Shen Lin was a university vocal music teacher.
She hummed a few bars of three different songs: "I think 'Little Bridge Over Flowing Water' has more childlike charm, and the melody carries a stronger Republic-era nostalgia. How about we go with this one?"
Rong Ruoyao nodded. "Then let's go with Mom's choice."
"Are there any requirements for signing up for the talent show?"
Rong Yu's voice suddenly cut in.
Rong Ruoyao froze for a moment before turning around. "Sister, what did you say?"
"She asked what the requirements are for signing up for the talent show," Rong Qing'an put down his pen, his eyes filled with disdain. "Don’t tell me you’re thinking of signing up too?"
Rong Wangtian lifted his gaze. "Ruoyao has been studying singing since childhood and has already released several songs. It’s only natural for her to join the competition... What are you trying to stir up? Focus more on your studies!"
Rong Ruoyao chuckled softly.
This sister of hers really had no self-awareness.
A country bumpkin from the countryside, reeking of rural air, with unstandardized Mandarin and a thick accent—how could someone like that possibly sing?
Wait, come to think of it, she hadn’t heard that ridiculous accent in the past couple of days.
But that didn’t prove anything.
If she wanted to embarrass herself, why not give her the chance?
Rong Ruoyao spoke up. "Sister, I just checked—there aren’t any requirements for signing up."
Rong Yu nodded and went straight upstairs.
She opened the official website of the entertainment company under the Ji Group, skimmed through the requirements, then picked up her phone and started recording a video.
She sang "Moonlight Shining Bright."
"Moonlight shining bright upon the windowsill."
"Grandma taught me to cut paper window flowers..."
The singing inevitably drifted downstairs.
"She’s actually serious about joining the talent show? This is hilarious!" Rong Qing'an sneered. "Is she deliberately trying to make a fool of herself?"
Shen Lin paused.
That voice—it was so clear and bright.
But it wasn’t the typical clarity of a young girl. Instead, it carried an added warmth and steadiness...
"She really doesn’t know anything," Rong Ruoyao shook her head. "Professional recordings should be done in a studio. Recording in her room with just a phone? Not only will the sound quality be terrible, but there’ll be all kinds of background noise interfering..."
"That’s none of your concern," Shen Lin glanced at her watch. "Don’t stay up late studying tonight. Rest your voice—tomorrow morning, I’ll take you to the recording studio."
After finishing her recording, Rong Yu immediately sent it to the competition committee’s email.
She opened the newly purchased academic journal and started reading intently, losing track of time until two in the morning.
Yawning, she quickly showered and collapsed into bed, falling asleep instantly. The next morning, she stuffed a steamed bun into her mouth and rushed off to school.
She barely made it into the classroom before the morning self-study bell rang.
"Good morning."
Rong Yu turned her head and met Ji Zhouye’s smiling face.
Now that she thought about it, this guy looked somewhat familiar when he smiled—and he was actually quite good-looking. It was just that the bright pink hair was a bit too distracting.
But since when did this guy ever greet her?
A weasel paying respects to a chicken—clearly up to no good.
She pulled out her textbook and was about to flip it open when a cup of milk tea appeared in her line of sight.
"I got this for you."
Ji Zhouye rested his chin on his hand, grinning at her.
Rong Yu pushed it away. "No thanks."
She turned to her scratch paper and started solving equations, completely immersing herself in her own world.
Chen Nian looked utterly baffled. "Wild Bro, you actually bought milk tea for this arrogant woman?"
Ji Zhouye coughed and lowered his voice. "Actually, she has a crush on me."
"Wh—what?" Chen Nian nearly choked on his own spit. "Wild Bro, are you sure there isn’t some kind of misunderstanding here?"
"She keeps provoking me just to get my attention," Ji Zhouye smirked. "She scored barely over a hundred on the college entrance exam and had to repeat the year, yet she puts on this act of studying hard every day—all just to change my opinion of her."
Chen Nian’s lips twitched. "R-really?"
"Of course. Otherwise, why would a humanities student transfer to the science track?" Ji Zhouye chuckled. "I’ve come up with the perfect revenge—pretend to be interested in her, pursue her, and then, when she’s hopelessly in love with me, dump her in front of everyone."
"Wild Bro, you’re a genius! That’s an amazing plan!" Chen Nian gave a thumbs-up. "When she gets humiliated in public, she’ll definitely cry. Hahaha, just imagining her bawling her eyes out already makes me feel so satisfied..."
Just then, a cold glare swept over them.
Rong Yu spoke icily. "What are you two gossiping about so enthusiastically?"
"Nothing," Ji Zhouye grinned cheekily. "Here, add me as a friend, and I won’t disturb your studying anymore."
The group exchanged WeChat contacts.
Once morning classes ended, Rong Yu grabbed her meal card and headed to the cafeteria.
High schoolers usually moved in groups, but Rong Yu was used to being alone—she preferred doing everything solo.
But just as she stepped out of the classroom, someone fell into step beside her.
Ji Zhouye walked on her right, clearing his throat. "A new Western restaurant just opened across the street. How about I treat you to lunch?"
Rong Yu ignored him.
"Not a fan of Western food?" Ji Zhouye caught up. "Then how about hot pot? Or barbecue? Hey, Rong Yu, why are you walking so fast? Fine, fine, this young master will lower himself to eat at the cafeteria with you."
After getting her food, Rong Yu sat down, only for Ji Zhouye to plop himself right across from her.
She looked up. "What exactly do you want? Just say it outright."
If he was looking for trouble, she’d just knock him out with a couple of punches and be done with it.
But this guy was just... being nice.
"I don’t want anything," Ji Zhouye flashed what he probably thought was a dashing smile. "I just... want to be good to you."
Rong Yu: "..."
She really wanted to curse right now.
"Sister, what a coincidence!"
Rong Ruoyao suddenly appeared in her line of sight.
She walked over, wearing a sweet smile. "Ji Zhouye, you’re eating in the cafeteria too?"
Ji Zhouye glanced up. "What, do I need to report to the school belle before I can eat here?"
Rong Ruoyao’s smile didn’t waver.
But inwardly, she was puzzled.
Hadn’t she heard that Rong Yu was being bullied by Ji Zhouye? Rumor even had it that they’d gotten into a fight in the classroom.
So why were the two of them eating together now?
She spoke up. "My sister just came from the countryside and isn’t familiar with a lot of things. Ji Zhouye, could you do me a favor and look out for her?"
Back in their first year of high school, she’d been voted school belle.
After that, she’d been swarmed by admirers every day. One time, Ji Zhouye had even cornered her on the sports field, presenting her with cake and a love letter.
Since she was already engaged to Song Huai, she’d naturally had no interest in a slacker like Ji Zhouye.
But if he’d liked her back then, surely she still held some sway over him.
Sure enough, she heard Ji Zhouye say, "So you’re the school belle’s sister? In that case, of course I’ll take care of her. Rong Yu, you’re too skinny—here, have my braised pork."
Rong Yu pushed the plate back. "I’m done eating. You two chat."
She picked up her empty tray, dumped it in the return bin, and left without a backward glance.
Ji Zhouye chuckled.
So easily flustered—she really couldn’t handle being teased...
Hands in his pockets, he sauntered after her.
Rong Ruoyao frowned.
She’d gone out of her way to talk to Ji Zhouye, and he’d just... walked away?
Hadn’t he liked her?
