Today was a school-organized performance, attended by teachers and students alike, a school-wide celebration.
Shen Shiyi and her comrades sat in the second row, representing all age groups, but she belonged to the younger generation.
The performance began 20 minutes later.
The first to enter was a freshman teacher, a refined man, who performed "The New Drunken Concubine," and the transition between the male and female performers was perfectly timed.
"...Love and hate can be separated in an instant; raising a cup to the moon, one's feelings are as vast as the heavens..."
The teachers and students present were all amazed.
"good."
The enthusiastic applause from the audience expressed everyone's appreciation, and the teacher exited the stage in a very gentlemanly manner.
Students performed Errenzhuan (a traditional Chinese folk art form), skits, and crosstalk, creating a lively atmosphere.
Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted, "Professor Shen, we want to hear you sing!"
Upon hearing this, all the students in Class 5 of Grade 1 spoke up.
"Yes, Professor Shen, let's sing a song."
"Sing, sing."
Shen Shiyi, who was originally enjoying the performance on stage, was suddenly stunned. She looked around uncomfortably, then turned her face away, only to see many people laughing, which made her even more embarrassed.
Shen Shiyi: These students really know how to bring up the most sensitive topics.
School leaders all looked at her in the second row, and the students' voices rose and fell incessantly. Finally, the principal smiled and spoke.
"Professor Shen, why don't you go up on stage and sing a song to liven things up for everyone?"
The students became excited upon hearing the principal's words.
"Yes, Professor Shen, sing one."
The school's professors and teachers applauded, and Shen Shiyi knew she couldn't escape it this time. With a helpless sigh, she simply stood up gracefully and walked towards the stage.
Standing on the stage, she looked at the people below and spoke calmly.
"Everyone, as you all wish, I will sing a traditional Chinese style song called 'The Falling Stars and Moon'."
Everyone stared intently at the stage, but the moment Shen Shiyi spoke, everyone froze.
"Wow, Professor Shen has such a wonderful voice."
"What an exquisite sound."
The school leaders heard Shen Shiyi's singing for the first time and praised each other.
"You sang really well."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"...The stars and moon fall, plunging the world and causing flowers to wither and people to break their hearts..."
When she finished singing, enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience. Shen Shiyi nodded slightly to the crowd, then walked straight off the stage and returned to her seat.
Southwards, to her right, offered heartfelt praise.
"You sang really well."
Shen Shiyi smiled and thanked her, "Thank you."
She continued to enjoy the performances on stage. Some sang "The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau," some performed a catwalk show, and some performed magic tricks. Shen Shiyi was completely absorbed in the performance and did not hear the vibrations in her body.
Many of those nearby, being more sensitive, spoke up to warn others upon hearing the noise.
"Shiyi, is that your phone ringing?"
Shen Shiyi was taken aback. She took out her phone and saw that it was her best friend calling. She quietly turned to the side and lowered her head.
"Hey, Purple Heart."
Nangong Zixin, who was eating grapes that her mother had washed, spoke up to show her concern.
"My dear sister, you finally answered the phone. Hey, how did the meeting go? What did Qin Ziming's mother ask you?"
Recalling what happened yesterday, Shen Shiyi spoke helplessly.
"His mother said she hoped I would seriously consider our relationship and that she still hoped we could become a family." She meant a family, not a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship.
Nangong Zixin lay on the sofa in the living room and spoke leisurely.
"So, your aunt approves of you. What do you think?"
After thinking for a moment, Shen Shiyi said, "I still feel awkward."
Nangong Zixin disagreed upon hearing this.
"What's so awkward about it? Your relationship before was more than friends but less than lovers, okay? What's so awkward about it?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Shiyi was speechless.
"What do you mean by 'more than friends but less than lovers'? Please, we've been comrades-in-arms for years, okay?"
Xu Duo and Nan Zhan, who were standing to her left and right, were stunned when they heard what she said. They looked at each other and shook their heads.
"What's wrong with being comrades-in-arms? Comrades-in-arms can also be husband and wife."
When Madam Nangong came out, she was stunned when she heard that comrades-in-arms could also become husband and wife.
"Zixin, are you answering the phone at Shiyi?"
Nangong Zixin was taken aback. "Mom, how did you know?"
Madam Nangong chuckled, "You two have a good relationship."
Nangong Zixin pouted upon hearing this, "You've hit the nail on the head again."
Upon hearing Madam Nangong's words, Shen Shiyi couldn't help but purse her lips.
Are you home?
Nangong Zixin nodded, "That's right, staying at home and sponging off your parents, living a carefree life, couldn't be more enjoyable."
Shen Shiyi couldn't help but laugh, "Then congratulations, Queen of Letting Go."
Upon hearing this, Madam Nangong, who had come closer, laughed and teased, "That's right, Shiyi. Let me tell you, you really need to come to our house more often and give her some advice. Don't let her keep sponging off us all day long. She's so old, doesn't she have any self-awareness?"
Nangong Zixin immediately objected.
"Shiyi, don't listen to my mom's nonsense. I'm still a little kid. What do you mean by 'old person'?"
Shen Shiyi couldn't help but laugh when she heard the mother and daughter bickering.
"Alright, you can all enjoy yourselves."
Madam Nangong and her daughter smiled at each other, and Madam Nangong immediately inquired about her daughter's marriage.
"Shiyi, are you in a relationship?"
Shen Shiyi quickly retorted, "Auntie has misunderstood."
Lady Nangong smiled.
“You young people don’t think things through. You should think more about your marriage. It’s not that you can’t consider someone like your comrade-in-arms.”
Shen Shiyi felt increasingly uncomfortable listening to it, and finally couldn't bear it any longer, so she made an excuse to hang up.
"Auntie, I have something to do here, so I'll have to go now. Bye-bye."
After the phone call ended, the mother and daughter looked at each other. Nangong Zixin spread her hands, and Madam Nangong reached out and tapped her forehead hard.
After hanging up the phone, Shen Shiyi looked up and found that many people were staring at her, making her extremely embarrassed.
"What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"
Everyone shook their heads in perfect unison.
The dean of students jokingly asked, "When is Professor Shen going to invite us to his wedding?"
In an instant, Shen Shiyi's cheeks turned visibly red.
"Ahem, that's just a rumor."
For the sake of the happiness of those below him, the principal couldn't help but speak up.
"Shiyi, there are also many outstanding young talents in the school. Why don't you consider them?"
The leaders all nodded slightly.
"Yes, Professor Shen, you're not getting any younger, it's time to think about your personal life."
Shen Shiyi was extremely embarrassed upon hearing this, and chuckled.
The Ministry of Culture leader even introduced him, saying, "Hey, I have a nephew who is unmarried, 32 years old and works in the municipal government. You can meet him if you have time."
The school teachers disagreed with this suggestion.
"Hey, there are a lot of single people in our school. Leader, let's keep the good stuff in the family."
The leaders laughed when they heard that.
"Hahaha."
The performance ended amidst everyone's teasing, and Shen Shiyi quickly stood up.
"Well, I have something to do, so I'll be going now."
The crowd watched her departing figure until it gradually disappeared into the distance.
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