Return to the 1982 Staff Compound

Chapter 345 New Friends

Chapter 345 New Friends

Qiu Huoming plucked the strings of the piano, and Daniel and Livia beside him swayed gently to the music.

The melody of this song is simple and the lyrics are catchy. Danielle took the microphone and started singing, Qiu Huoming helped her with the harmony, and the three of them cooperated very well.

This song was short to begin with. When it ended, Carlo, with his slightly fat belly, laughed out loud and said, "Keep going... Here Comes The Sun, Qiu, will you?"

Qiu Huoming responded: "Yes..."

How many people can play the guitar to sing the Beatles' songs? Upon hearing this, Carlo smiled and started to play the drums...

The three young men who walked to the door stopped, and one of them, a young man wearing gorgeous clothes and with slightly curly light brown hair, leaned his head out of the door and looked inside.

"Hey, there's a Chinese." he said curiously.

There are Chinese people in Stanford, but they are all models of hard work. They are rarely seen in cheerful cultural and entertainment activities like this.

The other two people who were slightly older than him said, "This song is pretty good, William, do you want to go and have a look?"

Another person beside him held him back and said, "Forget about the two of us. Just let William go. Don't you see there are only two beautiful girls in there?"

William touched the ring on his thumb, looking helpless.

The two elder brothers smiled at each other, and the one who spoke stretched out his hand and pushed William in. After seeing William go in, he turned and left.

The music in the room was playing loudly, and it was not until William approached that several people noticed that there was one more person at the scene.

Carlo stopped playing the drums, and under the lights, he smiled and invited, "Welcome, welcome."

Danielle next to him was surprised and said, "William, didn't you drop out of school?"

Only then did William realize that the blonde girl who had just danced with her back to him was actually his classmate.

Qiu Huoming stood up and looked at the new student with interest, and saw that there was a hint of depression in his expression.

He stretched out his hand, "Hi, hello, my name is Qiu Huoming, you can call me Qiu..."

William reacted quickly and immediately shook the hand that Qiu Huoming extended. "I'm William Rockefeller. You can call me William. Is today your welcoming party?" He had already seen the banner on the wall.

Qiu Huoming let go of his hand and said with a smile: "It was Teacher Carlo who insisted on doing it for me..."

"Chinese?"

Qiu Huoming nodded, "Yes, since you are here, let's play together."

William's mouth curled up slightly, and his eyes looked at another guitar in the corner, "Let me play guitar with you."

Carlo laughed loudly, "Come on, you young people, listen to whatever songs you like now. You don't have to put up with an old man like me."

Danielle smiled and immediately suggested: "Then let's play Beatit, Jackson's new song..."

Carlo touched his waist and said, "I can do the moonwalk. This time I want to dance with the beautiful lady..."

William took off his coat and said, "I know a little about this song, but I'm not very proficient. Qiu, can you play it?"

Qiu Huoming saw him coming over and testing the sound of his guitar, and responded, "I'm fine."

William tested the pitch and played a slide, and Qiu Huoming immediately followed the rhythm.

It was the first time the two people worked together, and their beats were surprisingly consistent.

Carlo was having so much fun that his coat was nowhere to be found. He was doing the moonwalk in a funny way and singing along with the lyrics from time to time with Qiu Huoming and the others.

Livia and Danielle were cheering the old man on.

The few of them played until midnight before stopping.

Qiu Huoming took out a camera from his backpack and said, "Let's take a group photo."

Several people immediately gathered behind him excitedly, laughing together without caring whether the picture was in focus or not, and "click", it was frozen.

Danielle hugged Qiu Huoming and said, "I had a lot of fun today. Welcome to Stanford again..."

The gloom on William's face had long since disappeared. "It's so exciting. I didn't expect that the guitar I learned in high school could be put to good use..."

He put his guitar back and walked over, hugging Qiu Huoming, "Qiu, see you tomorrow."

Danielle smiled and said, "Have you returned to school?"

William nodded, "Yes, Danielle, see you tomorrow..."

William and Livia followed Daniel and left first, and Qiu Huoming helped Carlo clean up the scene.

"Okay, go back and rest early." Carlo took the banner and tucked it in his armpit. "Did you have fun today?"

Qiu Huoming's eyes were bright. "Well, thanks to Mr. Carlo, I had a lot of fun."

At the door the two went their separate ways.

Qiu Huoming returned to the dormitory, took a shower and lay back on the bed. Every time at this time, he missed Zhao Jiamin very much. He would wait until tomorrow at noon to buy some local stamps and send a transnational postcard to Zhao Jiamin.

The next morning, Qiu Huoming changed into sportswear, carried his backpack and went to the cafeteria to eat.

The food here is much more expensive than in other places. The money the inspection team gave him was just enough to maintain his normal life. It was far from enough to buy something. Fortunately, he had smuggled some US dollars back from the port city before coming.

The inspection was not strict at that time. They brought a lot of books with them, and they were officially invited, so they were allowed through without any inspection.

Back in the classroom, the students here had a sense of relaxation that the students in China did not have, and he also looked relaxed.

As soon as he sat down, he saw Danielle and William walking in from the corridor.

"Good morning, Qiu, William and I met at the door." Daniel explained.

William on the side winked at Qiu Huoming and said, "You took my seat."

Qiu Huoming stood up, and Danielle smiled and said, "Qiu, I don't mind you sitting next to me."

William laughed, "No need to change seats, I'll squeeze in with you."

He walked over quickly, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

"Is there a class schedule? I forgot what class I have today..."

Qiu Huoming took out the course schedule from his bag and handed it to him, "I don't have these books yet, just listen first."

"I have them. I'll bring them to you this afternoon. I happen to have two sets..." William said with a smile.

"Two sets?" Qiu Huoming asked in surprise.

"Because I'm a repeater..." William laughed, "Don't be surprised. I'm the most useless child in our family. I can't even drop out of school."

Qiu Huoming withdrew his gaze. It seemed that this guy also had a story.

Many of the professors here have practical experience. Qiu Huoming was fascinated by what he was doing in class. As for William's little troubles next to him, he completely forgot about them.

Compared with the teaching in China, the teaching here has more question-and-answer sessions. Qiu Huoming was like a mouse fallen into a rice jar, with one question after another. After a few classes, the teachers and professors all knew that a Chinese student with a question of "a hundred thousand whys" had come to the electrical engineering class.

Qiu Huoming has a good memory. He remembers everything the teacher said and can even write down the key words when reviewing it.

In the afternoon, William came over with a big bag full of books, which he placed all on Qiu Huoming's desk.

"New, hardly ever flipped through." He laughed.

Qiu Huoming took out a book and took a look. Sure enough, even the cover was not wrinkled.

"Don't you like the Department of Electrical Engineering?" Qiu Huoming asked.

"I'm good at sports, but late last year, I got injured while playing a game, and I won't be able to play anymore."

William moved his right leg. "There is steel inside..."

Like Berkeley, Stanford attaches great importance to sports competitions. In addition to academics, the competition between the two universities is in sports. Sports competitions even take precedence over academics.

Qiu Huoming reached out and patted his shoulder, "There is more than one path in life. Those who can get up again are heroes."

William was stunned for a moment, then turned his head and looked out the window with a wry smile.

Everyone understands the truth, and he also knows that it is wrong for him to indulge in the glory of the past. Although he knows it, the pain is not on others, so how can others empathize with him? Originally, he thought Qiu Huoming was very special, but now it seems that he is just like everyone else, who likes to reason and is very boring.

Qiu Huoming came close to him and said, "Skipping class this afternoon?"

William was startled again. He turned around and looked at Qiu Huoming. Qiu Huoming's eyes sparkled, "Let's go to the stadium..."

The most eye-catching thing about Stanford is the well-equipped stadium not far from the entrance. It has a wide running track and students often run and play ball in it.

"Okay." William's eyes also lit up.

"Let's go now." Qiu Huoming quickly picked up the bag of books. Danielle beside him also stood up and tied up her long hair. "If you don't mind, I'll go too..."

Qiu Huoming's eyes were bright, "You are most welcome."

The three of them rushed out of the corridor before the class bell rang.

After arriving at the stadium, Qiu Huoming put down the bag and backpack in his hand and asked, "William, what sports did you play before?"

"Baseball." William's eyes were full of tenderness when he mentioned this word.

There was someone playing baseball not far away. He looked like a novice and was swinging the bat in an unskilled manner.

"This is just beyond my knowledge. William, are you willing to teach me? I have a quick learning ability."

Qiu Huoming smiled.

Danielle looked at her dress and said, "I'll be your cheerleader..."

William looked around and said, "Okay, let's go..."

He just can't run for long periods of time, swinging at the ball is fine.

Ever since the doctor gave him his final verdict, no one has mentioned the word baseball to him, and no one has called him to games anymore.

I thought that this would make him forget it gradually.

He seemed like he had lost his soul, and everyone around him seemed to have lost their memory, as if he had never played baseball.

He almost thought so himself.

Until that moment just now, Qiu Huoming asked: "William, are you willing to teach me?"

He is not a know-it-all. At this moment, he discovered his inner desire, the desire for baseball, the desire to face baseball. This is what he thought, and baseball must be looking forward to his return.

"Of course. Let's go and ask those guys if they can lend it to us to play with for a while." William put his hands in his pockets and walked forward first.

Qiu Huoming followed again, carrying his backpack and school bag.

William had already gone over to talk to the three freshmen, but they probably didn't reach an agreement. William took out two five-dollar bills from his pocket and said, "I agree. They're yours. We still need a pitcher..."

The three freshmen took the money without hesitation. The catcher took off his hat and gloves, smiled and pulled his friends to play other games. The pitcher was left standing there, looking at William and his group curiously.

Qiu Huoming put down his things and stretched on the spot.

William began to tell him the precautions.

Qiu Huoming had seen baseball games and knew the rules, but this was his first time playing.

Both of them put in their best efforts. In this inning, Qiu Huoming was the swinger and William was the catcher. He dressed quickly and then bent down...

Danielle imitated the cheerleaders, waving her hands and shouting a few slogans, attracting many people to look over.

William laughed, "Qiu, it's time to start."

The pitcher nodded slightly and threw the ball with all his strength...

There was no problem with Qiu Huoming's skills, but what he lacked was training. After making several mistakes, he switched roles with William and he became the catcher.

The three of them were all young people, and they quickly got along well. William was surprised to find that what Qiu Huoming said about his ability to learn was actually true. After only a dozen times, Qiu Huoming had already mastered it...

William also put in all his effort, and several people started to get serious. Danielle was overwhelmed by the sight. In the beautiful country, who doesn’t know baseball...

She originally cheered for them all equally, but later on, she only cheered for Qiu Huoming. It was because the young man's growth was truly amazing.

An afternoon passed like this, and the three of them looked as if they had been washed by water. Qiu Huoming sat on the grass and pulled his shirt behind him, and the clothes were already stuck to his body.

William, who was lying on the grass, sat up suddenly. He slapped Qiu Huoming on the shoulder and said, "Qiu, I am very happy today, even happier than yesterday..."

Qiu Huoming smiled and said, "I'm happy too. Let's go. I have to go back and take a shower."

Several people stood up. William returned the things to the pitcher. He turned his head and looked at Danielle. "I'll treat you to dinner tonight..."

"Drink beer..."

Danielle responded, then looked at Qiu Huoming, who smiled and said, "Obedience is worse than respect."

The three separated at the stadium entrance.

Qiu Huoming returned to the dormitory carrying his backpack and school bag, took a shower and changed into clean clothes. The clothes here are all in the public washing room. It is said that many people have accumulated a lot of dirty clothes and want to wash them all at once.

He adhered to the diligence of his fellow Chinese people and washed all the clothes directly in the bathroom.

After going out, I found that William had already arrived at the agreed place.

Danielle and Qiu Huoming arrived almost at the same time.

Danielle was obviously wearing makeup, which made her already pretty features even more charming.

Her long blonde hair was washed and draped loosely over her shoulders, and she was wearing a long skirt that clearly outlined her good figure.

William whistled, "It seems the wait was worth it, Danielle, you are so beautiful..."

Danielle didn't shy away, "Thank you."

Qiu Huoming likes this kind of straightforward atmosphere. He speaks directly without thinking too much. "William, where do you want to take us to drink?"

"Of course it's the sports bar at the door..." William replied.

The sunset in the distance had already half sunk, and the sky was extremely gorgeous. Danielle smiled and said, "Then let's go quickly..."