Zhou Ping’s thumbs-up was clearly seen by Zhang Sheng and the other two beside him.
The three exchanged a glance, and a knowing, mischievous smile appeared on their faces simultaneously.
Their smiles seemed to say, “Our own pig is finally going to go for the big cabbage.”
This was no simple appreciation; separated by hundreds of people, a shared glance, a tacit understanding—for these high school freshmen, this was a damn idol drama unfolding!
Zhou Ping completely ignored the three clowns beside him.
His attention was still on Song Yuqi’s fleeting smile from earlier.
The stage lights had already dimmed, and the fervent music abruptly stopped.
But in Zhou Ping’s mind, another melody grew clearer and grander.
It wasn’t the sporadic sounds from the morning.
This time, a complete, never-before-heard piece of music played directly in his head.
In other words, his sensitivity to sound had increased manyfold.
Under this state, some ordinary sounds were automatically woven into musical movements by him.
This phenomenon had never occurred before.
It first appeared this morning when he ran into Song Yuqi.
Now, after watching her performance, it happened a second time, and even more intensely.
He was certain.
This thing was related to Song Yuqi.
“Old Zhou! Are you dumbfounded?”
Zhang Sheng’s elbow harshly nudged him.
“She’s been off stage for ages, what are you looking at?”
Zhou Ping finally snapped back to reality; the stage was indeed empty, and the host was preparing to announce the next act.
But the music in his mind hadn’t completely faded.
He had never heard this melody before; it was like a brand new piece of music.
Of course, it was also possible that his music library was too small, and he simply hadn’t heard it.
He had to get it out and find a professional to listen to it.
Zhou Ping’s eyes changed.
“Old Zhou, what are you thinking? Do you regret it? You should have rushed to the front row!” Zhang Sheng continued to chatter beside him.
“Hey, tell me, if I went backstage now to ask for her contact information, would I have a chance?” Wu Rui also started to stir.
Zhou Ping didn’t respond to them.
He just stared in the direction of the backstage, slowly speaking.
“Do you think she leaves directly after performing, or goes back backstage?”
Zhou Ping suddenly blurted out this question.
Zhang Sheng and the other two were stunned, then their faces all showed that “I knew it” kind of mischievous smile.
“Who knows? Wouldn’t it take some time to remove makeup and change clothes?” Zhang Sheng nudged him with his elbow, winking, “What, Old Zhou, can’t sit still? Going to ambush her?”
Wu Rui also leaned in, his face excited.
“Go! You must go! Are you still a man if you don’t go?”
Jack put an arm around Zhou Ping’s neck, lowering his voice.
“Go for it, buddy, I support you! I heard those jocks are also itching to go backstage to give her water; if you dawdle any longer, it’ll be too late!”
Zhou Ping said nothing, just pushed Jack’s hand off his shoulder.
He stood up.
“You guys go home first, I’m going out.”
With that, he squeezed through the crowd without looking back, his figure quickly disappearing at the auditorium entrance.
His movements were swift and decisive, without any hesitation.
Zhang Sheng and the other two watched his disappearing back, exchanged glances, and burst out laughing.
“I told you!” Zhang Sheng slapped his thigh, “This guy is an action-taker! He says no, but he understands more than anyone in his heart!”
Jack chuckled.
“You guys know his theory—don’t do unnecessary things, do necessary things immediately!”
...Zhou Ping walked alone in the empty corridor of the teaching building, the clamor of the auditorium cut off behind him, and the world instantly became quiet.
He stopped.
Backstage?
No, that’s not right.
Dozens of girls, they’d need to change their performance outfits and remove their makeup, so they’d definitely go to their street dance club activity room or the changing room.
But this building is so big, searching room by room?
Stupid.
He hated doing such inefficient, troublesome things.
Zhou Ping’s mind raced, and he quickly pinpointed the only exit—the side door of the teaching building connecting the backstage and the club activity rooms.
Whether going back to the classroom to get things or leaving school directly, this was the only way.
Waiting for the rabbit was the most efficient tactic.
Zhou Ping found a shadowy spot by the stairwell and leaned against the cold wall.
He pulled out his phone; the screen lit up for a moment, then he turned it off and put it back in his pocket.
This was at school; pulling out his phone so openly was a bit too brazen... For the first time, his mind felt a little restless.
He admitted, this was quite troublesome.
But for some reason, he didn't dislike this trouble at all.
Perhaps, Song Yuqi was an “exception”?
Once this thought emerged, it could no longer be suppressed.
Just then, a door at the end of the corridor creaked open, and a flurry of chattering female voices mixed with laughter spilled out.
They were here.
Zhou Ping subconsciously shrank further into the shadows, his heart inexplicably quickening.
In the crowd, that striking blonde hair was like the only light source in the dark, instantly capturing his full attention.
She seemed to say something to her sisters, then smiled and waved.
Immediately after, something unexpected happened to Zhou Ping.
The group of girls giggled and turned, walking towards another corridor leading to the main teaching building, seemingly intending to return to the auditorium to continue watching the evening party.
Only Song Yuqi, alone, separated from the group.
She jogged towards the side door where Zhou Ping was.
Her steps were light, carrying a sense of relaxation and joy after the performance, her ponytail swinging behind her head.
Clearly, she just wanted to take a shortcut home.
She had no idea that in the shadows of this path, a “hunter” lay in wait for her.
Listening to the approaching footsteps, Zhou Ping’s mind raced.
Go out now?
What to say?
Hi, senior, what a coincidence? You’re taking this way home too?
Too stupid.
But if he didn’t go out now, she would run right past him.
For the first time, Zhou Ping felt that his proud brain was a little inadequate.
Just as Song Yuqi was about to run past the stairwell, a mysterious courage surged within Zhou Ping.
As the saying goes, he just got a jolt.
“Senior.”
His voice echoed in the corridor.
Song Yuqi’s steps abruptly halted, like a startled cat, she subconsciously took half a step back, looking over warily.
When she saw that it was Zhou Ping, her wariness instantly turned into surprise.
“It’s you?”
She clearly still remembered him, “Junior... Zhou Ping?”
Zhou Ping nodded.
“Zhou Ping. From Class Seven, Grade One.”
Song Yuqi looked him up and down, and a smile suddenly curved her lips.
“I know.”