Chapter 24: Affection

Jiang Chaozhou stood silently in place, the surrounding clamor seeming to fade away in that moment. His gaze was fixed steadily on the fireworks rising and bursting in the sky, his entire being frozen as if under a spell.

Reflected in his deep eyes were the brilliant lights and shadows of the fireworks, their radiance flickering and dancing as if igniting certain thoughts within his heart. He slightly tilted his head back, the stray hairs on his forehead gently swaying in the night breeze. His lips parted slightly, as if wanting to speak, yet the sudden surge of emotion held his words captive.

The explosions of the fireworks echoed in his ears, each thunderous blast like a heavy stone cast into the tranquil lake of his heart, sending ripples of indescribable feelings across its surface. Such beautiful fireworks, Jiang Chaozhou thought, turning his gaze toward the stage with a gentle look.

Not far away, beneath a large tree, Zhang Chenxi’s eyes shifted between Lin Siqing and the fireworks in the sky. He cleared his throat softly, trying to catch Lin Siqing’s attention. Receiving no response, he reached out and lightly tugged at Lin Siqing’s sleeve, speaking with a tender tone: “Lin Siqing, look, the fireworks are so beautiful.”

Originally lost in his own thoughts, Lin Siqing furrowed his brows slightly when tugged and turned his head, a hint of impatience in his eyes. Yet as his gaze followed Zhang Chenxi’s pointing finger toward the sky, the vast spectacle of fireworks stirred a subtle change in his expression.

The light from the fireworks cast a glow over his somewhat stern face, outlining his features. His high nose bridge became more pronounced in the shifting light, and even his tightly pressed lips seemed to soften slightly.

Elsewhere, Fu Xiaotao was as excited as a child. She gripped Fu Siqiao’s hand tightly, her palm slightly sweaty from exhilaration. Her feet bounced constantly on the spot, as if fueled by an endless well of energy. Her bright eyes sparkled with the brilliance of the fireworks, dazzling like the brightest star in the night sky.

“Qiaoqiao, look! Isn’t it beautiful?” Her voice rose in pitch with excitement, clear and ringing through the night air, overpowering even the fireworks’ explosions. As she spoke, she shook Fu Siqiao’s hand enthusiastically, as if wanting to convey her joy through this gesture.

Drawn by her enthusiasm, Fu Siqiao smiled faintly. Her calm eyes gazed at the fireworks above, their splendor seeming to seep into her heart, stirring a gentle ripple in her usually tranquil spirit.

Suddenly, a melodious violin song flowed through the air like a bubbling stream. The crowd turned their eyes toward the stage, where Xu Zhixing shone like a radiant star with unique brilliance. She wore an exquisite gown that seemed woven from moonlight and starlight.

The fitted design perfectly outlined her slender and graceful figure. The skirt cascaded to the floor like a waterfall, swaying softly with her slightest movement, whispering tales of elegance. Countless tiny diamonds adorned the dress, sparkling under the stage lights like dreamy stars in the night sky, mesmerizing all who looked.

Xu Zhixing’s beauty was breathtaking. Her skin, fairer than snow, glowed softly under the lights, smooth and delicate like jade. Her long, glossy black hair was carefully pinned up, with a few wisps falling gently over her pale neck like black velvet brushing against white jade.

Her eyebrows arched lightly like willow leaves, imbued with liveliness and playfulness. Her eyes resembled deep, dark lakes—bright and profound—with long lashes like little fans that stirred gentle ripples upon each blink.

Beneath her poised nose were lips as alluring as spring roses in full bloom, exuding a captivating fragrance. At that moment, she lifted her chin slightly, concentrating fully on her violin performance, her expression serene yet intense.

Her arms moved gracefully, slender fingers dancing over the strings. Each press, each bow stroke, seemed to engage in a soulful dialogue with the instrument. The lively notes leaped from the strings, weaving through the air into a breathtaking symphony.

As the music swelled and ebbed, her body swayed gently, merging with the melody to become part of this enchanting composition. The audience was utterly captivated by her beauty and skill, their eyes locked onto her, immersed in this poetic, picturesque scene as if time itself had stopped for her.

Hidden in the shadows at the side of the stage, Jiang Chaozhou’s gaze clung to Xu Zhixing’s radiant figure like glue. His heart pounded wildly, like a trapped fawn desperately struggling inside his chest, each beat sending a hot flush to his cheeks, staining them crimson.

As Xu Zhixing’s deskmate, Jiang Chaozhou could never overlook such a dazzling beauty. He always pretended not to notice, secretly stealing glances at her.

When Xu Zhixing focused on solving problems, her delicate brows would knit slightly, her pen moving swiftly across the draft paper, the elegant script flowing from her hand. Occasionally, she would press her soft lower lip in thought—a small gesture that, in Jiang Chaozhou’s eyes, was like a pebble cast into the lake of his heart, stirring endless ripples.

Now, watching her shine so brilliantly on stage, Jiang Chaozhou was caught in a fierce inner struggle. He instinctively clenched the hem of his clothes, his knuckles whitening from the force, as if this could suppress the tumultuous emotions within.

His eyes were filled with contradiction—wanting to bury this stirring deep inside yet unable to resist Xu Zhixing’s allure. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed the complex feelings threatening to break free.

Dressed in her splendid gown and bathed in stage light, Xu Zhixing appeared dreamlike and ethereal. Her posture was tall and elegant, like a rare orchid growing in a secluded valley, exuding an otherworldly fragrance.

Her graceful violin movements were mesmerizing, her arms tracing elegant arcs like a swan’s neck in the air. Her fingers lightly danced over the strings, as if whispering secrets to the notes, the melody flowing around Jiang Chaozhou’s ears like a babbling brook, penetrating his heart.

His feet seemed nailed to the ground, unable to move. His gaze followed every movement of Xu Zhixing, his eyes growing hazy with longing.

He knew his heart was helplessly falling, yet his damned pride kept him from admitting this budding love. Alone in the shadows, he savored the sweetness and bitterness of these feelings, like a miser guarding treasure in the dark, carefully hiding his affection for fear of discovery.