Chapter 88#
Descent#
After the gala began, the stage lights beamed down, illuminating the front row in the center. A group of glamorous and handsome men and women instantly became the eye-catching focal point of the entire venue.
The director, wearing a black windbreaker, fiddled with his precious camera, looking for angles everywhere. The photographer was forced to listen to Xia Wenshi brag about his glorious days as a supernatural streamer, his expression one of utter agony.
Huang Qiqi was scrolling through her phone ordering milk tea while chatting with Liang Qingqing with a smile. Su Wanluo, on the other hand, lowered her head, looking a bit absent-minded.
Every one of them was an existence like the “campus belle” or “campus hunk” of their respective grades.
Gathered together, they created quite a visual impact.
Of course, the two people behind them were even more eye-catching.
Luo Xingyan rested his hands casually on the chair, a few sharp red strands of hair flowing out from under his baseball cap, a lollipop in his mouth, looking bored enough to fall asleep.
As for Ye Sheng beside him, although he hadn’t looked up the entire time, just a cold and outstanding side profile was enough for everyone to fantasize about tonight. The school hunk of Huai’an University who trended three times on a single face, his looks naturally needed no further explanation.
At the welcome ceremony, right next to the central stage was a bullet screen wall.
Whatever the people present sent out could be projected onto it in real-time.
Luo Xingyan saw a sentence, took the lollipop out of his mouth, and read it specifically to Ye Sheng: “Crown Princess, someone is confessing to you. He says he’s 182cm, has ten houses at home, no bad habits, can be top or bottom. Asking if you’d consider it.”
Ye Sheng: “…”
Luo Xingyan quickly got into character: “The audacity! With just these conditions, he dares to covet our Crown Princess? Does he have a death wish!”
…Idiot.
Ye Sheng really wanted to sew this feudal remnant’s mouth shut with a needle.
Huang Qiqi finished ordering milk tea, turned around, and asked Ye Sheng curiously, “Little Ye, is Junior Weichen coming?”
Ye Sheng said, “He said he would come.”
Huang Qiqi: “Ah, it’s already started, where is he?”
Ye Sheng frowned and said truthfully, “Not sure.”
Ning Weichen was delayed on the way. For him to attend this kind of campus event, a group of school leaders were waiting in front of the gym to see him. Each one in a suit and leather shoes, glowing with health.
Ning Weichen hid the boredom in his eyes, smiling and chatting. After simply answering a few questions of enthusiastic concern from the principal, he immediately and politely got rid of them and stepped into the gym.
Ning Weichen entered from the back. The moment he appeared in the venue, he quickly caused a huge sensation.
The men and women in the college classes in the back rows widened their eyes, looking up to see this influential figure who had long been placed on a pedestal by the school at close range. Their faces were full of astonishment and panic. Looking at photos and videos on the forum was not as stunning as seeing him in person.
Ning Weichen raised his eyes, his gaze locking onto Ye Sheng with ease. He took out his phone and made a call while walking.
Ye Sheng felt the phone vibrate. He knew who it was without thinking. After answering the call, Ning Weichen’s smiling voice came through the noise and clamor.
“Honey, why don’t I see you in row 5, seat 16?”
Ye Sheng explained, “Luo Xingyan is too noisy, I switched seats with someone. Where are you now?”
Ning Weichen: “Hmm?”
Ye Sheng had only been here for a few minutes and already couldn’t stand it. He frowned deeply and said, “I’ll go out to find you.”
But just as he spoke, the call was hung up on the other side. A hand suddenly appeared on Ye Sheng’s shoulder, and a shadow covered him. Ye Sheng looked up and met the eyes of Ning Weichen, who was leaning over with a smile.
Those who had been following Ning Weichen’s steps with their eyes were all stunned when they saw this scene. Ning Weichen, who looked cold when walking, suddenly broke into a smile in the light and shadow, his eyes full of tenderness.
Ning Weichen rarely appeared in the public eye so formally like this.
Ye Sheng: “What are you coming over to join the fun for?” He didn’t think Ning Weichen would like this kind of environment.
Ning Weichen sat in the empty seat next to him as a matter of course, smiling lightly: “Starting school with you. To experience what your dream university life looks like.”
Ye Sheng: “…” What kind of prejudice does Ning Weichen have against “his dream university life”? Ever since the Yinshan train, he would drag it out to mock it from time to time.
Ye Sheng didn’t speak again.
Ning Weichen looked ahead, his expression languid. Ye Sheng also turned his gaze back to the gala scene.
Ning Weichen suddenly said, “Brother, are many people looking at us?”
Ye Sheng: “I’m not blind.”
Ning Weichen chuckled lightly: “I see some quite interesting comments.” His peach blossom eyes held a faint smile, his tone slow: “They say our relationship must be very good.”
Ye Sheng followed his gaze.
The bullet screen wall was scrolling frantically.
Ning Weichen’s wording was still euphemistic; these people had directly stamped their relationship as ambiguous.
[Who ships it? I ship it.]
[Is the promo video director on site? Seeing this bullet comment, quickly repost the video.]
[Yes. The flowers and trees outside the Third Hospital’s obstetrics building were filmed so well, why delete it? I want to see it, I love to see it!]
[Is it the flowers and grass you love to see? I don’t even want to expose you.]
[What she loves to see is the forbidden love of a wealthy family.]
[You guys are so bold, speaking so arrogantly, aren’t you afraid the two parties involved will see it?]
[You’re even afraid of anonymous bullet comments. With that little guts, why are you on the internet? Little kid, go home and plant sweet potatoes.]
[So… are they real?]
[Ironclad evidence. Everyone is looking at me, but I only look at you.]
[Damn damn damn, they seem to be looking at the bullet comments.]
[????]
Those playing with memes were still the minority after all.
Many people came to the welcome gala with ulterior motives. After discovering that Ning Weichen and Ye Sheng were paying attention to the bullet comments, in an instant, overwhelming personal introductions and contact information flooded the screen.
[Hehehe, leaving my contact info here, waiting for a destined person. I’m super good at gaming, loli voice oh.]
[Female, height 168, weight 47, broadcasting major, interested in getting to know each other deeply, Junior Ning Weichen?]
[Male, 177, 50, dance major, brother pick me.]
[182, ten houses, Junior Ye Sheng I really can be top or bottom, I’m two years older than you, and I’ll die early QAQ]
[You guys are enough hahahahahaha, all aiming at the fact that school leaders aren’t here, right?]
[So competitive, rejecting height weight asset anxiety thanks. Big brother has no money, big brother has no culture, big brother is also ugly, but big brother has a heart that loves you.]
Xia Wenshi saw these and went crazy with joy, taking photos frantically with his phone.
Huang Qiqi covered her face in despair: “Help, do these people know that school leaders are also coming to tonight’s welcome gala!”
In previous years, the welcome gala was organized by the student union, and teachers and leaders would not participate. But this time was different; the student union had even invited school leaders to give a congratulatory speech at the end.
Liang Qingqing was surprised: “School leaders are coming too?”
Huang Qiqi said, “Yeah, this year is a bit different, maybe because Junior Ning Weichen is here.”
The director turned his head and said to the photographer, “I have my eye on that one who is super good at gaming, help me note down the contact info.”
The photographer honestly went to add the person, looking up miserably: “Boss, she asked for my surname. After I said it, she told me to get lost.”
“Pfft hahahahahaha.”
Xia Wenshi laughed out loud unkindly.
The director gritted his teeth: “Big liar. This is what she calls waiting for a destined person my ass.”
Ye Sheng: “…”
Coming from Yinshan to Huaicheng, Ye Sheng’s worldview was really refreshed time and time again.
Ning Weichen looked at him without blinking: “Brother has been watching for so long, anyone caught your fancy?”
Ye Sheng said, “No.”
Ning Weichen asked with a smile, “Then what kind do you like?”
Ye Sheng gave him a cold look: “I like those who talk less.”
Ning Weichen laughed out loud instantly.
The bullet comments were overwhelming, but of the two parties involved, one had already lowered his head to play with his phone expressionlessly.
The other rested his hand on the chair, propping up his chin, the corners of his lips hooked into a shallow smile.
Ning Weichen raised his head, sitting elegantly, thin lips raised, as if infected by the lively and bustling atmosphere of the university campus, amused by the students’ interesting and bold pursuit remarks. Only by sitting beside him would one discover that there was no smile in his eyes, only boredom and dullness.
Luo Xingyan had finished his lollipop and lay on the table listlessly. He glanced at the bullet comments, looking at those reporting height, weight, and assets, rolling his eyes constantly, thinking these people were really blind, how could they fall for these two.
Ye Sheng lived completely without worldly desires. If discussing looks and family background, who could compare to Ning Weichen? The Crown Prince had been a perfect lover for so long, yet the Crown Princess hadn’t been seen taking the initiative even once.
As for Ning Weichen, it goes without saying. Looking at everyone with affection also meant being heartless to everyone.
The student union staff managing the bullet screen wall also almost choked—
Are these words meant to be said for the school leaders to see!!
So during the intermission transition, the host improvised a line, smiling.
“It can be seen that the students are very active and enthusiastic. Letting the school leaders see the youthful and high-spirited posture of our school’s students can also be considered echoing today’s theme ‘Let Dreams Bloom’. Hehe.”
The whole audience: “???”
The host stopped at that, the hint having an immediate effect.
Those hot and enthusiastic remarks were instantly covered by a full screen of [Flowers] [Hearts] [Smiles].
[Separated by mountains and water but not by hearts, honored to meet everyone at Huai’an University [Flowers]]
[Wishing juniors to write a new future at Huai’an University — from a sophomore senior. [Smile]]
[Tonight, no matter where you and I come from, the five lakes and four seas are all family. [Heart]]
[Let youth set sail with the wind, let dreams bloom with the flowers. Friends, good evening.]
Xia Wenshi burst into laughter.
Huang Qiqi bit on her milk tea straw, raising her hand to block his spittle.
Liang Qingqing also found it amusing, turning her head to say to Su Wanluo, “Luoluo, I remember our welcome gala was also quite interesting!”
Su Wanluo managed to squeeze out a smile. Her face was pale and fragile, black hair draping over her shoulders. Placed in the youthful, high-spirited, noisy, and colorful human world, she occasionally felt a bit cold. Perhaps the air conditioning in the old gym was too low, or maybe her body was just uncomfortable right now.
There was a program in the middle of the gala, a poetry recitation by a school leader.
Liang Qingqing went out to take a call halfway through.
Su Wanluo’s gaze quietly watched that familiar figure go on stage.
The host smiled and said, “Next, let’s invite Vice Principal Yuan Shou to give us a poetry recitation, ‘Let Dreams Set Sail’.”
“Let Dreams Set Sail”.
Ye Sheng was really bored, so he took out his phone to play a game.
Ning Weichen said, “Is this the game you sent me on the train?”
Ye Sheng: “Yeah.”
Ning Weichen laughed, leaned over, moved closer, and reached out to tap twice on Ye Sheng’s screen: “Brother, the next step should go here.”
Ye Sheng gave a “hmm” and followed his steps.
Ning Weichen’s hair brushed against him, tickling a bit. Ye Sheng turned his head to say something. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that lamp and suddenly froze, instantly becoming alert.
For atmospheric effect, the upper part of the gym was pitch black. So no one noticed some black liquid seeping out from the ceiling.
They were thick, eerie, and soon grew heads and limbs, giggling as they pulled each other, several ghost children hugging the base of the chandelier.
Cheaply purchased inferior chandeliers often have very large safety hazards.
Wires not heat-resistant, inferior ballasts, even the lamp base material is thin and easy to fall off.
Vice Principal Yuan Shou walked onto the stage with a chuckle, picked up the microphone, and stood under the chandelier.
He began to speak with deep emotion.
“Shake off the dust of the years,
Lightly touch the door of time.
Harboring dreams,
Harboring hope.
We come here.”
He raised his head, standing in the myriad of lights and shadows, looking at this gym he was responsible for building.
Yuan Shou laughed.
“Midsummer has just passed, the cicadas haven’t gone far; golden autumn has arrived, osmanthus flowers send their fragrance.”
“The most high-spirited four years of life are walking towards you.”
Crack, crack, crack.
Something was vibrating.
“Students, you are the scorching sun, you are the morning sun, you are the eaglets, you are the seeds.”
He reached out his hand, raised his head, and said loudly: “You are the new light of the world stage—”
The new light of the world stage—
The moment Yuan Shou looked up, his voice suddenly stopped abruptly, his pupils constricting into a point.
Centered on him, in an instant, all the noise and clamor inside the entire venue seemed to fade away, the dazzling lights making his eyes sting.
In the hallucination, he saw countless ghost children with ferocious appearances above the lamp, stacking on top of each other, smiling at him. They were swinging on that already inferior lamp like a swing!
Crack, crack, crack, the lamp base was splitting, the lamp handle was shattering.
Yuan Shou stood alone in the middle of the stage, eyes splitting with rage, watching that chandelier he had carefully calculated and selected, crashing down with a boom, smashing straight towards himself!
—Shake off the dust of the years.
Lightly touch the door of time.
We come here.
Let dreams set sail.