Chapter 87: Curiosity and a Rendezvous

Chapter 87: Chapter 87: Curiosity and a Rendezvous

"Lin Zhengran, Jiang Qian, you two have the best grades in this year’s freshman class—in fact, among the last few classes as well. The school leadership has unanimously decided to select you as the male and female student representatives."

In his military training uniform, Lin Zhengran was about half a head taller than Jiang Qian. The young lady carried herself with exceptional grace.

Her back was straight, her gaze cool and clear. Only someone like Lin Zhengran, who had a similarly mature aura, could stand beside her without being overshadowed by her cold, aloof presence.

The teacher, sitting in his chair, looked at the two and their distinct auras. ’Geniuses really are a breed apart,’ he thought, before smiling and saying:

"Alright, you two should find some time in the next two days to each draft a speech. You’ll deliver them tomorrow night at the start of the event. I’ve already told you the requirements: it needs to be passionate, uplifting, and able to get the students excited. Also, as school representatives, it would be best if you two prepared a performance as well."

Jiang Qian spoke in a cool voice, "I’ve already signed up. A piano performance."

The teacher nodded with a smile. "Good. I’ve heard about your piano skills before, Jiang Qian. You’ve won quite a few piano awards, haven’t you? To be so good at your studies and so brilliant at the piano... you’re almost unbelievably talented. And what about you, Lin Zhengran?"

Lin Zhengran felt like he didn’t really have any special skills to show off.

His skill level was about the same in everything; after all, he’d read a wide variety of books over the past two years. "How about I play the piano too?" he said. "Our performances would be back-to-back, so it would save time clearing the stage."

The moment he said this, both the teacher and Jiang Qian were a bit shocked. Jiang Qian, who had been expressionless until now, looked at Lin Zhengran.

The teacher also asked curiously, "Oh? You play the piano too, Lin Zhengran?"

Lin Zhengran nodded. He recalled learning a little piano in his past life. It wasn’t much, but with a bit of practice today and tomorrow, he could manage to perform. "I learned a little a long time ago, but I’m not very good. I’ve only ever played accompaniment for others."

The teacher said, "Really? In that case, you two could play a piano duet! If your skills aren’t as strong, Lin Zhengran, you can play the supporting part, and Jiang Qian can take the lead. I don’t know much about piano... would that work? Jiang Qian?"

Jiang Qian retracted her gaze from Lin Zhengran. "That’s fine. I’ll just pick a simpler piece. It’s just a performance, after all."

The teacher nodded. "Excellent! Then it’s happily decided! You two can go sign up now for a piano duet. After you finish your speeches, find some time today and tomorrow to practice. I hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow night!"

They both nodded.

After leaving the office, Jiang Qian remained expressionless, but inwardly she was quite surprised that Lin Zhengran could play the piano.

But he had just admitted his skill level wasn’t very high, so Jiang Qian didn’t feel any particular need to compare herself to him.

She said to Lin Zhengran, "We’ll finish our speeches during the day, so how about we start practicing tonight in the backstage lounge?"

"Sure. By the way, how many pianos does the school have?"

Jiang Qian looked straight ahead. "The school doesn’t have any pianos. I’m using my own. You can just use yours."

Lin Zhengran blinked. Jiang Qian looked at him, and the air suddenly fell silent.

Jiang Qian asked, "You don’t have a piano at home?"

"Yeah, that’s why I said I’m pretty amateur. Maybe I should just switch to a different act. I can sing," Lin Zhengran said honestly.

’How did he even learn without a piano?’ Jiang Qian wondered. But her previous two "defeats" had piqued her interest in Lin Zhengran. She was now very curious what his so-called "amateur" level was really like.

"It’s fine. I have another one at home. I’ll have someone bring them both over. So, I’ll see you in the practice room tonight."

As they spoke, they walked out of the academic building. Jiang Qian headed off into the distance, where Fang Meng was already waiting for her at the end of the path.

Lin Zhengran said, "Thanks, then. I’ll find a way to thank you properly when I get the chance."

Jiang Qian glanced back at him curiously. "No need to thank me. I’m also very curious to hear you play the piano."

Lin Zhengran smiled. He wasn’t blind; he’d faintly noticed for a while that this Jiang Qian seemed to be secretly competing with him over something. But Lin Zhengran wasn’t the type to be influenced by others.

He would just continue doing what he wanted to do.

Jiang Qian walked over to Fang Meng, and the two girls disappeared from Lin Zhengran’s sight.

As they left, Fang Meng noticed Jiang Qian’s odd expression and asked curiously, "What’s wrong, Qianqian? Wasn’t the student representative thing decided a while ago? Why do you look so surprised?"

Jiang Qian replied, "I’m not surprised about being a representative. I’m surprised that Lin Zhengran can play the piano."

"Huh? He can play the piano too? Is there anything he can’t do?"

"I’m curious too. But he doesn’t have a piano at home and admitted his skills aren’t great. Even so, it’s surprising enough. After all, for me to reach my current level, my father hired many professional tutors for me. But he’s apparently self-taught."

Jiang Qian said to Fang Meng, "Have someone from my family bring two pianos to the school. I’ll start practicing with him tonight."

Fang Meng nodded, but in that moment, having grown up with Jiang Qian, she clearly saw a strange look in her friend’s eyes.

This young lady of hers loved to compete and win, but she had never shown interest in any boy... yet now... she was clearly full of curiosity about the boy named Lin Zhengran.

Once a girl starts getting curious about a boy, that curiosity doesn’t disappear so easily.

「The last two days of military training finally brought a break for the drill instructors and students.」 Those without an act to prepare stayed in the classrooms to study, while those who were performing used the time to practice.

As for Lin Zhengran, he was spending the afternoon writing his speech in an empty classroom near the performance practice rooms.

It was called an empty classroom, but it was really just a place where everyone stored their things. Since no one was here during performance practice hours, Lin Zhengran was able to write in peace.

A gel pen filled the white paper with dense text when suddenly, a Little Fox passed by in the hallway.

Seeing Lin Zhengran writing through the window, she muttered to herself, "So he is here."

The Little Fox opened the door stealthily, but Lin Zhengran still heard her and turned to see who it was.

The Little Fox smiled and waved at Lin Zhengran, a drink in her hand.

Lin Zhengran said, "Han Wenwen? What are you doing here?"

The Little Fox closed the door, pulled a chair over, and sat down right next to him. "I missed you, so I came to see you. What are you writing, Zhengran?"

"I mean, shouldn’t you be in your classroom right now? You’re not supposed to be over here unless you’re rehearsing for an act, right?"

Han Wenwen peered at Lin Zhengran’s speech. "Of course you can’t come over if you’re not rehearsing, so I joined an act! I volunteered for one of the girls’ comedy skits. I play a passerby. It’s a walk-on role, and then I’m done."

Lin Zhengran was confused. "So you joined an act just to..."

"Just to sneak over and find you, Zhengran. Why else would I join an act?" After speaking, she gave Lin Zhengran a playful wink.

"And I haven’t even told Qingqing the truth about it. I told her I joined because I really like the skit."

Lin Zhengran was used to this little fox’s particular brand of slyness and went back to writing his speech.

Han Wenwen rested her chin on the corner of the desk. "The new student representative’s speech... You’re so amazing, Zhengran. And I heard you’re also in a performance—a piano duet with Jiang Qian." Her foxy eyes watched Lin Zhengran as she added in a small, jealous voice:

"She’s your fiancée, you know."

Lin Zhengran continued writing. "The school just arranged for us to perform together. I only agreed to it with her to save trouble."

Han Wenwen seemed to have anticipated his answer. "I knew you’d say that, Zhengran. And it’s so logical and well-reasoned, too. But..."

Han Wenwen suddenly pressed her face against Lin Zhengran’s arm.

"No matter what you say, Zhengran, this means you two are properly acquainted now. And with your flirtatious personality, are you really going to let a girl like that go? Besides, I’ve been jealous all day ever since I heard the news. My stomach hurts."

The Little Fox looked at him with pleading eyes. "It really hurts. I can’t even eat." Seeing her staring at him, Lin Zhengran stopped writing.

"If your stomach hurts, why are you holding a cold drink?"

Han Wenwen froze, then put the lemonade in her hand aside and huffed. "Well, during military training, you drank from Qingqing’s bottle and Lili’s bottle, but not mine. If that isn’t favoritism, what is? How could you be like that, Zhengran?"

Lin Zhengran looked at the pouting Little Fox slumped over the desk and thought for a moment. "There’s a food street outside the school. Want to go after class? At least the food is much better than the cafeteria’s."

The Little Fox froze, then looked back at him, her spirits lifting again. "Really? But it has to be just you and me! No one else."

Lin Zhengran picked up his pen. "Then stop bothering me while I write my speech. I’ll go with you as soon as I’m done."

"Can I rest my head on your shoulder then?"

"No."