Brother Jun?
He clearly loved it!
After all, it signified his ultimate victory in over a decade of childhood rivalry and scheming!
Normally, Su Niansheng would protest. But riding high on gratitude, calling him 'brother' was nothing. She'd do anything right now.
"Maybe... I should formally become your sister? You're better to me than my own brother ever was!" Her eyes shone with sincerity.
To her surprise, the young man's face instantly darkened. His refusal was swift and absolute. "No."
"Why not?" Su Niansheng pouted playfully. "Afraid I'll join the Shen family and scheme for your fortune?"
Shen Junxi scoffed lightly. "You want to scheme for it?"
"Yes! I want to scrape you clean!"
"Then becoming my sister isn't necessary. There's a far more convenient, quicker... and legal method."
"What method?" Su Niansheng looked at him, puzzled.
He didn't answer. Instead, a grin spread across his face, wide and utterly irrepressible.
What was he so pleased about?
"Fine, keep your secret. I'm leaving."
"Not so fast. You haven't called me yet."
Shen Junxi grabbed her arm. Momentum nearly sent her tumbling into his chest.
Under the blazing sun, amidst the vibrant cherry blossoms, his dark lashes lowered, veiling the almost overwhelming intensity in his gaze.
"If 'Brother Jun' is too much... you could try... 'Brother Jun~'." His voice dropped suggestively.
Su Niansheng shuddered violently. Goosebumps prickled her skin.
Brother Jun~... Jun Brother~
It sounded like calling a lover!
"Ew, gross!" The thought slipped out before she could stop it.
"Gross?" Shen Junxi narrowed his eyes, looking at her like she was the most ungrateful creature alive. "It wasn't gross yesterday when you were begging me to stay?"
"Heh heh, different day, different situation!"
"Fine. Don't call me. Consider the reward withheld. You owe me one."
"Ah~" Su Niansheng sighed dramatically, shaking her head in mock sorrow. "Little Shen Xi, you've changed. Gone is the sweet, innocent boy I knew. Now you demand payment for helping!"
A low chuckle rumbled deep in Shen Junxi's chest, a rich, magnetic sound. He reached out, gently plucking a stray cherry blossom petal from her hair.
If I don't play my cards right, you'll get fooled by someone else.
Jing University Expo Hall.
The annual "Best Singer Grand Finals."
Leaders from multiple universities, student representatives, fans, and hosts/media from the sponsoring music app packed the venue. Every seat was filled.
Lin Yixuan, resplendent in her white dress, stood in the contestants' waiting area. Peering through the curtain, her eyes widened. This year's scale is massive!
The university president was present, along with deans from key faculties. Numerous small-time streamers were broadcasting live.
Yubai, naturally, wouldn't miss it. As Student Council President, he sat in a prime spot in the second row.
Her gaze swept further, and her heart leaped with unexpected joy.
Young Master Shen is here too?!
His arrival caused a noticeable stir. Even the president stood to greet him, guiding him to a reserved seat.
Perfect.
Front row! He would see her outfit clearly, hear her voice perfectly.
She was confident no one could remain unmoved.
This white dress, costing two months' living expenses, was worth every penny!
She smoothed her skirt, pulled out a compact to meticulously check her makeup, then sent a message to Su Niansheng: Today must be perfect. No mistakes.
Su Niansheng received the message and typed back: Relax. Guaranteed to stun.
"Miss Su." The sales associate continued presenting the two gowns in the designer atelier. "This GANN pre-season gown comes in two colors: white and black. Which do you prefer?"
Su Niansheng glanced up. "The black."
"Excellent choice."
"Brother Jun, since when are you interested in singing competitions?" Duan Chengyu settled into his seat, baffled.
"Recently." Shen Junxi picked up the event program card. His gaze fixed on the final performer: 'Lin Yixuan'. 6:10 PM.
"That recently?" Duan Chengyu didn't get it, nor did he care. He hadn't even liked the famous singers his family hired for his birthday parties. Amateur university acapella? Utterly pointless.
He shifted, preparing to nap. Until...
"Next, let's welcome our final contestant! Contestant Number 010 from Jing University, Lin Yixuan! Performing for us—'If This Is Love'!"
"You made your choice, right or wrong..."
A voice, pure and clear, simultaneously ethereal and magnetic, flowed from the microphone. It sent a shiver through the audience, tingling scalps.
Was this real?
Jaw-dropping from the first note!
And this is acapella?
The lower registers were gentle and warm, like a breeze carrying a relaxed, story-like quality. The higher notes were bright, never shrill, woven with an unyielding resilience. It sounded like a built-in sound system, each note cleansing the soul, utterly captivating.
Even Duan Chengyu, utterly indifferent to music, felt like he'd tasted something exquisite. He woke fully, turning his attention to the stage.
"Didn't expect that plain-looking girl to have such a glorious voice," he murmured, impressed.
He turned to Shen Junxi with a grin, only to find the young man's eyes already closed. His striking features, illuminated by the stage lights, radiated a lazy, profound contentment. He seemed completely immersed.
He liked it that much?
Duan Chengyu looked back at the girl on stage.
And she's wearing a white dress. Exactly Brother Jun's type!
"Wow—" In the second row, Cheng Hao couldn't contain his admiration, elbowing the young man beside him. "Yubai! Had no idea your neighbor had pipes like that! It's heavenly! Can you introduce us after this?"
Distracted from his event planning notes by the singing, Shi Yubai finally looked up. He hadn't listened to her online qualifying entries. He hadn't expected... this voice. It was completely different from her speaking voice.
Radiant. The center of attention.
Below her was thunderous applause, envious looks, endless praise.
Lin Yixuan reveled in it. To better showcase her dress and performance, she even twirled, brow furrowed in deep, soulful expression.
But then, at the song's emotional peak...
The singing abruptly stopped.
"Huh?"
"What happened?"
"No sound? But... she's still moving her lips? Mic failure?"
Commotion rippled through the audience.
Several seconds passed before Lin Yixuan reacted, her voice cutting off in panicked confusion.
W-What?
Was it Su Niansheng? Did something go wrong there?