Chapter 70: The Decision to Join the Cast

Winter sunlight poured over the campus, drifting in gently after filtering out the cold winds, graceful and soft, its golden brilliance filled with tender affection. The radiant light streamed through the glass, illuminating the boy and girl, making everything seem tranquil and beautiful. In the classroom, Lin Xiao leaned back, gazing at the sky through the window, his deep eyes flecked with the glow of the clouds. Every day, his favorite pastime was to look up at the heavens when he was idle; that endless blue sky, the boundless view, always stirred limitless imagination within him.

Beside him, Yuqing Wang sat with her head slightly bowed, flipping through a book, sunlight casting itself upon her long eyelashes, her lively eyes focused with earnest concentration.

"Lin Xiao, I never expected that being a host would require so much attention to detail! Things like maintaining a good personal image and manners, clear and smooth verbal expression, and even a broad range of knowledge..." Yuqing Wang exclaimed in surprise as she looked at the dozens of listed requirements in her book. Since she’d agreed to be the host yesterday, she had purchased the book at the bookstore, determined to study it thoroughly.

Lin Xiao, hearing her question, broke off from his daydreams, turned and saw the book titled "How to Become a Good Host" in her hands, and couldn't help saying, "Of course! Did you think anyone could just become a host? Do you want your big brother to teach you? Back in the day, I was..." He emphasized the word "big brother" heavily.

"Pfft, look at you, getting all smug. You only hosted once in middle school," Yuqing Wang rolled her eyes at Lin Xiao’s proud demeanor.

"To become a good host, first you need strong psychological resilience and calmness in chaotic situations. You must be quick-witted in controlling the scene and possess a unique style. Also, you need to be approachable when hosting..." Lin Xiao began patiently sharing his experience with Yuqing Wang.

Looking at the earnest boy before her, Yuqing Wang felt sweetness bloom in her heart. She thought, how wonderful it would be if she could partner with Lin Xiao on stage.

"Oh my, why are you two sitting so close together? Tsk tsk, could it be...?" Linlin Tan approached, deliberately teasing as she noticed Yuqing Wang and Lin Xiao were barely a few centimeters apart.

"Linlin, you’re impossible," Yuqing Wang scoffed, quickly moving away from Lin Xiao.

"What’s this, Linlin Tan, instead of discussing the meaning of life with your Xu Tong up front, what brings you here?" Lin Xiao responded carelessly, joking.

"Discussing the meaning of life, my foot. With the New Year’s Eve gala coming up next week, I want to participate too. Should I sing or dance?" Linlin Tan asked with a cheerful grin.

"Pfft, stop right there! You want to perform? That’s a cold joke. Honestly, you’d be better off just being a good audience member," Lin Xiao laughed heartily at her suggestion.

"Drop dead, your opinion doesn’t matter. Yuqing, what do you think?" Linlin Tan shot a playful insult at Lin Xiao before turning to Yuqing Wang.

Upon being asked, Yuqing Wang thought seriously, then replied earnestly, "Linlin, I also think you shouldn’t perform. You’re not good at singing or dancing." She recalled Linlin Tan’s wild antics at the KTV last time—if she went on stage, it would surely be a laughingstock.

"You won’t let me participate, but I insist! I’m multi-talented, skilled in both singing and dancing..." Linlin Tan lifted her chin, lost in her own fantasies.

Yuqing Wang opened her mouth to say more, but Lin Xiao quickly pulled her aside and whispered in her ear, "Don’t say another word. The more you argue, the more fired up she gets. She won’t make it on stage anyway, she won’t pass the audition." Yuqing Wang nodded and held her tongue.

Just then, a handsome boy wearing a black trench coat entered, heading straight for Yuqing Wang. This was Zheng Gao, his face still marked by bruises, especially his eyes—one swollen larger than the other, the lingering result of Lin Xiao’s punch.

"Hey, Yuqing! Oh, Lin Xiao’s here too!" Zheng Gao greeted Yuqing Wang warmly, then feigned surprise at seeing Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao responded by raising a middle finger.

Zheng Gao shrugged off the gesture and gently placed a stack of papers on Yuqing Wang’s desk. "Yuqing, these are the hosting scripts for the New Year’s Eve gala. Can you take a look?"

"Hosting scripts?" Yuqing Wang picked them up curiously. When she saw her name alongside Zheng Gao’s, she stood up in astonishment. "This... this... You’re the male host?"

"What?" Lin Xiao and Linlin Tan spoke in unison.

"That’s right, yours truly," Zheng Gao replied, brimming with satisfaction. After fighting Lin Xiao, they’d agreed whoever won Yuqing Wang’s heart first would be the victor. Now, Zheng Gao was seizing every opportunity to be with her. He had gone to Director Zhang of the Arts Center and secured the position as co-host for the gala.

"Young Master Gao, what happened to your eyes?" Linlin Tan, unimpressed with Zheng Gao’s smugness, pointed at his mismatched eyes with mischievous glee.

"Uh... I fell," Zheng Gao answered with an awkward smile, casting a furtive glance at Lin Xiao.

Yuqing Wang found his uneven eyes amusing.

Lin Xiao, on the other hand, was anxious. He hadn’t expected Zheng Gao to be the male host; it was usually Yuan Chai. Zheng Gao was already making his move—not good, not good, I have to find a way to turn this around.

"And, I’ll be performing at the gala. Lin Xiao, are you participating?" Zheng Gao asked triumphantly, glancing at Lin Xiao with his swollen eyes. Ha, surely I’m ahead this time. Lin Xiao, you can’t compete in talent. Better to bow out gracefully. Zheng Gao squeezed his eyes at Lin Xiao, though the gesture looked rather sleazy given his current condition.

"I’m joining, of course," Lin Xiao replied without hesitation.

Linlin Tan circled Lin Xiao, clicking her tongue, "Lin Xiao, are you sure you’re not delirious? You never liked participating in these events."

"Go away," Lin Xiao waved her off.

Zheng Gao was taken aback, "What will you perform? Singing, dancing, or maybe a comedy sketch?"

Lin Xiao was about to say singing, but paused—if nothing else, Zheng Gao would likely sing too. Though Lin Xiao sang well, he couldn’t compete with Zheng Gao’s professional training. What else could he do? Dancing, he was mediocre; a sketch, he couldn’t do alone; perhaps recite poetry? Lin Xiao was momentarily torn.

Suddenly, an idea struck him. Yes, this was it. With an air of mystery, he declared, "I’ll perform magic."

"Magic?" Zheng Gao was stunned, and Yuqing Wang was equally confused, "Lin Xiao, you know magic?"

"Of course," Lin Xiao replied confidently.

"Alright, I’ll see if your magic can rival my song," Zheng Gao glared in challenge.

Lin Xiao responded with another middle finger.

Yuqing Wang looked from Lin Xiao to Zheng Gao, her face full of confusion—what were these two up to now?