Chapter 26: Dominate the Entire Scene!

"Holy cow, Chu, you scared the life out of me!"

As Chu Nan returned to his seat, Yang Jingtian patted his chest, looking genuinely shaken.

"Why would I scare you?"

"Isn't this too risky? If Luo Xiang actually loses his temper, I won't be able to help you. You have no idea how vicious he can be. I've heard stories about this guy—he once sent someone to the hospital with a brick."

"Doesn't that mean he’d end up in the police station?"

"What police station? He wasn't even eighteen at the time. Besides, Long Junhao’s father is a deputy chief; what can anyone do to him?"

"Heh, so what? Does he dare to beat people up in broad daylight?" Chu Nan gave a cold laugh. Setting aside the fact that Luo Xiang wouldn't dare touch him because of Zhou Xiaonan, even if he did, Chu Nan wasn't necessarily afraid of him.

"Fine, fine. You never listen to a word I say anyway."

Chu Nan remained calm. "The class monitor lent me her notebook. How could I just stand by and watch her be bullied?"

"...Fair enough. But what’s this singing competition he mentioned? The only thing you can play is 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'."

"It's called 'Little Star,' not 'Twinkle Twinkle'."

"Isn't it the same thing? Hey, what are you even thinking? When you sang that song for He Qianqian before, it was absolutely atrocious. She’s from the music class! You’re betting against her? Isn't that just suicide?"

Yang Jingtian was getting agitated. "I really don't know what’s going on in your head. Are you just asking to be humiliated?"

"Old Yang, do you trust me?"

"I trust that your mother will ground you."

"I'm not joking."

Seeing the sincere expression on Chu Nan's face, Yang Jingtian paused and said reluctantly, "Of course I trust you, but..."

Chu Nan smiled slightly. "Then just wait to cheer for me after school."

...

Aside from their conversation, others were whispering as well, but most eyes were fixed on Chu Nan.

The transformation in Chu Nan lately had been too drastic. Not only was he eloquent, but his courage had grown significantly. While everyone else was standing on the sidelines waiting for a show, only he had stepped up to speak for Jiang Yuwei.

That alone was enough to draw attention, and the declaration Luo Xiang left behind was even more explosive: Chu Nan was actually going to compete against him in singing!

Since school ended on a Saturday, most people decided to go and watch the spectacle. Regardless of who won or lost, it didn't affect them, but they certainly wouldn't miss a chance to watch the drama. Even though they didn't know why they were having a singing competition...

Yang Liuqing was equally curious and couldn't help but ask, "Weiwei, what’s this about that boy saying he’s going to have a singing contest with Chu Nan?"

Jiang Yuwei shook her head slightly. "I don't know."

Yang Liuqing was stunned. "You don't know?"

"I really don't."

"Really?" Yang Liuqing continued, "Then do you think Chu Nan is competing against him because of you?"

"Because of me?!" Jiang Yuwei's expression held a hint of confusion. "Why?"

Yang Liuqing hurried to speak. "Don't be dense! Obviously, it's because Chu Nan likes you. Why else would he stand up for you? They must be competing because of you—whoever loses isn't allowed to get close to you."

Jiang Yuwei glanced at her. "I'll just say, your imagination is quite something."

"What do you mean, my imagination? Weiwei, you have no idea how charming you are. You've received at least ten love letters under your desk this semester alone, haven't you?"

Jiang Yuwei replied calmly, "You can check; there isn't a single one."

Yang Liuqing stuck out her tongue. "That's just because you throw them away too fast."

"You're right, but I really am in the dark about this." Jiang Yuwei turned her head to look at Chu Nan, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes.

"Really? Then do you want to go and take a look after school?"

Jiang Yuwei hesitated for a moment. "I suppose... that would be okay?"

"What do you mean, 'I suppose'? Let's go, let's go! We're about to graduate; it would be a waste not to watch a show like this. Besides, don't you think Chu Nan is actually quite handsome? Sigh, he had such a low profile before, always walking with his head down—it’s a pity no one noticed. But he’s destined not to go to the same university as you; his grades are just too bad..."

Jiang Yuwei was silent. She wasn't sure who her seatmate was trying to convince...

"Welcome everyone to the Garden Plaza! We are members of the Blue Dragon Band. We’ll be performing a few songs for you shortly, and we hope you enjoy them!"

Luo Xiang, holding an electric guitar, shouted into the microphone, drawing cheers from the crowd.

"I recognize the guy with the mic! Isn't that Senior Long Junhao? He looks so handsome!"

"Yeah! He looks even better than he does on the posters. I heard he’s partners with the Goddess Zhou."

"Exactly, I never expected him to be this handsome in person!"

"I've heard him sing before; he's not bad."

"Not bad? He’s the only student in our school who can sing a duet with Goddess Zhou."

"Hey, I heard he came today specifically for Zhou Xiaonan. Apparently, some guy had the audacity to challenge him."

"Holy crap, who is this guy? Where is he? He dares to challenge Long Junhao?"

"No idea. Their whole band is here, but the challenger hasn't shown up. Probably too scared to come, right?"

...

"Damn it, Boss, this guy Chu isn't just playing us, is he?" After five minutes passed without a sign of Chu Nan, Luo Xiang’s face darkened.

Long Junhao scowled. "Wait two more minutes. If he doesn't show, he forfeits!"

Since when did he, Long Junhao, have to wait for anyone?

It didn't matter, though. The result would be the same whether the guy showed up or not. Next time he saw him with Zhou Xiaonan, he could beat him up with a clear conscience.

"By the way, is Zhou Xiaonan here?"

"I saw her in the crowd. Look, that’s her wearing the sunglasses. But don't worry, Brother Long, she’s not with Chu Nan."

Long Junhao nodded. "Good."

"Darn you, Chu Nan. If you don't show up, I'll never forgive you." In the crowd, wearing black casual clothes and sunglasses, Zhou Xiaonan looked left and right, unable to spot Chu Nan, and felt a surge of agitation.

She believed that if Chu Nan showed up and sang "Dislocation of Time" with the same level of skill he’d shown the other day, he would definitely win. But for some reason, he hadn't appeared yet...

"Where is Chu Nan?!" Yang Liuqing poked Yang Jingtian on the shoulder.

"Holy cow, you scared the..."

Seeing it was the pretty Yang Liuqing, Yang Jingtian immediately became nervous. "I... I don't know. But he said he was going to get his guitar."

Yang Liuqing tilted her head. "Getting a guitar? Why is it taking so long? You don't think he got scared and ran off, do you?"

Chu Nan quickly defended him. "Impossible! Old Chu might not have many good points, but he’s like me—a man of his word!"

Yang Liuqing paused and pointed at Yang Jingtian, laughing, "Oh, oh, oh! I didn't realize, Yang Jingtian, you're quite good at bragging about yourself."

"Well, that's one of my strengths, hehe."

"I'm leaving," Jiang Yuwei said, already intending to walk away.

"Where are you going?"

"I don't want to wait anymore." Jiang Yuwei’s expression was indifferent.

"Oh! Oh! Oh!"

Just as Jiang Yuwei finished speaking, a teenager with a guitar strapped to his back emerged from the crowd.

The boy had a handsome face, a tall, upright stature, and even in his school uniform, he couldn't hide his extraordinary presence.

At that moment, walking into the sunlight, he strode toward Long Junhao and his group, instantly becoming the focus of the entire square.

"Chu Nan, you finally showed up. I thought you were too scared to come!" Seeing Chu Nan, Luo Xiang sneered.

Chu Nan smiled. "No need to talk trash. Let's just start."

"There's a crowd today. How about a best-of-three?" Luo Xiang announced loudly.

Chu Nan smiled. "Sure."

A best-of-three? Even a best-of-five would make no difference.

I, Chu Nan, shall dominate this stage.