Cheers

"You... you all!" Qu Meimei bit her lip hard, forcing the words out through gritted teeth. "You're in cahoots! Clearly..."

"Shut up."

Gu Luo cut her off once again, then unlocked his phone, turned the volume to maximum, and played an audio file.

The next moment, the voices of Qu Meimei and two other girls gradually filled the room—girls who had previously spread rumors about Luo Shuning.

"Gu Luo, actually, you’ve been fooled by Qu Meimei. She’s the type who loves spreading rumors—like about me, or Vice President Luo."

"She’s always gossiping about Luo Shuning in the club, saying she steals boyfriends, sneaks around behind people’s backs..."

"Qu Meimei thrives on rumors. She’s just jealous of Luo Shuning..."

"Gu Luo, those girls are nothing but little..."

"......"

Once the recording ended, Gu Luo spoke calmly. "Shuning and I took precautions to prevent Qu Meimei from causing trouble during the school festival. So, we prepared this in advance."

"The truth is, Qu Meimei wanted to destroy the Music Club!"

He paused, then added, "All of this, along with the recording, will be submitted to the school. Qu Meimei, you might want to prepare for a meeting with the principal next week."

By now, Qu Meimei was frozen in her seat, her face as pale as paper, her eyes hollow and lifeless. The two other girls looked equally horrified.

It was over. Completely over.

This wasn’t just a disciplinary issue anymore.

"Qu Meimei, damn you! I’ve had enough of your crap!" Ren Lei finally exploded, unleashing a torrent of curses at Qu Meimei, venting all the pent-up rage she’d been holding back.

"Qu Meimei, how could you be so awful? What did we ever do to you? You were willing to drag the whole Music Club down with you!"

"Qu Meimei, just wait—you’re gonna get what’s coming to you!"

"You..."

One after another, club members who had long despised Qu Meimei joined in, their voices rising like an angry symphony.

"Enough! Enough!"

Feng Duo slammed her hands on the table. "Stop this right now! The school will handle the rest!"

"Everyone, calm down!"

Only after the club president’s intervention did the room gradually quiet.

"My dear president," Gu Luo turned to Feng Duo, his expression icy, "even now, you’re still playing your childish balancing act?"

"Do you really think you’ve done a good job?"

"Do you honestly believe you’re any better than Qu Meimei?"

"Your so-called ‘balance’ meant standing by while one member bullied another?"

His tone grew sharper with each word, each syllable like a bullet piercing Feng Duo’s conscience.

"And for this stupid game of yours, you even used past bonds to emotionally blackmail Shuning?"

"Did you think this was fun?"

Feng Duo was stunned, unable to respond for a long moment.

Gu Luo had no intention of sparing her today.

He’d already given her a chance backstage—asking if she had anything to say to Luo Shuning—just to avoid causing Shuning even a hint of pain.

But what happened?

Even after everything, she showed no remorse.

Not even an apology.

"Everyone," Gu Luo raised his glass, addressing the room, "I’ve officially submitted an application to the student council to establish a new club—Pure Music. Luo Shuning will be the president."

"The meaning is simple: Pure Music is about music, and nothing else. No more scheming, no more drama!"

"If you’re with us, raise your glass!"

"I’m in!" Ren Lei didn’t hesitate, lifting her cup first.

"Me too!"

"Count me in!"

"Wherever Gu Luo goes, I go!"

"Finally! I’ve had enough of this toxic atmosphere in the Music Club!"

"Absolutely!"

"......"

One by one, nearly every member in the room—except Qu Meimei and her allies—raised their glasses.

Watching this, Feng Duo turned even paler. She frantically grabbed Luo Shuning’s arm, pleading, "Shuning, don’t do this..."

"Don’t let the Music Club fall apart because of me... Please. I—I was wrong before..."

"Feng Duo, it’s over."

Though still blushing slightly, Luo Shuning steadied herself and gently but firmly pried Feng Duo’s fingers from her arm—like letting go of the past.

Then she stood and addressed the group.

"Everyone, I share responsibility for what’s happened."

"I shouldn’t have kept backing down."

"I owe you all an apology. I’m truly sorry."

Pausing, she raised her glass, her voice resolute.

"But I promise you this: Pure Music will be about one thing, and one thing only—music!"

"Cheers!"

With that, she tilted her head back and drained her drink in one go.

"Cheers!"

Gu Luo and Ren Lei followed suit.

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

The room erupted in cheers and clinking glasses, celebrating a brand-new beginning.

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

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