The Charm of Trying 11 O'Clock for the First Time

Rest Area.

"Shu Ning, could you accompany me to buy something before we head home? You'd probably know more about it."

"Sure."

Luo Shuning agreed without hesitation.

Soft lighting spilled over the two of them, outlining a warm and cozy scene.

After a while, Luo Shuning finally spoke up softly, her voice sweet and slightly coquettish, carrying a hint of petulance. "Brother, what are we going to buy later?"

"Musical instruments," Gu Luo replied with a smile.

"Instruments? What kind? A piano?" Luo Shuning instinctively suggested. "If it's a piano, you can use the one in my room anytime."

"If we're buying a new piano, just leave it to me. No need for you to worry about it."

"......"

Hearing such a flex, Gu Luo thought to himself, This little rich girl really lives up to her name.

Casually offering custom-tailored suits and pianos like it's nothing.

And when she said he could use her piano anytime, wasn’t that basically an open invitation to her room?

Just the thought of it made him a little excited.

I wonder when I’ll actually get to step into my little angel’s bedroom.

"Not a piano. A suona," Gu Luo cut straight to the point.

"A suona?"

Luo Shuning blinked in surprise, her big, lively eyes filled with astonishment. She truly hadn’t expected it to be a suona of all instruments.

In this day and age, people who could play the suona were few and far between.

Aside from rural villages where the ancient craft was still passed down, the suona was practically nonexistent in bustling cities.

"You know how to play the suona?" she couldn’t help but ask.

"I learned from an old professor in my freshman year," Gu Luo explained with a smile. "Actually, I was part of the music club back then too. I just didn’t go often because I had to take care of Little Man."

That was the only explanation he could give.

"I see... So why are you buying a suona now?" Luo Shuning’s curiosity was thoroughly piqued.

"For the school festival," Gu Luo replied promptly. "I’m worried that Qu Meimei, that mentally twisted freak, might try to sabotage it."

"If Qu Meimei wants to ruin the performance, there are only two possibilities."

He held up two fingers as he spoke.

"One: She deliberately skips the performance last minute. Even if that happens, we can get a senior to step in. Not a big deal."

"Two: She intentionally causes trouble during the performance, just like she did during rehearsals."

"This school festival is important. Auntie will be there too, so we absolutely can’t afford any mistakes."

"Better safe than sorry. So if that day..."

He meticulously laid out every possible scenario and how to handle them—all deduced from the system’s special mission and its hints.

It was pretty much spot-on.

If the system issued this special mission, it meant something would go wrong during the music club’s performance.

And since the hint pointed to Qu Meimei, it was almost certainly her doing.

"Brother..."

Luo Shuning’s throat tightened, as if something were lodged in it, leaving her momentarily speechless.

Though she didn’t fully understand why Gu Luo had made these assumptions, her heart swelled with gratitude.

She never imagined he would go to such lengths to protect her, to think ahead so thoroughly.

Even though he was already undercover, even though he’d already helped her so much.

Without Gu Luo, she’d have no idea how much Qu Meimei would’ve tormented her daily.

"Brother, why are you so good to me?" Luo Shuning looked at him, her eyes brimming with tenderness.

"Because you’re my sister," Gu Luo answered without hesitation.

"Oh... Is there any other reason?" She tilted her head slightly, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

She wanted a more special answer.

"Because I don’t want to see Shuning get hurt."

Hearing this, Luo Shuning felt her heart skip a beat, as if the entire world had frozen in that moment.

She couldn’t help but imagine a future with Gu Luo—one that would be incredibly sweet and blissful.

I want to rush back and compose music to capture this feeling, to preserve this happiness forever.

Taking a deep breath, she steadied her racing heart and flashed a sweet smile.

"Brother is the best."

Her voice dripped with dependence.

Flashback over.

Back to the present.

Luo Shuning didn’t start singing. Instead, in front of everyone, she slowly walked toward the backstage.

The audience below was thrown into further confusion. The murmurs instantly exploded into a cacophony of chatter.

What’s going on?

Now even the lead singer is bailing?

"Luo Shuning isn’t singing anymore?" a guy muttered in bewilderment to his friend.

"What the heck is the music club doing?"

"......"

"Relax, relax, there’s gotta be a twist. Look, the prettiest lead singer isn’t even panicking, okay?" A third-year student remained steadfast in his delusions.

"...Dude, I think you’re just trolling at this point," the guy beside him couldn’t help but laugh and shake his head.

The lead singer just walked off, and you’re still waiting for a twist?

The audience buzzed with theories and skepticism.

Meanwhile, on stage, Qu Meimei was practically giddy.

Her plan was simple—worst case, she’d take a disciplinary strike.

She could just tell the school she’d been under too much pressure, that everyone had been ganging up on her, and that’s why she’d cracked.

But now that Luo Shuning had voluntarily left, she’d bear at least 80% of the blame.

After all, she’d just fled in front of the entire school and countless visitors.

Luo Shuning was done for.

Just as Qu Meimei was reveling in her victory, her grin suddenly stiffened, as if frozen mid-frame.

Because Luo Shuning wasn’t just coming back—she was holding hands with a guy.

And in his other hand was an instrument that looked both unfamiliar and oddly recognizable.

Gu Luo was a little stunned too. Hand-holding hadn’t been part of their original plan.

This was entirely the little angel’s own improvisation.

Part of him was surprised, part of him was thrilled.

But damn, her hand was so soft. Like...

Hand in hand, the two walked to the center of the stage.

"Brother, do your best," Luo Shuning whispered, her voice as gentle as a spring breeze.

Then she let go and stepped aside slightly, her eyes filled with trust and anticipation.

Gu Luo smiled at her.

The suona’s reed had already been soaked in warm water. Everything was ready.

He raised the instrument slowly, bringing the mouthpiece to his lips.

[Use Charm Boost Card]

Points on the system panel began depleting.

Two points per second.

His charm stat rose from 9 to 11.

Gu Luo had previously boosted his physique to 10, so handling a 300-pound fan was a breeze.

Now he’d get to see what happened when a stat exceeded 10.

There’d definitely be a bonus effect—he just didn’t know what yet.

9 o'clock is a succubus.

Then what about 11 o'clock?

Well, since things have come to this, let's feast first.

The next second, a phoenix-like cry suddenly echoed through the performance hall.

The sound was piercing and resonant, soaring straight into the heavens as if it could break through the sky.

It shook the souls of everyone present, leaving them trembling in awe.

At that very moment, the chaotic music faded away, the hushed murmurs of the audience vanished, and everything else disappeared.

The entire world seemed to hold nothing but this impassioned suona melody, reverberating and lingering in the air, refusing to fade.

............

............