Chapter 100

Chapter 100: Chapter 100

Zhu Ying is very angry right now, even more so than last night.

She’s not mad at Lin Xi for missing the rehearsal, but rather for seeing him with a bewildered expression, like she had misjudged him before.

She used to think that, despite him being a bit flirtatious, he was inherently good, responsible, and attentive.

Like how he didn’t leave her that night and took care of her for a long time, or how he brought her herbal medicine when she mentioned her pain last night.

This kind of feeling she’d never experienced before, not even with past boyfriends, none were as responsible and caring.

So she always believed Lin Xi was a pretty good person.

But now it seems that’s not the case. She feels she misjudged him.

"Teacher Zhu, you’re cute when you’re angry!" Although Lin Xi was puzzled by Zhu Ying’s earlier words, her current expression was more captivating.

"Ah!"

Zhu Ying angrily stomped her foot hard. Luckily she was wearing flat shoes; if they were heels, they would’ve likely snapped.

"At this moment, you still have time to joke?"

"What moment?" Lin Xi countered, genuinely unsure. What did a piano performance have to do with him?

"You’re still asking what moment?" Zhu Ying felt increasingly disappointed with Lin Xi, but the performance was imminent, and replacing him would be impossible.

Otherwise, she would have long replaced the program or had someone else play the piano instead of Lin Xi.

"The classmate’s guitar performance couldn’t go on due to unforeseen circumstances, Li Neng said you could play the piano and play it well, and you agreed to perform tonight."

"But before and after the rehearsal, Li Neng couldn’t find you. I don’t know what’s more important to you, but this concerns our class’s honor."

"Even if the performance isn’t great, as long as you try, it’s not a big deal, but you chose to run away, which is too much."

Just as Zhu Ying finished, ready to continue, Lin Xi interrupted her, "Where is Li Neng?"

"His whereabouts aren’t important; what matters is you take this seriously!" Zhu Ying seemed ready for a long speech.

Lin Xi felt overwhelmed and quickly interjected, "I didn’t register for this. Li Neng falsely reported it. He’s obviously setting me up for embarrassment!"

"Ah!"

"What did you say?" Zhu Ying’s mouth hung agape, shocked but oddly relieved.

"I said I never signed up for any piano performance!" Lin Xi emphasized again, not wanting to be used for no reason.

Just how gutsy is Li Neng? It seems the last lesson given was too light.

"You didn’t sign up?" Zhu Ying was baffled, not expecting this twist, "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely!" Lin Xi nodded.

Zhu Ying couldn’t distinguish truth from lie, but her mood immediately soured again.

The freshman welcoming evening party was highly valued by the school leadership, so much so that two days ago, all freshman class advisors had a meeting specially for it.

If something went wrong on her end, her impression with the leadership certainly wouldn’t improve.

While Zhu Ying was pondering helplessly, Lin Xi said, "Actually, playing piano isn’t that big of a deal."

"What?" Zhu Ying looked at Lin Xi, unconvinced, "You can perform on the piano?"

"I should be able to." Lin Xi replied.

"Huh." Zhu Ying didn’t know what to say to Lin Xi, "What do you mean ’should be able to’; have you ever learned?"

"Not really learned, but I did play once as a child."

Hearing this, Zhu Ying felt amused and helpless, shaking her head, "Never learned, just played once? And you say you can perform on piano?"

"Yes, I think it’s not that difficult!" Lin Xi continued.

"Not difficult?" Zhu Ying was at a loss for words; she had given up hope on Lin Xi, secretly hoping,

"Just hoping the leadership will be magnanimous!"

Seeing Zhu Ying’s discouraged look, Lin Xi asked, "Teacher Zhu, don’t you believe me?"

Zhu Ying glanced at Lin Xi, not wanting to hit him too hard, shook her head and said, "It’s not that I don’t believe you, but this evening is very important!"

"Don’t worry, leave it to me." Lin Xi reassured.

Zhu Ying nodded helplessly; at this stage she had no options left, just playing by ear.

A performance is better than no performance!

"But, you have to agree to one condition!" Lin Xi requested, considering this a favor for Zhu Ying.

There’s no free lunch, especially when in front of such a stunning beauty.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ying’s gratitude towards Lin Xi vanished entirely.

Turns out this little punk said all that just to get this!

"What condition?" Zhu Ying reverted to her class advisor demeanor, curiously looking at Lin Xi.

"Smile at me."

"What?" Zhu Ying wondered if she misheard, "Say it again?"

"Smile for me!" Lin Xi pointed at his cheek, raising his voice by several decibels.

That startled Zhu Ying, had they not been on the edge of the venue in a corner, some people would have heard.

Crazy!

"I’m your teacher, please show some respect." Zhu Ying seriously said to Lin Xi, feeling he had really crossed the line this time.

But in the next moment, she was taken by surprise, completely perplexed.

Because Lin Xi just let her go, turned around without another word, and walked away.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ying’s chest heaved violently, wishing to shout, "You little punk, stop right there!"

Yet no words came out, not because she cared about others’ opinions, but because her feelings were complicated; she wasn’t as angry and upset as she’d usually be.

This feeling was indeed strange; even with her ex-boyfriend Guan Ping, any slight touch would make her extremely repulsed, causing her to avoid him.

"Could it be that I really like him?"

"But he’s my student! Would this be inappropriate?"

"However, he’s not much younger than me, and we’re all adults, free to love—what could others say?"

"...."

While Zhu Ying was lost in thought, the welcoming party officially began, and she hurried back to her seat.

PS: I can only say, having no draft is really painful!