Chapter 31
After the commutation saga, the atmosphere in the class underwent some subtle changes. Although Liu Yiduo still treated Xu Nianlei coldly, she was noticeably more restrained and no longer openly provoked her. Xu Nianlei, on the other hand, seemed to have lost some of her timidity because of her successful "resistance." Although she remained silent, she displayed a calm confidence when cleaning and assigning commutations.
Lu Baiyan observed all of this and felt somewhat relieved. He knew that building self-confidence was a slow process, but at least she had taken the difficult first step.
However, peaceful days are always short-lived. That morning during break, Lu Baiyan went to the office to deliver homework. On his way back, he overheard a conversation between two girls at the corner of the corridor. They were Li Yue and Zhang Xiao from his class. They were average students, not particularly outgoing, and not very close to Liu Yiduo's clique.
"...Liu Yiduo went too far. Yesterday in PE class, she deliberately threw the ball at Xu Nianlei." This was Li Yue's voice, tinged with indignation.
“Exactly, I saw it clearly, it wasn’t an accident at all. Xu Nianlei’s arm was bruised, but she didn’t dare to say a word.” Zhang Xiao chimed in, her tone tinged with sympathy. “She’s had a tough time too, with her family like that, and then she gets targeted at school.”
"Actually, she's a really nice person. Last time I couldn't do a math problem, I asked her, and she explained it to me in great detail. She's much better than some people who only care about themselves."
"Yes, he's just too quiet and doesn't like to talk..."
The sounds of their footsteps and conversation gradually faded into the distance.
Lu Baiyan stood there, his gaze darkening. He knew nothing about what happened in PE class; Xu Nianlei had covered it up very well. Liu Yiduo had actually resorted to such underhanded tactics? It seemed the previous reprimands hadn't been enough.
He returned to the classroom, his gaze falling on Xu Nianlei. She was looking down at her book, her left hand unconsciously pressing against the outside of her right upper arm. Lu Baiyan's heart tightened slightly.
He calmly sat back down without asking any questions. He knew that directly showing concern would only embarrass her. He needed a more subtle approach.
There was a music class in the afternoon, an elective choir rehearsal. Lu Baiyan and Xu Nianlei both chose this class. The music teacher was selecting a mixed chorus piece that was quite challenging in preparation for the school's arts festival.
"There's a small coloratura section in the soprano part of this piece, which requires a penetrating voice, but not too shrill..." The music teacher looked at the list with some worry. "Who in our class's soprano section wants to try this solo passage?"
The girls looked at each other, and most of them lowered their heads. That coloratura passage was indeed difficult, and to highlight it in a chorus required considerable courage.
Liu Yiduo was eager to try, confident in her voice. But just as she was about to raise her hand, a calm voice rang out.
"Teacher, I think Xu Nianlei could give it a try."
The entire class's eyes instantly focused on the speaker—it was Lu Baiyan.
Xu Nianlei suddenly raised her head, her face filled with shock and panic, waving her hands repeatedly: "I can't, class monitor, I..."
Lu Baiyan didn't look at her, but looked at the music teacher, his tone firm: "Teacher, Xu Nianlei's voice is very clean and her pitch is very good. Although she doesn't talk much usually, I've heard her humming softly, and she has great potential. Moreover, she is serious about her work and willing to put in the effort."
The music teacher looked at Xu Nianlei, the girl who was always quiet and unassuming, with some surprise: "Xu Nianlei, would you like to give it a try?"
"I...I really can't..." Xu Nianlei's face turned pale with anxiety. She looked at Lu Baiyan for help, but met his encouraging and firm gaze.
"Give it a try, Nianlei!" A voice rang out from the group of girls; it was Li Yue. She had just heard Lu Baiyan's words and, recalling her previous sympathy and goodwill towards Xu Nianlei, couldn't help but speak up in support, "Your voice is quite nice!"
“Yeah, let’s give it a try, it won’t hurt,” Zhang Xiao whispered in agreement.
Several girls who were not usually fond of Liu Yiduo's behavior also spoke up to encourage her.
"Exactly, what's there to be afraid of!"
"It's okay if you don't sing well."
For a moment, the encouraging voices drowned out any potential doubts. Liu Yiduo, who had raised her hand halfway, awkwardly lowered it, her face extremely pale.
Xu Nianlei had never expected so many people to support her. Looking at the encouraging or curious glances around her, and then at Lu Boyan's eyes that seemed to give people infinite power, her heart pounded wildly in her chest.
A strange feeling of being expected and supported enveloped her like a warm current.
She took a deep breath, as if using all her strength, and nodded very slightly: "I...I'll try."
The music teacher smiled with satisfaction: "Alright, then Xu Nianlei will try out this segment. Everyone, give her a round of applause!"
Sparse applause broke out, mainly from Li Yue, Zhang Xiao, and a few other girls clapping vigorously. But for Xu Nianlei, that was enough.
She walked to the piano, and the music teacher played a few notes to tune it for her. Her palms were sweaty with nervousness. She closed her eyes, recalled the melody, and then opened her mouth.
At first, her voice trembled slightly and was soft. But after singing a few notes, she seemed to find her rhythm. Her voice was indeed as Lu Baiyan had described—clean, clear, like a mountain stream. Although it lacked some power due to nervousness, its unique timbre and accurate pitch were refreshing.
She sang the little coloratura passage haltingly.
The music teacher's eyes lit up: "Not bad! The tone is great, and the pitch is very stable! You're just a little nervous and lack practice. Xu Nianlei, this passage is yours. Practice more after class, okay?"
Xu Nianlei was still immersed in the tension and strange excitement of singing just now. When she heard her teacher's words, she subconsciously nodded: "...Yes, I will try my best."
Back in the group, Li Yue secretly gave her a thumbs up. Xu Nianlei's face flushed instantly, her heart pounding like a rabbit's. She glanced furtively at Lu Baiyan, who was looking at the sheet music, his profile calm, as if that earth-shattering recommendation hadn't come from him at all.
But Xu Nianlei knew it was him. Once again, he had pushed her into a position where she could shine, in a way she never expected.
This time, it's different from the health committee member's situation. This time, it's about discovering and affirming her own potential.
The bell rang, and the students left the music classroom one after another. Xu Nianlei dawdled as she packed up her sheet music.
"Nianlei, shall we go back to the classroom together?" Li Yue and Zhang Xiao walked over and invited her with smiles.
Xu Nianlei paused for a moment, then looked at the sincere smiles on their faces, feeling a warmth in her heart. She nodded gently, "Okay."
This was the first time since she entered high school that a classmate had invited her to go with them.
The three of them walked out of the music classroom together, and Li Yue was still excitedly discussing the chorus they had just sung: "Nian Lei, your voice is so beautiful! Once you've mastered that coloratura, it will definitely be outstanding!"
"Yes, I didn't know you had this hidden skill!" Zhang Xiao said with a smile.
Xu Nianlei felt a little embarrassed by their praise, lowering her head, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly. This feeling of being treated as an equal, even appreciated, was wonderful.
Lu Baiyan walked not far behind them, looking at Xu Nianlei's slightly curved lips and the two newly appeared "allies" beside her, his heart was filled with satisfaction.
He had witnessed Li Yue and Zhang Xiao's conversation during break and knew they felt sympathy and goodwill towards Xu Nianlei. His recommendation just now was both giving Xu Nianlei an opportunity to showcase herself and a way to transform this potential goodwill into a real connection.
He couldn't always be by her side; he needed to build his own support system for her. Even just two ordinary, kind classmates could offer her warmth and strength when she was isolated.
Leilei, you see, this world isn't entirely indifferent. When you begin to radiate a glimmer of light, you will naturally attract those who are willing to draw near to the light. Please slowly learn to accept this kindness and make your own allies.
Walking ahead, Xu Nianlei listened to the chatter of her classmates and felt the long-lost relaxed atmosphere among her peers. For the first time, she felt that high school life was not all gloomy and depressing.
All these changes stemmed from the boy who sat beside her, always silent, yet repeatedly pulled her out of the mire in the most unexpected ways.
She turned around, wanting to see him one last time, but found that he had already turned in another direction, leaving only a tall, receding figure.
That figure, from then on, was no longer just a symbol of "class monitor" or "top student" in her heart, but was closely linked with the passionate words "protection," "strength," and "hope."
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