In an instant, the entire venue erupted.
“Why is Mu Bingxuan with Li Ran?”
“Wasn’t it said she only agreed because of family pressure?”
“Damn it… did Li Ran actually win over the campus goddess?!”
Those who had been mocking Li Ran just moments ago were now completely stunned.
At the freshman welcome gala, Li Ran’s deliberate tardiness had indeed been childish, ridiculous, even brainless. But at this moment, not a single person could laugh.
Because the person walking beside him… was Mu Bingxuan.
Who in all of Magic Capital University could make the campus belle follow them and do something so absurd together?
Looking at the quiet, princess-like figure beside Li Ran, a burning flame of jealousy ignited in everyone’s hearts.
Under countless gazes, Li Ran, accompanied by Mu Bingxuan, walked toward the stage.
Meanwhile, backstage, Lin Ming watched the scene in secret. His fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms.
“Enjoy yourself while you can. Soon, I’ll make you understand that everything you’re doing right now is nothing more than the antics of a clown!”
Back when Lin Ming was abroad, he had once apprenticed under the renowned pianist Richard in order to infiltrate the circle of a certain foreign queen for a mission. During that time, he studied piano under him, and even Richard had been amazed by his musical talent.
Li Ran’s moment of glory was nothing more than Mu Bingxuan’s presence enhancing him.
Without her by his side, this useless playboy would instantly be exposed for what he really was.
Lin Ming did not believe for a second that Li Ran’s musical talent could compare to his own.
Once he and Mu Bingxuan took the stage later, the brightest spotlight of tonight’s gala would belong only to them, the perfect golden pair.
As for Li Ran’s violin solo… it was nothing worth mentioning.
Truly outstanding people never needed others to make them shine.
…
At that moment, one of Li Ran’s bodyguards opened the violin case behind him and took out the instrument.
Li Ran accepted it.
“Go for it, Li Ran!”
Mu Bingxuan clenched her fists and made an encouraging gesture toward him as he stepped onto the stage.
Li Ran nearly stumbled.
Go for it, my ass!
At this moment, his mind was blank, and his heart was collapsing.
He had deliberately come late just to be ridiculed by the crowd, to pave the way for the upcoming plotline. After all, in the original novel, he was a brainless villain, a complete clown who often did absurd and laughable things, repeatedly humiliated by the protagonist, Lin Ming.
But who could have expected Mu Bingxuan to suddenly appear out of nowhere?
I’m supposed to be humiliated by Lin Ming tonight!
Who asked you to meddle?!
Who told you to come to the entrance and wait for me?!
With you interfering like this, how am I supposed to get humiliated properly?
Li Ran wished he could punch Mu Bingxuan right then and there.
This foolish woman!
With this level of intelligence, how did she even become the female lead?
Now, the only thing he could rely on was his god-level acting to drag the plot back on track.
He lifted the violin and placed it on his shoulder, tilting his head slightly to hold it in place.
“It’s starting, it’s starting!”
“Master Li Ran is about to perform!”
From the teachers’ section, Bai Weiwei watched with excitement.
This talented young man’s musical skill was no less than her grandfather’s, Old Master Bai.
These students of Magic Capital University were truly lucky. Without paying a single cent, they were about to hear a master-level performance.
In the audience, many students were momentarily stunned by Li Ran’s professional posture.
Looking at his serious demeanor… could it be that he actually played the violin well?
Li Ran gently drew the bow.
“Scrrreeech!”
A harsh, tearing sound echoed throughout the hall.
Everyone was dumbfounded.
The piercing noise reverberated, catching the entire audience off guard.
Then came a burst of laughter.
This was a violin solo?
Was he here to saw wood?
In the teachers’ section, Bai Weiwei gripped the armrests tightly, her chest rising and falling sharply, nearly collapsing onto the ground. Her mind buzzed.
What on earth was Li Ran doing?
Li Ran smiled awkwardly and said, “Sorry, it’s been a while since I last played, so I’m a bit rusty.”
That only triggered another wave of laughter.
But in truth, this was all intentional.
Otherwise, the next part of the plot wouldn’t unfold properly.
Seeing that the effect had been achieved, Li Ran continued playing.
The piece itself was not particularly difficult. Using less than one-tenth of his actual skill, he played it in an average, unremarkable manner.
However, because of that earlier screeching sound, everyone had already formed a bad impression. From time to time, boos could be heard from the audience.
This perfectly aligned with the plot’s setup.
Li Ran finally relaxed.
Next, once the piece ended, it would be time for his heartfelt confession.
He had already memorized the lines. There would be no problem.
After finishing the piece, Li Ran picked up the microphone.
“This piece tonight… I played it for only one person.”
In an instant, the entire venue exploded again.
“Holy shit!”
“Li Ran actually dared to confess at the welcome gala?!”
“So that’s why this playboy signed up for a performance, it was all to confess to Mu Bingxuan!”
“Damn, that’s arrogant. He’s not even taking the judges seriously!”
“If your dad was the richest man in Magic Capital, you’d be even more arrogant.”
“If your dad could donate an entire teaching building to Magic Capital University, you could act just like him too.”
“…”
Below the stage, Mu Bingxuan covered her mouth tightly, tears of happiness streaming down her face.
He confessed. Li Ran confessed to her!
After saying those words, Li Ran shivered at the goosebumps on his skin and walked off the stage with forced composure.
Mu Bingxuan looked at him with joy, “Li Ran, I also…”
Li Ran gently brushed her hair and interrupted, “You can tell me later. Your performance is coming up, go get ready first.”
Please don’t say anything right now.
Just let me finish this part of the plot properly!
Li Ran did not care what Mu Bingxuan was thinking at this moment, or whether she had truly been moved by his act.
All that mattered was that next, it would be Lin Ming’s turn to take the stage as the finale.
Mu Bingxuan nodded vigorously.
At that moment, everything she felt needed no words.
This was her boy.
Just like in her previous life, he always thought of others and never of himself.
With a husband like this, what more could she possibly ask for?
Behind the curtain, Lin Ming witnessed everything. His eyes suddenly turned bloodshot, filled with vicious fury.
As the next performance began, the audience was still buzzing with discussion.
Li Ran quickly pushed Mu Bingxuan toward the backstage.
In the teachers’ section, Bai Weiwei watched thoughtfully.
In fact, when Li Ran had been performing earlier, she had already noticed something.
That initial harsh sound had clearly been deliberate.
Even afterward, he had intentionally played certain notes slightly off.
He might have fooled these students, but he could not fool someone like her, who came from a family of musicians.
What puzzled her, however, was why Li Ran would deliberately do this.
If he had joined the performance for Mu Bingxuan, then why not display his best side to her?
Bai Weiwei’s heart was filled with doubt.