Giant banners for the "2025 Pingyi University Campus Singer Competition" were everywhere—dorms, hallways, bulletin boards, even cafeteria pillars. Under the enormous slogan "Me and My Motherland," Guo Chouyan had all the student union members running around decorating with unusual passion. The competition happens every year, but this year she was going all-out.
Because for the first time, she was working with Mo Lü.
Her once-flat, uneventful college life suddenly felt exciting again.
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Friday night, the grand auditorium was blazing bright. More students came to compete and watch than any previous year.
Wu Xinxi—the chubby girl who'd been rejected by Mo Lü not long ago—dragged a stunning girl beside her into the hall. The girl had a healthy tan, long legs, and that night she wore a peach-pink cat-print T-shirt with a white puff skirt, youthful and dazzling.
They hurried to secure two seats in the center of the first row.
"Why are we here at six? This thing starts at seven!" the beauty complained, running her fingers through her waist-length black hair.
"It's not early at all! Look at everyone coming already—and all girls!" Wu Xinxi leaned closer, lowering her voice mysteriously. "Let me tell you some inside intel. This year's competition is hosted by a brand-new Arts Department minister. Rumor says he's not only insanely handsome, but he sings angelically. He's the opening performer. Everyone's here for him!"
"Please," the beauty snorted, teasing, "Didn't you just get rejected by someone recently? Found a replacement already?"
Wu Xinxi slapped her thigh, unfazed. "Handsome guys, you know—out with the old, in with the new!"
The beauty could only shake her head, amused but also a little envious. She wished she could fall in and out of love so easily. Unlike her—long-lasting, but timid…
A loud boom of sound yanked her back to reality. The hall was packed full. On stage stood Guo Chouyan, dolled up and glowing with excitement. After testing her mic, she proudly announced that the competition had officially begun.
The lights dimmed into a warm romantic red. Hearts flickered across the giant screen.
Then—soft music.
"You don't know—
Loving someone needs no reason
You don't know—
Missing someone can last so long
Now only my heart remains
Waiting for your embrace
Is all of this… just a dream…"
Mo Lü stepped onto the stage in a long white coat over sleek black pants. With his six-foot-three frame and elegant stride, he looked like he walked straight out of a dream. The moment his clear, gentle voice floated through the hall, the entire audience of girls erupted in screams.
The beauty tilted her head, listening. She wasn't impressed—she never liked pretty-boy types. She was about to whisper a sarcastic remark to Wu Xinxi, but when she turned—
—Wu Xinxi was sobbing.
Not tearing up.
Not sniffing.
She was crying, tissues everywhere, shoulders trembling.
The beauty froze. "What's wrong?! He's good, but not that good—right?!"
Wu Xinxi choked, voice breaking, "He… he's… t-the guy who rejected me… the one who got second place on the Campus Heartthrob Ranking…"
"WHAT?!"
The beauty shot to her feet, blocking the view of several rows and instantly earning angry shushes. Worse—Mo Lü glanced at them with raised eyebrows. Wu Xinxi yanked her friend's skirt, dragging her back into her seat.
But the beauty wouldn't let it go.
"You mean that guy? The arrogant jerk who kept saying 'Who cares about you?' and 'Mind your own business'? The one who threw away the cookies you baked for three days? The one who rejected your confession because you were 'too fat'?! THAT jerk? THAT trash? THAT asshole—"
She even pointed at Mo Lü on stage, and he—of course—saw it.
Wu Xinxi, humiliated, nodded. "I didn't expect him to be the new Arts Minister… and I didn't expect him to sing so well… or sound so gentle…"
Her voice cracked again, tears welling up.
The beauty snapped.
She smacked Wu Xinxi on the head. "Get a grip! After all he did to you, you're still defending him?!"
She stood. "let's go. NOW."
She waited—barely—to let him finish the song. Then she grabbed Wu Xinxi's wrist, storming toward the backstage entrance.
If Wu Xinxi couldn't stand up for herself—
She would do it for her.