Chapter Thirty-Four: We're Not Hostesses

My gaze followed Qilin through the crowd, but suddenly I noticed that sitting beside Principal Xia was none other than Luo Ange, along with his rumored girlfriend.

For a fleeting second, as brief as a firework, our eyes met, and my mind went utterly blank.

It was a strange feeling, as if you’d stayed up three nights revising all your math textbooks, certain you’d score a perfect hundred, only to arrive at school the next morning and be told that math would never be taught again.

At that crucial moment, I crouched down, lifted my right foot that had stepped on a marble, and turned the spinning movement into a crouching maneuver to navigate the obstacle.

It lasted perhaps only thirty seconds, yet to me it felt as long as a lifetime. When I finally reached the finish line and stood up, many people in the audience rose to their feet and applauded.

Our performance had one final routine, but the music’s cue had already passed. Still, I stood there, staring at the person who would never look at me again, watching him whisper to his rumored girlfriend.

No wonder the hall had erupted in screams earlier, no wonder the teachers spoke of a mysterious guest—it had been him all along.

Xia Qi and Li Wanqiu came up, one on each side, tugging at my clothes, snapping me back to reality as I moved my feet mechanically.

Fortunately, the three of us were so in sync that the last move—when they tossed me up and I spun before landing—went off without a hitch.

As I landed steadily, thunderous applause broke out; a few boys even ran up to present flowers.

I didn’t dare look at the main stage, kept my head down, and followed Xia Qi and Li Wanqiu backstage.

The task was complete, yet everything now seemed meaningless.

Xia Qi noticed something was wrong and asked what had happened.

I told her Luo Ange had returned. She leapt up, exclaiming, “Where? Has he come to take revenge on us?”

I held her down. “It’s not certain yet, don’t panic.”

Truthfully, I was even more afraid than she was. In the end, we lost interest in the remaining programs, changed clothes, and slipped out quietly.

Lei Zhiyi’s voice announced various donation figures for Kangda’s development. One sentence I heard clearly: Lan Feng Group donated thirty million—please welcome the group’s president, Mr. Luo Ange, to speak.

Xia Qi heard it too. Ever the optimist, she said that since Luo Ange was making donations, it at least meant he wouldn’t make things difficult for us.

Li Wanqiu agreed, insisting that someone as busy as Luo Ange wouldn’t have time to play hide-and-seek with ordinary people like us.

As we walked, Xia Qi’s mother, Aunt Su Xue, caught up to us. The three of us were close to her, so we spoke without much reserve.

Li Wanqiu grinned, “Aunt Su, you’re not going to give us red envelopes, are you?”

Aunt Su glanced at me. “Your performance was excellent, especially you, Lanshan. I’ve long heard you’re a roller-skating prodigy—seeing you today, your reputation is well deserved.”

I smiled modestly, knowing she had more to say.

“It’s like this,” she continued, “Your Uncle Xia asked me to gather you all so we can have dinner together later.”

The moment Xia Qi heard “dinner,” she forgot herself entirely: “Great! I haven’t had meat in ages.”

I pinched her and told Aunt Su, “We have other things to do, so we won’t be joining.”

She looked displeased. “President Luo of Lan Feng Group specifically requested you. He said he has a relative who wants to learn roller skating.”

I blurted out, “Why should we? We’re not escorts.”

Aunt Su’s face fell. Li Wanqiu tugged at me, saying, “Aunt Su, Lanshan is just talking nonsense, don’t mind her. We’ll just get some fresh air around campus and be back soon.”

Aunt Su looked troubled, knowing our temperaments—once we get wild, we’re impossible to control, and she knew we’d likely slip away.

Just then, I saw Zhu Bang coming out of the hall, heading straight for me with piercing eyes.

I didn’t know why, but I nudged Xia Qi and Li Wanqiu. “You two go with Aunt Su first. I’ll just pop into the restroom and catch up.”

With that, I hurried off. At the corner of the administration building, I suddenly turned back.

Zhu Bang smiled. “Miss Yi, it’s been a while.”

I took a deep breath. “Mr. Zhu, do you need something from me?”

His smile faded, he looked at me intently, then turned and walked away.

I couldn’t fathom the meaning behind that look. After a moment’s hesitation, I followed him.