Chapter 241: An Astounding Performance
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
After the two of them finished speaking, it was already time for the Student Union to perform.
Even though she was standing in the monitoring room and looking at the surveillance cameras, she could feel how lively the atmosphere was from the screen.
There were dozens of feeds displayed on the monitor. Chu Luo glanced at the people performing on the stage and then at the audience below the stage. She asked Nangong Yi, “The auditorium can only accommodate 5,000 people. How are the others going to watch?”
“It’s being broadcasted live,” Nangong Yi said. “Imperial University’s galas are usually broadcasted live on Imperial TV Education Channel. Students who aren’t here usually watch it online.”
Chu Luo nodded in understanding.
At this moment, she saw a camera pointed at the first few rows in the middle.. Other than the school heads, there were also many people in suits and leather shoes who looked like successful people.
Nangong Yi followed her gaze and told her, “These are my senior brothers and sisters who graduated from Imperial University. There are also some businessmen who gave sponsors.h.i.+ps to the school.”
Chu Luo looked over at them one by one. When she saw a familiar face, her eyes narrowed.
At this moment, someone called out to them from the monitoring room door, “President, Chu Luo, it’s your turn to prepare.”
The two of them walked out.
At this moment, most of the people backstage had gone on stage to perform. When the two of them walked over, only the Technical Minister was standing there.
Seeing the two of them coming over, he reminded them seriously, “President, Junior Chu, don’t be frightened by the audience’s enthusiasm later. You’d better be mentally prepared.”
Nangong Yi smiled and nodded. He said to Chu Luo, “I didn’t let everyone know that you and I are performing. When they see us later, they should be very surprised.”
Chu Luo nodded indifferently.
At this moment, they were already performing the “Snow” scene onstage.
Two staff members carefully carried an ancient-looking zither over.
“Junior Chu, do you want to see this zither?”
Chu Luo walked over and moved her fingers on it. She nodded at Nangong Yi and said, “The sound quality is not bad.”
Nangong Yi chuckled.
The Technical Minister said, “The curtains have been lowered. Put the zither on. President, Junior Chu, it’s all up to you now. You mustn’t overshadow the entire Student Union.”
A group of Student Union members quickly got off the stage and headed backstage. When everyone walked to their sides, they said, “President, Chu Luo, all the best.”
Imperial time: 8:15.
The program list for tonight’s gala had actually been announced a few days ago. When the Student Union members finished performing “Snow” and the curtains were lowered, the originally thunderous applause and cheers suddenly fell silent.
“What’s going on? Has the Student Union’s performance ended?”
“No way. Isn’t the Student Union doing four performances—’Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon’? How regretful would it be if they missed one?”
“That’s right. I heard that there will be a Student Union performance this year, that’s why I deliberately waited in front of the computer for a few hours to s.n.a.t.c.h the tickets. Such an exciting performance suddenly has one missing. I feel like my heart is missing something.”
“Me too.”
…
Just as everyone was discussing, a gorgeous and pleasant zither melody sounded.
The scene instantly fell silent.
Everyone’s mind seemed to have been transported into the warm moonlight. Pear blossoms floating with the fragrance of peach blossoms, beauties playing the zither, and elegant young masters walking under the moonlight with a paper fan in hand. The paper fan dance exuded strength amid its gentleness, making people dazzled.
Unknowingly, the scene changed. The moon in the middle of the summer night was filled with romance and pa.s.sion. The paper fan in Young Master Jia’s hand turned into a book. The ink fragrance on the book seemed to be still floating to the tip of his nose. As he walked and stopped, he gave off a scholarly and elegant charm.
Just as everyone was feeling engrossed in it, the scene changed again. The melody became loud and powerful. The moonlight after autumn was blood-red. At some point, Young Master Jia had put on his battle armor and held a long sword. He waved it among the enemies, and blood dyed the vast land. It was astounding.
Many people couldn’t help but cry.
At this moment, the loud and powerful voices stopped abruptly. Snow fell heavily. He changed out of his battle robe amid the zither, sword, and jar of wine.
Everyone suddenly came back to their senses and stared blankly at the beauty who was playing the zither in the moonlight. The moon was bright and her eyes were like a painting. It stunned everyone deep in their hearts.
After Chu Luo finished playing the last tune, she sat there and glanced at the audience coldly. When she saw the cold man sitting there, the corners of her lips curled up.
Gasps immediately sounded from below the stage.
Nangong Yi walked up to Chu Luo and looked at her with a complicated gaze. “Junior, we should get off the stage.”
After Nangong Yi finished speaking, he subconsciously reached out to pull her up.
Chu Luo nodded at him but didn’t extend her hand. She stood up from her cross-legged position and turned to leave the stage.
Looking at Chu Luo, who didn’t give him any face, Nangong Yi couldn’t help but laugh. He could only retract his hand and follow her.
The audience abruptly snapped back to reality when the two of them reached the stairs.
Everyone went crazy.
“President! President!”
“Chu Luo! Chu Luo!”
“One more song!”
…
The cheering and screaming seemed like they would flip the roof over in the next second.
The crowd was so excited that they couldn’t control themselves.
A man sitting in a laidback position in the front row suddenly turned his head and asked an Imperial University school head beside him, “Who was that girl just now? She plays the zither really well.”
The school head smiled proudly. “That’s Chu Luo, a freshman.”
Laidback Man responded with an “Oh” and his face was filled with interest. “You mean this year’s college entrance examination top scholar, Chu Luo?”
The school head nodded. “Yes.”
Laidback Man praised, “Not bad. She’s beautiful, has good results, and is multi-talented. She’ll definitely become extraordinary in the future.”
“Haha.” The school head was extremely happy. He felt like the man was praising his child.
Laidback Man also had a smile on his face, but a glint flashed across his eyes. Then, he continued watching the next show.
When Chu Luo and Nangong Yi walked backstage, they were instantly surrounded by a group of people from the Student Union.
“President, Chu Luo, your performance was too fascinating.”
“It’s so fascinating that it overshadowed our performance. I wonder if the audience still remembers that our theme consists of the four parts ‘Wind, Flower, Snow, and Moon’?”
“We’re too pitiful. If I had known, I would have let the president and Junior Chu perform with us. Without comparison, there’s no harm.”
“I even suspect that the president and Chu Luo have been secretly practicing for a long time. How can they cooperate so well on stage?”
“I think after tonight’s gala ends, everyone will only remember the president and Chu Luo’s performance.”
…
Seeing that everyone was getting more and more worked up as they spoke, Nangong Yi placed a finger to his lips and hushed everyone. After everyone had fallen silent, he said, “The gala isn’t over yet. Don’t forget your duty.”
There were two backstages. This side was specially separated for the Student Union. There was a big s.p.a.ce beside it, which was where all the actors put on makeup and changed their clothes tonight.
Although everyone wanted to continue gossiping, they didn’t forget their duty. Someone suggested, “The president and Chu Luo’s performance tonight will definitely receive a good response from the public.
“I’m certain that our Imperial University will become famous among all the international universities again. After the banquet, we must celebrate.”
“That’s right! Boss, you’re about to be envied by all the students in the university. Such a prestigious matter should be celebrated.”
“And Chu Luo, you’re our biggest contributor tonight. You must go to the celebration.”
Nangong Yi didn’t answer them immediately. Instead, he smiled and asked Chu Luo, “Junior Chu, do you want to celebrate with everyone?”
Chu Luo shook her head. “I have something on tomorrow.”
Nangong Yi shrugged at everyone. “If my partner doesn’t go, I have no reason to go.”
Chu Luo glanced at Nangong Yi, who had pushed all the blame on her, and the corners of her lips curled up. “You’re the president of the Student Union. After your subordinates have successfully held the gala, shouldn’t you be celebrating for them? Besides… as the president of the Student Union, not only should you celebrate with them, you should also help to foot the bill.”
Chu Luo’s words. .h.i.t the nail on the head.
Everyone subconsciously nodded in agreement.
The smile in Nangong Yi’s eyes deepened. He pretended to be helpless and said, “Since Junior Chu has said so, if I don’t treat everyone, it will seem like I’m being unreasonable.”
Chu Luo replied, “Not only unreasonable but also cold-blooded and heartless.”
Everyone continued to nod in agreement.
Nangong Yi glanced at everyone and said with a smile, “We’ll gather at the Elegant Building at ten o’clock.”
“Yay!”
“President, I love you!”
…
Chu Luo looked at everyone’s excited expressions and then at Nangong Yi.
Nangong Yi said, “Junior Chu, are you really not going to celebrate with us? You can bring your boyfriend along.”
“No.”
Just as Chu Luo finished speaking, someone shouted from behind the crowd, “Chu Luo.”
The people around them subconsciously made way.
Chu Luo looked at Wei Xueying and narrowed her eyes.
Wei Xueying looked especially happy and enthusiastic. “Luoluo, I knew you were still backstage here.”
Everyone in the Student Union knew Wei Xueying and greeted her with a smile.
At this moment, Nangong Yi said to Chu Luo in a low voice, “Wei Xueying used to be the Student Union’s secretary. She quit because of the Postgraduate Entrance Examination.”
Chu Luo nodded.
Nangong Yi asked, “You’re very close?”
“Not very close.”
After Chu Luo finished speaking, someone asked Wei Xueying if she was close to Chu Luo. She nodded and replied, “Luoluo is my little cousin. Do you think we’re close?”
Nangong Yi looked at Chu Luo, who was pursing her lips, in surprise.
Wei Xueying walked up to Chu Luo and said earnestly, “Luoluo, you haven’t been back for a long time. Uncle has been worried that you aren’t eating well outside. Why don’t you come back with me tonight?”
Wei Xueying’s words immediately made everyone look at Chu Luo curiously.