Chapter 8: Youth Campus Romance (VII)

Previous Chapter ∇ Table of Content ∇ Next Chapter

Chapter 8: Youth Campus Romance (VII)

“Miao Lichen, it’s just being rejected by a girl. Don’t tell me you lack the courage to accept that. If you don’t want to smile, then don’t smile, okay?” Lin Moxi grabbed Miao Lichen’s arm and narrowed his eyes. The complicated emotions surging within him made his tone harsher than usual. The usually elegant young master was now acting like a willful teenager.

“Why do you think I don’t want to smile, Moxi? I will never force myself.” Miao Lichen turned and pulled his arm free from his grasp, then casually draped it over Lin Moxi’s shoulders. He was slightly shorter than Lin Moxi, making the gesture look more like he was leaning on him. The height difference made him give up on this and he simply placed his hand on Lin Moxi’s shoulder.

“Are you really serious?” Was he actually planning to give up on Qingxin? Lin Moxi met those eyes that never revealed their true thoughts. Whenever those eyes revealed emotion, it was always because of Song Qingxin. He couldn’t believe that someone who loved her so much could let go so easily. And he didn’t look particularly sad.

Miao Lichen nodded. The hand resting on his shoulder squeezed slightly. “We don’t have classes today. Didn’t you say you were going to take me somewhere? Where?”

“Oh, you still remember,” Lin Moxi said. His happy mood seemed inappropriate at this time, so he didn’t know how to respond. He had randomly thrown that out because he didn’t want Miao Lichen to see Dongfang Yi confess to Song Qingxin, so he did not have a place in mind. Now that Miao Lichen had asked, he had to quickly find a good spot for a date. A date? Why did that word come to mind?

“Of course. My world doesn’t revolve around Song Qingxin anymore. My eyes aren’t so blinded that I can only see her.” Miao Lichen said, his lips curled slightly as he pointed a finger at the corner of his eyes, showing a hint of joy. Someone unfamiliar with him would think he was a cheerful boy. “If you’re not sure where to go, then just follow me.”

Taking Lin Moxi’s hand, he walked towards a corner of the campus. After making so many turns that Lin Moxi nearly lost his sense of direction, Miao Lichen stopped in front of a cabin. Surprise flickered across Lin Moxi’s face. He had never known that the grand Imperial Noble High School had such a place. Behind the overgrown weeds, the faint outline of a cabin could be seen. It was completely out of place with the atmosphere of the school, looking like it belonged in the countryside.

Miao Lichen smoothly pushed open the door, seemingly oblivious to his surprise. Unlike the cobweb-covered room of Lin Moxi’s imagination, the room was spotless, clearly regularly maintained by someone. A piano stood in the center of the room, with a bed against one wall and a small tea table completing the sparse furnishings. Maybe because of its simple furnishings, the room felt reassuring instead of oppressive.

“Is this your secret?” Lin Moxi’s eyes lit up at the thought. Adding the word “secret” in front of some common things makes them especially exciting.

Nodding gently, Miao Lichen glided a finger across the piano keys. This place truly was the original’s secret base, and it was his dream to bring Song Qingxin here. For him, only those who can bring him joy deserved to be entrusted with this secret. Lin Moxi silently tilted his head and looked at Miao Lichen who glowed from the light behind him. He thought this boy embodied the word “sunshine” better than anyone.

“Does that mean you can play the piano? Would I have the honor to hear you play?” Lin Moxi walked next to the piano, smiling as he looked at the spotless sheet music. This place was clearly well-maintained, yet he had never known of its existence despite spending so much time with Miao Lichen. This fact spoke volumes about its importance to him.

“The pieces I know how to play aren’t suitable at the moment. They might ruin your good mood.” Miao Lichen answered as he sat down at the piano. His fingers pressed the keys, producing notes that ranged from deep and resonant to bright and clear. The piano was of good quality, but the mood it created depended on the player. Unfortunately, the music the original knew how to play was all a little gloomy. Some pieces were closer to songs of despair. He really didn’t know many happy songs, so they really weren’t suitable for playing right now.

“Well, how about I play for you?” Lin Moxi leaned against the piano. His hand rested on Miao Lichen’s back, as if completely unaware that such an intimate gesture was inappropriate between ordinary friends. His bright eyes met Miao Lichen’s calm gaze without wavering, and he felt a twinge of disappointment. No matter what he did, he couldn’t seem to stir any emotions in him.

“Okay.” Miao Lichen vacated the chair for Lin Moxi and lay down on the small bed. Melodious piano music filled his ears, the cheerful tone and familiar rhythm startling Miao Lichen.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t accept it. It was just that he hadn’t expected this pure-hearted boy to harbor such feelings for him. Isn’t this a Youth Campus Romance novel world? Then why was mister supporting male lead bold enough to play “Phoenix Seeks Its Mate” for another man?

His fingers tapped lightly along the edge of the bed, his body relaxed as if he were a piano player appreciating the music. He tilted his head to look at the pianist, whose fingers were dancing across the keys like a fairy, but there was a hint of nervousness in the rhythm.

When the final note fell, Lin Moxi blushed, as if he had finally grasped the significance of what he had just done. He couldn’t comprehend why this particular song was the only one stuck in his mind when he sat in front of the piano. He wasn’t very familiar with it, yet he played it as his heart desired. Through the emotions that poured out in the music, he came to realize his own feelings. He liked this boy, though he couldn’t pinpoint when it had begun. He was certain that he felt romantic affection for him, akin to the love shared between a man and a woman. The song “Phoenix Seeks Its Mate” left him with no means of escape.

His palms were sweating with nervousness as he dared not look at Miao Lichen. How would Miao Lichen react to another man’s unsolicited love? Moreover, the one he liked was Song Qingxin. He struggled to resist thoughts of her, to avoid feeling jealous of a girl he saw as a sister. However, the sour feeling in his heart slowly spread.

“What song is this? It’s very nice. I like it.” Miao Lichen said, meeting Lin Moxi’s wide eyes. This boy had such an adorable appearance. If he didn’t need to leave eventually, he wouldn’t mind having this boy by his side for a while. But unfortunately, he would eventually have to leave.

Lin Moxi could see that there was no pretense in Miao Lichen’s eyes. He seemed genuinely unfamiliar with this song. However, anyone who had learned to play an instrument would likely have heard this song before. Even if they couldn’t play it, they would have heard it somewhere. This song was a well-known divine confession song.

As if trying to conceal something, Lin Moxi suddenly stood up. He maintained his usual smile, but it appeared somewhat forced. “I’ve already played a song, why don’t you play something? You can play anything, I don’t mind.”

“As long as you don’t mind. The songs I know, heh…” Miao Lichen returned to the piano and did not refuse again. The sarcastic smile he wore, he didn’t know if it was directed at him or something else. The moment his fingers touched the keys, his entire aura changed. He wasn’t gloomy like before, nor was he as relaxed as he had just been. If he were to name the kind of feeling he had, it was no feeling. No emotion could be seen on him, as if he were playing only for the sake of playing.

Lin Moxi did not seem to care, his eyes fixed on Miao Lichen’s face without blinking. As the first note played, the seemingly emotionless man immersed himself into the music. In that moment, he had no intention of listening to the song. He just stared blankly at the face of the man he had fallen in love with.

The piece Miao Lichen played was “A Time for Us,” the melody that accompanied Romeo and Juliet’s tragic final scene. It was a tale of despair yet a new lease on life. After playing the final note, Miao Lichen sat in silence in front of the piano.

When he looked towards Lin Moxi on the bed, he had fallen asleep. Although there were definitely some people who fell asleep to such a mournful love song, there probably weren’t many. Miao Lichen got up, his finger gently brushing his eyes, staining it with water. Were those tears? Just one piece of music brought him to tears.

“A’chen’s music truly is enchanting. Even I feel a bit melancholy. Unobtainable love, it suits you perfectly.” Dongfang Yi said as he leaned against the door, having listened for who knew how long.. His gaze flickered over the figure sleeping in the bed, showing a touch of interest and a hint of displeasure he wasn’t aware of. His deliberately lowered voice gave him a depth that didn’t belong to a teenager, adding a more mature charm to him.

“Unobtainable? Since it’s unobtainable, it should be let go of.” Miao Lichen noncommittally replied, glancing away from the piano keys. He took off his coat and draped it over Lin Moxi, his movements smooth and relaxed. Finally, he turned to the boy radiating arrogance and asked, “Shouldn’t you be with Qingxin? Why are you here?”

“I’m not so stubborn that I won’t give a beautiful woman time to think. She seems unsure of herself, so naturally I’ll give her time to think. Although I don’t think she will regret being with me, I’ll let her preserve her fragile pride.” Dongfang Yi’s tone was as egotistical as always, “But I will only accept one answer, so don’t go thinking you have a chance.”

“Oh.” Miao Lichen muttered, making a meaningless sound as he raised his head to look out the window.

Dongfang Yi snorted coldly and considered leaving, but hesitated when he caught a glimpse of Miao Lichen’s eyes. A faint hint of moisture appeared in those cold eyes, so subtle that it was almost imperceptible. If it hadn’t been for the bright sun shining directly on him, he might not have noticed despite his keen observation skills.

Dongfang Yi really wanted to sneer. Is his cold aloof look just a facade for his deep sadness over unrequited love? He usually dealt with losers in a haughty manner, but he didn’t want to treat him that way.

‘Damn it. If only he would stop fantasizing about something he couldn’t obtain, I would reluctantly treat him as a friend.’

∇ Capture Target Dongfang Yi Favorability: 85.

Previous Chapter ∇ Table of Content ∇ Next Chapter