WG - 45

The curtains on stage rose, cutting off the audience below.

The lights dimmed slowly, casting their glow on the host stepping onto the side of the stage.

“Thank you to Chi Zhiyu from Class 3, Grade 12, for her opening dance. Her beautiful performance truly left us in awe...”

Applause continued to echo from the audience as Chi Zhiyu lifted her dress with one hand and walked backstage into the girls’ dressing room.

Wu Xuan, seeing her return, stood up to pour her a glass of water and handed it over. “How was it? The cheers were so loud—it must have gone well, right?”

“I don’t know,” Chi Zhiyu replied, accepting the water with thanks. “I came back as soon as I finished.” After taking a sip, she asked, “Are you ready?”

“I’m all set,” Wu Xuan said. “We can put our costumes on later.”

“I’ll go change first, then we’ll head out together to find them.”

“Alright.”

Chi Zhiyu picked up her clothes and headed into the changing room. Wu Xuan sat down in her seat, sending a message ahead to let Li Taoran’s group know where they were.

Li Taoran: [We’re in the very last row in the middle. You’ll see us when you come.]

Just as this message arrived, Chi Zhiyu stepped out. Wu Xuan glanced at her phone and said, “Let’s go. Li Taoran said they’re in the last row.”

Chi Zhiyu blinked. “The last row?”

“Yeah, I don’t know why they’re sitting so far back either.” Wu Xuan pulled her along toward the exit on the side. Glancing at the audience seating area ahead, she added, “But this is convenient. If others saw us in full makeup, they’d definitely be startled.”

Since they were seated in the last row, the two of them could bypass the main hall and enter through the rear door of the audience seating from the other staircase, avoiding crossing through the crowd.

As Chi Zhiyu followed Wu Xuan into the venue, she immediately spotted the three figures sitting in the last row in the central section.

Approaching closer, she overheard Li Taoran asking Xie Ye what he had just said earlier since he hadn’t heard it properly.

Xie Ye completely ignored him, treating him like thin air.

A few steps later, Chi Zhiyu caught the words “responsibility” again and blinked.

At that moment, Su Le turned his head and suddenly noticed their arrival. Startled, he instinctively exclaimed, “Holy—”

Li Taoran realized someone was coming and quickly stopped himself mid-sentence.

“Is it really that scary?” Chi Zhiyu walked over and sat in the empty seat beside Xie Ye, while Wu Xuan took the seat next to her.

Li Taoran looked at her face curiously and asked, “Why didn’t your makeup look as heavy when we saw you earlier?”

“The stage lights make it appear lighter,” Chi Zhiyu explained. Turning to Xie Ye, she extended her hand. “Did you buy dinner?”

Xie Ye watched her, now dressed in her school uniform jacket instead of her dance costume, and silently handed her the bag beside him without a word.

Chi Zhiyu took it, opened it, and found her usual sandwich and milk inside—two sets.

He must have been too lazy to choose anything else and simply bought duplicates.

Chi Zhiyu handed one set to Wu Xuan, and the two quietly began eating.

Though their entrance had been silent, the people around weren’t blind. As soon as Chi Zhiyu entered, everyone nearby started stealing glances at her.

But after shifting their gaze and spotting Xie Ye beside her, they were startled and quickly averted their eyes.

Chi Zhiyu ate her bread, looking up at the performance on stage.

At this moment, Wu Xuan leaned close to whisper in her ear, “What’s wrong with Xie Ye?”

“Hmm? What do you mean?”

“Look at his expression,” Wu Xuan guessed. “Did someone upset him? This is supposed to be a comedy skit, but it looks like he’s watching some revenge drama.”

“...” Chi Zhiyu glanced at Xie Ye’s expression, then followed his gaze to the stage. She sighed. “He probably thinks everyone on stage is an idiot.”

Wu Xuan: “...”

Chi Zhiyu didn’t think there was anything wrong with what she said. Taking a few more bites of her sandwich, she felt full and picked up her milk to sip silently through the straw.

Hearing the sound of her putting away the packaging, Xie Ye glanced at the barely touched sandwich and frowned. “You’re done already?”

Chi Zhiyu, biting the straw, nodded.

Xie Ye smirked. “This is you being full?”

“I’m stuffed,” Chi Zhiyu lowered the milk carton. “And I can’t eat too much before my next performance.”

Xie Ye narrowed his eyes. “What performance?”

Chi Zhiyu placed the milk back in the bag and casually replied, “A group dance, with Wu Xuan.”

“Oh.” Xie Ye lazily drawled, “Isn’t a group dance where you disappear into the crowd?”

Chi Zhiyu thought for a moment and nodded. “More or less.”

Xie Ye’s lips relaxed slightly, and his tone grew languid. “Then why are you performing if no one will see you?”

Chi Zhiyu blinked. “No, that’s not true.”

Xie Ye: “?”

Chi Zhiyu: “I’m the center position—the one who stands out the most.”

Xie Ye: “...”

There weren’t many performances during the graduation ceremony—only five in total.

Chi Zhiyu had taken the opening spot and participated in the finale as well.

Though called a group dance, there weren’t many participants because only eight art students at the school practiced classical dance, while the rest specialized in other styles.

When Chi Zhiyu returned to the stage in full makeup, the classmates in the audience automatically erupted into cheers.

She didn’t react much, standing in the center and raising her gaze to look toward the last row.

Through the dim lighting, she locked eyes with Xie Ye across the entire audience.

His gaze, faint yet piercing, landed directly on her.

Only her.

As if to say—

I see you.

The clearest, most obvious you.

Music filled the air.

Chi Zhiyu snapped back to reality, lowering her gaze to conceal her emotions. With graceful movements, she raised her sleeves, partially covering the slight curve of her lips.

She turned and shifted positions with Wu Xuan, steadying her mind and immersing herself fully in the dance.

...

After the final performance ended, Chi Zhiyu controlled her breathing and stepped forward with the entire group to bow deeply. As she straightened up, she instinctively glanced toward the last row.

But Xie Ye’s seat was empty, as were Su Le’s and Li Taoran’s.

Chi Zhiyu paused, preparing to look around, but her classmates behind her had already begun retreating. A beat slower, she joined them in heading backstage.

“Woo-hoo, it’s over! It’s over!”

Wu Xuan sighed dramatically as soon as she walked out.

The girl beside her teared up instantly upon hearing this. “Don’t say that. Now I’m about to cry.”

Several others patted her shoulder sympathetically. “Oh, come on. It’s not like we’ll never see each other again. Don’t cry, don’t cry!”

Wu Xuan hugged Chi Zhiyu. “A-Yu, don’t be sad. Everything’s fine.”

“...” Chi Zhiyu, unexpectedly embraced, smiled faintly and patted her back with one hand. “Relax, I’m not crying. You’re the one who shouldn’t cry.”

“Who’s crying?” Wu Xuan looked up at her, but her reddened eyes betrayed her.

Chi Zhiyu, noticing her tearful corners, smiled faintly and nodded. “Right, you’re not crying.”

The group filed into the dressing room. Wu Xuan sat at her station, removing her makeup while talking about the bittersweet feelings of parting.

Others who had already packed up bid farewell and left. After changing out of her costume, Chi Zhiyu casually asked Wu Xuan, “Did you notice Xie Ye and the others were gone?”

“Huh? They’re gone?” Wu Xuan paused, realization dawning. “Wait, I’ve been wallowing here for ages. Are you telling me you’ve been thinking about where Xie Ye went this whole time?”

Chi Zhiyu: “...”

Wu Xuan, observing her expression, understood. Calmly, she said, “Chi Zhiyu, I think I’ve figured it out.”

Chi Zhiyu hummed. “Figured out what?”

“You.” Wu Xuan glanced at her sideways. “You’re utterly smitten with Xie Ye.”

Chi Zhiyu: “...”

Chi Zhiyu: ?

“Tell me the truth,” Wu Xuan walked to the door, idly remarking, “You’re absolutely crazy about Xie Ye, aren’t you?”

Hearing this phrase again, Chi Zhiyu choked slightly. “What nonsense. Besides liking him, how do you know I love him?”

“Exactly,” Wu Xuan twirled the doorknob with one hand, pulling it open. “Sister here is known as the ultimate lo—”

Chi Zhiyu, hearing Wu Xuan’s voice suddenly pause, raised her head to look at her. But before she could fully turn, a figure appeared in her line of sight outside the door.

Leaning casually against the doorframe, the boy’s eyelids drooped lazily. His demeanor was relaxed and indifferent—he had clearly been waiting there for some time.

Silently.

Hearing the movement inside, Xie Ye slowly lifted his eyelids and met her gaze.

Before Chi Zhiyu could say anything, Wu Xuan quickly interjected, “You’re here for A-Yu, right? Mm, okay. I’ll leave then.”

With that, she didn’t give them a chance to respond, stepping around Xie Ye and running off without another word.

“...”

Chi Zhiyu looked at the person across from her, parted her lips, but no sound came out.

Xie Ye glanced at her first, indifferently asking, “Ready?”

Chi Zhiyu’s mind felt a bit dull. She hesitated. “What?”

Xie Ye tilted his chin slightly. “If you’re ready, let’s go.”

“Oh.” Chi Zhiyu nodded. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”

She opened the door, stepped out of the dressing room, and closed the door behind her. Her eyes swept over the thickness of the wooden door.

Would it block sound?

And besides, Wu Xuan hadn’t spoken loudly. He probably hadn’t heard anything.

But Xie Ye had been leaning by the door. Would he really not have heard?

If he had, surely he wouldn’t react like this.

In half a second, countless thoughts flashed through Chi Zhiyu’s mind. But her expression remained calm as she naturally released the handle and followed him out.

After walking a few steps, Chi Zhiyu’s mind wandered for a moment. Then, she looked up at him. Xie Ye happened to glance at her at the same time.

Their eyes met for a second.

Chi Zhiyu looked away, walking naturally for a few more steps.

Looking at his expression, she detected no issues. Yet she couldn’t tell whether he had heard anything, leaving her heart uneasy.

Countless scenarios raced through her mind, but ultimately, she reached no conclusion.

Walking slowly, she suddenly remembered something and softly asked, “Why were you here?”

Without lifting his eyes, Xie Ye responded, “To see if you planned to spend the night in there.”

“...”

So he thought she was taking too long.

Chi Zhiyu wasn’t in the mood to argue and feigned calmness. “Then when did you arrive? Have you been waiting at the door for long?”

“Mm.”

Chi Zhiyu raised her gaze.

“Not long.” Xie Ye’s expression remained indifferent, thoughtful. “I waited for a bit.”

“...”

Chi Zhiyu pressed further. “How long is ‘a bit’?”

Xie Ye glanced at her. “Why?”

“It’s not like I’m worried you’ll blame me for keeping you waiting,” Chi Zhiyu hastily fibbed. “You might come to scold me later.”

Xie Ye sneered. “Do I look bored?”

“...”

Aren’t you exactly that?

Chi Zhiyu didn’t say this aloud but smoothly followed up. “Though I was talking with other girls inside—it must have been quite noisy.”

She glanced at him. “Did you hear anything?”

Xie Ye lazily replied, “Oh, no.”

Before Chi Zhiyu could breathe a sigh of relief, Xie Ye slowly added, “By the time I arrived, they were just leaving. What would I have heard?”

“...”

“You just happened to arrive?” Chi Zhiyu zeroed in on the key point. “So you just stood by the door and waited?”

Xie Ye looked down at her. “Why do you care so much?”

“...”

“So anxious—are you afraid I’ll discover something? Or...” Xie Ye stared at her, enunciating each word deliberately, “Afraid I’ll overhear something?”

Chi Zhiyu paused, mouth opening to speak. Suddenly, the sole overhead light in the corridor emitted a faint “zii” sound, flickering erratically.

Chi Zhiyu furrowed her brow, instinctively raising her head to look. But before she could move, the world went dark.

The lights went out.

Surrounded by darkness, her eyes struggled to adjust. The surroundings were pitch black, and she could see nothing.

Chi Zhiyu froze in place, instinctively reaching out to grab hold of someone nearby. “Xie Ye?”

Her hand moved through the air until her fingertips were suddenly caught. “Here.”

Feeling him beside her, Chi Zhiyu exhaled in relief. “Did the lights break?”

Xie Ye calmly affirmed, “Mm.”

Chi Zhiyu had mild nyctalopia, making it difficult for her to see in low light. This unease intensified.

Afraid he might suddenly let go, she tightened her grip on his fingers and softly asked, “Can you see?”

Xie Ye paused, his gaze shifting toward the faint glow of light at the exit. He retracted his focus and murmured, “Oh.” His palm slid downward, enveloping her hand.

“Can’t see.”

“...”

The sensation of his touch was intense, his warmth almost scorching.

His hands were large, completely enclosing hers within his palm.

Chi Zhiyu’s heart skipped a beat.

By the time she snapped back to reality, Xie Ye was already leading her forward slowly, hand in hand.

Chi Zhiyu licked her lips, emboldened enough to tighten her grip, aligning her palm perfectly with his.

“Are we walking forward?” she asked, her voice steady.

Xie Ye’s voice carried a strange hoarseness as he casually replied, “Yeah.”

“Oh.”

Chi Zhiyu’s brows curved slightly upward. Tilting her head, she blinked, trying to make out his expression in the dark—but saw nothing.

Yet somehow...

She felt as though she could see him hidden in the shadows.

Those slightly raised eyebrows, and the faint curve at the corner of his lips.

...

Their steps were unhurried as they walked, but the corridor wasn’t long, and they soon approached the exit at the end.

Gradually, Chi Zhiyu began to perceive a faint light in her field of vision, faintly illuminating the safety exit sign hanging on the wall.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed from behind, accompanied by voices—they must be other staff members.

“Excuse me, students ahead. Step aside.”

The backstage corridor was one-way, with only one exit. Anyone passing through would inevitably encounter them.

Chi Zhiyu thought, Isn’t this hallway wide enough? Why do they need to step aside?

Xie Ye turned to see the staff pushing a cart and led her toward an empty room on the side.

Unable to see, Chi Zhiyu assumed it was flat ground and followed without question. Just as she was about to ask where they were going, her toe caught on something resembling a threshold.

Before she could react, her body lurched forward abruptly, falling directly into Xie Ye’s arms.

Xie Ye hadn’t anticipated this either. Instinctively, he shielded her head and shoulders, allowing her momentum to push him back a few steps until his back hit the door.

The atmosphere froze for a few seconds.

Even though Chi Zhiyu couldn’t see, she was acutely aware of her current position.

Her hands rested on Xie Ye’s shoulders, and due to the force of her fall, she leaned forward, her chin colliding lightly with his chest.

Xie Ye seemed to lower his head, his broad chest rising and falling slightly, warm and firm. His scent filled her senses entirely.

Chi Zhiyu instinctively raised her head. And as their movements shifted, her lips grazed lightly against his exposed collarbone, brushing past where his summer uniform had slightly pulled apart.

Instantly, both stiffened.

Chi Zhiyu dared not move, raising her eyes to meet his gaze, which had grown subtly darker.

Her mind went blank.

They were impossibly close, pressed tightly together.

Her breath lingered between them.

Xie Ye’s eyes darkened further, his Adam’s apple rolling slowly. The hand resting on her shoulder rose slightly, his fingertips gently grazing the corner of her lips with the same pressure.

Chi Zhiyu’s breath hitched.

“Just now,” Xie Ye suddenly spoke, pausing for two seconds, his voice tinged with huskiness, “where did you sneak a kiss?”