The song’s momentum continued, and Su Ming pushed even harder.
"And I will..."
"Follow!"
Halfway through the song, Su Ming suddenly shifted his performance. With a graceful flick of his wrist, he drew the audience’s gaze toward the back right of the stage. From the other side, an elfin girl emerged, walking with poise.
She wore a light-colored floral dress, paired with an ensemble so meticulously put together it seemed like a masterpiece of the Creator—a beacon of light in someone’s heart.
Like a poem, like a dream... A beauty who belonged in the heavens; how often could one see such a vision in the mortal world?
It was the special guest, Shen Ruoyan!
The surprise didn't end there. The moment she appeared, she caught the exact beat for the "follow" line. Bringing the microphone to her lips, she began to sing. Her beautiful eyes shone with newfound confidence.
"Keep walking, keep dreaming~"
"Keep going mad, never stopping~"
"Those beautiful things~"
"The closer I get, the deeper I drown~"
"More and more, I don't want to let go~"
"Wherever you go~"
"Wherever you go~"
Though it was only a chorus compared to Su Ming’s performance, Shen Ruoyan’s ethereal voice completely shattered everyone’s expectations.
*So, the school beauty can sing this well!*
The students were stunned; the teachers were flabbergasted. Even the principal kept shouting, "One hundred points! One hundred points!"
The only person who knew about this segment was the host who had helped rehearse. Shen Ruoyan had not been on the official guest list. This was a surprise for the New Year’s gala!
"Oh my god! Mom, I’ve seen a fairy descend from the heavens!"
"So beautiful! The ancients didn't lie—it truly is music from heaven that clears the ears!"
"Damn you, Su Ming! You stole my goddess. Now I have to go pine after a different one..."
"Wait, that’s not right! If this song was written for Liu Rumeng, then why does Shen Ruoyan have a part in it?"
"Are you stupid? That just proves this song has absolutely nothing to do with Liu Rumeng at all!!!"
As the whispers swirled around her, the look of enjoyment that had been on Liu Rumeng’s face suddenly soured.
*What is the meaning of this?*
*You’re slapping my face in front of everyone!*
*Was this song not written for me?*
They say you can endure for a moment to keep the peace, but one step back only makes the resentment grow. Watching the two of them on stage, performing in perfect harmony, Liu Rumeng felt an inexplicable sense of shame.
*Why? Su Ming, aren't you supposed to like me?*
In a detail no one noticed, her hand, hidden beneath her sleeve, had long since clenched into a fist.
Beside her, Zhao Yuanhua seized the moment to deliver a comment with high emotional intelligence.
"Look at that. I’ll admit your voice isn't as good as Su Ming’s, but you have to admit, Shen Ruoyan is singing beautifully!"
"That vocal run was incredible. If I didn't know better, I’d think a superstar diva had arrived."
"And her outfit today is a perfect ten. She really lives up to the title of school beauty!"
Zhao Yuanhua had been quite annoyed by Liu Rumeng’s earlier dismissal, and now he had finally found an opportunity to retaliate. But he didn't expect that Liu Rumeng, usually calm and composed, would be genuinely enraged this time.
"Get lost!!!"
Just as she was about to stomp away, she noticed a sea of eyes sweeping toward her.
*No! I can't leave now! If I leave, doesn't that mean I’ve admitted defeat?*
So, she forced herself to keep listening, even though the two on stage were performing with such perfection that not a single flaw could be found...
"Wherever you go!"
"Wherever you go!"
"I’ve never been able to get a handle on my emotions since you left."
"Wherever you go!"
"Just want you to know!"
"You know my heart has been standing right here, waiting for you."
"I’m not actually interested in the weather,"
"I just want to know if you're too cold."
"This time, I want to fulfill that promise of company,"
"You don't have to endure the loneliness anymore."
"I don't know if the pain of missing you,"
"Is coming too accurately?"
"I only know that when you aren't in class,"
"I never sleep soundly."
When Shen Ruoyan appeared, Su Ming’s gaze shifted from the audience to her, and he never looked away for a single second.
In Su Ming’s eyes, Shen Ruoyan saw many things: self-reproach, sadness, regret, and, even more so, relief.
Shen Ruoyan was slightly puzzled. Logically, someone of his age shouldn't have such complex emotional depth. It was as if he had been through so much, as if he had once lost the person he loved most...
She could only assume Su Ming was improvising, acting with such intensity that it drew everyone in.
*That’s fine! At least he is looking at me...*
In truth, Su Ming had tweaked some of these lyrics. He did it in the hope that history would not repeat itself, and he was grateful for his rebirth—for the chance the heavens had given him to try again.
"We are used to the Rashomon of this world!"
"We’ve become like strangers!"
"Two equally restless hearts, stuffed into the same Ferris wheel."
"Every embrace lingers in the early morning,"
"While heavy rain pours outside the window."
"We seem like two aliens in love inside a giant city."
"But I don't want to live within the tropes,"
"I want to tell you all my secrets."
"I want to take care of you forever,"
"But I’m afraid you can't afford the cost."
"The ticking second hand reminds me how much I love you."
"As long as I hear your voice,"
"I will always turn around for you~"
As the song reached its climax, the cheers from the audience surged even higher. At that moment, Su Ming turned to look at Shen Ruoyan again. His eyes were expressive, deep as a starry sea, as if saying—
*This song is sung for you.*
*The lyrics within were written for you.*
Shen Ruoyan felt it, and for a fleeting moment, she wanted to pull the person before her into an embrace.
*This is the scene from my dreams!*
She ultimately restrained herself, working hard to calm her heart, and then brought the microphone back up for the final chorus.
"Keep walking, keep dreaming~"
"Keep going mad, never stopping~"
"Those beautiful things,"
"The closer I get, the deeper I drown."
"More and more, I don't want to let go,"
"Wherever you go~"
"Wherever you go~"
When the music faded, thunderous applause erupted. Everyone, students and teachers alike, clapped for the pair on stage. While soaking in the applause, Su Ming took Shen Ruoyan’s hand and, with a subtle nod, they bowed to the audience together.
"So good! So good! It’s on par with professional singers!"
"As much as I hate to admit it, they look so good together on stage!"
"What’s the definition of a 'talented man and a beautiful woman'? Maybe this phrase was tailor-made for Su Ming and Shen Ruoyan."
"This is interesting. So what exactly is Liu Rumeng’s status, then?"
"She never really had one. The rumors about Su Ming following her around were just that—rumors, with zero evidence. Now, the real, undeniable thing is right there on stage!"
The applause continued endlessly. Su Ming kept holding Shen Ruoyan’s small hand, enjoying the acclaim that should have been theirs. Shen Ruoyan had originally wanted to pull her hand away—she was a shy girl, and there were so many people watching—but after trying twice and failing to budge, she simply gave up and let him hold it.
Suddenly, a high-pitched shout erupted from the crowd.
"The Su Ming on stage is my brother!"
"The Su Ming on stage is my brother!"
"The Su Ming on stage is my brother!"
Important things must be said three times. Zhang Wei, hoisted up by two others, was shouting at the top of his lungs. Su Ming had performed perfectly, and as his brother, he felt an immense sense of pride.
"Hey!"
"Move your hands over there, you're poking my ass!"
"I give up! The chips I gave you two were a complete waste!"
"Hahahahahaha!"
Zhang Wei’s "cool" moment lasted less than three seconds before he tumbled to the ground amidst the laughter of his classmates.
On stage, the host tried to step up to give a final summary, but Su Ming waved her off. *Fine! You’re the one singing well, you make the calls.* And so, the floor remained with Su Ming.
"Ahem!"
"Thank you all for the applause. This song serves as a summary of this year’s New Year’s gala."
"However, I do have one more thing to say..."
Hearing this, Liu Rumeng, who had been about to leave, stopped in her tracks. She was still hoping, hoping that Su Ming would say something nice to help her save some face.
In fact, Su Ming did intend to say something nice.
"Today is January 1st, a traditional festival for us."
"In this festive atmosphere, I’d like to ask everyone for a favor."
Su Ming used his free hand to struggle, pulling a carefully stored gift from his pocket. It wouldn't have been so difficult if his other hand weren't holding the most important person in his life—how could he easily let go?
He opened it to reveal a vibrant red rose. Its delicate, deep red hue perfectly complemented the girl’s shyness.
The audience erupted again. The principal and teachers turned pale; *singing is one thing, but what are you doing with a rose?* The vice-principal was about to rush on stage to interrupt, but was grabbed by the rugged Teacher Chen.
"Don't be so hasty. Let’s see what the kid is doing."
Teacher Chen had mentored Su Ming for two and a half years and knew he was a sensible young man. This time, he chose to trust him.
"Don't misunderstand, everyone!"
"This rose is a New Year’s gift for the person beside me, and it is also her birthday present!"
"Shen Ruoyan, happy birthday!"
Su Ming looked at Shen Ruoyan again. The girl’s heart was pounding, and she didn't know what to say. She lowered her gaze, shifting her feet back and forth, looking incredibly cute. This segment hadn't been in the rehearsals; it was a completely unexpected surprise.
"Oooooh~"
When Su Ming explained the reason, everyone understood immediately. It was a double celebration!
"So, can everyone help me sing a 'Happy Birthday' song?"
"To bless her, and to bless everyone here!"
He handed the rose to Shen Ruoyan in front of everyone, then began to sway his left hand, starting the tune.
"Happy birthday to you!"
"Happy birthday to you!"
The first to join in, of course, was Zhang Wei. With someone leading, everyone else followed, clapping and cheering.
Yes, Shen Ruoyan had once said that she wished she could receive blessings from many people on her birthday. Su Ming had made it happen, right here in front of everyone.
"I, I..."
Shen Ruoyan’s voice choked up, and she buried her head even lower, not wanting anyone to see her tears.
"Be happy, it’s a festive day."
Su Ming quietly wiped away her tears, then continued to sway and sing along with everyone else. It was at this moment that Shen Ruoyan slowly raised her head, muting the rest of the world to listen to the birthday gift Su Ming had given her.
This was the romance that belonged only to their student days.
What the boy did not know was that in the girl’s eyes, a new, subtle light had begun to shine...