Xiangnan University, conference hall, the venue for the performance.

  The usual calm was repced by noise, and the solemn atmosphere had long disappeared, turning into the cheerful ughter of the students.

  Although the ughter was fake and earning credits was the real goal, since they were already there, most people stayed, following the principle of not missing out on a free show.

  This was part of the reason, and another part was the content flyer released before the performance, which listed the program names and performers in an inconspicuous corner.

  Originally, no one would have looked at this flyer, but some idle people did, and they discovered an unfamiliar name.

  "Guitar Solo, Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day"

  Performer—Chen Xi.

  As a result, a news headline "Iceberg Campus Belle to Perform on Stage" quickly spread across Xiangnan University's confession wall, becoming widely known in no time.

  Although Chen Xi was usually cold and low-key, rarely showing up, her title as the iceberg campus belle was already well-recognized.

  Moreover, she usually appeared without any makeup, not even light makeup, and to get on stage, she had to dress up, which made everyone eager to see her stunning appearance.

  The crowd grew.

  With more people, it became a bit noisy, and the noise annoyed Chen Xi.

  The young girl had a windbreaker draped over her shoulders, revealing only a glimpse of white gauze underneath, and the hem of a slightly soft long skirt. Her slender waist and graceful figure were impeccable, except for being slightly thin.

  Her ethereal and cold demeanor perfectly matched her nickname as the iceberg goddess.

  Unfortunately...

  The rigid coldness of this iceberg was just a facade to deal with outsiders. What she longed for was to gradually melt in a warm embrace, becoming a gentle woman like spring water...

  But the person who would warm her hadn't arrived yet.

  "Program number 4, get ready, you're about to go on stage!"

  Backstage, the young girl stood in a corner with her arms crossed, peering through a gap to search the audience for a tall figure, over and over, but she couldn't find him.

  "Hasn't he arrived yet?" Xue Lan asked beside her.

  The light in Chen Xi's eyes dimmed a bit as she looked at the ground and gently shook her head.

  "Could he be too busy and forgot?" Xue Lan asked, crossing her arms as well.

  The young girl hesitated slightly, sighed softly, and said, "Maybe... I don't know..."

  "Didn't you call him?" Xue Lan inquired.

  Chen Xi shook her head at the question, "I don't have a phone, and I don't know his number. He wanted to buy me a phone, but I refused because it was too expensive..."

  Xue Lan was speechless and asked, "So what now? You're number seven, and it's almost your turn!"

  Hearing this, Chen Xi gripped the curtain tighter, her gaze still fixed on the audience, searching desperately.

  "Let's... wait a bit longer..."

  "Wait!?" Xue Lan immediately retorted, "You know our program schedule was released in advance. Deying one or two is fine, but there are only fourteen programs in total, and the final group performances are already set. You can't push it back any further!"

  Seeing Chen Xi still silent, Xue Lan had no choice but to sigh and compromise, "I really can't persuade you. I'll go talk to the person in charge and see if we can dey it..."

  Then, Xue Lan's tone turned serious, "But I have to ask you something important. What if he doesn't come by the end of the performance? What will you do? Not go on stage?"

  "I won't..." the young girl murmured. After searching the audience repeatedly, she turned her gaze to the entrance, muttering to herself, "He won't not come. He promised me..."

  "Sigh... I really can't do anything about you..." Xue Lan said, but she was already walking towards the person in charge.

  Now, Chen Xi was the only one left around.

  The loud music echoed in her ears, making them ache, and it seemed to take her back to those lonely, cold, and hungry days.

  That night, it was simir. The woman who cimed to be her aunt promised to bring her some food ter, but returned only with the smell of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, and various impotent outbursts.

  That night, the thunder roared, the window was blown open by the wind, banging against the frame.

  The thunder continued, rain invaded the dry room, accompanied by the woman's extremely vile curses.

  Fortunately, she hid well and wasn't discovered.

  Just like now, standing alone, arms crossed, looking out at the pitch-bck night, feeling her body temperature drop, standing still, letting her body gradually stiffen...

  "Got it!"

  A hand nded on the young girl's shoulder, and she frowned, looking at the person.

  "I told the teacher in charge of the program that you have a special situation, so you're scheduled for the second-to-st performance. But since our program schedule is already out, you have to go on no matter what, understand?"

  Unexpectedly, Chen Xi nodded after hearing this, her tone calm, "Thank you."

  Xue Lan was taken aback, usually, it was good enough if Chen Xi acknowledged her, let alone thanked her. She immediately returned to her usual pyful self, lunging at her.

  The result was the same familiar one, Chen Xi instinctively dodged, leaving her to fall short.

  "Number 5! Number 5, get ready to go on stage!" the person in charge shouted backstage.

  Chen Xi was still unwilling to give up, her eyes fixed on the entrance, a hint of disappointment in her eyes, which she quickly suppressed.

  But the reality was right in front of her, no matter how much she deceived herself, it was futile.

  The noise around her grew louder, but she gradually couldn't hear it. The lights intertwined, shadows moved, and her eyes seemed to see only the open door and the figure that hadn't appeared.

  Once again, she foolishly believed she wouldn't be abandoned, believed someone would come for her, believed... she could be loved, a living person.

  Her thoughts were endless, but Xue Lan beside her felt nothing.

  She just pursed her lips, took out her phone, opened the food delivery app, and zily said, "Hey, Xi Xi, don't be sad. It's come to this, let's eat first~"

  The girl's optimism gave her the ability to influence others, but today, this ability seemed more useful than ever.

  Holding her phone, she smiled and said, "Look, today is KFC Crazy Thursday. Want me to Venmo you 50 bucks to enjoy some happiness? If we order now, it'll be here when we're done... Eh? Xi Xi, why are you looking at me like that?"

  Chen Xi's eyes widened, her pupils trembling slightly. She immediately turned back, grabbing Xue Lan's shoulder, and demanded, "What did you just say!?"

  "Ouch, ouch, ouch... Xi Xi, why are you so strong?" Xue Lan broke free and asked in confusion, "Say what? Which part? Venmo you 50? Don't worry, I won't be stingy~ Consider it compensation for us being stood up~"

  "Not that part!" Chen Xi was particurly agitated, "The st part! What did you say st!?"

  "The st part?" Xue Lan asked, puzzled, "KFC Crazy Thursday, today is... Wait..."

  The young girl's eyes widened, and connecting Chen Xi's reaction, she couldn't help but think of an impossible possibility:

  "Did you get the date wrong!?"

  xx34810