Originally, due to the Ancheng project, Song Hua Technology was thrown into a lot of trouble because of this project, falling further and further behind Shanyou. Song Luokui even thought that Zhu Ruan had set a trap for him when he went to Ancheng to resolve the project's issues, leading Song Luokui to despise Zhu Ruan even more.
To the point where in future business competitions, Song Hua Technology began to target Shanyou in many areas, contesting any project Shanyou was involved in. Zhu Ruan gradually started finding Song Luokui annoying as well, and later truly began setting traps for him.
However, since those events haven't happened now, the direction fate's gears are turning has changed from before.
The weather has been getting colder lately, and the New Year has quietly arrived. The school also held an evening gala.
As a rising star in the dance academy, Zhang Xiyue of course participated in this event, even performing a solo dance. With her sister having a performance, Song Luokui definitely had to come and watch.
However, three hours before the gala began, Zhang Xiyue suddenly called, "Sister, help me!"
Song Luokui: "What's wrong?"
Zhang Xiyue: "My piano partner has a fever and passed out. I don't have a partner now. I asked several people, but none of them feel confident playing 'The Moonlight Serenade.' Luokui, I remember you can play it."
Song Luokui could indeed play the piano. Her piano teacher had once said she was a promising student, even suggesting she study abroad and recommending top-level teachers for her in the future.
But back then, she didn't know if she could even live to grow up. Playing the piano was just a hobby for her. If it became a profession, she might not enjoy it anymore, so she declined. Her family, of course, let her do as she pleased, their only wish being for her to live happily and grow up healthy.
Although the teacher thought it was a pity, she taught Song Luokui wholeheartedly, saying she could come back if she changed her mind later.
To this day, Song Luokui still keeps in touch with her piano teacher. 'The Moonlight Serenade' was a piece she played when she was sixteen. It was indeed difficult, but she was rather stubborn and felt she had to learn it. Back then, she practiced for three consecutive months before finally being able to play the entire piece.
"Okay, I'll come find you."
Zhang Xiyue: "Thank you, sister."
Song Luokui quickly met up with Zhang Xiyue, who was still in the practice room which also had a piano.
When Song Luokui arrived, Zhang Xiyue was warming up. "You're here. Should we practice once?"
Song Luokui: "Will one time be enough?"
Zhang Xiyue blinked: "I believe in you." From childhood until now, she had never seen Luokui fail to accomplish something she wanted to do.
Luokui was just a bit lazy. Zhang Xiyue felt that if Luokui got serious, her legend would be no less than that of her brother Song Luokui or that Zhiran from the Zhu family.
Song Luokui walked over and sat at the piano. Zhang Xiyue had already assumed her pose. Song Luokui placed her hands on the keys, took a deep breath, and began playing...
The clear, exquisite sound of the piano drifted out from the practice room. Zhang Xiyue followed the music and began to dance gracefully, looking like a princess under the moonlight.
As the piece ended, the sound of applause came from the doorway. Song Luokui and Zhang Xiyue looked over to see a professor from the dance academy.
The professor looked at Song Luokui: "Are you from the music academy? Which teacher's student are you?"
Zhang Xiyue: "Professor Li, Luokui isn't from the music academy."
Professor Li frowned, "Not from there? Then the theater academy?"
Zhang Xiyue: "No, Luokui is from the literature academy."
Professor Li was surprised to hear this. "No interest in transferring to the music academy?"
Song Luokui immediately waved her hand, "Thank you, professor, but I still prefer the literature academy."
Although Professor Li thought it was a bit of a pity - he had thought this young lady was quite good and wanted to introduce her to his wife, a teacher at the music academy, to take her as a student - he understood upon hearing Song Luokui's preference for literature. Although he was from the dance academy, Professor Li had some knowledge of music as well.
Professor Li then turned to Zhang Xiyue, "Not bad dancing just now. Is that for the evening gala?"
Zhang Xiyue nodded happily. To be praised by Professor Li was such an honor!
Professor Li: "Perform well tonight."
"Yes!"
Professor Li soon left. Seeing that it was almost time, Zhang Xiyue said, "Let's go to the gymnasium. The gala is being held there."
Song Luokui: "Wait, is it okay for me to just play like this?"
Zhang Xiyue: "That partner had prepared an outfit, I'll get it for you to wear. Zhu Ruan won't mind." Zhang Xiyue sighed, "With the recent cold weather, Zhu Ruan wore too little and caught a cold. She said she would persist until the end of the gala, but unexpectedly passed out with a fever today."
Song Luokui: "Alright then."
The two arrived at the gymnasium's backstage area. Zhang Xiyue went to do her makeup while Song Luokui took the clothes to change.
However, upon opening the outfit, she found that the hem of the dress had been cut into tatters??
Who was trying to sabotage her? That thought flashed through Song Luokui's mind first, but then she realized - no, nobody knew she would be performing.
Song Luokui took the damaged dress and went to find Zhang Xiyue. The backstage area was bustling with people making preparations. Song Luokui approached Zhang Xiyue and whispered to her: "The dress is ruined, it looks like someone cut it."
Zhang Xiyue: "What!"
Zhang Xiyue took the dress and saw that it had indeed been cut. "Who would want to sabotage you!" But then she immediately dismissed her own words, "No, it's impossible. I only called you for help this afternoon, nobody knew."
The two girls looked at each other, both eventually concluding that the target must have been Zhu Ruan. Zhang Xiyue muttered: "Zhu Ruan is usually a nice person, who would do something like this to her?"
"Nevermind, this isn't the time to discuss that. I heard that besides the principal, some important figures are coming to watch the gala tonight. Let me find you another outfit first."
Soon, Zhang Xiyue borrowed a dress - although a bit short, it was a strapless princess gown.
The weather was very cold that night. When Song Luokui took the dress to change into it, she immediately broke out in goosebumps.
She quickly put her coat back on, but her legs were still exposed, and the shoes Zhang Xiyue lent her didn't quite fit, though she could still wear them.
After changing into the dress and putting on light makeup, Song Luokui huddled in a corner waiting.
On stage, the host had already announced the start of the gala. Zhang Xiyue also joined Song Luokui huddling in the corner, along with some other performers waiting for their turns.
Zhang Xiyue: "I should have brought some hand warmers. Luokui, are you cold? Let me go borrow some hand warmers."
Of course Song Luokui was cold, she was even afraid her voice would tremble if she spoke. "It's fine, I can endure it."
"Sorry for the trouble." The two girls huddled together.
First on stage was an explosive opening dance performance, followed by singing, skits, and more. Until halfway through the program, it was finally their turn. Zhang Xiyue was the lead, while Song Luokui only needed to play the piano in the corner.
"Next up, please welcome Zhang Xiyue from our dance academy to present 'The Moonlight Serenade.' A round of applause!"
*Applause*
Zhang Xiyue took a deep breath and walked barefoot to the center of the stage, assuming her pose. Song Luokui went to the corner and sat at the piano.
With a loud note, the piano music began. A spotlight shone on the center of the stage where Zhang Xiyue, clad in a white tutu, began her graceful dance. The audience let out an awed gasp.
