Chapter 155: A Stunning Debut

"No, it's very late. Once it's over, I just want to go home and sleep." Luo Yixia did not agree.

"Fine, you've been rehearsing for so long, you deserve to relax," Gan Yanyan nodded.

"Yanyan, where is my jacket? I'm freezing to death, I need to put it on." She had indeed been drenched in sweat after coming off stage, but now that she had calmed down, she felt a bit chilly. She looked around, but couldn't find her clothes in the dressing room.

Gan Yanyan slapped her forehead, looking guilty. "I took it to the seats outside earlier and forgot about it. Wait here, I'll go find it."

"It's fine, just wear mine." Song Chengyi picked up a black jacket from a chair.

Without waiting for Luo Yixia to refuse, he draped it over her shoulders and zipped it up. The jacket was oversized and long, reaching down to her calves.

"Let's head out and wait. We still need to take a group photo after it ends, so you can't change yet."

Instead of lingering backstage, Luo Yixia and Gan Yanyan returned to the auditorium, hunching over as they sat back down. Song Chengyi returned to his own class. Many classmates nearby leaned over to offer compliments, and for once, Luo Yixia was modest.

Ten minutes later, the gala finally came to an end. Performers began to gather toward the stage. Luo Yixia took off the jacket and handed it to Gan Yanyan. While getting into position, she was dazed, scanning left and right for Song Chengyi.

He was the one who found her first, tugging her arm to pull her to the side, ending up in the corner on the far right.

"Hi, junior," a senior from an unknown class greeted her.

"Hello, senior," Luo Yixia nodded.

"That Latin dance you did earlier was great. Have you been dancing since you were a kid?"

"Yes, I learned it when I was little," Luo Yixia replied politely.

The senior kept asking questions, causing Song Chengyi to frown. He reached out and swapped places with Luo Yixia. The senior gave him an annoyed look, but seeing Song Chengyi’s foul expression, he shut his mouth awkwardly. Luo Yixia felt a small spark of joy.

Once everyone had gathered, the hosts began their closing remarks, followed by the awards ceremony. It was crowded, and Song Chengyi pulled her closer to keep others from bumping into her.

"Congratulations to Luo Yixia and Song Chengyi from Class 235 of the sophomore year and Class 169 of the senior year for winning the second prize."

Luo Yixia hadn't even processed it when the host made the announcement. She looked up at Song Chengyi in a daze. "Did I hear that wrong?"

"You thought I practiced piano for nothing?" Song Chengyi said with a mocking, narcissistic tone.

Luo Yixia pursed her lips.

As the hosts continued to announce the winning acts, the two of them were also awarded the "Creative Award," which was completely unexpected. During the award presentation, they walked to the center of the stage. Song Chengyi stood quietly to the side while Luo Yixia accepted the certificates and a trophy, then gave a brief speech.

Suddenly, a swarm of people ran up from the audience to present them with flowers. Luo Yixia’s class had prepared some, and Gan Yanyan had prepared her own separately. Luo Yixia held two bouquets, then looked at Song Chengyi. She didn't want to look—the gap was huge; he had so many he couldn't even hold them all.

Song Chengyi accepted the bouquet from Gan Yanyan and refused all others politely. The young girls who approached him smiling went back with long faces, looking unhappy, and some even glared at Luo Yixia as they left. She felt so wronged—why glare at her just because he didn't accept the flowers? It wasn't like she was the one who told him not to.

After the group photo, Song Chengyi shoved the flowers into Luo Yixia’s arms while still on stage.

Luo Yixia: "..." She felt like he was just trying to stir up trouble for her.

The gala ended successfully, but there were still many people wanting to give flowers. Song Chengyi was surrounded once again. Luo Yixia stood aside, taking the jacket Gan Yanyan handed her and putting it on. Seeing Song Chengyi unable to break free, she wasn't sure if she should keep waiting.

"Xiaxia." He Zhen walked over gracefully, holding a large bouquet of roses. Luo Yixia looked over.

"Here, congratulations. Your performance earlier was very moving." He Zhen smiled and held out the flowers. By now, eyes were turning their way. He Zhen was quite popular at school; after all, that face was quite heart-fluttering.

Luo Yixia was already holding three bouquets—partly because she couldn't carry any more, and partly because she didn't feel they were close enough for her to accept flowers from him. "Thank you for the congratulations, but I've already received a lot of flowers." She declined.

"It's fine, one more won't hurt," He Zhen said, still smiling, not pulling his hand back.

The atmosphere turned awkward instantly. Whispers broke out around them.

"Look, is that He Zhen?"
"A whole bouquet of roses? It feels a bit strange to give roses, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, Luo Yixia is too dazzling tonight, but didn't she perform with Song Chengyi?"
"I just saw Song Chengyi give his flowers to her."
"Aren't they just friends? Didn't Song Chengyi say he treats her like a little sister?"
"Little sisters aren't that intimate. I saw her wearing his black jacket when she came off stage."
"What?"

Luo Yixia was hesitating, thinking maybe she should just take them to avoid making him look awkward holding them up. But the atmosphere was so strange... Just as she was about to give in, Song Chengyi pushed through the crowd and grabbed her. "Let's go, it's time to head back."

The whole crowd went silent. Luo Yixia blinked, wondering if he had gone crazy, or if she had.

"What are you standing there for? Didn't you say you were tired and wanted to go back to sleep?" Song Chengyi took the flowers from her arms, grabbed her hand, and prepared to leave.

Before they had taken two steps, they were blocked. "I was just talking to Xiaxia. Xiaxia, you haven't taken the flowers yet." He Zhen maintained his perpetual smile, making it hard to be angry with him.

"She doesn't like roses," Song Chengyi said coldly on her behalf.

"Oh! Is that so? Then what do you like?" He Zhen asked, directing the question at Luo Yixia.

Luo Yixia didn't know what she was supposed to like anymore—everything felt wrong, and she just wanted to leave. Song Chengyi suddenly raised the corners of his mouth, his eyes gentle as he looked at her. "You only like the roses I give you, right?"

He Zhen’s constant smile finally faltered. Low murmurs and gasps filled the air. Gan Yanyan covered her mouth, excited—this was a major public display of affection. Everyone’s gaze fell on Luo Yixia, waiting for her answer, just as Song Chengyi was.

"Yes." Her face flushed red, and she finally nodded.

Satisfied with the answer, Song Chengyi arched an eyebrow at He Zhen triumphantly and led her away. The crowded path parted for them. For the first time, Luo Yixia and Song Chengyi were holding hands in the open.

It actually felt quite nice. She didn't feel anything else, even a slight sense of pride, as if they were declaring to the world that this man belonged to her, Luo Yixia.

They walked quickly across campus; Song Chengyi was like a human magnet, attracting everyone's attention. Only when they stepped out of the school gates did they slow their pace. Under the night sky, there was only the glow of streetlights and the occasional high beams of passing cars. The weather was poor today; looking up at the sky, not a single star was visible.

"Are you cold?" Song Chengyi held her hand and asked softly.

"No," Luo Yixia shook her head. As long as she was with him, anything was fine.

"Does that count as a confession?" Luo Yixia asked.

"Yes, I've wanted to do that for a long time."

"Me too," Luo Yixia laughed.

"I'm very happy." Song Chengyi stopped and stared at her. They stood face to face, him holding the three bouquets. Luo Yixia leaned toward him, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed his lips. As she pulled away slightly, Song Chengyi let go of her hand, wrapped his arm around her waist, and kissed her again. The streetlights cast their shadows on the ground, merging them into one.

Luo Yixia stood before the school gate, hesitating. She didn't want to go in; the impulse from last night had passed, and she felt like she might get in trouble if she went in now...

"Let's go," Song Chengyi held her hand and continued forward.

"Can I say that I actually regret it a little?" Luo Yixia looked at him cautiously.

"No," he replied firmly.

"Then... can we not be so conspicuous? We could walk separately, like before," she tried to negotiate.

"No," he insisted. "I don't want to let go of your hand."

The low, cool voice drifted into her ears, making her heart tremble. She looked at him, but he was looking down, his head bowed, hiding his expression.

"Don't worry, even if you want to let go, I'll cling to you shamelessly," Luo Yixia giggled.

"Mhm," he responded.

Song Chengyi walked her all the way into the school and to the door of her classroom. Several classes had students peering out, especially her own classmates, all craning their necks.

"Listen well in class. I'm going back. I'll come find you for lunch," Song Chengyi said with a smile, patting her head just like he did at home.

A wave of warmth filled her, but remembering his lost expression and heartbreaking words from outside, her body reacted faster than her brain. Before she knew it, she had stood on her tiptoes and kissed the corner of Song Chengyi's mouth.

She pulled away immediately. The girls in her class started giggling, and the boys began to whistle. Hearing the commotion, Luo Yixia’s face turned bright red. Song Chengyi, however, was in a great mood.

"Go on."

As soon as she entered the classroom, the whole class erupted in teasing. Even though only half the class was there, it made quite a racket in the quiet morning.

"Wow, Xiaxia, I didn't realize! Making such a big move right out of the gate?" Gan Yanyan was always the first to tease.

"Treat us! Give us wedding candy!" Someone shouted, and soon everyone was clamoring for sweets.

The trouble Luo Yixia had feared didn't happen; it seemed everyone was able to accept it just fine.