Xu Nuo felt a bit awkward. I’m a total fake fan—how am I supposed to know what songs she sings?

  Thankfully, someone swooped in to save him.

  “Dean, we’re trending on Weibo!” a staff member excimed excitedly.

  Four of the top twenty Weibo hot search topics were about the Modu Media graduation ga:

  - #Queen Lin Wanqing Performs at Modu Media Graduation Ga

  - #“The Wind Rises” Moves the Whole Crowd to Tears

  - #Host’s God-Tier Save

  - #Modu Media Graduation Ga Live Broadcast

  Everyone whipped out their phones to check Weibo.

  Xu Nuo casually tapped on one of the trending topics.

  The video showed him in a suit, strumming the guitar and singing “The Wind Rises.”

  “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, every word is dripping with youthful vibes—this is straight-up magical!”

  “I didn’t cry during my breakup, but this graduation ga song got me sobbing!”

  “Listening to this, it’s like I’m back in that summer, surrounded by the people I trusted most.”

  “One person’s plea: Xu Nuo, debut already!”

  “+10,000”

  “When’s this song dropping? Right now, I can only repy the video to listen—it’s such a hassle.”

  Xu Nuo grinned and pocketed his phone. Looked like he’d done alright—not screwing up the show was a win.

  Zhang Feng leaned over. “Xiao Xu, that song’s really something. You might even have a shot at debuting.”

  “Xiao Lin, what’d you think of his song?”

  “The lyrics are great, and the melody’s spot-on,” Lin Wanqing replied.

  “How’d Xiao Xu do singing it?”

  “…Uh, lots of emotion…” Lin Wanqing paused.

  Everyone there was sharp enough to catch what she left unsaid.

  Xu Nuo’s face darkened. He knew his singing wasn’t top-tier, but hearing a gorgeous woman basically say he sucked still stung a little.

  Zhang Feng chuckled. “Xiao Lin, you’re as blunt as ever. That might get you in trouble someday.”

  Lin Wanqing stayed quiet. She’d already taken her share of hits—it was just her personality, hard to change overnight.

  The ga was nearing its end. Lin Wanqing took the stage again, hyping up the crowd. The livestream’s dipping viewership climbed back up but never crossed 500,000 again.

  She closed with her final song, officially ending the graduation ga.

  Videos shot from every angle by the audience flooded various ptforms.

  “The Wind Rises” sprouted up like bamboo after rain, sweeping the internet.

  Most of the buzz was praise, though some sour notes cropped up.

  “Good song, shame about the singing. Wasted potential.”

  “The high notes were clearly off. If a pro like Mage sang it, it’d be a different story.”

  “Such a travesty.”

  “Ruined a great track.”

  Backstage, Xu Nuo was helping clean up.

  Lin Wanqing strode over on her long legs, hesitating as she approached.

  “What’s up, Senior?” Xu Nuo turned, seeing her standing there, spacing out.

  “Your song—do you own the rights?” She wavered but finally asked.

  She’d debuted at 20, and after five years, she’d sung plenty of hits but hovered at the edge of top-tier status. To break into the “Queen” level, she needed a breakthrough.

  “The Wind Rises” was that chance.

  Lin Wanqing felt a flicker of gratitude for accepting her teacher’s invite.

  If Xu Nuo wrote this, maybe he could churn out more.

  Sure, he seemed a bit of a sleaze, but he had talent.

  “I haven’t registered the copyright yet.”

  “I’ll show you how,” Lin Wanqing blurted, then blushed, feeling she’d come on too strong.

  “Cool.”

  They sat at a computer. Lin Wanqing booted it up. “Where’s your sheet music?”

  “Uh… didn’t bring it. I’ll write it now.”

  Lin Wanqing shot him a surprised look and slid the mouse and keyboard over.

  Xu Nuo opened the software and started arranging the song like it was second nature, his focus intense.

  Lin Wanqing watched from the side, zoning out as she took in his serious expression.

  This guy’s kinda hot, she thought, then jolted at the realization, quickly turning away to distract herself.

  “Senior? Senior?”

  Xu Nuo called twice, waving a hand in front of her face, puzzled.

  “Huh? What?” Lin Wanqing snapped back.

  “I’m done,” he said, giving her an odd look. He gnced at her flushed ears—cute, actually.

  “Oh, good. I’ll help you register.” She took the mouse and started clicking away.

  “Want an artist name?”

  Xu Nuo rubbed his chin. “How about ‘Nuo Yan’?”

  Lin Wanqing’s hand froze, her lips pressing tight as she gave him a deep look.

  “Why that name?”

  “Sounds nice,” Xu Nuo said casually.

  Yang Haonan shot him a “you’re hopeless” gre.

  Lin Wanqing didn’t respond.

  Seeing she was done, Xu Nuo pulled back his admiring gaze—staring longer would’ve been rude.

  “All set?”

  “Yeah.” Lin Wanqing eyed him oddly. “Didn’t you watch me do it?”

  “Ahem, I did, I did,” Xu Nuo said, rubbing his nose awkwardly.

  “You pnning to sing this yourself?” she asked after a pause.

  “Senior wants it?” Xu Nuo raised an eyebrow.

  “I want it,” she said, blinking her big eyes.

  Xu Nuo chuckled, about to reply. Who could say no to a stunning woman saying she “wants” it?

  Yang Haonan gave up on facepalming and slipped away.

  Just then, a girl’s voice cut in.

  “Senior, I’m your fan! Can I get an autograph?”

  Lin Wanqing frowned. Who had such awful timing? She was mid-conversation about the song. She turned and saw a guy and girl standing nearby.

  “Yeah, Senior, sign one for her!” the guy chimed in.

  Xu Nuo looked up, squinting. “Li Yingjun? Weren’t you sick with a stomachache?”

  Li Yingjun faltered, clutching his stomach. “Uh, yeah, it hurt a bit, but I took some meds and feel better.” He coughed twice for effect.

  “Where’d you get the meds?”

  “Er… school clinic.”

  Zhang Feng, hearing the commotion, walked over, his voice low. “You’re Li Yingjun?”

  Li Yingjun’s eyes darted nervously, but he forced a calm front, gncing at the new bag on Zhang Jin’s shoulder. “Hello, Dean. My stomach was acting up.”

  “Then why’re you back? Xu Nuo already covered for you,” Zhang Feng said sternly.

  “I…”

  “Enough. Get out,” Zhang Feng pointed to the door. “Both of you—out, now!”

  If it were a genuine illness, Zhang Feng would’ve been sympathetic. But seeing Li Yingjun now, with an LV bag in hand and Zhang Jin sporting a shiny new purse, the crafty old dean knew exactly what was up.

  He had zero tolerance for someone who’d ditch the team’s honor like that.

  After shooing them off, Zhang Feng turned. “Check the school clinic’s recent records.”

  “Yes, Dean.”

  Lin Wanqing hesitated, then said quietly, “Xu Nuo, wanna grab a spot outside to chat ter?”

  “Sure.” Xu Nuo mulled it over. Breaking into entertainment with Lin Wanqing’s help sounded smart. He nodded. “But I need to change first.”

  “I’ll wait at the school gate.”

  They set a time and left the studio.

  (End of Chapter)