The crowd outside the auditorium was still buzzing, even after the competition had ended.
Most students were already gossiping about the scores, arguing over which performance deserved first place, and—of course—speculating about one name.
Lin Feng.
Again.
But Lin Feng, wearing his usual hoodie and walking in sneakers that had definitely seen better days, looked like he was heading to grab a $5 lunch, not someone who'd just casually shaken up the talent competition.
"Is that Jiang Yue'er with him?"
"I heard he bought her a whole private studio."
"No way. Isn't he the guy who takes taxis to class?"
"I swear I saw him on a scooter last week!"
Lin Feng ignored them, as always.
Jiang Yue'er walked beside him, trying to stay composed. Her posture was perfect—elegant even—but Lin Feng noticed the way her fingers fidgeted with the cap of her water bottle, unscrewing and twisting it repeatedly like a nervous habit. The performance had taken something out of her. Not just energy—but a part of herself.
"You hungry?" Lin Feng asked casually, giving her a side glance.
She hesitated. "A little."
"Great," he nodded. "Let's celebrate. I'm starving. We'll get something nice—unless you're one of those girls who lives off air and green tea."
Jiang Yue'er gave a soft laugh, still breathless from earlier. "You're terrible."
"I try my best."
They turned the corner toward the quieter part of campus, where fewer students lingered. Lin Feng pulled out his phone and instinctively checked the campus forum.
Yup. A new thread had already gone viral.
"Secret Sponsor Exposed? Lin Feng's Hidden Fortune and the Princess of Piano!"
@WildTheorist99: "Lin Feng's probably a retired prodigy assassin sent to infiltrate piano competitions."
@LZRealTalk: "LMAO, this guy took a taxi and still pulled a goddess. I'm done."
@EliteWatcher: "Bet you he's got a connection to the board. How else could he pull that off?"
Lin Feng smirked, just as the system chimed in:
[System: A prodigy assassin? Host, if only they knew you struggle opening snack packaging. Should I gift you a sword next time you attend a recital?]
He rolled his eyes and tucked the phone away.
When they reached the parking lot near the lower arts building, Jiang Yue'er finally spoke again, voice quieter this time.
"Thank you. For earlier."
Lin Feng tilted his head. "For what?"
Her eyes didn't meet his. "For not making a big deal of it. For just… being there."
There was a pause. Not awkward—but full. The kind that lingered when something unspoken sat between them.
"You know," Lin Feng said after a beat, "you were incredible back there. I don't care what the judges said."
Jiang Yue'er smiled faintly. "That's because you're biased."
"I'd be offended… if you weren't right."
She turned to him, her expression softening. "Do you always show up like this? Quietly helping, pretending like you didn't?"
Lin Feng shrugged. "Maybe. Or maybe I just like watching prideful piano princesses try to act like they didn't cry during their own performance."
Her cheeks flushed slightly, but her smirk returned. "Jerk."
"That's my charm."
They stood in silence for a moment. The sun was starting to dip, casting golden light across the campus. A few students lingered in the distance, but none close enough to hear.
"You know," Jiang Yue'er said slowly, "I used to think being alone was safer. That people only stayed until they didn't need you anymore."
She glanced at him, her voice barely above a whisper. "But today… kind of made me question that."
That was the moment.
Subtle. Quiet. But real.
Lin Feng didn't say anything back. He didn't need to. He just nodded once—enough for her to understand that she wasn't alone right now.
[System: Alert! Emotional vulnerability detected. Romance flags rising. Host, prepare for soft lighting and dramatic background music.]
He laughed under his breath. "Let's go eat before you start saying more sappy things. I might cry."
She rolled her eyes, but there was warmth behind it.
They walked off together, and just as they disappeared around the corner—
A figure stepped out from behind one of the campus trees. Hands in his pockets, jaw clenched.
It was Luo Zixuan.
His eyes locked on Lin Feng's back, unreadable.