55: The stage curtain falls

The girl's eyes were very beautiful, but when they met Shen Qian's gaze, they would flicker away from time to time, as if she were shy, or perhaps startled.

This sense of joy, like suddenly drawing a high-end card from a deck of ordinary ones, made Shen Qian very satisfied.

But he only glanced at her eyes before quietly brushing her bangs back into place.

To win over a girl, one must first respect her. What is respect? It is understanding and acknowledging all of her actions, even if those actions seem absurd or even somewhat immoral.

Why are scumbags so popular with girls? It's because they never lecture. And not lecturing is also a form of respect.

If this girl liked covering her eyes with her bangs, then let her. Since he knew she was a 7 out of 10, he would just flirt with her relentlessly from now on.

"I'm asking you, do you like me?"

"Xinxin likes you."

"I know, we're dating. I'm asking if you like me."

"I... I won't steal her Boyfriend."

She was an honest kid, and exceptionally introverted. Just now, when he brushed aside her bangs—a gesture of physical intimacy—she hadn't resisted. That was already as good as an answer.

No rush. There would be plenty of opportunities later. Perhaps Tan Xinxin could even lend a hand.

Over the next few days, he was busy rehearsing for the Freshman Welcome Gala. He couldn't say for sure how much Ni Zixin's piano skills had improved, but her kissing skills had certainly made a qualitative leap.

If it weren't for his strong lung capacity and solid self-control...

He would either have been sucked breathless or ended up doing something indescribable in the piano room.

In just a few days, the girl's entire aura had undergone a world-shaking transformation. A hint of aggression, which hadn't been there when they first met, now flickered in her eyes.

"Are the performance clothes ready?"

Shen Qian sat on a stool, his index finger and thumb rubbing together slightly.

"I've prepared a dress. See what you think? I also rented a suit for you."

Blushing, the girl took out her phone and showed the photos to Shen Qian.

[Calmly accepting a girl's money for you. Behavior matches the scumbag standard. Reward being issued...]

"Accepting a girl's money makes me a scumbag? Is it that easy to become a scumbag these days?"

However, this only made Shen Qian more certain that his path was correct. Only going after the body was just a shallow scumbag move.

Getting a girl to spend money on you, do things for you, and devote her body and soul—that's what you call a deep scumbag.

"Since I've already taken the reward, I don't care about this girl's meager savings."

Thinking this, Shen Qian handed the phone back and frowned.

"Rent? This is my first time performing on stage, and our first collaboration. What's with renting?"

"Don't be angry. I'll go buy them then."

Shen Qian looked at the girl before him. It was a good thing he was the scumbag playing her; if it were someone else, wouldn't this girl end up selling a kidney for them?

"Buy? What are you going to buy them with? Your monthly allowance of two or three thousand?"

"A decent dress actually only costs a few thousand. I've saved up a bit; it's enough."

Shen Qian said nothing, merely patting the seat beside him.

When their lips parted, the girl's face grew even redder. She felt like a fish out of water, greedily gasping for air.

"Take half a day off tomorrow and come out with me."

"Okay."

Over the past few days, no matter what Shen Qian said, she always said "okay." This man possessed a unique aura that compelled one to follow.

A few days flew by, and the Freshman Welcome Gala arrived as scheduled.

On stage, the host was dressed in an evening gown.

The final performance: a piano and violin duet, 'If It Can Radiate Brilliance'.

The lights on stage went out. Only a few dark shadows could be seen moving the piano. Then, a man and a woman stepped onto the stage hand-in-hand.

When the lights came on again, the girl was already seated at the piano, while the boy stood beside it.

"Is that... Zixin?"

Below the stage, besides the freshmen, Ni Zixin's roommates had also come to show their support.

"No way!"

For the past two days, the girl had barely returned to the dormitory. When asked, she said she was rehearsing.

In just two days, her hairstyle had changed, her clothes had changed—her whole vibe felt different.

And the man standing beside her was in a high-end tailored suit, his posture tall and straight, his features well-defined and sharp.

After they exchanged a glance, the boy nodded.

The piano intro began, and the noisy crowd instantly fell silent. After a short prelude, the unique sound of the violin flowed from the strings.

"Shigatsu! It's Shigatsu!"

Someone suddenly cried out in surprise. Soon, more and more people recognized the piece. By then, the music had reached its climax.

Even those who had never heard the song were instantly moved by the music, feeling something deep within their hearts stirred, their skin prickling with goosebumps.

As for those who had heard it, their eyes were already red, and some were even moved to tears.

The performance lasted over three minutes. When it ended, Shen Qian walked to the girl's side and took her hand. Together, they bowed in thanks.

The audience had originally been uninterested in the freshman gala, but after this piece, everyone went wild.

Some shouted, some cheered, and the applause was endless.

On stage, Ni Zixin watched the scene, unable to hold back her tears of excitement. She had studied piano for so long, but this was her first time performing for so many people and her first time receiving such a cheer.

Under the gaze of the crowd, she could no longer control her inner excitement. She hugged the boy beside her and kissed him on the cheek.

This single action made the crowd below erupt once more.

Even after they left the stage, the cheers still echoed in their ears.

But once offstage, Ni Zixin became anxious. She had been too excited, so excited that she had gotten carried away. Shen Qian had said he had a Girlfriend, and he had also said he wanted to pursue Tao Yan. Now that she had done this, would he be angry?

"What? Scared now?"

Backstage, Shen Qian looked at her with a smile. That smile instantly put her at ease; he wasn't angry, so that was good.

"I didn't expect you to become so much bolder over these past few days."

"It's all thanks to you."

Shen QianXiaoxiao

"It's a pity. After tonight, we won't have a reason to stay in touch anymore."

"Before, we could be partners. What are we now?"

These words struck her heart. The girl knew this was the last chance Shen Qian was giving her. Either stop pestering him, or become his nameless, unofficial lover.

"I don't know. Can you let me think about it?"

Shen Qian was in no hurry; he could naturally give her enough time.

Just then, a girl carrying a bouquet of flowers came backstage.

"Shen Qian, you played so well. I didn't realize you were so great at the violin too."

Ni Zixin looked at the newcomer. This girl was so beautiful; even though she was meticulously dressed up now, she wasn't as pretty as her.

"Thanks."

"Are you free tonight? I'd like to take you out for dinner."

Just as Shen Qian was about to agree, Ni Zixin stood up.

"He's going to a celebration party tonight with everyone from the performance."

"Then tomorrow night. Are you free tomorrow night?" Liu Xinyao wouldn't give up.

"Tomorrow night, I want to properly thank him, so I'm asking him out for dinner."

Liu Xinyao was no fool. She frowned slightly at Ni Zixin.

"I'm asking Shen Qian, not you. Besides, you're asking him to dinner, but he hasn't agreed yet. Naturally, it's first come, first served."