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"Ah…" Fang Li sighed.
"What's wrong?" Sylvia teased, a playful glint in her eyes. "Why the long face?"
"Is it really that surprising?" Fang Li retorted, a hint of weariness in his voice. "We've been running for our lives since we got here— of course I'm exhausted."
Sylvia's sudden appearance initially caught everyone off guard. But the moment they stepped into Queenvail Academy, the crowd surged forward like a tidal wave, cheers and screams echoing around Fang Li from all directions. They'd had no choice but to retreat to their current refuge.
"At this rate, we'll never get to enjoy the School Festival," Fang Li lamented. "Is this really okay?"
"Well, this is the last stop on our tour, and it's my school, after all. I've seen enough of these festivals to last a lifetime, so I won't be too disappointed if we skip it," Sylvia replied, a sweet smile gracing her lips as she held onto Fang Li's arm. "Unless you're really set on going?"
"As long as you're okay with it, I'm fine too," Fang Li chuckled, glancing at her. "If we really want to come back, we could always sneak in like last time."
"You're absolutely incorrigible," Sylvia said, her tone laced with amusement. "Anyway, time for some afternoon tea."
With that, Sylvia led Fang Li to a secluded corner on the top floor's south side.
There, nestled away, was an elegant café.
"They have a shop all the way up here?" Fang Li asked, surprised.
"This isn't a School Festival shop; it's a café that's always here," Sylvia explained. "Only Student Council members, committee leaders, top-ranked students, and the academy's most famous idols come here. So, we shouldn't have to worry about being mobbed."
Taking Fang Li's hand, Sylvia stepped inside.
——
Instantly, every head in the café turned toward them.
Their gazes were a mix of curiosity, surprise, shock, and bewilderment.
Just as Sylvia had said, the café was a haven for the school's elite, a room filled with breathtakingly beautiful girls.
And now, Fang Li was the center of their attention.
"W-Welcome…" A timid waitress in uniform approached hesitantly, her eyes wide with curiosity as she stole glances at Fang Li.
Sylvia smiled and spoke casually, "Excuse me, could we get a table?"
The waitress nodded quickly and led them to a quiet corner. They sat down across from each other.
"I'll have two teas and a selection of desserts," Sylvia said smoothly, and the waitress hurried off to fulfill their order.
Meanwhile, the whispers began, rippling through the café.
"It's just like the rumors…"
"The president really is with the Phoenix Festa champion…"
"Incredible…"
The murmurs swirled around them.
Under the weight of all those eyes, Fang Li simply looked at Sylvia.
"Don't give me that look— I didn't lie, did I?" Sylvia said, her usual lighthearted smile in place. "At least no one's crowding us, right?"
While no one had physically approached, the sheer intensity of the attention was overwhelming.
One thing was undeniable: Sylvia truly deserved her title as the world's top Diva. Even in a school brimming with high-achievers, high-profile personalities, and popular figures, everyone looked up to her with awe.
And of course, Fang Li's presence only fueled the flames of curiosity.
"After all, you are the Phoenix Festa champion, aren't you?" Sylvia teased, a playful glint in her eyes. "You might have some fans here, you know."
"I'm not exactly thrilled about it," Fang Li shrugged, unaffected by the attention and remaining his usual self.
"Hehe…" Sylvia rested her cheek on her hand, gazing at Fang Li with a soft chuckle.
Her laughter was sweet and melodious, yet it puzzled Fang Li.
"Why are you looking at me and laughing like that?" He asked, confused.
Sylvia replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "Because I like it."
'Like what?'
'Did she mean she enjoyed simply sitting there, staring at him?'
'Didn't this girl realize they were in a public place? One wrong move and things could easily spiral out of control.'
Just as Fang Li was thinking this, a loud crash echoed near the café entrance.
Bang—!
The sound of the door being thrown open.
Before Fang Li could react, Sylvia muttered under her breath, "Just as I expected… those silly girls."
The moment she spoke, someone shouted, "Found you!"
A loud, feminine voice reverberated through the café.
Fang Li turned toward the entrance and saw five girls storming in, their eyes locked onto Fang Li.
The girl leading the charge pointed at him, glaring at Sylvia, who was seated beside him, her expression clearly one of anger.
Looking at the girls, Fang Li couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Rusalka?"
The world-famous rock band, second only to the legendary Diva in popularity. Of course, Fang Li knew who they were.
The girl pointing at him was none other than Rusalka's lead vocalist and guitarist.
"Her name was… Miluse, right?"
Perhaps she overheard his muttering, because Miluse, followed by the other members of Rusalka, marched straight toward Fang Li and Sylvia, undeterred by the stares of everyone in the café.
Their demeanor suggested they were there for a confrontation.
Once again, Fang Li looked at Sylvia, a question in his eyes.
But Sylvia simply spread her hands helplessly and said, "Well, let's see what they want, shall we?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Rusalka's members stood before them.
"Your name is Fang Li, right?" Miluse, acting as the group's spokesperson, pointed at him again and declared loudly, "I'm here to file a complaint!"
Her words sent a wave of shock through the café's onlookers.
One after another, the other members of Rusalka chimed in, as if they were all in on it.
"I'm filing a complaint too!" (Paivi)
"Me too!" (Tulia)
"Monica won't let you off the hook!" (Monica)
"T-That's right…" (Mahulena)
Seeing the girls, each with their unique personalities, all pointing fingers at him, Fang Li was speechless.
Meanwhile, Sylvia, covering her mouth, shook with laughter, completely unable to contain her amusement.
(End Of The Chapter)