Song Shixi wandered around backstage for a while before finally slipping out through the rear door to sit on a bench by the roadside, catching her breath.

As she looked at the Walkman in her hand, an inexplicable rage surged within her. If it weren’t for avoiding that plague Li Yanxing, how could she have bumped into someone?

Fuming, Song Shixi gritted her teeth and vented her anger by kicking a small pebble at her feet. But with too much force, the pebble went flying, tumbling a few times on the road before landing near someone’s foot.

She instinctively looked up and met a pair of familiar dark eyes.

Unnoticed by her, a group of people had emerged from the parking lot at the end of the tree-lined path. The man at the forefront was tall and strikingly handsome.

Unlike the usual suits she’d seen him in, today he wore a dark gray Zhongshan suit, which added a solemn and dignified air to him. His black short hair, under the sunlight, took on a light brown hue, softening his sharp, imposing presence and lending him a more refined and gentle demeanor.

That is, if one could ignore the cold, penetrating gaze locked directly onto her.

Song Shixi swallowed hard, fear tightening her lips. She felt like today was just her unlucky day—running into every kind of ghost and monster imaginable.

Just escaped the wolf’s den, only to fall into the tiger’s jaws.

Life was simply unbearable.

Their eyes met squarely, leaving her no room to pretend she hadn’t seen him. Her gaze swept over the line of people behind him, who looked every bit like high-ranking officials. Her chest tightened, nerves stretched to the limit, as she forced a smile and quickly stood up from the bench.

Just as she was about to greet him, she saw him give her a fleeting glance before striding past her without a word.

As if they were complete strangers.

In stark contrast, the people behind him smiled warmly and nodded at her as they passed. Even Xu Jinze gave her a polite nod.

Humiliated and embarrassed, Song Shixi’s face burned red with anger. She managed a strained smile as they walked away, then couldn’t bear to stay any longer, turning on her heel and storming back to the backstage area.

Afraid of running into anyone else she shouldn’t, she didn’t dare wander around again until the evening gala began, staying obediently in the lounge.

The gala started on time, with the venue packed to capacity. The students’ enthusiasm was unprecedented, and even backstage, Song Shixi could hear the waves of cheers from the audience.

“Comrade Song, don’t be nervous. Just perform as you normally would.” Chen Huili, worried that Song Shixi might falter under the pressure of such a large crowd, stayed with her before her performance, chatting and encouraging her.

But Song Shixi was distracted, only responding occasionally.

The two weren’t particularly close, and even Chen Huili’s best efforts to keep the conversation going eventually ran dry. Pressing her lips together, Chen Huili’s eyes suddenly lit up as she spotted something. Excitedly, she tugged at Song Shixi’s sleeve. “Look over there.”

Following her gaze, Song Shixi saw a golden couple—two people dressed in matching outfits, their entire presence screaming one word: perfect.

The girl wore a red ethnic costume, her hair pinned up and adorned with exquisite silver ornaments. With makeup on, she was stunningly beautiful, radiating a fiery charm entirely different from her usual demeanor.

Beside her, the boy was dressed similarly, his delicate, almost ethereal features giving him a striking, exotic allure.

Such an eye-catching, extraordinary pair—who else could it be but Qin Zhiyi and Li Yanxing?

Talk about bad luck running into them again here, Song Shixi thought bitterly. She subtly hid behind Chen Huili, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible. But Chen Huili, unaware of her plight, mistook her sudden crouching for a physical issue and asked urgently,

“Comrade Song, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

“I’m fine.”

Song Shixi waved her hand, signaling Chen Huili not to worry, but it was already too late. When she looked back toward where Qin Zhiyi and Li Yanxing had been, they were no longer there.

Then, turning her head, she found herself face-to-face with Qin Zhiyi—one standing tall, the other crouched low.

Staring up at Qin Zhiyi’s cold gaze, Song Shixi had a momentary illusion that it was Qin Yue standing before her. The siblings’ icy glares were just too similar.

“What are you doing here?”

Qin Zhiyi had caught a glimpse of someone who looked like Song Shixi earlier and thought she was mistaken. But it really was her. Her eyes swept over Song Shixi’s outfit, and she frowned in surprise.

After all, Song Shixi had always hated participating in such events. In her own words, she’d rather spend the time meeting potential suitors or buying new clothes than waste it here.

So it was hard not to be shocked and suspicious.

“I came with my school’s recitation team to perform at the gala,” Song Shixi answered, slowly straightening her twisted posture, trying to remain calm under Qin Zhiyi’s scrutiny.

Qin Zhiyi was about to say more when Li Yanxing, who had followed her, interrupted.

“Zhiyi, it’s our turn to go on.”

“Mm.”

Qin Zhiyi gave Song Shixi one last deep look before turning and walking toward the waiting area. Li Yanxing followed, but as he passed Song Shixi, he silently mouthed the same phrase he had that night—a secret signal only the two of them knew.

Song Shixi’s brow furrowed, a chill running down her spine. She hadn’t expected Li Yanxing to openly arrange a meeting at their usual spot, especially with Qin Zhiyi right there!

Is he insane?

But upon closer thought, it made sense.

After all, the original host had been nothing but a desperate, clingy admirer in Li Yanxing’s eyes. But ever since she transmigrated into this world, she had first accidentally stood him up for their prearranged rendezvous in the storage room, and then failed to meet him at their usual spot that night.

It was as if she had suddenly lost interest in him and no longer wanted to chase after him.

The stark contrast between her past and present behavior undoubtedly created a sense of “crisis” for Li Yanxing, who was accustomed to being the dominant one and reveled in that feeling.

Unaware that “Song Shixi” had been replaced by a different soul, he couldn’t help but take the risk to urgently arrange a meeting, hoping to sound her out.

Of course, Song Shixi had no intention of going. Right now, she wished for nothing more than to sever all ties with him—why would she willingly walk into his trap? Besides, it was only fair to let a scumbag like Li Yanxing live in constant anxiety, giving him a taste of psychological torment.

“Do you know them?”

Chen Huili’s gossipy voice chimed in from the side. Song Shixi snapped out of her thoughts and forced a dry laugh. “No, I don’t.”

Given the scene earlier, it was obvious they knew each other. But since Song Shixi didn’t want to elaborate, Chen Huili didn’t press further.

Before long, thunderous cheers and applause erupted from the stage—clearly, Qin Zhiyi and Li Yanxing’s performance had been a resounding success.

“They win first prize every year. This year won’t be an exception.” Chen Huili sighed enviously.

Song Shixi didn’t respond, thinking to herself, Of course it’s no exception—they’re the female lead and second male lead of this novel. If they don’t win, who will?

After a few more performances, it was finally their turn for the poetry recitation.

The moment the group of young, radiant girls stepped on stage, they were met with a round of applause.

Song Shixi stood in the front row, separated from the sea of spectators only by the judges’ table. With just a glance, she spotted Qin Yue sitting in the center seat.

Under the dim lighting, he lounged lazily in his chair, exuding an air of effortless dominance. His handsome face remained expressionless, eyelids drooping as if he couldn’t be less interested.

Well, of course.

If he was here at all, it was likely to strengthen ties with his alma mater and push forward various collaborations. There was no way he’d come just to watch the performances.

Taking advantage of the crowd, Song Shixi shamelessly scrutinized Qin Yue from head to toe before concluding: A beast in human clothing.

The next second, the “beast in human clothing” suddenly looked straight at her.

Their eyes met mid-air, startling Song Shixi so much that her pupils dilated. Flustered, she immediately lowered her gaze, not daring to look any longer.

Noticing this, Qin Yue let out a faint scoff. His fingers, resting on the table, slowly curled, his fingertips tapping lightly against the surface in rhythm with the recitation on stage.

Though it was the same poem being recited, he could distinctly pick out her voice from the group—clear, fluent, and melodious, each word brimming with emotion, as if pulling listeners into another world, immersing them in its unique atmosphere.

He hadn’t known she had such a talent.

A glimmer of interest flickered in Qin Yue’s eyes as he looked up, only for his gaze to inexplicably fixate on one spot.

Her small, plump lips were glossed with a translucent sheen of lipstick, parting and closing to reveal the pink tip of her tongue between pearly teeth—soft and delicate, like ripe cherries in May, exuding an irresistible allure.

Suddenly, his mind flashed back to that morning beneath the blooming hydrangeas, where she had stood before the mirror, smearing her lipstick with her fingertips in slow, deliberate strokes.

His tapping fingers abruptly stilled. His dark lashes lowered slightly, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

…

The gala concluded without a hitch, and Song Shixi returned home on her school’s bus.

The military compound didn’t allow outside vehicles or personnel, so she had to walk the rest of the way from the main gate. Fortunately, the guard on duty, seeing her alone, offered to escort her back. Otherwise, despite knowing the compound was safe, walking alone at night still unnerved her a little.

The guard was a man of few words, and Song Shixi, exhausted from the day’s events, didn’t feel like talking either. The two walked in silence.

Halfway there, two blinding headlights suddenly swept over them from behind. Soon, a black sedan rolled up at a leisurely pace. Recognizing it as Qin Yue’s car, Song Shixi instinctively paused mid-step.

To her surprise, the car reversed and came to a stop right beside her.

The window rolled down, but contrary to expectations, the first face that appeared was Qin Zhiyi’s. Her stage makeup was still on, and under the pale moonlight, she looked breathtakingly beautiful.

Behind her was an equally striking face—one that exuded authority.

The two siblings appearing in the same frame was nothing short of a visual feast.

“Comrade Qin.”

The guard clearly recognized them and saluted.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Qin Zhiyi smiled warmly and returned the salute before gradually sobering and shifting her gaze to Song Shixi. Though she didn’t say a word, Song Shixi somehow understood her silent request. Turning to the guard, she thanked him before opening the passenger door and sliding in.