Volume 4 Chapter 4

Volume 4 + Chapter 4: An Exhausted Qianxue

Today was the first day of classes after the National Day holiday. Although it was currently the lunch break, it was obvious that the students had not finished chatting during the short breaks between earlier classes. They continued enthusiastically exchanging stories about what they had seen and experienced over the vacation.

Meanwhile, atop the rooftop of the teaching building, 

“Qianxue, I came to inform you that starting today, you’ll need to go to my aunt’s company every day for training.” Wang Qian spoke to Ouyang Qianxue beside her.

“…Mm.” Ouyang Qianxue merely responded softly.

“How about quitting the clubs? It’s too exhausting.” After a brief silence, Wang Qian finally voiced her suggestion.

“No! The upperclassmen entrusted those clubs to me. Besides, the vice presidents are helping too.”

“Even with the vice presidents helping, don’t you still need to spend energy managing the clubs? And now you’ll have training every single day, where are you even going to find the time?” The moment Wang Qian realized he still refused to give up the clubs, she immediately became anxious.

After a long period of persuasion from Wang Qian, combined with repeated internal deliberation, Ouyang Qianxue finally reluctantly agreed to leave the clubs.

Thus, after school that afternoon, he arrived at the teachers’ office.

“Teacher… I’m sorry for saying something like that to you last time.” The moment he entered the office, Ouyang Qianxue did not bring up quitting the club first. Instead, he apologized immediately.

“Hm? What did you say? I don’t remember.” The faculty advisor looked surprised upon hearing the sudden apology.

“I mean… last time, when I threatened that if you didn’t send me back, I wouldn’t participate in future competitions anymore…”

As he spoke, Ouyang Qianxue lowered his head guiltily.

At the time, he had been panicked after hearing his younger sister had suffered school bullying, but after calming down and thinking back on it later, he realized his words had been far too excessive.

Before leaving the club, he absolutely had to apologize properly.

“Ah, if you hadn’t mentioned it, I would’ve forgotten already. It’s fine, I don’t blame you.” The teacher smiled gently. “I could tell you had something urgent going on at the time. When people are anxious, sometimes they say the wrong things. I understand.”

“But…”

“Qianxue, don’t keep dwelling on it anymore. Back then, it was me and the previous Music Club president who practically dragged you into the club in the first place. And all those competitions were things I insisted you participate in. If you keep feeling guilty over something so minor, I won’t even know where to put my old face anymore.”

“But I…”

“Alright, alright, stop worrying about it already. Compared to that, I actually have good news for you.” The teacher suddenly changed the topic, her expression turning excited.

“Good news?”

“That’s right. You successfully won first place in the last competition!”

“Really? I guess I just got lucky.” Ouyang Qianxue smiled faintly as he answered.

Unexpectedly, that response instantly annoyed the teacher.

“What do you mean ‘got lucky’?! Do you have any idea how influential that competition is nationwide? Many of the country’s top piano talents today were once award winners from that same competition!”

“And just yesterday, I received a phone call from the Capital Conservatory of Music. They said they’re willing to admit you directly. As long as you have the intention to pursue further studies there within the next two years, they’ll welcome you anytime. The admission notice should arrive in the mail within a few days!”

“I understand. Thank you, Teacher.”

Although Ouyang Qianxue smiled politely, it somehow gave the teacher the feeling that he was merely going through the motions.

“I truly don’t understand you, child. If any other student received news this wonderful, they’d probably be jumping to the heavens in excitement. But when it comes to you, your reaction feels like someone just gave you ten yuan of bonus mobile data for topping up your phone bill. I genuinely don’t know whether you’re broad-minded or simply haven’t processed it yet.”

“Actually… Teacher, I’ve already decided.”

“I want to quit the club.”

The moment those words left his mouth, the office instantly fell into dead silence.

“I see…” Only after a long while did the faculty advisor let out a sigh, disappointment flickering through her eyes.

“Teacher, please scold me. You placed such high hopes in me, yet I’ve disappointed you like this.”

However, the music teacher merely smiled and waved her hand.

“A good child like Qianxue must have her own difficulties to make a decision like this, right? How could I possibly bear to scold you?”

“But there’s one thing I hope you’ll remember.”

“Whether or not you leave the Music Club, you’ll always be my finest student.”

The moment she finished speaking, Ouyang Qianxue’s heart trembled violently.

Only after a long silence did he finally bow deeply toward her.

The bow was incredibly proper.

And it lasted for a very long time.

When he finally turned to leave, the words “Thank you, Teacher” were spoken with absolute sincerity.

Afterward, Ouyang Qianxue dragged his heavy steps toward the clubroom.

Unexpectedly, the moment he entered…

Bang!

Bang!

Confetti suddenly exploded toward him from two celebration poppers held by the younger club members.

“Congratulations, Senior Ouyang, for winning the championship and receiving admission from the Capital Conservatory of Music!”

Before Ouyang Qianxue could even recover from the shock, Duan Haichen led several younger students in shouting excitedly at him.

Looking at the underclassmen crowding around him, Ouyang Qianxue felt a warm current surge through his chest.

Ever since childhood, he had left his family behind to study under Wang Shiman, and because of that, he had always lived in loneliness.

Now, seeing so many juniors and friends gathering together to celebrate him, the emotions he had restrained for so long finally burst free.

His nose stung, and tears uncontrollably streamed down his face.

“See, Duan Haichen? This was all your terrible idea! You scared Senior Ouyang into crying!” Xia Bingdie elbowed Duan Haichen in the waist while scolding him.

“I-I’m sorry, Senior Ouyang! I didn’t mean to scare you!” Duan Haichen immediately panicked and hurried forward to comfort him.

“I’m not crying! And I definitely wasn’t scared into crying! I’m just… a little moved, that’s all!”

Deep in his heart, Ouyang Qianxue had always firmly believed himself to be a strong and unyielding man.

There was no way he would admit he cried.

Especially not to admit that he cried from being startled.

“Thank you, everyone.” Ouyang Qianxue wiped away the tears at the corners of his eyes and spoke softly to the group.

“Haha, Senior Ouyang, you’re being too polite! Normally, your guidance toward us is strict and serious, and you always take such good care of us. Doing this much is only natural!”

“Senior Ouyang is not only kind to everyone, but outstanding in every aspect. Every time we stay by your side, we’re amazed by you again and again!”

“That’s right! Senior Ouyang is practically the pride of the Music Club… no, the pride of all Sakura Academy!”

“Haha… you’re all exaggerating.” Surrounded by the enthusiastic praise of the younger students, Ouyang Qianxue became somewhat embarrassed.

“Senior Ouyang remains humble even after victory, what admirable modesty!”

“Alright, that’s enough now. Everyone hurry and continue practicing. I still have some matters to deal with later, so I may need to leave the club early today.”

As he spoke, Ouyang Qianxue glanced at his phone and realized it was already getting late.

Yet until the very moment he left the clubroom and headed toward Wang Shiman’s company, he still could not bring himself to say the words that he was quitting the club.

Only after arriving at the company did he discover that idol training involved far more than simply talent lessons.

It also included stage presence training and many other forms of instruction.

The workload was heavier.

The requirements were stricter.

Late that night, Wang Qian repeatedly fell asleep and woke up again. Every time she glanced toward the opposite bed, it remained empty.

Only at two in the morning did Ouyang Qianxue finally call her.

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, Wang Qian hurried downstairs to open the dormitory door for him.

“Sorry for disturbing your rest.” Ouyang Qianxue looked apologetic.

“It’s fine. But you… coming back this late…”

“It’s alright. I’m not that tired. The company is just pretty far from the school, so most of the time gets wasted on the commute.”

Even though he said that, the moment Ouyang Qianxue returned to the dorm room, he collapsed directly onto the bed before he even had time to change clothes.

Looking at him lying there utterly exhausted, Wang Qian felt an indescribable ache in her heart.

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