Following their captivating performance, no subsequent show managed to overshadow theirs. Room 408 blazed into prominence once again on campus.
"Shangguan You, the melody of your piano just now transported me into a dreamlike world. It was so strange and wonderful; I played far beyond my usual skill," Lan Xuan gazed at the lively girl beside him, a gentle smile curving his lips. His tender eyes, shimmering with brilliant light, were fixed on Shangguan You.
The more Lan Xuan interacted with Shangguan You, the deeper his understanding of her became, and the more irresistible he found her. She was his fated challenge. From the frail figure on the playground to the dazzling one before him now, every version of her stirred his heart.
He had seen her sudden transformation, every single change. Yet, the gap between them seemed to widen. He even felt as though he couldn’t keep up with her pace anymore.
"Hehe, Senior, you’re just joking. Your piano skills are much better than mine. I must have been basking in your glory," Shangguan You chuckled lightly, her clear eyes sparkling, momentarily dazzling Lan Xuan and leaving him stunned.
"Youyou, Youyou!" Yu Zijin’s voice reached them from afar. She then grabbed Shangguan You and pulled her away.
"Senior, see you later." That was all Shangguan You managed to say in her haste before being pulled away.
Lan Xuan felt a weight on his shoulder. Han Yachu had silently appeared by his side. They stood side by side, quietly watching her retreating figure until it vanished.
"She never fails to surprise us," Han Yachu murmured, his gaze following Shangguan You until she was out of sight. "I accidentally discovered she could play the piano last time, and now this astonishing piece has captured the hearts of so many guys."
"Yeah, she’s shrouded in a mysterious aura. The closer you get, the deeper you fall," Lan Xuan nodded in agreement with Han Yachu’s remark.
"Indeed. We need to quicken our pace, or else we won’t be able to catch up with her," Han Yachu nodded.
"Yeah." The two men exchanged a look and then chuckled bitterly. Shangguan You had transformed from the introverted, shy girl in B City who used to follow them around. Now, she captivated all eyes just by standing there, someone you couldn’t look away from.
She was the Princess of the Shangguan Family, an object of admiration they could only look up to. A princess radiating brilliance.
"What’s wrong, Zijin?" Shangguan You asked, puzzled by Yu Zijin, who had dragged her off in such a hurry.
"Youyou, my brothers are here! They’ve come to our festival!" Yu Zijin spoke excitedly. She had just received a call from Yu Zifeng, and her heart thrilled at the news. She hadn’t expected her brothers to be able to come out for the New Year’s Day event, let alone attend their school’s banquet. It was wonderful!
Shangguan You’s eyebrows rose. She hadn’t seen Shangguan Qing for a whole month! Of course, she was happy at the prospect of seeing him now.
"How many days do they have off?"
"I heard from my brother that they’ve temporarily left their academy to carry out a mission. They shouldn’t be in a rush to return, so they’ll have more time to spend with us from now on!" Yu Zijin exclaimed. Besides, she’d heard from her grandfather that he wanted to arrange an engagement between her eldest brother and Youyou!
"Really?"
"Yeah, and once the holidays are here, our two families will become even closer, practically in-laws, and then we can arrange your engagement to my brother," Yu Zijin dropped another bombshell.
"COUGH, COUGH." Shangguan You began coughing violently. Engaged? Since when? And to Yu Zifeng, no less? When did this happen? How could she not know?
She, the person involved, was clueless. How did Yu Zijin find out?
"Youyou, my brother is a great man. Don’t you dare bully him when the time comes. Although he’ll be marrying into your family, he’s still the Crown Prince of the Yu Family. You can’t bully him," she warned.
"COUGH, COUGH. What are you talking about? How could I possibly get engaged to Brother Yu?"
"Youyou, remember our bet? You can’t back out now. Otherwise, my brother will become a jilted man. While there are many exceptional men in our school, some real catches, if you were with them, Youyou, they’d be like old cows after fresh grass. Do you want to be that tender grass? I think you and my brother are a better match. Then you’ll be my sister-in-law," Yu Zijin laid out her vision, causing Shangguan You to choke again. A jilted man? That was a novel concept.
Nonetheless, Shangguan You felt like she was being tossed about in a storm. She never knew Yu Zijin had such a side to her.
"Youyou, you were fabulous just now." Bai Muxue’s crisp voice chimed in beside her ear. She had gracefully appeared before them, striking a pose in a flirtatious white windbreaker. Her all-white attire further enhanced her ethereal, fairy-like aura—no wonder she had earned the nickname ’mock celestial’.
"Indeed, very impressive," Fang Jianfei added, following closely, his eyes glittering momentarily.
"Youyou, when you have a moment, would you teach me piano? I want to play as soulfully as you do," Zhuge Feng asked, his moist eyes fixed on Shangguan You, awaiting her response.
"Sure, I can, but I’m not very good. Wouldn’t it be better to find a professional teacher?" Shangguan You replied, her forehead lined with exasperation. Her luck with men seemed to be improving dramatically; romantic prospects seemed to pop up wherever she went.
"Youyou, if you’re reluctant, then never mind." Zhuge Feng looked dejected, his head drooping. If Youyou wasn’t the one teaching, he didn’t want it.
"COUGH, COUGH. Zhuge Feng, how come you’re here too?" Shangguan You cleared her throat, changing the subject. Zhuge Feng’s pitiful look was giving her a headache.
"I came after hearing your piano playing." Zhuge Feng’s cheeks flushed. Others recognized people by scent, but he recognized her by sound. Such ethereal music, capable of drawing one into its depths, could only come from Youyou.
"Hehe," Shangguan You chuckled softly. Yu Zijin’s dark eyes scanned the group. Then, under the envious gazes of the onlookers, she proudly linked arms with Shangguan You and swaggered off.