diymy Chapter 31 Image Management? But my pockets are empty.
Chapter 31 Image Management? But my pockets are empty.
Compared to the previously vague and uncertain debt.
Lin Hanjiang is now firmly shouldering this debt.
The debt was over 22 yuan, plus three years of interest, totaling nearly 40 yuan.
The debt kept piling up.
"Senior brother..."
Junior Sister Zu Hai followed closely beside him, occasionally glancing at him furtively.
She was still holding the notebook and pen she had used to record the debts, her fingertips unconsciously digging into the hard edge of the notebook.
Her lips were slightly pursed, and her clear eyes were filled with worry, as well as a hint of frustration at not being able to help.
Her family circumstances meant they couldn't offer much help.
Her parents are both working-class, and it was already extremely difficult for them to support her studies at a music academy.
Lin Hanjiang turned his head and saw her like this, and the tension in his heart inexplicably eased a little.
He stopped, raised his hand, and gently flicked Zu Hai's smooth forehead with his calloused fingertips.
"Ouch!"
Zu Hai covered his forehead, his round eyes widening even more.
"Little girl, why are you looking so gloomy?" Lin Hanjiang's lips curled into a relaxed smile. "I'm the one who owes the debt, not you. Anyone who didn't know better would think you owed someone 400,000."
"Senior brother!"
Zu Hai got anxious, ignoring her forehead, and pouted angrily.
"I'm just worried about you! That's a lot of money... and, besides, tomorrow's the final."
Her voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, until it almost became a mutter.
"I'm afraid this will affect your mood and make you perform poorly on stage."
Lin Hanjiang looked at her cheeks, which were slightly flushed with anxiety.
He smiled slightly; this junior sister was actually concerned about him.
He knew that Zu Hai's family was of modest means, and he understood even more what this money meant.
"rest assured."
Lin Hanjiang dropped his joking expression and became serious.
"There's always a way out. Since I've already accepted the debt, there's no point in being afraid. Now, I just need to focus on how to earn this money."
He paused, turned his head, and smiled at Zu Hai: "You've worked hard these past few days, Xiao Hai. You've neglected your own practice because you were helping me refine the song for the finals. You've been practicing with me the whole time, playing it over and over again."
Zu Hai quickly waved her hand, her ponytail swaying, "No, no. My senior sisters and brothers teach me so much, I'm happy to be of any help. Besides..."
Her eyes sparkled. "Listening to my senior practice singing, I feel like I've learned so much! Really!"
Zu Hai's sincerity was genuine.
Lin Hanjiang knew that this girl had a natural talent for piano accompaniment and vocal understanding, and was also willing to work hard.
"Okay, go practice singing first, and accompany me for half a day."
"Okay, senior."
"Hanjiang! Hanjiang!"
A clear, slightly hurried female voice came from the other end of the tree-lined path.
The two looked in the direction of the sound and saw their senior sister, Zhang Ye, jogging over.
She was wearing black leggings and a loose white cotton T-shirt, with fine beads of sweat on her forehead, a few stray hairs sticking to her cheeks, and her face showing undisguised anxiety.
"Senior sister, what's wrong? Why are you running so fast?" Lin Hanjiang took two steps to greet her.
Zhang ran over and looked him up and down. Seeing that he was unharmed, he breathed a sigh of relief, but his brows were still furrowed.
"I just overheard some classmates talking in the music room. They said a large group of people, your relatives, came to the school gate. They were making a lot of noise and even alerted the security guards. Did you get hurt? Did they give you any trouble?"
She spoke quickly and urgently, with a protective and concerned air about her child.
Lin Hanjiang felt a warmth in his heart, shook his head, and said calmly, "It's nothing, Senior Sister. It was just some elders from my hometown who heard that I've become somewhat famous, so they came to inquire about some things, and also... ask about my father. Everything has been explained now, and they've all gone back."
"Are you really alright?"
Zhang looked at him suspiciously, then glanced at Zu Hai, who was holding a notebook and seemed hesitant to speak.
"Xiao Hai, tell me, what exactly happened? Those people didn't bully your senior brother, did they?"
Zu Hai opened his mouth, glancing at Lin Hanjiang.
Lin Hanjiang shook his head slightly and gave her a reassuring look.
"It's really nothing, Senior Sister Zhang Ye." Zu Hai lowered her head, her voice weak. "I just... I just asked about something, and Senior Brother Han Jiang has taken care of it."
Zhang looked at this one and then at that one, feeling that something was off between the two.
Lin Hanjiang, in particular, although his expression was calm, was filled with deep worry.
She knew her junior brother well; if he didn't want to talk about something, she couldn't get it out of him no matter how hard she asked.
And judging from his appearance, he certainly didn't seem to have been bullied or involved in a conflict.
I hope everything is alright!
"Alright, I'm glad you're okay."
Zhang also breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.
"There are a lot of people watching you now, and a lot of gossip is brewing, so be careful. If you get into any trouble, remember to tell me or your teacher. Don't try to tough it out on yourself, okay?"
"Understood, Senior Sister."
Lin Hanjiang smiled and nodded, thanking his senior sister for her concern.
He skillfully changed the subject, "We're going to practice singing now, senior sister? Want to come along?"
"Oh, I almost forgot about the important matter."
Zhang Ye slapped his forehead, as if suddenly awakened, and his face instantly turned serious.
"It's all for your final tomorrow. Is your suit ready? The final is a big event, and this time, because of your 'Story in Spring,' there will be even more viewers nationwide watching the CCTV Young Singers Competition final. You can't wear that white shirt again; it's too plain and won't suit you!"
She took two steps closer, looked Lin Hanjiang up and down, her eyes full of professional consideration.
"Last time I went to Xidan Shopping Mall, I saw a light gray, lightweight blazer. The material was nice, and the cut was good. You're tall, it would definitely make you look smart. It also comes with matching trousers. How about... we go take a look now? We can still alter the cuffs."
The more she talked, the more necessary it seemed, and she reached out to grab Lin Hanjiang's arm.
Lin Hanjiang's heart skipped a beat.
Xidan Shopping Mall?
A light gray suit?
The price… He subconsciously touched his empty pockets.
He had just spent all his savings of eight thousand yuan, and now he only had a few loose bills left.
A slightly astringent taste rose in my throat.
Damn it, the money I just earned is gone before I even had a chance to enjoy it.
Lin Hanjiang's smile remained unchanged; he simply waved his hand more lightly, with an air of nonchalant nonchalance.
"Really, it's not necessary, senior. What's wrong with a white shirt? It's clean and neat, which is fine. The final is about singing, not clothes. No matter how fancy you dress, it's all for nothing if you can't sing well."
He tried to persuade Zhang Ye with reason.
"Why are you so stubborn, kid!"
Zhang glared at him, clearly not buying it.
"Image is also part of artistic expression. A good stage image can make it easier for the audience to get involved and also gives the judges a different impression. Look at those famous singers, which one of them doesn't dress up and look energetic when they go on stage? If you stand there in a white shirt, it's like a student giving a performance, and your aura will be three points weaker from the start."
She patiently explained, counting on her fingers: "Look at Liu Huan, even though he doesn't rely on dressing up, his stage presence is unmatched. Mao Amin, Wei Wei, and Li Na all have such elaborate performance outfits. Even now, if you want to learn pop songs, Mao Ning dresses smartly and fashionably. Hanjiang, listen to your senior, it's right to put in some effort. You're just starting to become famous, so first impressions are very important."
Lin Hanjiang didn't not want to buy it; he was just somewhat helpless.
His senior sister's words were reasonable and logical, and he couldn't refute them.
But what will he use to buy it?