Will the plagiarism girl be a substitute for the preference for women?

It's manageable under normal circumstances, but very difficult during periods of depression.

However, the fact that Yu Qi could respond with an expectant smile when Xiangzi explained his ideas was already a great success for him.

Just when Xiangzi was speaking smoothly, I couldn't help but interrupt with that one sentence.

At this moment, it's best to say as few words as possible to save energy.

I wonder if it's a combination of mania and depression...

Just as China's thoughts were drifting like willow catkins, Shoko suddenly stopped.

China, whose arm was being held, swayed forward like a flower branch before stopping and looking at Xiangzi, whose eyes seemed to be fixed on her imagination.

Then, Xiangzi smiled.

When she noticed that China was looking at her, she quickly suppressed her smile.

As for China, she seemed to have seen a very rare scene, and her mouth opened slightly, showing a hint of surprise.

If she hadn't been in a low mood, her expression of surprise would likely have been much more pronounced.

Although Xiangzi's smile lasted only a moment, it was like a solid door opening a crack, allowing light to flow into Qiannai's heart through the crack.

I wanted to look at her smile a few more times.

Just as China was savoring the aftertaste of that smile, Shoko suppressed his joy at coming up with the idea and spoke seriously as usual.

"I have some new ideas now."

She briefly recounted the vampire and witch story she had just come up with and recorded it on her tablet.

"Pretty good, isn't it?" China replied with a smile.

The fact that it was merely a statement of affirmation, without any detailed evaluation or discussion, made Xiangzi feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Is it that you crave a greater sense of affirmation?

Now we are providing a solution to China, the "client," and the client's approval is certainly necessary.

However, China is currently in a period of depression, so she naturally doesn't have enough energy to discuss solutions, nor should she force it.

In addition, Xiangzi also reminded himself that there was no need to be obsessed with other people's approval at all times.

As long as I hold onto the beliefs in my heart and keep living, that's enough.

She only needs to satisfy China in matters of cooperation; if they disagree on other aspects, she doesn't need to go along with China's opinions.

Maintaining a business relationship with her is enough; those inexplicable thoughts of wanting to take care of her emotions like an older sister will only add unnecessary burdens to oneself.

If I had to say I was taking care of China, it was just an obligation I had to fulfill as her manager.

……

After recording the idea, Xiangzi continued to hold Qianna's arm, letting the latter lean on him, until they reached the stairwell and met another couple, Aine and Tou.

Their confident smiles were tinged with a hint of nervousness.

After practicing all afternoon, their playing gradually became more coordinated, but they still need more time to hone their perfect chemistry. So, having them perform on stage in the afternoon is still something that makes their hearts race.

When they saw China leaning against Xiangzi's shoulder, they were surprised but also relieved.

"It seems the sisters have a pretty good relationship," Ai Yin whispered by the lamp.

"Ah."

Even though he hadn't spoken much with Xiangzi during this time, seeing that Xiangzi also had a caring side, Deng didn't feel much awkwardness or timidity after this meeting.

Moreover, she is working towards getting Xiangzi to stop and linger for a while before her performance.

Even if I remain silent for some reason now, I won't be disappointed.

"Good afternoon," Xiangzi greeted Aiyin and Dengda politely.

"?..."

Even though Xiangzi's face remained expressionless, this long-awaited greeting surprised Deng.

She had intended to simply pass by without saying a word, which would have been fine.

Perhaps we've reached a crossroads because of different pursuits, or perhaps we're too busy to even ask after each other. As long as you're safe and well, as long as that light hasn't completely gone out, even if it doesn't shine on you, just being able to see that light will warm your heart.

But Xiangzi surprised the lamp by greeting him.

After Ai-yin cheerfully raised her hand and replied "Good afternoon," Deng stammered in response.

"Good afternoon... Xiao Xiang."

After that, they didn't talk again and went back to their classrooms.

However, for some reason, a kind of motivation slowly rose within Deng.

"Little Aiyin".

"What's wrong, Little Lamp?"

Seeing that Deng had clenched a fist into her chest and looked somewhat excited, Ai Yin didn't find it unusual.

After all, China had given them proper guidance at noon, and although Akari still habitually sang in her natural voice during subsequent practice, she was able to sing well after warming up her voice, so it was normal for her to be excited because of her confidence.

However, Kaoru's intuition told her that something was wrong.

"Let's go up and sing together during our physics class!" Deng said, holding Ai Yin's other hand.

"Huh?" Aine panicked a little.

From the very beginning of the practice, Ai Yin had always regarded this exercise as "just in case."

In other words, the best-case scenario is that the physics teacher doesn't call on you to perform on stage.

If I'm called on, I have practice to back me up, so I can manage. And if there's a light on for me to sing vocals, the pressure won't be so great.

If she were to go up and sing on her own initiative... Ai-yin felt there was no need to do so.

She likes to showcase herself, but at least after thorough preparation, she presents her best self to everyone.

But for the lamp, it was an opportunity to practice and demonstrate its results.

The practice time was not long, only one noon, and the performance could not be guaranteed to be outstanding or amazing, but that was not what Deng cared about.

Seizing every opportunity to sing in front of an audience and gradually overcoming her timidity is what Deng wants to do.

Even if you suffer setbacks, even if you face failure, just get up and keep moving forward after you fail. This is exactly what Aine said to her.

Aine, who had uttered those words, hesitated for a moment, letting out a drawn-out "uh" before remaining silent.

"Xiao Aiyin..."

Aine realized that if she kept delaying her answer, she might disappoint Tama again.

Aine was naturally very grateful that Deng was willing to help.

However, Aine was also in a difficult position if her request to perform on stage was rejected and she felt disappointed.

Agree or reject?

"To be honest, I'm still a little afraid of performing on stage."

Just as Akari heard Aine say this and felt her hopes dashed and was about to be dashed, Aine smiled and added.

"But seeing how motivated Xiaodeng is, I feel I should do my part too. I'll do as Xiaodeng suggests and take the initiative to perform on stage!"

"Yes!" Deng nodded vigorously with delight.

"Okay, I'm going to the restroom first. Oh, and don't get so caught up in the singing that you forget to listen to the lesson."

Aiyin helped Deng sit back in his chair, then opened his book for him, indicating that he should preview the content.

Then, she walked out of the classroom with light steps, still carrying the guitar on her back.

However, after hearing Ai-yin's words, Deng was focused on previewing her textbook and did not notice.

After entering the restroom and making sure no one was around, Aine took her guitar out of her guitar case and placed her hands on the tuning pegs. Her nervous expression was reflected in the mirror on the sink.

"Other students might also raise their hands to want to perform on stage, but the teacher might not necessarily call on you from among those who raise their hands..."

She looked at herself in the mirror, muttering to herself and hesitating, but finally shook her head, shaking off this wishful thinking.

Then, gradually tighten the string, and tighten it again.

His hands trembled and hesitated more and more as the strings tightened.

"Don't worry about it!"

After making up her mind, Aine closed her eyes tightly and suddenly twisted the string.

Snap??

The string then broke.

In the "Agree or Disagree" option, Aine chose "Or".

Then, a wave of regret washed over me.

You've already trained hard, so why are you afraid to go on stage?

The class isn't exactly full of hidden talents, with everyone being highly skilled; people like Chika are ultimately a minority.

Besides, even if there are a few very talented people in the class, they wouldn't mock their own mediocre performance, right? On the contrary, those who dare to take the initiative to go on stage and present, regardless of their level, will be praised for their courage.

It's not like I'm introducing myself in London...

Aine began to constantly blame herself for her escapist tendencies.

Even someone as quiet and withdrawn as Lian Deng, who usually lives a solitary life on campus, has regained the courage to perform on stage.

He himself told Deng that he should just get back up after failing.

But it's always me who tries so hard to escape...

No matter how much regret and self-blame I feel, when I open my eyes, the broken strings in the mirror are already a fact.

Subconsciously, after witnessing the loose, broken string, it also breathed a sigh of relief.

After the intense surge of negative emotions subsided, Ai Yin gradually loosened her grip on the guitar and began to comfort herself.

It's okay. I wasn't well prepared this time, so there was no need for me to go on stage in the first place.

It's not like I told everyone in advance that I was going to perform on stage in the afternoon, so this can't be considered running away at all.

She just wanted to reject the lamp, but was afraid of hurting its feelings, so she came up with this strategy.

"sorry."

Aine gently stroked the strings that had been sacrificed for this cause.

……

Back in the classroom, the school bell rang.

Ai Yin listened to the lesson with a mixture of intention and inattentiveness, occasionally glancing at the focused lamp.

The other person was excited because he had agreed to her request, and was diligently taking notes in class because of his words, "Don't just think about singing and forget about class."

Even the stones that were originally arranged in a row on the table were put back into the desk, so that they wouldn't be distracted by playing with the stones.

Aine agreed to the lamp's request, and the lamp responded by obeying Aine's request in a silent but sincere manner.

At that moment, Aine remembered something...

Deng stayed up all night meticulously crafting a report for Qianna, but Qianna only prepared an AI article.

She can now probably understand the tension that China felt.

However, Aine did practice diligently with Akari, rather than being unprepared.

They simply chose to escape because their expectations weren't met.

Sigh, have I gone from comforting myself to blaming myself again?

I can't stand this constant emotional turmoil anymore, I'm done with it.

Although I wanted to get rid of these chaotic thoughts, the thought of China inevitably brought to mind the matter she had mentioned that morning that was closely related to the next physics class.

When China was called on by the teacher to perform on stage, she said that she did not bring any musical instruments, but a kind classmate gave her a guitar.

Thinking of this, Aine suddenly felt uneasy.