Emily Gu had grown accustomed to such gazes, but Grace Gu felt a hint of discomfort. Just then, Qi Yu walked over to them.
"Didn't you say not to come? It's just a rehearsal."
He glanced at Grace Gu, his expression slightly furrowed, but his gaze quickly shifted away as if he had never looked at her at all.
"I just wanted to take a look," Emily Gu said with an air of authority, though there was still a warmth in her tone that suggested underlying emotions.
Qi Yu seemed helpless, yet his eyes lacked the coldness directed at others; instead, they held a hint of indulgence: "Do as you wish."
Seeing the faint blush on his neck, Grace Gu felt a bit surprised. As he hurried toward the grand red stage, her expression subtly changed.
"Is this your friend?"
A young man who looked like a wealthy heir approached and asked her softly, though there was nothing unpleasant in his gaze.
"Yes, but I warn you not to have any ideas about her; otherwise, you'll bear the consequences," she said haughtily without caring about the boy's changing expression as she pulled Grace Gu toward the front seats.
Emily Gu was somewhat of a revered figure at Hong Kong University; no one would dare dispute seating with her for fear of incurring her wrath.
Many boys eagerly offered their seats while girls seethed silently inside without showing it outwardly.
Emily Gu continued to drag Grace Gu along as if she didn't notice the eager smiles around them and murmured under her breath: "Where did that deadbeat Qin Jun run off to? Can't he even save two seats?"
"Beautiful lady, are you cursing me?"
Suddenly, an oddly dressed young man appeared beside them; his small braids added an unexpected charm to his otherwise decent face.
Seemingly oblivious to Emily Gu's anger, he circled his round eyes around Grace Gu: "Emily, is this your beautiful friend?"
At this point, he extended his right hand which had been occupied with snacks earlier; perhaps feeling something strange on it, he wiped it on his clothes before offering it to Grace Gu.
Before he could fully extend his arm, Emily Gu stepped in front of him and twisted his arm slightly while warning softly: "Qin Jun, behave yourself."
That damp hand clearly belonged to someone who had just tried to tease some girl student; she glanced back at the snack bag thrown at him—was that really food?
Just as she doubted it, a girl from the front row suddenly screamed: "A mouse..."
The surrounding girls were startled by such screams and began searching frantically for the cursed mouse while Qin Jun shamelessly claimed several seats for himself.
By the time those girls realized what happened, he was already waving at Emily Gu: "Yar'er! Beautiful lady! Don't we have seats now?"
The expressions on those girls' faces darkened further when they realized that on the day of the actual performance they wouldn't be able to secure any spots after all their efforts just so they could hear Qi Yu perform—only for this scoundrel to ruin everything for them. Qi Yu was a rising star in Hong Kong's music scene—a legend—and today they came hoping for a glimpse of that legend only for these seats to be taken by this rogue. If Qi Yu was considered a myth at Hong Kong University then Qin Jun was undoubtedly its complete rascal.
Grace Gu watched as those girls left the auditorium with tears on their faces and felt somewhat helpless herself; encountering such an unpredictable guy truly seemed like bad luck.
Noticing Grace shaking her head disapprovingly towards him made Qin Jun's sharp eyes focus intently on her as he casually remarked: "Does my behavior seem inappropriate? Why do you keep shaking your head?
"
Before Grace could respond further Emily interjected forcefully: "You dare make things difficult for us? Qin Jun! Have you lost your mind?"
"Of course not! In front of our beautiful and clever Miss Yar'er here I'm always just a docile little kitten," he replied while looking pitifully at Emily with exaggerated gestures.
Emily couldn't help but laugh before pulling Grace down into their seats again; those women had long been displeased with them daring even think about Qi Yu—didn't they know whether or not they were worthy?
Watching Emily's self-satisfied demeanor mixed with subtle pride made Grace sit down too—this girl truly seemed enchanted.
It remained unclear whether Qi Yu was worth such infatuation since there wasn't much revealed through his gaze except how different it seemed when directed towards Emily.
This rehearsal carried significant weight due to being part of their centennial celebration—the atmosphere turned solemn when Qi Yu took center stage causing waves of excited screams throughout the auditorium making what should have been merely practice feel more like an actual concert—it took someone like him alone capable enough.
Grace didn't understand piano but found every note played by him beautifully enchanting; seated before its stand engrossed in concentration made him appear almost sculptural alive.
His bright eyes paired with gentle smiles alongside handsome features illuminated under shifting lights created irresistible allure among female audience members.
"Isn't he handsome?" suddenly asked Emily turning towards Grace.
Grace smiled back knowing although male attractiveness mattered greatly—it never filled voids within women's lives—but right now Emily wouldn't comprehend that notion whatsoever.
"Yeah...handsome."
As soon as Qi Yu finished playing piano sonata unexpectedly someone from backstage bellowed loudly: "What time is it?! Still trying to show off thinking you've got connections now huh?! This is supposed rehearsals—does she even regard Hong Kong University?"
Originally meant as private grumbling remarks—the speaker forgot about turning off microphone resulting everyone hearing loud & clear causing silence enveloping entire hall instantly.
Realizing something amiss—the person quickly switched off mic directing furious roars towards nearby student responsible until tears welled up before finally turning back attempting damage control amidst chaos unfolding around them saying:
"Cut this segment out—we'll let her make up later." The person spoke sternly fuming internally adding:
"But what if higher-ups start asking questions?"