Su Niansheng stared at her, eyes burning with hatred, the corners faintly reddening.
But Lin Yixuan, preoccupied with her own agenda, didn't notice the venom in her gaze. She bustled over warmly, grabbing Su Niansheng's hands. "Shengsheng! Why are you washing up so early? Didn't you promise me…" She leaned in conspiratorially, lowering her voice, "...to practice lip-syncing with me one more time tonight?"
"Lip-syncing practice?"
"Yeah! For 'Best Singer,' remember?"
Seeing Su Niansheng's blank look, a flicker of panic crossed Lin Yixuan's eyes. Was she backing out?
Su Niansheng remembered.
Every year, several top universities in the capital jointly hosted a "Campus Best Singer" competition. The grand champion had a shot at becoming the spokesperson for a popular music app.
Lin Yixuan had entered.
But her submitted entry got eliminated in the online preliminary rounds. So, she'd come up with the idea: Su Niansheng would 'ghost-sing' for her.
After relentless pestering, Su Niansheng had agreed. They'd made it through several PK rounds.
The final was a live event at Jing University's Expo Hall. Leveraging Shi Yubai's position as Student Council President, Lin Yixuan had easily arranged the setup: Su Niansheng would sing backstage while Lin Yixuan lip-synced onstage. They just needed to match the rhythm and mouth movements perfectly.
In her past life, this was how Lin Yixuan had won the championship, secured the endorsement, and kicked open the door to the entertainment industry. The final song, streamed live online, had earned her the title 'Campus Acapella Diva' – a fraud never exposed.
The memory filled Su Niansheng with bitter self-mockery.
Blinded by love before, I actually agreed to this. Looking at Lin Yixuan now, her eyes shimmered with naked ambition and calculation. Not a shred of friendship remained.
"Of course I remember," Su Niansheng said, her lips pulling into a tight semblance of a smile.
Lin Yixuan visibly relaxed. "Great! Then let's hurry out to practice!"
"Okay."
After the practice session, Su Niansheng sent Shen Junxi a WeChat message: Wait for me after school tomorrow.
'I...' Before she could explain why, his reply popped up instantly: As you command, Your Highness.
The smile she'd been forcing for Lin Yixuan finally became genuine, curving her lips upwards.
"Hey, Menghan, Yueyue, do either of you have a white dress?" Lin Yixuan asked the moment she returned to the dorm, already rummaging through her closet. "I want to wear one for the finals."
"Nope, my skin's too dark for light colors."
"Not me either," Xu Yue shook her head, then spotted Su Niansheng. "Shengsheng's wearing a white dress right now! Ask her."
"Shengsheng?" Zhao Menghan chimed in doubtfully. "But Shengsheng's measurements are insane. You'd never squeeze into her clothes…"
"Sorry," Su Niansheng cut in flatly while they were still discussing. "I don't share personal items." Her refusal dropped like a stone, silencing the room for several seconds.
Lin Yixuan's hand gripping the closet door tightened imperceptibly.
Zhao Menghan silently drew her bed curtain shut and lay down. Rich people are different… Wonder what her family really does, keeping it all so secret.
The next afternoon, brilliant sunshine bathed Jing University. Su Niansheng, clutching two textbooks, hurried to their meeting spot to find Shen Junxi already waiting.
He lounged semi-reclined under a cherry blossom tree. His impossibly long legs stretched out, crossing three or four steps, one hand idly bouncing a basketball in rhythm against the stone.
Trying to look cool?
As she drew closer, she realized his eyes were closed, as if dozing.
A gentle breeze ruffled his dark, slightly messy hair, shifting the shadows cast by his lashes – sharp and distinct like clipped crow feathers. A few drifting cherry blossom petals landed on his brow, the bridge of his aristocratic nose, and lips that looked softer and pinker than the petals themselves…
His clean, sharply defined features were bathed in sunlight. That breathtakingly handsome face, magnified in her view, made Su Niansheng's heart skip a beat. Last night's dorm descriptions flooded back.
Devastatingly handsome. Soul-stealing.
Human pheromones. A billion-girl heartthrob.
She'd thought they were exaggerating. Clearly, they weren't.
All those years, her eyes glued to Shi Yubai, she'd completely missed how her childhood friend had blossomed into this.
She tip-toed closer, aiming to flick his forehead.
Before her finger could connect, his hand snapped up, snagging her wrist with uncanny precision.
"Su Xiao-Sheng," Shen Junxi drawled, his eyes slowly opening. Lazy amusement sparkled in the dark depths as they focused on her. "Trying to ambush someone?"
"?" Su Niansheng blinked in surprise. "Weren't your eyes just closed?"
"Didn't need my eyes to sense you coming."
"Like a bloodhound."
"Who you calling a hound?"
"Not you~" Su Niansheng's smile instantly turned sickeningly sweet, a faint dimple appearing as she laid on the flattery. "Praising your super senses!"
Shen Junxi took one look at that expression and knew she wanted something.
"Alright, out with it. What's the summons for?"
"Well... there is one little thing..." Su Niansheng leaned in conspiratorially.
She planned to pull something during the "Best Singer" finals. But to bypass the watchful eyes of Student Council President Shi Yubai, only one person could help: the tycoon heir whose family funded half the buildings and equipment at Jing U.
She laid out her plan and the technical manipulation needed. Expecting questions or disapproval, she was met with an immediate nod. "Done."
Done? So straightforward? Didn't he wonder why she suddenly wanted to sabotage her 'bestie'? Or think it was underhanded?
Her confusion must have been plain on her face. Shen Junxi saw it and rapped her lightly on the head.
"Ow!"
Su Niansheng yelped, trying to retaliate, only to remember her wrist was still firmly trapped in his grasp.
Oh, great. Not only did his looks level up, but his scheming did too! Pre-empting my counterattack!
Shen Junxi: "Little ingrate. All these years, when haven't I covered for you? You cause trouble, I watch the door. You climb walls, I'm your ladder. You get chewed out, I take the punishment. Even if you wanted to kill someone, I'd hand you the knife. This is nothing."
Except when it came to chasing Shi Yubai.
If only she'd give that up...
He'd be putty in her hands. For life.
Su Niansheng looked up. His dark, obsidian eyes were fixed intently on her, burning with a fervent intensity that felt like a vow.
She remembered his desperate, broken threat in her dying moments: Su Niansheng! You dare die on me, I'll kill Shi Yubai with my bare hands!
A sudden heat pricked behind her eyes, her voice thickening. "Shen Junxi... you're the best~"
That soft, sweet voice, carrying a hint of a sob, washed over him again. Shen Junxi's ears burned. He couldn't hold her gaze, instantly recalling yesterday's 'Brother Jun~' in the boxing room.
Since when did she learn to act so cute?
Deadly.
"Ahem." He cleared his throat, forcing composure. "If I'm so good... shouldn't you give me a little reward?"
"What kind of reward?"
"Like..." A faint, distinctly roguish glint appeared in his eyes. "Calling me... like yesterday."