Damn it, I'm surrounded by childhood sweethearts
Chapter 776 522: New Year's Eve Gala

Their performance was scheduled to go on after the next act. After Xu Qingfan communicated with the stage manager, he returned to join Xiao Ruawen and the others.

Xiao Ruawen still held the hand-copied lyrics, worried about forgetting the words on stage, she was cramming at the last minute.

Several of them sat on the footstools prepared backstage, their hands and legs trembling to various degrees,

"Why is everyone so quiet? Come on, let's get hyped! Our song is original, even if we hit a wrong note or sing the wrong lyrics, the teachers and students won't notice."

Xu Qingfan pulled Wu Shichong and Lai Chenglang up from their chairs, encouraging them to relax.

"Not nervous, just a bit cold in the wind." Wu Shichong wrapped his coat tighter, still acting tough.

"Get hyped!" Lai Chenglang did some high knee lifts in place, accidentally or intentionally kicking Wu Shichong's pants.

"Damn you...!" Wu Shichong finally loosened up, playfully wrestling with Lai Chenglang, feeling much more relaxed.

Xu Qingfan caught He Caiting's eye, and they exchanged a smile.

"Hey, hey... Fan, let me finish!" Xiao Ruawen reached out for the lyrics book Xu Qingfan had "confiscated."

"You can recite them backward; trust yourself." Xu Qingfan grabbed her hand, putting it into his pocket.

He Caiting's smile froze on her face instantly, damn it, are you killing singles like this?

Xiao Ruawen pouted, letting him hold her hand, as she continued to silently recite the lyrics she hadn't finished.

"Fan, can I go to the bathroom now?" Before big events, the urge to go hits, and Wu Shichong felt it coming back.

Lai Chenglang also felt a bit urgent but said nothing.

Xu Qingfan didn't respond verbally, instead nodded his head towards the back.

Both turned their heads simultaneously to see the stage manager walking towards them, "Your class is up next, go get ready now."

"Okay." Xu Qingfan nodded to the teacher and shrugged at Wu Shichong, "It's just over ten minutes, holding it in won't be a problem."

"Alright, fine."

Wu Shichong and Lai Chenglang both took a deep breath, taking off their jackets and handing them to Wang Xuan and Chen Qi, who came over to help.

One was on guitar and the other on bass, standing behind Xiao Ruawen, with quite a few cameras on stage.

Xu Qingfan took off his coat to reveal a gray casual suit underneath, well-fitted and giving off a runway model vibe.

Wu Shichong and Lai Chenglang just wanted to marvel "Damn Fan, you're looking sharp," but before they spoke, Xiao Ruawen took off her down jacket.

"Whoa!" Both simultaneously let out an exclamation, attracting the attention of the many backstage staff and students.

"Ruan Wen, you look amazing!" Wang Xuan swallowed, so surprised that her words came out inverted.

Xiao Ruawen beamed a bright smile, handing her down jacket to her, and Wang Xuan suddenly had the absurd thought: Maybe gender boundaries don't need to be so strict.

"It's not a big deal, just a normal outfit." Xiao Ruawen tugged at her trench coat, placing her hands in her pockets, enhancing her presence.

"Let's go prepare, we can chat after the performance." Xu Qingfan held Xiao Ruawen's hand, the two of them together looked just like characters from an anime.

Noticing the slight sweat in the girl's palm, Xu Qingfan gently squeezed it, encouraging her.

Xiao Ruawen gave him a reciprocal squeeze, as if saying "Got it."

Wu Shichong and Lai Chenglang slung the guitar and bass to the front, while Xu Qingfan held drumsticks, as the drum set would be moved on stage by the staff later.

In the few minutes that passed while waiting, the previous class stepped down, and coincidentally or not, the host introducing their class was Chen Mengmeng.

"Don't be nervous, good luck juniors and juniors!" Before taking to the stage, she came over to exchange a few words with Wu Shichong and Lai Chenglang, playfully winking at Xu Qingfan as she left.

"Thanks, Mengmeng!" Wu Shichong and Lai Chenglang waved her goodbye with grins.

Since they were about to go on stage, although she noticed the small interactions, Xiao Ruawen didn't say anything.

"For our school's centennial celebration, we composed a new school anthem. Do you think it sounds good?" Chen Mengmeng passed the microphone to the audience, and a wave-like response of "It sounds great" rose from below the stage.

Chen Mengmeng exclaimed in surprise, "Wow, do you know this song was composed by a fellow student from our school? Tonight, they will present a new original song!

Welcome, Class 16 of Grade One, All Choose C!"

The stage suddenly went dark as Chen Mengmeng left, but the gasps lingered long after.

What had they heard?

"Misaligned Time" was composed by one of the students, and tonight, they're bringing a new original song?

"We're all high schoolers, why are you so impressive!"

"No way, are you showing off at the New Year's party like this?"

Below the stage, staff hurriedly moved the electronic piano and drum set onto the stage, and Xu Qingfan, along with six others, formed a circle for one last pep talk, "Let's go!"

When the stage lights lit up again, the five of them stood on the large stage set up in a one, two, two formation.

The chatter suddenly quieted down as the cameraman gave Xiao Ruawen a close-up shot, and the next moment, the entire square erupted in excitement.

Current makeup trends still leaned towards heavy makeup, especially for stage performances. Many actresses favored thick foundation paired with bold eye and cheek makeup to create a striking visual effect.