This is a bit off!
Zhu Yaya had a keen sense that something wasn't quite right.
Shen Wandang, as the number one female supporting character in "The Overbearing Him, The Pure Love," held the title of campus belle, utterly captivating all the younger boys. Li Hao was a typical case. Yet, she still couldn't withstand the powerful effect of the female lead's halo. In the book, the male lead and all the high-quality male supporting characters loved Xu Chun.
You could also say that, aside from the men belonging to the female lead, all the other boys liked Shen Wandang.
Wait, except for Yan Heng. However, Yan Heng had a very high probability of being Ling Yixiao, the villain who appears in "The Overbearing Him, The Pure Love."
But this Duan Zong, firstly, he's not the male lead or a male supporting character, and secondly, he's not the villain. How could he be immune to Shen Wandang's campus belle halo? Could it be that there's hidden plot in "The Overbearing Him, The Pure Love"?
Zhu Yaya thought it over and over but couldn't figure anything out, so she simply stopped her wild speculations. What if she slandered a good person?
Take one step at a time!
Zhu Yaya put the matter aside and threw herself wholeheartedly into the upcoming training.
Finally, Ms. Wang announced the end and told them to take good care of their voices these next few days.
Zhu Yaya's throat was parched. She gulped down half a bottle of water before feeling somewhat recovered.
Duan Zong stepped forward with a gentle smile: "Junior Zhu, it's getting late. My family driver is coming to pick me up. Would you like me to give you a ride home?"
Zhu Yaya wiped her mouth and was just about to refuse when she heard a familiar, clear, and cool voice—
"No need. I'll take her."
Yan Heng was leaning against the classroom doorframe, arms crossed over his chest, cool and aloof.
Duan Zong's smile didn't change, but his eyes darkened: "So it's our top student, classmate Yan Heng!"
Zhu Yaya wiped the cold sweat on her forehead, feeling like Duan Zong's tone was somewhat sarcastic. The atmosphere between him and Yan Heng was a bit strange.
Oh my!
A little thrill of excitement ran through Zhu Yaya. Could she be encountering the legendary love rivalry scene?
Duan Zong gave Zhu Yaya a polite smile: "Since Junior Zhu has classmate Yan Heng to see her home, then I'm at ease. I'll be going now. Goodbye, Junior Zhu."
Zhu Yaya smiled back at him: "Senior Duan, see you tomorrow."
Yan Heng's posture remained unchanged. Duan Zong passed by him, giving him a meaningful look and chuckling softly: "Goodbye, classmate Yan Heng."
Yan Heng didn't even glance at him.
On the way home, Yan Heng surprisingly took the initiative to ask Zhu Yaya: "Is Duan Zong also a host?"
Zhu Yaya nodded: "Yes! The teacher said he hosted the New Year's Eve party last year too. He has a lot of hosting experience."
Yan Heng's expression turned cold: "Stay away from him from now on."
"It's just for these few days! After the New Year's Eve party, we probably won't see each other again." Zhu Yaya gave him a reassuring smile.
The next day during training, Duan Zong actively struck up a conversation: "Junior Zhu, I heard you're very close with Yan Heng?"
Zhu Yaya thought of Yan Heng standing in the hallway outside the classroom and quietly increased the distance between herself and Duan Zong: "We are close.
How could we not be?
Yan Heng's father is her own father Zhu Jianjun's university alumnus and colleague. When Yan Heng's mother passed away, she was the one who stayed by his side. They always go home together.
"Oh." Duan Zong just made that sound and didn't say anything more.
It left Zhu Yaya feeling somewhat uneasy.
She wondered if it was because Duan Zong was jealous that Yan Heng's grades were always better than his? She worried a little, would Duan Zong be less friendly to her because of this?
But Duan Zong's behavior over the next few days was the same as before, no different.
Zhu Yaya then relaxed.
The three hosts' measurements had been submitted, and the school quickly borrowed gowns for them.
The two boys' attire was suits from an international luxury brand, in a deep blue color.
Zhu Yaya's gown was also from a famous international fashion brand, also in deep blue. Layers of tulle created a puffy, voluminous feel, adorned with something that made the deep blue dress sparkle with silvery specks, beautiful like a starry sky. A black satin ribbon cinched the waist, embroidered with delicate patterns in silver thread. The school had even provided her with a pair of high heels to match.
One look and you knew the price must be... touching!
Tears welled up in Zhu Yaya's eyes: Was this something her poor self was worthy of wearing?
Ms. Wang asked Zhu Yaya to go try it on for size.
After putting it on, Zhu Yaya didn't dare move a muscle. She had never worn a gown before and was terrified of damaging it. Her mind was constantly being spammed with "Am I worthy?"
However, it was quite awkward—Zhu Yaya wasn't wearing a strapless bra, and this gown was a strapless design, so her bra straps were showing.
Zhu Yaya: Thankfully, it's just her and Ms. Wang, who is the same gender.
Ms. Wang, upon seeing Zhu Yaya in the gown, was about to praise her, but spotting the exposed straps, she swallowed the compliments and said, "When you go back, ask your mom to buy you a nude-colored bra, the kind without straps."
Zhu Yaya nodded. That was a must.
Ms. Wang continued: "I was also negligent. I see you walk a bit awkwardly in high heels. Practice walking in them when you get home."
"Okay."
It was Zhu Yaya's first time wearing a gown, and she was excited. On the way home, she chattered nonstop to Yan Heng about how beautiful the gown was, how pretty she looked in it.
Zhu Yaya declared with great (and rather shameless) conviction: "Anyway, at the New Year's Eve party, you're definitely going to be stunned by me!"
"Mhm."
"You don't believe me?" Zhu Yaya was somewhat dissatisfied with Yan Heng's response.
"I believe you." Because you already stun me now.
Winter days are short, and the streetlights had already come on early. Yan Heng looked down at Zhu Yaya's features softened by the lamplight and said nothing.
After returning home, Zhu Yaya relayed Ms. Wang's instructions to Zhao Jing.
It was their precious daughter's first time being a host; of course her parents would support and help her!
Zhao Jing acted swiftly, energetically taking Zhu Yaya to the mall, buying her a suitable strapless bra and also a pair of high heels.
Back home, Zhu Yaya put on the high heels and practiced her walking posture in the living room.
Zhu Jianjun, sitting on the sofa watching her walk back and forth, sighed mournfully: "How did our Yabao grow up so fast? Once grown up, she'll get married. Who knows which pig will come and dig up the tender cabbage we've been raising for so long!"
Zhao Jing said: "Yabao is only in her first year of high school, right? Marriage is still a long way off!"
"But our Yabao will eventually get married, will eventually leave us." The old father Zhu Jianjun fell into sorrow.
Zhao Jing rolled her eyes: "What? You don't want Yabao to get married?"
"It's not like we can't afford to keep Yabao. What if she marries some scumbag or a social-climbing guy? What if her future in-laws are terrible? Better find someone local!"
"Aren't you still eyeing Old Fan's grandson next door?"
"Ah," Zhu Jianjun stammered, "Of course, we want a grandson, but our daughter has to be well too..."
Zhu Yaya, who was practicing her walking posture in the living room, had no idea that her parents were already discussing which brand of diapers to buy for her future child.
