He took the cake from Ye Feifei’s hands.
Seeing her look so embarrassed, he gave a faint smile and said gently, ”It’s fine.”
“I’ll go do my makeup first.”
“Go ahead.”
A boy who had witnessed the whole thing walked over to Gu Yiwei, patted him on the shoulder, and comforted him, “First time I’ve ever seen you take the initiative like this. If you like her, go after her boldly. Count on my support, bro—and probably the support of everyone in school who ships you two.”
Gu Yiwei said flatly, “Thanks.”
Just then, someone came looking for him. “President Gu, Director Zhang wants you.”
……
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Yun Qing put on a gold-and-jeweled floral crown last, completing her look.
Unlike everyone else’s gilded gauze dresses, she wore a striking crimson jacket with green silk wide-legged trousers, red ribbons flowing from her back and connecting to her arms, ethereal and graceful.
The makeup artist looked her over admiringly several times. ”First time I’ve ever seen a face suit a character so perfectly.”
Yun Qing smiled faintly. “It’s your skillful makeup work.”
With that, she stepped away from the makeup station.
The dressing room was full of busy figures. She was just looking for a spot to catch her breath when a junior student wearing a student council badge suddenly appeared in front of her.
“Senior, Director Zhang is looking for you.”
Yun Qing was puzzled. “What does Director Zhang want with me?”
As the junior led her outside, she explained, “An important guest is attending tonight. The school leadership wants you to go greet them as the student representative.”
Yun Qing had always been the face of the school—whether for admissions promotional videos or themed youth league classes filmed for the Youth Learning website, she was always the one representing the school on camera.
So being taken along by the leadership to welcome an honored guest didn’t surprise her much.
They passed through the main hall and met Director Zhang outside the auditorium.
Gu Yiwei was there too.
Though he wore ancient-style costume, his hairstyle was unchanged—gentle and refined as always.
Director Zhang gave a few brief instructions, then led the two of them down the long steps to the parking area in front of the auditorium to join several school leaders.
What kind of distinguished guest could warrant such a grand reception from the school?
She was still wondering when a pair of headlights swept past, and a black sedan glided slowly toward them.
The elegant, upright Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament suddenly invaded her field of vision.
Yun Qing’s pupils trembled, her heart clenching as she stared fixedly at the car before her.
The Rolls-Royce’s rear door was opened by the driver, and a man’s figure appeared in everyone’s sight.
Dressed in an exquisitely tailored suit, his aura as cold and imposing as ever.
It was none other than Liang Xiheng.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries with the school leadership, his gaze landed squarely on her.
Seeing this, Director Zhang hurriedly introduced them, “This is our student council president, Gu Yiwei; the young lady beside him is Yun Qing. She was admitted to our Beijing Dance Academy with the top score, and for three years running she’s held an unassailable first place.”
“Unassailable first,” Liang Xiheng repeated in a low voice.
“That’s right.”
Seeing his interest in Yun Qing, the principal beckoned to her. “Student Yun, come over and greet Mr. Liang.”
Yun Qing approached. Gazing at the man’s noble, distinguished face, she called out in a clear, bright voice, “Hello, Mr. Liang.”
The man regarded her in silence, his eyes deep and commanding.
Yun Qing’s expression froze slightly. She felt as though she were trapped in his gaze, unable to move, as a fierce wind pierced silently through her chest and stole her breath away.
“Five calls in one day—afraid I wouldn’t come?”
The moment Liang Xiheng spoke, astonished gazes turned toward the two of them.
It was as if something had exploded in the air.
Yun Qing’s voice trembled. “I…”
She hadn’t expected him to expose their relationship right in front of the school leaders.
The principal asked in surprise, “Mr. Liang, you know Student Yun?”
“The younger sister of a friend.”
At those words, the several leaders behind them gradually came back to their senses.
Huhai Capital was a century-old venture capital firm, and Liang Xiheng was its chairman—as well as a donor to their school, though an anonymous one.
A month before the school anniversary, they had already sent him an invitation, and on the day it was sent, they had confirmed he would attend.
The principal then said, “Mr. Liang, the performance is about to begin. Student Yun and Student Gu are both performing—they’re both in the opening act. Let’s head into the auditorium first.”
Liang Xiheng’s gaze shifted away from Yun Qing, and, surrounded and escorted by the crowd, he made his way to the auditorium.
Gu Yiwei followed at the very back, his eyes darting back and forth between Yun Qing’s and Liang Xiheng’s retreating figures, then couldn’t help glancing back once more at the car’s license plate.