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

The arrival of the first snow and the upcoming party were like a refreshing breeze, dispelling the gloom brought by the flu and bringing vitality back to the campus.

However, for Su Yuqing, who was "forced into this task," her anticipation was mixed with increasing nervousness.

As the date of the gala approached, she seemed to lose focus during practice, and her fingertips even felt slightly cold from nervousness.

"What's wrong? Didn't you already memorize the lyrics?" Chen Mo noticed her unusual behavior and asked softly during a break in rehearsal.

Su Yuqing clutched the hem of her clothes, somewhat annoyed: "I don't know either, my heart is just pounding. Last time during military training, it was on the playground, and it was getting dark, so I just sang casually. This time, it's in front of the whole school, on a formal stage... the spotlights are so bright, I'm afraid I'll get nervous and forget the lyrics or sing off-key, that would be so embarrassing, and it would also embarrass you..."

Chen Mo looked at her slightly furrowed brows, and his heart softened.

He reached out and gently took her slightly cool hand in his. Feeling its chill, Chen Mo immediately and considerately placed her small hand on his cheek, while covering the back of her hand with his own palm, warming her with his own warmth.

Feeling the small hands cupping his face gradually warming up, Chen Mo smiled calmly and said, "Yuqing, don't be afraid. Just remember, I'll always be by your side."

Su Yuqing looked up and met his focused and gentle gaze. A ripple of emotion welled up in her heart, and a feeling of being moved and loving instantly surged to her eyes, making them slightly moist.

Yes, whether I perform exceptionally well and attract everyone's attention, or I make mistakes and am lamented by others, as long as I am the best in Chen Mo's heart, that is enough.

What does it matter what others think?

He doesn't care, and I should only care about him, and not care about other people's opinions.

"Do you remember the first time we sang together?" Seeing the change in Su Yuqing's mood, Chen Mo continued with a smile, "You were very nervous then too, but when you started singing, everyone quieted down. There's a calming power in your voice. Believe me, and believe in yourself. And..."

He paused, then squeezed her hand that was pressed against his cheek. "With me by your side, we'll stand on the stage together. If facing too many audience members makes you nervous, just focus on me and pretend that it's just the two of us on and off stage."

The warmth from his palm and his firm words were like a warm current, slowly soothing Su Yuqing's anxiety.

She took a deep breath, nodded vigorously, and gave Chen Mo a smile.

The next moment, she cupped Chen Mo's head in her hands and gently pressed her lips to his.

This was a kiss devoid of any desire, purely from the heart, brief as the touch of a butterfly's wing, yet brimming with all the surging love she could not express aloud.

After a brief touch, she stepped back slightly, panting slightly. Her eyes, which had just been misty with unease, were now incredibly bright, reflecting only Chen Mo's image and her unreserved affection.

Chen Mo was clearly stunned. Feeling the lingering warmth on her lips and her light breath, his heart belatedly began to pound violently.

"That's not enough." Chen Mo chuckled mischievously and chased after her with a kiss...

In their private space, only the sounds of their loving embrace and heavy breathing echoed for a moment...

The training went very smoothly from then on.

On the night of the gala, the school auditorium was packed, brightly lit, and filled with a lively atmosphere.

The performances by various clubs and individuals were wonderful, with applause and laughter rising and falling.

Wang Lan and Lin Xiaoxiao also came and sat in the front row.

After recovering from her illness, Lin Xiaoxiao looked radiant, and Wang Lan was full of energy. The two occasionally chatted in hushed tones, their eyes meeting with unspoken understanding and sweetness. Zhou Yue watched from the side, her lips pursed, but her eyes held a smile. Zhao Ya sat quietly to the side, a notebook in her hand, occasionally flipping through it, but mostly focused on the stage.

This time, Shen Xinghe unusually took the initiative to sit next to her, which surprised Zhao Ya. When she smelled his light and fresh scent, Zhao Ya's heart started racing.

Fortunately, the performance started soon, and everyone's attention was on the stage, so no one noticed her nervousness.

She herself was no longer able to focus on the performance on stage; she was only concerned about the boy beside her.

I don't understand what it means that he took the initiative to sit next to me.

Her mind was filled with all sorts of wild thoughts, to the point that she couldn't concentrate on watching the show.

"This semester is almost over, and there will be a location shooting event during the Spring Festival. Do you want to go? If so, I can help you sign up," Shen Xinghe suddenly said.

"Okay!" After answering instinctively, Zhao Ya belatedly realized her nervousness and asked, "What time?"

Hearing this, Shen Xinghe couldn't help but chuckle. This girl had answered before even asking what time it was; she was truly innocent and adorable.

"Let's start on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year. It will last about a week. See if you have time. If you do, I'll contact you after the holiday."

"Besides visiting relatives for a few days at the beginning of the year, I don't have much to do after that. I should be free on the seventh day of the new year," Zhao Ya breathed a sigh of relief and immediately replied with a smile.

"Okay, I'll contact you then," Shen Xinghe replied with a faint smile, and then said nothing more.

Zhao Ya finally relaxed, relieved to find that the other party had invited her to participate in an event. This was a pleasant surprise.

In a good mood, Zhao Ya started watching the performance in front of her again.

I felt that any program that followed became a pleasure to watch.

Backstage, Su Yuqing's heart couldn't help but race as she listened to the applause from the audience after her classmates' performances ended.

She looked at herself in the mirror with light makeup, feeling both unfamiliar and uneasy.

“Our show is next,” Chen Mo said, walking up to her and gently putting his arm around her shoulder.

"Chen Mo, I'm still a little scared..." Su Yuqing's voice trembled slightly.

Chen Mo didn't say anything more to comfort her. He simply reached out and carefully smoothed her perfectly styled bangs, his movements gentle and focused.

"Although I still prefer you without makeup, you look beautiful today with makeup on. Just remember that."

His proximity brought a sense of reassurance. Looking at his calm face so close to hers, Su Yuqing's wildly beating heart gradually calmed down.

"Let's go." Chen Mo smiled slightly and extended his hand to her.

Su Yuqing returned a sweet smile, placing her slightly cool hand into his warm palm and holding it tightly. (End of Chapter)