The interview is over.

Yet no matter how frustrated he might be, the fact remained, unchangeable as a tree already felled. Liang Junwei was grateful he had agreed to come on this show as a special guest, for it gave him the chance to meet Shangguan Xiao—a girl so interesting. At the same time, he was looking forward to their next encounter. He had been racking his brain, trying to recall where he’d heard the name Shangguan Xiao before; now, at last, the answer came to him! She was none other than Shangguan Han’s younger sister!

Shangguan Han had previously invited him to the Shangguan household, suggesting he exchange thoughts on music with Shangguan Xiao. At the time, he had been indifferent, almost dismissive. But now, seeing her in person, he found himself genuinely curious to discover just how talented this young girl could be—to command the attention of his discerning young boss, who was known for his strict standards in all things. No matter how gifted one was, there were always limits! Still, there was no harm in finding out.

With Ouyang Xianyu keeping an eye on Shangguan Xiao, the interview finally proceeded smoothly. When it concluded, Shangguan Xiao and Ouyang Xianyu returned backstage. Their teacher hurried over, deftly handing them their coats, looking more professional than any attendant. “Well done! You both did excellently!”

Ouyang Xianyu, in the middle of taking a sip of water, nearly choked when he heard that. Excellently? He had almost been frightened out of his wits by Shangguan Xiao! If this counted as “excellent,” what would qualify as “terrible”? He was at a loss for words just hearing it! So, as was his habit, he maintained his silence, rested for a while, then accompanied the teacher back to school.

Now, as he once again watched Shangguan Xiao's retreating figure, Ouyang Xianyu was filled with emotion. Under the scorching sun, he narrowed his eyes, recalling all they had experienced together—it all seemed like only yesterday. Such memories stirred his heart deeply.

He quickened his pace to catch up with her, and together they returned to their respective classes. After roll call, Xiao, being the last to arrive, had missed some of the training—a fact that filled her classmates with envy. They had been made to run as soon as they arrived that morning! One glance at the barren, grassless land was enough to imagine the agony of running ten laps around a bare mountain.

Xiao looked up at her classmates, and as soon as they saw her, it seemed their very breath caught in their throats. What mesmerizing amethyst-glass eyes! Her gaze was livelier and more entrancing than ever. Everyone stared, utterly bewitched.

The girls, once they snapped out of it, couldn’t help but gripe—so Shangguan Xiao not only showed up late, but also dared to wear colored contacts! How vain could she get? Jealousy gnawed at them; while they were drenched in sweat, she sauntered in last, looking immaculate and acting every bit the diva. The more they looked, the more she irked them.

Unaware that she had suddenly become the public enemy of all the girls in her class, Shangguan Xiao gave her classmates a somewhat puzzled glance, then turned to look for her instructor.

The instructor, eyeing her with clear disdain, barked, “Take your uniform! And no colored contacts allowed here—take them off!”

Hearing this, Shangguan Xiao was speechless. She had already removed her colored lenses! What was she supposed to take off now—her actual eyes? She frowned, clearly displeased by the instructor’s attitude, but still replied with a hint of resignation, “Sir, I’m not wearing colored contacts.”

Hearing her denial, the instructor’s irritation only grew.