Chapter 83 - 71: A Fleeting Snowstorm, An Instantaneous Bloom

Chapter 83: Chapter 71: A Fleeting Snowstorm, An Instantaneous Bloom

Night was falling late, and the moon hadn’t risen yet. Perhaps it too was lost over the vast sea.

It was as if the mystery of her story had just been solved.

Song Jianye was a very capable student. Having been to the library with her a few times, he knew she had an incredible ability to focus.

With that quality alone, she could have gotten into a better university.

But because of her mother’s car accident, she wasn’t in the right headspace for her entire senior year of high school and ended up here.

That also explained why a girl from a wealthy family like her hadn’t gone abroad to study—her family was too worried to let her go.

She was a lonely child, too, just one without a Celestial Maiden Beast to keep her company.

[System Quest: Your baby is already four years old, but her childhood is a lonely one. Heal the shadows in her heart. Reward: 1,700 yuan in cash, Professional-Grade Maternity and Newborn Photography Skill.]

’This quest...’

Chen Yuan looked at the quest. The description was too vague; it would be difficult to complete.

’The death of a loved one isn’t a sudden storm, but a lifetime of dampness. It could take an entire life to heal the shadows in her heart.’ Chen Yuan didn’t think he was capable of that.

’Even if I could, it would probably take a very, very long time...’

"I remember now!"

Song Jianye’s sudden words interrupted Chen Yuan’s thoughts.

"The Top Ten Campus Singers competition is tonight, isn’t it? It’s about to start, right?"

Chen Yuan checked the time on his phone. "We can sit for another ten minutes. We’ll make it. I’m performing last anyway, so it doesn’t matter if I’m a little late."

"But you should get back early to prepare. Let’s go."

"Alright."

They stood, brushed the dust off their pants, and left the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Building.

"They’re selling cotton candy by the entrance. Want some? I’ll buy you one."

"It’s alright, you don’t have to pity me. We just happened to talk about it," Song Jianye said, her expression calm.

"The fact that I can even tell you about it means I’m better now. So don’t you go saying I have some mental illness."

’If she were really better, she wouldn’t be suffering from insomnia every night.’

’Guess I’ll have to put ’take her to a construction site to pour concrete’ on the schedule.’

"No need to keep insisting."

"I have to. Uncle Zhang really did take me to a psychiatric hospital."

"What? To learn how to slay gods?"

"I was scared out of my mind. He told me depression is a type of mental illness, too. If he hadn’t been taking care of me since I was a kid, I would have run for it right then and there."

"Er..."

Chen Yuan was reminded of his aunt. He remembered his mom telling him that his aunt had suffered from severe menopausal depression. She had also gone to a specialized hospital that treated mental illnesses.

People were already starting to trickle towards the auditorium—the audience for tonight’s show.

"I won’t go in with you just yet. I asked Yueyue and the others to come, so I’ll wait for them out here," Song Jianye said, standing by the auditorium entrance.

"Alright."

Chen Yuan entered the auditorium. It was already about a third full.

A banner hung above the stage: an advertisement for the Lanting Hotel.

Chen Yuan then realized it wasn’t just the banner. Some of the posted notices also bore the hotel’s name.

’They paid for it, so of course you have to deliver.’

’Not bad at all.’

"Brother Yuan!"

Chen Yuan was heading backstage when he heard someone call his name. He turned to see He Xiaoxi.

Next to her were Jiang Shuyi, Jin Yechao, and a few other members of their department. The whole External Liaison Department was there.

"What are you all doing here?"

"It’s the finals today! We’re not just recording, we’re doing a full livestream. Whether we can get another surge of followers all comes down to tonight, so you have to sing your heart out."

"Chen Yuan, what are you singing today?" Jin Yechao asked.

"’The Legend,’ the theme song from *The Legend of Deification*. You guys must’ve watched it as kids, right?"

"Never heard of it."

"I know it, but I think it’s a really old animated show. Most people wouldn’t know it," said Wang Haoci. "The theme song is really good, though."

"Yeah, that’s the one."

"Break a leg!"

"Will do."

After chatting with the group from the External Liaison Department for a bit, Chen Yuan headed backstage.

All 15 finalists were already there, looking glamorous. Some had even changed into formal gowns and suits, making the occasion feel incredibly official.

It was just that their makeup artists weren’t very professional; you could see the foundation caking in their creases.

’Still, they’ve put in way more effort than I have. I feel a bit disrespectful to the stage, honestly.’

’Not a big deal, though. I’ll teach them a lesson today. It’s like in a game—even without a cool skin, as long as you have the skill, you can dominate even if you’re playing butt-naked.’

’Just like Da Fei—as long as he stays out of the Bronze League, he’s unbeatable.’

"Youning..."

Hearing the voice, Chen Yuan looked over and saw Fang Youning and Li Dongyang.

Whoa!

Fang Youning’s outfit was absolutely stunning.

She wore an off-the-shoulder evening gown with a high slit, revealing a pair of fair, slender legs that looked longer than the lives of three sons combined. And on top of that, she was wearing high heels.

’She was already tall, and with this ’equipment’ on, I wouldn’t even have much of a height advantage over her.’

He glanced at the other contestants. A few others were in formal wear, but the quality was completely different. Fang Youning’s dress must have cost a fortune.

’It made sense, though,’ he thought. ’She’s the star of the school’s Arts Department. She might even represent the school in outside competitions someday, so it’s only natural they’d spend more money on her image.’

"What is it?" Fang Youning asked quietly, maintaining some distance between them. Her eyes were wary of Li Dongyang.

"I think your dress is still a little loose. Let me help you tighten it."

Putting down the items in his hands, Li Dongyang stepped toward Fang Youning.

But Fang Youning instinctively took a step back, putting more distance between them.