119: Plum blossom cake is coming to Wuhan!

Winter in Jiangcheng always carried a damp, cold magical attack.

As soon as the bell for morning exercises rang,

it was like being forcibly dragged from a warm bed into an ice cellar.

On the playground, over two thousand students tucked their necks into their collars, the sound of stomping feet rising and falling.

The spirited march finally stopped over the loud speakers,

the microphone let out a piercing screech,

followed by Principal Jiang Changfeng's slow-tempo torture delivered in a thick accent.

“Hello? Uh... everyone quiet down, I have something to announce.”

Below the stage, over two thousand people let out a synchronized sigh.

In this ghostly weather,

the phrase “announce something” was more bone-chilling than the cold wind.

Lin Que zipped his school uniform all the way to the top,

tucking his chin into the collar and leaving only his eyes exposed,

staring listlessly at the stubbornly tufted hair on the back of Luo Ji's head in the front row.

Beside him, Wu Di had both hands tucked into his sleeves,

shivering and muttering like the foolish son of a landlord:

“Freezing to death, freezing to death. What kind of lecture is this old man going to give now?

It better not be another ban on bringing breakfast into the classroom...”

“Ahem.”

The principal cleared his throat, his voice echoing across the empty playground.

“I'm sure many of you have already seen it on the official website of the Jinling Academy of Arts.”

“This weekend,

the 'Provincial Youth Arts Exchange Conference,' co-hosted by our school, the Provincial Department of Education's Ministry of Culture, and the Jinling Academy of Arts,

will be held right here in our Yiyuan Building.”

The originally restless crowd quieted down a bit.

The Yiyuan Building was a facility the school had spent a fortune on specifically for art students;

usually, only art specialists could enter, leaving the ordinary students full of curiosity about its interior.

“This is a rare opportunity, and the province places great importance on it.

Deputy Director Zheng Songxue from the Arts Division of the Department of Education will attend in person, along with Professor Yu Yan from the Jinling Academy of Arts...”

The principal rattled off the titles, his tone brimming with pride.

The students below reacted indifferently.

To this group of high schoolers currently struggling with functions and vocabulary,

directors and professors weren't as practical as the cafeteria adding an Extra chicken leg to lunch today.

“In addition to these leaders and experts, we are also very honored to have invited a special guest.”

The principal's voice suddenly softened, carrying a hint of wanting to show off while feigning restraint.

“She can be considered the pride of Su Province on the international stage,

the internationally renowned young pianist—Ye Xi!”

Lin Que's half-closed eyes

opened slightly the moment he heard that name.

Ye Xi.

Coming from the principal's mouth, the name sounded discordant no matter how he heard it.

What subconsciously surfaced in his mind was the girl in the duck blood vermicelli soup shop,

who had wrapped herself up like a zongzi because she didn't want to be recognized,

and who had ultimately used an alt account to transfer him hush money—the 'Fugitive Beethoven.'

However, the reaction around him was beyond his expectations.

The originally lifeless art class formation suddenly erupted into a wave of irrepressible whispers.

Especially several girls who studied piano; their eyes lit up as if they had seen their faith.

“Ye Xi? It's actually really her!”

“Oh my god! The school actually managed to invite her? I'm not dreaming, am I!”

The students in the regular classes were completely bewildered.

Wu Di sniffed back some snot and nudged Lin Que with his elbow:

“Brother Que, who is this Ye Xi? Is she very famous? Why are those art students acting like they've gone crazy?”

Before Lin Que could speak, a girl in the front row snapped her head around.

It was the class's Arts Representative, Liu Hui. She usually spoke in a soft, thin voice,

but right now her cheeks were flushed with excitement, and even her glasses were fogged up.

“Wu Di, you don't even know Ye Xi?”

Liu Hui's tone carried a shock that suggested, 'You're practically illiterate.'

“She's a genius! A true genius!

She won the gold medal in the National Youth Competition at fifteen!

Last year, she even got a full scholarship offer from the Curtis Institute of Music!

Do you know Curtis? That's the alma mater of the God of Piano, Lang Shen!

The music academy with the lowest acceptance rate in the world!”

Wu Di was a bit dazed by this barrage of titles, his mouth hanging open stupidly:

“Is she... is she that awesome?”

“More than just awesome!”

Liu Hui grew more excited as she spoke, as if she were the one standing on that stage.

“When my previous piano teacher gave lessons,

they used videos of her performances as teaching materials! She's someone who lives in the textbooks!”

Several boys nearby who hadn't cared much before

couldn't help but show expressions of solemn respect upon hearing 'textbook.'

At this age, to be called 'living in the textbooks' by one's peers

was basically a god-like existence.

Lin Que looked at Liu Hui's near-fanatical gaze of adoration,

and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.

Textbook?

If Liu Hui knew that this aloof 'textbook' was actually a foodie who would feel awkward being caught sneaking plum blossom cakes,

and who daily sent piano-smashing emojis to complain about her dress being too tight,

he wondered if the Arts Representative's filter would shatter into pieces.

“Alright, alright, quiet down!”

The roar of Fei Yuncheng drowned out the crowd's chatter.

The principal continued on stage:

“...This exchange conference is mainly to provide application consultation and professional guidance for our second and third-year art students.

Of course, this is a rare opportunity, and the school also hopes everyone can experience the influence of art.

For specific arrangements, listen for the notification from your homeroom teachers when you return. Dismissed!”

With that command, the playground instantly turned into a boiling pot of noise.

On the way back to the classroom,

the center of conversation had completely shifted from 'freezing to death' to 'Ye Xi.'

“Hey, what do you think that Ye Xi looks like?

She plays the piano so well, she must have a very special aura, right?”

“Nonsense, I've seen the posters; she's got the vibe of a true goddess.”

“I heard her family is a musical dynasty in Jinling;

her grandfather is a conductor of the older generation. This is the legendary wealthy socialite, right?”

Lin Que walked slowly at the back of the crowd with his hands in his pockets.

Listening to these rumors filled with mythological colors, he suddenly found it quite interesting.

The 'Fugitive Beethoven' on the internet was real, and the 'Piano Witch' on the stage was also real.

Just like him.

During the day, he was Lin Que, sitting in the classroom grinding through science papers;

at night, he was the Dream Weaver tapping on a keyboard to construct hell, and occasionally the Jian Shen who gently ferried souls through words.

Everyone had several faces;

some for survival, some for freedom.

“Brother Que, what are you thinking about? That smile is so... creepy.”

Wu Di leaned over, shivering.

Lin Que glanced at him, pulled a piece of Extra gum from his pocket, and tossed it into his mouth.

“I was thinking.”

Lin Que looked at the distant sky.

“If the fairies in the sky were starving, would they also have to squat at a roadside stall and wolf down a couple of skewers of large kidneys?”

“Huh?”

Wu Di reached out to feel Lin Que's forehead.

“Brother Que, have you frozen your brain? Why are you starting to talk nonsense!?”

Lin Que didn't explain;

he just looked up at the uniquely shaped art building with red bricks and white tiles in the distance.

This weekend, it seemed, would be very lively...