Translator: Ryn
As Ling Ke and Qi Feng walked onto the stage together, they were not able to tell how many people there were sitting below them in the audience, due to the blinding glare from the spotlights that followed them.
Ling Ke could only see Qi Feng, who was similarly being illuminated by the bright light. Like a moth to flame, Qi Feng’s presence drew him towards the huge grand piano which stood not too far away from them.
Once they reached the centre of the stage, Qi Feng suddenly grabbed hold of Ling Ke, brought him to face the audience and gave an elegant courtesy bow. In a split second, shrieks and squeals came from all directions.
… There were so many people present that it was hard to see the boundary or the back of the auditorium.
Ling Ke’s heart began to jump wildly, and he had never been as nervous as he was now, standing on stage.
Qi Feng, seemingly unaffected, walked towards the piano with Ling Ke and sat down.
Two vertically-standing microphones were placed in positions that faced the opening of the grand piano, directly pointing towards the strings, just past the hammers.
Ling Ke took a deep breath, and just as he wondered if they ought to start playing, he saw Qi Feng tugging one of the mics towards him, directly talking into it: “Hello everyone, I’m Qi Feng, and sitting beside me is my classmate cum partner, Ling Ke.”
A deep, pleasant voice echoed from the sound system installed on both sides of the stage. Due to the slight delay in signal transmission, it gave Ling Ke the illusion that the person talking wasn’t the person beside him.
Qi Feng tilted his head and gave Ling Ke a soothing look, before continuing: “Next, we bring to you our cover for the song 《Jump!》, originally by Two Steps From Hell……”
Due to this calm, gentle and steady introduction, Ling Ke miraculously calmed down.
Following this, Qi Feng placed his left hand on the piano keys, and Ling Ke also followed in putting his hand in position.
Not far off the side of the stage, the event organisers stood by, watching this scene.
The Department Head of Culture and Entertainment revealed a look of admiration and surprise: “This guy has a really strong ability in controlling the audience…”
Zhou Yan folded his arms, and said: “Some people are born to stand on stage.”
Department Head of Culture and Entertainment: “Are you talking about yourself?”
Zhou Yan smiled, without saying anything.
Qi Feng continued talking into the mic: “So, can everyone please give us a round of applause, and start counting down with us before we start “jump”-ing together!?”
Encouraging applause and loud cheers accompanied a uniformed shout, “ok –!!!!”
Without a moment’s pause, Qi Feng began counting down, “Five, four……”
The audience took over in unison: “Three –! Two –!”
Qi Feng released his hold on the mic and allowed it return to its original position. He and Ling Ke exchanged a quick glance, heard the last call “One–!”, and began striking the keys at the same time —
“Dangdang! Dangdang! Dangdang!…”
After five sets of repetitive sounds, the two added in their other hand at the same time. The initial inconspicuous, flimsy music made by their single hands, all at once, was raised to robust and vigorously powerful four-handed twelve tones. As if giving no room for the audience to breathe, the momentum of the music immediately ravaged and drew in the concentration of the entire audience.
This was the advantage of four-handed piano duets.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Four-handed piano plays were neither suited for melodious lyrical music, nor were they suited for playing classical music. However, they were entirely suited for condensing original delicate notes into a majestic momentum by means of accented raps, achieving an epic and shocking effect.
— Ufgobgwlcu atlr rbcu 《Aewq!》 kjr lc ojma, nfgs olaalcu obg atflg obeg-tjcvfv qijs.
Pc jvvlalbc, Hl Mfcu’r bqfclcu gfwjgxr yfobgf atf rajga bo atflg qfgobgwjcmf tjv ijlv atf yfra ugbecvkbgx obg atflg rbcu mbnfg — cba bcis vlv atfs jgberf atf jevlfcmf’r fzmlafwfca, atfs jirb wjvf fnfgsbcf offi jr lo atf mtjcuf lc wbwfcaew kjrc’a abb jygeqa.
Listening to this exuberant piece of music, those with limited understanding of the piano felt their three views being completely rewashed.
Some excited audience members got up and started clapping to the beat, or tapped the back of their chairs.
Once they reached the climax of their performance, their two hands started playing up to sixteen notes at a time, under a rich dynamism and rhythm accompanied by continuous strings of portamento notes… At the final moment, with their 20 fingers hammering on the keys simultaneously as if wanting to pulverize the keys on the piano board, it directly brought the excitement of the audience to the very peak!
To the Ling Ke and Qi Feng who were fully absorbed in their piano playing, these four, very short minutes felt as if only four seconds had passed.
Loud, ear-rending applause followed the end of their performance, yet they remained fully immersed in the glow of their heartfelt piano duet, as if their souls have become one, having forgotten everything else.
If the audience’s thoughts could be converted into a “bullet screen”, their emotional outbursts would’ve probably flown across the entire screen.
“OMG, f*ck your mother, ah…”
“After listening to this, I feel like I can save the world!”
“Inexplicably feel like wanting to fight through these four years in university ah!”
“Mom, I want to learn how to play the piano wuwuwu…”
……
Ling Ke lowered his eyes, feeling his heart beating wildly and his seemingly “pounded-to-the-point-of-numbness” fingertips. In a split second, he suddenly felt like crying.
All these years, especially in his first six years of learning the piano, how many times had he been forced to practice set after set of dull and boring finger exercises? How many times had he hated looking at the black and white keys in front of him, hoping to rid himself of them as soon as possible?
Yet, he never imagined that what he had once most wanted to abandon, would one day bring to him so many unexpected miracles.
It brought him to music school, brought him to the TV station, brought him to F University… time and time again, it had sent Qi Feng to him.
It brought to him a unique sense of existence, the envy and admiration of others, as well as the overwhelming, yet moving emotions he felt at this very moment,
In this very moment, he felt that all the hardships he had previously suffered, were worth it.
Half a minute or so after the song ended, Ling Ke followed after Qi Feng in standing up, and blankly walked towards the front of the stage. Together, they thanked the audience and gave them a finishing bow.
Following the bustle going on beneath the stage, a girl holding a bouquet of flowers appeared on the left side of the stage, obviously aiming for Qi Feng who was standing on the left.
In addition to the overwhelmingly loud applause, there were also a lot of whistling and jeering from the audience members.
Ling Ke watched on from the side, not at all feeling any sense of awkwardness. Qi Feng had always been the more popular one, and he had already become well-accustomed to scenes like this.
However, he did not notice that after the first girl came onstage, another girl appeared from the other side of the stage, and with this, the roars from below the stage doubled instantly.
By the time Ling Ke realised what was happening, a teddy bear had already been stuffed in his arms.
Ling Ke looked up, wanting to see the girl’s appearance, but the other shyly covered her face and ran off…
He vaguely heard the other girl boldly confessing to Qi Feng, her voice almost inaudible due to the loud sounds coming from the audience. Ling Ke turned his head to look, and saw Qi Feng already holding onto a large bouquet of pink roses in his arms.
He felt it a little funny, as he wondered in his heart: why was Qi Feng gifted flowers, and yet, he received a teddy bear?
It was at this moment when Qi Feng made a move that was beyond any of Ling Ke’s expectations – Qi Feng pressed the bouquet of pink roses into his arms, then grabbed the back of his neck with one hand, and kissed him.
After a moment of silence, the entire hall exploded in high-pitched squeals that threatened to pierce through the roof of the auditorium; it was even louder than the applause at the end of their performance!
Following this, it was unknown who had initiated it but the repeated chants “They’re together!” started echoing from one part of the hall, and before long, these two words resounded throughout the entire auditorium.
Ling Ke dazedly looked on as Qi Feng gave the audience a flying kiss. Qi Feng then took his hand and pulled him offstage.
It wasn’t until they left the audience’s line of sight, and spotted Liang Ruixi standing by the side of the stage with an expression as if watching a good show, that Ling Ke finally recovered and pulled away from Qi Feng’s grasp.
Liang Ruixi had his arms crossed, leaning against a pillar. He faced them, gave a whistle before ruefully saying: “It’s so good to be young ah……”
Ling Ke: “……”
Qi Feng smiled and asked: “How was our performance? It wasn’t too embarassing ba?”
Liang Ruixi: “What embarrassing, it was simply awesome ah! Before listening to you guys playing the piano, I never knew the piano can be played this way ah! So cool!”
Qi Feng excitedly said: “Yes ba, haha, I also think this song is hot, and the effect after adapting it to piano music is pretty good ah.”
Liang Ruixi then pointed towards the dazed Ling Ke, and asked with a strange smile: “Still, care to explain what’s going on?”
Qi Feng glanced at Ling Ke. When their eyes met, there seemed to be a faint exchange of tacit emotions bursting forth from their gazes. However, within the next second, they looked away simultaneously, and the previously eloquent Qi Feng suddenly turned mute.
Liang Ruixi wasn’t really looking to expose or dig up any deep-seated secrets. He guessed that Qi Feng had most probably felt exhilarated after their performance and kissed Ling Ke in his moment of excitement. Hence after asking, he continued as if talking to himself: “Let me tell you, this time, you guys might have overdone it. Just wait, the school’s network and forum tomorrow will most probably be barraged with photos and posts of the both of you kissing.”
Sure enough, Qi Feng was stunned: “No way ba?”
Taking pleasure in their misfortune, Liang Ruixi replied: “Hah!? Do you think the people from the photography department of our school’s online newspaper only know how to “eat plain rice”? Not to mention the large number of people in the audience recording this with their mobile phones!” He shook his head and sighed, then turned to look at them with sympathy, “No zuo, no die. . In the coming four years, even if the both of you have girlfriends, the rumours of the relationship between the both of you will still not be washed clean ah.”
After saying his piece, he looked towards Zhou Yan who had just returned backstage after announcing the next program, with a “this big bro is speaking from experience” expression written all over his face.
“Qi Feng, Ling Ke! You guys performed very well!” After having arranged the current round of programs, the Department Head of Culture and Entertainment finally took the time to speak to them and express her thoughts. However, after her short praise, she did not forget to say: “But the three of you handsome men, can I please trouble you to move somewhere else? If you continue standing here, the young maidens in our department will not have it in their minds to continue on with their work ah!”
The three people: “…”
The Department Head gave a pleading gesture, and said: “There are three, four to five rows of empty seats on the left hand side of the hall, reserved for the students who had finished performing. If you guys want to watch the rest of the performances, you can sit there and watch as part of the audience!”
Liang Ruixi raised his hand and pointed towards Qi Feng’s and Ling Ke’s faces: “You think they haven’t caused enough of a stir as it is? If they do go down there to watch the show, do you think they’ll be able to leave afterwards?
The Department Head slapped her forehead, and vexedly said: “That’s true…”
Liang Ruixi suggested: “While there are less people out there now, you guys should just hurry up and leave ba.”
Qi Feng and Ling Ke did not have the mind to watch the remaining performances. They quickly followed their senior’s advice, and obediently returned backstage to change clothes.
After reaching the dressing room, the two did not exchange any words. Back to back, they silently removed their performance attires, as if the illusion of peace between them would be broken if they ever spoke, making it seem as though the impasse they had was impossible to clean up.
As they got ready to leave, Ling Ke looked at the teddy bear and roses on the dressing table, feeling thoroughly embarrassed.
The spot near his temples that was kissed by Qi Feng still felt burning hot, and he really couldn’t pretend as if nothing had happened.
“Hey, just now…” Ling Ke finally mustered enough courage to take the lead. As a result, he had only said three words before Qi Feng turned his head and apologised: “I’m sorry, just now I got too excited.”
Ling Ke nodded whilst thinking; straight men don’t even have any problem slapping each other on the butt, so a light kiss on the temples should also be considered a small thing. Moreover, the atmosphere at the time was quite inciting ah…
He pretended to be generous, and said: “It’s ok, I don’t mind.”
The tension eased a bit, but somehow, it still felt a little strange.
Ling Ke glanced at the bouquet of pink roses, picked it up and returned it to Qi Feng: “Here you go.”
Unexpectedly, Qi Feng replied: “I’ve given it to you ah.”
“……?” Ling Ke had thought that Qi Feng had only handed it to him in the first place to help him hold it.
He glimpsed at the card inside the bouquet, and said: “Inside, there’s also a note that the girl wrote for you ne.”
Qi Feng leaned over. He directly pulled out the card, opened it and gave it a quick scan before tearing the card right in front of Ling Ke and threw it readily into the bin on the side.
Ling Ke: “……”
Although he admits that Qi Feng’s actions had made him feel extremely happy, nevertheless Ling Ke still asked: “In any case, they’re still the well intentions of others, so why are you giving it to me?”
Qi Feng thought about it, and smiled. “Because at that time, from the expression on your face when you saw me holding those flowers, you looked as if you really wanted them ah.”
Ling Ke: “………” Rubbish!
Qi Feng saw the somewhat distorted expression on Ling Ke’s face, and quickly said: “I’ve already given it to you, so don’t return it back to me. Besides Teacher’s Day or Mother’s Day, this is my first time gifting flowers to someone, and if you do return it back to me, it would really make me lose face ah…. If you feel too embarrassed to accept it, then just give me the teddy bear you’ve received bei.” As he spoke, he picked up the teddy bear from the dressing table and said: “Ok, so now we’re even ba?”
【A small interlude】
(One)
Ling Ke, hugging the teddy bear: Why didn’t I receive any flowers? *disappointed*
Qi Feng: Here, for you. *comes with a kiss*
Ling Ke: …… (⁄ ⁄•⁄o⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄
(Two)
Qi Feng: blah blah blah blah blah *non-stop chatter*
Liang Ruixi, pointing towards the flowers in Ling Ke’s arms: “Explain.”
Qi Feng: …… (becomes as quiet as a chicken) *TL: whaa..? what kinda metaphor is this? Sorry but this is the direct translation*
Ling Ke: What the f*ck do you mean by this, say it ah! (╯////)╯(┻━┻
Qi Feng can press Ling Ke against the wall and kiss him on the lips and Ling Ke will still somehow manage to brush it off as “straight dude” things 😭
Honestly 😭😭
This dense dummmmyyy yaaa
Lol he seems to think qi feng’s inner thought to be something like “bro im steaight bro ill kiss you in front of the whole college bro but no homo bro let me give you flower bouquet too bro but you know its a straight man act right bro”
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
O M G :0 HE DID IT!!! The forums are gonna explode! xD
Thanks for the chapter! 🙂
Aaaaahhh~ the mind of a “very” straight man huh– little did LK know it will be a curve ball directly hitting him right in the face and he still thinks it’s a straight ball deym dense bb xD
Thank you so much for the chapter!!!~ 🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇🙇
I was today years old when I found out cum was a conjunction. Thank you tl
it being followed by the word partner probably didnt help much 😭
now that i’ve reread it, it does sound a lil weird. u think i ought to change it? 😅
I vote no. For the people who notice we get to learn a new usage of the word and giggle a little 😂
i think it’s fine 😀 new vocabulary and a littlt giggle never hurt anyone!
k. thanks, guys! ❤️
No. Its better for these dirty minded people to regain a bit of innocence😆
such a huge mood 😭 i was so confused for a sec and had to search it up
we learn new things everyday 😌
ahhh theyre so cute…. thanks for the supersweet chapter
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for the update!
It was the perfect opportunity to confess their feelings!!! But nope… they’re gonna sweep that kiss under the rug. Ugh.
Thanks for the chapter!
Qi Feng: …… (becomes as quiet as a chicken) TL: whaa..? what kinda metaphor is this? Sorry but this is the direct translation
Yeah I’ve seen this before in some novels, it’s supposed to somehow connect to a dead chicken, cause dead chickens can’t make any noise ╮（╯＿╰）╭
so many young queers make that mistake…
like that girl in “But I’m Cheerleader” she’s all like fantasizing about boobs and has a girl in a bikini in her locker but she is like these are normal straight people things!
Ling Ke, you are learning from the wrong “straight guys”. 😂
Anyway, there should be hyphens before and after cum: classmate-cum-partner. I literally had to reread thrice to get it right, my eyes jump straight to “cum” and “partner” and completely ignored the “classmate”. 😂
Dang it I thought they’d be together QAQ!
Thank you for the chapter!
It’s the STRAIGHT DUDE THINGS for me
I think i lost it when it said something….cum…then they kissed and I went AAAAAHHHH
Just two bros being bros 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
“No homo bro but I would totally give you flowers and kiss you in front of the entire university after our couple’s performance but yeah bro no homo”
Someone’s jelly mwahahahahahahahahaha
Bruh i was speed reading and seeing “kissed him” i SAT UP, RUBBED MY EYES, PAUSED THE SONG AND REREAD IT THRICE 😩😭😭
I’m anticipating when they finally get together 😍😍😍