Chapter 167

Chapter 167 – Golden Autumn Art Festival

Jiangcheng No. 1 High School Affiliated Middle School hosts numerous cultural performances every year, including New Year’s Eve parties, Halloween costume dances, Christmas parties, graduation ceremonies, poetry readings, concerts, singer competitions, and various club activities.

The Golden Autumn Art Festival is the highlight of these events, as it requires participation from all students except those in their final year. Traditionally, the main participants have been second-year students, while first-years had fewer opportunities to perform due to weaker connections among classmates and limited program slots, mostly individual talent shows.

Performances like Mei Fang’s trio performance were quite rare.

When class monitor Dong Zhongying asked Mei Fang to introduce his prepared act, the whole class was stunned. This boy, usually quiet and somewhat handsome, turned out to be a guitar prodigy.

As everyone anticipated Mei Fang’s performance at the Golden Autumn Art Festival, girls constantly approached him to chat.

When Mei Fang found himself overwhelmed by curious girls, Xiang Bingbing stepped in to help.

“Everyone, that’s enough! Mei Fang still needs to rehearse for the performance. There are only two or three days left, so don’t disturb him.”

Xiang Bingbing lived in the dormitory and knew many of the girls in the class well. The girls respected her and gradually dispersed after she spoke.

However, teasing continued.

“Xiang Bingbing, are you protecting Mei Fang because you like him?”

“No, not really.”

Xiang Bingbing shook her finger and made a tsk-tsk sound.

“This is a promise I made with two other friends.”

…

They must have asked me to keep an eye on him…

Mei Fang and Xia Yuan submitted their accompaniment for their chosen song on the same day, and it passed the judges’ inspection. Consequently, it was sent to the Student Union Organizing Department, which handles the logistics for the lighting and sound systems during the Golden Autumn Art Festival.

Finally, after several days of rehearsal, the day of the performance arrived.

Mei Fang entrusted his expensive digital camera to Wan Chaoxiong and Xiang Bingbing, asking them to record the video for him. Wan Chaoxiong, interested in the camera, agreed immediately but requested to borrow it for a couple of days.

Wan Chaoxiong was chosen because he was already a well-known campus UP on C Station, known for his excellent video editing skills. He promised to help edit the footage.

Xiang Bingbing was chosen because she was learning photography in the photography club and had relevant experience. Additionally, her excellent shooting perspective meant that even when she stood up, others standing on chairs couldn’t block her view.

For musical performances, performers needed to change into designated costumes, which could be selected from the school’s costume room.

Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi picked out a typical high school boy’s uniform from a popular idol drama for Mei Fang, consisting of a white shirt, black pants, a checkered tie, and an additional sleeveless white sweater. They were satisfied with this outfit.

“It looks like a real idol drama lead,” Lin Youxi said, carefully tying Mei Fang’s tie and smiling contentedly.

“I wouldn’t be happy if someone said that about me…”

“Why not? That’s a compliment!” Xia Yuan patted Mei Fang’s shoulder. “After today, our Fang will surely attract many girls.”

Mei Fang shook his head, disagreeing with Xia Yuan’s viewpoint. “Students at Jiangcheng No. 1 High School are the smartest in the province. They don’t have much time to think about dating.”

“That’s not necessarily true… wanting to date has nothing to do with academic performance. It’s just something people think about when they reach a certain age. We already have a public couple in our class, He Cheng and Zhao Xin. You know them, right?”

Lin Youxi nodded. “Yes, they’ve been together since elementary school.”

“Really… That’s too early, ha ha.”

…

Lin Youxi’s words created a brief silence, then Xia Yuan clapped to lighten the mood.

“Let’s go get ready for today’s performance! I remember there’s a matching girl’s uniform over there. Let’s go change, Youxi.”

After Lin Youxi and Xia Yuan left, Mei Fang began to seriously admire himself in the mirror.

After changing clothes, he felt more spirited.

His clear face exuded a fresh and sunny aura, far from the appearance of a workaholic prone to sudden death.

Hmm… Was I this handsome in my previous life?

Mei Fang, feeling rather smug, began to stroke his chin and look around casually.

Then he saw Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi peering at him.

Mei Fang blushed instantly and scolded them, “Hurry up and change your clothes!”

“Let’s go! Fang’s past is getting longer!”

Do we need to count our shared history?

Listening to Xia Yuan’s voice, Mei Fang couldn’t help but smile slightly.

Now, I truly feel like I’m back to being fifteen or sixteen years old…

Apart from his life experiences, the resentment and desire for money from his former adult self have almost disappeared.

Yuan Yuan and Youxi are becoming cuter and more mature, making it hard for him to control his teenage emotions, perhaps due to hormonal changes.

His psychological age can’t be calculated using such rough methods. Instead, it’s regressing.

To Mei Fang, this was a good thing.

It allowed him to relax and better enjoy his youth after rebirth.

The ninth performance ended, and the four hosts in splendid gowns began announcing for Mei Fang and the others.

“Youth is like a guitar, playing our heartstrings. A beautiful guitar always plays its versatile melodies, expressing the purest wishes of our youthful days.”

“It’s about distant dreams, pure thoughts, sincere friendships, and love. Please enjoy — the guitar performance by Xia Yuan, Lin Youxi from Class 1-3, and Mei Fang from Class 1-5!”

As the stage lights focused on the center, the accompaniment melody played. Xia Yuan, wearing a school uniform, walked to the center of the stage while playing the guitar to a cheerful tune.

“There will be a small bridge and flowing water… washing away the dust…”

Xia Yuan had performed this song at the graduation party before, but it was new for local students in Jiangcheng. Naturally, they found it intriguing.

This time, Xia Yuan added instrumental accompaniment and some vocal responses (recorded by Mei Fang). Her familiarity with the song and stage presence improved significantly, earning her cheers from the audience — suggesting she had gained supporters from the summer camp.

However, some provincial students expressed dissatisfaction:

“The first song is the original one, the next one will definitely be ‘Lan Shan Yi,’ right? Although the accompaniment makes it different, it doesn’t seem particularly innovative…”

“Wait, aren’t two more people supposed to come up?”

As they chatted, the music quickly transitioned to the melody of ‘Lan Shan Yi.’ Xia Yuan walked backward while playing the guitar, and the stage lights dimmed as Lin Youxi appeared.

Since Lin Youxi was the Class 3 monitor, her appearance sparked a round of applause from Class 3.

Initially excited by Xia Yuan’s performance, they became even more enthusiastic seeing their cool, serious class president singing on stage.

“Look, that’s our class president! Could your class president do this?”

On stage, Lin Youxi showcased her soft and delicate side through ‘Lan Shan Yi.’

Her usual voice was rational and cold, but today it was softer and sadder.

Only Mei Fang had seen this side of her before the performance.

[Hold the fireflies under the moonlight / Light up a lonely paper]

[Remember those things / You said you loved me]

Originally a song Mei Fang wrote for Lin Youxi, she had recited it at her mother’s grave. Now, as a song, she felt even more connected to it.

Xia Yuan stood behind Lin Youxi, softly playing the guitar, providing the best accompaniment for her clear and pure voice.

Mei Fang breathed a sigh of relief.

Youxi performed flawlessly, without any signs of stage fright.

The applause and noise gradually subsided, and the third song began. Xia Yuan walked forward while playing the guitar.

After adjusting their microphones, Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi held hands and swayed to the beat.

Xia Yuan: [I didn’t like you much at first]

Lin Youxi: [But we became close later]

Their duet alternated lines, but sang together during the chorus.

[If not for you / I wouldn’t believe]

[Friends are more devoted than lovers]

[Even if I get busy with love / and freeze you out]

[You won’t hate me / just scold me a bit]

As they sang, Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi held hands and smiled at each other.

Having known each other for ten years, they were closer than ordinary friends, making their performance indistinguishable from confessing their feelings.

Though the audience couldn’t see clearly, their affection was evident from their movements and expressions.

[If not for you / I wouldn’t be sure]

[Friends understand better than lovers]

[My unspoken words / My unintentional words]

[I can’t live without Darling / More so, without you]

At the climax, Xia Yuan put down her guitar and hugged Lin Youxi tightly.

Wasn’t this part of the planned performance?

Lin Youxi was initially surprised but realized it was Xia Yuan’s emotional outburst and didn’t resist, hugging her back gently.

Their on-stage embrace drew thunderous applause.

“Great! Girl-to-girl hug!”

Both girls and boys loved watching girl-to-girl hugs!

The intense reaction outside the stage made Mei Fang nervous.

This was his first time performing on a real stage.

Lin Youxi also performed for the first time, showing no less confidence than Xia Yuan.

Phew…

Watching Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi embrace on stage, Mei Fang took a deep breath.

He always believed Lin Youxi and Xia Yuan were far superior to him.

In terms of ability, talent, and appearance…

He merely benefited from his rebirth and past experiences to form such strong bonds with them.

This sense of inferiority and unease, though not visible in his daily actions, lingered deep within him.

Thus, whether learning the guitar or performing on stage…

For Mei Fang, besides fulfilling past regrets, it was a fierce competition.

His past experiences proved he was a mediocre boy with no outstanding talents except for gaming and roller skating.

Bitcoin had already made him financially free, so he didn’t need to strive to learn coding or music.

He always tried new things and achieved corresponding success.

Mei Fang could only strive harder.

Grow stronger.

Because only by doing so could he truly become a man worthy enough for them.

To become—

A man who deserves them.

Under the spotlight, Mei Fang slowly walked onto the stage while playing a gentle melody.

In his sight were nearly three thousand students from first and second years.

In this packed venue, countless eyes watched him ascend.

Unlike Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi, who received enthusiastic cheers, Mei Fang only heard a few loud cheers from Xiang Bingbing and scattered encouragement from his classmates.

But it didn’t matter.

Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi remained hand in hand.

At that moment, they both turned to look at Mei Fang, clenching their fists to encourage him.

Because they were witnessing their childhood friend Mei Fang realize his long-held dream.

Immediately after, they turned back, releasing each other’s hands and placing them on their chests.

[I know you still love me]

[Although / the reason for separation / we both accepted]

[I know how sad I’ll be]

[So / even at the end / you still smiled and encouraged me]

[I know you can’t let go of me]

[That’s why / when leaving / you closed your eyes and didn’t look back]

[I promise you / I’ll live well]

[Not letting / these tears be in vain]

Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi chose this song for a reason Mei Fang didn’t know.

Though this song about farewell didn’t occur in their reality, it had a near-miss possibility.

That was when Mei Fang’s father, Mei Lijun, got promoted and moved.

Childhood Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi had imagined how painful losing Mei Fang would be.

But unlike the song’s protagonist, they didn’t accept the parting calmly.

Instead, they chose to fight together.

Fight for a solution where they wouldn’t part ways.

Fight for a plan to stay together.

Their scene of crying and pleading with Mei Fang’s mother, Xiang Xiaoxia, was their most unforgettable memory from childhood—

After their emotional performance, the audience gave them a warm round of applause.

This applause wasn’t just for Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi but also for Mei Fang, who played the melancholic and sorrowful melody behind the scenes.

Finally… It was time to face the stage alone.

With a relatively light melody, the spotlight shone on Mei Fang, who quickly entered his performance state.

Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi slowly retreated but stayed on the sides of the stage, swaying to the rhythm.

…

No… Am I supposed to leave?

Mei Fang sang the cheerful song, looking back at Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi, who only smiled sweetly at him.

Were they worried about me being nervous and deliberately left this for me?

How little faith do they have in my performance?

Mei Fang smiled and sang, entering the rhythm.

[I’m willing to stand by your side / sheltering you from wind and rain]

[I’ll walk the future path with you]

[I’m willing to dedicate myself / be your exclusive universe]

[I’ll dance freely, holding you]

As Mei Fang finished his guitar performance, everyone was astonished by his unexpected skill, sparking heated discussions.

“What song is this? So beautiful!”

“It sounds like an original song. If it’s true, this student is so talented!”

“Oh my God, so sweet! I want a boyfriend like this!”

“What class is this guy in? Did you hear that? Introduce him to me!”

Mei Fang received thunderous applause, and Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi came running, taking his hand. Together, they completed their final curtain call.

And thus, the Golden Autumn Art Festival for Mei Fang and his friends came to an end.

End of the Golden Autumn Art Festival chapter. Taking a day off tomorrow to organize the plot (°▽°)-