Chapter 45: Do You Think I’m in Demand?

Wen Wan Ning sat in the front row, gazing at her on stage, a smile rising in her eyes as she nodded lightly. Then she mouthed the words to her, her moist lips opening and closing under the lights. “You’re amazing!”

Shen Jia Yan’s lips curved up involuntarily, the shy smile not yet faded, but that one glance made it resolute. The commanding aura from earlier in the performance quietly returned. She straightened her back, her gaze reigniting with light.

Next came each band member’s solo time, with Shen Jia Yan going last.

When lead singer Lin Che announced the “individual showcase segment,” the audience erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers.

Wen Wan Ning sat in the front row, her eyes locked tightly on the drum set to the right of the stage. That was Shen Jia Yan’s spot.

She watched Shen Jia Yan bow her head to adjust the pedal, her expression focused and serene, as if the entire world had quieted down, leaving only the conversation between her and the drums.

The other members took the stage one after another. Guitarist Chen Yu’an ignited the crowd with a highly explosive melody, bassist Zhou Ran earned full-house cheers with deep, rhythmic beats, and keyboardist Su Qing’s performance was gentle and lively, like stars leaping in the night sky.

When it was Shen Jia Yan’s turn, the lights dimmed across the venue, leaving only a spotlight on her.

She sat on the drum stool, took a deep breath, and lightly gripped the drumsticks with her fingers.

Then, the first note fell.

A light tap on the snare drum, like the start of a heartbeat.

Immediately after, the hi-hat hissed softly, the bass drum boomed, and her arms traced fluid arcs in the air. The drumbeats fell densely like raindrops, yet perfectly orderly, the rhythm precise like a machine.

But what moved people more than the rhythm was her gaze.

It was a near-devout passion, a light she couldn’t hide.

She seemed entirely illuminated by the music, releasing her truest self amid the drum sounds.

Wen Wan Ning held her breath, watching her pour out emotions in the interplay of light and shadow. In that moment, she finally understood why Shen Jia Yan always said she loved playing drums.

Because that was her way of expressing love, her most fluent language.

The beats shifted from slow to fast, emotions building layer by layer, like light struggling through the darkness to find an outlet, finally breaking through the clouds at one moment to illuminate the entire stage.

The final heavy beat landed, plunging the audience into brief silence before thunderous applause and screams erupted.

Shen Jia Yan slowly set down the drumsticks, sweat beading on her forehead, but her lips curved up involuntarily.

She looked up toward the audience, her gaze landing once more on Wen Wan Ning.

Wen Wan Ning stood up, her eyes slightly red, but she smiled brilliantly, her lips moving lightly again. “You’re really… amazing.”

Shen Jia Yan gazed at her, as if hearing the most beautiful sound in the world.

She nodded lightly, her eyes tender and firm, as if responding, “All of this is for you.”

Because she knew that compared to applause and cheers, what truly made her willing to practice again and again, to push her limits time after time, was the stage, the music, and more than anything, the person who always sat in the front row, lighting up the entire performance with her gaze.

It was Wen Wan Ning.

The person she liked.

※

Two hours later, the performance ended completely.

Shen Jia Yan sent Wen Wan Ning a WeChat message: [Wan Ning, wait for me a bit at the theater entrance. I’ll come find you once I’m done packing up.]

After replying, Wen Wan Ning prepared to pull Yu Xiao Huan along and head out. But she heard excited chatter from behind.

“Oh my god! That drummer was so cool!” Yu Xiao Huan’s classmate Lin Yan was tugging at her arm excitedly. “Her solo just killed me!”

Yu Xiao Huan smiled and pointed at Wen Wan Ning. “Look, this is the drummer’s—Shen Jia Yan’s—best friend. They’ve known each other since high school.”

Lin Yan’s eyes lit up instantly, and she grabbed Wen Wan Ning’s wrist. “Really? The way she plays drums is so cool!” Her nails nearly dug into Wen Wan Ning’s skin. “Does she have a boyfriend? Or… a girlfriend?”

Wen Wan Ning’s breath hitched. On stage, Shen Jia Yan was still packing up her drumsticks, the spotlight giving her a fuzzy golden edge. Looking at the girl’s eager eyes, her carefully styled appearance, wavy long hair, sparkling eye makeup, and the dress deliberately showing off her figure, a sourness suddenly surged in Wen Wan Ning’s chest.

“She…” Wen Wan Ning’s fingertips unconsciously dug into her palm. “Should be single.”

Lin Yan nearly jumped with excitement. “Really? Could you please introduce me? I think I have a shot!”

Wen Wan Ning’s smile faltered slightly, like something had gently bumped her heart, but she maintained her smiling expression. “Um… I don’t know if she’d be willing.”

She didn’t agree to introduce right away, nor did she refuse, just shifting the topic mildly. “You all seem to like her a lot, huh?”

“Of course!” Another girl chimed in. “Not only does she play the drum set so well, but her vibe is so steady. And she looks really gentle—totally matches all my fantasies of an ideal partner!”

The group chattered on, their eyes sparkling with infatuation, while Wen Wan Ning stood there, listening to these words, her chest feeling like it was weighed down by a soft clump of cotton—heavy and suffocating.

“She really is excellent,” she heard her own calm voice say, as if from far away.

“Please do it!” Lin Yan clasped her hands together, the rhinestones on her manicure glittering dazzlingly. “Ask her what type she likes?”

“Okay.” Wen Wan Ning’s lips curved into a perfect arc. “When I see her, I’ll ask for you.”

Before the words finished, familiar footsteps approached from behind. Shen Jia Yan drew near, still carrying the heat of the stage, her citrus scent mixed with sweat enveloping them. “What are you talking about?”

She had finished packing and saw Wen Wan Ning hadn’t left yet, so she came straight over.

Lin Yan’s face flushed red instantly. Wen Wan Ning lowered her eyes to the deep crescent marks in her palm. “Talking about how popular you are.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was enough for Shen Jia Yan beside her to hear.

Shen Jia Yan paused, then laughed, her tone laced with teasing. “So that’s what you’re discussing?” She naturally reached out to take the bag from Wen Wan Ning’s shoulder, her fingertips brushing her hair unintentionally. “What’s the conclusion?”

Her gaze stared straight into Wen Wan Ning’s eyes, the stage lights fading behind her, making those eyes exceptionally bright.

“The conclusion is…” Wen Wan Ning turned her face away, saying softly, “You’re in high demand.”

Shen Jia Yan suddenly leaned in close, her breath brushing Wen Wan Ning’s ear. “What about you?” Her voice held a gentleness only the two of them could hear. “Do you think I’m in demand?”

Lin Yan watched dumbfounded from the side, her support stick clattering to the ground. Wen Wan Ning felt her heart racing uncontrollably, her ear tips burning hot.

“I…” She opened her mouth, but the moment she met Shen Jia Yan’s gaze, she forgot her words. Those eyes, always full of smiles, were now unusually serious, as if seeing right through her.

Shen Jia Yan suddenly straightened up and turned to Lin Yan and the others. “Thank you for coming to the show and for your support.” She smiled politely, but her left hand quietly took hold of Wen Wan Ning’s. “Sorry, though—I already have someone I like.”

Wen Wan Ning jerked her head up, seeing Shen Jia Yan’s profile outlined softly in the theater’s dim yellow lights. Her heart skipped a beat, her captured fingers trembling slightly.

“Let’s go.” Shen Jia Yan tightened her grip, her voice light and cheerful. “Didn’t we agree to grab late-night snacks after the show?”

Wen Wan Ning stared dazedly at Shen Jia Yan’s profile, the words “I already have someone I like” still echoing lightly yet weightily in her ears.

They walked side by side down the empty corridor, their footsteps weaving into a strange rhythm under the dim lights. Wen Wan Ning tried several times to speak, but found herself at a loss for words.

Shen Jia Yan walked beside her, head lowered, her right fingers unconsciously rubbing the hem of her clothes, a trace of lingering shyness and awkwardness on her face. She had said those words so naturally and firmly in front of everyone, but now it was as if she suddenly realized how bold it was, her breathing even careful.

She had seen the other girl’s intentions toward her and used Wen Wan Ning to fend her off, but her question, taking her hand—it was all real, a cautiously exposed truth hidden beneath the excuse.

As they walked farther away, Shen Jia Yan let go of Wen Wan Ning’s hand.

The dim light hid her flushed cheeks. She scratched her head, embarrassed. “Sorry, I just used you to get out of that situation.”

Wen Wan Ning stared at her suddenly empty palm, where Shen Jia Yan’s warmth lingered. The sensation of being gripped tightly remained, the joints still holding the faint pressure.

“Get out of it.” She repeated softly, forcing a curve to her lips. “So that’s how it was.” In that instant, she had almost thought…

Shen Jia Yan turned around, sequins from the stage still caught in her hair, like scattered stars in the dim light. “That girl’s look at me…” She gestured an exaggerated heart shape with her hands. “You know.”

Wen Wan Ning’s lips curved slightly. “She definitely has a crush on you.”

Shen Jia Yan said helplessly, “I noticed, so—” She paused. “Anyway, forget her. I’ll take you to eat, and you can fulfill your promise while we’re at it.”

Wen Wan Ning was carried along by her mood, ignoring the odd feeling in her heart, and raised an eyebrow with a smile. “So confident?”

Shen Jia Yan touched the Rubik’s Cube in her bag and lifted her chin. “You’ll see soon enough.”

Wen Wan Ning had arranged a meetup time with Yu Xiao Huan and followed Shen Jia Yan to the restaurant she had booked.

The restaurant was a Western one near their school that Shen Jia Yan had researched extensively for the highest ratings. She had even asked her roommates to try it out last night—it was indeed good.

They were seated by a window with a beautiful night view.

Since it was late-night snacks, they didn’t plan to eat much. Shen Jia Yan ordered some appetizers based on Wen Wan Ning’s preferences.

During the wait for food, she pulled the Rubik’s Cube from her bag.

“Ready?” Wen Wan Ning smiled slyly. “You only get one chance.”

Shen Jia Yan twisted the Rubik’s Cube and took a deep breath. “Ready.”