Chapter 73

Was Pei Xu… inviting him to watch fireworks?

He looked at Pei Xu.

He discovered Pei Xu's ears were red again!

But Pei Xu's expression was so calm, and he wasn't even looking at him.

So composed. Too bad Zhai Xingchen had seen through everything now!

His blush-prone constitution when aroused had betrayed him!

How could a Jinjiang male lead possibly invite a cannon-fodder male supporting character to watch fireworks?

Watching stars, watching the moon, talking about life and ideals—a Jinjiang male lead would only do that with someone he liked.

Did Pei Xu really like him?

He cleared his throat softly and asked, 'Watch fireworks?'

'Yeah.'

'There probably aren't many people in the world who'd say no to fireworks, right? Are there any around here?'

Pei Xu said, 'There might be. I can ask around.'

'Okay… we can all go together when the time comes.'

Pei Xu gave an 'mhm.'

Zhai Xingchen pursed his lips and turned his head to look at Pei Xu.

Pei Xu reached out and flipped through the sheet music, opening Love Song. 'Start practicing,' he said.

Zhai Xingchen was actually a bit stunned. Even though he'd had a premonition before, now that he'd really discovered it, he was still stunned. He placed his fingers on the keys and started playing Love Song.

As he played, he thought, why.

WHY!

He played several wrong notes in a row. Each time he messed up, Pei Xu would tap lightly. His gaze fixed on Pei Xu's fingers, and Pei Xu suddenly said, 'Look at the sheet music.'

Zhai Xingchen pursed his lips, his eyes skimming over the sheet music.

His face was as calm as Pei Xu's, but his heart was as turbulent as Pei Xu's.

Right then, he suddenly heard Hu Ying's voice: 'Who's playing the Piano so beautifully!'

He turned his head and saw Hu Ying walk in, beaming.

Hu Ying was, of course, just buttering him up.

Actually, when it came to playing an instrument, she knew a little too. She'd learned Piano as a kid, but ended up more interested in the Violin.

'Did you guys see? A whole bunch of people have arrived outside.'

'Where?' Zhai Xingchen asked.

'Right outside.' Hu Ying walked over to the window to look. 'I'd guess there are nearly a thousand people. The Little Theater might not even hold them all.'

Zhai Xingchen stood up and walked to the window to look outside. Sure enough, he saw groups of people heading towards the Little Theater. In the snow-white world, dark clusters of people, with the distant sunset and a golden-white sky. The cold mist in the air didn't seem to have fully dissipated yet; the distant mountains were obscured, only the faint outline of the Snow Mountain visible.

Far more people had come than they'd anticipated.

'I heard there's going to be Live Streaming tonight too,' Hu Ying said. 'And tonight's Performance will only be streamed live, it won't be cut into the main episodes.'

Zhai Xingchen paused. 'Why?'

I heard our season's numbers are through the roof, and video platforms have way more clout than any traditional Television Station these days — plus they pay more. So Star Sea Satellite TV's online arm wanted exclusive content for the web, and the Production Team picked tonight's Performance for Live Streaming.

'Aren't Star Sea Satellite TV and Star Sea Satellite TV's online side part of the same company?' Zhai Xingchen asked.

'They are, but there's definitely internal disagreement and conflict. The people in charge aren't the same, they're just both under the Star Sea name. But I just heard from the Production Team that tonight's Live Streaming setup is huge, not like before when it was just to hype the main episodes.'

Zhai Xingchen suddenly sensed someone standing behind him. He turned his head slightly and saw Pei Xu had stopped right behind him. Pei Xu glanced outside, almost brushing against his shoulder.

He hurriedly turned his head back.

Pei Xu said, 'So many people.'

Zhai Xingchen lowered his gaze slightly, catching the faint scent of mint on Pei Xu.

Ah, he could never record this Love Variety Show easily and happily again.

He really did prefer being a tool-man supporting character.

Right now, he really had a bellyful of questions, a bellyful of words. He really wanted to confide in someone.

But he realized that even though it was just him and Hu Ying now, he couldn't bring himself to confide in her either.

Had he and the Red Team Guests become love rivals now?

My god, he was getting goosebumps.

He tried to put himself in Hu Ying's shoes.

'Oh great, just great, Zhai Xingchen. You're something else. I thought you were my good sister, but you're actually stealing my man! You've always claimed you're a Blue Team Member, that you're a top. You scheming, fake-top green tea bitch, you're actually competing with me for a man!'

Heaven be his witness, he'd never imagined a Blue Team Member would be interested in him. He'd never even thought in that direction.

So had he and Hu Ying become love rivals now?

Actually, just a moment ago, he'd still been in a bit of a stunned state, unable to believe the reality before his eyes. The feeling of shock and confusion was stronger, his emotions not that intense. But now, the more he thought about it, the more serious the situation seemed!

Only now was he gradually realizing what kind of situation this had thrown him into.

He thought, if Hu Ying and Duan Yihua and the others found out that a Blue Team Member like Huo Cheng actually liked him, they'd be shocked too.

Who could have imagined something like this would happen?

He hadn't thought of it, and the Red Team Guests definitely hadn't either.

He practiced the Piano in anxious unease, while Hu Ying showered him with praise beside him.

He felt Hu Ying was being so warm towards him.

This was the warmth reserved for a good sister.

But the warmer Hu Ying was, the more nervous he became. He couldn't even imagine how disappointed and furious Hu Ying would be the moment she learned the truth. As he played, he forgot to look at the sheet music. His inner world was in turmoil, his mind blank. His fingers moved mechanically over the keys, playing faster and faster, more and more urgently. His pale fingers slid across the Piano keys. Love Song built towards its climax. His fingers repeatedly played three particular keys, the same melody played over and over, but the emotion and rhythm piled up layer by layer, each layer more intense than the last, more urgent than the last. He pressed his lips tightly together. The music piled up to its peak, then finally, like a floodgate opening, crashed down in one great release.

When he finished playing Love Song, even Pei Xu was stunned.

Such intense emotion, such entanglement and struggle—it was so rich!

'You're amazing, Zhai Xingchen!' Hu Ying's eyes sparkled.

Wuwuwu, she was getting more and more fascinated by Zhai Xingchen.

Huo Cheng was right, Zhai Xingchen was a treasure!

Zhai Xingchen turned his head to look at Hu Ying and saw the warmth in her eyes.

My god.

Pei Xu had long known Zhai Xingchen was deliberately hiding his Piano skills, but he hadn't expected Zhai Xingchen to play that passage so well just now.

Like other instruments, once you reach a certain level of proficiency with the Piano, what matters isn't technique anymore, but the more sublime handling of emotion. There's a saying in the Piano world: ordinary people play the Piano with their hands, masters play with their emotions. But he'd always felt Zhai Xingchen injected too little emotion when he played, especially when playing a wildly passionate piece like Love Song.

Listening to him play Love Song, you could tell his state of mind was too peaceful and clean.

But this time, his playing was seamless, as if a storm was brewing, as if a battlefield of love was about to erupt.

'That was played exceptionally well,' Pei Xu praised sincerely.

Zhai Xingchen looked at Pei Xu pensively, just meeting his gaze.

Could someone so cold also have such pure, adoring eyes?

Youthful, restrained—from his burning gaze, you could see through to his scorching heart.

Hu Ying was right beside them.

My god.

Zhai Xingchen's palms were sweating. He crossed his hands, wiping them on the back of one hand. The next moment, Pei Xu pulled a tissue from his pocket and handed it to him.

So… considerate.

'He, an iceberg of a man, would only reveal that limited consideration, gentleness, and romance for the one he loved.'

He remembered the cringe-worthy line from the original novel.

The sunset was almost down. Someone from the Production Team came to notify them to go eat.

'So early?' Zhai Xingchen asked.

'It's not that early. After eating, everyone still needs to go back and change. Because of being on camera, some guests might need makeup. The audience is already starting to file in,' the staff member said.

The Performance started at seven. The Little Theater's regular show lasted about an hour; they'd probably go on around eight.

'Let's go,' Hu Ying said excitedly, clutching his arm. 'I feel like tonight's definitely going to be amazing!'

The three of them came out of the Piano room and ran into Lin Qingning.

Lin Qingning rubbed his sore shoulders and smiled. 'The time's too tight. I still keep messing up when I play the Accordion. Xingchen, how's your Love Song practice going?'

He wore black-framed glasses and looked slightly weary, so gentle and refined.

Before Zhai Xingchen could answer him, he saw Huo Cheng come out of the Dance Studio, smiling. 'Don't worry, I'll be the one at the bottom.'

Immediately, Zhai Xingchen saw Huo Cheng smile and look at him. He was so tall, so upright, his eyes sparkling brilliantly.

As they reached the Dance Studio entrance, they saw Duan Yihua emerge from a room on the other side. He had his Down Jacket draped over his arm, wearing only a grayish-white turtleneck sweater, looking noble and handsome.

Footsteps came from the staircase, and then he saw Yan Zhi walk in, wearing a long coat and carrying a classic LV handbag. He was tall and graceful, gentle and refined, followed by Wen Nu with a red Scarf around his neck.

Light came through the windows on one side of the corridor, giving the chilly hallway a touch of warmth. But Zhai Xingchen felt so cold he wanted to shiver.

He pursed his lips and pulled up the hood of his Down Jacket. His clean, pale face was hidden in the play of light and shadow. Zhai Xingchen, now awakened, could suddenly see through every detail, could catch every subtle glance.

He… he'd fallen into a battlefield of love!