been feeling well lately, but next time, I'll take you to try the peanut worm jelly and frozen octopus. Even better!" Banxia called back to the shop owner, "A-Po, two more popiah to go, please!"

Shang Xiaoyue looked at her curiously. "Who are you buying those for?"

Banxia rubbed her head sheepishly. "My…pet. For my pet."

They enjoyed their late-night snack, but by the time they finished, it was too late to get back on campus before the gates closed.

Banxia led Shang Xiaoyue to the wall she usually climbed over. "I'll help you over, then go around to the other side. It's on my way."

Shang Xiaoyue, the model student, had probably never done anything this rebellious in her life.

Looking at the wall, she hesitated, then gathered her skirt, took Banxia's outstretched hand, and climbed over, her face determined.

They jumped down, their clothes and faces slightly dirty.

Shang Xiaoyue, thrilled by her first act of defiance, and Banxia, secretly pleased with herself for corrupting a good girl, exchanged grins.

They walked side by side under the moonlit sky, the campus quiet and peaceful.

"Honestly, your Tchaikovsky still needs some work," Shang Xiaoyue said. "You didn't play at your full potential. If you had played that piece at the selection round, I might not have won."

Banxia nodded. "I know."

"My father told me that as a musician, technique is important, but what truly matters is life experience, the ability to express that experience through music, to find your own unique voice. Perhaps… you haven't found your connection to this piece yet."

"Life experience, huh?" Banxia thought, frowning slightly.

They were walking past a bamboo grove, where a long corridor covered in wisteria vines offered a secluded spot, a popular location for couples.

Shang Xiaoyue suddenly pulled Banxia down, and they crouched behind the bamboo stalks.

At the end of the dimly lit corridor, a couple embraced, hidden behind the vines.

The boy seemed shy, his face flushed, his hands awkwardly placed. The girl, bolder, held him close, whispering and giggling.

Banxia and Shang Xiaoyue, covering their mouths to stifle their laughter, tiptoed past the oblivious couple.

As the boy's shirt was about to be lifted, a soft giggle echoed through the bamboo grove.

Once they were past the couple, Banxia and Shang Xiaoyue stood up, their faces flushed.

"You know," Shang Xiaoyue said, catching her breath, "maybe you should find a guy you like, pin him against a wall, and kiss him. That might help you find the feeling you're looking for in the music."

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