Returning to High School to Save My Wife - Chapter 43

On the stage, Liang Qi’s performance existed in perfect harmony with Jiang Yuan’s dance. At times soothing and at others lively, she never overplayed her hand, yet she never allowed her own presence to dim. Every note merged seamlessly with the choreography. The two of them moved as if they had rehearsed a thousand times; one releasing her radiance without restraint, the other content to serve as the perfect backdrop. In a display of unparalleled chemistry, they elevated one another.

As the music slowed to a gentle lull, Jiang Yuan gradually reined in her movements. With light, spinning steps, she returned to her starting position and lowered herself to the floor, like a dancing butterfly returning to hibernation. As the final note faded, the trembling wings stilled, the bright lights vanished, and the butterfly retreated once more into the protection of the darkness.

The silence of the hall was gradually broken by steady, rhythmic applause. Everyone was struck by such beauty, offering heartfelt praise. Some asked which class she was from and noted that she danced so well. Others remarked that Shengjiang No. 1 High was full of talent this year and that both the girl dancing and the girl on the piano were beautiful and had incredible chemistry.

In the audience, Yue Suxin, who had already changed back into her school uniform, curled her lip. She turned to Cheng Zhuocheng, who was watching intently, and asked why he kept staring at her and if her dancing was really that good. Cheng Zhuocheng withdrew his gaze and smirked, reaching out to tap her forehead. He told her not to overthink it and asked how she could possibly compare to Yue Suxin.

That’s more like it, Yue Suxin said, finally relaxing. However, hearing the praise from those around her still made her feel uneasy. She couldn’t help but mutter that the two of them were just being bullies and it wasn’t fair for two people to go up against her alone. Cheng Zhuocheng sneered dismissively, saying it didn’t matter. He believed they were just showing off at a mixer and didn’t think they’d actually dare to do anything more.

But I’m unhappy, Yue Suxin pouted, tugging at Cheng Zhuocheng’s jacket. She insisted that they made her angry and that he had to stay on her side. Cheng Zhuocheng coaxed her, promising he was on her side. He thought back to the recent incident, his eyes narrowing as he looked toward the stage. His fingers slowly traced the healed scar on his forehead, his gaze darkening bit by bit.

The moment all the stage lights cut out, Jiang Yuan rose from the floor. She tiptoed over to Liang Qi and extended a hand. Liang Qi placed her hand in Jiang Yuan’s palm, rose with her, and followed her lead to the front of the stage. With perfect synchronicity, they bowed to the audience. As the heavy applause rang out, the curtain was slowly drawn, separating the two worlds. It also blocked a familiar gaze coming from the audience section of the other school. The moment she felt Jiang Yuan release her hand, Liang Qi firmly gripped it back. That slender hand trembled slightly, but a second later, Jiang Yuan squeezed back with equal strength.

After the performance, Liang Qi accompanied Jiang Yuan back to the dressing room. While changing, Liang Qi couldn’t help but gush that Yuanyuan was amazing. Jiang Yuan asked if it was true, and Liang Qi teased that she could barely focus on the piano because she was so distracted. Jiang Yuan told her not to say that, joking that she would become a bad influence.

Once they were changed, they left the dressing room and returned to the Activity Center hall through the front entrance. A drama was being performed on stage, and the hall was very quiet. Liang Qi held Jiang Yuan’s hand and made a shushing gesture, intending to sneak back to their class seats, when they bumped into someone at the door.

Jiang Yuan? A man’s voice, gentle and low, sounded. He looked to be in his late thirties or early forties. Jiang Yuan looked up, startled, and called him Teacher Xie. The man was Jiang Yuan’s former homeroom teacher, Xie Rudong. He had a kind face, and though only in his early forties, his hair was already graying at the temples. Seeing his former student, he smiled and said he didn’t expect her to sign up for a performance this time.

As her former teacher, Xie Rudong knew Jiang Yuan’s family situation and had helped her many times; he was a mentor she deeply respected. He knew her personality well, cold, quiet, and solitary. He was surprised to see her participating in such a public event and felt she had changed quite a bit. Jiang Yuan explained shyly that she wanted to give it a try.

That’s good, very good, Xie Rudong said cheerfully. He mentioned he saw the performance and thought she danced beautifully, encouraging her to take more opportunities to express herself in the future. Jiang Yuan promised she would. He asked how the new class was this semester and noted that Teacher He often mentioned her grades were top-tier. Jiang Yuan replied that it was good and she had adapted, adding softly that her classmates were also very good.

For some reason, her cheeks felt warm, and a faint, nearly imperceptible blush appeared under the lights. Xie Rudong was slightly surprised. His gaze turned to Liang Qi, who immediately gave a polite greeting. He smiled and asked if she was in Class One too. Liang Qi explained she was Yuanyuan’s deskmate and used to be in Class Ten, but she stopped mid-sentence. A bright flash of white light flickered, like the moment a shutter clicks after a camera focuses. Something had moved through the crowd, capturing this scene.

She looked toward the seating area but saw only a sea of students in school uniforms. Jiang Yuan noticed her distraction and asked what it was. Liang Qi snapped back and said it was nothing. Jiang Yuan answered for her, saying she was her deskmate. Xie Rudong turned his attention back to Jiang Yuan, saying he was relieved she was doing well. He then asked how her mother was doing lately. Jiang Yuan replied that she had surgery recently but was doing much better now.

Liang Qi interrupted at an opportune moment, telling Yuanyuan to keep talking while she went to the restroom. Jiang Yuan told her she would wait at their seats. Liang Qi left the hall and immediately messaged Tan Zhiyan, asking if she was in the Activity Center. Tan Zhiyan confirmed she was. Liang Qi told her to help keep an eye on what Cheng Zhuocheng was doing.

Class Ten was seated in the back, diagonal to Class One, providing a clear view. A moment later, Tan Zhiyan replied that she saw him holding his phone and pointing it toward the stage, appearing to film Jiang Yuan. Liang Qi told her she knew it and asked her to record a video of him filming Yuanyuan as evidence, but not to alert him while she went to get a teacher. Tan Zhiyan told her to hurry because he might leave. Liang Qi told her to just make sure she backed up the evidence.

Liang Qi had already recorded Cheng Zhuocheng harassing Jiang Yuan before. She was confident that if she told He Wei, the teacher would believe her. This was the best chance to check the photos on Cheng Zhuocheng’s phone. Inside the hall, Cheng Zhuocheng was indeed pointing his phone toward the front. The lighting was dim, making it hard to see clearly, but he knew that with the right angle and some editing, these photos could be made to look suggestive.

Cheng Zhuocheng smirked, imagining the scenario. He wondered what Jiang Yuan and her meddling deskmate would do then, thinking they’d be begging him on their knees. Yue Suxin had noticed he was acting strange, constantly pointing his phone toward the stage while ignoring her. Before he could react, she snatched the phone away to see. Cheng Zhuocheng barked and snatched it back, asking who said she could touch his phone.

Yue Suxin felt instantly wronged and asked why he was so angry. Cheng Zhuocheng realized he had been too aggressive and softened his tone, saying he didn’t know it was her and she had startled him. Yue Suxin said it was just a phone and asked what he was hiding. Cheng Zhuocheng said it was nothing and told her not to be sensitive, claiming he was just taking some photos of the performances. Yue Suxin questioned why he was filming performances they had already seen.

Their bickering began to attract attention. Just as Cheng Zhuocheng was about to force her to be quiet, a stern voice came from his left asking what they were doing. Cheng Zhuocheng didn’t recognize the voice, but Yue Suxin turned to see He Wei standing by the seats with Liang Qi by her side. Yue Suxin stammered a greeting. Students were generally not allowed to swap class sections, and since she was dating Cheng Zhuocheng in secret, she was terrified of He Wei finding out.

He Wei looked at Cheng Zhuocheng and noted he wasn’t in their class. Yue Suxin quickly tried to cover for him, saying he was from Class Five and just came over for a minute. He Wei ignored her. Walking over in her high heels, she took the phone from Cheng Zhuocheng’s hand and asked what he was filming. Before she could even finish her sentence, she saw several thumbnails in the photo gallery and her brow furrowed deeply.

Cheng Zhuocheng’s face went pale. He Wei pocketed the phone and ordered him to come outside. Outside the hall, He Wei pulled up a disgusting photo on the phone and asked for an explanation. The photo was the one Yue Suxin had sent Cheng Zhuocheng previously; the subjects were Xie Rudong and Jiang Yuan.

Cheng Zhuocheng’s expression was ghastly as he claimed it was a misunderstanding and he didn’t know what it was. He Wei didn’t believe him. Liang Qi had already told her what he was up to, and she never imagined a student would do something so vile to a girl in her own class. Cheng Zhuocheng tried to say it had nothing to do with him, but He Wei pointed out it was on his phone. She asked if he was filming teachers or students and called his behavior malicious.

Cheng Zhuocheng gritted his teeth in denial. He hadn’t expected a surprise inspection. Whether the photo was real or fake, it was a scandal. If this reached the school board, he would be the first one to suffer. He Wei remained resolute, demanding to know where the photos came from. Cheng Zhuocheng hardened his heart and claimed he was being framed, saying the photos were actually given to him by Yue Suxin.

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