Liu Man played two instruments by herself in one performance.

So this was why they called their performance a trio when they only had two people!

It sounds too good! It’s too impressive!

It was what all the audience were thinking at the same time.

Among the art students in the music university, it wasn’t rare for someone to know how to play two instruments at once. Nonetheless, those who not only knew how to play two instruments at once but also specialized in a classical Chinese instrument and a western instrument were never seen. Liu Man was the only one the university had ever seen to achieve this.

“I can’t believe Hanfu Goddess knows how to play the Guzhen! And she seems so good at it too.”

Since the screen read “Guzhen,” the audience who couldn’t see very well and sat in the back naturally thought she played the Guzhen.

“No, no. The instrument she just played on is a Guqin, not a Guzhen. A Guzhen doesn’t have such low notes.”

There were students studying folk song instruments among the audience, and they continued to provide knowledge to amateur audiences.

“Mhm, I just examined closely. Her instrument is much smaller than a Guzhen.”

“And it’s so much harder to play a Guqin than to play a Guzhen. Although I’m reluctant to admit this, Liu Man does have some skills.”

…

The few professors sitting in the judges’ seats also admired Liu Man and Li Xiaoru’s performance. They’ve been teaching here for decades, but they’ve never seen such a mesmerizing performance.

They regret underrating Liu Man without knowing more about her.

“Professor Wei, Liu Man will be a good student in the folk song major,” A professor from the folk song major said to Wei Wanru, “It’s so strange how she chose to go to the piano major.”

Wei Wanru furrowed her brows, “You can’t have long nails when you play the piano. To play the piano and the Guqin at the same time, I’m guessing she must have injured her right hand. This child is too good at tolerating pain.”

No wonder she was one of the best, old professors. Wei Wanru was right; Two of Liu Man’s right-hand fingers had long started bleeding from the strings when she was playing the climax part with Li Xiaoru.

To play the Guqin, one needed to pluck the strings with their fingernails on their right hand. The strings were not sharp, but if one didn’t have fingernail protection, they would get hurt if they touch the strings with their fingers for a long time.

Liu Man held her injured fingers with her left hand’s palm and returned backstage with Li Xiaoru as if nothing had happened.

Even though Li Xiaoru had, just now, played the piano calmly with a professional pianist’s level as if the universe had exploded, she was sweating all over, and her heart was almost numb with all the anxiety. The only things supporting her was her unyielding mind and persistence.

At this moment, none of the other performers on the stage dared to underestimate Liu Man and Li Xiaoru. These performers felt that the two girls suddenly had their royal aura, and they subconsciously gave way and bowed their heads as the girls came through.

Only they would know whether they lowered their heads because they felt ashamed for the viciousness of their previous words or if they admired Liu Man and Li Xiaoru’s supreme level of playing.

Even though everyone wanted to talk to Liu Man and Li Xiaoru now and get to know them better, they were embarrassed to do so. They could only look at the two girls from a distance, with their words stuck in their throats.

Yu Zhan was standing outside the exit of the backstage just now, watching Liu Man’s performance directly from below the stage. He had already noticed something wrong with her.

He hurried to catch up with Liu Man from behind and grabbed her right hand. Liu Man didn’t prepare for such a movement, so he forcefully opened her palm.

Her entire hand was covered in blood…

“My God!” a girl who was afraid of blood exclaimed.

Li Xiaoru was also taken aback. She was so close to Man Man, but she didn’t even notice that Man Man’s fingers got injured.

“So what if you fail this useless assessment? Will the sky collapse? Why are you so desperate that you don’t mind hurting yourself?”

Yu Zhan had a heavy tone and a serious expression.

Liu Man was stunned. It was the first time he was angry with her.

But she also saw the pain and affection in his eyes.

Others watched the performance, but Yu Zhan only had her in his eyes. He noticed her subtle changes: her inadvertent frowning because of the pain of her fingers, and her blinking frequently to make herself bear the pain.

Liu Man seemed to have figured out something in an instant, and she smiled suddenly. Unlike the fairy smile on the stage just now, her smile at the moment was a little warmer and more humane.

“I’m sorry, I will cherish myself next time.”

Her eyes were shining, and there was something in them that only Yu Zhan could understand.

Yu Zhan understood what she meant, and he suddenly held her right hand tightly with his left hand,

“I have a first aid kit in my car. Let’s stop the bleeding in case of infection first.”

He led her out, and Liu Man followed him step by step, cooperating very well.

This scene took place in front of all the performers and staff backstage. Everyone watched them go dumbly before realizing that something was wrong.

“Isn’t it said that Liu Man seduced Tang Tu on the internet? Then who’s that handsome man just now?”

“Is this even an unanswered question? They have just held hands in public. He is the real boyfriend of the Hanfu Goddess.”

“I think he is a little more handsome than Tang Tu…”

“Then, are all the rumors online fake?”

A classmate couldn’t help but run over to ask Li Xiaoru, “Excuse me, that man just now…”

She didn’t even finish her sentence before Li Xiaoru interrupted her,

“You guys are right. He is Liu Man’s official and real boyfriend.”

“Woah~~~~~~”

There was an uproar in the entire backstage.

Everyone’s focus was now on Liu Man and her boyfriend, and they were all discussing excitedly. They had forgotten how they mocked and blamed Liu Man just a bit more than ten minutes ago.

Li Xiaoru silently left the backstage, not caring enough to stay any longer.

There was wind in the corridor, which made her shiver and feel a bit cold. Her dress made her too exposed and did not help keep her warm, and she had left her thin coat at Owner Li’s shop.

Li Xiaoru was just considering whether she should go back to the dormitory to change clothes first or go to Owner Li to get her coat back.

A coat suddenly fell on her.

It was her coat.

At the same time, as she felt surprised, Li Xiaoru turned her head subconsciously and saw Jiang Chengfeng’s refreshing appearance. He avoided Li Xiaoru’s gaze and said awkwardly,

“You were in a hurry just now, and you forgot to take your coat. I just saw it and brought it to you.”

Li Xiaoru stared at him, not replying.

Jiang Chengfeng concealed his embarrassment with a silly smile. He had never had a girlfriend, nor had he ever pursued a girl, so he couldn’t understand what girls tend to think like.

He only knew that when he was watching the performance, he couldn’t take his eyes off from Li Xiaoru, who was onstage. At that time, his heart felt like exploding fireworks, and he eagerly wanted to be beside her to say a few words to her.

But when he came to her, he felt as if he wanted to crawl into a hole and die.

“Then… Then if there’s nothing you need help with, I will go back to school now.”

He wanted to turn around when Li Xiaoru suddenly said,

“Why don’t you accompany me back to my dorm?”

Jiang Chengfeng was slow to react, and when he finally understood what Li Xiaoru meant, he didn’t just feel the fireworks in his chest; he saw the fireworks in front of him.

The smile gradually grew bigger on his face, and he told Li Xiaoru, who was also smiling, “Sure.”

Translated by: Sydney