Chapter 34: Rehearsal
Su Yu hadn’t expected Luo Xiaoxiao to be there, dressed in a punk-style leather jacket and high-top combat boots, her long, white legs exposed. She stood on stage, captivating almost everyone’s attention.
He, on the other hand, was crouching backstage, tired and listless, like a withered cabbage, watching her walk to the drum set. So that was what it was for, he had spent a long time moving that heavy drum set.
Watching a beautiful girl play the drums was an enjoyable experience, especially with such an intense beat. The moment she picked up the drumsticks, the wildness in her intensified. She seemed to be playing with a fierce passion, lost in the rhythm, the only thing in her world being the drums in front of her.
Su Yu didn’t recognize the song, probably some Western rock music. When the song ended, Luo Xiaoxiao had stolen the show. She was born to be the center of attention, the one who always caught your eye.
The rehearsal was great, but he was hungry. Food was more important.
Su Yu glanced around and saw Gu Chuan still chatting up a few girls in dance costumes who were about to perform. His pale face was beaming with a springtime glow, as if he had been brought back to life.
He decided not to call Gu Chuan and planned to sneak out while everyone’s attention was still on the stage. He could probably get back before anyone noticed.
The audience’s gaze followed the lights, the unlit areas dark and secretive. Su Yu walked along the wall of the hall. Halfway to the exit, he was blocked by a huddled figure. He watched as she slowly made her way out, her body bent low, almost unnoticed in the dim light.
Su Yu found her too slow and tapped her on the shoulder. “Can you walk a bit faster?”
“Ah! Oh my god!”
The huddled figure’s shoulders trembled violently. She slowly turned her head, a pair of large, dark eyes shining in the darkness. Su Yu couldn’t see her face clearly, but he could tell she was terrified.
“An Zhi?” Su Yu raised his eyebrows in confusion.
The girl’s voice was tense, and she still seemed shaken. She spoke timidly, her tone pleading, as if trying to negotiate with him.
“I’m hungry and want to go eat. Just pretend you didn’t see me, okay?”
…
A bowl of rice noodles, a steamed bun, and a cup of milk tea.
The small tray was piled high with food. An Zhi’s face finally relaxed. She took a small bite of the steamed bun, revealing the meat filling, the yellow oil seeping out and staining her cherry-red lips. Her already large eyes widened, sparkling like stars.
It seemed that girls who looked a bit silly had a unique obsession with delicious food. He Mu Qing was like that, and so was An Zhi.
“Aren’t you eating?”
An Zhi felt a bit uncomfortable under Su Yu’s gaze, her chewing slowing down. She looked at him staring at her bun and asked hesitantly, “Do you want some too? But this is mine. Should I go buy you one?”
“Uh, I just think… you have a good appetite.”
“Mmm~” An Zhi understood what he meant and blushed, lowering her head. “I can’t help it. Military training is so tiring, I get hungry so fast.”
“The military training will be over after tomorrow’s performance. Are you going to the party tonight?”
“Of course, of course. I’ve already made plans with them.” An Zhi nodded eagerly, her eyes full of innocent excitement. “We who helped with the decorations can choose front-row seats in advance. I have to save a few for them. They said there will be a lot of handsome guys to watch.”
“You… weren’t you tricked into coming here?”
Su Yu thought for a moment and couldn’t help but ask. With An Zhi’s shy and timid personality, he couldn’t believe she had volunteered for this.
“No, no, I came because I heard we could skip military training. And… it wasn’t tiring.”
“You can’t bring that many people with you.”
“Huh? Not enough spots?” An Zhi was stunned for a moment, then her tone became flustered. “Oh no, what should I do?”
“Nothing…” Su Yu shrugged. “If you really can’t fit everyone, just say your friends came with me.”
“Aren’t you watching the party?”
“Sigh, I have to be backstage, preparing the props.” Su Yu sighed, unsure if he was happy or not. “But I have a special seat, closer than yours. If you like any handsome guys, I’ll get their numbers for you.”
“Okay, okay, thank you so much! We… let’s exchange contact information.”
An Zhi’s eyes were practically sparkling with gratitude. She looked at Su Yu as if he were her savior. Before coming, she had boasted to her roommates that she would bring the entire dorm with her.
“Sure, I’ll scan your code.”
Su Yu and An Zhi exchanged contact information. By the time they left the cafeteria, the sky had already darkened, a golden sunset filling the sky. The students who had just finished training rushed into the cafeteria like a swarm of locusts. The two of them looked a bit lonely.
“I have to go find my roommates now.”
“Okay, bye.”
“Bye.”
The girl waved goodbye and struggled to make her way through the crowd, clutching her milk tea, as timid as an ant.
Su Yu watched her for a moment, then turned and walked away.
…
The final, heavy beat of the drums echoed in the distance. Luo Xiaoxiao threw down her drumsticks, her forehead glistening with sweat. She wiped it away with the back of her hand, ignoring the stares of the others, and jumped off the one-meter-high stage.
She had played her heart out today. When she was in a good mood, she tended to act without thinking. Her dark-eyeshadowed gaze scanned the crowd and saw Gu Chuan in the corner, chatting up a few girls in dance costumes, his smile blindingly bright.
Luo Xiaoxiao walked over and kicked Gu Chuan’s leg, ignoring the two girls she didn’t know. “Are you alone?”
“No, you played well today.”
Gu Chuan patted his pants, not minding, and nodded to the two girls, then pulled Luo Xiaoxiao aside. He and Luo Xiaoxiao had been close since high school, having met… at a bar.
“Who else is here…” Luo Xiaoxiao took a lollipop from her pocket and put it in her mouth, asking casually.
“Su Yu is here…” Gu Chuan looked around, searching for a long time, but Su Yu was nowhere to be found. “Hey, where did he go? He was watching you play the drums just now.”
“He was watching me play? And he left before I finished?”
Luo Xiaoxiao scoffed, feeling a bit annoyed. After all, she had performed exceptionally well today, and the crowd had erupted in thunderous applause.
“Who knows? Not everyone is interested in this kind of thing.”
Gu Chuan shrugged. “Hey, I just met some friends. They’re performing and want your help. They asked me to ask you.”
“Not interested. I have to practice the drums. No time.”
Luo Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes and jumped back on stage. The intense beat of the drums soon filled the air again. Gu Chuan listened from below, shaking his head helplessly. The sound was much more chaotic than before.
