CY – Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

The next day, Zhang Xiaotian deliberately arrived earlier than usual but still didn’t see Lu Bai.

“They’re all on the main stage now.”

At this moment, Yin Li was busy moving tables downstairs and couldn’t talk much. Han Chengcheng, following behind her to help, picked up her conversation. “Lu Bai and the others arrived early. They just did a rehearsal. Xiaotian, you can just watch the performance later. He’s really handsome!”

After speaking, she winked at Zhang Xiaotian and continued to help Yin Li move chairs and cardboard boxes. Zhang Xiaotian didn’t want to be idle, so he also helped move things. This time, Class One had been assigned a poor viewing spot, with some areas completely unusable. They had to move their own class’s tables and chairs down. Everyone in the class who wasn’t busy pitched in, and they didn’t finish until the opening ceremony was about to begin. At this time, the broadcast was already organizing the class formations for entry. The class teacher quickly called everyone to their designated positions.

Even though it was sunny the day before, the temperature dropped sharply today, and there was even a light drizzle. Zhang Xiaotian was tall and stood in the back, near the inner side of the track. The people around him were familiar but he didn’t know their names, and he had no intention of chatting.

The broadcast was still organizing the formations. Someone complained, “Why did it suddenly get so cold?”

“It’s raining, of course it’s cold.” Someone zipped up their jacket to the top, hiding half of their face behind the collar. “Standing in this stupid line is endless.”

“Yeah, we’ll freeze to death later.” Several people chatted amongst themselves. Zhang Xiaotian didn’t intend to join in, just pulling up his collar to block some of the cold wind. The class formations seemed to take forever, and the familiar “March of the Athletes” played on repeat. As Zhang Xiaotian listened, his mind began to wander, and his gaze involuntarily drifted towards the main stage.

There were too many people over there, dressed in various costumes, moving back and forth, making it impossible to count. Zhang Xiaotian remembered Lu Bai had specifically reminded him yesterday, so he patiently searched for a while longer. However, it was too far from the main stage, and even the performance later would be difficult to see clearly.

“Should have come even earlier.” Zhang Xiaotian pouted and turned his head away from that direction. Who knew they would be standing so far away.

The music suddenly changed, and the host went on stage for a brief warm-up. No one was paying attention to what the host was saying. In the cold drizzle, the students were all shivering. Someone couldn’t help but want to curse, but as soon as a few words came out, the class teacher noticed.

“Everyone be quiet.” The class teacher was dressed warmly. “I’m not expecting you to win awards in the competitions, but we must get the Spiritual Civilization Award, right? If I catch anyone talking, while everyone else is resting, you’ll sit on the side and write practice papers!”

With that, no one spoke anymore.

Finally, the class formations entered, walked around the track once, and then stood on the grass in the middle of the field. Class One entered first, so they stood in the very center, directly facing the main stage. After all the classes had entered, the performances began.

Normally, the school was too strict, and only during major events would they turn a blind eye. Therefore, the classes that had the opportunity to perform showcased their unique talents, and it was rare for a class like Class One to be so passive. For a while, there were continuous energetic songs and dances in front of the main stage, and the warm-up effect was immediately apparent compared to the host just now. The students still standing below didn’t feel bored anymore. Occasionally, they would recognize a familiar song and sing along, and some even whistled at the boys and girls dancing on stage, causing a burst of laughter. It was unknown if that person was caught by their class teacher later.

Zhang Xiaotian wasn’t very interested in these. He was only worried about not being able to see clearly when Lu Bai and the others came on stage. His current position was closer than before, but there were people in front of him. He couldn’t help but shift to the side, trying to find the best viewing angle in the gaps between people. His eyes were fixed ahead, and his feet were careless. Without paying attention, he stepped on someone’s shoe. Zhang Xiaotian quickly looked down to apologize, and suddenly heard the host announce the name of Lu Bai’s performance. He suddenly looked up, startling the person.

“…I’m really sorry.” Zhang Xiaotian felt a little embarrassed, but the other person didn’t mind.

“It’s okay, it’s crowded, it’s normal to step on someone.” The person crossed his arms, his tone friendly. “Lu Bai bragged to you too, right?”

“Mm.” Zhang Xiaotian didn’t expect him to start chatting with him like this, nor did he expect him to know Lu Bai.

“He brags everywhere, making me so curious.” The person stopped standing in his own class and stood next to Zhang Xiaotian. He was waiting for Zhang Xiaotian to diss Lu Bai with him. After waiting for a while without a response, he looked down at Zhang Xiaotian and found Zhang Xiaotian looking very uncomfortable, unable to hide it at all.

“Damn, buddy, you…” He was a little unhappy, then suddenly remembered something and asked, “You don’t remember me, do you? We even ate at the same table!”

When? Zhang Xiaotian frowned and finally remembered that one time he had dinner with Lu Bai and Lu Bai’s friends, and there was another person at the same table. At that time, he had just arrived in Class One, and he didn’t even recognize most of the people in the class. He had thought they were all in the same class, but he just hadn’t paid attention. It turned out they weren’t classmates.

“Sorry… my name is Zhang Xiaotian.” This made it even more awkward.

“It’s okay. My name is Lu Yibo.” Lu Yibo slapped Zhang Xiaotian on the back. “Next time we meet, you can’t forget me, okay!”

Zhang Xiaotian nodded, enduring the pain. Lu Bai’s friends were indeed as enthusiastic as fire.

As they spoke, Lu Bai and the others had already taken their positions on stage. The boys were in sharp suits, and the girls were in long, flowing dresses. When the background music started, it really looked the part.

Zhang Xiaotian couldn’t help but step forward. He had been present for most of Lu Bai’s rehearsals in the class, and he remembered the formations, so it wasn’t difficult to find out which one was Lu Bai.

“Damn, it’s too far away, and they’re all dressed the same. How can we tell who’s who?” Lu Yibo cursed.

Zhang Xiaotian looked at Lu Bai’s back from a distance. Hearing this, he felt quite pleased with himself, and then felt he was being too bored. Observing someone like this across a vast sea of people, with that person unable to see him, gave him a sense of security. Zhang Xiaotian secretly rejoiced and unconsciously moved even further forward.

Lu Bai was very different today. When he was with him before, if there were others around, Lu Bai would be as lively as a hyperactive husky running around. But if they were alone, Lu Bai would be “lazier,” including but not limited to leaning on him, talking to him very closely, and always liking physical contact. Zhang Xiaotian was not used to it at first, but later he let him be. Since transferring to Class One, whether he wanted to or not, Lu Bai was always around Zhang Xiaotian, so Zhang Xiaotian thought he knew him quite well.

But now he wasn’t sure. This was the first time Zhang Xiaotian was seeing Lu Bai from such a distant perspective. He was calm and confident, which surprised him. Even his voice sounded different from usual. It was a novel feeling to have someone he thought he understood suddenly reveal another side. Zhang Xiaotian was a little excited. He felt a bit hot and reached out to pull his zipper down a bit. Lu Yibo next to him heard the sound and turned to ask, “Buddy, are you hot?”

“A little.” Zhang Xiaotian replied, his gaze fixed on Lu Bai in front of him, his answer somewhat absent-minded.

“So thin, yet so resistant to the cold!” Lu Yibo clicked his tongue. “I really didn’t expect it.”

“I have a warm body.” Zhang Xiaotian replied.

Lu Bai and the others who performed had to wait until their classes returned to their viewing areas before they could go back. When he changed his clothes and returned, his classmates were already seated. He stood at the front of the class, looking for an empty seat, but first saw Zhang Xiaotian.

Zhang Xiaotian had placed his and Lu Bai’s chairs in a shaded area towards the back of the class and had taken off his own jacket to cover them. After covering them, he looked up and saw Lu Bai walking over.

“Great, deskmate, is there no one next to you!” He was carrying a large paper bag. Zhang Xiaotian guessed it contained his suit. He didn’t ask, picked up Zhang Xiaotian’s jacket, and sat down directly. Then, as if just remembering, he asked Zhang Xiaotian, “This isn’t a seat you saved for someone else, is it? Is it okay for me to sit here?”

“…Sit down.” Anyway, it was saved for you.

“Oh, this has worn me out.” Lu Bai put the paper bag between them and immediately slumped onto the chair as if he had no bones. “I arrived really early, didn’t even have time to eat, and have been busy since I got here. Now I’m sleepy, tired, and hungry.”

Hearing him say this, Zhang Xiaotian remembered what he had promised yesterday and said, “I arrived a little late.”

“Handsome?” Lu Bai sat up again upon hearing this. “You didn’t get to see it up close, but it’s my fault too, I didn’t tell you the time.”

“It was okay.” Zhang Xiaotian replied, looking down. Then he looked up and carefully examined Lu Bai’s face, feeling that he had returned to his usual self.

“Handsome, right! Even if he’s handsome, don’t stare at me like that, it’s a bit embarrassing.” Lu Bai said he was embarrassed, but his actions were very receptive. He raised his eyebrows at Zhang Xiaotian, as if waiting for Zhang Xiaotian to praise him more. Their eyes met, and Zhang Xiaotian was the first to give in. He tried not to turn his head deliberately, thought for a moment, and then said, “You should participate in more events like this.”

“What? What do you mean?” Lu Bai didn’t react at first. After he understood, he was even more surprised. “Damn, deskmate, this doesn’t sound like you!”

“Can’t you take a compliment?” Zhang Xiaotian was a little annoyed by what he said.

“Hehe.” Lu Bai gave a silly laugh.

So silly. Zhang Xiaotian couldn’t help but hold his forehead. He was truly clueless.

“Oh, right,” Lu Bai took out the paper bag he had been carrying. “I didn’t go to the supermarket yesterday, so I brought some food today. Let’s eat!”

Food? Not his suit? Zhang Xiaotian watched as he opened the paper bag like he was showing off a treasure, revealing various snacks and bread.

“Then what about your clothes?” Zhang Xiaotian asked.

“Left them at the class. It’s easier to take them back to the store at noon.”

“Oh.”

Lu Bai picked up a piece of bread, then put it down. “Oh what? Do you want me to put it on again for you to see?”

“Hey, hey, hey, I want to see!”

Just as Zhang Xiaotian was about to say it wasn’t necessary, a voice suddenly interjected. It was Lu Yibo from the next class, who had been standing next to Zhang Xiaotian earlier.

“I was standing too far away, I couldn’t see who you were at all. I even wanted to stand in the front row to see you.”

“Who are you calling ‘I’ with such an attitude?” Lu Bai put away the paper bag and high-fived Lu Yibo, who had walked over.

“Stop interrupting. I’m telling you the truth.” Lu Yibo said, “The people in front were crowded and blocking the view. And you guys had your backs to us, so we couldn’t tell who was who at all.” He glanced at Zhang Xiaotian beside him.

“Right, Zhang Xiaotian, weren’t you next to me? Could you also not see clearly! Lu Bai, wear it again for us to see!”

Lu Bai was stunned and turned to look at Zhang Xiaotian. “Impossible! He just said I was handsome just now!”

“Nonsense, I couldn’t even see, how could he!” Lu Yibo said confidently. “We’re half the field apart, we’re not Superman.”

Lu Bai hesitated. The more he thought about it, the more he felt Lu Yibo was right. At such a distance, and with their backs turned, it was impossible to see clearly. But Tian’er had just said he was handsome… Wait! What did Tian’er just say?

He said, “It was okay”!? Did he really not see, and was just trying to coax him?

Zhang Xiaotian watched the emotions change in Lu Bai’s eyes. He didn’t understand and felt inexplicably bewildered.

Why was this person’s expression suddenly changing? Did he see it or not? Did he need to lie to him?

“I really saw you.” Zhang Xiaotian said again, but Lu Bai didn’t seem to believe him at all. He looked at Lu Yibo standing to the side, feeling a little resentful, but also gritted his teeth:

“How about… I wear it again?”