On Saturday, Bai Yuning came out of the dance studio, glanced at the messages on her phone, and finally smiled with satisfaction.

"Yu Ning! Let's go, let's go try on the dress quickly, it's already been altered." Chen Tingting was holding a small Fg bag. When she saw Bai Yu Ning come out, she hooked her arm and walked towards the school gate.

Tomorrow is Jingyi's coming-of-age ceremony. Chen Tingting ordered her dress a month ago. Like Bai Yuning, she chose two dresses from Dio's spring show collection.

Originally, with the Chen family's power, Chen Tingting would never have been able to snag that champagne-colored fitted dress, but Bai Yuning only made one phone call, and soon, the two dresses were delivered to the flagship store in the capital.

When Bai Yuning casually told her that it was all settled after finishing the phone call, Chen Tingting felt an indescribable sourness in her heart. She knew very well about Bai Yuning's family situation. Most of the Bai family's assets were with Bai Shengsheng, and Bai Yuning's father was actually just a rich second-generation heir in name only.

But everything changed the moment Bai Shengsheng started talking to Shi Youxi.

Chen Tingting sometimes doubted Bai Yuning's relationship with Shi Youxi, but the next second Bai Yuning would use other things to prove that she and Shi Youxi did have something going on.

But……

Feeling uncomfortable, Chen Tingting bit her lip as she looked at the slender figure of the girl beside her.

"By the way, Yu Ning, have you chosen a dance partner for the opening dance of your coming-of-age ceremony tomorrow?"

Bai Yuning smiled faintly, seemingly lost in thought, and said, "Mm."

"Who is it? Could it be... Mo Yifan?" Chen Tingting asked casually, her eyes darting around to observe Bai Yuning's expression.

Bai Yuning frowned: "Of course not."

"My dance partner can only be a senior student."

Chen Tingting asked in surprise, "Shi Youxi?"

"He said yes?"

Bai Yuning smiled broadly, "I guess so, the teacher has already made arrangements."

The administrative teacher has recently encountered some obstacles in publishing her paper. Fortunately, her stepfather has connections at the Imperial University Library. In exchange, the administrative teacher promised to arrange for Shi Youxi to be Bai Yuning's opening dance partner.

That's the message she just received.

Seeing the beaming smile on her face, Chen Tingting felt inwardly annoyed. "But... haven't you been spending a lot of time with Mo Yifan these past few days? Actually, I think he's pretty good too, not bad compared to Shi Youxi..."

"What are you talking about? I don't look down on anyone but my senior."

Chen Tingting curled her lip and sneered inwardly. She thought, "You look down on me, yet you accept gifts from Mo Yifan and ride with him to and from school every day."

Thinking of Mo Yifan, Chen Tingting became even more annoyed. Did he really like Bai Yuning's face that much?

Why do Shi Youxi and Mo Yifan only seem to see Bai Yuning, even though her looks and family background are no worse than Bai Yuning's, and even better!

Each lost in their own thoughts, as they left the main building and passed the art building, a deep, resonant sound drifted from inside.

"Who's playing music on the weekend? Can't they practice at home?" Chen Tingting muttered impatiently.

She was a typical person with absolutely no artistic talent. In the capital, which young lady from a prestigious family didn't know how to play a musical instrument or dance? But Chen Tingting just couldn't learn any of them.

It's only a fraction!

For this reason, Chen's mother secretly sought out tutors from numerous prestigious universities, but none of them could teach her successfully.

That's why she dislikes people who pull and jump around.

What's so great about it?

She took his arm and was about to leave, but Bai Yuning stopped and stared blankly at the art building.

"Yu Ning, what's wrong? We're going to be late if we don't leave now... Hey! Where are you going!"

Bai Yuning ran quickly into the art building. She had just seen Shi Youxi playing the cello through the half-open window on the second floor!

Why did he suddenly come to play the violin?

Could it be...?

Bai Yuning couldn't help but wonder if Shi Youxi felt bad because he had walked away during the last rehearsal, and since they were going to dance together tomorrow, he wanted to use this opportunity to show his goodwill towards her!

The more I think about it, the more likely it seems.

Bai Shengsheng has been fluctuating between lucidity and madness these past few days. Bai Yuning sends her a bunch of messages every day, showing concern and care, while also subtly accusing Shi Youxi of treating her badly.

Maybe Bai Shengsheng taught Shi Youxi a lesson!

Bai Yuning found the room, took a few steps to the door, and heard the faint sound of melodious musical instruments coming from inside the soundproof door. She excitedly pushed the door open.

"Senior!"

"Buzz!"

The flowing music abruptly stopped, and the boy sitting behind the cello paused, his bow arm stilled. Disturbed, he looked up with a gloomy expression.

When Shi Youxi saw Bai Yuning at the door again, his eyes narrowed. He recalled the incident at the sanatorium yesterday, and a contemptuous smile appeared on his lips.

To Bai Yuning, that smile was like a miracle—Shi Youxi actually smiled at her?!

He used to always be expressionless when facing me, and he rarely smiled, except when he was in front of Guan Shiyan or when he was speaking or taking photos on stage.

Shi Youxi actually smiled at me for the first time ever. Does that mean... Shi Youxi really does have feelings for me?

"Cousin... what are you doing here?" She stopped pretending and called out to Shi Youxi affectionately.

Chen Tingting, who was following behind her, happened to hear this sentence. When she saw Shi Youxi in the music room, she was surprised for a moment. She reflexively flicked her hair and walked over as well.

"Shi Youxi, what are you doing practicing the piano at school on the weekend?"

Chen Tingting was, after all, a legitimate young lady of the Chen family in the capital. Although she couldn't compare to the Shi family, she still possessed her own pride.

She always considered herself on the same level as Shi Youxi, Guan Shiyan, and Mo Yifan, and was unwilling to fawn over them like Bai Yuning by calling them "senior."

Bai Yuning, not hearing Shi Youxi's reply and interrupted by Chen Tingting, suppressed her displeasure and continued softly, "Cousin, are you going to open the ceremony at tomorrow's coming-of-age ceremony? Or did you practice for something else..."

"Pull whatever you want."

casual?

How could it be casual? Bai Yuning chuckled inwardly. If Shi Youxi suddenly wanted to practice, she wouldn't have come to school specifically to practice. She was already certain that Shi Youxi would perform at the opening ceremony tomorrow, followed by a duet, at which point everyone's attention would be on them.

At that time, in other people's eyes, she will be Shi Youxi's girlfriend!

With these two around, Shi Youxi even felt the music room was dirty. He took out a rosin wrapped in black leather from the wooden frame and wiped it on the bow. This cello belonged to him and hadn't been used in a long time, so Shi Youxi now applied rosin before and after playing.

Most importantly, it was a gift from his sister.

His name was engraved on the wooden box.

He couldn't wait to take it out and look at it every now and then.

On several occasions, Guan Shiyan noticed that he would touch the rosin after playing a piece for two hours at a time, leaving Guan Shiyan speechless with frustration.

"Are you playing a violin or rosin? I only gave you a cheap little thing worth a thousand yuan, is that all you're got to do?! Look at how cheap you look!"

However, Bai Yuning was not very knowledgeable about the cello. Seeing Shi Youxi fiddling with the rosin repeatedly, she assumed that Shi Youxi was not satisfied with it.

She leaned closer and said sweetly, "Senior, just throw that away. There's no need to make do with a defective product. I know a craftsman who makes rosin by hand. I'll give you one tomorrow."

She thought she had Shi Youxi's thoughts under control, but she didn't notice that Chen Tingting next to her almost burst out laughing after hearing her best friend's words.

Because Chen's mother didn't believe in superstitions, she made Chen Tingting learn every musical instrument. Although she couldn't play any of them, she recognized the tools used for each instrument.

Shi Youxi used Leatherwood rosin, which is known as the Hermes of rosin, and his piece was even a custom-made one.

Bai Yuning called this a cheap, inferior product, and Shi Youxi's actions clearly showed that she didn't dislike it; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she loved it.

She remained silent, waiting to see how Shi Youxi would mock Bai Yuning.

Upon hearing this, Shi Youxi indeed looked up at Bai Yuning. The young man's captivating phoenix eyes stared at her for a long time, making Bai Yuning's heart pound. Then, he smiled and said, "Is that so? You're quite good at judging people."

? ?

No? This is not what she expected. Chen Tingting was confused by Shi Youxi's sudden change in attitude. Seeing that he was not angry at all, Chen Tingting began to doubt whether she had seen it wrong.

And why is Shi Youxi speaking to Bai Yuning in a much gentler tone than before? What's going on?

Shi Youxi didn't waste any more words. He had already slung his instrument case over his shoulder and was about to leave. Bai Yuning saw him coming but didn't make way for him. Seeing Shi Youxi frowning, she quickly said, "Cousin, the teacher should have already told you about the duet tomorrow... right?"

With a reserved expression, she looked at the boy so close to her. It was such a short distance between them. Tomorrow, she and Shi Youxi would be dancing together in front of everyone, embracing each other tightly.

Shi Youxi frowned as he was overwhelmed by the strong scent of perfume wafting from in front of him. He looked at Bai Yuning and suddenly remembered what Guan Shiyan had said yesterday about the medicine Bai Yuning had bought a month ago.

Oh……

He chuckled and nodded. "Yes, I know."

Since she had been planning this for so long, Shi Youxi naturally didn't mind helping her achieve her goal.