A Young Woman's Heart

"Let me introduce our band members!! First up is our lead vocalist! Keyboardist Xiao Yaoyao!"

When Mo Xueyao saw that everyone's eyes were instantly focused on her in the direction Hua Yinyin was pointing, she quickly flicked her fingers a few times.

"Bassist, Lele~!"

"Hoo, everyone!" Wang Jiale was so excited that his voice cracked. Everyone tacitly emphasized the bass, until Hua Yinyin began to introduce the next person.

"Drum set, youyou!"

"Hey~!" Mo Zhuyou poked her head out from behind the drum kit with difficulty and waved her other drumstick in the air for two seconds.

"And also—the suona/bamboo flute—Xiaoxue!!!"

Mr. Xue pursed his lips and nodded gently and gracefully to the audience below the stage.

"oh!!!!"

This time, the shouts were even louder than when Mo Xueyao was introduced.

Mo Xueyao vaguely heard someone say that the name sounded nice, which made her feel a little jealous—what is that? Her name also has "Xue" in it.

However, it seems that this is the only way Hua Yinyin can introduce him – he can't exactly say that this is 'sir', can he?

Although it used to be acceptable to introduce a woman as "Mr.", we live in a new era now, and perhaps most people are still having trouble adjusting to this new terminology.

The intro can't be any longer, otherwise it will sound monotonous.

Mo Xueyao quickly shouted into the microphone, "Yinyin!"

"Eh? Oh!" Hua Yinyin quickly plucked the pipa and continued the song.

"Autumn always brings falling leaves."

“Even in winter, leaves fall!” Mo Xueyao blurted out instinctively.

"Huh?" Hua Yinyin was clearly taken aback for a moment, but she reacted quickly, continuing the lyrics before Mo Xueyao could feel awkward, "That's a letter from ~autumn~"

This caused Mo Xueyao and Hua Yinyin to forget their lines for a moment, so they simply started improvising.

The setting sun casts its golden rays upon the leaves.

"The winter sun is just as warm!"

Although the word count doesn't match, at least the intonation matches. If I really can't think of any words, I'll just lengthen a single word...

"In winter, everything is bare and desolate!"

"Spring breeze, tender buds grow!"

This has nothing to do with autumn leaves anymore...

However, the two of them had even more fun, and Mo Xueyao completely let loose, continuing to fool around with Hua Yinyin.

"Autumn leaves are like potato chips, they're everywhere here!" The song eventually came full circle, and it was finally coming to an end.

As the last note faded away, cheers erupted throughout the auditorium.

People might not find it particularly catchy, but they probably just find it fun and lively.

With so many people watching her, Mo Xueyao was overwhelmed with excitement. She couldn't help but shout into the microphone, "Thank you everyone for your support!! This is ours!"

"Snow Music Band!"

This time, everyone else joined in the shouting—except, of course, Mr. Xue.

……

Volume 5, A New Year Covered in Silver: Chapter 1, Tomorrow's Promise

"I'm coming!"

A commotion arose in the crowd as the backstage door was pushed open, and a large group of boys and a few girls gathered around.

"Mo Xueyao!"

When Mo Xueyao heard someone calling her name, her bright sky-blue eyes narrowed shyly, and a slight smile appeared on her slightly flushed face, like ripples on a lake.

People can never be too disgusted with their own charm.

However, not everyone was paying attention to Mo Xueyao; some people were looking back as if searching for something.

Having removed his makeup and put his clothes back on, Mr. Xue emerged from the shadows, his fair hand causing many to hold their breath.

But then, upon seeing the face clearly, I was immediately disappointed.

No one recognized Mr. Xue as the 'Little Xue' from earlier.

"Where's Xiaoxue? Hasn't Xiaoxue come out?"

"Is there another exit?"

"Hey, are you done watching? If you're done, please move aside!" Hua Yinyin put her hands on her hips, pouted slightly, and was a little dissatisfied that no one was paying attention to her, which made her tone impatient.

"What's the name of that girl who was playing the flute? Is she in your class?" someone couldn't help but ask loudly.

"It's a secret~" Wang Jiale winked mischievously, glancing slightly at Mr. Xue walking behind her. However, how could anyone else possibly understand her hint?

"Hua Yinyin~" Suddenly, a hand covered in a fluffy, oversized coat was raised high in the crowd. A girl struggled through the crowd and finally walked up to Hua Yinyin, covered in sweat.

This is a girl with a rosy face. Upon closer inspection, you can see that her skin is slightly rough, and the rosy complexion seems to be caused by some kind of skin condition.

Her entire outfit was fluffy, making her look like a life-sized plush bear.

"Um! Hua Yinyin!!" She excitedly handed over a notebook with a leather cover and a black ballpoint pen clipped to it. "Could you sign this for me?"

"Of course, no problem!" Hua Yinyin said, glancing at Mo Xueyao as if she were showing off something.

"Um, I really love the way you play the pipa, you're so amazing! I want to learn the pipa in the future too. Oh, right, I'm a first-year high school student! Hmm... should I call you 'senior'?"

"It's alright, the way you address me is irrelevant. Being too polite would only make us seem distant!" Hua Yinyin pressed the ballpoint pen with a 'click,' suppressed her slightly trembling hand, and signed her name on it with feigned composure.

"Thank you, senior!"

"Just call me Hua Yinyin!"

This junior started it, and others followed suit. Some shouted that they wanted to be Wang Jiale's boyfriend, and others asked Mo Zhuyou if he minded having a girlfriend.

The most popular person was Mo Xueyao. Even though many people didn't bring paper and pen, they still went up to shake her hand or something.

She clearly heard someone saying to their companion something like, "We're not washing our hands tonight."

"Wash your hands properly!" Mo Xueyao couldn't help but mutter to herself.

Some people recognized Mr. Xue, but their impression of him was still based on the incident of 'molesting' a girl.

As for the subsequent clarification, that's not something most people are interested in.

That's why it's always said that debunking rumors is the most difficult task.

Once dirty water is splashed on you, it's very difficult to wash it off.

A person with an upright character has nothing to fear, but it depends on the situation.

The scene was as lively as a fan meeting, and it took quite a while before the teachers managed to disperse all the students who had gathered there.

After the noise subsides, all that remains is the quiet of the night.

The New Year's Day activities have all ended, and students are leaving the school in groups under the cover of night.

Hua Yinyin folded the clothes that Mr. Xue had worn before and stuffed them into her schoolbag: "We're off tomorrow, do you want to go out and play together?"

"No, maybe not?" Mo Xueyao cleared her throat. "I want to sleep all day tomorrow..."

"Let's go to the coffee shop to do our homework!"

"So this is your real purpose?" Mo Xueyao's eyelids drooped. "But I've finished all my homework."

"If you don't have to do homework, you can chat or draw! Come on~ Little Yaoyao~ that store is half price tomorrow."

"Half price...?"

"Yes, it's a great deal, but the half-price discount is only available when girls go together!"

"Wait, wait, wait, what does that mean?"

"Only couples who are in love with each other are allowed to enter!"

"Let me make this clear, I'm not a lesbian!" Mo Xueyao said loudly, a little guilty. Actually, it would be impossible for her to say that she didn't like girls.

After all, having been a man for so many years, his sexual orientation should be half-determined.

But after all, she's a girl now...

"What? Little Yaoyao is taking this so seriously? Could it be that she's trying to hide something?" Hua Yinyin pressed her face against her shoulder and teased, "We can just 'pretend' and go in holding hands. It's just a formality, a mere formality!"

"The formality...? Hmm..." Wang Jiale looked at Mo Zhuyou, "Youyou, do you want to come along too?"

"I want to go with my sister!"

"I guess that makes sense..."

Mo Xueyao put Teacher Qiu Yi's electronic keyboard into the keyboard bag and zipped it up with a "whoosh". She would be using the keyboard until the competition results were announced. However, the extended keyboard was almost half her height, and carrying it felt like carrying a heavy sword...

"Can't Lele be with Tongjue?"

"Tongjue, she's going on a 'date' with Xiaoxi tomorrow."

Mo Xueyao can be with Hua Yinyin, Mo Zhuyou has her older sister, but it seems that Wang Jiale has no one to keep her company.

"I've got it! Why don't we have Xiaoxue dress up in women's clothes? That way she can sneak in!" Mo Xueyao clapped her hands, looking like she was enjoying the show.

"Either is fine." Mr. Xue smiled calmly. "Actually, the class monitor can go with you."

"Xiaoxue in women's clothing? To be honest, Xiaoxue doesn't resist this kind of thing at all, but it's not as interesting as Susu." Hua Yinyin said, swaying her body gently as she carried her pipa bag on her back.

"No, Wanyan has to come to school tomorrow."

"Hmm—it seems—" All four eyes focused on Mr. Xue, "that we'll have to let Xue take his place?"

"Youyou, I have to clean the house tomorrow, so I can't go out to play with you," Mo Xiaoxiao said as she pushed open the door and came in.

"Hey, sister, when did you get here?"

"I listened at the door for a while."