Serenade

That evening, in dorm room 409.

Xu Chaoyang was brushing his teeth when he heard Bo Yan say that the 409 dormitory would participate in the Guyu Poetry Recital together, and he was so shocked that he spit out a mouthful of foam: "Poetry recital? What's that? What are you trying to do?"

Jing Chi explained: "Standing on the stage with all eyes on us with your Bo Ye, reciting poetry."

Xu Chaoyang gargled and rinsed his mouth: "Do you need us few for that? Bo Ye can stand on his own, that's already an obscene poem itself."

Bo Yan casually swung a copy of The Complete Collection of Poems and smacked it on his head.

Xu Chaoyang nimbly dodged: "Must we brothers all go up? Can I not go?"

Jing Chi said: "What Bo Ye means is that with more people on stage, if we bomb as a group, there will be more face to lose together, giving us courage without fear."

Xu Chaoyang: ......

F*cking thick skinned.

"It doesn't matter if you don't want to go."

Bo Yan lowered his head looking at the recital videos on his phone, casually saying: "I heard from Jin Xi that they would invite Song Xuanxuan from the Broadcasting Department as a judge. She's the department belle. We'll help say hi to her when we see her."

With the mention of the Broadcasting Department's belle, Xu Chaoyang immediately got excited: "My goddess Xuanxuan is also coming and even as a judge? F*ck f*ck f*ck!"

He hurriedly picked up The Complete Collection of Poems from the floor: "I must perform well to let goddess Xuanxuan know that the National Defense Academy is not just brawn over brains!"

Jing Chi said with a smile: "Speak for yourself, don't drag others in. The admission scores for the National Defense Academy are over 40 points higher than liberal arts. Who dares to say we don't have brains?"

Bo Yan didn't care much about this issue: "Let others say what they want. Winning the championship, you can use your skills to slap their faces."

"It's not easy to win the championship." Xu Chaoyang said flicking through the book, happily saying: "But being able to show off in front of my goddess Xuanxuan is not bad either."

The next morning, after Jin Xi brushed her teeth and came out, she saw the door to dorm 409 across from her cracked open.

She looked around and saw no one, so she sneaked to the door crack and eavesdropped.

A melodious male voice came from the dorm, clear and sonorous, sounding like Xu Chaoyang.

Just as Jin Xi was listening intently with her ear to the door, the wooden door suddenly swung inwards. Caught off guard, Jin Xi lost her balance and stumbled right in.

In the chaos, she grabbed onto the lean waist of the man.

The waistline was very firm. Her head knocked against it felt like a hard wall, and it still hurt a bit...

She looked up and met Bo Yan's pitch-black eyes.

He looked down at her with a faint smile: "First thing in the morning, sneaking over to throw yourself into your senior's arms."

Jin Xi grabbed his shirt hem to steady herself, and mumbled: "I came to see how you guys are preparing, have you picked the recital piece?"

With folded arms, Bo Yan raised his brows and asked: "You care that much?"

Of course Jin Xi cared, she was also very apprehensive. She didn't know Bo Yan's purpose for participating, but she vaguely... always feared he would make some mistake.

It felt as if him performing poorly would be embarrassing for herself as well.

"Senior, can you recite poetry?" Jin Xi tried to explain: "Not just reading it aloud, there should be feeling to it, to move people's hearts."

Bo Yan casually ruffled her hair, with a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone: "Do you think I, Bo Yan, can't recite poetry?"

"That's not what I meant." Jin Xi pushed his hand away: "How about this, during the competition, I'll arrange your group's performance order to go first."

Bo Yan asked: "Why go first?"

Jin Xi thought for a moment, and said softly: "Well, there's no... harm without comparison."

"Naughty girl." Bo Yan reached to grab her, and Jin Xi saw the bad sign and scurried away, keeping her distance, shouting as she ran -

"Don't worry senior, even if you bomb, I won't laugh at you. At most I'll pretend not to know you!"

In the next few days, the several male students of dorm 409 would stay on the spacious training ground after night drills every day for poetry recitation practice.

Their faculty advisor fully supported these rascals participating in such a meaningful cultural event like the Guyu Poetry Recital. He personally selected the spirited patriotic poem "The Sky of History" for them. And stayed every night to instruct them, to let them do the National Defense Academy proud.

Jin Xi would sneak to the training grounds from time to time, hiding behind trees to watch them practice. A few times she was spotted by Bo Yan, and the panicky girl would turn and flee, covering up as if she was seeing something indecent.

Who knows what was going through her mind.

**

The competition was scheduled at 7pm on Tuesday night. That afternoon, Jin Xi personally went to the Arts Academy to pick up Song Xuanxuan, a third year senior from the Broadcasting Department.

Chu Zhao secretly tailed Jin Xi, and was discovered by her.

"The auditorium is busy preparing, what are you following me for?"

Chu Zhao seemed to be wearing makeup, her face fair and smooth, eyelashes curled, eye shadow natural, lips light pink, very natural looking.

She pretended to be calm: "I'm going to see my love rival."

Jin Xi knew Chu Zhao liked Xu Chaoyang, but Xu Chaoyang had fallen hard for the singing and dancing Song Xuanxuan at the New Year's Eve party.

At first, when Chu Zhao knew Xu Chaoyang liked a girl, she thought it was herself. Until Jing Chi inadvertently noticed her affection and punctured her dream before she could act further, telling her, the instructor Xu already had someone in mind.

Chu Zhao was quite heartbroken for a while, but a young girl's first love always carried a stubborn refusal to give up. She didn't want to just let go like this.

What kind of person was Song Xuanxuan? The belle of the Broadcasting Department, beautiful as if she had saved the Milky Way in her last life, a goddess.

"What can you achieve by seeing her?" Jin Xi said helplessly: "It'll only make you sadder."

Song Xuanxuan was a standard goddess, not just beautiful, but talented in many areas. Any girl would feel inferior next to her.

Chu Zhao grumbled: "I just want to see what kind of person she is."

Still unwilling to admit defeat.

Outside the recording studio at the Arts Academy, Jin Xi and Chu Zhao saw Song Xuanxuan. Dressed in a clean white dress, with a little off-shoulder jacket on top, light natural makeup on her face, brows and eyes vivid, graceful in speech and movement, her voice sweet and charming.

"Junior didn't need to come get me personally, I can find my own way later."

Her smile felt like a spring breeze.

"The student council president asked us to come get you, senior." Jin Xi said politely: "Please take your time senior, no rush. Come with us after you're done."

"I have nothing left to do here. Let's go now." Song Xuanxuan locked up the recording studio and left the Arts Academy building with the two juniors.

"Junior is from the Literature Department?"

"Yes, senior."

"The Literature Department has beauties too, you are both so pretty."

"Thank you, senior."

Chu Zhao kept silent the whole time, leaving Jin Xi to make small talk with Song Xuanxuan throughout.

Jin Xi explained the judging and scoring process to Song Xuanxuan: "Later senior just score based on these four criteria. Combined with other judges, we can then rank them, and after each group performs, please also give some comments."

"No problem."

The competition was held at the grand auditorium of the student activities center. The auditorium was tiered, able to seat hundreds.

Students had already trickled in as the audience.

Jin Xi led Song Xuanxuan to the judge seats, then was called by Jian SiXun to organize the contestants entering the competition area.

Although busy, she still kept an eye out for Bo Yan's group.

The instructor had unusually let them off early from training tonight, to go back and tidy up for the competition.

The few boys still wore camo green military uniforms, handsome and straight, very recognizable. As soon as they reached the university student activities center entrance, they caused a commotion among the girls.

"Forget competing, I just want to see Bo Yan's recital."

"Good luck senior!"

......

Jin Xi waded through the crowd and pulled Bo Yan's sleeve: "Come with me, I've arranged for you to go after the weaker science and engineering students, so your chances are higher."

Bo Yan stopped, his expression somewhat gloomy—

"Jin Xi, looking down on your senior like that."

Today Xi pulled him a few times, but he didn't budge at all. She helplessly explained, "It's not that I'm looking down on you, it's just... getting a ranking will give you conduct points, you guys have worked so hard these days, you should get some kind of reward!"

She was racking her brains trying to figure out how to help her schoolmate brothers get a ranking.

"I didn't come here for conduct points," Bo Yan slowly pulled her hand away from his sleeve, "I came here to..."

Before he could finish speaking, Jing Chi interjected, "Young Master Bo came here to beat up Jian SiXun."

Jin Xi laughed softly, "What did he do to provoke our Young Master Bo?"

"Resentment over stealing one's wife cannot coexist..." Before Jing Chi could finish speaking, Bo Yan kicked him, "Shut up."

Xu Chaoyang looked around and asked Jin Xi, "Where is Senior Sister Qu Xuanxuan?"

"There, the judges' panel," Jin Xi pointed with her lips, "You can go over and chat with her."

Xu Chaoyang shyly said, "I won't go now, later during the competition I'll show off in front of her, then I'll go strike up a conversation after it's over."

When he said this, Chu Zhao came rushing over, wanting to encourage Xu Chaoyang, but unexpectedly heard him say he wanted to chat up Qu Xuanxuan.

His smile froze on his face, rather awkward.

Jin Xi helplessly sighed, and brought them backstage to prepare.

...

In the empty stairwell of the activity center, Chu Zhao sat alone on the stairs, secretly wiping away tears.

Qu Xuanxuan really was very pretty, even girls found it hard to resist the personal charm she exuded all over, let alone boys.

Xu Chaoyang's admiration for her was undisguised, which made Chu Zhao's heart ache terribly.

She thought again about that kiss, her first kiss, those twenty some seconds were the most unexpected time in her life, and looking back afterwards, also filled with pleasant surprise.

The tissue was crumpled into a ball by her, moist, the more she thought about it the sadder she felt, she couldn't care less about work right now.

Just then, there were slow, dragging footsteps coming from the edge of the corridor.

Chu Zhao hurriedly wiped away her tears, burying her face in her knees, just hoping the passerby wouldn't pay attention to her and would leave quickly.

The footsteps gradually drew near, and finally stopped next to her.

Chu Zhao's eyes were wet as she raised her head, and saw Jing Chi half-squatting in front of her, frowning, looking at her very helplessly.

That idiot Xu Chaoyang was completely oblivious to Chu Zhao's feelings for him. Just now, in front of her, it was "my goddess, my Xuanxuan" from his mouth. Chu Zhao's eyes had reddened then.

Originally Jing Chi had come wanting to say some cold mocking words, to advise her not to wholeheartedly remember that worthless Xu Chaoyang. But now, seeing her alone wiping away tears, he couldn't say any harsh words, only felt vexed, stifled, wanting to hit someone.

"What do you see in him?"

Jing Chi hitched up his pants and sat down next to Chu Zhao, lowering his head to look at her, "Just because he kissed you, you like him? If I kiss you, will you like me too...?"

Chu Zhao pushed him away, angrily saying, "Go away, I hate you so much!"

Jing Chi grabbed her hand, his voice low as he said, "Xu Chaoyang has no intentions towards you, torturing yourself like this, what's the point?"

"It's none of your business!" Chu Zhao struggled, but Jing Chi didn't let go. His large, rough hand was astonishingly strong.

"If you're not resigned to it, then confess to him, and let him clearly reject you, then you'll give up." Jing Chi pulled her closer to himself, forcefully grasping her shoulders, as if seizing a little chick.

His dark, slanted eyebrows were knitted together, a frosty light flickering in his eyes, his voice low, "You don't dare confess, can't bear to, yet can't let go either, only daring to hide alone crying grievously, who will sympathize with you, hmm?"

Chu Zhao had used up all her strength, she could only go limp in his grasp, lowering her head with tears falling down her face like pearls—

"I'm not resigned, I haven't even tried yet, I can't resign myself to just giving up like this, I really like him so much, this is the first time I've liked someone this much."

Her voice was choked with tears, soft and tender, even somewhat hoarse, sounding very pitiable.

Jing Chi felt like his heart had been stabbed through, leaking wind with a whooshing sound.

"It's my fault."

He finally let her go, his tone much gentler, "The thing I regret most is that night...I shouldn't have goaded everyone, shouldn't have suggested that rotten idea."

He tidied her disheveled collar, and used his sleeve to wipe her eyes, "Alright, don't cry anymore. I'll think of a way to make that fool see you, then like you, okay?"

Chu Zhao raised her head to look at him, her eyes like jade were as clear as if they had been washed from her tears, "You're willing to help me?"

Jing Chi's brow was furrowed as he gently said, "As long as you stop crying, even if you do cry, don't hide alone, that's too painful."

Chu Zhao wiped her tears, "I won't cry anymore."

Jing Chi stood up, "I have to go compete now. Remember, if you're unhappy in the future, come find me, sending me a text is fine too. Anyway, you have to let me know."

"Mm."

Chu Zhao saw him off, "Senior, do your best, you'll definitely be fine."

The corner of Jing Chi's mouth curled up slightly, his smile tinged with some bitterness. For that one sentence of "Senior, do your best", he felt like he could give up anything.

**

Whether by human design or coincidence, the order Bo Yan went on stage happened to be after Jian SiXun's.

Before going on stage, Xia You looked at Jian SiXun's back in front and grumbled in a low voice, "He definitely arranged it on purpose, putting us after him. Without comparison there is no harm done, he wants to ruthlessly grind us into the ground!"

Bo Yan lazily twirled a pen with his fingertips, a cold glint flashing through his eyes, "We'll see whose hands the deer dies in."

Jing Chi said, "Do you really think our recitation skills can beat him?"

Bo Yan said, "Brothers fight enemies together, fathers and sons go into battle together. There's so many of us and just one of him, what is there to fear?"

Jing Chi: ...

Do you think this is a gang fight?!

**

The poem Jian SiXun recited was Dai Wangshu's "Rain Alley".

Wearing a crisp white shirt, he stood on stage with the strong white lights shining down on his elegant face, making him appear even more refined.

This poem was also very suitable for Jian SiXun.

Accompanied by gentle background music slowly flowing out, Jian SiXun's gentle voice slowly recited—

"Holding an oiled paper umbrella, alone, wandering in a long, long, and lonely rain alley..."

At this moment, he was just like that delicate girl, with resentment and sorrow, wandering alone.

The entire audience was immersed by his delicate voice and abundant emotional expression into the context of the poem, quietly and attentively listening. 𝔣𝔯𝔢𝔢𝔴𝔢𝖇𝖓𝔬𝖛𝔢𝔩.𝖈𝔬𝖒

The music ended, the recitation finished, but everyone was still lost in it, not having returned to themselves.

Jian SiXun was no longer simply reciting poetry, it was more like a monologue, a performance with a plot.

Thunderous applause from below the stage.

As Jian SiXun exited the stage, he deliberately cast a smiling glance at Bo Yan.

That one look, Bo Yan took as provocation.

The scent of gunpowder between the two men grew increasingly stronger.

After Jian SiXun's recitation, there was an intermission of ten minutes.

At this time, even the brimming with confidence Xu Chaoyang felt somewhat apprehensive, "Or...let's just forget it. We can't compare to their professional level."

Jing Chi leaned back against the soft chair, "I've seen through it all already. This kind of sissy competition wasn't our forte to begin with. If he has the guts, let him come compete with us in sniping and orienteering, let's see who can beat who."

Bo Yan was annoyed by this bunch of "unmotivated troops". He simply got up and left the auditorium.

Jin Xi stood at the aisle against the wall, attentively watching Jian SiXun's entire recitation.

Jian SiXun's temperament as he went on stage could be said to be very stable, clearly seen he had a lot of performance experience.

She couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat for Bo Yan.

Bo Yan walked out of the auditorium with a darkened face, holding a cigarette box, heading towards the men's restroom.

Jin Xi hurried to catch up, "Senior Bo Yan."

Right before Bo Yan entered the men's restroom, Jin Xi grabbed his sleeve, "It's your turn next, don't smoke, protect your throat well."

Reciting poetry was the same as singing and dancing, one pause flowing into the next, if the connection was bad the entire performance would be ruined.

Seeing Bo Yan's unhappy expression, Jin Xi knew it was because Jian SiXun's outstanding performance was weighing on him, he lacked confidence.

She carefully took the cigarette box from Bo Yan's hands and put it in her own bag, gently saying, "I'll keep it for you and return it after the competition, okay?"

Bo Yan let her take his cigarette case without stopping her, then turned and walked to the balcony rail, leaning on it with his hands and gazing at the distant dorm building, a slight frown between his brows.

"Jin Xi, what if I can't win?"

These past few days he had seemed full of confidence, this was the first time Jin Xi had seen him so uncertain.

"If you can't win then you can't win," Jin Xi said casually, leaning back against the railing. "No big deal."

Bo Yan lowered his head to look at her. She was wearing light makeup, her ponytail neatly tied behind her head, and her black eyes were sparkling, her lashes curved and long.

"Would you think I'm not as good as him?"

Bo Yan finally worked up the courage to ask what was in his heart, and after asking a mysterious blush appeared on his face.

Jin Xi suddenly laughed and patted Bo Yan on the back, "Senior, are you silly or what!"

Bo Yan felt that he really was a fool.

Since Bo Yan had opened his heart to her, Jin Xi didn't hide anything either. She said, "Let me put it this way, Senior. When you feel awkward, I'll feel awkward too; when you're nervous, I'll feel super nervous too. On the other hand, if you're calm and composed, I'll feel reassured; if you perform excellently, I'll be just as happy as you. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

Jin Xi tiptoed and flicked Bo Yan's broad forehead, "Silly, we're on the same team!"

Bo Yan stared blankly at the girl. Her eyes were as clear as a spring, and when she smiled, there were two attractive dimples at the corners of her mouth.

That's why she often ran to the military academy's training ground and hid under the trees to secretly watch his recitation practices, and "abused her power" to help them get good rankings.

Because in her heart, Bo Yan going on stage was the same as her going on stage herself.

We're on the same team, connected branches of the same tree, sharing glory and humiliation together.

The blocked emotions in Bo Yan's heart suddenly cleared up.

The author has something to say: Thank you to [Suí Míng Gē] for the long review, please contact me on Weibo and I'll gift you a book.