The bookshelf was filled with certificates and trophies awarded for school performances, large and small. Wang Muman looked at them for a while, then left the study, lost in thought. xxs1
Back in her room, after washing up, Wang Muman lay on her bed. Everyone in class was talking about the performance, congratulating her and Yan Cheng. He Lele, however, took a different approach and messaged her privately: "I think you should rewatch your performance. You'll find the comments very interesting." She also included a link to the platform.
Wang Muman immediately checked. At first, the comments were normal, praising their beauty, handsomeness, and talent. Then, a comment suddenly went viral, stating that Yan Cheng's eyes had been fixed on her the entire time, never looking at the piano. Following that were videos of her returning to the stage, clutching Yan Cheng's sleeve. The subsequent backstage footage was even more exciting. The comments were filled with phrases like "I'm shipping them" and "Someone write a novel," causing Wang Muman's face to grow redder and redder.
As she drifted off to sleep that night, Wang Muman slowly recalled the events, memories resurfacing as if they were happening right before her eyes. At the time, she hadn't noticed Yan Cheng constantly looking at her; she was immersed in her dance. She felt her later actions were normal, perhaps because she had grown accustomed to Yan Cheng's behavior. But to others, it was different. These past few days of interaction had also made Wang Muman a little dependent on Yan Cheng. He was the only person, besides her brother, who made her feel a sense of security among the opposite sex.
Lost in thought, she fell asleep. In her dream, a castle appeared, as magnificent and dreamlike as those in fairy tales. Many people with wings flew towards her, bringing her many things, filling her with an overwhelming sense of happiness.
Three days later, it was time to collect the report cards. Wang Muman walked into the classroom, and everyone turned to look at her with an indescribable gaze. She couldn't quite place it, but she walked directly to her seat.
"I can only say you're truly a star, Manman!" He Lele collapsed onto her legs. "I missed you so much, Manman, missed your legs, your shoulders, your face. How have you been getting along with those two brats in my absence? I forgot to ask during the last performance."
"It's okay, though Mingyu is too shameless. He doesn't bother to hide his true nature in front of me." Wang Muman thought of Zhou Mingyu's slovenly appearance at her grandmother's house.
"You even call him Mingyu, so you must be getting along well!" He Lele said enviously.
"Because he said calling me by my full name sounded too distant, and we're practically family. I was pestered into it."
Speak of the devil, Zhou Mingyu and Yan Cheng entered the classroom.
"Tell me, is everyone staring at me!?" Zhou Mingyu said to Yan Cheng, raising his head and looking down his nose at him.
This remark earned him a pat on the head from Yan Cheng. "Are you a narcissist?" Yan Cheng asked, creating some distance before returning to his seat.
"Sister Manman, good morning! Three days without seeing you feels like nine years!" Zhou Mingyu spotted Wang Muman and called out loud enough for the whole class to hear.
Wang Muman lowered her head, wishing she could pretend not to hear, but Zhou Mingyu had already reached her side. "Good morning, Mingyu," she replied in a normal, uninflected tone.
"How nice to hear you say that! I love it when Sister Manman calls me that, it feels so close!" Zhou Mingyu finally returned to his seat at the back.
Wang Muman put her hand to her forehead, shook her head, and then heard He Lele beside her exclaim, "Crazy!" This caused Yan Cheng to turn his head, his gaze of approval particularly noticeable.