Silky Eggs

"Next up, let's welcome the student club 'Kun Music Group' for their performance, 'Dusk Witnesses the True Believers.' Everyone, please give them a round of applause!"

Amidst the enthusiastic cheers, Huang Zhao and several other boys with middle-parted hair and overalls passed by the Light Music Club backstage. As they walked past Linlin, Huang Zhao deliberately paused, flashing a grin.

"Linlin, witness this—our club's final Kun dance."

"Mm." Linlin stared at Huang Zhao, only managing to say, "We won't lose."

"Oh? We'll see about that." Huang Zhao waved a hand and led the others onto the stage.

After the host stepped aside, the members of Kun Music Group took their positions. As the screen behind them projected a dusk-themed video and the hypnotic battle anthem "Curry Curry" began playing, Huang Zhao and his crew dribbled basketballs in sync under the dim lighting. Their movements were precise, their footwork unified, and their expressions so focused it seemed as if they were about to join an elite order.

The audience erupted in gasps before breaking into cheers, quickly captivated by their disciplined performance. Soon, the crowd swayed their glow sticks in rhythm.

Backstage.

"They're strong opponents. Their coordination is almost like shadow clones," Zhixia remarked, watching Huang Zhao's performance. "I heard Kun Music Group ranks its members in five tiers. Huang Zhao’s skill has already reached 'Kun Power Level Three.'"

Still, Zhixia gently patted Linlin’s shoulder with a reassuring smile. "Don’t stress too much. We might not be worse off."

"Yeah." Linlin nodded slightly, but Huang Zhao’s flawless execution only added invisible pressure.

After their dance, Huang Zhao transitioned into a heartfelt ballad, gripping the microphone.

"Chicken, you’re just too beautiful~"

"Oh baby, you’re just too beautiful~"

"One more glance and I’ll explode, any closer and I’ll melt~" Huang Zhao’s voice trembled with emotion, tears welling in his eyes. His performance moved countless believers in the crowd to tears.

"..."

"Explode—" As Huang Zhao’s voice quivered through the final line, the audience erupted in thunderous applause. "Wooooooah!"

"Peaks breed false followers, dusk reveals the devout!"

"Kun Music Group!"

"Kun Music Group!"

The cheers gradually unified, chanting the club’s name. Clearly, the group held immense popularity at Yinshan Academy—otherwise, so many wouldn’t have joined.

Even the guest judges couldn’t resist clapping, never stingy with praise for outstanding performances.

Among the guests, one figure stood out—a woman in an elegant black gown, lightly made up, her gaze subtly drifting toward the backstage.

Chen Qin had been invited by Yinshan Academy to watch the show. Hearing that Ye Shuang would perform, she’d arrived that afternoon to check things out.

"Should be about time now," she murmured.

"Thank you, Kun Music Group, for that spectacular performance! Next up, let’s welcome the Light Music Club!" the host announced cheerfully.

Hearing their club’s name, Ye Shuang and the others carried their equipment onstage as the red curtain lifted.

"Equipment all set?"

"Should be fine… right?"

Once ready, Ye Shuang glanced at Bai Yuyou and Tang Keke beside him, then at Linlin and the others further away. He smiled. "Let’s give it our all. No regrets."

"YEAH!" Tang Keke and the others raised their fists. An Shiyu lazily lifted a hand, while Bai Yuyou, slightly delayed, blinked innocently and murmured, "Oh… oh?"

Ye Shuang rested his fingers on the cool piano keys before speaking softly. "Linlin."

"Y-yes, Teacher Ye?" Linlin turned, clutching her guitar.

"Don’t pressure yourself too much. Lean on us," Ye Shuang said warmly. "We’re a team, after all."

Linlin froze, then looked at the others. Zhixia and the girls smiled back, and even Bai Yuyou nodded quietly. "Do your best…"

Linlin tightened her grip on the guitar, her shoulders relaxing. A faint smile appeared as she nodded firmly.

"Okay!"

"The Light Music Club is ready. Raise the curtain," a staff member signaled after Ye Shuang’s gesture.

The massive drape lifted instantly, flooding the stage with blinding lights. Glow sticks of every color swayed in the sea of spectators, the sheer size of the crowd making hearts race.

"Deep breath…" Linlin inhaled, then flashed An Shiyu an OK sign behind her.

An Shiyu twirled her drumsticks. With a rapid tap-tap-tap, the performance exploded into motion!

Linlin strummed her guitar and sang—

Every time I see your face~

My heart starts pounding in my chest~

This trembling longing inside~

Floats as light as cotton candy~

Watching your profile, so earnest and true~

No matter how long I stare, you never notice~

If only this were a dream~

Then we could close the distance between us~

Oh god, I beg of you~

Grant me just one moment alone with you~

I’ll hug my beloved bunny tight~

And drift to sleep early tonight~

Slip-slidey egg~

Slip-slidey egg~

...

Linlin sang with growing ease, perfectly capturing the youthful crush embedded in "Slip-Slidey Egg." Behind her, the other girls played under the spotlight, each fully immersed, smiles blooming uncontrollably.

The audience spontaneously switched their glow sticks to pink, swaying in unison.

"SO GOOD!"

"LOVE IT!"

Then—the stage lights flickered. A sharp bzzzt cut through the music, silencing everything.

"Wha—?"

Linlin stood frozen, bewildered, staring at the crowd.

What happened? Her voice… was gone?

"Why’d the music stop? You can’t just blue-ball us like this!"

"Seriously?! Edging us right when we got into it?!"

"What’s going on?!"

The audience buzzed in confusion.

"What’s the issue?!" Ye Shuang turned to the staff.

"Some equipment malfunction… give us a minute," came the reply.

Ye Shuang frowned, then looked at Linlin. The girl was trembling, head bowed, fists clenched.

This was bad. Morale was crumbling.

In such a situation, neither the audience nor the performers could easily regain their focus—after all, no one could handle such an abrupt lull.

"Uncle, our instruments still have sound. Let’s play this together." Just then, An Shiyu suddenly tossed her phone over.

"Hmm?" Ye Shuang instinctively caught it, only to find an electronic piano score displayed on the screen, with the title "Senbonzakura" written across it.