Embedded Files
Psst! We're moving!
Perhaps because she had listened to the song too many times, Lin Zhan felt as if she had been brainwashed. The moment she woke up early in the morning, the melody of the song echoed relentlessly in her mind, like an enchantment lingering in her ears, refusing to fade.
After several rehearsals, everyone managed to keep straight faces, and the overall performance was shaping up well.
Only then did the class’s arts committee member organize the selection of costumes.
Since everyone had been protesting that the originally chosen performance outfits were too ugly, the arts committee member decided to take everyone to a store to pick new ones in person.
She had found a great shop—unlike the garish performance costumes commonly found in the market, the clothes here were simple yet stylish, with all-new designs.
Someone called out to Lin Zhan, “This dress is so pretty! It’s perfect for our star performer. Zhanzhan, come take a look!”
The arts committee member had also picked one out: “Yours isn’t as nice as mine. I suggest Lin Zhan wear this one—it’ll absolutely stun everyone.”
The two dresses were completely different styles.
One was a black bandeau mini dress—a fail-proof A-line silhouette with a fitted waist and layers of tulle at the hem, giving it a perfect shape.
The other was a mint-green ombré dress, a soft, fresh color that would make fair skin look ethereal. It had thin spaghetti straps and a V-neckline that flattered the face.
One girl cut straight to the point: “This isn’t complicated. Zhanzhan could pull off either one—her complexion and figure aren’t picky about clothes. But the first one is more cool and glamorous, while the second is cuter. It just depends on the style she wants.”
Lin Zhan said, “Let me take pictures and ask my friends.”
After snapping photos, she sent messages to both Zheng Yimian and Shen Xi:
[Which one looks better for the performance?]
A boy behind her saw her sending the messages and couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re sending this to Shen Xi? Will he even reply?”
In his eyes, Shen Xi never responded to anything unrelated to official duties.
Lin Zhan nodded confidently. “He will.”
The next second, her phone chimed with a notification.
Lin Zhan opened it and held up her phone. “See? I told you he’d reply.”
The boy raised his hands in surrender. “Damn, you win.”
Shen Xi’s reply was three words:
[The first one.]
So he liked that style, huh?
Lin Zhan replied: [Got it.]
Zheng Yimian’s response came quickly too:
[The first one is gorgeous! You’ve never tried a cool, glamorous look before, right? Add some makeup and red lipstick, and you’ll be the next Audrey Hepburn—absolutely stunning.]
Lin Zhan: [Then I’ll go with the first one.]
Once everyone had picked their outfits, they checked out and left.
________________________________________
The arts festival arrived quickly, scheduled from 2 to 6 PM, with the morning off for the whole school.
But those with performances had to rehearse in the school auditorium in the morning.
After a rough run-through, they changed into their costumes for a more detailed rehearsal.
Shen Xi was backstage, checking inventory and organizing the schedule.
Lin Zhan led the entire Super Star group backstage.
“Everyone has their costumes, right? Go change now.”
On the stage, the host was passionately announcing:
“Next up—a poetry recital!”
The poetry recital group, having just changed, rushed onto the stage in a chaotic swarm.
With no prior experience and so many people needing to change, backstage was a complete mess.
Due to limited space, only a few could change at a time.
Lin Zhan said, “I won’t crowd in with you guys. Go ahead first.”
While waiting, she noticed Shen Xi recording something nearby.
A nosy student council member next to him nudged him excitedly. “Chairman, someone’s here.”
Shen Xi, unsure who could provoke such enthusiasm, asked, “Who?”
“...Lin Zhan.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Lin Zhan leaned in, waving a hand in front of Shen Xi. “Long time no see.”
Shen Xi glanced at her T-shirt and jeans. “Isn’t your performance next? Shouldn’t you be changing?”
Hadn’t she just asked him to pick a costume earlier?
“I will,” Lin Zhan pouted. “There’s no space, so I let them go first.”
Shen Xi didn’t engage further, returning to his inventory check.
Lin Zhan leaned in conspiratorially. “Did you see our rehearsal earlier?”
Shen Xi paused. “...No, I was handling sign-ins.”
Lin Zhan’s face fell instantly.
Seeing her expression shift so dramatically, Shen Xi couldn’t help but smile slightly. “There’s still the dress rehearsal and the actual performance. I’ll watch then.”
Her expression softened. “But how will I know if you’re really paying attention?”
Shen Xi was speechless. “...”
“How about writing a review? Or just praise me?”
“...”
“It has to include keywords like ‘Zhanzhan is the prettiest’ or ‘Zhanzhan is the coolest.’ ‘The reincarnation of Hepburn’ would work too.”
“...” Shen Xi looked past her. “Your friends are done. Go change.”
Before leaving, Lin Zhan snapped her fingers at him. “It’s a deal, then.”
...
Who said anything about a deal?
Meanwhile, the student council member was furiously texting a gossipy friend:
[They talked.]
[Eye contact! The chairman looked at her!]
[Lin Zhan asked him to praise her beauty.]
[Lin Zhan said “It’s a deal” to the chairman!]
[...]
[I’m blind. I just saw the chairman smile at her—fondly!]
(...secretly.)
________________________________________
In the dressing room, Lin Zhan stripped down to her bandeau bra and checked her shorts.
Good, everything was in place.
She slipped into the dress.
The zipper was at the back. Though her arms weren’t short, reaching the very top still required some effort.
After stuffing her clothes into her bag, she stepped out. “Xiao He, can you help me zip—”
She looked up—the next group had already taken over the area.
...
Shen Xi kindly reminded her, “Your performance is next. They’ve already gone onstage to get familiar with their positions.”
Lin Zhan blinked. “Then what about me?”
Shen Xi gave her a strange look. “You should be onstage too.”
Lin Zhan: “...My zipper isn’t all the way up. What if my dress falls off onstage?”
The next performance was a nunchaku routine—all guys.
Amid the noisy backstage, Shen Xi and Lin Zhan stared at each other in silence.
Finally, Lin Zhan said resolutely, “Can you help me zip it? If it’s awkward, then never—”
Before she could finish, Shen Xi set down his clipboard and pen.
“Where’s the zipper?”
Lin Zhan stepped closer, turning her back to him, and pointed. “Here. It’s almost done, just the very top part—”
Shen Xi pinched the base of the zipper with one hand and pulled the tab up with the other.
Zzzip. It slid smoothly to the top.
Because he had held the fabric taut, the dress tightened slightly around her chest before loosening again.
Shen Xi: “Done.”
Lin Zhan: “There’s a hook at the top. Did you fasten it?”
Realizing he’d missed it, he carefully secured the hook without touching her.
For once, Lin Zhan flushed slightly. After thanking him, she hurried toward the stage.
The student council member was frantically texting again:
[HE ZIPPED HER DRESS! SO ROMANTIC!!!]
Shen Xi: “Li Jiang, what are you looking at?”
The member jumped, scrambling over. “Nothing, really!”
Just gossiping about you…
________________________________________
Since the arts festival was important, they ran through the entire program three times.
After the second rehearsal, it was time for makeup.
Stage makeup had to be heavy—most looks were overly dramatic for the sake of visibility.
Lin Zhan didn’t know how to apply stage makeup, so the task fell to the arts committee member.
After moisturizing, the committee member caked on a thick layer of foundation.
Lin Zhan held up a mirror. “Isn’t this too pale?”
The committee member: “You don’t get it—stage makeup is always this light. Besides, I didn’t use much. You’re already fair, so a little goes a long way.”
“Do you want standard stage makeup or something more natural?”
Lin Zhan: “...Something more natural. I still have to eat later—I don’t want to scare people.”
The committee member: “Then I’ll use individual false lashes. They’ll show up on stage but won’t be too heavy.”
Finally, she applied a matte lip stain.
Once her makeup was done, Sun Hong and the others arrived early.
He took one look at her and exclaimed, “Wow, Audrey Hepburn!”
Qi Lijie: “Damn, with makeup, she’s even prettier than before.”
Sun Hong: “It’s one of the three great sorceries of Asia. What did you expect?”
Qi Lijie: “But I have a question—how do you eat with lipstick on? Aren’t we going out to eat later?”
The committee member scoffed. “We still have one more rehearsal. She can remove it before eating.”
...
Once everyone was made up, the final rehearsal began.
This was the most formal run-through yet.
Lin Zhan strapped on a wing-like accessory—something she hadn’t wanted, but the committee member insisted on using since it had already been bought.
It took forever to put on and was surprisingly heavy.
Before going onstage, she pointed at herself. “I don’t look ridiculous, right?”
Sun Hong: “You look amazing. Now go!”
________________________________________
“Next up, please welcome Class 3-2’s performance—Super Star!”
Everyone took their positions.
By now, the student council had finished their duties and stood below the stage to watch.
The moment Lin Zhan appeared, the previously exhausted council members perked up instantly.
Before she even began singing, they were already whistling and applauding.
Sensing the sudden excitement, Shen Xi turned to the stage.
The lights brightened.
The black dress accentuated her tall, graceful figure, her skin luminous against the dark fabric. Her delicate collarbones formed a perfect line.
Her hair had been styled—a small braid tucked behind her ear, a subtle detail that added charm.
Lin Zhan usually wore no makeup, her freshness radiating naturally.
But now, with this look, she carried an untouchable allure—like an Egyptian myth veiled in mystery.
Just standing there, she had already captured the attention of most boys in the room.
Shen Xi glanced at the student council members—all of them were grinning at the stage.
His pen, which he had been spinning, stilled.
For a brief moment, he wished the power would go out.
He didn’t want so many people looking at her.
The thought unsettled him, but he refused to dwell on it.
A man of action, he spoke before the feeling could fully form.
“Student council, follow me.”
They were standing so close to the stage, it was practically improper.
“Where to, Chairman?” Someone reluctantly tore their gaze away. “Can’t we watch first?”
He didn’t actually have a destination.
For the first time, he felt at a loss for how to direct himself.
Shen Xi stood and took a few steps. “We’ll discuss outside.”
Just then, the first lyrics echoed through the speakers.
Lin Zhan, mid-performance, saw Shen Xi getting up and froze, a lump forming in her throat.
Hadn’t he promised to watch? Was he backing out now?
As the first verse ended, her part began.
By then, Shen Xi was nearly at the exit.
Without thinking, Lin Zhan grabbed the mic and called out—
Her voice, much louder than before, cut sharply through the music.
Shen Xi stopped.
He turned, lifting his gaze to meet hers.
Google Sites
Report abuse