Chapter 71 She can be my girlfriend...
Peng Chengyi pursed her lips awkwardly, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her clothes at her side, and stammered an excuse: "I... I was cooling off."
Chen Yubai chuckled, a hint of mockery in his dark eyes: "Cooling off in front of the boys' dormitory? You really know how to pick a spot."
"..." Peng Chengyi's cheeks burned from being choked, and she could only squeeze out a dry sentence, "I originally wanted to talk to you about something. But you... seem to be busy, so I... will wait under the tree for a while, and, well, cool off a bit."
Her voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, like a guilty cat whose hiding place had been exposed.
Chen Yubai raised an eyebrow, staring at her slightly reddened earlobes, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly: "I'm not busy, just say what you need to say."
Peng Chengyi was taken aback, and subconsciously glanced over his shoulder toward the flower bed.
Lin Yue's figure had already walked away into the distance, her skirt being gently lifted by the wind and gradually disappearing into the sunlight.
A subtle bitterness lingered in my heart, but I couldn't bring myself to mention it to him.
Peng Chengyi had no choice but to look away, pretending to be nonchalant as she changed the subject, mentioning the notice that the Arts Department had just issued: "Um... the school is going to hold a Top Ten Singers Competition, and this year they specifically said that bands can also participate. I was thinking of signing up?"
Chen Yubai listened quietly, his expression remaining calm, until he heard the date, at which point he frowned slightly: "When is the competition?"
"The preliminary round is on the 8th of next month, and the semi-finals are on the 18th," Peng Chengyi answered honestly.
His brows furrowed, the shadows of the trees swaying gently on his handsome profile: "I have a math competition on the 18th. And during this time, I have to prepare for the competition, so I probably won't have much free time."
These few words, like a dull thud, struck Peng Chengyi's heart with a light yet undeniable force.
She paused for a moment, her fingertips tracing the back of her phone case, trying to hide her disappointment behind a smile: "Oh... I see. Never mind then."
She paused, then forced a smile, her voice as light as possible: "Then I'll team up with the people from the Literature and Art Department to compete. Anyway, this is a rare opportunity, and I don't want to miss it."
After he finished speaking, the air fell silent for a brief moment.
Chen Yubai stared at her, noticing the barely concealed mix of expectation and regret in her eyes, and his brow twitched involuntarily. His lips tightened for a few seconds, and his fingertips silently clenched, as if he were enduring something.
After a long silence, he finally spoke softly, his hesitation masking a hint of impatience: "Whatever you say."
-
Since that day, Peng Chengyi and a few others from the Literature and Art Department formed a temporary band.
To coordinate everyone's schedules, rehearsals were mostly scheduled for the evenings.
The lights in the activity room often stayed on until curfew. The night outside pressed down layer by layer, like silk soaked in ink, but the room was still noisy—the drumbeats pounded like heartbeats, and the guitar chords overlapped with the singing, so passionate that people forgot about time.
After rehearsal, Peng Chengyi, carrying her guitar, walked out of the art building side by side with Ke Xingjian.
The summer night breeze, carrying the cool scent of grass and trees, brushed against her face. Just as she turned a corner, she bumped into Chen Yubai once again, walking down the steps of the library next door.
He had his backpack slung across his shoulder, one hand in his jeans pocket, and his steps were unhurried, as if he had just escaped from a long sea of homework.
The dim light shone on his profile, making him appear both aloof and quiet.
She was a little surprised when she first met him. But then she thought about it and realized that it was reasonable for him to stay up so late in the library to prepare for the competition, so she no longer found it strange.
Ke Xingjian remained considerate and always tried to take a longer route to escort her back to her dormitory.
However, her dormitory and Chen Yubai's dormitory were in the same direction. So whenever Ke Xingjian saw her off, the three of them would inevitably have to walk together for a while.
The subtle yet tense atmosphere, like a fully drawn bowstring, left Peng Chengyi feeling somewhat at a loss.
So after catching a glimpse of Chen Yubai, she turned to Ke Xingjian and said that there was really no need to see him off, so that he could go back and rest earlier.
Seeing her predicament, Ke Xingjian simply nodded gently and didn't insist further: "Alright, then be careful."
Without that breathtaking tension, Peng Chengyi slowed her pace a bit. She glanced at Chen Yubai beside her and casually asked, "How's your competition preparation going? I heard you're going to compete in another province?"
"Yes, it will take three days," Chen Yubai replied lazily.
"Are you participating in the competition to try and get a place in a graduate program?" she asked curiously.
"My teacher recommended it, so I'll give it a try." He answered casually, his gaze fixed on the blurry lamplight ahead. "I haven't decided whether I want to pursue a master's degree."
"Oh." Peng Chengyi nodded.
"And you? What are your plans for the future?" Chen Yubai turned his face away.
Peng Chengyi thought for a moment and said, "I don't really want to continue my postgraduate studies. I guess I'll just find a job after graduation."
"So you're looking for a job in Beicheng?" He raised an eyebrow slightly.
“Uh…” Peng Chengyi paused, her voice hesitant, “Isn’t it too early to plan all this now? We’re only freshmen. Let’s see how things go later.”
In fact, after entering university, she realized that there were far more things to consider than in high school.
In high school, everyone had a clear goal and was focused on the same track. As long as you gritted your teeth and prepared for the college entrance examination, you could move forward.
But now, the future seems to have been suddenly branched out into many forks, extending in countless directions.
She stood at the starting point, somewhat unsure of which way to go.
"Then remember to let me know when you've made your plans," Chen Yubai said casually.
Peng Chengyi paused, her heart pounding slightly as she lifted her long, thick eyelashes: "What are you doing?"
"Nothing much, just want to know." Chen Yubai turned his head to the side, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Am I not your best friend? Shouldn't I have the right to know?"
"Oh, don't worry, I'm not like you, I'll let you know in advance." Peng Chengyi lowered her eyes, and her heartbeat returned to calm.
-
On the day of the preliminary round.
The auditorium was brightly lit and bustling with people, filled with the restlessness and energy unique to youth.
The backstage area was a bit crowded. Peng Chengyi, carrying her guitar, could clearly feel her heart pounding in her chest.
The cheers coming from the direction of the stage surged and receded like a tide, causing her palms, which were holding the neck of the violin, to become slightly sweaty.
"Don't be nervous," Ke Xingjian, who was beside her, noticed her unease and gently patted her shoulder. His voice was calm and reassuring. "Just like when we rehearse, I'm here."
Peng Chengyi nodded, took a deep breath, and tried to suppress her surging emotions.
After the host announced their band's name, the spotlight slammed on, making her squint slightly. She followed Ke Xingjian and the drummer onto the stage and stood in their designated positions.
Below the stage was a sea of people, with countless expectant eyes. She lowered her head, her fingertips gently touching the strings, and the first note flowed from her fingers, clear and firm.
Immediately afterwards, the lead singer's voice came in, the drumbeats fell steadily, and the melody instantly intertwined and spread throughout the entire auditorium.
The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers, pushing the atmosphere to a small climax.
Peng Chengyi was immersed in the music, and her gaze unconsciously swept towards the audience—but in the far corner of the first row, she caught a glimpse of an unexpected figure.
Chen Yubai sat lazily, completely out of place amidst the bustling crowd around him. Yet, his gaze was fixed on her, cold and focused, like the brightest star in a cold night, or an invisible net, firmly anchoring her in the center of the stage.
My heart skipped a beat, and my fingertips slipped slightly, almost causing me to pluck the wrong chord.
Isn't he busy preparing for the competition?
How could I possibly have time to watch her match?
He even deliberately sat in a spot where the lights would shine...
Strangely, the moment our eyes met, the lingering tension seemed to be gently smoothed out by an invisible hand, and I slowly calmed down.
She refocused, and the melody flowing from her fingertips became firm and smooth, like a breath rising from the depths of her heart, clear and powerful.
As the last note faded into the air, Peng Chengyi wiped the sweat that was about to drip into her eyes, and looked up, panting.
She saw Chen Yubai curl the corners of his lips and, across the noisy crowd, mouth something to her.
The stage lights were too dazzling, and the cheers from the audience were too enthusiastic. Peng Chengyi squinted, unable to make out his silent words.
Never mind. She smiled to herself, taking it as a compliment.
As she put down her guitar and returned to the audience, she subconsciously glanced at that corner again—
The seat was empty, leaving only a blurry shadow, as if he had never been there.
Ultimately, the band successfully passed the preliminary round and advanced to the semi-finals.
Chen Yubai also boarded the school bus the day before the semi-finals and headed to his competition venue.
-
Having gained experience from the preliminary round, Peng Chengyi wasn't as nervous during the semi-finals. However, when she saw that the familiar figure in the audience was no longer there, she felt a small gap in her heart, as if a chilly breeze was letting in.
The semi-finals ended, and the results came out quickly; the band came in third place.
Although they didn't win first place, it's still a pretty good result for a band that was formed on short notice.
The senior students from the Arts and Literature Department organized a simple celebration party in the activity room. The table was full of snacks and drinks, and of course, a few pitchers of beer.
Peng Chengyi didn't dare drink any more this time, keeping a can of orange juice clutched in her hand and sipping it slowly. The sweetness of the orange juice lingered on her tongue, but it couldn't suppress a certain indescribable, empty feeling in her heart.
The surrounding noise seemed muffled, as if seen through frosted glass. She laughed along with everyone, raised her glass with everyone, but her thoughts drifted far away—
Chen Yubai should have arrived in the competition city by now, right?
I wonder if things are going well on his end.
By the time the celebration party ended, it was already late at night.
"Let's go, I'll take you home." Ke Xingjian walked to her side naturally. He didn't seem to have drunk any alcohol today either; he only smelled of clean laundry detergent, like cotton cloth dried in the sun.
Peng Chengyi nodded: "Yes, thank you, senior."
The two walked side by side on the tree-lined path back to the dormitory area, chatting about the fun things that happened at the celebration party earlier, in a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere.
Ke Xingjian was as considerate and thoughtful as ever. He would deliberately slow down to accommodate her and turn his head slightly to listen attentively when she spoke.
As they approached the girls' dormitory, Peng Chengyi stopped, turned to Ke Xingjian, and said, "I'll go upstairs first, goodnight..."
Before he could finish speaking, Ke Xingjian interrupted him softly: "Wait a moment."
"Huh?" Peng Chengyi paused, looking at him with a puzzled expression. "What's wrong?"
Ke Xingjian's eyes reflected the gentle light of the streetlights, carrying an unusually serious expression she had never seen before.
"Close your eyes first." His voice was low, with a hint of barely perceptible tension.
Peng Chengyi was stunned, her heart inexplicably pounding. "...Why close your eyes?"
"Just a little while, it'll be over soon." Ke Xingjian's tone was pleading, yet also somewhat mysterious.
Looking into his sincere eyes, Peng Chengyi, though full of doubts, hesitated and slowly closed her eyes.
When vision is deprived, the other senses become exceptionally acute.
She could hear the rustling of leaves in the wind, smell the faint fragrance of locust blossoms in the air, and feel her heartbeat gradually quickening.
In the darkness, time seemed to stretch out.
"That's fine."
Upon hearing this, she slowly opened her eyes—
The sight before her made her freeze in place.
Suddenly, Ke Xingjian appeared in his hand with a bouquet of bright red roses, their delicate petals gleaming softly in the night and under the streetlights.
What surprised her even more was that the drummer and keyboardist from the band suddenly appeared out of nowhere. One of them held up a small light board with the words "I Love U" flashing on it, while the other carried an acoustic guitar and played the melody of "Love Story".
Ke Xingjian took a small step forward and handed the bouquet to her. His cheeks seemed slightly flushed in the dim light, but his gaze was firmly fixed on her: "Peng Chengyi, I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?"
Inside the dormitory building, one balcony door after another opened upon hearing the commotion, and many girls poked their heads out, letting out low gasps and jeers.
Wow! It's Ke Xingjian!
Is he confessing his feelings?
How romantic!
Peng Chengyi felt as if all the blood rushed to her face, her ears burned, and her mind went blank for a moment.
Although she had anticipated that Ke Xingjian might confess his feelings to her someday, she did not expect him to make such a big fuss.
So much so that she didn't even have time to think about whether she really wanted to be with him.
I felt that the temperature, atmosphere, anticipation, and gazes at that moment intertwined into an irresistible force.
She lowered her eyes, avoiding his burning gaze, and almost instinctively nodded slightly, her voice barely audible: "...Okay."
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Author's note: cyb's base got raided! [eating popcorn emoji]
Thank you to Wang Xiaoxiaoxiaoxie, 48695427, Youxiayu, and Soleil for providing the nutrient solution!
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