All of a sudden, domestic newspapers, television stations, and radio stations were promoting this event. The relevant status of the international music competition was also known by many people.
Although no one had paid much attention to it previously, they started to care after hearing this. Many people asked Xiao Wu to work hard and showcase his talent to win the competition.
While everyone anticipated this, half a month later, participants from all over the world brought their musical instruments to Ocean City.
As for Mu Jingzhe, Ji Buwang, and Xiao Wu, they also went to Ocean City. This time, it was only the three of them. Shao Dong and the others had their own matters to attend to and also had to go to school.
Now that Shao Bei and Shao Nan were also in middle school in the county city, all five kids were in the county city. Shao Qihai stayed behind to take care of them, while Mu Jingzhe took a bunch of musical instruments and traveled with Xiao Wu for the competition.
As many people in the country were paying attention to this competition, great importance was placed on Ocean City. The location of the competition was the best newly-built performance hall, which could accommodate more than 10,000 people. The accommodation was arranged at a nearby five-star hotel.
There were very few five-star hotels in China at the time, so it could be seen that they were very generous.
As the people most likely to win for China, Xiao Wu and the other participants were placed in rooms, with two people staying in each room.
After getting the keys, Mu Jingzhe, who was used to sharing a room with Xiao Wu, wanted to give the other room to Ji Buwang. Then, Ji Buwang reached out and hooked his arm around Xiao Wu’s arm.
“Xiao Wu and I will share a room.”
Xiao Wu exploded when he heard that. “No, I’m sharing a room with Mommy.” It wasn’t easy for him to go out alone with Mommy, so he had to enjoy his time alone with her.
Xiao Wu had just moved when he was pulled back by Ji Buwang. “No, you’re already seven years old. You’re all grown up. You’re no longer a three-year-old or five-year-old child. You can’t act like before.”
When Xiao Wu heard this, he felt like the sky was about to collapse. He suddenly remembered what Mu Jingzhe had said when he was young. She had said that his eldest brother and second brother had grown up, that he couldn’t kiss them casually in the future, and that she had to hurry.
Back then, as the youngest child, he had been especially happy and had often attracted the envy of his older brothers. But was he also a big boy now?
Xiao Wu was overcome with sorrow. “Why am I already seven years old… I don’t want to grow up yet.” Before this, he’d kept wanting to grow up, but now, Xiao Wu didn’t want to grow up anymore.
He was listless. Mu Jingzhe looked at him and couldn’t help but laugh. “Staying with your uncle is the same.”
Only when Ji Buwang mentioned it did Mu Jingzhe realize that yes, Xiao Wu had also grown up. Come to think of it, she had been in this world for four years.
Four years had passed in a hurry. The little one, Xiao Wu, had already grown up.
Mu Jingzhe stroked Xiao Wu’s soft hair. Ah, this soft, comfortable feeling. If he grew taller, she might not be able to touch it easily. When he grew to Ji Buwang’s height, she might not even be able to reach it.
Mu Jingzhe stroked Xiao Wu’s head and then looked at Ji Buwang’s head. Uh… Their hair really looked the same, color and all. She couldn’t help but wonder if the texture was different from Xiao Wu’s.
Just as she thought of this, Ji Buwang suddenly bent down and stuck his head out. Mu Jingzhe was puzzled. “What are you doing?”
“Didn’t you want to touch my head? I’ll let you touch it.”
Mu Jingzhe: “Am I that obvious?” It was just a casual thought.
“Mm, I can tell at a glance. Go ahead and touch it. Feel free to touch it.”
Ji Buwang’s words attracted the gazes of passersby. These words were really… impressive.
Mu Jingzhe was speechless. Anyone who didn’t know better might think that she wanted to touch something to her heart’s content.
“No need. Let’s go.”
Mu Jingzhe refused and stepped back, but Ji Buwang stopped her and placed her hand on his head. “I told you to touch it.”
Mu Jingzhe didn’t want to be the center of attention, so she quickly touched it. “Alright, I touched it. Get up quickly. Let’s go back to our room.”
Ji Buwang stood up. “Whose hair is nicer to the touch? Xiao Wu’s or mine?”
“Both are nice.”
Ji Buwang’s hair felt about as soft as Xiao Wu’s hair, but there were also some slight differences. One, the size of their heads was different, and Xiao Wu’s hair was thinner and softer. Two, Ji Buwang’s hair was smoother.
“You didn’t even stroke it properly. Forget it, I’ll let you touch it properly when we get back to the room.”
When Ji Buwang said this, the corners of Mu Jingzhe’s mouth twitched. More and more people looked at her angrily, as if they were about to scold her or look for the police.
“Stop saying such ambiguous things. Anyone who doesn’t know might think we’re up to something. It’ll suck if we get arrested.”
“Then I’ll remember to mention my head next time.” Ji Buwang was very easy to talk to.
Ji Buwang took Mu Jingzhe and Xiao Wu back to their room first. Although it was a nice five-star hotel room, Ji Buwang still checked the entire room before sitting by the bed and beckoning to Mu Jingzhe.
“Come on, I’ll let you touch it as much as you want.” After saying that, he raised his eyebrows.
Mu Jingzhe: “…”
Ah, ah, ah. This was simply killing her. How could he sit on the bed and say such things? It made her overthink things.
“Stop talking. Hurry up and leave. I won’t touch it.” Mu Jingzhe covered her eyes to prevent herself from thinking too much.
“Why won’t you touch it again?” Ji Buwang pulled Xiao Wu over and sat her down beside him. “You can touch Xiao Wu’s too. Come on.”
Mu Jingzhe didn’t know whether she should laugh or cry. “Didn’t you say that men’s heads can’t be touched casually? Why are you still inviting me to do it?”
“Yes, others can’t touch my head casually.” Other than his wife and mother, that was. Since his mother was no longer around, only his wife could touch it. Of course, others couldn’t touch it casually, but Mu Jingzhe could.
Ji Buwang urged her. “Hurry up.”
Mu Jingzhe didn’t go over. “No, go back to your room quickly.”
She also thought of the saying that a man’s head could only be touched by his mother and wife, so she didn’t move. Ji Buwang stood up regretfully. “Then tell me when you want to do it next time. Let’s go, Xiao Wu.”
Xiao Wu wanted to play dumb, but in the end, Ji Buwang wedged him under his armpit.
“Uncle, you’re indeed a big baddie.” Xiao Wu waved weakly at Mu Jingzhe before he was led away by Ji Buwang.
The competition would start on the second day. This day was mainly a free day for them to settle down. Mu Jingzhe washed up in her room before Xiao Wu knocked on the door.
“Mommy, come down to eat.”
Just as Mu Jingzhe opened the door and went out, the door opposite her room opened as well. A boy in a little suit and a slicked-back hairstyle came out. He spoke as soon as he saw Xiao Wu.
“I’ll definitely beat you this time!”
He spoke Mandarin, but probably because he had just learned it, his accent was heavy, and they almost didn’t understand what he was saying.
“Oh.” Xiao Wu remembered him. He had met him at the film festival, and he was one of his competitors. Seeing that he was competing with him, Xiao Wu smiled at him. “Welcome to our country.”
Conan: “…”
His greeting felt like a punch in the face.
He still remembered Xiao Wu’s voice. When he’d heard it, he had specifically come over to challenge him. He was full of fighting spirit and had even learned Mandarin for the event. In the end… Xiao Wu smiled at him.