Chapter 196: Melodies of Farewell

Fang Meng could sense Qian Qian’s excitement just from the words.

She forwarded the brief conversation to Jiang Qian, word for word.

Jiang Qian simply replied on WeChat with, “Okay.”

But in reality, the Second Miss was already buzzing with excitement, hugging her pillow in bed and lost in daydreams.

“He finally asked about me…”

After waiting all morning, she could finally drift into dreamland for a good rest, building up her energy for tonight’s piano practice with Lin Zheng Ran.

The afternoon flew by as everyone focused on rehearsals.

Han Wenwen had to keep playing her role as a tree with a few lines, so despite lingering on that morning’s events, she had no time for closeness with Lin Zheng Ran.

Before they knew it, evening arrived. The sky was full of stars tonight, a rare and beautiful sight with the vast Milky Way.

Even Lin Zheng Ran paused outside the sports field to gaze at the night sky.

“So many stars.”

At the dark end of the road, Jiang Qian approached slowly, her black hair straight and elegant. Though the Second Miss’s heart raced at the sight of her crush, she had even taken a bath at home, applied a face mask, and groomed herself before coming.

Yet her expression stayed cool and indifferent, as if nothing fazed her:

“Class Monitor, I’m here.”

Lin Zheng Ran looked at Jiang Qian: “You’re here? Fang Meng said you had something going on. If you’re busy, we could skip practice—I know your piano skills are solid. We could just test it tomorrow morning.”

Jiang Qian stopped in front of him, her heart fluttering but her face expressionless: “Tomorrow’s the graduation ceremony, so we should take it seriously. Even with other things, I need to practice a few times.”

Lin Zheng Ran turned: “Is that so? Let’s go then, to the piano room.”

Jiang Qian nodded, watching him turn without a hint of emotion on her face.

Inside, she sighed to herself.

“He’s so handsome—his turn, his profile, his walk, everything about him is perfect…”

Lin Zheng Ran walked a few steps and noticed she wasn’t following. “What’s up? Come on.”

Jiang Qian snapped back and replied coolly: “Okay.”

Even his voice is so pleasing…

I’ve definitely fallen for him now. Before, I cared, but it wasn’t like this.

Once in the piano room,

Lin Zheng Ran and Jiang Qian sat at separate pianos.

The practice went smoothly, just as expected. Jiang Qian marveled at how good Lin Zheng Ran’s piano skills still were.

It never seemed like something a high school student could play.

Lin Zheng Ran added: “You’re even better than before— you’ve improved a lot.”

Jiang Qian stared at her piano, warmth spreading inside, though her voice stayed cool:

“Well, you taught me some techniques back then, and I’ve been working hard these past two years. There had to be some progress.”

“Should we run through it a few more times? Another ten minutes or so should do it.”

“Class Monitor, I have something to ask you.”

“Hmm?”

Jiang Qian glanced at the piano, her cheeks faintly red:

“Remember when you helped me make up with Xiao Meng? I said I’d grant you a favor. But we’re heading to college soon, and you haven’t thought of anything yet?”

Lin Zheng Ran hadn’t given it much thought. He figured he’d bring it up if he needed it later; otherwise, he’d let it slide. It felt wasteful to just throw out a request.

Besides, as partners with Jiang Jingshi, he wouldn’t lose touch with Jiang Qian.

But Jiang Qian, unaware of his thoughts, added:

“Any request is fine—whatever you ask, I can handle it. Even that one you mentioned before.”

Lin Zheng Ran: “Do we have to use it now?”

“Use it?” Jiang Qian blushed and looked at him, confused: “Use me? Is that your way of confessing? If so, as your girlfriend, I could let you.”

Lin Zheng Ran paused: “How did this turn into a confession? And what are you going on about? I meant, does this favor have to be used now? Is there a deadline?”

Jiang Qian responded and shook her head: “No, there’s no deadline for it.”

Lin Zheng Ran focused back on the piano, hands on the keys:

“Then let’s leave it for now. I haven’t decided yet. I’ll mention it if I need something—we’re not going to vanish from each other’s lives anyway.”

Though he said it casually, Jiang Qian took it as him not wanting to part ways.

A soft blush colored the Second Miss’s cool eyes.

She nodded slowly: “Yeah, you’re right. We’re not saying goodbye forever.”

The piano music filled the room. Jiang Qian had always played solo growing up.

But with Lin Zheng Ran, from that first time, she no longer minded losing to him. Accompanying him felt wonderful.

After all, who could outshine Lin Zheng Ran?

The Second Miss believed no one could. He was the best man in the world, bar none.

Let him take first; she’d stay as the second.

The next day, the high school graduation ceremony went ahead as planned.

Everyone dressed up, took group photos, and lined up to enter the crowded sports field.

Each class’s performances were spectacular, one more impressive than the last.

Lin Zheng Ran and Jiang Qian’s piano duet was the highlight of the event.

No one knew exactly how many girls secretly crushed on Lin Zheng Ran or how many boys on Jiang Qian.

But Han Wenwen could tell just from the thunderous applause when they took the stage.

Especially the emotional girls—some even cried at the sight of Lin Zheng Ran.

Tears and sniffles everywhere.

They wept for never seeing a guy like him again—all-around talented, handsome, and real.

Years later, when these girls graduated and worked, chatting with friends, they might still say:

“Let me tell you, we had this amazing guy in high school! His name was Lin Zheng Ran—handsome and good at everything! If I’d been bolder, we might be together now. If I could go back, I’d chase him for sure!”

Right in the middle of their performance,

Lily and Xiao Heqing sat together, clapping and watching the girls cheer around them.

Lily remarked: “Lin Zheng Ran and Jiang Qian are so popular. It wasn’t this crazy in first year—their fame has skyrocketed over three years. It’s on another level compared to everyone else.”

Xiao Heqing clasped her hands in front of her, barely noticing the crowd; her eyes were fixed on Lin Zheng Ran playing the piano.

It was like when he competed as a kid, with her cheering from the audience.

Today, she silently rooted for him: “Go Lin Zheng Ran, you’re so handsome—your playing is beautiful.”

Time always slips away during happy moments.

The entire morning of performances and the graduation ceremony ended in the blink of an eye.

Afterward, the shy boy named Jiang Cheng Xin finally confessed to the girl he’d crushed on for years, Fan Mo Mo.

Behind the sports field’s bushes, Jiang Cheng Xin pulled out two hidden flowers.

He stammered his confession to the lively Fan Mo Mo:

“Mo Mo, I… I like you. I’ve liked you for so many years. Will you be with me?”

The girl, Fan Mo Mo, paused mid-bite of her banana, shocked and blushing as she replied shyly:

“Little Xin, you’re confessing to me? I won’t lie—I see you as my best friend. The one I like is our class monitor, Lin Zheng Ran. I’ve had a crush on him since high school started, for three years now.”

“What?! You like our class monitor?”

“I thought you knew. I never join in when we talk about Lin Zheng Ran having a girlfriend—I’m always jealous. I was even planning to confess to him later.”