217: confession

A trace of determination flashed in her eyes, as if she had finally made up her mind.

"Anyway, things can't get any worse than they are now." She lifted her chin slightly, her expression gaining a hint of courage.

"That's right!" Gao Xuewei smiled, and her smile looked especially warm under the moonlight.

"Once you talk to him, everything might get better. I believe in Lu Chen, and I believe in the feelings between you two."

Her encouragement sent a warm current through Chen Mengyao's heart.

"But how should I tell him?" Chen Mengyao started to worry again, her brows furrowing once more.

"Just say it directly? Wouldn't that be too abrupt?"

She looked at Gao Xuewei, a little troubled, hoping she could offer some advice.

Gao Xuewei thought for a moment and said, "How about finding a suitable time, like when you're eating or taking a walk together, and bring it up naturally. Talk about your recent life first, and then slowly introduce the topic. That might not be too stiff."

Chen Mengyao nodded, thinking it was a good idea.

"Hmm, that sounds better." She gently bit her fingernail, "But I'm still a little worried. What if he rejects me on the spot? How should I react?"

"He won't!" Gao Xuewei said firmly again, "Even if he doesn't agree at first, don't panic. You can tell him how you feel, talk about your efforts and sincerity during this time. Maybe you can move him."

She tightly held Chen Mengyao's hand, conveying strength and confidence to her.

Chen Mengyao took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.

"Okay, I'll listen to you."

She looked at Gao Xuewei, her eyes showing a hint of gratitude.

"Thank you. If it weren't for you, I might not have had the courage to face all of this."

"We're friends!" Gao Xuewei said with a smile, "At times like this, of course we have to support each other. And I also hope you can be happy, and that we can all have a good outcome."

Her warm and sincere smile gradually calmed Chen Mengyao's anxious heart.

The wind in the courtyard gradually died down, and quiet was restored all around, with only the occasional chirping of insects breaking the silence of the night.

Chen Mengyao and Gao Xuewei stood under the moonlight. Although their hearts were still uneasy, at this moment, they had both made up their minds to fight for their feelings, even if the road ahead was full of unknowns and challenges.

The next day, the sun pierced through the clouds early, casting a warm glow over the campus.

The campus was bustling with activity, students busy everywhere, and preparations for the Freshmen Welcome Gala were proceeding in an intense and orderly manner.

The staff in the auditorium were like a group of busy bees, some adjusting the stage lights, some carefully checking the sound equipment, and others meticulously arranging the stage backdrop.

Outside the auditorium, students walked in twos and threes, their faces beaming with anticipation and excitement.

They wore various outfits; some girls wore playful short skirts, while others wore elegant dresses.

Most of the boys wore simple shirts paired with jeans, looking neat, energetic, and full of youthful vigor.

The Freshmen Welcome Gala finally began amidst everyone's eager anticipation.

The auditorium was packed, the lights dimmed, and a spotlight slowly shone on the center of the stage.

The host, dressed in a magnificent gown, walked onto the stage with confident steps, the microphone in her hand like a bridge connecting dreams and reality.

Her clear and melodious voice echoed through the auditorium: "Distinguished leaders and teachers, dear students, good evening everyone! Welcome to this year's Freshmen Welcome Gala..."

The first act was a vibrant opening dance.

A group of dancers in dazzling costumes appeared on stage to stirring music.

Their movements were synchronized and powerful.

The audience below was infected by the enthusiastic atmosphere, applauding and cheering, the applause and cheers like surging waves, one after another.

Next was a wonderful singing performance.

The singer held the microphone, passionately singing a classic old song.

His voice was mellow and pleasant, as if carrying stories of time, every note striking a chord in people's hearts.

The audience was immersed in the beautiful singing, closing their eyes and feeling the ebb and flow of the melody.

During the intervals between performances, discussions among students rose and fell.

Several girls in the front row whispered to each other, their eyes occasionally glancing towards the main platform.

"Look, who is that man on the main platform? He's so handsome!"

One of the girls with a ponytail had sparkling eyes and a look of infatuation on her face.

"That's Lu Chen! You don't know him? He's our school's biggest sponsor and the CEO of Lu Corporation!"

A girl with glasses next to her explained excitedly.

"Wow, no wonder he looks so extraordinary! His attire is so tasteful."

The ponytail girl's eyes never left Lu Chen.

Lu Chen sat on the main platform, his face handsome and stern, his posture as tall and straight as a pine, as if isolated from the surrounding hustle and bustle, forming a world of his own.

He wore a well-tailored black suit, the fabric smooth and delicate, shimmering softly under the lights, showcasing understated luxury.

The collar of his white shirt was slightly open, revealing his exquisite collarbone, and a dark blue tie was perfectly knotted at the collar, adding a touch of maturity and gravitas to him.

The boys in the audience looked at Lu Chen, their eyes full of envy and admiration.

"I never thought the CEO of Lu Corporation would be so young and accomplished, not only successful in his career but also so handsome, truly a winner in life!"

A boy in a tracksuit exclaimed.

"Yeah, they say the cars he drives are all globally limited edition luxury cars, and he has a dedicated driver and bodyguards for travel. His status and position are truly beyond the reach of us ordinary people."

Another boy next to him agreed, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness.

At this moment, a bold girl, holding a bouquet of vibrant red roses, slowly walked onto the main platform.

Her face showed shyness and nervousness, her steps trembling slightly.

She approached Mr. Lu, lowered her head slightly, and said softly, "Mr. Lu, these flowers are for you. I... I have always admired you."

As she spoke, she offered the flowers in her hand, her cheeks flushed slightly from nervousness.

Mr. Lu was slightly taken aback, then politely accepted the flowers, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, and he said softly, "Thank you."

His voice was deep and magnetic, like mellow wine, making the surrounding girls' hearts beat faster.

Before Mr. Lu could put the flowers down, another girl quickly walked onto the stage, holding a carefully wrapped love letter.

She walked up to Mr. Lu and bravely said, "Mr. Lu, this is a letter I wrote for you. I hope you'll read it."

Mr. Lu accepted the love letter and nodded, maintaining a polite smile on his face.

The students in the audience saw this scene, and their discussions grew even more animated.

"Wow, these girls are so brave. I wish I had half their courage." A girl said enviously.

"Alas, it's a pity. How could a man like Mr. Lu be easily moved? These love letters and flowers will probably just sink into the sea of oblivion." Another girl said with a hint of regret.

Immediately after, the grand curtain on the stage slowly opened, revealing a spectacular acrobatics performance to everyone.

A nimble boy, dressed in a sequined leotard, took his position in the center of the stage.

He first effortlessly tossed several colorful balls into the air, his hands deftly alternating, making the balls trace graceful arcs in the air, eliciting gasps from the audience below.

Then, he invited several assistants to complete more thrilling acts together.

They stacked up a tall human pyramid, with the girl at the very top, her posture light and agile, like a nimble swallow, performing various difficult moves without any protective measures. The atmosphere of the entire hall instantly surged to a climax, the audience stood up, applauding thunderously, and cheering deafeningly.

Amidst a burst of enthusiastic applause and cheers, the acrobatics performance on stage concluded.

The nimble acrobat, covered in sweat, beamed with a confident smile, bowing repeatedly to thank the audience.

Immediately after, the stage quickly changed scenes. The prop crew skillfully and swiftly removed the acrobatic props and replaced them with antique-style backdrops.

Dancers in ancient costumes moved with graceful steps, slowly walking onto the stage.

The music began, and the melodious classical tune flowed like a babbling brook into every corner of the auditorium.

The dancers moved with the rhythm, their eyes full of emotion, sparkling as they looked around, every raised hand and every turn full of charm.

The long fans in their hands swayed gently, the peonies on the fan surfaces lifelike, as if swaying gracefully in the breeze.

The audience was immersed, attentively enjoying this dreamlike performance.

During the intervals between the acrobatics and dance performances, discussions rose and fell in the audience.

"That acrobatics was amazing, I felt my heart leap!"

A boy with black-rimmed glasses said excitedly, his hands still gesturing the acrobat's ball-throwing movements in the air.

"This dance is also exquisite, like Transmigration back to ancient times to watch court music and dance."

A girl with pigtails next to her responded.

Of course, the topic always included Mr. Lu, "Do you think Mr. Lu is always so aloof? Sitting there, he seems to have his own Qi, making people afraid to approach him."

A girl in a casual hoodie whispered to her companion, her eyes occasionally glancing at the main platform.

As the host's passionate voice sounded again, the commotion throughout the hall gradually subsided.

"Next, we have a special guest who will bring us an auditory feast with her singing. Let's give her a warm round of applause!"

The spotlight slowly moved across the stage, illuminating Chen Mengyao's path to the stage.

Chen Mengyao wore a light blue evening gown, like an elf emerging from a dreamy ocean.

The fitted cut perfectly hugged her figure, outlining her slender waist. With every step, the layered skirt swayed gently like ocean waves, and the tiny crystals embedded in the skirt shimmered with a soft glow, like twinkling stars in the night sky.

Her hair was elegantly swept up, with a few wisps falling perfectly around her fair neck, adding a touch of gentle charm and allure.

The moment Chen Mengyao appeared on stage, the entire hall instantly fell silent, followed by a burst of gasps.

The boys' eyes widened, their faces filled with awe.

The girls' eyes showed envy and admiration; they softly covered their mouths, letting out a low gasp, captivated by Chen Mengyao's beauty.

"Who is that? She's so beautiful!" A boy in the back row nudged his classmate with his elbow, his voice filled with undisguised surprise.

"I think she's a freshman. I've seen her a few times around campus, but I never expected her to be so stunning tonight!" The classmate next to him replied.

"Wow, with that beauty, she's definitely going to be our school's campus belle!" Another boy exclaimed, his face full of admiration.

Chen Mengyao felt countless gazes focused on her, and her face instantly flushed crimson.

She was inherently introverted and shy, and facing such a scene, nervousness surged like a tide.

She lowered her head slightly, took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down, constantly recalling the moments she spent with Mr. Lu, those warm moments giving her courage.

The music slowly began, a classic, heartfelt love song.

Chen Mengyao gently closed her eyes, adjusted her breathing, and slowly began to sing.

Her voice was clear and sweet, like a mountain spring, carrying traces of sadness and deep affection. Every note was imbued with sincere emotion, flowing from her lips and lingering throughout the entire auditorium.

The audience gradually quieted down, immersed in her singing.

After the song ended, the entire hall fell into a brief silence, then erupted in thunderous applause.

Chen Mengyao bowed slightly, thanking the audience, but she had no intention of leaving the stage.

She stood in place, tightly clutching the microphone.

"Actually, today I also have something I want to say to someone in person." Chen Mengyao's voice trembled slightly, tinged with nervousness and shyness.

"Here, I want to sincerely thank someone. During this time, he has been like a ray of light, illuminating my previously ordinary life. When I was lost and helpless, overwhelmed by difficulties, he always patiently helped me analyze and guided me; when I encountered setbacks and was full of frustration and wanted to give up, he gave me encouragement and the strength to stand up again. His companionship made me no longer lonely in this unfamiliar city and filled me with hope and anticipation for the future."

Chen Mengyao paused slightly, took a deep breath, and tears sparkled in her eyes.

"This person is Mr. Lu Chen."

The entire hall instantly erupted in an uproar, and everyone's gaze shot like arrows directly at Mr. Lu.

Mr. Lu, sitting on the main platform, showed a hint of surprise on his usually calm face. Then, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, revealing a faint smile, and a trace of tenderness appeared in his eyes, looking at Chen Mengyao with a different kind of emotion.

The students in the audience began to whisper.

"So she likes Mr. Lu! This is too shocking!"

"This is so romantic, confessing in front of so many people. How much courage does that take?"

"I wonder how Mr. Lu will respond? It's really exciting!"

Everyone's eyes were fixed on Mr. Lu and Chen Mengyao. The entire auditorium was filled with a tense yet expectant atmosphere, everyone holding their breath, waiting for Mr. Lu's response.