When Chi Yao finished singing, the entire stage seemed to have become his concert.
Someone in the audience shouted: “One more song!”
Chi Yao had already finished playing, the music had stopped, and in a moment of quiet, he lowered his hand, leaned close to the standing microphone, and unexpectedly responded across the distance: “Stop shouting, not happening.”
“I only learned this one song. Whoever wants to hear more can come up and play themselves.”
Hearing this, both the audience below the stage and the host preparing to enter couldn’t help but laugh.
After Chi Yao left the stage, Chen Lin applauded and said, “He played quite well!”
Lin Zhexia had already put down her phone.
Like a thief, she flipped her phone over and placed it face down on her knee.
And secretly prayed in her heart that no one had seen her sneaky photo-taking just now.
Chen Lin asked again: “Have you heard him sing before? I didn’t expect his singing to be so pleasant.”
Lin Zhexia responded with an “Ah” and said: “I’ve heard it, but not many times.”
Chen Lin indicated this answer was within her expectations: “That makes sense. Someone like him doesn’t seem like the type who would enjoy singing.”
Lin Zhexia followed Chen Lin’s comment and thought about the past.
In her memory, the first time she heard Chi Yao sing was when they had just started middle school.
That year, on He Yang’s birthday, to showcase his prestigious “middle school student” status, he took them to a KTV for his birthday. That was also the first time she had been to such a place without parental supervision.
Everyone had a great time that day.
Everyone sang songs, especially her, who hogged the microphone and sang several songs in a row.
Finally, someone called out: “—Hasn’t Brother Yao sung yet?”
The private room had no lights on, and the lighting was as dim as the current audience seats.
Middle school Chi Yao sat in the corner and refused: “Not singing.”
He Yang imitated a line from a movie: “It’s my birthday today, you’re not giving me face.”
Chi Yao raised his eyelids: “So what?”
Chi Yao: “If you have the guts, hit me.”
He Yang: “…”
Although this person was quite annoying.
But by this time, He Yang was gradually no longer a match for Chi Yao.
Thinking of this, Lin Zhexia also recalled that Chi Yao eventually did sing that day, performing a popular song of that time.
Sitting on the couch in the private room, her first thought was: So Chi Yao’s singing is this good.
But why did he end up singing after all?
She couldn’t remember the specific reason.
She only remembered that she had also joined the crowd in calling out: “Sing one song, we’ve known each other for so long, but I’ve never heard you sing.”
…
After Class 1’s performance ended, there were still three to five more programs.
At the end of the school celebration, the host made closing remarks.
By the time everyone dispersed, it was approaching evening. Various class teachers hurriedly returned to their classrooms to assign that day’s homework. Lin Zhexia was packing up her bag when Chi Yao and Xu Ting came over and stopped her.
Lin Zhexia: “What are you two doing here?”
Chi Yao glanced at Xu Ting.
Xu Ting: “Just you alone? Where are your two friends? Want to go grab a meal together? I’m starving—didn’t even have time for lunch.”
Lin Zhexia touched her stomach.
They hadn’t eaten much at noon either to prepare backstage early, so she agreed.
It was getting late, so they found a nearby noodle shop to eat.
“What are you eating?” Lin Zhexia flipped through the menu. “They have the Suzhou-style noodles you like.”
After speaking, Lin Zhexia noticed that Chi Yao hadn’t changed out of his performance clothes yet, with his school uniform jacket thrown over the shirt.
—He looked as if he had just run down from the stage.
The collision of order and disorder created a strangely strong contrast.
He leaned back and said, “You can order for me.”
Lin Zhexia stopped looking at him: “Then I’ll order Suzhou-style noodles, three delicacies. You don’t like the other mixed noodles anyway.”
The noodles came up quickly.
Xu Ting and the others began discussing today’s performance.
Chen Lin first mentioned the forum photos: “The forum is very lively today, lots of photo threads.”