Chapter 23: The Opening Ceremony of the School Culture Festival

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Beneath the great tree, Zhang Chenxi looked at Lin Siqing’s dejected face, and a wave of pity rose in his heart. He leaned closer, gently patted Lin Siqing on the shoulder, and said, “Lin Siqing, don’t be so upset. It’s really not that serious.”

As he spoke, he did his best to force a faint smile, trying to offer the other boy some warmth.

Lin Siqing slowly raised his head. His eyes held a trace of weariness and irritation. He dodged Zhang Chenxi’s hand as though even that light touch had offended him.

His brows drew tightly together, and his lips pressed into an even thinner line. His face, already somewhat pale, now looked worse than ever.

“What do you know?” Lin Siqing’s voice trembled slightly, as though he were suppressing an immense fury.

“What makes you think I’ll be fine?”

As he spoke, he took a step backward, and the dead branches beneath his feet cracked sharply.

Zhang Chenxi’s hand hung awkwardly in midair. The smile on his face froze, and he looked at the boy before him with helpless amusement.

“How am I supposed to deal with you?” he muttered. “You’re like a spoiled little brat who didn’t get the candy he wanted at home. You’re impossible.”

Lin Siqing gave a cold snort and folded his arms across his chest, as if struggling to restrain his emotions.

“Your comfort is completely useless. It only makes me more irritated.”

His gaze was as sharp as a blade, stabbing straight into Zhang Chenxi. Then he turned his back on him and refused to look at him again.

Just then, a chilly wind swept past, lifting the hair from Lin Siqing’s forehead. He seemed not to feel the cold at all; his body trembled faintly with anger.

Zhang Chenxi stood where he was, watching Lin Siqing’s retreating back, his heart a tangled mixture of emotions.

Lin Siqing was a spoiled child, accustomed to indulging every emotion he felt. That often left Zhang Chenxi at a loss—but what could he do? Lin Siqing was his best friend.

All Zhang Chenxi could do was stand there in silence, listening to the rustling leaves overhead, as though the wind itself were laughing at him.

*

Fu Siqiao sat intently before her stall, tidying her paintbrushes. Her slender fingers moved skillfully among the colorful tools.

Her long hair fell loosely over her shoulders, with a few strands brushing her cheeks and making her delicate features appear even more refined.

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Her long lashes cast shadows over her eyelids. At that moment, her bright eyes held nothing but the paintbrushes and art supplies before her.

She kept her head slightly bowed, her expression focused and serious. Her small nose rose and fell with each quiet breath, and her lips were gently pressed together, as though the entire world had shrunk to this tiny realm of painting.

Just then, Fu Xiaotao came skipping over.

She wore a floral dress whose hem swayed lightly with every step, like a blossoming flower dancing in the breeze.

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, and a radiant smile curved across her lips, revealing a neat row of pearly white teeth.

Her short black hair bobbed playfully as she approached Fu Siqiao. Then she affectionately looped her arm through Fu Siqiao’s and gave it a gentle tug.

“My dear Qiaoqiao, let’s go watch the gala!” she said in a clear, sweet voice.

Fu Siqiao’s hands paused.

She slowly lifted her head, a flicker of thought passing through her eyes. In an instant, Xu Zhixing’s image appeared in her mind.

His deep-set eyes, his straight, prominent nose, and his lips that always seemed to carry the hint of a gentle smile floated before her.

At the thought that Xu Zhixing would be on the gala’s guest list, her heart began to beat faster of its own accord.

She bit her lower lip and hesitated for a moment. In the end, she gave a small nod and answered softly, “All right.”

When Fu Xiaotao saw that she had agreed, she jumped up excitedly, released Fu Siqiao’s arm, and waved both hands in the air.

“That’s wonderful, Qiaoqiao!” Her face shone with delight, and her cheeks flushed faintly, like ripe apples.

Then she seized Fu Siqiao’s hand and began pulling her toward the gala venue. Fu Siqiao rose with her, slipped the last paintbrush into its case, and closed the lid before allowing Fu Xiaotao to lead her away.

Fu Siqiao walked with graceful, light steps. Her gaze was slightly unfocused, as though she were already imagining an encounter with Xu Zhixing at the gala.

Fu Xiaotao, meanwhile, chattered away in front of her. One moment she was guessing what wonderful performances would be featured; the next she was excitedly mentioning familiar faces they might run into. Her steps were as nimble as a fawn’s as she led Fu Siqiao through the crowd.

As night descended like an enormous sheet of black silk, gently enveloping the campus of Nantong, the curtain officially rose on the opening ceremony of the campus cultural festival.

At the very center of the school athletic field, the stage that had been built in advance glittered beneath brilliant lights.

Colorful lamps surrounded the stage. Like sparkling little spirits, they danced merrily, bathing the entire platform in a dreamlike glow.

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At that moment, the hosts stood at the center of the stage in splendid formal attire.

The male host wore a smile, his eyes bright and confident. He lifted his head slightly, cleared his throat, and his magnetic voice carried through the microphone to every corner of the campus.

“Respected leaders, dear teachers and fellow students, good evening! On this dazzling night beneath the stars, we gather with eager anticipation to welcome the opening ceremony of the campus cultural festival…”

His hands moved elegantly through the air, keeping time with his words like a conductor directing a magnificent symphony.

The female host stood beside him with graceful poise. Her long, glossy black hair had been arranged into an exquisite bun, while a few loose strands fell against her cheeks, lending her an added touch of charm.

Her eyes shone like stars in the night sky, bright and captivating.

She held the microphone firmly in one hand and tilted her head slightly, a sweet smile on her face. From time to time, she nodded gently, echoing the male host’s words.

Just as the hosts delivered the opening speech with practiced rises and falls in their voices, a firework shot into the night with a sharp whoosh, streaking upward like an arrow loosed from a bow. A moment later, it exploded with a thunderous boom.

The dazzling firework blossomed like an enormous chrysanthemum, its layers unfurling one after another. Golden stamens glittered at its center, while delicate white petals spread outward like silk.

Before anyone could recover from the spectacle, several more fireworks rose into the sky in succession.

Some streaked across the heavens like meteors, dragging long tails behind them. Others opened like peacocks displaying their feathers, their multicolored radiance illuminating the entire night sky.

The light from the exploding fireworks shone across the excited faces of the audience below.

The students tilted their heads back, their eyes wide with wonder and excitement.

Some pointed toward the sky, eagerly sharing the moment’s joy with those beside them. Others stood quietly, captivated by the beauty before them, happy smiles brightening their faces.

The teachers, too, watched the lively and beautiful scene with smiles, their eyes filled with satisfaction and hope.

Under the glow of the fireworks, the trees on campus seemed to be draped in layers of multicolored gauze. They stood quietly, as though they too were admiring this magnificent visual feast.