Chapter 44: The Street Performance Troupe Officially Debuts

Ye Xiruo was stunned by her blunt questioning, mumbling for a while before whispering, “Xiaobai, don’t be angry. I know I said something unpleasant that upset you. If you want to scold or hit me, I deserve it—I won’t resist.”

Her words sounded conciliatory, but subtly painted Li Wanbai as a violent person, as if Li Wanbai had truly laid hands on her under the watchful eye of the camera.

And to be honest, Li Wanbai had no memory of the past ten years; it was difficult to say for certain whether she’d ever acted out. Back in high school, her temper wasn’t exactly mild, and anyone who could be best friends with Su Orange couldn’t possibly be a gentle, model student.

Li Wanbai answered with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, “You say that in such a way it could be easily misunderstood. When have I ever bullied you? We’re good friends.”

Ye Xiruo glanced at her cautiously, smiled without saying a word, but felt a strange sense of unease.

Li Wanbai, that fool, didn’t play along as she expected.

If it had been the old, naïve Li Wanbai, she would have thought Ye Xiruo was joking and chimed in herself. After all, playful banter between best friends was perfectly normal.

Li Wanbai didn’t respond, which meant one of two things.

Either she no longer considered Ye Xiruo her best friend—she had found someone better.

That possibility was dismissed as soon as it surfaced in Ye Xiruo’s mind. Impossible. Li Wanbai’s social circle had shrunk to an alarming degree in recent years; the people she knew could be counted on one hand. If she didn’t regard Ye Xiruo as her best friend, who else could it be—Su Orange?

Besides, Ye Xiruo still had a secret weapon in her grasp. As long as she held onto it, Li Wanbai wouldn’t dare to turn against her.

The second possibility was that Li Wanbai, that fool, had suddenly become less foolish.

That thought sent chills down Ye Xiruo’s spine. She said nothing, merely smiled at Li Wanbai.

Judging from Li Wanbai’s earlier behavior, even if enlightenment had dawned, she couldn’t have gotten much smarter.

Ye Xiruo had already learned from Sister Chen that the company intended to groom her as their leading lady; Li Wanbai was yesterday's news. No matter what outrageous acts she committed, the company would back her up—there was nothing to fear.

“So, is the idea of splitting into separate teams feasible?” Ma Xu couldn’t help but interject.

He was the second talented guest among them; if they formed groups, it would attract more camera attention—a boon for him. That was why, even though the topic had been set aside, he insisted on bringing it up again.

Teacher Wang turned his head and glanced at him, inwardly scoffing. Young people, as expected—their ambition and desire were written all over their faces, plain for all to see. Yet outwardly, he patted Ma Xu’s shoulder and joked, “I actually think splitting into teams is a good plan. It lets us earn money quickly and gives our singing and dancing stars a stage, doesn’t it?”

“There’s no rush. Why not let Teacher Yu play us a tune first, and then we’ll discuss grouping?” Quan Hao grinned insincerely at Yu Baichuan. “Teacher Yu, surely your music isn’t so stingy as to deprive us of a performance, is it?”

“The ears are yours; listen if you want,” Yu Baichuan replied as he adjusted the guitar’s tuning, nodding with satisfaction.

It was a prime opportunity to attract attention; the producers wouldn’t dare skimp on Yu Baichuan’s performance, so they’d chosen the most expensive guitar available.

With several of the entertainment industry’s top stars gathered in one place, it wasn’t long before a crowd formed, watching their movements with curiosity and nervous anticipation.

“Is it starting?”

“Should be. Finally!”

[Baichuan hasn’t held a concert in ages; the last time I saw him with a guitar was way back.]

[You sound like you’re talking to yourself.]

[Weren’t you all just saying that letting YBC busk on the street was disrespectful? Why are you now so happy to have your idol perform? Are you all just masters of changing faces?]

[Guess why a singer like Baichuan hasn’t released a new album in so long? Guess why he hasn’t attended any concerts? Guess why he hasn’t had a stage for so long? Isn’t it all because of a certain sister-in-law!]

[Why should we be grateful to her for what she said? If Baichuan didn’t want to benefit his fans, he wouldn’t pick up the guitar at all! In the end, we should thank ourselves.]

[What level is Li Wanbai that we should thank her? Even if she hadn’t said anything, Baichuan would still play for us—stop flattering her! It’s nauseating.]

[Now I get it—you just don’t like Li Wanbai, think nothing she does is what a sister-in-law should do.]

[No matter how bad she was before, she hasn’t done anything wrong now. No need to curse her for everything.]

[Heh.]

[…]

The fierce debate in the live comments was interrupted by the music flowing from Yu Baichuan’s fingertips.

Each note blended together, melodious and moving. This was a song he had never before revealed on any public platform—a completely fresh, unfamiliar melody.

Yet it was strangely youthful.

How odd. Yu Baichuan had spent ten years drifting in the turbulent world of showbiz, was already twenty-seven and approaching his thirties. He should have nothing to do with the innocence of youth—yet everyone listening felt an unmistakable breath of youth.

Li Wanbai looked at Yu Baichuan’s focused profile, momentarily lost in thought. Of course it felt youthful—this was a piece Yu Baichuan had composed in high school.

Back then, Yu Baichuan was full of vigor, promising her with a slap to his chest that he would become a famous singer and release an album of his own.

How had she replied at the time?

Li Wanbai pondered.

Back then, the wind brushed through the treetops, orange leaves swaying and painting the sky.

Su Orange had teased him, “With your looks and figure, you should be a male model. Why are you dead set on becoming a singer?”

Yu Baichuan glanced at her, helpless. “You started this topic—why are you mocking me now?”

“Sorry, sorry, I’m naturally sharp-tongued,” Su Orange said with a smile. “But it’s not entirely my fault. Xiaobai says she wants to be a jewelry designer—she’s an art student, with talent in that area. And you? You want to be a singer, but I’ve never seen you sing at a school event.”

Yu Baichuan turned his head away, humming disdainfully. “You mortals aren’t worthy to hear me sing.”

Su Orange rolled her eyes and retorted, “Sure, sure, we’re not worthy. But what about Xiaobai? Isn’t she worthy? Even she hasn’t heard you sing!”

“Why drag me into this?” Li Wanbai quickly stuffed her homework into her backpack, then picked it up, smiling. “I’m packed—let’s go.”

At that time, Yu Baichuan’s eyes were deep and clear as he walked briskly to her side and slipped a note into her palm.

Li Wanbai looked up in confusion, only to catch a glimpse of Yu Baichuan’s departing figure.