My Upperclassman Wants me to confess my feelings - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Fantasy

Xia Xiaohan and Zhou Rui straightened their backs in perfect synchronization, staring blankly at Cheng Wu on the stage. They had seen a Cheng Wu as dazzling as the sun, but when had they ever seen a Cheng Wu as gentle as moonlight?

As Cheng Wu’s pale fingertips landed on the black and white keys, everyone quickly recognized the piece as Mariage d’Amour.

The brisk and lingering piano music flowed from her fingertips, weaving a dreamlike musical feast for everyone. Among the audience were some students from the Arts Department; they quickly realized that the performance was of a very high caliber. Either Cheng Wu was exceptionally gifted, or she had practiced the piano for many years.

Those who had come specifically for Cheng Wu herself were won over by her playing within a single minute. The auditorium quickly fell silent as everyone listened, entranced.

The upright-sitting Xia Xiaohan gradually lost herself. In her eyes, there was only her Senior playing the piano; the distance between them seemed to vanish in an instant.

Her Senior raised a hand, yet the keys continued to dance and the music did not break. Standing up from the bench, her Senior turned and extended a hand toward Xia Xiaohan. Xiaohan instinctively placed her hand in hers.

Her Senior gently grasped her hand, rested an arm around her waist, and led her to an open space nearby. Following the melody of the music, they began to spin slowly in a dance.

Under the elegant white lights, her Senior’s amber eyes grew brighter. The corners of her nude-pink lips curled slightly. Her slender neck, jade-like collarbones, and the curves of her figure bit by bit consumed Xiaohan’s heart. She held her Senior’s beautifully contoured shoulders, following her steps, spinning round and round. The swirling hem of the dress was like a blooming snow lotus.

As the final melody concluded, her Senior came to a stop and leaned in close. Xiaohan instinctively leaned back, their eyes meeting just as the last note came to a halt.

Clap, clap, clap!

The piece ended, and the auditorium erupted into thunderous applause, shattering Xiaohan’s fantasy and pulling her thoughts back to reality. She didn’t clap; she just stared fixedly at her Senior. Everything in her mind just now felt so real, it didn’t seem like a fantasy at all.

On stage, Cheng Wu slowly stood up, and the host came over to hand her the microphone. Standing at the front of the stage, her gaze crossed over countless audience members and met Xiaohan’s eyes mid-air. It startled Xiaohan into a state of flustered panic, yet her heart was full of anticipation.

“I wanted to dedicate this Mariage d’Amour to the person in my heart. She is here today, and I am very happy. I hope everyone can share in my joy.”

The audience immediately became excited, everyone speculating: who on earth did Cheng Wu like? One bold student shouted out, “Sister Cheng, who do you like?”

Cheng Wu’s eyes were filled with a tenderness that caused many people’s expressions to freeze; they had never seen this side of her. In everyone’s eyes, Cheng Wu was mature, steady, charming, bright, powerful, and confident. The word “gentle” didn’t seem to suit her.

But at this very moment, everyone felt that the gentleness at the corners of her eyes and brows was like pouring moonlight, illuminating the entire auditorium.

Cheng Wu did not find the question rude; instead, she explained quite seriously, “The person I like… I haven’t successfully pursued her yet. On the day she confesses to me, I’ll tell you all.”

The fact that it was actually Cheng Wu proactively pursuing someone else immediately piqued everyone’s curiosity. Who could it be that managed to capture the goddess’s heart?

Following the host’s words of thanks, Cheng Wu bowed slightly and turned to walk toward the backstage area. The spotlight did not go out, following her figure as she moved. She held her dress with one hand and waved to everyone with the other. The curtain fell, finally cutting off the audience’s gaze.

Soon the next program began, but the audience was still discussing Cheng Wu’s piano playing and guessing who it was she liked.

Hidden in the middle of the crowd, Xia Xiaohan was so excited she could hardly contain herself. Her Senior didn’t want to hide her feelings; she wanted to be with her openly and honorably.

“Xiaohan, let’s go backstage and take a look.” Zhou Rui interrupted her thoughts and stood up first.

Xiaohan was a bit nervous, cold sweat breaking out on her palms. She asked stutteringly, “Now?”

Zhou Rui smiled. “Yes, now.”

Following her brother to the backstage area, the entrance was crowded with people; everyone wanted to see Cheng Wu. Chang Le was struggling to hold everyone back with his team, constantly persuading them, “Sister Cheng will be out in a bit, don’t worry!”

One girl shouted excitedly, “Is Sister Cheng Wu changing her clothes? I like her so much, I love how she looks today! Can she please not change yet and take a photo with me?”

Chang Le answered, drenched in sweat, “Okay, okay, just don’t rush. Sister Cheng will come out after she has something to eat.”

Behind the crowd, Xiaohan and Zhou Rui couldn’t squeeze in at all. The scene was like a celebrity meet-and-greet; the crowd’s enthusiasm was irresistible.

Just then, at the backstage door, Ningning peered out. She scanned the area, spotted Xiaohan, and—taking advantage of her small stature—slipped out in a few steps. She pulled Xiaohan to the side and whispered, “Sister Wu is waiting for you. I know a back door, come with me.”

Bypassing the crowd, Ningning led them through a very hidden small door into the backstage. There were many people inside, all the men and women who were performing. They were equally excited, competing to take photos and chat with Cheng Wu.

Looking at her Senior, surrounded by the crowd, a sliver of inferiority surfaced in the depths of Xiaohan’s heart. Her Senior was so excellent and perfect, the most dazzling sun in the sky. While she was just a firefly in the night, liable to be swallowed by the darkness at any time.

Catching a glimpse of the sadness on Xiaohan’s face out of the corner of her eye, Cheng Wu immediately said with a smile, “I’m going to take a break first. Is it okay if I come back out to take photos with you later?”

“Of course!” Everyone moved out of the way.

Cheng Wu walked up to the two of them. Seeing Xiaohan with her head down, she first asked Zhou Rui, “Did you like today’s piece?”

Zhou Rui replied, “Of course I liked it. I didn’t expect to hear you play the piano again.” He knew Cheng Wu was there to see Xiaohan, so he pointed to the prop room nearby and said, “Go inside and rest for a bit. I’ll wait for you out here.”

“Okay.” Cheng Wu looked at Xia Xiaohan and reached out. “I made your favorite cheese sandwich by hand. Do you want to try it?”

Xiaohan raised her hand, but seeing others around, she pulled it back, her voice as faint as a mosquito. “Yes.”

Entering the prop room and closing the door blocked out most of the noise. Cheng Wu sat down at the table and handed the sandwich to Xiaohan. “Try it.”

The table in the prop room was very small; once Xiaohan sat down, she was almost pressed against Cheng Wu. She unwrapped the paper, and just as she was about to eat, Cheng Wu suddenly asked her, “Do you know why I played that piece?”

“Why?” Xiaohan turned her head to look.

Meeting Xiaohan’s gaze, Cheng Wu’s voice was as thick and sweet as honey: “Because I want to be the person who puts a wedding ring on your finger.”

Before her words had even finished landing, Xiaohan jerked her gaze back to the sandwich in her hand. Countless emotions struck her like a tsunami.

Cheng Wu became even more gentle. “Xiaohan, are you willing to give me this chance?”