Chapter Thirty-Nine: Good!

On stage, there were no flashy dance routines; Xu Feng simply stood at the center as the music slowly began to play.

Then, Xu Feng’s deep singing voice filled the auditorium.

Li Changqing, seated below the stage, didn’t pretend to understand music, but even he thought Xu Feng’s song was quite good. From an amateur’s perspective, it was no small feat for a high school student to create such a piece.

At this moment, the audience of students had fallen completely silent, listening intently to Xu Feng’s singing.

The song was steeped in the atmosphere of campus life, resonating deeply with nearly everyone present.

Especially for the seniors about to graduate, preparing to leave the school that had been their home for three years.

Whispers of commentary began to stir among the students.

The girls’ eyes sparkled with admiration.

“Xu Feng is so handsome and talented. He might even become a singer one day.”

“I heard he’s amazing at the piano, too.”

“He took second place in the school’s singing competition.”

“Xu Feng was second? Then who took first?”

“I think it was that Li Qingxue from Class 5, Senior Three. But this time, it’s about original songs, not just singing ability. Xu Feng’s composition already wins hands down.”

The boys, however, had different opinions.

“Who’s this pretty boy? He sings well. How come I’ve never heard of him?”

“We’re always playing basketball. Who has time to pay attention to stuff like this?”

“Hurry up and let a pretty girl sing! What’s so interesting about watching a guy?”

Comments of all sorts filled the air, but one thing was certain: after this competition, Xu Feng’s reputation would spread throughout the school.

Barring any surprises, he was destined to remain a prominent figure until graduation.

As the song ended, Xu Feng bowed politely, then turned and disappeared backstage.

“Not bad at all,” Liang Dasheng chuckled. “His composition and arrangement are practically top-tier, with remarkable artistic merit…”

Applause rang out from the audience, spontaneous and unforced—a pure, student-driven competition.

The two hosts, a boy and a girl, stepped onstage with gentle smiles.

“Next, let’s welcome our second singer, who will perform his original song, ‘Dribbling Prodigy.’”

A delicate-looking boy in a basketball uniform, wearing glasses and visibly nervous, took the microphone and stammered through his introduction: “Hi, everyone, I—I’m Kunkun. I like singing, dancing, and rap…”

The students who had been talking about basketball just moments before were taken aback.

“Is he on our basketball team?”

“Never seen him before.”

As the second performer took the stage, Li Qingxue quickly straightened her clothes. “Second Brother, I’m heading backstage to get ready.”

With that, she hurried off.

Onstage, Kunkun began his rap performance.

“There are so many talented people at your sister’s school,” Tang Xiaoyu whispered.

“It’s an elite high school—of course there are,” Li Changqing replied, watching Kunkun’s earnest performance, though the audience’s reaction was far less enthusiastic than for Xu Feng.

From Kunkun onwards, the quality of performances dropped sharply.

Compared to Xu Feng, the gap in both composition and arrangement was glaring.

Xu Feng’s arrangement was of professional caliber, while the other students’ pieces had been hastily arranged by the school’s music teacher from the students’ demos.

Sitting in the front row, the school board director, Xu Li, beamed. The following performances, by contrast, reflected the typical level of student singers.

Barring any surprises, Xu Feng was sure to win first place.

“The later performers still have their merits. For instance, Kunkun, who performed second—his dribbling skills just now were quite impressive.”

“The third contestant played the piano beautifully—such agile fingers…”

As a renowned musician, Liang Dasheng knew that bringing his own original composition and arrangement to a student competition was almost unfair. He made a point to praise the other students’ strengths, since there was little to commend in their musical arrangement and composition.

“And now, let’s welcome our fifth contestant, Li Qingxue, performing her song ‘A Thousand Songs.’”

Soon, Li Qingxue emerged from backstage, microphone in hand.

Already renowned for her beauty, Li Qingxue’s appearance drew a wave of cheers from the students.

The boys’ excitement was a given, but the girls, too, showed their support. Some recalled that she was the previous winner of the school’s singing competition.

Of course, most of the support was simply because, after so many male performers, a girl was finally stepping into the spotlight. The girls naturally rallied behind her.

As for rumors of jealousy and scheming among female students—such things didn’t exist here.

High schoolers were rarely so calculating; most were genuinely simple-hearted.

Furthermore, this was an elite school, and most students came from wealthy or prestigious families and possessed a high level of civility.

“Go, go!” Tang Xiaoyu stood up in excitement, cheering loudly. Li Changqing quickly pulled her back down. “What are you so worked up about…?”

Unexpectedly, Tang Xiaoyu pulled him up instead. “Your sister is on stage competing, and you’re just sitting there? Stand up and cheer!”

“I…”

Bathed in the glow of the stage lights, Li Qingxue looked happily at Li Changqing and Tang Xiaoyu as they stood to cheer for her, but her gaze swept the audience with a hint of disappointment.

Then she caught sight of a figure standing at the entrance.

Li Lin, dressed in a dark green long robe that was slightly wrinkled—her finest attire.

Li Qingxue’s eyes lit up at once. At that moment, the music began softly.

“Looking back gently, to those nights we once shared.”

“You are still the one who brought sunshine to my heart.”

“Tears flowed in foolishness, yet I hope for your understanding and forgiveness.”

“Tomorrow I must leave you, and the road ahead may be lonely and long.”

“So much to say in an instant, but sadly we’ll soon be worlds apart.”

“All I can do is gaze deeply at you, capturing this moment.”

“In the days to come, even if a thousand songs drift with me into the distance…”

Li Qingxue’s exquisite voice carried the beautiful melody.

Even with a simple arrangement, the song’s powerful composition shone through, the heartfelt tune instantly capturing every ear in the hall.

As the song drew to a close, the audience was enveloped in silence.

Finished, Li Qingxue stood on stage, a bit nervous, surprised by the stillness. Was it because her song wasn’t good?

That couldn’t be…

“Bravo!”

Liang Dasheng rose to his feet, applauding. As a professional music producer, he could hardly contain his amazement while listening.

Was this truly an original song by this girl? It was almost unbelievable.

Incredible. The arrangement might have been plain, but the composition itself was of the highest caliber.

It was even far superior to what he had written for Xu Feng.

Xu Feng’s song was excellent, but that was thanks to his father’s financial support. But this girl—did she really possess such talent?

At that moment, the students, recovering from the spell of the music, joined in Liang Dasheng’s applause.

Thunderous applause filled the auditorium, unending and overwhelming.