This is different from what I imagined

"What are you up to, Aotian?"

"I noticed you've either been training or glued to your phone these past two days. Since when did you become a shut-in?"

"Let me see... Oh wow, 'Happy Girl Voice' audition sign-ups. Don’t tell me you’re planning to transition and become a star, hahaha..."

Facing their teasing, Long Aotian rubbed his eyes and stretched. "Cut it out."

Huang Fei sat beside him. "Seriously, what’s this about? You can’t sing, and the event seems to be for girls only."

"Doing it for a silly girl," Long Aotian scratched his head. "She loves music and has an amazing voice, but she lacks courage and support."

Xu Shuai chimed in, "These shows are rigged. There’ve been scandals before..."

Long Aotian smiled. "She’ll be fine."

"So sure?" Li Longlong grinned. "Then help my crush sign up too."

"Yeah, I’m sure. But your crush? Not so much."

"What if she gets eliminated early?" Huang Fei and the others teased, noting the unwavering confidence in Long Aotian’s eyes.

"It doesn’t matter. I’ll support her no matter what."

She had given him everything without hesitation—so he’d be her shield.

Why was this girl so foolish? How could anyone be this naive...

Gathering the prepared materials, Long Aotian slipped on his jacket and left the dorm.

Though it was barely past six, the sky was already pitch black. Walking under the streetlights, he tightened his coat around the bundle in his arms.

He could already picture Lin Wanning’s stunned expression when she saw what he’d brought.

The thought made him quicken his pace.

Arriving at the hotel, he headed straight to the second floor.

Checking the room number Lin Wanning had texted him, he turned the doorknob gently—unlocked, just as expected.

Closing the door behind him, he found the room dark, the only light seeping through the curtains faintly outlining a figure under the covers.

Amused, Long Aotian set his things aside and felt his way to the bed.

Shrugging off his jacket, he slid under the blankets.

"Why are you wearing jeans today?"

"Ah—it hurts!"

The voice froze Long Aotian mid-motion.

Wanning’s voice was distinct—this wasn’t hers.

Outside, Lin Wanning, wrapped in a coat, stepped into the hallway and peered down the stairs. "Weird, why isn’t he here yet?"

She adjusted her coat, about to return to her room and text him, when a startled cry came from a nearby room.

Lin Wanning paused. The voice sounded eerily familiar, but in her haste, she couldn’t place it. Still, she was certain it belonged to someone she knew...

"You jerk!"

The voice rang out again, and Lin Wanning’s eyes widened. "Qingxue?"

Staring at the closed door, she clapped a hand over her mouth. Why was Li Qingxue here? Without another thought, she kicked the door open.

The moment she barged in, her unspoken curses died on her lips.

There, with her clothes halfway down her legs and eyes rimmed red, was Li Qingxue—with a panicked Long Aotian behind her.

Lin Wanning immediately covered her eyes, kicked the door shut, and leaned against the wall. "Oh no..."

Seeing Lin Wanning enter, Li Qingxue bit her lip and hid her face. "Get out!"

"R-right." Long Aotian threw a conflicted glance at Lin Wanning, then moved to leave.

"Don’t move!" Li Qingxue hissed through gritted teeth.

Long Aotian froze. "So... should I stay or go?"

"Long Aotian, you’re dead! I’m telling Hu Yuying what you did—it hurts so much, wuwu..."

Terrified, Long Aotian tried to pull away.

"Stop moving, please! Wuwu..."

Sweating nervously, he stammered, "Why are you in this room? This... this isn’t right!"

Lin Wanning suddenly raised a hand. "My bad. When I arrived, the '6' on this room’s sign was loose. I didn’t think much of it, but I should’ve warned you. You went to Room 6, Aotian. Room 9 is at the end."

The words struck Long Aotian like lightning. Of all the improbable mishaps, he’d stumbled into this one. Staring at Li Qingxue, he knew he was doomed.

"I’m telling Yuying! Just you wait, Long Aotian..."

Lin Wanning rushed forward.

Seeing her approach, Li Qingxue sniffled gratefully, then smacked Long Aotian’s thigh a few times in petty revenge. "Wanning, save me..."

But Lin Wanning only winked playfully and covered Li Qingxue’s mouth. "Hurry, Aotian, or she’ll snitch..."

"Are you insane?" Long Aotian blurted, his heart pounding uncontrollably.

Li Qingxue gaped. "This isn’t how I imagined this going..."

......

To Long Aotian, Li Qingxue had always been like a little sister.

From their first meeting—when he’d mistaken her for a flirt—to resolving the misunderstanding, her innocence and purity had always shone through.

When he’d arrived in the capital, she’d nervously waited at the station to greet him and his little sister, endearing herself with her kindness and loyalty.

At a restaurant, after hearing his roommate romanticize love, she’d naively kissed him, curious about the sensation...

After he and his little sister became a couple, Li Qingxue had cheered them on, even scolding him when he misbehaved.

She was like an angel, spreading joy wherever she went.

Yet now, this mistake had happened.

The stark contrast left Long Aotian unsure how to face her.

Part of him wished this were just a bad dream—one that would reset everything when he woke up.