Chapter 40 Part 2

Watching the three’s heated discussion, Yu Mo’s mind suddenly recalled the confession scene she’d orchestrated for Shen Shuyu in her past life.

She still remembered Zhou Qin’s assessment back then: “Heaven-shattering genius, ingeniously brilliant.”

Since she herself wouldn’t be needing it in this life, she might as well gift it to Wei Lai.

“Hey, listen up…”

A secret mini-meeting commenced among the four.

After hearing Yu Mo’s plan, illustrated with both words and drawings, the three looked at each other with eyes full of surprise and excitement.

Wei Lai held the paper with the plan scribbled on it, clicking her tongue in admiration. “Absolutely brilliant, sister. Part of my future happiness is due to you.”

“So we’ll set it for… around the Arts Festival next week? There’ll be lots of people then, better cover for the setup.” Yu Mo finalized.

“Deal!”

.

The day arrived. Clear skies and gentle breezes.

A few wisps of cloud drifted lazily across the vast blue canvas overhead.

The opening ceremony of the 48th A City Youth Arts Festival was being held at A University Affiliated Girls High School.

Before the ceremony even began, students seated in the audience were animatedly discussing several of the day’s opening performances.

Though each voice was individually low, they accumulated like grains of sand forming a tower, merging into a collective buzz that seemed noisy from afar.

“Why are there students from other schools here?” Feng Ruoyu asked, spotting the school emblems on the uniforms of students standing in the back rows.

Zhou Qin gave a casual “Pfft,” and explained, “Aren’t they all here for Shen Shuyu? They all say her ballet is incredibly beautiful. It’s her ballet debut since entering high school—who wouldn’t want a glimpse?”

“Aiya, I’m so nervous.” Wei Lai clenched her fists, completely unable to focus on such gossip.

“Don’t be nervous. We’ve got everything prepared. Just relax. When the time comes, just say all the things you wrote down to Li Qingqing,” Yu Mo soothed, unwrapping a candy for Wei Lai. “Here, calm your nerves.”

“What are you chatting about? Give me one too.” Li Qingqing, the oblivious female lead, pulled out the chair next to Wei Lai and sat down.

“We were just discussing where to eat after watching the Academic Rep’s performance,” Yu Mo said calmly, also offering Li Qingqing a candy, seizing the chance to invite her. “Join us?”

Li Qingqing nodded, then added, “In that case, I’ll have to bring Shuyu.”

“Of course!” Zhou Qin readily agreed.

Satisfied, Li Qingqing took out her phone and messaged Shen Shuyu: 【After your performance, let’s all grab a meal together. Your fish is here.】

Backstage was far noisier than the audience seats up front. Busy staff, performers rushing to make their cues—all sorts of sounds intertwined without restraint. Hectic and hurried, yet not without order.

The large common dressing room was quieter than outside. Everyone was dressed and ready, nervous yet expectant.

Shen Shuyu, wearing a lightweight, ethereal tutu, sat primly before the vanity mirror. The satin ribbons laced behind her cinched her waist, outlining a perfect curve.

White floral vines were delicately woven into her raven-black hair, neat and refined.

Her exquisite features were meticulously enhanced by the makeup artist’s brush, bringing out their full allure.

Just then, Shen Shuyu’s phone vibrated. She glanced down at Li Qingqing’s message and the corner of her lips curved up slightly. 【Okay. I’ll come find you all after.】

“What’s making you so happy?” The makeup artist, seeing Shen Shuyu’s fleeting smile in the mirror, teased.

“Nothing,” Shen Shuyu shook her head. Ordinarily, that would be the end of it. But instead, she seemed to want to cover it up, adding an explanation, “Just a few friends getting together for a meal after. Just a regular get-together.”

The makeup artist nodded lightly, not paying it much mind. She picked up a lip gloss and gently lifted Shen Shuyu’s chin.

A bold, intense red painted a dramatic stroke across Shen Shuyu’s naturally light-colored lips.

Exquisite and commanding.

The Ghost King’s aura was perfectly accentuated.

“‘Giselle’ is up!” The duty stagehand knocked on the door of the large dressing room.

Teacher Liu immediately called everyone to get ready.

The makeup artist took the veil pinned behind Shen Shuyu’s updo and carefully draped it over her head. “There. My Ghost King, you may take the stage.”

The Arts Festival’s rendition of Giselle was a revised, shorter adaptation crafted by the school teachers.

Following a deep blackout, the music for Act II of Giselle slowly began.

Everyone applauded with anticipation.

Shen Shuyu took a light breath. As the music flowed, she stepped onto the stage en pointe amidst the hazy, ethereal mist.

Though the sea of the audience stretched before her, Shen Shuyu, through the gauze of her veil, instantly found Yu Mo sitting among them.

Her red lips curved gently. Following the music’s progression, she gracefully opened her arms.

She had arrived.

Dance for her with abandon now.

Dedicate this dance to her.

This, Shen Shuyu told herself in her heart.

The harp plucked its strings, music like the sound of the ocean.

The layered tulle of Shen Shuyu’s skirt swayed with her light, steady steps.

Light as smoke, drifting like a ghost.

The entire venue was enveloped in silence. No one chatted, no one uttered exclamations of awe.

Everyone’s eyes followed Shen Shuyu’s figure.

Watching her dance solo upon the stage with elegance and liveliness, yearning to see the face hidden beneath the veil.

The hazy mist gradually dissipated. The music entered its next phase.

Shen Shuyu gently removed the veil before her face, her exquisite features emerging gracefully.

Noble and dignified, yet still lively.

Amidst her graceful swaying, Shen Shuyu looked up slightly. Her lonely, aloof eyes met Yu Mo’s reddish-brown pupils.

Yu Mo’s heart skipped a beat.

But before she could even grasp it, Shen Shuyu’s toes, like leaping sprites, carried her away to the lively music.

Everyone could feel the joy radiating from Shen Shuyu’s dance at that moment.

Shen Shuyu spun on stage.

Her tulle skirt was lifted, blossoming in layers.

Undulating like clear waves, drifting like thin clouds.

Yu Mo’s eyes followed Shen Shuyu involuntarily.

She felt she could no longer tear her gaze away.

Then, as the music ended, Shen Shuyu’s toes halted abruptly in the next second, her skirt settling with them.

She held her noble head high, gazing haughtily at the audience, like the most elegant, noble swan in the world.

Applause thundered from all around.

But Shen Shuyu cared about no one else, only resting the endpoint of her gaze upon Yu Mo.

Under the dim lighting, she couldn’t quite see her expression, only that she was clapping.

Clapping for her.

This was, without a doubt, more heartily gratifying than any congratulations from anyone else.

After the performance ended, Shen Shuyu couldn’t wait to return to the dressing room. Her dance shoes tapped against the tile floor, creating crisp clicks.

Teacher Liu pushed open the dressing room door. Seeing Shen Shuyu, a joyful smile appeared on her face. “This performance was even more outstanding than any of the rehearsals. Very well done, Shuyu.”

“You flatter me, Teacher.” Shen Shuyu inclined her body humbly.

“Are you tired?” Teacher Liu asked with concern.

“A little.” Shen Shuyu’s answer was somewhat distracted.

All she wanted was to get away quickly and meet up with Yu Mo and the others outside the auditorium.

Hearing Shen Shuyu’s voice, Teacher Liu assumed she was simply tired and said considerately, “You really do seem a bit tired. You should go home and rest well. I’ll decline the post-performance dinner for you.”

Shen Shuyu nodded and politely thanked her. “Thank you, Teacher.”

Just then, Teacher Liu’s phone rang. She hurriedly waved at Shen Shuyu. “It’s nothing. Alright, I have something else to attend to. I’ll be off.”

“Good. Goodbye, Teacher.” Shen Shuyu watched Teacher Liu leave, then quickly sped up her packing.

At that moment, Shen Shuyu’s phone screen lit up. A message from Li Qingqing: 【Yu Mo took me to the back garden. Dunno what they’re up to, all mysterious. I think it might be a surprise for you.】

Looking at the screen—”Yu Mo” and “surprise”—Shen Shuyu blinked unnaturally.

Had Yu Mo really prepared a surprise for her?

Perhaps her mind was still basking in the stage’s glow, easily swept away by this sudden news.

Without much thought, Shen Shuyu headed towards the location Li Qingqing had mentioned.

Summer had officially arrived. The garden behind the school auditorium was in full bloom with all sorts of flowers.

Clusters upon clusters.

Sunlight beamed upon them, sending fragrance everywhere, enchanting to linger in.

Walking along, Shen Shuyu felt a strong sense of déjà vu, a scene from memory overlapping intensely.

That time, she too had walked through this back garden, oblivious.

She followed the secluded path, guided by various prompts along the way.

Wisteria petals drifted down, carpeting the entire cobblestone path she walked.

Memories surged like a tide. Shen Shuyu remembered the end of this path was a flower pavilion.

Wei Lai and the others were on the staircase above, earnestly scattering petals—red, white, purple, pink—drifting everywhere on the breeze.

And she and Yu Mo stood within, surrounded by a riot of colors.

A gentle breeze stirred, a melodious song playing.

Yu Mo’s usually composed face had also been slightly flushed.

She had looked at Shen Shuyu, her voice tight with nervousness.

The memory, coated in honey, churned in Shen Shuyu’s heart, snapping the thread of her reason.

Past scenes unfurled anew.

Was this surprise Yu Mo had prepared for her the same as the one in her previous life?

Shen Shuyu’s heart raced with increasing speed. Anticipation and tension intertwined.

She still remembered exactly what Yu Mo had said back then. The most direct confession imaginable—

“Li Qingqing, I like you!”

Shen Shuyu’s footsteps on the little path came to an abrupt halt.

The petal rain had already begun falling in the flower pavilion—petals that were originally meant for her.

Yu Mo and Wei Lai seemed to have swapped roles.

The person who should have been in the flower pavilion was now on the staircase above, and the person who should have been on the staircase was in the flower pavilion.

And her own place was now occupied by Li Qingqing.

Shen Shuyu watched Yu Mo standing on the staircase from afar, a layer of mist clouding her vision.

The unfounded fantasy, born without reason, abruptly dissipated.

The breeze still blew as it had in the past life. That slightly dated, melodious old song still played softly.

The beautiful scene in Shen Shuyu’s sight deeply stabbed at her eyes.

She witnessed, with her own eyes, the memory that had originally belonged to her being erased by Yu Mo in this life, rewritten with someone else’s name.

Because she no longer cared about the bond between them.

Therefore, in this life, she had given away the beautiful memory that should have belonged to them… to someone else.