“Why are you standing there?”
Chi Yuan’s expression remained calm as he watched the dazed Chi Xuan.
Chi Xuan glanced back with an unreadable expression before sitting down. “Why would you want to come to a place like this?”
Chi’s Group had established scholarships at A University and recruited here annually. The school would invite Chi’s Group to any major events each year.
But Chi’s Group had always just gone through the motions.
This year, Chi Xuan had taken the invitation.
No one expected Chi Yuan and Lu Yan to appear here.
As for Lu Mingzhe, he probably came after receiving an invitation too.
This scene was quite dramatic.
“I came when I had time,” Chi Yuan said.
Hearing this, Lu Yan shifted her gaze from the stage to him.
Seven years ago when she first saw Chi Yuan, she couldn’t look away, naturally considering him her future partner.
But when it came to love, there wasn’t much.
She had always believed she loved herself most, then others.
Those others had to bring her happiness and joy first.
Clearly, Chi Yuan could make money, but he alone couldn’t give her what she wanted.
Chi Yuan could calmly discuss wedding matters with her, yet unusually came to this small evening party.
What more did Lu Yan need to understand?
She smiled self-deprecatingly.
So, the outsider had always been herself, even though she was just returning to her rightful position.
Everyone’s attention would always return to Lin Shi Xi.
Because their fifteen years of feelings for Lin Shi Xi seemed to have only disappeared temporarily, now inexplicably resurfacing.
How ridiculous.
During one song, the entire venue went wild, only the front row area remaining in an inexplicable low-pressure zone.
The band’s performance was the final act of the evening, after which the hosts were supposed to come on stage for closing remarks.
But the deafening cries of “One more song!” from the audience nearly lifted the auditorium roof.
The leaders in the front row smiled, experiencing this unprecedented fervent atmosphere.
Then a teacher said something to the hosts.
At everyone’s request, the band would perform one more song. Hearing this, Shi Xi thought she was done and turned to leave.
Bai Fan grabbed her arm. “Why run? They’re playing your favorite song, the one we practiced before.”
“Ahhhhh Xi Bai is so sweet—”
Someone’s voice cracked from shouting, drawing laughter.
Only then did Shi Xi understand what they were shouting.
Xi Bai – Shi Xi and Bai Fan.
She instinctively looked toward Huo Yao’s direction.
Though students were standing, they couldn’t block his figure.
Only the stage had light now, making it hard to see his expression clearly.
Come to think of it, Huo Yao had never asked about her previous online relationships.
At his age, mature and steady, he shouldn’t get jealous easily.
Shi Xi nodded to Bai Fan and cleared her throat.
She noticed Chi Yuan and Lu Yan were no longer in the audience – apparently they hadn’t come specifically to cause trouble.
Countless phones were pointed at the stage, some taking photos, others livestreaming.
In a short time, the hashtag for A University’s graduation party went viral.
Or rather, Shi Xi made it trend.
#LinShiXi A University Graduation Party#
[Ahhhh so which window did God actually close for her??]
[Tearing up, Lin Shi Xi is such an amazing woman! Still savoring her performance with Chi Xuan, and now she’s teaming up with Bai Fan!]
【I saw Lu Mingzhe. The Lu Family’s attitude… Do they want Lin Shi Xi back again?】
【Chi Xuan is watching from below this time, his face is completely dark hahaha】
【This is a complete Shura Field!】
【What’s so great about Lin Shi Xi? You can’t even find a job after graduating from this crappy school!】
【No matter what, she was carefully cultivated. Even if she can’t make a living with technical skills later, she still has art to fall back on. If she becomes a streamer again, she’ll definitely be popular.】
【Seriously? Wasn’t she famous for scamming money from men? She got whitewashed in just one month? Are netizens these days brainless?】
【Why is this woman still stirring up drama? Is the next step packaging her for debut?】
…
Fame brings trouble. Relying on her restored face, Shi Xi currently had decent public favor, but there were still keyboard warriors spewing venom.
Of course, attentive people would notice these comments would get reported and deleted quickly, while positive comments were soon pushed to the top.
Outside the auditorium, Lu Mingzhe instructed his subordinates to handle the PR before putting away his phone.
He circled around to the back door and found Huo Yao. “Talk?”
Huo Yao didn’t even glance at him, only saying, “Wait.”
The nearby students noticed this scene and gradually moved aside.
Ji Lu and Lin Yu also tacitly faded into the background.
The band’s performance was still ongoing, Huo Yao watching the girl on stage intently.
Her parts weren’t many – most of the time she just stood there smiling, enjoying the rhythmic music.
When the music stopped, she left the stage.
Only then did Huo Yao look at Lu Mingzhe and turn to walk out.
“I don’t know how you and Xixi met, but she’s still young. You two aren’t really suitable.”
It was quiet outside the auditorium, making Lu Mingzhe’s voice particularly clear.
He hadn’t initially planned to interfere with Xixi’s new relationship.
But Huo Yao’s age and job were both problems – he couldn’t provide Xixi with a sufficiently stable and secure life.
Huo Yao listened, then asked indifferently, “What kind would be suitable?”
“Don’t change the subject. First of all, you can’t spare much time to accompany her.”
“That’s not for you to consider. It’s something I need to work out with her.”
“So can you abandon your work for her?”
Huo Yao curled his lips slightly, sharp eyes fixed on him as if seeing through all his thoughts. “From what position, what identity are you asking?”
Instantly Lu Mingzhe felt like he was the one being crushed.
“I’m her brother.”
“She has no brother, only a pair of unreliable parents.”
Lu Mingzhe was speechless.
Huo Yao didn’t plan to continue talking with him. Before leaving, he added, “By the way, I can tell you how we met.”
“A month ago, that rainy night, she was going to jump into the river to kill herself. I happened to come across her.”
“Lu Mingzhe, you have no right to comment on whether we’re suitable or not.”
Lu Mingzhe’s face turned deathly pale. “What?!”
A month ago was exactly when Chi Xuan was guiding the online bullying campaign against her, while he had just let the situation develop…
That was when she was at her most difficult and painful.
Lu Mingzhe hung his head, not daring to imagine what else she had endured.
Huo Yao was right – he had no right to interfere in her affairs anymore.
After Shi Xi’s performance ended, she returned backstage.
She had only taken one sip of water when Bai Fan dragged her back on stage for a group photo.
The students in the auditorium had basically all dispersed.
Chi Xuan actually endured until the group photo session and even stood beside her.
“Lin Shi Xi, you blocked me again.”
That night she had sent him the words “thank you” before blocking him once more.
Shi Xi shook her head, “I deleted you.”
Chi Xuan: “…”
Bai Fan: “Pfft.”
Chi Xuan glared at him, “What are you laughing at?”
Bai Fan kept his eyes fixed on the camera, “Laughing at how ridiculous you are.”
Chi Xuan sneered coldly.
Shi Xi found it unsettling and asked, “What are you laughing at?”
Chi Xuan: “Laughing at him being a clown.”
Bai Fan: “…”
Shi Xi laughed.
The two of them: “What are you laughing at?”
Shi Xi bit her lip, stubbornly refusing to speak.
The two of them: “…”
In the group photo, all three of them wore strained smiles.
What they didn’t know was that everyone else was particularly focused on their interactions, exchanging gossip-filled glances.
Lu Mingzhe was suspected to be Lin Shi Xi’s brother, setting him aside, both Chi Xuan and Bai Fan remained strong competitors.
Tonight, the school’s confession wall even started a betting pool, with both sides’ supporters being roughly equal.
But Bai Fan had fans, and they were currently cursing quite viciously, feeling that Shi Xi was toying with his feelings.
Bai Fan himself came forward to explain, but it didn’t seem to have much effect.
On the steps, Huo Yao was discreetly making his way toward the stage.
Upon hearing the photographer’s OK gesture, Shi Xi began moving toward the edge of the stage.
“Huo Yao!”
She spread her arms, wanting him to catch her.
But then her arm was pulled back.
Chi Xuan grabbed her and asked, “What are you doing?”
Shi Xi was exasperated, “Can’t you see? I want to jump into his arms.”
Chi Xuan’s mouth twitched, “Why don’t you jump into mine?”
Shi Xi: “?” Are you crazy or something?
As Shi Xi was about to retort, she felt a tight grip around her waist, restrained by a strong arm.
By the time she regained her senses, Huo Yao had already carried her off the stage.
After setting her down, he didn’t release his arm from around her waist.
He looked down and asked, “Ready to go?”
“Ah, um, yes, but my cane is backstage.”
Lin Yu poked Ji Lu with her finger.
Ji Lu immediately understood, “I’ll get it, I’ll go get it right away!”
This scene left everyone around stunned.
Wait, who is that fierce-looking man??
Why is he holding Lin Shi Xi!
She has a new romance!
Doesn’t that mean everyone bet on the wrong horse?
Due to Huo Yao’s intimidating aura that kept people at a distance, soon the area around him and Shi Xi emptied out.
“Let’s go, let’s go quickly,” Shi Xi urged Huo Yao.
People nowadays are good at digging up information. If Huo Yao’s identity becomes publicly discussed, it wouldn’t be good for either of them.
“Mm.”
Huo Yao supported her by the shoulder until they left the auditorium, then picked her up.
The Land Rover left the school, with Shi Xi being hugged by Lin Yu for selfies.
“Officer Lin…”
“Xibao, call me sister.”
“Oh, sister, we’ve already taken plenty.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine, we’ve got nothing else to do anyway.”
“…”
Huo Yao glanced in the rearview mirror several times.
Ji Lu in the passenger seat was frantically typing on his phone.
Lin Yu’s phone kept receiving message notifications, seriously interfering with their selfie session.
—Sent by Ji Lu.
And with every pop-up, Shi Xi could see the messages.
Record: Aaaa stop hugging her shoulders
Record: Stop taking photos, the captain’s face is dark
Record: Stop it, why are you pressing your face against hers??
Eventually, Lin Yu couldn’t be bothered to open and read them anymore.
Shi Xi couldn’t help speaking up, “Um, Brother Lu, do you have something else to say to my sister? You can speak directly.”
Ji Lu turned back blankly: “?!”
Huo Yao looked at him, “Is there something that can’t be said in person?”
Lin Yu awkwardly rubbed her head, “Heh heh heh.”
It was nothing more than Ji Lu sensing the daggers in the captain’s eyes, telling her to tone it down.
Following Lin Yu’s directions, the group went for a late-night snack.
By the time they finished eating, it was already past midnight.
After finally seeing off Ji Lu and Lin Yu, Huo Yao got his wish and carried Shi Xi to the passenger seat.
Without those two chattering away, the car suddenly became quiet.
“How come you came today?”
Shi Xi knew he had been quite busy recently, so she hadn’t mentioned this to him.
“Lin Yu saw the news online, and I happened to…”
As soon as he said “happened to,” Shi Xi raised an eyebrow.
Huo Yao also paused, then curled his lips and said, “I wanted to see you.”
There was no “happening to” about it – he simply missed her.
Shi Xi immediately broke into a smile. If he weren’t driving, she would have reached for his hand right away.
The car remained quiet for a while.
“That Xi Bai—”
Huo Yao’s voice cut off abruptly when he realized what he had said.
Shi Xi narrowed her eyes at him, “What Xi Bai?”
Huo Yao cleared his throat lightly, “I meant, that Bai Fan, does he still like you?”
Having heard too many people discuss “Xi Bai” tonight, he had accidentally let it slip.
Shi Xi: “…Ahem, I’m not sure either. He hasn’t told me.”
“Then remember to reject him.”
“…”
Shi Xi truly hadn’t expected to have such a serious discussion with him about this.
He seemed a bit jealous, but very rational and confident.
“What if I forget?”
“Then I’ll help you.”
“…Uh, no need.” Shi Xi explained, “He’s just a younger brother, don’t overthink it.”
Huo Yao fell silent. After parking the car, he turned to her calmly and said, “I’m not afraid of anyone stealing you away. They definitely aren’t as good as me.”
Shi Xi felt like laughing, “How so?”
Huo Yao: “Older age means I know how to care for people better.”
Shi Xi couldn’t hold back anymore, bursting into goose-like laughter.
The next second, she was gathered into his embrace.
His magnetic voice held a hint of danger, “You don’t believe me?”
“I believe you, Captain Huo knows best how to care for people.”Snuggled in his arms, she softened her voice to perfunctorily coax him.”
Huo Yao: “…”
His hand gently stroked the back of her neck, as if casually mentioning, “I bought Xiao Bao a new bed. Want to go see it?”