Chapter 78: A Kiss as Your Reward

Lin Xia shook her head and smiled, "You're always at odds with him, but I think he's quite decent."

"Me, at odds with him?" Xie Xitong nearly jumped up in protest. "It's that annoying guy who's always at odds with me, hmph."

Just then, Zhou Meng finished his last dance move. Seeing Lin Xia and Xie Xitong watching him, he smiled and raised an eyebrow, looking rather dashing to Lin Xia.

But in Xie Xitong's eyes, it was nothing but loathsome and frivolous. "See, see, that annoying guy is pretending to be suave again."

"Alright, don't be angry. It's time for the host to take the stage." Zhou Meng, dripping with sweat, walked off and raised an eyebrow at Xie Xitong with a smile. "Wasn't my performance pretty good?"

Rolling her eyes at him, Xie Xitong pouted, "Your opinion doesn't count. The audience votes."

"No, no," Lin Xia laughed, "let's have everyone applaud in support."

Zhou Meng raised an eyebrow, bowed, and said, "Thank you all for your support, haha, haha!"

After a round of laughter, Xie Xitong took a notebook out of her bag, wrote down his name, and said, "There are eight people here. Now, let's score him. The winner will receive a special reward."

"Haha, if the reward is a kiss from little sister Xitong, then count me in. Otherwise, I'll pass." Xie Xitong rolled her eyes at him.

"Alright, the total score is ten points. Everyone gives a score, I'll calculate the average, and that's the final score," Xie Xitong paused, "Of course, since I'm the host, I'll be excluded."

"Let's start with Chen Zimo."

Zimo, with a slight smile, uttered his score.

Zhou Meng's dance skills aren't just for performing on the lawn, but it certainly limits him. Still, as a friend, support is due.

Ziqing sat beside her.

Next was Sun Xiaoxiao, "Big brother Zhou Meng worked so hard, so I give him 9.5 points."

Xie Xitong shot her a glare and pursed her lips, "Next."

Zhao Xin was up next. She smiled, "I'll give 8.5. Dancing in this heat isn't easy."

Lin Xia glanced at her thoughtfully—8.5, a delicate number, right between Chen Zimo and Liu Ziqing.

Then Zhao Qian, "I give 9. Brother Zhou, you have my support."

You Xin, "I'll also give 9. Support for my fellow men."

He was about to score when he saw Xie Xitong rolling her eyes, pinching her own thigh.

Lin Xia smiled, "Under threat from someone, I'll give 8."

Xie Xitong recorded the scores, "Next up, the next performer is... Zhou Meng's neighbor, Chen Zimo. Let's give him a warm welcome!"

She led the applause.

Chen Zimo, unlike Zhou Meng, didn't dance. He picked up his guitar, held it to his chest, strummed a few notes, adjusted the strings, and then began to sing softly.

The song was "Birch Forest" by Pu Shu. His slanted bangs hung over his forehead, hiding his clear eyes. Long, thick lashes half-shielded his gaze, and the dappled shade of the trees played across his face, lending him an air of melancholy and charm.

"Isn't your brother a pianist? Even his guitar playing is so good," Lin Xia whispered to Xie Xitong.

"He's a genius. When I practiced piano at home, he'd sit by, read a book, glance at me playing—and then he'd just get it."

A true genius, Lin Xia thought inwardly.

The melody of "Birch Forest" is somber and diffuse. When Pu Shu sings it, Lin Xia always feels he's reciting the lyrics—each word too clearly enunciated, layered with too much technique, which steals from the song's original flavor.

Perhaps it was the live setting, but listening to Chen Zimo's gentle voice, Lin Xia felt it carried more depth than the original. The clarity of his voice, not too crisp, the low murmuring, brought her heart along to that "Birch Forest."

A unique charm.

Green grass invites sudden self-pity, life is but a dream, like smoke. How much do the cries of crows and the setting moon know? Only the blooming flowers are remembered, not the passing years.

Only the blooming flowers are remembered, not the passing years!

Lin Xia suddenly felt regret that she couldn't paint. Such beauty, and she couldn't capture it with her brush.

The sound gradually faded; the song was nearing its end.

Without worrying about disturbing others, she raised her camera and captured the scene.

Then she stood, walked a little farther, and took a group photo.

Lin Xia had overthought; everyone was lost in Chen Zimo's voice, even the clicks of her camera failed to rouse them.

Blue sky, white clouds, green trees and flowing water, a silent group of youths, and a boy holding his guitar, head bowed.

Time flowed gently.

Such photos, such people, such feelings.

Such... youth.

Zhao Xin gazed unblinkingly at the quiet boy, feeling every syllable in her ears magnified and elongated, transforming into lines and fragments of poetry, floating around her, dissolving into her life.

Those hidden thoughts, those drifting emotions, finally settled in this moment.

Such a man—beside him, who else is worthy?

As the song ended, everyone still hadn't awakened, their expressions dreamy and dazed.

Lin Xia seized the opportunity to snap a few candid shots, especially close-ups of Xie Xitong and Sun Xiaoxiao.

When she returned to her seat and browsed the photos, seeing that no one had spoken yet, she gently coughed and nudged Xie Xitong with her shoulder.

Everyone finally came to, only to see Chen Zimo gazing at them with pure eyes.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, they heard Xie Xitong applaud, "Bravo!"

Zhou Meng followed suit, whistling, "Well done!"

They moved on to the scoring.

This time, as expected, everyone gave scores above nine.

Next was Liu Ziqing's performance. Lin Xia was curious what she would do.

Unexpectedly, this cold and aloof girl chose to tell a joke.

Lin Xia shivered—she had a premonition it wouldn't be funny.

Sure enough, Liu Ziqing began:

One day, Cao Cao and Liu Bei were drinking and discussing heroes.

After a few cups, Liu Bei suddenly let out a loud fart, thoroughly embarrassed. Amid his awkwardness, Guan Yu behind him calmly said, "Please don't mind, everyone. The fart came from Yu (rain)."

As Guan Yu finished, Zhao Yun stepped forward, "Please don't mind, everyone. The fart came from Yun (cloud)."

No sooner had Zhao Yun spoken, Zhang Fei chimed in, "That fart just now—it flew in!"

Everyone burst into laughter. Liu Bei regained his composure.

Cao Cao didn't laugh. He was deeply moved by the incident. After sending off Liu Bei and his men, Cao Cao remarked to his subordinates, "Liu Bei's men, whenever their lord falters, rush to take responsibility and make amends. Truly loyal. If it were you, could you do as much?"

Everyone was indignant, thinking, "It's just a fart, what's so hard about it?"

A few days later, Cao Cao invited Liu Bei for another drink. During the meal, he wanted to fart to see how his men would react. He held it in for ages and finally managed a small fart. His men, long prepared, heard the sound. General Xu Chu rushed to declare, "The fart was Chu (pig)'s!"

Courtier Wang Lang quickly followed, "The fart was Lang (wolf)'s!"

Cao Cao glared, and the others, assuming he was displeased by their slowness, scrambled to claim it. Xiahou Dun insisted, "The fart was Dun (thrown)!"

"No!" Xu Huang shouted, "The fart was Huang (shone)!"

Xun You said, "The fart was You (gentle)!"

Man Chong said, "The fart was Chong (charged)!"

Jiang Ji said, "The fart was Ji (squeezed)!"

Guo Tu said, "The fart was Tu (spat)!"

Zhong Yao said, "The fart was Yao (shaken)!"

Then...

Niu Jin: "The fart was Jin (golden)!"

Cao Hong: "The fart was Hong (red)!"

Zhang Nan: "The fart was Nan (blue)!"

...

Cao Cao's face was red with anger, about to explode.

Advisor Guo Jia shouted, "Wrong, wrong! Everyone's answer is wrong!"... Truly my top strategist, thought Cao Cao.

Guo Jia continued, "The fart was Jia (clipped)!"

Liu Bei and his men were laughing uncontrollably...

Cao Cao was so angry he nearly fainted.

Having finished, Liu Ziqing left Lin Xia feeling as if a flock of crows flew overhead, her lips twitching—caw, caw, caw...

Such a joke, and she delivered it with a blank expression. Truly remarkable!

Still, it allowed Lin Xia to see another side of her, and she admired the girl all the more.

She could have simply sung a song, but instead told a joke—even if it was a cold one.

The joke was cold, the atmosphere colder. No one expected such a beautiful girl to tell a joke like that; it was almost self-sabotage.

While everyone stared at Liu Ziqing in astonishment, she remained composed. Lin Xia envied her calm.

Naturally, her score wasn't high—except Lin Xia, who gave her the highest, a nine, earning several glances from Liu Ziqing.

Zhao Qian and Sun Xiaoxiao sang a duet, "Married Couple Returning Home," in a playful manner.

Zhao Xin chose a lyrical song, dancing to the music. Her costume limited her movements, but her graceful dance, coupled with her beauty, was captivating and delightful to behold.

Her purity held traces of allure—such was Zhao Xin.

Ordinary moves became enticing in her hands; Lin Xia, watching, felt her mouth go dry.

Scores were high, especially Zhou Meng, who nearly gave a perfect score. Even the girls, though not fond of her, had to admit her charm was unmatched.

"Alright, most contestants have finished. Now, the grand finale," Xie Xitong announced loudly. "Let's welcome our host and her partner, performing F's latest single, 'Your Smile.' Applause, everyone!"

"Oh oh!" Zhou Meng cheered, whistling with fingers in his mouth.

Holding the microphone, Lin Xia and Xie Xitong stood together.

Singing is about emotion. But here, singing is about atmosphere.

Xie: I like to use my tone to sing your flavor. In this moment, sweetness begins to ferment.

Lin: A hundred words, love has one voice. Only now, your eyes send secret signals.

...

Together: Love is your unique flavor, wrapping around my heart. No one else understands, only you. Because of you, the world is no longer monotonous.

My smile—it's enough that you understand.

They'd rehearsed many times; the lyrics came easily, and they sang like TV stars, exchanging glances at the climax, engaging the audience.

Xie Xitong played around, "Hey, audience, how are you? I didn't hear any applause. Oh, let's get high, let me see you wave your arms—sing along!"

She nodded to the rhythm, scanning the crowd, making Lin Xia chuckle.

You are like the moon orbiting the earth, shining bright, marking my world with an exclamation point. With you, the world is turned upside down.

Your smile weaves every marvel...

The lively song, joyful atmosphere, stirred everyone's hearts, prompting them to sing along softly.

Watching the energetic Xie Xitong and smiling Lin Xia, Zhao Xin thought, "Chen Zimo's circle is full of main characters—none are ordinary."

Even the ordinary-looking Lin Xia, from the moment they met, hadn't said much, yet was impossible to overlook.

She lacked Liu Ziqing's beauty, lacked that figure, and there seemed no flaw to find. Standing beside Xie Xitong, she was not at all overshadowed.

More than that, Xie Xitong seemed to rely on her.

Take Liu Ziqing's joke—for Xie Xitong's dislike, no one dared give a high score; even Chen Zimo only gave 8.5, yet Lin Xia, undaunted, boldly offered a nine.

Xie Xitong didn't like Liu Ziqing; Zhao Xin had already learned that from her cousin. She and Sun Xiaoxiao never dared to go against Xie Xitong.

Chen Zimo spoiled her and would never speak harshly. But who exactly was Lin Xia, to make such a willful princess behave?

In her previous life, her cousin never mentioned such a person—could she be a product of her own rebirth?

Zhao Xin wondered.

Then again, even in recent days, her cousin hadn't mentioned Lin Xia. Perhaps Chen Zimo and his circle were so outstanding she'd overlooked them before. Like You Xin—before meeting him, she hadn't even known he existed.

The song finished, the atmosphere soared. Sun Xiaoxiao and Zhao Qian snatched the microphone and sang a love duet.

Xie Xitong calculated the scores, shouting, "Quiet, quiet! The results are in, they're right here in my hand. Now, let's see who the winner is—"

She scanned the room, finally settling her gaze on Lin Xia, "It's our classmate Zhao Xin, everyone, applause!"

As she paused on Lin Xia, everyone expected her to be the winner, but it turned out to be Zhao Xin.

A classic mix-up.

"Now, let me announce the prize for first place," Xie Xitong's next words piqued everyone's interest, even Chen Zimo's.

Before the contest, only Lin Xia and Xie Xitong knew what the reward was.

"The prize is—a kiss from my brother, Chen Zimo!"

P.S.: (It's free, no charge, rest assured.)

If interested, you can listen to Pu Shu's version, then Zhao Peng's. Personally, I feel Zhao Peng's rendition is more emotional. For example, the third line, "The birch tree carved those two names," Pu Shu sings "carved" rather stiffly, while Zhao Peng imbues it with more feeling. Zhao Peng's voice is also more magnetic.

(To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to subscribe or support—your encouragement is my greatest motivation.)