Chapter 466 - 217: Come to My Place for New Year’s Eve? The Little Kitten Misses You
Chapter 466: Chapter 217: Come to My Place for New Year’s Eve? The Little Kitten Misses You
"A little bit of sunshine."
As Yang Yishui’s voice faded, the music abruptly stopped.
A roar of celebration suddenly erupted in the gymnasium as the entire audience cheered.
The song’s tone was incredibly cheerful, the kind that makes you want to sway along the moment you hear it.
The atmosphere, already electric from the street dance performance, was instantly set ablaze by Yang Yishui, the energy refusing to dissipate.
In this near-deafening ocean of revelry, loud enough to drown out any single voice, Shen Yuan looked at Li Zhi beside him.
Excitement and warmth brought a faint blush to the girl’s cheeks, and the all-encompassing roar of the crowd made her eyes shine exceptionally bright.
In response to Shen Yuan’s question, Li Zhi leaned close to his ear and said, "No."
Seeing the sly look on the girl’s face, Shen Yuan shook his head helplessly.
The New Year’s Gala performances hadn’t ended yet.
It was as if the school administration understood the explosive effect this song would have on the venue, so the subsequent acts were scheduled to gradually calm everyone down.
As the final notes of the last act faded into applause, the overhead lights of the gymnasium came on one by one.
The host’s voice cut through the noise once more. "Thank you to all our performers for their spectacular show! And now, will all of tonight’s performers please come to the stage—"
A tide of applause erupted.
Performers in assorted costumes streamed out, standing shoulder to shoulder under the bright lights to bow to all the students and faculty.
The fleeting moment of joy was over just like that.
"Students, please exit in an orderly fashion by class!"
Old Zhou immediately stood up and clapped his hands forcefully. "Class 15! Grab your personal belongings and pick up any trash around you!"
The crowd began to flow toward the exits like a stream.
Ah Jie craned his neck, looking back at the stage reluctantly. "It’s over already? I didn’t get enough of Sister Shui!"
Shen Yuan deftly picked up two chairs. "I bet if you score over 120 on the English college entrance exam, Sister Shui would absolutely agree to belt out a tune in the classroom."
Ah Jie chuckled. "Then I’d better forget about it."
Amid the fading clamor and the teachers’ urging, the students of Class 15 joined the crowd heading for the exit.
The chill of the winter night began to seep in through the open doorways, but it couldn’t suppress the lingering warmth and reverberating energy inside the gymnasium.
Outside the gymnasium, the crowd dispersed into smaller streams, flowing toward their respective classrooms.
The roaring energy of the grand spectacle formed a subtle contrast with the current chatter on the school paths.
Once they were back in the classroom, Old Zhou arrived soon after.
"Alright, stop chatting amongst yourselves," Old Zhou said, standing by the podium and clapping his hands. "Pack up! Day students, hurry on home. Boarding students, head back to your dorms. It’s getting late!"
The classroom was instantly filled with the cheerful buzz of dismissal.
"Li Bao, you got all your stuff?"
Shen Yuan casually picked up the schoolbag Li Zhi had left on her desk and slung it over one of his shoulders—his own was already on his back.
Li Zhi nodded. "Let’s go."
Shen Yuan naturally took Li Zhi’s hand and waved to Ah Jie and the others. "We’re heading out!"
"OK! Bye! See you tomorrow!"
"See you tomorrow!"
The two of them merged into the larger stream of students leaving the classroom, bags in tow, and heading for home.
Under the dim yellow streetlights, the boy and girl’s shadows stretched long. The cold winter wind still blew, but the lingering excitement from the grand gala and the anticipation of the holiday seemed to have quietly chased away the deepest chill.
Tomorrow was the New Year’s Day holiday.
Their hands, clasped together beneath their cuffs, transmitted a steady warmth that chased away the winter night’s chill.
As they reached the quiet stretch of road leading to her neighborhood, Shen Yuan’s heart inexplicably began to beat a little faster.
He squeezed Li Zhi’s fingertips and spoke, as if offhandedly, his voice mingling with the soft sound of their footsteps. "Li Bao, tomorrow’s New Year’s Eve. What are your plans? Staying home or..."
As he spoke, his gaze naturally fell upon the girl’s profile, illuminated by the lamplight.
He didn’t finish the question, but Li Zhi could clearly sense the probing intent behind it.
The girl didn’t break her stride or even turn her head. Only her fingertips curled in his palm as her airy voice replied, betraying no particular emotion.
"No plans."
She paused before finally turning to face him. Her clear eyes swept over Shen Yuan’s slightly tense jawline, and the corners of her mouth curved into a playful arc.
"What about you? Do you have any plans?"
Her nonchalant counter-question was like a pebble tossed into the lake of his heart, making Shen Yuan’s Adam’s apple bob subconsciously.
His fingers, intertwined with hers beneath their cuffs, instantly squeezed a little tighter.
It was as if the cold winter wind held its breath, freezing the boy’s unspoken invitation and the girl’s seemingly casual inquiry in the middle of their journey home, bathed in the glow of the yellow streetlamps.
Li Zhi waited a moment, but when Shen Yuan didn’t respond, she said, "If you don’t have any plans, I guess I’ll just spend it with my parents."
The night wind rustled through the treetops, and the streetlight stretched the long shadows of the two, who stood extremely close.
Shen Yuan’s pace faltered for an almost imperceptible moment. His fingers, holding Li Zhi’s, tightened subconsciously, and his Adam’s apple bobbed.
"So... um..."
His voice was a little more hesitant than before, clearly getting stuck. His gaze drifted into the distance before quickly flicking to the tip of Li Zhi’s ear, which was flushed red from the cold wind.
Li Zhi’s clear eyes held a silent question.
Shen Yuan looked as if he’d been burned by her gaze. He flusteredly averted his eyes as a trace of heat crept up his ears, and his words came out in a stutter.
"Um, about New Year’s Eve... It’s the first year San Geng and Naonao are with us..."