Chapter 87: Rising Stars and School Rhythms

Lin Zheng Ran, Jiang Qian, you two are the top performers among this year’s freshmen and even the recent ones. The school leaders decided unanimously to select you as the male and female freshman representatives.

Wearing their military training uniforms, Lin Zheng Ran stood about half a head taller than Jiang Qian. This second young lady had an outstanding presence as she stood there.

She held herself straight, her eyes cool and clear. Only Lin Zheng Ran’s mature demeanor could match it; anyone else would be overshadowed by her aloof vibe.

The teacher, seated in the chair, looked at the two with their distinct auras and thought, geniuses are just different from the rest. He smiled and said:

“Alright, you two should take some time over the next couple of days to draft your own speeches. Deliver them when the program starts tomorrow night. I’ve already told you the requirements—make them passionate and uplifting to fire up your classmates. As representatives, you should also prepare a performance.”

“I’ve already signed up for piano performance,” Jiang Qian said coolly.

The teacher nodded with a smile: “Great. I’ve heard about your piano teacher, Jiang Qian. You’ve won plenty of piano awards, right? You’re excellent in studies and piano alike—it’s almost unbelievable. What about you, Lin Zheng Ran?”

Lin Zheng Ran thought he didn’t really have anything impressive to offer.

Since he was decent at various things—after all, over the past two years, he’d read about all sorts of topics: “How about I do piano too? Our acts can go back-to-back, saving time on stage setup anyway.”

As soon as he said that, the teacher and Jiang Qian looked shocked. Jiang Qian, who had been expressionless, turned to Lin Zheng Ran.

The teacher asked curiously: “Oh? So you play piano too, Lin Zheng Ran?”

Lin Zheng Ran nodded, recalling how he’d learned a bit of piano in his past life. Though not much, with a day or two of practice, he could manage on stage: “I learned a little a long time ago, but I’m not that skilled. I’ve only accompanied others before.”

The teacher said: “Really? In that case, you two could do a piano duet! If you’re not up to par, Lin Zheng Ran, you can be the support, and Jiang Qian can lead. I’m not an expert on piano, but would that work? What do you think, Jiang Qian?”

Jiang Qian shifted her gaze from Lin Zheng Ran: “That’s fine. I’ll pick a simpler piece. It’s just a performance anyway.”

The teacher nodded: “Perfect! Let’s go with that. You two can go sign up now for the piano duet. After finishing your speeches, spend the next day or so practicing. Here’s hoping everything goes smoothly tomorrow night!”

Both nodded in agreement.

Once they left the office, Jiang Qian kept a straight face, but inside, she was surprised that Lin Zheng Ran knew how to play piano.

Since he’d admitted his skills weren’t great, she didn’t feel like comparing.

She said to Lin Zheng Ran: “Let’s finish the speeches during the day today and start practicing in the stage rest room tonight.”

“Sounds good. By the way, how many pianos does our school have?”

Jiang Qian looked ahead: “The school doesn’t have any. I’ll use mine, and you can use yours.”

Lin Zheng Ran blinked, and Jiang Qian glanced at him. The air grew quiet for a moment.

“You don’t have a piano at home?” Jiang Qian asked.

“No, that’s why I said I’m pretty amateur. Maybe I should switch to something else, like singing,” Lin Zheng Ran admitted honestly.

Jiang Qian thought about how he’d learn without a piano, but after their previous encounters, she was curious about his so-called amateur level:

“Don’t worry, I have an extra one. I’ll have someone bring it over. Let’s meet in the practice room tonight.”

As they spoke, they stepped out of the teaching building. Jiang Qian headed off into the distance, where Fang Meng was already waiting for her.

Lin Zheng Ran called out: “Thanks for that. I’ll find a way to repay you sometime.”

Jiang Qian turned back with a curious look: “No need to thank me. I’m just eager to hear you play the piano.”

Lin Zheng Ran smiled. He wasn’t blind; he’d noticed Jiang Qian seemed to quietly compare herself to him in some ways, but he wasn’t one to be swayed by that.

He’d just keep doing what he wanted.

Jiang Qian reached Fang Meng, and the two girls vanished from Lin Zheng Ran’s sight.

As they left, Fang Meng noticed Jiang Qian’s odd expression and asked curiously: “What’s up, Qian Qian? The student representative thing was settled ages ago, so why do you look surprised?”

Jiang Qian replied: “I’m not surprised about the representative part. What surprises me is that Lin Zheng Ran can play piano.”

“Wait, he plays piano? He seems to know everything.”

“I’m curious too. He doesn’t have a piano at home and says he’s not good, but even so, it’s impressive. My father hired lots of professional tutors to get me where I am, yet he must have taught himself.”

Jiang Qian said to Fang Meng: “Have your family send over two pianos to the school. We’ll start practicing with him tonight.”

Fang Meng nodded, but in that moment, having grown up with Jiang Qian, she spotted an unusual glint in her eyes.

This second young lady loved to compete, but she never showed interest in any boys—until now. She was clearly curious about Lin Zheng Ran.

Once a girl gets curious about a boy, that curiosity doesn’t fade easily.

In the final two days of military training, instructors and students finally got a break. Those without performances studied in classrooms, while those with shows used the time to prepare.

Lin Zheng Ran spent the afternoon in an empty classroom near the practice room, writing his speech.

Though called empty, it was more a storage spot, and with practice sessions ongoing, it was quiet enough for him to work.

His pen scribbled dense lines on the paper when a little fox suddenly passed by in the hallway.

Peering through the window, she muttered to herself: “There he is, just as I thought.”

The little fox quietly opened the door, but Lin Zheng Ran still heard it and turned to see who it was.

She grinned and waved at Lin Zheng Ran, holding a bottle of drink in her hand.

Lin Zheng Ran asked: “Han Wenwen? What are you doing here?”

The little fox closed the door, pulled up a chair, and sat right next to him: “I missed you, so I came to check on you. What are you writing, Brother Zheng Ran?”

“I mean, aren’t you supposed to be in class? How did you get over here without a performance?”

Han Wenwen glanced at his speech: “Well, of course I couldn’t come without one, so I signed up for a skit with the girls. I play a passerby—quick appearance and done.”

Lin Zheng Ran frowned: “So you joined just to…”

“To sneak over and see you, Brother Zheng Ran! Why else?” She finished with a playful wink:

“And I haven’t told Xiao Qingqing the truth. I said I joined because I love the skit.”

Lin Zheng Ran was used to her clever little schemes and kept writing his speech.

Han Wenwen leaned on the table corner: “A speech for the freshman representative— you’re amazing, Brother Zheng Ran. And I heard you’re doing a performance too, a piano duet with Jiang Qian.” Her fox-like eyes fixed on him with a hint of jealousy as she whispered:

“You know, your fiancée.”

Lin Zheng Ran continued writing: “It’s just what the school arranged. I went along to keep things simple.”

Han Wenwen seemed to expect that answer: “I knew you’d say something like that, all logical and everything, but still…”

Han Wenwen suddenly pressed her face against his arm:

“No matter what, after this, you two will know each other better. With your flirty nature, Brother Zheng Ran, how could you resist? I’ve been jealous all day—my stomach’s in knots.”

The little fox stared at him earnestly: “It’s really bothering me; I can barely eat.” Lin Zheng Ran paused his writing as she kept watching.

“If you’re that uncomfortable, why are you holding a cold drink?”

Han Wenwen paused, set her lemon water aside, and huffed: “Well, during training, you drank from Xiao Qingqing’s and Lily’s, but not mine. Isn’t that favoritism?”

Lin Zheng Ran looked at the pouting little fox on the table and thought for a moment: “After school, there’s a snack street outside. Want to go? It’s way better than the cafeteria food.”

Han Wenwen blinked in surprise, then brightened up: “Really? But just you and me—no one else!”

Lin Zheng Ran picked up his pen: “Then stop distracting me while I finish this speech, and I’ll go with you.”

“Can I at least lean on your shoulder?”

“No.”