Winter passed, and spring arrived, marking the opening of the campus arts festival. The most popular event was, of course, the campus singer competition, but the drama club's performance also attracted a lot of attention, especially with the handsome and beautiful Xue Min and Xue Yu as the main attractions. The small auditorium was filled to capacity for the first performance. Xiang Yu was a bit nervous performing in front of so many people, but fortunately, her role as Zhou Chong wasn't too demanding. Moreover, she was dressed as a man, and the audience seemed to appreciate it.
After the hour-long performance, Xiang Yu was both nervous and hot under the stage lights, causing her makeup to smudge. Seeing this, Xue Min reached out with a handkerchief to help her wipe it off, but Xiang Yu instinctively stepped back. It was at this moment that Lu Heng entered, holding a bouquet of flowers. Xue Min's hand was still in the air, and he quickly pulled Xiang Yu's hand and handed her the handkerchief. "Your makeup is smudged, wipe it off," he said, before walking away without looking at either of them. Xiang Yu felt awkward holding the handkerchief, unsure whether to use it or discard it. Lu Heng naturally took the handkerchief from her hand, replaced it with the flowers, and then embraced her, whispering in her ear, "Great job on the performance!" The others in the room, who had been silent, started cheering. Understanding the situation, Xiang Yu wrapped her arms around Lu Heng's waist and hugged him back, saying, "Thank you." Her smile was sweet, prompting even louder cheers from the others. Only Xue Min, standing by the wall with his head slightly lowered, showed no expression.
Everyone had planned to go out for dinner after the show and invited Lu Heng to join. Xiang Yu, not particularly fond of such gatherings and worried that Lu Heng might feel uncomfortable, quickly declined, "No, you all go ahead. I'll join next time." They didn't insist and gradually filed out. Xue Min lingered at the end, walking slowly past Xiang Yu and Lu Heng. "Xiang Yu, remember to be on time for next week's computer club activity," he said without looking at them or stopping. Xiang Yu frowned, puzzled by his strange behavior, and watched him leave, wondering what had gotten into him today. Lu Heng turned her face towards him, "Alright, stop looking at him and don't think about him anymore." Xiang Yu's eyes were full of Lu Heng. "I wasn't… I…" The next moment, Lu Heng's face drew closer, his lips touching hers. He closed his eyes while Xiang Yu's eyes remained wide open. His soft lips gently pecked and licked hers, and Xiang Yu's mind went blank, the surroundings fell silent, and then she heard him whisper, "Close your eyes." His hand moved to the back of her head, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss. At some point, Xiang Yu found herself kissing him back.
"Min, what are you…" The voice interrupted everything. Xiang Yu and Lu Heng broke apart, their faces flushed. Xiang Yu looked up and saw Xue Min and Xue Yu standing at the door. Xue Min, who apparently hadn't left earlier, wore a strange expression, while Xue Yu, having come to call him, likely hadn't seen what had happened but could easily guess. Xiang Yu felt a sudden annoyance, as if Xue Min looked at her like she had betrayed him. Composing herself, she took Lu Heng's hand and picked up the flowers, saying, "Let's go, I'm hungry," with a hint of playfulness in her voice. Lu Heng squeezed her hand in return, "What do you want to eat?" As they approached the door, Xue Min was still standing there. "Excuse me, Mr.Xue, could you let us through?" Xue Min mechanically stepped aside, staring at Xiang Yu with wide eyes but no expression. "Thank you," Xiang Yu said, pulling Lu Heng out of the room.