231: Chapter 231 He was just talking big a moment ago, and then they turned around and were holding hands?

The atmosphere in the corridor froze at that moment.

Zhou Yichen's gaze was nailed to Lu Li's face, his expression rapidly shifting from gloomy to livid.

He wasn't a fool, after all.

He knew very well what the meaning behind Lu Li's laugh just now was.

And what was even harder for him to accept was that the way Shen Qingxue patted Lu Li just now felt far too natural.

Based on his understanding of Shen Qingxue, it was impossible for her to make such... intimate gestures toward a man!

"You guys..."

Zhou Yichen's Adam's apple bobbed up and down, his voice sounding somewhat tight.

"Are you two together?"

The moment the question was thrown out, the corridor fell silent.

Xu Hang crossed his arms, his expression also freezing as he subconsciously looked at Lu Li.

There was no helping it; this question was simply too impactful.

Lu Li leaned against the wall without answering immediately.

He glanced at Shen Qingxue.

Shen Qingxue happened to turn her head to look at him as well, the meaning in her gaze already very clear, leaving the decision to him.

"Ahem."

Lu Li gave a cough, withdrew his gaze, and looked at Zhou Yichen, his tone quite casual.

"Hey, um, Zhou Yichen, this matter... does it have anything to do with you? Adults are talking, kids shouldn't go around asking random questions, haha."

The corners of Zhou Yichen's mouth twitched, but he quickly resumed that gentle appearance of his.

"It doesn't matter, I was just asking casually. But if the two of you really are together, then congratulations."

His expression stiffened as he added another sentence.

"After all... Teacher Lu is indeed very talented, and can be considered unique in this circle, making him worthy of Teacher Shen."

These words sounded polite, but Lu Li heard the thorns hidden inside.

Unique... translated into another way, wasn't that just being non-mainstream? Playing those little tricks.

Didn't it mean that no matter how talented he was, he was just a starting online singer who had nothing to do with the orthodox entertainment industry?

However, Lu Li wasn't angry at all; instead, he smiled.

"Oh my, that sounds quite polite, so I'll accept it. But there's one thing I need to correct."

He straightened his body, pushing himself up from the wall, and casually patted away the wall dust rubbed onto his back.

"Whether I'm unique or not doesn't matter; as long as people listen to the songs I write, that's enough."

"Unlike certain people who can only rely on fans to prop them up, singing songs of the exact same style day in and day out for ten years, yet still thinking they're quite impressive."

Zhou Yichen's expression sank a few more shades.

Xu Hang nearby almost couldn't keep a straight face once again.

"Teacher Lu is joking."

Zhou Yichen's voice turned a few degrees colder.

"I am, after all, a proper graduate of a professional academy, and every step I've taken is based on my own efforts, unlike certain people..."

He paused, swept his gaze over Lu Li, and swallowed back the rest of his words halfway.

Forget it; continuing would only make him look ungracious.

"Fine, tonight's champion belongs to Teacher Shen. Congratulations to you both."

With a cold snort, he withdrew his gaze, said nothing more, and turned to walk toward the other end of the corridor.

The sound of footsteps gradually faded in the empty corridor until disappearing around the corner.

Only then did Xu Hang turn his head back.

"Zhou Yichen is even more annoying than expected. Teacher Shen, I finally understand your plight."

Lu Li withdrew his gaze, too lazy to reply, and instead glanced at Shen Qingxue.

Shen Qingxue's expression didn't change much, but she took the initiative to reach out and gently pinch Lu Li's fingers.

"Let's go back."

"Mm."

Lu Li turned his hand over to hold hers, not letting go.

Xu Hang watched this scene from the side, his eyelids twitching.

Just a moment ago, he was still trading verbal blows with Zhou Yichen over there, and now, waiting for Zhou Yichen to leave, just as he planned to cozy up...

The result was that the moment he turned his head... they were already holding hands?

For a moment, he felt his nose turn a bit red (᨟ ⍜ ᨟).

"The two of you... what is this?"

Xu Hang gave a few dry laughs, his gaze pausing for a fraction of a second on their intertwined hands.

"Guess."

Lu Li smiled at him, then pulled Shen Qingxue toward the direction of the corridor exit.

Xu Hang stood on the spot, watching the two disappear through the doorway.

He was stunned for several seconds before coming back to his senses, feeling that at this very moment, his heart had suffered ten thousand points of critical damage.

"...Fuck!"

Before long, Lu Li and Shen Qingxue walked out from the special passageway and arrived outside the grand theater.

Standing on the steps at the entrance, Lu Li couldn't help turning back for a look, sighing from the bottom of his heart.

"The competition is finally over."

Shen Qingxue stood beside him, still holding that trophy in her arms.

"What's next? Going back to the hotel?"

"Mm, let's head back first and talk then."

Lu Li withdrew his gaze, then looked at her, unable to resist teasing.

"Let me tell you... when you sang "bubble" back then, I even heard someone crying in the audience. Hiss, they cried so miserably."

Shen Qingxue was slightly taken aback.

"Really?"

"Yeah, more than one."

Lu Li smiled, a trace of unconscious pride creeping into his tone.

"Mainly because you sang the emotions of this song so perfectly. This is the result of a good song combining with a good singer; if it were anyone else, they might not achieve this effect."

"Is that so? How come I didn't know?"

Shen Qingxue gave him a sideways glance.

"Because the bystanders see clear while the person involved is confused, right?"

Lu Li chuckled.

Shen Qingxue let out an "oh", then suddenly thought of something else.

"Right, what about tomorrow night's Guofeng Exchange Conference... do you have any specific arrangements?"

Lu Li thought for a moment, then spoke.

"Let's not worry about that for now. Anyway, we still have the whole day tomorrow during the day, no need to rush, we can just go up on stage and sing when the time comes."

"Besides, we prepared the song "blue and white porcelain" long ago. After going back and practicing it a few more times, are we afraid we won't sing it well?"

Shen Qingxue nodded and didn't ask any further.

Before long, the two returned to the hotel.

When they reached the hotel lobby, Lu Li slowed his pace.

"Right, are you hungry? Do you want to eat some late-night snacks or something?"

Shen Qingxue thought for a moment, then shook her head.

"Not hungry, just a bit tired."

"That's true, the competition really takes a toll on physical strength. Then you should go back and rest first. There are no particular arrangements for the whole day tomorrow, so you can relax well."

"Okay."

Soon after bidding each other goodnight, the two returned to their respective rooms.

The next day.

Suzhou's weather today was a bit cooler than yesterday. The sky was grey and hazy, and fine rain occasionally fell, leaving slanted traces on the window glass.

Pattering against it, it woke Lu Li up before long.

He turned over, groped for his phone and took a look. It was just past eight o'clock, and his sleepiness was mostly gone.

Without rushing to get out of bed, Lu Li simply leaned against the head of the bed, spacing out for a while while listening to the sound of the rain.

Come to think of it, this feeling wasn't half bad.