On a rainy night, the school beauty knocked on my door and asked for shelter

"Do I sing well?"

Su Yuqing's face flushed instantly in the firelight, like a ripe apple. She waved her hands repeatedly, instinctively shrinking back as if seeking protection from Chen Mo beside her.

She never had the self-awareness that she sang well.

She doesn't even know how good she is at singing; she just hums a few lines occasionally when she's in the mood.

Chen Mo received her pleading look, a gentle smile playing on his lips, and said softly, "It sounds nice, but if you don't want to go up, then don't."

His gaze was calm and accepting, as if to say, "With me here, you don't need to do anything you don't want to do."

These words of complete trust ignited a small flame in Su Yuqing's heart.

She took a deep breath, and her previously evasive gaze gradually hardened.

She gently squeezed Chen Mo's hand, then stood up amidst a sea of ​​surprised gazes.

As she got up and walked to the open space next to the campfire, the originally noisy meeting place seemed to be muted.

The students in the eight-year program were already used to Su Yuqing's good looks, but the students in the other two classes, especially many boys, were instantly captivated, their eyes filled with undisguised amazement.

The flickering firelight perfectly outlined her delicate profile, her long eyelashes casting soft shadows beneath her eyes, and her fair skin gleaming like lustrous jade in the warm light.

She wore a simple light-colored dress, her figure slender and graceful, her upper body outstanding. She stood there quietly, like a meticulously painted Jiangnan ink painting suddenly brought to life. Her gentle and pure temperament formed a wonderful contrast with the blazing campfire, captivating the heart.

"This girl... which class is she in? How come I never noticed her before? She's so beautiful, even prettier than a celebrity."

"Su Yuqing from the eight-year clinical program! Her challenge to a game on the forum caused quite a stir..."

"A challenge to a ball game? It's a challenge between us freshmen and our seniors."

"Oh, I've heard of that. How come there's something about this beautiful woman?"

"She's the girlfriend of one of the boys in the freshman group."

"Holy crap, such a beautiful flower is already taken? Who is it? What a lucky guy!"

"You know what, that guy is really good-looking. Even I, a guy, think he's handsome. If someone like you is someone you've been blessed for generations."

……

Quiet murmurs arose from several corners; what might have started as mere curiosity had now turned into genuine anticipation for many.

Everyone wanted to see what kind of eye-catching performance a girl with such outstanding looks would put on.

"Teacher Zhang." Su Yuqing walked to the sidelines, her voice still trembling slightly with a hint of shyness, but clear enough, "I want to sing a song."

She then told Zhang Ye the corresponding song, and he quickly found the accompaniment and played it through the speakers.

Amidst the expectant gazes of everyone and the excited whispers of her roommates, Su Yuqing took the microphone.

She walked to the campfire, where the orange-red light bathed her in a warm glow.

She didn't look at the sea of ​​people below the stage; her gaze, from beginning to end, remained fixed on the one person watching her with a gentle smile. Seeing such a beautiful girl perform, the three instructors also became somewhat interested.

Soon, a simple guitar accompaniment began, carrying the soothing and narrative feel unique to folk music.

"I want you to be by my side~
I want you to do my makeup~
The wind is blowing this night~
My heart is itching to play this tune, my love…

When she opened her mouth, her voice was clear and gentle. Unlike the original singer, who might have had a slightly worldly feel, she sang out the pure, straightforward, and slightly shy affection of a young girl experiencing her first love.

The lyrics are bold yet sincere, but through her gentle voice, they convey less of a demanding tone and more of a sweet wish that "it's so good to have you."

I'm far from home, gazing at the moon.
It's all because of this night, so alluringly crazy~
It's all the guitar's fault, it played so mournfully~
Oh, I'm going to sing a song~
Silently thinking of you, my love...

When she sang "My Lover," her voice softened slightly, filled with tenderness, and her gaze met Chen Mo's gentle gaze in the air.

Every word and every melody in this song is her most direct and bold expression of her feelings in this situation.

The campfire crackled, as if providing accompaniment to her courage.

Chen Mo gazed at her quietly, his heart feeling as if it were being gently scratched by a feather, or as if it were being soaked in warm spring water.

He never imagined that Su Yuqing, with her introverted personality, would choose such a heartfelt song to sing "I want you by my side" for him in front of everyone.

This unexpected and special romance filled his heart with sweetness.

……

When the music ended, there was a moment of silence. Everyone was moved by the deep emotion contained in the simple melody, and then burst into applause and cheers that were more enthusiastic and kind than ever before.

Many people felt that this was more than just a performance; it was more like a heartfelt confession.

Su Yuqing's cheeks were flushed, like the sunset. She bowed quickly to everyone, then, like a startled yet sweet little deer, she ran back to Chen Mo and sat down.

Chen Mo immediately reached out and tightly wrapped her slightly cool and soft little hand in his warm palm, as a response to her lyrics.

I've always been by your side!
Just as Chen Mo and Su Yuqing were subtly shaking hands, Wang Lan's distinctive loud voice, brimming with mischief, rang out. He practically jumped up and down, shouting, "Old Mo! You can't stand this! Your wife is practically calling out names! You have to respond! Give me one! Give me one!"

This shout was like lighting a fuse, and the whole place erupted in cheers. Especially the students in this class, who remembered Chen Mo's ease during training, were even more eager to watch the excitement. The cheers, applause, and whistles rose and fell, almost overturning the bonfire.

Chen Mo looked at Su Yuqing, who was pressing her burning cheek against his arm in an attempt to "cool down" her fever, and then at the excited classmates around him. He smiled helplessly and indulgently.

He gently squeezed Su Yuqing's hand, and under the intense gazes of the crowd, he stood up again with composure.

"Okay, then I'll make a fool of myself too." He walked directly to the sound control panel and whispered a few words to Zhang Ye, who was in charge.

Chen Mo's appearance, just like Su Yuqing's, instantly caused a stir in the other two class areas.

If Su Yuqing's beauty is the gentle and poetic charm of Jiangnan's ink paintings, then Chen Mo's handsomeness is the towering and austere grandeur of the northern mountains.

The firelight accentuated the sharp angles of his profile, revealing a maturity far beyond his years. Even in a relaxed state, his upright posture bore the sharp marks of training. (End of Chapter)