Xu Zhilu was speechless. “After I finish my speech, I’ll also come down and wish you all good luck.”

Several people: “…”

It did sound like there was nothing unusual about that.

Backstage, it was bustling, but the audience seats at the front were relatively quiet, with only occasional whispers.

Xin An’an waited anxiously, glancing at the time. “Why hasn’t Zhilu come out yet?”

Cheng Song, playing a game with one earphone in, responded with the other ear. “Don’t worry. She’ll be out soon. I guess she’s one of the later speakers.”

Xin An’an pouted. “I’m so nervous.”

Cheng Song glanced at her and said, “Why are you nervous? She got full marks in English. She’ll be fine.”

Xin An’an thought about it and agreed.

Then she turned to the person who was casually playing with his phone. “Shen Siyan, are you nervous?”

Shen Siyan looked up. “Not really.”

Xin An’an said, “Oh,” and asked, “You’re quite calm. Did you come here with Zhilu today?”

“Yeah.”

Xin An’an eyed him suspiciously and murmured, “Zhilu seems to have been very nice to you recently.”

Shen Siyan: “…”

He suddenly smiled and replied, “Yeah.”

Xin An’an rolled her eyes, chuckled, and said nothing more.

Just as she was about to close her eyes for a nap, Shen Siyan suddenly sat up straight. “It’s her turn.”

Xin An’an immediately looked up and pulled Cheng Song’s headphones off. “Stop playing. Record a video for Zhilu.”

Cheng Song: “…”

–

On stage, Xu Zhilu’s clear English pronunciation echoed throughout the auditorium.

At first, only a few people were paying close attention. Gradually, as her speech became more fluent, many people looked up, intrigued by this high school student.

For a moment, all eyes were on the girl on stage.

She wore a simple T-shirt and jeans, but due to her good body proportions, even this simple outfit had a distinct charm, making her appear beautiful, bright, and youthful.

What truly captured the audience’s attention was her speech.

She spoke without a script or any noticeable pauses. She only paused briefly when needed to gather her emotions, but the speech flowed smoothly overall.

When the final words were spoken, Xu Zhilu said “thank you,” bowed, and left the stage.

As soon as she finished, there was a deafening round of applause from the audience. Xu Zhilu glanced down the stairs and, from a distance, exchanged a silent look with Shen Siyan across the crowd.

She didn’t know why, but meeting his gaze felt like there was some kind of unspoken understanding between them.

Shen Siyan looked at her with approval in his eyes.

The emotions in his gaze were completely unmasked.

That look stayed with Xu Zhilu even after she returned to the backstage.

“Xu Zhilu!”

Her classmate’s voice brought her back to reality.

“Huh?”

“You were amazing!” Her classmates gave her a thumbs up. “You spoke so well, and without a script the entire time. That’s incredible.”

Xu Zhilu curled her lips and replied, “Thank you.”

“Why are you being modest? I’m just speaking the truth. You were fantastic,” the classmate continued. “I hope I can be as impressive as you someday.”

Xu Zhilu smiled. “You’ll have your turn soon. Do your best.”

“Okay.”

After chatting with her classmates, Xu Zhilu went to the bathroom.

Backstage, Peng Jin had not left yet. When he saw her, he couldn’t help but say, “You were really strong.”

“I feel like you’ve made a lot of progress,” he added.

Xu Zhilu felt a bit embarrassed by his praise.

She couldn’t exactly say, “I’ve had a few more years of practice than you.” She laughed awkwardly. “You were better.”

Peng Jin looked at her with amusement. “Do you always have to keep praising me like this?”

Xu Zhilu: “…Didn’t you say that first?”

Peng Jin was taken aback by her response and found her even more interesting.

Xu Zhilu didn’t notice his gaze and looked away towards the other side, under the podium.

Peng Jin followed her gaze and asked curiously, “What are you looking at?”

“Nothing.”

Xu Zhilu said calmly, “Do you have any classmates who haven’t finished their speeches yet?”

“Um.”

Xu Zhilu nodded and said, “I’ll go find my teacher first. I’ll leave now.”

Peng Jin looked at her and asked, “Are you in a hurry to leave?”

Xu Zhilu nodded. “Yes, let’s go.”

She found the English teacher and explained that she didn’t plan to return with the group. The results of the competition wouldn’t be available immediately—they would be screened and scored by the teachers before being posted on the official website. Xu Zhilu wasn’t in a rush and decided to leave early.

The teacher had no objections but advised, “Just make sure to pay attention to your safety.”

“Got it,” Xu Zhilu replied.

“And let me know when you get home.”

Xu Zhilu smiled and said, “Okay, thank you, teacher.”

–

She packed up and left. Actually, she didn’t have much with her—just a small bag with her phone and a few essentials.

As Xu Zhilu left the backstage and was about to call Xin An’an, Shen Siyan seemed to notice her. 

They exchanged a silent glance. A few seconds later, Shen Siyan patted Cheng Song on the shoulder, then bent down and walked toward her.

“Finished already?” he asked.

Xu Zhilu nodded. “Yeah.”

Shen Siyan raised his hand to pat her head, but Xu Zhilu dodged it.

She frowned and looked at him disapprovingly. “What are you doing?”

Shen Siyan paused and withdrew his hand. 

“Nothing, I just noticed something in your hair.”

Xu Zhilu was taken aback. “Really?”

She reached up and touched her head. “What is it? Was it there while I was speaking? Where is it?”

Seeing her anxious expression, Shen Siyan suppressed a smile, raised his hand, and said calmly, “Oh, it’s gone now.”

“?”

Xu Zhilu looked at him in confusion. “So what?”

Shen Siyan shrugged and said, “I didn’t get a good look at it. It flew away as soon as I raised my hand.”

Xu Zhilu: “…”

She suspected Shen Siyan was joking.

They stood there in a brief standoff before Shen Siyan suddenly bent down to look at her. “Xu Zhilu.”

Xu Zhilu took a step back, looking at him cautiously. “What?”

Shen Siyan choked and then said, “…Great.”

He looked directly into her eyes and said softly, “You did very well just now.”

Xu Zhilu’s heartbeat quickened slightly at his sincere praise.

She turned away, trying to maintain her composure. “I already know I’m good.”

“…”